This makes me feel sad and not in a happy way
This is really really good
But I won't be reading it anytime soon, though that doesnt matter any of you who read this

nvm here it is

Damn I’m kind of curious about the deep angst ending now

You know, I would like to write what a great story this is but just about all your stuff is so damn dark! Jeez, lighten up! We can watch the 6pm news and get dark and misery and pain. No, the story doesn't write itself, you write it!

Sad as it is, the originally intended ending works best in my opinion. There are some good scenes in the new version (shinji's touch and hikari's goodbye) but I think you got it right the first time.

This chapter was particularly good as it showed Rei's utter lack of understanding when it comes to friendship. I loved the way she over-thought about everything, especially how she should think differently about Hikari's appartment building. I particularly liked the almost mechanical way she viewed her new relationship with Hikari. She says she would begin to call her by first name, because now they have a connection, but the connection truely doesn't extend much farther than a mutal liking and the fact that they shook hands and Decided to be friends.

Nice.

I understand and admire the use Rei's sensory-deprived body as an illustration of the emotional collapse Hikari experiences; however, I was not convinced by the First Child's quick, consequence-free rehab. Beyond an initial difficulty with utensils, Rei remains perfectly capable of all major activities once discharged; however, losing all touch within one's leg and foot would leave a person unable to judge the pressure and success of his or her steps, and possibly reliant on a crutch or cane for compensation and stability. I can’t recall if EVA cockpits utilize foot pedals, but that would only present another difficulty. Typing, buttoning shirts, grasping your schoolbook, throwing a ball - possibly even speaking - would be impaired without the affirmation of motion and contact our nerves provide. It was an appreciated point of realism to discuss muscle atrophy; however, by dwelling on only the psychological side-effects to Rei's sense-depravation (read - her Angst), the plot point seems more like a grab for sympathy than proper development. I think this would have warranted some medical research.

"Stillness", I suppose, could be a precursor fic to your masterwork, "Folded Wings", treading much of the same territory and relational developments. A borderline sexual relationship with Hikari, a shy pursuit of the Third Child, and a slow development of Rei's individuality. There is more antagonism from the Second Child, who projects her insecurities rather than hiding them behind silence, and even Maya appears to attempt another friendship with Rei.

Both stories also end quite similarly - with the nullification of Rei's achievements, the re-affirmation of her biological duties, and a pessimistic trudge towards Complementation.

The crucial distinction, I think, is in Rei's motivations. "Stillness" takes pains to emphasize that Rei is not naive, or unknowing, and is brimming with suppressed emotion and teenage awkwardness - our first glimpse of the First Child displays her in a fierce anger. "Folded Wings", on the other hand, presents Rei's calm, Vulcan logic as her comfortable norm, at the expense of leaving her innocent to the workings of human relations, and in a slow education. Here, Rei is more accomplished; the difficulty is finding the will and courage for expression - to say “Ganbatte”, or “No”, or finally, “I hate you”.

Very nice work, if I do say so myself.

I guess I'm just a sap at heart, as I liked the "version 2" ending the best of the four. However, one cannot deny that the original Chapter 8 version was probably the most likely, given the inherent tragedy of NGE. The alternate endings were better off as just that.

For all your second-guesses about people being in character, I found in realistic enough. There wasn't a time that came where I found myself saying "HOLD ON! That's not right..." I particularly enjoyed the effort you put into making sure Asuka was more than a spoiled bitch, as so many romantic authors make that kind of mistake, putting the intended girl up on a pedestal while the rival is made into a caricature. (By the same token, I've seen Shinji/Asuka fans paint Rei as an emotionless golem. That, of course, is a gross over-simplification.) Although I have one gripe about Shinji, specifically. If anything, I think Shinji came off a little *too* weak. Yes, he's consistently cowardly and withdrawn, but the boy can string a sentence together. Then again, we never see Rei opening up and coming onto him in the series, so what do I know?

Ranting aside, I think you did a very good job.

Congratulations-Cue clap track!

This was... how can I say it,

fabulous. There is no other word

for it.

You gave so much insight to me it's

unbelievable. I'm starting to like

Rei too because of you(-)

Happy writings!

I do like Alternate Ending 2. It's what I believe Gendo would order. He has plenty of other Reis available...

I think the original ending was perfect! But the alternate one was good too. Excellent fic.

(speechless)

Didn't like this one unfortunately

Hm..the alternate endings I didn't think was so good especially when Rei was killed. You should've just made one and stuck with it. But it was brilliantly written, I think it should've been the end just like that. But at least I can read more!

Very well written. I am addicted already