[ Misato is exacting and ambitious, highly critical of herself and those who report to her, but she's no perfectionist. She would rather come out flawed, broken and bruised, having achieved something great, rather than busy herself with polishing all the edges.

She nods and hums, acceding. ] I did ask.

[ Her anger subsides as quickly as it appears. From zero to a hundred to zero in a handful of seconds. She starts walking back toward the ship to help him with the rest of the presents, looking over her shoulder to see if he would follow. By then her smile has returned, cheery bordering on cocky. ]

You know-- when I was younger I might ask you if I did well, and it would kill me if you said no. But that was a long time ago. [ So long ago that it may as well have been another girl cowering under her great father's name. Still she knows what she's about, having self-supervision in plenty, even if knowledge is only the start. ] I'm here for things far more important than me. We all are, really. I think you understand that too.