The Eye of Heaven
August 18, 2010
by Pierre R. Wheaton
Welcome to the third and maybe the final installment of this series of fan fiction pieces based on Kosuke Fujishima's "Oh, My Goddess" franchise. A lot of questions surround this particular piece. Will this be the final installment that will complete the story started in "The Song of the Goddesses," and nurtured in "The Test of a God?" or will it merely serve as another intermediary step in order to advance the story along? At this point, I don't even know.
"Test" ended with a secret that Belldandy was hiding from Keiichi. What is that secret? I don't even know yet. (Get the recurring theme here?) It will be revealed eventually when I figure out what it is. Like the past two pieces, "Eye" as it will be further known, will be written as it comes from my head with little prior preparation. I do not write lots of notes, and the research I do comes from the web and the copies of the manga, novel, and anime that I possess. I write when the spirit moves me and puts an idea in my head that won't leave until I put it in writing. Not exactly the most professional way of telling a story, but it works for me.
At this moment, I have no clue as to how this story will go, but judging by the positive feedback that I have received from "Song" and "Test", I think that it will turn out as well, if not better, than those two.
All the usual disclaimers apply. (This story should not be considered part of OMG canon, the characters are the property of Fujishima-sensei, but the narration is mine, and that the AMG fanboys will rip it to shreds, although I am surprised that I have not gotten much negative criticism from the Belldandyverse, of which I do count myself a citizen.)
There will be a few surprises that will pop up in this piece, but I don't know what they are and won't know until they choose to reveal themselves. So don't ask.
But I will reveal that this piece will be heavily based in Heaven and for all you Lind fans, she plays a prominent role. More than Urd and Skuld, but of course, not nearly as much as Belldandy.
That being said, please enjoy and offer constructive criticism where and when needed. This is a direct sequel, so you'll have to read both "Song and "Test" to get the full gist of the story. Both stories are listed on the Tea Room blog at .com
Chapter 1
Marller's Headquarters (An old condemned building on the edge of Nekomi City)
Set immediately after the events of the epilogue of "The Test of a God."
Marller stared at the video screen that showed her boss, Hild, the Daimaikaicho, or the head of the demonic realm standing next to the strange visitor wearing the livery of the Heavenly Council.
She didn't know what to make of the situation she was seeing before her eyes. Was she being replaced by this stranger? Did Hild lose confidence in her, the self-professed number one demon in the Demonic Realm? What could this interloper do that she couldn't?
It was starting to anger Marller, and she was wondering how to get back into her boss's good books. She tried to think of a suitably devilish scheme that could put Baldur back into his place and also make Hild proud of her, but Marller's record of success against Gods and Goddesses wasn't very good these days and the last thing she needed was to try and pull something against the silver haired God only to have it backfire in front of her boss. She was so preoccupied with all the potential scenarios racing through her mind that she didn't hear Hild practically screaming at her to pay attention.
"Marller!" Hild said in a deep voice that rumbled like thunder. "If you don't get your head out of what ever orifice you've got it stuck in right now, your next assignment will be housebreaking familiars! Listen up!"
The paranoid demon snapped out of her reverie and quickly settled herself down. She prostrated herself before the screen and mumbled "Yes, Lady Hild! I hear and obey!"
Hild continued to glare with sheer disdain at her underling for what seemed like an eternity, shook her head, and then turned to Baldur. "Forgive my assistant. Despite her being a Demon First Class, she can sometimes be as dense as a block of uranium. Marller here is a prime example of how the demonic advancement system is in severe need of overhaul. She has her uses, but they pale in comparison to her incompetence."
Baldur put a hand on Hild's wrist, and said in an oily voice. "I understand, Hild. Good help is SO hard to find these days. Some of the deities I have to put up with in Heaven would make Marller look like a scholar."
Marller put aside the obvious jabs at her abilities and spoke timidly, "If I may Lady Hild, I must ask why Baldur is here? Is he to replace me as your prime assistant?"
Hild broke the tension between the three with a hearty laugh. "Replace you?" she sniggered. "You must be kidding! Marller, there's not a demon in this realm that has succeeded in being completely incompetent as well as utterly entertaining at the same time. You're one of a kind, my dear. Buffoonery and hilarity in one unforgettable package." With that statement, Hild and Baldur both erupted into uncontrollable fits of laughter. Marller figured that she was being made fun of, but she couldn't quite tell. Eventually both of them regained their serious demeanor and Hild continued,
"No, Marller. Baldur will serve a much more serious and important role to us.
He is going to be our inside man in Heaven. His position on the Heavenly Council will give us access to Heaven's most important secrets." Hild moved to one side and put her hand on Baldur's shoulder. "He has already paid dividends far in excess of what we've been able to achieve before. How do you think that Keiichi Morisato was able to sit for the First Class God Exam despite only being made a God a month before, and despite not having a clue about what First Class Powers are about? Try to keep up Marller, as Baldur explains."
Baldur stepped away from Hild, straightened his robes, and looked into the screen. Marller could feel the God's eyes boring deep into her soul and try as she might, she could not break the stare that Baldur placed upon her. "Marller." He said with a voice that indicated that he was very full of himself. "You see, as I told Hild here, I'm a senior member of the Heavenly Council. I am also the head of the Department of Examinations, the agency that controls the advancement of Gods and Goddesses in Heaven. Every deity in Heaven that sits for an advancement exam has to meet with my approval before doing so.
"Potential examinees are selected either by approval of the Heavenly Council, or by making application through the Department. Either way, I am the one who decides whether they sit for exams, whether they pass or fail, and what licenses they are eligible for. Morisato was petitioned for examination by Hild with, of course, my help.
"Hild, of course, being a demon, could not put a God up for consideration, so she asked me to lend my influence on the matter which I was only so happy to provide." Baldur cleared his throat, brushed an imaginary piece of lint from his robes and continued,
"I placed his name into consideration before the council. And it was I who changed the exam protocol that allowed Hild to pose her challenge. There was much arguing and bickering, pro and con. The vote was straight down the middle. Half the board supported the measure and half were against it. As it was an issue that had to deal with my department, I cast the tie-breaking vote to allow the exam to go forth.
"Those in favor quoted the relationship that Morisato formed with Belldandy as sufficient reason for allowing him to proceed. The council tends to look very highly on Belldandy as one of the shining stars in Heaven. And that if Belldandy was enamored enough of Keiichi to maintain the level of devotion and love towards him that she has, that Morisato must have the properties that would make a fine First Class god.
"Those against felt that among other things, that Morisato was not ready nor should have been considered eligible to take the exam. Some think that he hasn't been a God for enough time, while others think that a human transformed into a God didn't have the abilities to take on First Class Powers. Obviously, those points have been made moot because Morisato did eventually pass his exam."
Marller considered all that she was told and to her it did make sense. She asked, "So Lady Hild, why did you request that Morisato's name be placed into consideration in the first place?"
Hild said, "Because, if the Council could go ahead with authorizing the exam, then I could interfere and send those Goddesses packing, and please don't remind me about how that turned out. The fact that Morisato outsmarted me twice does NOT bring me any joy, although I have to give him a measure of respect. He's a lot smarter than I gave him credit for. We will just have to up our game somewhat. And having Baldur here will give us access to more of Heaven's workings and we'll come up with new strategies about how to get rid of those Goddesses once and for all."
Marller chimed in again. "So Baldur, why are you helping us after all? What's in this for you?"
Baldur straightened his robes again, stared at Marller with those penetrating eyes and said, "Let's just say that I'm not thrilled with the way Kami-sama is running things in Heaven these days. This whole Morisato situation is an example. There is no reason that a 'human'" He spat the word out, "should have been allowed to be transformed into a God. It upsets the natural order of things. Gods are meant to be Gods and humans are meant to be humans. This could cause an unhealthy precedent that would end up negatively affecting both the Heavenly and Earthly planes!" Baldur's voice began to rise as the frustration mounted.
"Kami-sama and the Council had the authority and the power to prevent this from happening, but they didn't want to appear to be on the wrong side of every goddess in Heaven. Not even all the Goddesses were in favor of Morisato being transformed, but once the Song of the Goddesses was started, they all got caught up in it, and the Council as well as Kami-sama decided to just let it happen.
"Unfortunately, the transformation is irreversible, and now that Belldandy and that Morisato hybrid have engaged in sexual congress, they now have the Sacred Coupling." At the mention of that act, Hild shuddered, because she knew that it was the Sacred Coupling that caused her defeat at the hands of Keiichi and Belldandy the second time. The Sacred Coupling allowed Kei and Bell to combine their abilities to a level greater than their individual strengths which made it possible to defeat Hild. And now because both Keiichi and Belldandy were First Class deities, combined with their selfless desire to protect the other at the expense of themselves, that made them even more difficult to overcome.
Marller said, "So do we have a plan? It seems like everything we've tried so far has been a disaster."
Baldur clasped his hands together and said with an evil twist, "Have you ladies heard of a little bauble known as the 'Eye of Heaven'?."
Chapter 2.
Keiichi woke up from last night's merriment and looked around his room. Belldandy was not sleeping beside him. He checked the clock and figured that Bell must have been preparing breakfast. It was shortly after 9am and that was usually the time that she had something on the table.
He didn't drink that much last night, even though his God powers significantly increased his tolerance to alcohol. Mostly he spent the evening being shuffled from one end of the Tea Room to the other by Peorth who had drank quite a bit of champagne and decided that what Keiichi needed was a few dance lessons. It turned out that Peorth was quite enamored of dancing, and the Rose Goddess had subjected Keiichi to waltzes, the foxtrot, the twist and a dance that was performed only in Heaven and which Keiichi found almost impossible to replicate.
At least, to his relief, she didn't try to seduce him like when she first appeared to him back in the day to grant an unspoken desire of the flesh.
Despite the large amount of alcohol drunk at Keiichi's victory party, the temple was actually in pretty good shape. No drunken bodies littered the various rooms. A testament to the fact that goddesses can hold their liquor better than humans, and that if they did go overboard, they had enough dignity to not let it be an embarrassment to them. No one was flashing the Tanuki statue and Belldandy didn't even have to perform a ritual cleansing.
Urd and Belldandy headed off to the kitchen to talk and Keiichi didn't see his goddess again the rest of the night. After Peorth danced her last dance with him, she said that she had to go back to Heaven because she had the early shift at the Earth Assistance Agency. She gave Keiichi a chaste kiss of congratulations and headed back home.
Lind, the warrior Goddess stayed behind because she had some leave saved up and decided to make good on that social call that she promised Keiichi and the Goddesses after the whole Angel Eater affair. So she was going to be around the temple for a few days, which for a household that was familiar with goddesses and demons popping in and out uninvited, unannounced, and at any time of the day or night, was no big deal.
Keiichi got to his feet and headed towards the kitchen, and was surprised not to find Belldandy cooking breakfast. He found it mildly unusual because Belldandy was nothing, if not a creature of order and routine. But he didn't think it anything to get overly concerned about. He left the kitchen and headed towards the courtyard to get a bit of fresh air.
It was there that he met Belldandy standing in the doorway leading out to the courtyard. She was paying rapt attention to a lithe figure performing a complex and beautiful dance with a six foot long battleaxe.
"Good Morning Keiichi." Belldandy said cheerfully as she kissed him on the cheek. "I was just watching Lind work out. She moves so beautifully, that I just had to stop and take it in. I'll be starting breakfast in a few minutes."
"Take your time, Bell. I'm in no big hurry to eat." Keiichi said as he put his arm around her waist. He also stood and watched Lind and was immediately entranced by how precise and flowing her movements were. Keiichi knew that she was actually practicing a sequence of combat moves combining thrusts and slashes, parries, counters, ripostes and various block and attack combinations. But to the uninformed eye, it looked like a fluid dance of uncommon grace and beauty.
Lind's face was a mix of intense concentration and a blissful detachment. Dressed in a white tank top that exposed her taut midriff as well as matching snug white tights, Lind had what would be considered a dancer's body.
Unlike Urd who was voluptuous with 'killer curves in all the right places' and Belldandy, who was perfectly proportioned with everything just the way it was supposed to be, Lind's was long in the legs and arms and neck. She was small in the waste and hips and she wasn't as chesty as Urd and Belldandy.
Her limbs were wiry , but clearly well-developed in muscle tone due to the years of almost constant high level training. On the surface, Lind didn't look all that powerful, but one look in her eyes, and just by the way she carried herself sent a clear message that she was one goddess that was not to be taken for granted. She had a steely demeanor and didn't suffer fools gladly. She was ruthlessly efficient, and could be curt almost to the point of seeming disrespectful. A smile was rare for Lind and she was one who let her actions do the talking.
Lind wielded her battleaxe with effortless grace and mastery. The dangerous blade flew in savage arcs with such speed that Keiichi and Belldandy could literally hear it sing as it sliced through the air. It caught the sunlight producing streaks tracing the mesmerizing but deadly patterns as it spun and dipped and arced.
In one sequence, Lind sent her axe spinning high into the air, she then executed a perfect somersault with a twist and dropped into a split just a second before she caught the axe by the handle. She then leaped out of the split, spun the axe overhead faster and faster before bringing the massive blade into a killing vertical slash that ended with the blade stopped just two inches from hitting the ground.
Belldandy turned to Keiichi and said "Isn't Lind incredible, Keiichi? She's using a Class 15 battleaxe which is the most difficult weapon in Heaven to wield. She is the only Valkyrie who has mastered it."
Keiichi replied, "I can see why she is considered to be the greatest of all the Valkyries. She makes that routine look so easy. She must have been training for years."
Kei and Bell had been completely distracted by their own conversation until a frightened yip by Belldandy made Keiichi turn his head only to see the business end of Lind's ax only inches from his nose. Six feet away at the other end, Lind's face was one of grim determination, but soon melted away into an almost playful smile. "Centuries, not years." She said, almost as an aside. She withdrew and held the axe at her side. Keiichi almost fainted from the shock of such a lethal weapon that close to him.
"Hmm, if I knew that I'd have an audience watching me practice, I would have brought out my advanced routine." Lind said.
"That wasn't your best?" Keiichi said incredulously.
"No. That was my usual everyday practice. Really not all that hard... for a Valkyrie, that is."
Belldandy chirped, "Lind, that was truly a beautiful sight to behold. I bet you're ready for a big breakfast." She turned to head back towards the kitchen to start preparation. Lind and Keiichi followed behind.
Lind held her axe out in front of her and it disappeared into whatever pocket dimension it was stored in whenever she wasn't using it. "Having never eaten a breakfast on Earth before, I am looking forward to the occasion. I hope that you didn't mind that I worked out while I was here. A Valkyrie can never be caught unready, even when on vacation."
Keiichi said, "We don't mind at all. We have lots of space for you to use, and at least if a demon attacks while you're here, we'll have the advantage this time."
Lind chuckled and said "Judging by the way you two handled Marller and Hild the last two times they tried something against you, there may not be much more I could do to help out. You used the Sacred Coupling to perfection and Keiichi's casting of the Lava Wind Barrage spell was nothing short of incredible. Because you two are so devoted to each other, that makes you a powerful force that won't be easily overcome."
Keiichi said "Well, when it comes to Belldandy, there's nothing I won't do for her. She means that much to me."
Lind said "I can tell. You both are two of a kind. But enough about fighting and demons. I came here to take some time off and relax a bit, as much as a Valkyrie can relax. What else is there to do here? I'm used to always being busy either practicing or going out on patrols or dealing with the Heavenly bureaucracy as the head of the Valkyries."
Belldandy said "Well, this may not be the best place for you if you expect to stay busy all the time. When we're not taking meals, I'm either doing chores or keeping Keiichi company. Urd is always watching TV or working in her lab. Skuld is inventing something in her lab..."
"Or blowing something up!" Keiichi interjected which caused a round of laughter from all concerned.
"And I'm either working on my motorcycle, or doing one of my many part-time jobs, or helping Bell with her chores, and of course, keeping her company." Keiichi added. "All in all, with the exception of the occasional deity making a surprise visit, we're pretty laid back here. The temple is a nice quiet place, that is very relaxing...as long as Urd and Skuld aren't fighting over something."
"Was it a problem that Peorth and I showed up when we did?" Lind said, concerned that she may be imposing at a bad time.
Keiichi had to backtrack quickly as not to make Lind feel unwelcome. "No, not at all, I was just saying that we've had goddesses and demons popping in and out of here since Belldandy came to live with me and we've gotten used to it. It's all a part of living with three goddesses. I was not expecting the surprise party, but I welcomed it, and was glad that everyone had a great time."
Belldandy came to Keiichi's defense. "What Keiichi is trying to say, is that you're not imposing at all, Lind. You are welcome to stay as long as you want."
Lind visibly relaxed and said, "The last thing I wanted to do was impose myself on you. I don't go where I'm not wanted nor needed. And I do have to admit that this place is a little quiet for my tastes. But maybe it's good to just slow down and take it easy for a while."
Keiichi asked, "When was the last time you had any time off?"
Lind said without hesitation, "Four hundred years ago."
"Heaven time or Earth time?"
"Heaven."
"You haven't had any time off in two thousand Earth years?"
"That's about right."
"You've been training and battling demons for that long?"
"Yes."
"No wonder you need a vacation."
"I agree."
Keiichi probably didn't want to know the answer to this next question, but he asked it anyway. "Lind, how much leave do you have saved up?"
Lind said, "At ten days vacation per year, about four thousand days. And I know what you're thinking. No, I will not spend it all here. If it's all right with you, I'll spend about a month here and then head back to work. I get restless when I'm not busy. But I do appreciate the welcome you've given me. This will give me an opportunity to get to know you and the other goddesses a little better. We in the Combat Section tend to keep to ourselves."
"Why is that?" Keiichi wondered.
Lind turned serious. "Because we are charged with the safety of all the deities of Heaven as well as Yggdrasil. We take that job very seriously, and we feel that it is better that we concentrate all our time and effort to doing that. So we don't mix very well with the general community in Heaven We're seen as distant, aloof and not very friendly. And we prefer it that way.
"Some of the Goddesses there don't like us because we don't interact with the rest of the community. They think that we're elite and consider them below us. They're half right. We are elite. Every year, out of a thousand applicants to join the Combat Section, we only take ten. Our training is extremely difficult. Goddesses have been known to suffer major injuries and even permanent damage while in training. But we believe that the more we sweat in training, the less we bleed in combat.
"Of the ten we accept into training more than half of those fail because they can't cut it. We can't afford to be seen as weak or easily defeated. But under no circumstances do we consider the general community below us. It is them and Kami-sama we serve. We put our lives on the line to keep Heaven and Earth safe."
Belldandy said, "Lind, I can only speak for myself, but I think that Keiichi will also agree. We appreciate all that you and the Combat Section do for Heaven. Heaven would not be the beautiful place it is if it weren't for the Valkyries protecting us."
Keiichi responded. "Hear, Hear!"
Lind offered a small, almost embarrassed smile. "Thank you for that vote of confidence. You know, in the few times I've come to Earth, I have never left the temple area. Keiichi, would it be possible for you to give me a tour of Nekomi when you get time? I would like to see what life here is like."
Keiichi said "Of course, we can take a tour this afternoon. Nekomi's not the garden spot of Japan, but there are some nice places to see, and we can take a tour of the school I used to go to, Nekomi Tech. Although, I'm pretty sure that if form follows, you'll cause as much of a scene there as Belldandy and Urd did when they first showed up."
Lind said "Why do you think that I'd cause a scene?"
Keiichi looked at Belldandy and they both started to giggle. "Lind, I guarantee you that if you showed up on that campus today, you would be the most attractive woman there. And you would have every guy on campus trying to pick you up.
"Pick me up?" said Lind.
Keiichi whispered to Belldandy, "She doesn't get around much does she?"
"No, she doesn't." Bell responded.
Keiichi said, "What we mean, Lind, is that you'll have lots of guys asking you out on a date."
"What's a date?"
"You're serious?"
"Yes."
"You've never been on a date?"
"No."
Keiichi gulped as he struggled for the right words to say. "Uh, a date is when a man and a woman arrange to spend time together doing a certain activity. Like if I were to take Belldandy to a movie or out for a walk, or if we had a picnic. Dates are used to decide whether a man and a woman have enough in common to create a relationship. One date can lead to another, and another and if the two are compatible, they could become boyfriend and girlfriend or even marry."
Lind considered this and said, "I see. Like you and Belldandy."
Keiichi said "Right. Although our relationship isn't normal for how things are done down here. You mean that Valkyries don't date?"
Lind said, "No. We are forbidden to enter into the kind of relationship that you and Belldandy share because it is believed that such relationships interfere with the mission of the Valkyries, which is to protect and to serve Heaven. And for me, as the head of the Valkyries to do something like that would set a bad example for the rest of the group. I would never command those under me to do something, that I would not do myself.
But I would still like to take that tour and see Nekomi Tech."
Keiichi said, "Well, your wish is my command. This afternoon we'll take a tour of the city and the campus. Remember one thing, Lind. A date does not always end up starting a relationship like mine and Belldandy's. People date and just stay friends all the time."
Lind said thoughtfully. "Hmm, in that case, would you consider going out on a date with me?"
Chapter 3
Keiichi couldn't believe the words that just came out of Lind's mouth. A goddess dedicated to the art of combat was asking him out on a date! And she had the nerve to ask him in front of his girlfriend, who was also a pretty powerful goddess in her own right. And she was the jealous type. Keiichi was concerned about how Belldandy would react to such a request. He knew all about the power of her jealousy storms. After all, he exploited that very same power in defeating Hild for his First Class exam.
Keiichi envisioned Lind and Belldandy battling it out in a titanic struggle over who would possess him and just as quickly put that thought out of his mind. He strained mightily to find the right words to say that would appease both goddesses. "Umm, Lind I'm not sure that is a good idea."
Lind looked genuinely puzzled and asked "Why would this be a problem?"
Keiichi asked Belldandy to continue on to the kitchen, and he pulled Lind aside.
"How well do you know Belldandy?"
Lind responded, "Before the incident with the Lord of Terror and the Angel Eater, I knew of her, mostly by reputation. We had met a few times, but I had never really gotten to know her. As I said, we in the Combat Section keep to ourselves. We have very little interaction with field goddesses unless they call for help."
Keiichi said, "Well you should know that Belldandy has big jealousy issues. Any woman who tries to flirt with me or shows any serious affection towards me causes her to become very jealous. It can get to the point that she loses control and her powers break out and can cause serious damage. I like you, Lind. I think that we can be good friends, but for Belldandy's sake, I'll have to respectfully say 'no' to a date. But we can still take that tour.
Lind looked Keiichi in the eye and said with the slightest bit of offense, "I wasn't trying to get between you and Belldandy. And I understand what you mean. But I just wanted to see what men and women do when they are together on a date. Have no fear. I don't intend on 'flirting' as you say. I'm not Urd."
Keiichi said, "Well, just in case, let me talk to Belldandy and let her know what we're doing. She'll probably have no problem with it because she trusts me, but I like to let her know what I'm doing anyway. That way she doesn't get worried."
"Okay" said Lind. "Is there anything in particular I should wear? I think that my battlesuit is a little too unusual to be worn in public."
Kei said, "I'd tell you to ask Urd for clothing suggestions, but knowing her she'd have you looking like a slut. We're going to a college campus, so wear something casual, but nothing too informal. You're asking the wrong person for women's fashion tips. I'm pretty much a jeans and t-shirt kind of guy. I'll ask Belldandy to help you.
Keiichi went into the kitchen where Belldandy was cooking away at breakfast. As usual, she was humming a tune to herself as she worked. She had a contented look on her face and she seemed to enjoy what she was doing.
"Belldandy?" Keiichi asked.
"Yes, Keiichi?"
" I suppose you heard about Lind wanting to go on a date with me?"
"I heard."
"I just wanted you to know that this wasn't something that I suggested. She came up with this idea out of the blue, and I hope that you won't be mad. She says that she just wants to experience a date for herself."
"I understand, Keiichi, and I think that it would be a wonderful idea. I think it would be good to let Lind see what life is like on Earth and how men and women interact with each other. It sounds like a lot of fun." She flashed a wide smile at Keiichi to indicate her approval.
Keiichi said, "I just wanted to make sure that you weren't going to be jealous or feel that I was doing something behind your back."
Belldandy turned to Keiichi and said, "Keiichi, I know that you would never do anything to harm me or my feelings. I know who your heart belongs to. And I know that when it's all said and done, it's me and me alone that you love. If you wish, I can tag along." With those words, she disappeared in a puff of smoke and reappeared as a tinier, but still perfectly proportioned Belldandy. She floated at eye level and giggled.
"Okay, Belldandy. If you want to come along and stay out of sight, then I'd be happy to have you along. Lind and I are just going up to take a tour of the school and take a ride around town to do some sightseeing and then maybe we can grab a bite to eat. Is it possible that you can help her figure out something to wear? You have a great sense of style."
"No problem, Keiichi." Bell returned to her regular height and finished her cooking in time to run off and help Lind dress. Keiichi watched Bell as she ran off and thought to himself, "That went much better than expected."
A half hour later, Belldandy called Keiichi from the Tea Room. "Keiichi, please come here and tell me what you think of Lind's outfit."
"Okay, be right there."
Keiichi walked into the Tea Room and did a double take. Lind looked very smart and stylish. She was wearing a white silk blouse with a soft floppy white bow at the collar. The blouse was tucked into a slim, but not too snug beige-brown skirt that was a couple inches above the knee. She wore dark stockings and pumps that had a modest two inch heel. Over the blouse, she wore a short jacket that matched the skirt. All in all, a very feminine, yet professional look. Lind looked like one of those "office ladies" that Keiichi occasionally saw hurrying into and out of Downtown Nekomi office buildings.
"Impressive." said Keiichi. "It suits you." He could see Belldandy's influence in Lind's choice of clothing. But as nice as Lind appeared, her face betrayed her unfamiliarity with Earth clothes. "I don't feel very comfortable in these clothes." Lind said. "They don't seem very functional. What if I had to battle a demon?"
"Lind." Keiichi exclaimed. "You're not getting into a fight today. You're going out on a date and this is the kind of outfit that women wear when they are going on a date. Relax. Everything will be okay. Try and forget for one day that you're a Valkyrie, or even a goddess for that matter."
Lind tried to follow Keiichi's suggestion, but she found it hard to drop her guard.
"Keiichi" she said. "I am a goddess and a Valkyrie. There's is nothing in the world that can make me feel otherwise. I am born and trained to be cautious and attentive to the world around me. I am ordered to be prepared for any eventuality." She was resolute in that statement, but her features softened. "But...for yours and Belldandy's sakes, I will try to act like a human woman. I appreciate all that you and Belldandy are doing for me to help me get acclimated to life on Earth." She threw her hands up in exasperation and said, "Maybe this date thing is a bad idea. I should just stay here and take my vacation at the temple."
Belldandy came over to Lind and took her hand. "Lind, I know exactly how you feel. I've never told anyone this, but when I first met Keiichi and he told me his wish was for me to stay with him forever, at first, I wasn't happy about the situation.
"Honestly, I prayed that he would have made a different wish. I didn't want to stay here. But as I came to know Keiichi and live in his world, and see life as he sees it, I realized that there was so much more that I didn't know and so much more that I wanted to learn. And that I was not just here because of my contract, but that it was my destiny to fall in love with Keiichi. And now I can't see myself doing anything else but spending the rest of my days with him."
Lind still looked a bit confused as Belldandy continued.
"What I'm trying to say Lind, is that it's all right to learn about new things. It's all right to experience a new world and do things you've never done before. It will only make you a better goddess for having tried. And isn't that what being a goddess is all about? Finding out new ways to make those we serve and love happier?"
The uncertainty that clouded Lind's face seemed to melt away as the truth of Belldandy's words resonated within her mind. "Now, I understand. I can be a better warrior and a better goddess by exploring new worlds and new ideas."
Keiichi said, "I don't think that's what Belldandy precisely had in mind when she said what she said, but if it helps you to get over your nervousness, then it works for me."
Kei and Bell finally finished getting Lind ready for her grand day out. They had reached the garage where Keiichi's motorcycle was parked when Lind pointed to the bike and said in disbelief, "What is THAT?"
"It's my motorcycle. We're going to ride it to the college." Keiichi said.
"It looks dangerous. Isn't it better to just fly?" Lind asked.
"It's probably faster, but one, my landings are still not very good and two, even though the students at Nekomi Tech can be pretty weird on the best of days, the sight of two people flying overhead is a bit much even for them. Remember Lind, we're supposed to be acting like humans. And in this world, humans don't fly."
Lind sulked for a few moments, but shrugged her shoulders in resignation. "Okay, so where do I sit?"
Keiichi pointed to the sidecar.
Lind looked suspiciously at Belldandy who said, "When Keiichi and I go out, that's where I sit. It's quite comfortable and a lot of fun. Try it, Lind.
Lind stepped into the sidecar and scrunched herself down into it. It was a snug fit, as Lind was a few inches taller than Belldandy, but she eventually settled in without any problem. "It's not so bad." She said. "Actually, it is pretty comfortable."
After helping Lind with her helmet, Keiichi mounted the bike and started it. The old BMW growled to life and settled into its trademark Boxer idle. "Well Belldandy we'll be back in an couple hours. Wish us luck." He winked at her to let her know that she could follow along in her chibi form. He strapped on his own lid and clicked the bike into gear. Twisting the gas he let out the clutch and he and Lind roared off. Belldandy waited a few seconds before changing form and flying away.