Somewhere in the depths of the Underworld, two presences spoke in a darkened chamber.

"Why not me? I defeated Belldandy before."

"It's her turn. She's a prodigy, one of our brightest candidates."

"She's arrogant and stuck up."

"Qualities I admire."

"She's unproven."

"She has spunk and potential, Mara. And this time, it's not about Belldandy or my daughter."

"We're going after the brat?"

"What better time than the present?"

Skuld couldn't contain her excitement as soon as she hung up the phone. The now sixteen year old equivalent looking goddess made a beeline for the Tea Room where Belldandy lounged comfortably, reading the latest issue of Vogue.

"Guess what, sis?" the raven haired inventor beamed. "I've been asked to a dance."

"A dance?" Belldandy smiled back at her sister. "With – "

"Sentaro."

The older sister could sense the affection and warmth when Skuld spoke his name. She hoped that the two would eventually have a relationship akin to hers and Keiichis.

"It's something new, really an American custom that his school decided to try, a prom," Skuld continued. "It'll be in two weeks time.!  You'll have to help me shop for a dress!"

"Did I overhear right? You and Sentaro are getting married?" Urd entered the room, filing her nails.

Skuld was too happy to react to the barb. Moreover, these days Urd didn't tease her as much.

"It's a dance. Sentaro asked me to go with him just now," she said excitedly.

"Really?" a gleam appeared in the platinum haired goddesses' eye. "You're going to get up close and personal?"

Skuld's smile faded and her cheeks flushed.

"Oh Urd, don't tease her so, can't you see how happy she is?" interjected Belldandy.

"I'm happy to see her happy, but I want to make sure she knows the gravity of the situation."

"I don't mind dancing with Sentaro," Skuld declared, crossing her arms defiantly.

"Just make sure you don't step on his feet," Urd cautioned. "Or let your angel push you to do something you'll regret."

With that, she sashayed out of the room.

"Besides the dress," Skuld turned back to Belldandy, "You'll show me how to dance too, right?"

"Of course, Keiichi and I will show you the basics."

Skuld smiled and decided to go to her room and circle the date on her calendar.

Sentaro was on cloud nine, previously a nervous wreck, hoping that Skuld wouldn't turn him down. It wasn't that she had another boyfriend or something, just that her schedule allowed it. She usually agreed to go on various "outings" whenever he asked. But they still didn't consider themselves a couple, as in boyfriend and girlfriend. Sentaro held more than friendly feelings for her, but he never was able to sum up the nerve to tell her exactly how he felt. He knew she liked him, but how much remained a mystery. Perhaps the night of the dance, he would give her his ring and tell all.

He wanted the night to go perfectly, so the next two weeks would involve careful planning and extra work at the noodle shoppe.