Author notes:
I apologize for the late update. Things at home have been somewhat crazy so I haven't had as much time this week and probably will be the same for the next few weeks.
On another note, "Bob" brought up a valid complaint about my use of the word 'petrify.' So to clear up any misunderstandings this is the definition of the word as I use it within my story. I do not mean to say the people attacked are turned to stone.
2. To benumb or paralyze with astonishment, horror, or other strong emotion: I was petrified with fear.
3. To make rigid or inert; harden; deaden: The tragedy in his life petrified his emotions.
"So why is it we're here again?" A gloomy looking Keiichi asked. "This was supposed to be a relaxing day for us. We finally found a home to stay; let's take a day to enjoy it while we can." Keiichi moaned arriving at a house sectioned off by the police.
Before them was the entire scene of an investigation. Street police acting as crowd control for press and onlookers. Detectives searched the house and immediate area, taking statements from the pair who discovered the couple. The coroner and medical staff were also present, for now all they were able to do was monitor the vitals of the couple that for the time being were normal. Aside from being in a frozen like state and having horrified looks on their faces they were completely healthy.
"It's a part of my responsibility as a Valkyrie to discover and eliminate any threats both to innocents and heaven alike. If something supernatural is preying on people I will destroy it." Lind explained.
Keiichi was shocked at the implications. "You think this will happen again?" Lind nodded at him and pushed through the crowd until she was stopped at the yellow police tape. Keiichi turned to Belldandy. "Does this happen often in your line of work?"
"Normally I grant mortals wishes, I work for the Goddess Relief Office, however there are other beings besides goddesses and demons with abilities to do this. I haven't encountered them but they do exist." Belldandy explained. "Don't worry though if we discover it, I believe Lind and I can manage to contain it." She told him reassuringly with a smile and a small, warm laugh.
Lind looked around and scanned the thoughts of the detectives, one was musing while his partner interviewed the witnesses. "It's the exact same as the old man from last night. Same petrified state, and the same horrified look also. The only difference was the old man croaked from a heart attack. His heart was weak though so that's understandable. Still whatever it is these people saw or heard it really put a number on them."
After listening to this Lind returned to Keiichi and Belldandy. "I'd like to go and see the couple inside the house." Belldandy nodded. Keiichi however had a bad feeling. This reminded him of the pranks Tamiya and Otaki would get involved in, if only it weren't so serious of a problem.
"Well how do you plan to get all three of us in there without causing a scene or exposing your magic?" Keiichi tried to reason, hoping to talk Lind out of this.
"Over there look!" Belldandy pointed to a group of three officers heading towards a black van parked around the corner marked with the usual Nekomi police decals on the sides of it. "We can take their place."
Lind nodded to Belldandy. "Let's go then. You each take one of them." Belldandy and Keiichi looked at Lind as though she had lost her marbles. Lind sighed a bit. "Alright then I'll take them all." Lind surveyed the van and noticed one officer is in the passenger's seat looking for something in the cabin. The second was at the end of the truck, the third was by the sliding door on the left side of the van. Near the third was a puddle of water from the neighbor's sprinkler system. Lind decided to start with this officer. She pointed at the puddle and with her magic froze it. She walked calmly up to the officer who looked around as she approached.
"Miss you can't be here, you…!" the officer's voice cut off by Lind cover his mouth with her right hand. With her left arm she held him by the waist and in a single fluid movement fell backwards towards the ice taking him with her. Instead of impacting the two of them fell through it with a small flash of light from the magic being used. Lind reappeared moments later on the roof of the very house she wanted to enter.
"Hey did you say something Nobou?" The officer at the back of the van asked while looking for his friend. "Where did you go off to now?" he asked himself while beginning to move to the left of the van. As he turned around the corner Lind jumped off the roof and landed behind him. "What the…!" Was all the man managed to say as Lind grabbed him in a similar fashion to the first and flew up onto the roof, with him struggling all the way. After a few moments Lind peered over the roof and saw the remaining officer.
Keiichi who saw her fly off with the second officer groaned. "I –you-what are we going to do when they wake up? I'm too soft to go to jail. I'll never make it in there." Keiichi nearly cried. This was turning out be another horrible day as he imagined himself being traded away for one or two packs of cigarettes.
"Don't worry Keiichi-san. I can clear their minds of these memories after Lind makes them all sleep." Belldandy said smiling, as cheerful as ever.
Keiichi just rolled his eyes and scratched the side his face in a questioning manner. "First Lind hits a priest and now the law. To top it off Belldandy seems totally fine about this all. Are all the goddesses in heaven as brazen as these two?" Keiichi wondered to himself while staring at Belldandy who was blushing slightly and giving him her trademark smile.
The remaining officer climbed out of the cabin of the van. "I'm all set to return you two. Let's get going back to the house…" He waited for a reply that wouldn't arrive. "You guys?" The officer looked to the right towards the back and saw nothing. He started to make his way to the back of the van while Lind approached him from behind. When she was within arm distance from him put him in a strangle hold with the crook of her elbow around his neck, cutting off blood to the brain.
Immediately the man began to struggle. He tried to step onto Lind's foot but she gracefully countered him wrapping her right leg around his, preventing it from moving anymore. "Stop struggling, I'm not going to hurt you." Lind told calmly. The officer could feel himself losing consciousness. In an act of desperation he punched Lind in the face but it didn't weaken her grip on him. "I'm not going to hurt you!" She told with authority after getting punched on her cheek for a second time. The man after that quit struggling and Lind held the choke hold for another second to make sure he was really unconscious before picking him up and jumping through the ice to the roof. There she gently set him with the two officers. Getting the all clear signal from Lind. Belldandy took Keiichi's hand and going through the ice joined Lind on the roof. When they arrived they found Lind looking very proud of herself.
"We've knocked out three officers now what?" Keiichi asked sadly. If he might go to jail for this it would be a shame to at least not see inside the house first.
"I can help." Belldandy offered looking to Lind who nodded. "Oh Great Spirit of the laws. Lend us your faithful servants to uncover what cannot be seen normally." Belldandy chanted. The three felt light headed and disorientated for a moment.
"Nothing happened." Keiichi said, and then he realized his voice was that of one of the officer's. "EHHH!" Looking down he saw his body, along with Belldandy's and Lind's lying on the roof. "What happened to us Lind?" Keiichi asked staring at the one he assumed was Lind.
"We've swapped our spirits, we are them and they are us, at least for the time being." Lind informed him as she stood up. "I'm over here Keiichi-san. That's Belldandy." She said as Belldandy stood up also.
"How do we return to our old selves if they have our bodies?" Keiichi asked frantically. "This is too much for me, I don't even sound like myself!"
"Calm down Keiichi-san." Belldandy told gently. Even as a male she somehow managed to sound reassuring. "They have our bodies but not minds or in the case of Lind and myself, our magic. Spearmint and Holy Bell also transferred with us."
Lind nodded and picking up Keiichi in her arms and jumped off the roof into the alley by the van and set him down carefully. "I so hope no one saw that. It was weird enough just seeing one grown man holding another in that way. Then there's us jumping off the roof." Keiichi thought as Belldandy slowly floated down to the ground beside the two of them. "Or floating off…"
"Let's be off now." Lind told and led the three to the front of the house where they entered without arousing any suspicions.
Inside the house Lind went straight to the room where the couple were. After Keiichi told the other officers to vacate the room he shut the door to give them a moment of privacy. Much to Lind's relief the petrified couple hadn't been moved and were still in their original positions, laying in their bed. She and Belldandy then searched the room, concentrating in the more unusual spots for clues, the ceiling, the bed it's self and the corners.
"Lind have you noticed the aura in this room, it's the same as…"
"I know. We'll think on it later not here." Lind said sharply. Belldandy looked a bit hurt but nodded and tried to heal the couple. Nothing happened though. "That won't help Belldandy. They are fine physically."
"Yes. I know, but it was still worth trying." Belldandy said gloomily. This was the first time Keiichi heard Belldandy sound defeated. It sounded somewhat odd and foreign to him.
Lind held the shoulder of her fellow goddess. "Don't punish yourself. There is nothing you can do for them until we learn more." Belldandy seemed as if she would cry but just walked past Lind and Keiichi and left the room, shutting the door behind her. Lind tried to peer into their minds. After a few seconds her eyes went wide and she was blown back into a wall.
Keiichi ran to her. "Are you alright? What happened?" He asked offering his hand to help her up.
"T-thanks." Lind turned to hide a slight blush. "I tried to see into their minds but something stopped me. A barrier of sorts. If you'd call it that. I couldn't see or hear anything. All I know is whatever did this has something to hide. Why put up such a strong defense." Lind cleaned herself off while continuing. "It would seem I am just as ineffective as Belldandy and the police in helping them for now."
"How can you just give up on those two? I thought we came here to help them..." Lind was startled when Keiichi said that. Standing in place of Keiichi was Celveria talking to her. Like before, there was a small trickle of blood running from between her lips; but her eyes were glazed over in death.
"I don't understand." Lind heard Keiichi and Celveria say in unison. Then just as quickly as it began Lind's mind returned to normal and she saw Keiichi again.
"Something wrong Lind. You looked rather spooked for a moment." Keiichi asked.
Lind shook it off. "You could say that. Keiichi gave an even more confused look. Lind just smirked slightly. "You-It's nothing. I'll be fine. Let's go. There's nothing more we can do for them for now. We need to learn more about what did this to them first or we will cause more harm than good."
Keiichi looked at the couple one last time as he heard Lind opening the door. "What could have been worse than seeing whatever caused this…?" He shuddered wondering at the possibilities as he followed Lind.
Outside Lind gathered up their bodiesfrom the roof and moved them to the van. With some quiet words from Belldandy the two groups returned to their normal bodies. The police, thanks to Lind and some of her magic were none the wiser about what had just happened. By the time they woke up Lind and company were long gone.
Xxxxx
When everyone returned to the temple Belldandy went straight to her room and closed the door. This left Keiichi and Lind to talk in the tea room.
"She's quite upset about all this." Keiichi said aloud to break the tension that been building between the group since they had returned to the temple.
Lind nodded. "She wasn't trained to confront such harsh realities any more then I was to understand peoples wishes or desires. Neither Belldandy nor I are in our normal element. Just give her time to sort it out herself. She'll be fine once she does so."
Keiichi was silent for a long while. He though whether or not to visit her. In the end he decided to trust Lind. "What did Belldandy mean by the aura before?" He finally asked.
Lind set down her cup of tea and drew an image with her magic of herself and Belldandy. "The citizens of heaven are not unlike those of this realm. We need to practice to grow our skills and spells. There are three major factors determining a god or goddess strength and ability. The first and most important is our constitution. This determines our vitality. Our bodies' ability to sustain a physical form. Performing tasks such as lifting and moving things physically. It also determines the amount of punishment we can sustain. Observe." Lind touched the Belldandy doll and it glowed. A red bar appeared by the image representing Belldandy. "Now look again. This time Lind touched her image. A bar, nearly three times larger appeared. "These are what we call in heaven personnel dolls. They give a basic status of each person in heaven and are give a fairly accurate estimate our abilities. As you can see my constitution is much higher than Belldandy's." Lind touched the dolls again. This time two blue bars appeared besides them. Lind's was still considerably larger then Belldandy's but not nearly as much as the red one. "The blue bar represents the protection of our other selves or angels as you refer to them as. We call this our spirit. The more of it we have the stronger we can make our spells to become. This also determines the level or class of spells we can perform. The third…" Lind touched each doll one last time and two green bars appeared. This time Belldandy's was higher than Lind's. "This bar represents our wisdom. It is based on the spells we know and also how well we can perform the spells. As you can see Belldandy knows more spells and can perform them better as she has had more opportunity to practice her magical abilities then I."
Keiichi looked dizzy from all the information coming at him so fast. "So let me get this straight. You have three major factors to determine your ability. Constitution, spirit and uh…"
"Wisdom." Lind finished for him.
Keiichi rubbed the back of his head embarrassed. "T-thanks. What does this have to do with auras though?"
"Auras are a sort of wavelength. It is unique, like fingerprints to humans. No god or goddess has an identical aura. The strength of the aura differs however by our abilities. It's another way citizens of heaven can determine ability. We can see the auras. Belldandy was noting that traces of the aura remained even after several hours since the event took place so whatever or whoever did this has considerable strength." This made Keiichi swallow nervously. Lind noticed his worry and was touched he cared for her somewhat. "Don't worry. I think I can I am strong enough to defeat the source of this aura if need be. What concerned Belldandy and I was the type of aura. It was remarkably similar to one that someone within heaven would give off. It was about 95% the same as heavenly auras however there was something else mixed into it. Something dark, this is what has the two of us worried. It might be someone from heaven that is infected with a demonic program."
Keiichi thought about it. "What might cause this? Do you have any ideas?"
Lind shook her head. "That's another disturbing issue. We have no information to act on currently. For now all we can do is wait and watch and try to find a pattern to these incidents. This is putting us at a serious disadvantage not knowing. I doubt they are random attacks however. Those people were selected very methodically. When we learn the reason behind why they are selected finding the one responsible will be easy. Then I will be able to combat it on even ground."
Keiichi seemed troubled by this. "I can see why Belldandy is so upset. I must admit I also feel uneasy knowing this."
Lind nodded. "It's not just you… I worry. I'm just more use to dealing with this sort of thing. I try to remain detached. If you're too emotionally attached it only hurts that much more when you lose the person." Lind got up to leave the room, not wanting to try and explain her feelings to him.
"That must be very lonely and sad." Keiichi said quietly looking at the doll of Lind and the three flashing bars beside it. Then looked to the one they represented. "I don't know how you manage to survive all this time living like this."
Lind stopped at the door and turned her head to peer at Keiichi from the corner of her eye. Then she looked to her doll on the table. "I am what I need to be according to the doll to be an effective Valkyrie. It's for the best." She opened the sliding door and began to leave.
"Why?" Keiichi stood up. "There's more to a person then what some s-stupid picture shows!" In his frustration Keiichi flipped the tea table upside down to hide the images from Lind and himself. Surprising Lind slightly, though she was trained well enough to be able to hide it from him. "It doesn't have to be like that. You can be with people without a reason, without some mission or assignment. Don't hide your feelings from yourself or others." "Or me." He added in his mind. In the heat of the moment he forgot Lind could hear him.
Lind said nothing but looked at the door, deep in thought. Keiichi stood there half wondering if he was about to get punched through a wall or something. This made Lind wonder about herself. She could hear the fearful thoughts running through his mind. "Have I really become that cold-hearted?" Lind thought to turn to face him and try to put him at ease but was unsure how. "I will consider what you have said about how I manage my life and feelings." With that Lind left the room and shut the door behind her.
Keiichi listened as he heard the sound of her footsteps weakening. When they were no longer heard Keiichi sighed deeply in relief. "I thought for sure she was going to punish me for that!" Looking at the time at the clock he noticed it was late in the day and he'd spent more time conversing with Lind than he'd imagined.
Xxxxx
That night Lind lay sleeping. Once again she found herself diving headlong into her dreamscape. Unlike last time, her face is peaceful and calm. It almost looked as if she were happy. The time on the clock in her room had just turned to 2:37 am.
Lind, wearing her Valkyrie uniform; stepped down on a stone platform that is smaller than most in comparison but still large enough to support a rather large and impressive built manor. Looking around she noticed the structure was unlike most in heaven. The structure, being made of wood gave the interior a smell unique to her within heaven. There was stain plated glass making a picture of an angel like figure with a sword and scale in her hands. Above Lind is a sky light in the form of a circle. It allowed light to shine down on a detailed copy of the Valkyrie emblem set in the floor, the shaft of light it created illuminated the emblem making it seem to glow. The edge of the light precisely matched the edge of the emblem. Stepping further inside Lind was meet by several others working within the home. Each person went about his or her own agendas. "Welcome Lind. Our mistress is waiting for you. You can find her in the study. Please do not keep her waiting." Looking to her left was the man talking to her. He wore the traditional blue and white robes of someone currently not assigned to an office or division.
Lind nodded to the man. "I didn't realize she took slaves to work beneath her. It seems I am mistaken by her character." She said sounding disappointed.
"How dare you talk about our mistress in that manner! You don't know anything about us!" The man spat furiously. If Lind were not a Valkyrie he might have very well attacked her considering the look on his face.
Lind nodded to the man. "You're right about that, if she has others attending her home in this manner."
The man grit his teeth and his face became red with anger. He was seriously tempted to punch her now, Valkyrie or not.
"Let me escort you to our mistress' study madam Valkyrie." A female voice called from behind Lind. Looking over her shoulder was a goddess in the same uniform as the man. She had unusually dark orange hair and matching eyes. Lind nodded to her and the woman smiled and began walking down the long hallway. Once the two were some distance away from the front door the woman spoke up again. "Please forgive him. He is very defensive towards people who do not know of us, and why we are here."
Lind nodded. "It's admirable to defend others but..." She suddenly felt uneasy about what she was trying to ask. "Why do you all follow her, even if she is a high ranking Valkyrie she is not allowed to support slavery."
The female servant just shook her head. "You don't understand our position." As Lind and the servant passed a kitchen where three chefs were working. The maid stopped and insisted Lind look in. When she did so the servant continued her explanation. As you can see, each and every person in this home is here of his or her own free will. Our mistress has no bind over us. Were all free to come and go as we please. We're here because we want to be. We were all helped greatly by her in some form or another, and so in turn we pledge to serve her in appreciation. Each person here loves and respects her very much." Lind peered back at the chefs and indeed they did seem very happy in the role given to them.
"So it would seem. I apologize for my earlier words." Lind said and bowed. The woman began walking onward and Lind hurried to catch up.
The servant smiled as Lind caught up to her. "It's quite alright. I know that you are only worried for us and I thank you for that. But your fears are unfounded. I only wished to prove that to you."
Lind nodded. "You've made your point. I won't question this again." Lind inside was also very relieved to know she was right about her friend all along. She was exactly the type of person Lind thought she was.
"Here we are." The two stopped at an elegantly crafted double door. "I'll be waiting for you here until you are ready to leave." The woman said and stood by the right half of the door and opened it for Lind.
Lind nodded her thanks and entered. She heard the door was closed behind her. Looking inside were several large bookcases. They were laid out in a manner that surrounded a single desk in the center of the study. Looking about more thoroughly Lind found there is no one around any of the bookcases. Lind sensed objects falling towards her, her training from the Valkyries kicked in and she swiftly dodged and set herself up in a stance to counterattack. Fortunately for Lind this ambush would not bite at her a second time. The surprise attack came from only a couple of books.
"Please forgive me for that Lind." A familiar voice called out. Looking up was Celveria floating above the door and looking through some more books. "These books are crammed so tightly together that grabbing one causes a couple others to fall. I need expand this place again soon. Good reflex though. It seems our training together has paid off in dividends." Celveria told Lind proudly as she floated down to greet her guest with something besides an ambush of books.
Lind dug around in her pocket and produced a folded up letter. "I got your message mistress."
Celveria seemed relieved as she took the note away and with her magic incinerated it from within her hands. "Come let's talk." Celveria sat down behind her desk in the chair and Lind sat floating in the air on her own on the other side of the desk.
"I am somewhat confused though mistress. Why send for me in such an archaic manner. We have better ways to contact one another than by means of paper." Lind asked. Not bothering to mask her confusion.
"I wanted to give you this Lind. You've been working hard and I wanted to award you this personally." Celveria opened a drawer in her desk and produced a keycard looking item and a badge made of silver. It was crafted in the form of two angels wings crafted together. She handed both to Lind. "Congratulations Lind. You are now officially one of us. That is your new license; it denotes your position within the Valkyries as an established member. I've already taken the liberty to update your status within Yggdrasil's mainframe.
Lind was ecstatic. She could barely contain herself, but was still very confused. "I am very pleased but, that still doesn't explain the secretive method you used to contact me." Lind said as she attached the badge to her shoulder.
Celveria stared at Lind for a moment before she set down the book she had fetched moments ago. There is something important I wanted to speak to you about. The reason for using paper is I didn't want any unwanted guests ease dropping on what I am about to tell you." Celveria said. Never had Lind seen her so serious, even when fighting with the demons so Lind gave Celveria her full attention.
"What is it I should know?" Lind asked. Now she looked at her mentor nervously.
"Breakfast is ready." Celveria told. The pitch of her voice changed drastically.
Xxxxx
Lind's face scrunched up as is torn out of her dream. "Please wake up Lind. Breakfast is ready." Lind slowly rose up and looked about rubbing her eyes. As her vision cleared she noticed Belldandy was in her room wearing a green dress with a brown apron over it. In her hands was a Spatula. Belldandy still looking very troubled but at least she was out and about, talking again.
"Thank you Belldandy. I will be right there." Belldandy gave a nod and a quick smile before leaving Lind in the room. Lind got up and opened her nearly empty clothes closet and uncovered a velvet fabric gift box hidden under a loose floorboard. Opening it revealed the same silver wings Celveria had given to her. Once she was satisfied seeing them again she returned to her hiding spot. A few tears fell from Lind's eyes remembering her mentor.
Arriving in the kitchen she noticed Belldandy having her share of rice curry. Lind fixed her share and sat down next Belldandy. The two ate quietly, neither looked to the other. The tension caused from the discovery yesterday still fresh in both of their minds. Shortly afterwards Keiichi walked in rubbing the top of his head with a towel.
"Good morning Keiichi-san." Belldandy told in her usual cheerful manner. Then she got up to lay down his breakfast plate.
Keiichi sat down across from Lind. He looked seriously towards Lind. "What is it?" Lind asked firmly. She gave him that I'm going to slap you for staring again face.
"Last night, a-another person was found in the same state as the couple." Belldandy gasped and looked as if she were about to cry. Lind looked out the kitchen window towards the clouds. "This is the third time this has happened. When is it going to stop?"
Lind took another bite of her breakfast then set her utensils down. "When was the attack? Did the reports mention?"
"It happened around the same time as the first two incidents." Keiichi told. "I don't believe anything will have changed from then. Going to there again would be a waste of all our time." Lind paused and thought hard about the trio's next move. "We should go anyway to be sure. I assume that there are there records on the victims on we can view?"
Keiichi looked puzzled. "Well sure, yeah. The police will probably have them on record since they are all victims with something in common. All we need to do is look at the investigation file. But the police just won't give us the papers though."
"That won't be a problem. I can just take the files." Lind said simply. Then she took another bite of her curry. Keiichi just let his head fall onto the table in defeat. "Today will be a busy day for us all. We will have to divide up the tasks. Belldandy do you think you can get yourself and I admitted into NIT?"
Belldandy smiled and nodded. "Yes. I'll be happy to help." The warmth back in her voice again.
"I guess she really is the best when granting wishes. She seems to be the happiest then." Keiichi noticed as he lifted his head back up to see her reaction. He scribbled some info on a scrap of paper and handed it to Belldandy. "You can find Tamiya and Otaki with that. They should be willing to help you if you explain you are staying with me also and want to get admitted to NIT. Those two should be eager to help you and probably show you the campus.
Belldandy accepted it blushing. "Thank you Keiichi-san. I'm sure it will be very wonderful learning with both you and Lind."
"I wonder how things are taught in heaven." Keiichi wondered randomly. Hearing his thoughts earned Keiichi an odd stare from Lind. He just rubbed the back of his head and laughed nervously. "Never mind it was a silly thought." Lind went back to finishing her breakfast.
After putting her plate in the sink Lind turned to Keiichi. "We might as well go visit the most recent scene while Belldandy goes to Nekomi."
This made Keiichi nervous. Sneaking into a crime scene once was bad enough. Going a second time is a bit excessive. "Are you sure that's a good idea. I mean you said yourself there probably will not be anything different to see." "What if… What if whatever is causing this realizes were tracking it and comes for us." Keiichi worried.
"Don't worry, I will not let the one responsible near you Keiichi. I swear to you." Lind said boldly. This helped quell a lot of Keiichi's fears and made him feel shy suddenly. "Well a-alright then." He said scratching the side of his face. Lind nodded.
"We will see you later in the evening Belldandy. Let's get going Keiichi." Lind commanded and being the good soldier he was Keiichi quickly finished what was left on his plate and ran out after her Belldandy watched the pair drive off while standing atop of the temple roof. She wished both of them good luck as they left her sight. Afterward she left to go to Nekomi via the mirror in the bathroom.
Xxxxx
Within Nekomi Sayoko is found in the women's bathroom fixing her hair when the mirror in front of her erupted in a flash of light. Belldandy stepped down in front of her. Sayoko looking terrified stepped backward. "Y-You? W-what was that? How did you appear like that?" Sayoko wondered while pointing at Belldandy. Her arm shook uncontrollably from what had just transpired.
Belldandy looked to Sayoko and smiled intently. "Hello there. I came here to enroll in NIT. Would you be kind enough to tell me where can I find Tamiya and Otaki?" Sayoko's knees gave way and she fell to the ground. The self proclaimed queen of the campus too shocked for words just starred and stuttered. Her mind is desperately searching for a logical explanation for how a person is able to pop out of an object. "Oh my! You're going to catch a cold sitting on the tile floor." Belldandy told Sayoko sounding truly concerned. Sayoko just fainted to this causing Belldandy to shout with worry. The shout startled a few birds away and made a few passing students stop in curiosity.
Belldandy levitated Sayoko of the floor and with a few well placed words found herself inside Sayoko's apartment. Belldandy levitated her new friend to her bed and covered her up. Satisfied with her good deed Belldandy returned to NIT the same way she had the first time. As the glow from the room faded Sayoko showed signs of waking up.
Belldandy was then was able to find Tamiya and Otaki. A few hours later after starting the ground work for a new fan club in her honor as several single men followed her like love sick puppies begging for scraps. Being Belldandy she stopped to greet each with a smile and a few words of encouragement.
Arriving at the Motor club she discovered Tamiya and Otaki looking over a race car that looked like it was built of spare parts. None of the decals or paint matched anywhere around the frame of the car. "That bastard Morisato! He could not pick another day to stay at home with his girlfriends!" Tamiya shouted up in the air.
Otaki heard Belldandy walking up to them and turned to greet her. "Den-Chan looky here. It's girlfriend number two." Tamiya turned to and greeted her.
"I'm a Girlfriend?" Belldandy wondered. "You seem to have mistaken, I am not a girlfriend but a goddess." The two seniors stared blankly at her for a moment. "It is a pleasure to meet you both again so soon." Belldandy greeted them both warmly and the two boys shared a laugh about that and a few jokes about her being Sayoko's new likely rival. This outburst made Belldandy look slightly uncomfortable. "Can you help me please?" She asked holding her hands up in a prayer like manner. "Keiichi would like to have both Lind and I admitted into the school."
Tamiya and Otaki both grinned mischievously at this. "Sure we can help you out. Just leave everything to us miss." Tamiya said loudly and flexed a bit at her. Belldandy smiled joyfully at him for his help. Little did she know the trouble that was brewing in the minds of the seniors.
Otaki escorted Belldandy to the dean and along the way thought up the story that she is a transfer student. She is being transferred here on family matters within Nekomi. The dean seemed to like Belldandy as did the campus mascot. Convincing him was the easy part the difficulty was the professors, one in particular that seemed to be under Sayoko's influence. He was especially stubborn about finding out about Belldandy. He tried to look her up online feeling she could cause problems on campus for Sayoko. Tamiya countered this by paying a visit to the dean's office while he was with Otaki and Belldandy. After the professors plan failed to work Bell and Otaki returned to the club and Otaki joined in on the fun. When the stubborn professor searched through written documentation of the transfer Otaki set up a silent running fan in the window blowing the papers all over. Lastly when same said professor tried to look Belldandy up in the school book records the two seniors glued the book shut. Both of them smiling from ear to ear, watching as he tried to pry the book open. After a book shelf was dropped on him thanks to Tamiya he threw in the towel.
"Here you are ma'am, this is for you. It's the student ids for yourself and your friend. L-Lind I believe it was." The dean said in front of the motor club where the seniors plus Belldandy were waiting.
Belldandy graciously took the ID cards from him and saw both her and Lind's face on their respect cards. She smiled warmly at the dean and bowed. "Thank you for this. I know Lind will be pleased to know she can attend your wonderful school." She said warmly that managed to put small blushes on all the guy's faces present. The dean left shortly afterwards. "Thank you both also for your help. You both are so very kind to help me." Bell told them smiling, her eyes shut and her face cheerful.
The two just laughed it off. "Anything to get two lovely girls to join the motor club" the two cheered. This left a confused Belldandy standing in front of them. She was not sure when she signed up for the club but she thought she might as well give it a try. It could be fun she thought and she liked the people in it. She got a good, warm feeling from them despite their love for pranks. She didn't need goddess powers to know when things were serious these two could be relied on.
"Thank you for your help again. I look forward to seeing you again." Belldandy bowed and started to leave when Otaki's stomach growled. Belldandy turned back around to see him blushing.
"Would the transfer student stay for a meal with the seniors of the motor club?" Otaki said, trying to acting as cool as possible for their newest member. The second growl from Tamiya blew any chances of that desperate attempt from succeeding.
Belldandy nodded sweetly. Immediately seeing this, the two seniors besieged her with ideas on what they should make together.
Xxxxx
Looking around the latest victim's room. They discovered she was a single female. Keiichi recognized her as a student from NIT but not familiar enough with her to know her name or what she studied. Lind searched the person for any clues that might have been left behind accidently.
"It seems nothing has changed from last time. Let's go Lind." Keiichi said. "We have been here for about thirty minutes now if something were here for us I think we might have discovered it by now don't you think? Lind nodded and was about to leave. It was then she noticed they were looking in all the wrong places. Sticking out of one of the dresser drawers by the door was a sheet of paper. Lind took it and Keiichi moved close behind Lind to see it also. "It's just some weird drawing. Maybe she scribbled it when she was waiting on something?"
Lind shook her head. "It's our language. What we use in heaven." Lind told him.
"Well what does it say then?" Keiichi wondered as Lind folded up the paper.
"Loosely translated it reads "they are false." Lind told as she tied the paper to a textbook with a rubber band and tossed it out the window of the bedroom to retrieve it later when she and Keiichi were returned to their original bodies.
The two left the scene and returned to their normal selves and they looked for the book. Keiichi pointed up in a tree where the book found itself being held up by some sturdy branches. Lind just held her hand open in its direction and the book rattled to life then flew to Lind's hand swiftly.
"You're really amazing Lind." Keiichi told enthusiastically. "You seem to be able to do anything with your magic."
Lind just shrugged. "That was only a basic telekinetic pull. It's nothing special." She walked away to the motorcycle. "Come on Keiichi. We visit these people's records next from the police."
"Guess living with those powers for so long kinda ruins the joy in it." Keiichi thought as he started off towards the police department. From the side car Lind wondered why such a simple skill was so important to him.
Xxxxx
Keiichi arrived at the station as the sun set and the streets dark and empty. The two got out and made their way to the front door and Keiichi tried to open them. "Your timing is spot on Keiichi-san. We can more around easier if there are fewer people to contend with." Lind scouted the area and found a side door used for delivery trucks. "We can get in from over there." Lind ran over to the shutters and Keiichi followed. Lind looked at Keiichi impatiently.
"What is it? He asked as he stood beside her. "I'm unfamiliar with earth realm technologies. I need you to open the doors for me."
Lind told with shifty eyes. "Oh right! Sorry." Keiichi tried to open the shutters, finding they were locked. Nearby he found a normal door for people but that was also pad locked from the outside. "This is locked also." Keiichi told happily. "Looks like we can't get in. Let's go…" Lind grabbed the pad lock and with one strong tug, pulled the item right off of the door. "…Home." Lind stood proudly at the door and herded him inside. He went reluctantly. His head and arms hanging lowly. Inside the two walked down a hallway to an open doorway.
Lind peeked around the corner and saw most of the desks were unoccupied. The only person in the station still is sound asleep. "You people from the earth realm sure have lax security." She whispered to Keiichi as she moved quietly past the man. The two came to a filing room. Keiichi went to the metal filing cabinet while Lind shut the door and looked out for him.
"Your needed here again Lind." Keiichi said as he pointed to the lock. She smirked and with a good whack with the palm of her hand she broke the lock. It fell inside the cabinet with a loud thud. Keiichi and Lind both stopped moving when both noticed the man sleeping woke up from the sound. Lind climbed up on the cabinet boxes and into the ceiling through an air duct. She turned around to grab his hand to lift him in but in his panic Keiichi hid behind where the door would be when it opened soon by the approaching officer.
Lind sighed and tried to signal him over but he shook his head no as she tried to wave him over to her. "That's just not smart Keiichi-san!" Lind told him as the officer entered the room Lind moved herself away from his line of sight. Lind waited and it didn't take long for her to hear that Keiichi has been discovered. Lind cursed under her breath and left the vents she entered another room. Immediately she noticed a red box like object labeled "fire alarm" on the wall smiling in mischief she pulled it. The person who discovered Keiichi left to find out who pulled started the alarm and the sprinklers flooded the floor of the department. Keiichi left out of the side door in the confusion as a few other people working scrambled to save what they could manage from the water. Lind went up to the roof through the vent, her foot disappearing within just as the lone officer arrived to find the activated alarm. When she made her way back outside and down she found Keiichi by the bike, he was soaked from the sprinklers.
"You just had to turn this into more trouble than it should have been didn't you?" Keiichi asked grumpily as he rung out his shirt in the middle of the street. "Thanks to you they saw me. I swear these activities of yours are going to get me tossed in the slammer one day."
"Where's the joy of it all without a bit of excitement and risk?" Lind told as she sat down in the side car. "That's easy for you to say. You have magic to fall back on when you're in trouble!" Keiichi complained.
"Your complaining is really becoming troublesome. Look on the bright side Keiichi-san. I didn't use magic either. Besides I didn't have to incapacitate anyone this time. Were both getting better at sneaking around. Next time though do select a better hiding position. Do that and we might have of been able to retrieve the files we came for next time." Lind lectured.
Keiichi smiled at her. "Who says we didn't?" Lind raised an eyebrow at him. "I have them." Keiichi showed the four folders to her. "There a bit wet from your stunt with the fire alarm so next time do select a better way of causing a distraction." Keiichi mocked.
"Not bad Keiichi-san. Not bad at all. There might be hope for you after all." Lind told him encouragingly. "We might be able to get your confidence up after all."
Keiichi nodded as he started up the motorcycle. "Of course. I don't want to lose to you every time after all." Lind nodded approvingly to him. He reminded her of her younger self. Back when she had to prove herself to everyone within heaven and her fellow Valkyries given her handicap.
Lind smirked, deciding to have some fun with him on the drive home. "Well since you find my distractions so lacking. Perhaps next time then I will fall back on knocking people out hmmm." She watched Keiichi's reaction and since he was driving it was a bit delayed.
"NO! I take it back Lind! You did great. Please don't go attacking people so often again." Keiichi begged as he drove on. Now distracted from the road.
"Keiichi watch what you're doing! You nearly went off the road!" Lind told rather calmly considering the situation. This triggered an argument back and forth the entire way back towards the temple but Keiichi didn't let slip the slight panic in Lind's voice when he nearly got seriously hurt. It's now he discovered that the arguments and harsh words are Lind's twisted version of compassion and friendship. She was hard on him because she is simply worried for him. She is just trying to protect him from what she had to endure.
Xxxxx
After Belldandy shared her cooking with the two seniors they both were lying down on the floor; both of them too full to even move anymore. "Oh my. It seems in our fun together we all have forgotten the time of day." Otaki looked outside and noticed it was dark outside.
"Come back anytime, a-and bring Lind to see us sometime soon also." Tamiya said blushing very much. Belldandy nodded and left. This made pranksters happy. In some ways Lind reminded them both of Chihiro. The two girls had a similar rough, yet caring personality that they both admired and loved very much. Then to offset this Belldandy would be the wallflower of the motor club. Their mascot, she would be the one to attract people and popularity with her caring and trusting personality.
Belldandy made her way to the nearest mirror under the cover of the dark night sky and looked about. Seeing the coast was clear and the seniors at the club could not observe her she jumped into the object and made her way back to the temple.
Xxxxx
Belldandy arrived at the temple shortly after Lind and Keiichi. Appearing from a mirror from within the kitchen she was greeted by Lind. "Welcome home. I had not expected you to take so long to get us both admitted to NIT. Did everything work out?"
Belldandy smiled. "Yes. After our success Tamiya, Otaki, and I shared some food together in celebration. We lost ourselves in the festivities." Belldandy bowed. "I apologize if I worried you." Belldandy offered Lind her ID card.
"Don't worry about it. Keiichi and I were worried somewhat. It is good to know our fears are not needed." Lind said while taking a quick glance of her ID card then pocketed it in her jeans."
"Where is Keiichi-san Lind?" Belldandy asked. Lind blushed a bit. "He's in the bath warming up from what happened at the police station. Wet clothing, night time, and the wind from the motor cycle ride home gave him a case of the chills." Belldandy looked worried hearing the story. "Don't ask. It has been a tough day."
"Maybe I should check on him then." Belldandy started to leave to go check in on him.
Lind grabbed her gently around the wrist. Lind blushed even more. "That wouldn't be wise. He's not dressed Belldandy." Hearing this made Belldandy just as red as Lind. "I suppose your right Lind. Goodnight."She turned and went to her room and Lind with the four files on the victims and the note found at the third scene went to her own room to try and piece together what she could so far with what she had.
Xxxxx
Author thanks:
Thanks to the following for your reviews and ideas.
Another Duck, GraysonPaladin, major wallace, BrazeRancor, Kaiser969, The Mad shoe1, Meatloaf232, jboy804
For those who liked my story enough to put it on alert.
Another Duck, Wolf07, Meatloaf232, Ellen Kuhfeld, Illusive Man, 00idiot, Fifth Horseman, pegp
For those kind enough to favorite my story.
ViciousDraco, Wolf07, Apokryphos, Fic Hunter, Illusive Man, 00idiot, jboy804
Thanks to the one who added me to author alert.
Wolf07
For the two that added me to favorite author list.
Wolf07, Apokryphos
To the only one who added me to story favorite this time
jboy804
And to my two amazingly awesome beta readers.
Mjnousak, "Bob"
