Disclaimer : I do not own Ah! My Goddess.
-oOoOoOo-
"Let's see if the next one will cheer us up any…" Urd asked.
"As in 'next question' or 'hope that the situation gets happier'?" Peorth asked.
"The second," Urd asked. "Machine, do do your thing!"
The image was Belldandy at a computer desk with a teacup in front of her.
"See? Happier. Happier because Belldandy's there. Belldandy makes everything happier," Urd said before the video started.
-oOoOo-
Belldandy let out a barely noticeable sigh.
It's been five years since the incident. Heaven still is closely overseeing this dimension. It's kind of funny. Urd never made much of an effort to leave this version of Earth, but the moment she is not allowed to leave, she nearly loses her temper. We still are in communications with Heaven, so we aren't abandoned, like how Urd sometimes claims when she gets really drunk.
Speaking of her, Urd's been having some legal problems with her potions. It's nothing serious, but a few companies have been trying to claim partial or even completely ownership of them. So she's been making a slight move over to another favorite of hers, programming.
Belldandy began to trace the edge of the tea cup.
It's not all sunshine and roses, though. She's equated some parts of it to pulling nasty weeds. Skuld offered to help, but Urd said that smashing the computer with a hammer wouldn't help matters.
Belldandy chuckled as she shook her head.
Then the computer Urd was using at the time had changed to a blue screen, making her say, 'but it sometimes helps'.
A few people were worried that Urd would help governments spy on everyone that used the internet, but she pointed out that was not her intention, nor would she help anyone that asked her to. Somedays, she seems to drink a little more than usual. So I suspect that on those days, There was a little bit of pressure to try and convince her otherwise.
She hasn't referred to herself being a goddess of love for sometime now… I asked a few times and she either tried to change the topic or became quite defensive. Did some relationships she set up fail? Or does she think her position forces any attempt she makes into a success, for good or for ill?
As for Skuld, she's made a slight move to non-humanoid robots. A good deal of them have... tentacles for arms and legs. There were a few complaints about it, but she cited a book that used a robot with multiple tentacle arms being more useful than a robot with human arms and hands. When cost came into it, she used a diagram that put the cost of making a human hand versus three tentacle arms. A good portion of her audience took it in, though I believe that they were thinking with their wallets. The ones that complained had brought up the fact that there would be people who needed replacement arms and legs, but Skuld pointed out that the companies she was with would still make them.
As for the robots who were humanoid, they would be re-fitted to handle their new arms and legs, but only if their owners would choose to. While the robots could use the robotic arms made for humans, the ones for humans aren't as durable as the ones for robots. From what I was told, it has something to do with weight and durability. So there were a few times where the robots lost their arms and legs while doing their jobs, all because a few people didn't wanted to spend too much money. Still, many sent in a lot of hate mail to my little sister, claiming that she wanted to replace humans with robots. No matter how much she points out that she doesn't want to, there always seems to be a number of people trying to claim otherwise.
There was also the social issue of someone using an arm that was clearly meant for robots, but are now being allowed for human-use. A good deal of those arms are…. box-like or appear to be made of spheres. In a good deal of the world, it's somehow considered a faux-paw. Many people get stared at. I've also heard of some people getting the arms and using them in illegal ways. So a number of the arms that have internet access are being monitored… which is a good deal of them. Skuld is getting increasingly annoyed at the various issues like those popping up.
A little under three years ago, Hild made an personal appearance on Earth. I thought she would have greater problems than we did with the United Nations, but she was able to overcome the problems with greater ease than us. During that first meeting with the United Nations, I was able to talk with Hild in private. She told me that she managed to get a deal with Heaven. She helps keep this Earth quarantined at this moment in time, and they allow her and a few others to make deals without being hindered. After she told me that, I was worried that she might make a play for Keiichi, but she didn't. All she did was tell me that she doesn't envy me for what might happen to Keiichi. She refused to elaborate, no matter what I did.
Once we were alone together,Keiichi asked me why both sides were quarantining this Earth. I told him as much as I could. That a number of gods wanted to see if they should be more active among mortals, while they restore a number of other universes.
As for myself, I'm just glad no one asked me about bellbottom pants. I suspect that the name may have been a coincidence, but I thought at the time the style was popular, that a second cult around myself was forming. Is it wrong to hate a group that says, 'By Belldandy's bottom!' whenever they see something that amazes them? My behind isn't so big that it must be worshipped!
Belldandy took a moment to relax.
I apologize, this is meant to talk about my thoughts on recent events, not past ones.
One project that Skuld is undertaking in private is modifying a semi truck. I am unsure why she requested a specific one… I believe it a 1970s red Freightliner FL86, but who am I to argue if it keeps her calm?
Another thing about Urd is that she's thinking about helping me when I go off to help the less fortunate, but using spells, instead of potions. I'm guessing that the legal battles are taking their toll on her. I just hope she knows that there isn't a lot of chances to create explosions if she helps me.
One bit of good news from a friend is that the Minininjas are doing well with Peorth. I shudder to think about what countries would do if they learned that the demons could turn rats and mice into various types of soldiers. Such talks might lead to a weapons race of genetically modified soldiers. But enough of that for now.
a picture of when Keiichi and Belldandy first arrived at the temple popped up.
Skuld and Urd haven't bothered Keiichi and I when we are alone as much as before. Sure, it happens once in awhile, but their hearts aren't in it as much as before...
Except that one day, but that almost broke out into a fight between the three of us. I am still unsure how it could have occurred. Keiichi and I were busy working on his beemer. Skuld and Urd were watching TV. From what I understand, they were talking about how much of effect they had on the world when the show they were watching referenced them. That somehow caused the discussion to gravitate into an argument. I tried to intervene and put a stop to it, but my temper was a bit frayed from working with the United Nations... So it soon turned into Skuld and I arguing with Urd, with me sometimes getting short with Skuld… And her wanting to argue back, but unable to...
Belldandy sighed.
Keiichi was able to break it up. He looked us all in the eyes and demanded that we take sometime to calm down. Urd and Skuld immediately tried to refocus their anger on him by yelling and coming close to threatening him, but he stood strong. Only after they left, did he reveal that he was scared. I think he said 'out of his daylights'?
Skuld and Urd refused to talk with him for awhile, but they seemed to respect him a little more when they finally began to talk with with him again.
Belldandy now looked concerned
Speaking of Keiichi, he… He's healthy and takes in more interest in what we do. He's up drawing and planning motorcycles. However, he barely works on his beemer any more, and he's become hesitant about showing me or my sisters his blueprints. It doesn't take much to get him to show us, but still...
Belldandy loosely hugs herself.
Does he resent us? Does he regret making the wish? Is he afraid that his successes would forever be uncertain if it was all due to his effort or because of his proximity to us?
I could read his mind like before to find out, but the thought of doing so feels so very wrong now…
He sometimes talks with the agents that help us, but in private. Urd gets quiet and suspicious of Keiichi when that happens, and once muttered that she hopes he isn't cheating on me…
Belldandy hugs herself tighter.
I know he wouldn't cheat on me. He wouldn't be Keiichi if he did.
Belldandy pauses for a moment as realization hits her. She begins to calm down and smiles.
I nearly forgot that. He's loyal to a fault. Women could throw themselves all over him and he'd refuse each time… So he must be planning something with the agents… I can only wonder what it might be?
She sighed as her smile grew bigger. Then she remembered something else.
Another thing that Keiichi is doing that I know Urd and Skuld don't know about is that he's writing something. I can only speculate what it might be, but I have hopes that it is about his times with us. If need be, he can use his connection with me to have it uncensored. I don't mind as long as I get to be one of the first ones to read his work…
Her smile fell.
Is… is what Hild was referring to… Was it about watching Keiichi have to lose or change his dreams because we now stand in their way?
Oh… Oh no… I can't talk anymore for the moment. I must speak with Keiichi!
-oOoOo-
As soon as the video was over, Belldandy seemed rather troubled and unusually quiet for a while.
"What's the problem, Bell?" asked Keiichi.
"Hm... I was wondering. It seems that things are getting worse with every one of those videos. Is this why we're not allowed to reveal our nature?" asked the brunette goddess, scratching her chin,
"More or less. There are other reasons, but for the most part... it's going to be a hard situation," said Urd with a nod. "There's a lot of pressure on everyone, Especially for Keiichi."
"I'm not sure about my version in this... He seems way too distant and stressed," said Keiichi with a troubled expression. "Almost too much, if you ask me."
"Let's not forget that he's under a lot of pressure, though," said Urd with a grin. "Not that you'd understand, of course. Being too carefree is kind of making it hard."
"Look who's talking..."
"What was that?"
"Please, don't fight!" said Belldandy, getting in between her annoyed sister and Keiichi who tried to back away from the goddess.
"He started it! Say something, Skuld!" shot the half goddess back at her sister.
"Hm... where am I going to get one?" was the only reply, as the little goddess was writing down some notes.
"One what? Hey, what are you up to, kiddo?"
"Oh, this is going to be perfect!" said Skuld, making the others worry about whatever she was planning.
-oOo-
At the arcade...
Chibi-hild stared at the screen with a mostly dispassionate look on her face. Mara decided to start first and said, "Well, knowing that if the secret went out would put their relationship on the rocks is a pretty nice thought, eh?"
"Not as good as you think. You're saying that your incompetence is saving them. I'm surprised that i wasn't mentioned," Mokkurkalfi replied. "The idea that a goddess is tempting humans with their skill of technology and that a version of me isn't competing with her to win! Sacrilegious!"
Glaring at Mokkurkalfi, Mara retorted, "It's probably because Belldandy and Urd didn't feel that you were worth mentioning!"
"Or it's one of two things," Chibi-Hild said, getting the other demons' attentions. "Either The alternate me is bringing up trust before offering advanced technology... Or that the other Skuld and Mokkurkalfi have a bit of a rivalry that Urd and Belldandy either don't know about or that they ignore it. I'm not sure which I prefer."
"Lady Hild?" Mara asked.
"I honestly think that trying to get anything meaty out of an alternate Belldandy's diary is pointless. You're not going to get the minutes of the UN sessions from it. You're more likely to learn what recipes Keiichi liked that day!" Chibi-Hild grumbled. "and that is one trait that Belldandy picked up from her mother!"
"You read from-" Mokkurkalfi began.
"I can neither confirm or deny that accusation," Chibi-Hild answered, making a large sweatdrop appear behind Mara and Mokkurkalfi.
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Message from HotelKatz : Part two of Nevermore's question is up.
zeroIQ wrote the temple's commentary.
elgordo of the goddess Relief Office forums was the betareader
