Chapter 6

Home Sweet Home

Urd and Bell left the hospital and rode further north of town to the home that Urd "acquired" so to speak. The ride was quiet with Bell taking in the sights of the countryside, watching the small communities pass by from her view through the window. She was at a loss of words for some reason, not sure if she was truly ready to know about her identity, but afraid to ask Urd certain questions at the same time. Then it bothered her that what if Urd wasn't being truthful. What if where they were going, wasn't to her benefit. Could she be kidnapping her? There were so many things going on in her head, it was hard for her to concentrate, and she totally missed Urd talking to her for the first few sentences.

Urd: "Bell? Are you listening to me?"

Bell: "Huh? Oh, I'm sorry Urd. My mind was umm. Elsewhere."

Urd: "I was just asking you if you felt like stopping to buy a few groceries for home."

Bell didn't answer at first.

Urd: "Well I guess we could get back out after we get home then."

Urd paused for a few moments before talking again.

Urd: "Are you sure you feel alright Bell?"

Bell: "Are you telling me the truth Urd?"

Urd: "Yes I am Bell. Why?"

Bell: "I mean, we really don't look like sisters, we don't favor at all."

Urd: "Well, Skuld doesn't either, but you'll see that too." "But I am your sister, I would not lie to you."

Bell: "Ok. It's just hard to trust anyone since I really don't even know who I am myself."

Urd: "I understand Bell. It will get better with time. As soon as we figure out how to return you to normal.. things will."

Bell cut Urd short of her sentence.

Bell: "Normal! What do you mean normal! I thought I was normal, other than not remembering things."

Urd: "Ah..yes well. I'll explain as soon as we get home."

Bell could only sit deeper in thought, and had nothing else to say for the rest of the trip home.

Urd made the last turn into a small residential area a few blocks from a busy main road. She slowed to turn into the drive of a beautiful light blue house, it was one level with a two car garage, of which one of the doors opened automatically as she approached and pulled the car inside. The light inside came on and they both exited the car and entered the house. The inside was just as wonderful as the outside. The furniture and the appliances were new, the carpet fresh. Bell had just stepped inside and removed her shoes without thinking. The carpet felt good and cool on her feet. Urd smiled at her and motioned her to the bathroom.

Urd: "Do you like it so far?"

Bell: "Yes it's wonderful, I love it."

Urd: "Ok. Are you ready to know a little about yourself. Actually all three of us."

Bell: "umm. Ok. I'm ready. (I think I am) "

Urd : "Ok Skuld. You can come out now."

Bell: "Where is she? Who are you talking to?"

Suddenly Bell noticed the water that was standing in the bathtub began to swirl and churn in a clockwise motion and that a point of light appeared over the tub. She was suddenly somewhat scared and she hid just behind Urd. She noticed the figure that was quickly forming above the tub and her eyes were fixed and grew very large, and wide. Urd saw this and giggled to herself.

Skuld finally appeared above the tub, floating in midair.

Skuld: "HI BELL!"

Skuld stepped down to the floor and quickly grabbed Bell and threw her arms around her in a big hug, and started to cry.

Skuld: "Oh Bell, I've been so worried about you!"

Bell felt welcome by her action, it finally felt like she really had sisters again.

Bell: "Oh Skuld. I'm sorry if I don't remember much about you, but I know I'll get to know and remember you much more soon."

Skuld only smiled and hugged her more.

Bell sat on the stool and started to cry, she wanted to remember who she was. But more importantly, what the hell just happened? How did Skuld just appear out of nowhere like that? She was scared, but amazed at the same time. Was this something that she could do? Why couldn't she remember something like that.

With the passing of a few hours into the afternoon, Urd, Skuld and Belldandy sat and talked about who she really is, and how she came to be mortal all of the sudden, and what , if anything, could be done to reverse the condition.

Bell: "All of this is really hard to absorb. I'm sorry if it seems that I don't believe you. I know you're being truthful and all of the things you've shown me are amazing, yet believable. But what happens if I can't get back to who I really am?"

Urd and Skuld stared at each other, afraid that Bell would ask them that.

Urd: " Well Belldandy. If it truly comes to that. We'll still be here for you as much as possible, but you know that people. I mean mortal people umm.."

Bell: "Die? Yes I know Urd, it's not something that mortal people look forward to, but it is a part of human life."

Skuld: "I don't want that to happen to you, Bell" Skuld started to cry again.

Bell: "Please Skuld, it's ok. Besides, everything may work out like we want it to, so please don't worry so, ok?"

Urd: "She's right Skuld, things may turn out fine, in the long run. But for the here and now. I think we should all just get to know each other again and make the best of it and have fun."

Bell: "Yes. I still want to make our time here enjoyable. There's still a lot of things about our surroundings I need you to help me with."

Urd: "Yes, I guess we'll all be making friends along the way to. But it's very, VERY important, that you never tell anyone of our true nature, understood Bell?"

Bell: "Yes I understand. I don't know about you two, but I'm absolutely starved! Can we go and get a bite to eat? Oh, wait. We don't have any money.."

Urd: "Yes we do. I've taken care of that. I stopped by one of those "money" machines before I picked you up. So let's go and get something to eat, and pick up things to bring home to."

Skuld: "Yeah, I could really use some ice cream now. Heheh."

So the three set out to venture to the shopping mall not far from their home. Bell noticed it on the way in, and thought it would be a good place to stop and eat and shop. Urd also recommended that they all buy some new clothes since the dress Bell had to wear was all she had, not to mention the attention it drew. Skuld suggested they buy plenty of informational books for Bell to read and learn as much as she could about this culture, to try and fit in easier. Of course that was more of a reason for her to find romance novels and Manga she liked to read from earth so much.

Urd: "Does Chinese food sound ok to you Bell?"

Bell: "Mmmmm, yes. That sounds very good."

They walked through the pavilion side by side, as many of the shoppers stared at Belldandy and the elaborate dress she was wearing. It made her feel quite uncomfortable to have everyone stare at her. Urd was aware of this and suggested they find her some new clothes to put on before they continued to the restaurant.

Skuld: "Look Urd there's a store right there. (Pointing to the store adjacent to them)"

Urd: "Let's go there then."

They entered the store as a woman came up and asked to assist them, Urd explained what they wanted for Bell, as they looked around for clothes themselves.

An Hour passed before they were ready to check out.

Bell: " By the way Urd. How much money did you get anyway?"

Urd: "Well I thought that ten was a nice round number."

Bell: "Umm. Only ten dollars? I don't think that's very much money by human standards."

Skuld: "No kidding Urd, that sounds like nothing."
Urd: "No sillys. I got Ten thousand."

Skuld: "Wow Urd. I didn't think those machines had that much money."

Urd: "Well don't worry Skuld, it did. So I'm not worried, hahaha!"

Skuld: "If you say so then."

The lady at the checkout counter sort of looked at the three of them and the items they were purchasing. They may have looked wealthy, but even this girl knew that they may not have enough to purchase all of the items.

Clerk: "Um. Ma'am how do you wish to pay? Cash or Credit Card?"

Urd: "Cash naturally. Why?"

Clerk: "Well this may be quite pricey even for a card transaction."

Urd: "Oh, please. Just ring the items up please."

Clerk: "Yes ma'am."

The Clerk proceeded to ring out each item and remove all of the theft devices as she went along. About six minutes later she was finished.

Clerk: "Your total is 4,203.45 ma'am."

Urd looked at the clerk and smiled as she pulled a roll of cash from her small handbag and counted out 4,300 dollars.

Urd: "I'm sorry I don't have smaller change."

The Clerk stood stunned at the amount of cash the lady had on hand.

Clerk: "Oh that's alright ma'am."

The Clerk proceeded to take her money made sure it wasn't counterfeit, gave her the change. She then had someone assist her in folding and placing all the clothing into bags.

Clerk: "Thank you for shopping with us."
Urd handed the Clerk a tip as they grabbed the bags to leave.

Clerk: "T-thank you ma'am. Please have a nice day!"

Urd: "Your Welcome and thank you for your help."

The three sisters walked together out of the store towards the restaurant to have a nice dinner before going home. They were all very hungry by this point, and they enjoyed eating, talking, and acting like sisters again. After they were through with their meal, they gathered their things to head home. To rest and relax, and make use of some free time. As they stepped out of the mall Bell noticed quite some time had passed.

Bell: "Goodness, it looks like we've been having fun for quite some time. The sun will be setting soon."

Urd: "Yes, time to go home and relax. We'll talk more when we get home I'm sure. I'm glad you're adjusting well to everything Bell."

Skuld: "Yeah. I'm sure you'll just get better and better."

Bell: "I think so too. (giggles)"

They loaded the car with their things and climbed inside. Urd was too tired to drive so she used a little spell to operate the car to get home.

Bell: "Oh. I didn't know you could do that too." She had a nervous tone of voice toward Urd.

Urd: "It's nothing really. Don't worry Bell it's ok I promise."
Bell: "Ok. I didn't mean I didn't trust you."

They were very silent most of the trip home.

Bell: "I just find it so amazing that I was capable of doing these kinds of things myself. It must be a very responsible thing to have to account for huh?"

Skuld: "Yes. You were so great at it though. That's why you were one of the most worshiped Goddess in the System. Really. Father was exceptionally proud of you."

Bell: "Really? I guess I'll have to work even harder so that I can get back to who I was then huh? Father? You mean..THE father?"

Urd: "Yep the good 'ol Almighty himself. That's father alright."

Bell: "Oh. I. I don't remember him either really. But for some reason I feel a strange presence."

Urd: "Yeah that's probably him. It's ok Bell. He loves you that's why we're here to help you."

Bell was completely flabbergasted at the thought of being THE Almighty's daughter. She just couldn't comprehend what that would be like in her present state. But she would adjust, just like she's had to adjust to everything else.

They pulled into the garage and unloaded all of their things and put them all away. Skuld sat and had a bowl of ice cream, and Urd drank on a liter bottle of Popov vodka. Belldandy went into her room to try some of her new clothes, and to put them in her proper places. She sorted through the myriad of clothes the lady at the store helped her to choose from. She had four summer dresses, eight blouses, five pairs of different jeans, two full and four mini skirts, five brassieres, a half dozen pair of undies, dress and cotton socks, three pair of nylons, two slips, and even a few other "accessories" that she'd have to ask Urd about. She simply had no idea what these items were for.

Bell: "Uh. Urd what is this thing?" Bell Stood holding a black round strap with four elastic bands two on each side.

Urd: "HAHA! That's a garter belt Bell!" (Urd couldn't contain her laughter)

Bell: "Ok. What is it for?"

Skuld: "Yeah what is it for Urd?"

Urd: "Well you wear it to help hold up nice stockings on your legs when you wear a dress or a skirt. It goes just above your hips like a belt underneath your dress or skirt." Urd was still giggling at their wonder of what this thing was.

Bell: "Oh I see. Like if I wear that little skirt with those pretty black nylon stockings that only cover most of my leg I should wear this then huh?"

Urd: "Oh most certainly Bell. But lemme warn you. Be careful if you do. Men might not leave you alone if you do. Especially how you look in a skirt that size. I'll have to beat them off of you."
Bell: "Come now Urd. Who on earth would want someone as plain as me?"

Skuld: "You'd be surprised Sister. Heh."

Bell: "Oh really? I don't think so."
Skuld: "Most human males only want one thing."

Urd: "Yep all they want is lovin' all night long.. WOO-HOO!"

Bell: "Lovin'? Why all night?"

Skuld: "All they want Bell is Sex, Sex, and even more Sex. They're all a bunch of damn perverts."

Bell: "AH, Skuld watch your mouth now!"

Skuld: "I'm sorry sis. It's all Urd's fault from having to be around her so much lately."

Bell: "Well, ok."

Bell paused in thought for a moment.

Bell: "Well all human males can't be all that bad, now can they?"

Skuld: "Maybe not "all" but must of them only live for sex, and porn and nasty sex related things."

Urd: "It IS their job to reproduce Skuld.. hehehe."

Skuld: "I know but not me. Nobody wants me yet."

Bell: "You're sooo young Skuld, why worry about it so."

Skuld: "I guess you're right, I shouldn't worry so much about it."

Bell: "Well I'm going to bed you two. I had a wonderful time today. See you in the morning?"

Urd and Skuld : "G'nite Bell."

Bell gave them both a hug and a kiss on the cheek before she went off to bed. She was very tired. She was sure the rest would do her good, since she had no other worries at the moment. She would sleep well and deep into the early hours of the morning, before the sun broke the light through her window. She decided to slow down, take her time, and get to know as much as she could about anything and everything. Sleep came as quickly as closing her eyes, she relaxed into an uneventful sleep for the night.

Chapter 7

Neighbors 'a la mode