Chapter 1
Since my return to Heaven, I have had to adjust to certain changes. Of those I knew when I was originally created, only Kami-sama remains. Lilith, my mother, still lives in a way. Her soul is now that of Guardian Rei Ikari. Verdandi is long gone, as are her sisters Urd and Skuld. Now the fate of lilim……I mean mortal…….. kind are known by the new Norns: Urd, Belldandy, Skuld, Sayoko, and Kristine.
Upon my return to Heaven, I had expected many things. Though our betrayal was so long ago, Heaven has a long memory. I expected to be shunned, to be driven out, possibly even destroyed.
My expectations have so far turned out to be wrong, for the most part.
Two of the Norns, I am honored to call close friends. Only one person though is one I would call my 'best' friend. That would be the Guardian Yui Ikari.
My relationship with Yui is quite…….interesting. Even knowing what I did to her mother, Yui forgave me. Her mother did as well, but that is another story. Yui was but a teenager when we met, and I have seen her grow to adult. In some ways, I grew alongside her.
But, using the words I have learned……….
There were times she confused the 'hell' out of me.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2528
Arael blinked.
"A what?" she asked, confused.
"A sleepover!" Yui squealed, "I'm going to have a sleepover on my Sweet Sixteen birthday!"
Arael still was confused.
"What is a ……sleepover?"
"It's where girls gather together at a house to sleep." Yui explained, "Only you don't sleep. You play games, talk about boys, paint your nails, and do each other's hair. You pretty much stay up all night!"
Arael was now really confused.
"If you do not sleep," she said, "then how can it be called a sleepover?"
"Ugh, Arael!" Yui moaned, "You're over analyzing this. It's basically a party that lasts all night!"
"But why……." Arael began before Yui interrupted her.
"I'm sorry Arael," Yui said apologetically, "but I have to go to training." She started to go, then paused. "Auntie Rei might be able to answer your questions though."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"A sleepover?" Rei repeated. She and Asuka were in the kitchen in the Ikari home in Heaven. Asuka was working on making a birthday cake for Yui's birthday.
"Yes Mother." Arael replied. Rei's face contorted into one of shock and disgust. Asuka chuckled.
"Please," Rei pleaded, "I am not your mother. Don't call me that."
"But your soul……."
"Is Rei Ikari." Rei said, "Please, just call me Rei."
"Very well…….Rei."
"Now, as to the Sleepover," Rei said, "It's pretty much going to be the 'single' ladies of Heaven night. I'll be there, as will Sayoko, Cayla, and I think Skuld is coming."
Arael looked at Asuka.
"You will not be doing the 'Sleepover'?" she asked.
Asuka shook her head.
"I will happily be in bed asleep."
"Oh." Arael turned back to Rei. "What will be required of me besides showing up?"
"You'll need sleeping wear." Rei said, "Typically a night gown or a t-shirt and shorts, something that covers you, yet you're relaxed in."
"Just don't go Misato on us." Asuka muttered.
Arael looked at Rei questioningly.
"Don't ask." Rei replied. She then thought a moment. "You know, just to be on the safe side………." She grabbed Arael's arm and pulled her towards the front door. "We're going to the Goddess Mall to make sure you have appropriate sleepwear."
"Have fun shopping!" Asuka called out.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The activity known as 'shopping' baffles me. All Gods and Goddesses, the Guardians and myself, are able to produce with our powers any and all clothing that is required. If our clothing becomes dirty or falls into disrepair, our powers are able to clean and mend them.
Each God and Goddess have official robes that they wear. For example, Goddesses Belldandy, Sayoko, and Kristine have similar robes of blue, gold and white. Belldandy's robes are more regal, Kristine's are more…….well….they include a 'mini' skirt. Sayoko's are a mixture of the two.
I wear robes similar to the Guardians, which are grey all over. Asuka complains about the robes all the time, but I do not understand why. I find them very function as well as the muted color allows the wearer to blend in.
Back to shopping.
Most of the Goddesses that run Yggdrasil enjoy going to the Goddess Mall where they look and try on various clothes and outfits, many based on mortal wear from all periods of history. They also look at various accessories and such, to add to their outfits.
This is where Guardian Rei took me to find my……..sleepwear. What we ended up with Rei found cute, while I found them………suitable I suppose. I ended up with a pair of light shorts, and a t-shirt………with the words 'Angel' printed on the front.
As if I needed to be reminded of that………..
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Truth or dare?" Rei asked, with a slight smile. She, Yui, Sayoko, Skuld, Cayla, and Arael were sitting on the living room floor in the Ikari home. Each of them wore some sort of sleepwear. Cayla, Yui, Sayoko, and Arael wore t-shirts and shorts. Rei wore a sweatshirt and pants, while Skuld wore a long nightgown. Asuka and Shinji had gone to bed hours before, but not until after Asuka had put up a sound-proof barrier spell.
"That game is evil." Sayoko said. Her long hair had been rolled up into a bun on the back of her head. "Besides, you'll have Auntie, Cayla, and me at a disadvantage."
"Which means you'll just have to pick dare." Yui said with a smile. Her hair was held up with a rubber band on top of her head.
"I am unclear as to the rules of that game." Arael said. Her hair had been done in a ponytail.
"It's easy." Skuld said. Her hair was also done in buns, but she wore them on either side of her head. This had led Rei to laugh hysterically and ask if she was looking for Obi-wan Kenobi. Sayoko was the only other one who laughed at this. Everyone else didn't understand the comment.
"First," Skuld explained, "Someone asks you, 'Truth or Dare?'. If you say truth, that person will ask you a question that you must answer truthfully. If you choose dare, you must do the dare specified."
Arael blinked.
"And this is called fun?"
"Yes."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Have I mentioned that they confuse the 'hell' out of me?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Ok!" Sayoko said, "Rei, truth or dare?"
"Truth." Rei said.
"Have you ever had a romantic interest in Shinji?"
"WHAT!" Yui shouted.
Rei blushed heavily.
"AUNTIE!"
"Well he wasn't my brother at the time!" Rei said defensively.
"Yeah," Skuld said, "You were only a clone of his mother."
"I didn't know!" Rei said again, "At least his mother part." She then shook her head. "Ok enough of that. Cayla!"
Cayla jumped up. "I didn't do it!"
"Were you asleep?" Yui asked, still giving her Aunt weird glances.
"No……well…..yes…..I….."
"Cayla," Rei repeated, "Truth or Dare?"
"Umm.,….Dare?"
Rei smirked. "You have to run outside and sing 'I touch myself'."
Cayla's eyes went wide. Skuld buried her face in a pillow, laughing hard. A smile appeared across Sayoko's face. Yui and Arael looked clueless.
Cayla took a deep breath, then stood up and walked out the front door. The others gathered and peered out. Soon the strains of the old 80s song could be heard.
"That girl can sing." Skuld said.
"Not as good as Mom." Sayoko replied.
"No one sings as good as her."
"I'm confused." Arael said.
"About what?" Rei asked.
"Why does she touch herself when she's thinking about….." Arael blinked as Rei's hand slapped over her mouth.
"Don't worry about it." Rei said, "I'll try and explain it to you. Later."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That's something else that bothers me. They always say 'I'll explain it later.' when I ask about something I don't understand. But then they never explain it. They always just turn red and stutter incoherently, or cover my mouth to silence me. I have determined that the subjects in question are embarrassing, I just don't understand how.
That hand slapping over my mouth is really starting to hurt though.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rei removed her hand. Arael reached up and rubbed her mouth.
"Sorry." Rei said.
Arael gave Rei another curious look, then got up and moved back near the couch.
After another a few moments, a very embarrassed Cayla sat back down in the living room.
"Don't tell anyone I did that." Cayla said, "Please?"
"Too late." Skuld said, "I think Onee-sama heard you down the street."
Cayla's eyes widened and her face became even redder.
"Sempei heard?" she whispered.
"Don't worry about it." Rei said, "Belldandy probably won't say a thing."
"Don't be to sure." Skuld replied, "She said some rather embarrassing things about Keiichi without even realizing it until it was too late."
"Oh…….." Cayla wailed.
"Enough!" Yui shouted, "Cayla ask someone!"
"Alright." Cayla glanced at Skuld, then turned. "Arael, truth or dare."
Arael froze. Her mind flip-flopped back and forth. Finally, she came to a decision.
"Truth?"
"Wuss." Yui muttered.
"Is there someone you like?" Cayla asked.
"This ought to be good." Skuld said, propping herself and staring at Arael.
Arael looked to her left. Rei, Sayoko, and Cayla stared intently at her. Glancing to her right, Skuld and Yui were staring just as hard.
"Well?" Rei asked.
"There is someone I like." Arael said.
"Ooooo." Yui said, "Who? Who? Who?"
"Well, actually….." Arael said, "There are several people……"
"I think I see where this is going." Rei said.
"What do you mean?" Sayoko asked.
"I like Yui….." Arael said.
Yui straightened up and turned red.
"I also like Asuka, Shinji, Sayoko, Rei, Cayla…….."
"I was right." Rei said, "She did take it literally."
Arael frowned at Rei.
"What Cayla meant," Sayoko said, for Arael's benefit, "is there anyone you like, romantically?"
"Oh." Arael said.
"So who do you like?" Rei asked, "Romantically."
Arael looked downward.
"Is there someone?" Skuld asked.
Arael kept her gaze on the floor. Yui frowned and moved beside Arael.
"Arael?" she asked. She heard Arael whisper something very softly. "What?" Yui leaned her head next to Arael's.
"I do not like this game." She heard Arael say, choking slightly.
"What's wrong?" Skuld asked. She and the others were now looking concerned.
Yui waved her hand at the others, then lowered her head near the floor to look up at Arael. She could now see the Angel's face, as well as the tears that dripped from her eyes.
"Arael," Yui said, putting an arm around her, "It's my sweet sixteen. Please don't cry."
Sayoko moved to the other side of Arael.
"Talk to us." Sayoko said softly, "What's wrong?"
"Why should I think of liking someone," Arael whispered, "when no one likes me."
"What do you mean?" Yui asked.
Arael looked up, tears streaming from her eyes, though she wasn't quite sobbing.
"I am talked about in whispers as I pass," she said, "When Gods or Goddesses see me, they change direction or pass by as far away from me as they can. I am……alone…….an outcast."
"Don't say that." Sayoko said, "They don't know you."
"You still have us." Yui said, "And don't worry about not having anyone. Look at Auntie Rei and Skuld, they haven't got anyone."
"Yeah look at…….HEY!" Rei and Skuld glared at Yui.
"I think truth or dare is done." Rei said, glaring daggers at her niece.
"What do you have in mind then?" Cayla asked.
Yui looked up, keeping her arm around Arael.
"Makeovers!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Once again, considering our powers and such, why must we manually change the appearance of one another? It seems just a waste of time.
And yet……..Yui called it fun.
Strange. Apparently Yui's definition of fun differs from the dictionary's.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Awwwww." Rei said, "Doesn't Skuld look cute?"
"Rei," Skuld said, staring at the mirror, "What have you done to me?"
"Made you blonde."
"I can see that. I'm going to hurt you."
"Maybe you can pick up guys now."
"I have Urd hair!"
"No, she's more platinum blond. You're more…….."
"Blitz blond."
"Yeah."
"I still think we should have changed your hair color." Sayoko muttered as she looked at Cayla's hair.
"I like my hair!" Cayla replied.
"It's purple!"
"Light purple! So what?"
"How about this?" Yui called out. Skuld, Rei, Cayla and Sayoko glanced over at Yui. Yui had Arael sitting in a chair facing away from the others. The young Guardian slowly turned Arael around to face the others. Arael's gray hair was now a light red, almost pinkish in color. Make-up had been added to her face as well, as had lipstick. Arael's cheeks reddened further from the others gazes.
"Hey!" Skuld shouted, "Who said anything about make-up!"
"It's part of the make-over. Duhh!" Yui replied, moving towards the living room shelves. She pulled out a camera.
"Wait a minute!" Sayoko said, "What's with the camera?"
"Well I want to remember this!" Yui said, "Arael looks gorgeous, as does Cayla, Sayoko, and Rei. Skuld……." Yui turned and quickly snapped off a picture of the currently blond goddess. "…….well…..let's just say no one would believe that without a picture."
Skuld slowly turned to Rei.
"I'm going to hurt you."
Rei stuck out her tongue.
"Grrrr." Skuld growled.
"Auntie," Sayoko said, "This is all in fun……."
"So is this." Skuld grabbed her pillow and hit Rei with it.
"PILLOW FIGHT!" Sayoko shouted, as she immediately beaned Yui with her pillow.
Arael could only sit in complete shock as the others proceeded to smack each other around with their pillows.
"I do not….." Arael began before a pillow slammed into her, followed by another and another. She lay buried beneath the pillows for a moment.
"You alright Arael?" Yui called out.
The pillows began to shudder, then they floated up in the air. Arael sat up, her eyes glowing red. The pillows slowly orbited around her.
"Uhhh Arael….." Sayoko said nervously, "I don't think powers should be used in a pillow fight."
"It's all in fun Arael." Yui added.
Arael gave a faint smile, before the floating pillows hurtled through the air back at their owners. She then looked at Yui, who had ducked the pillow tossed at her.
"This is fun." Arael said.
"AHHHHH!' Skuld leaped through the air at Arael, her pillow held high over her head.
Arael ducked Skuld's pillow strike and responded with her own.
The pillow fight continued.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The next morning.
Asuka yawned as she walked down the hall from the bedroom to the stairs. She and Shinji had a very quiet and peaceful night, so much so that Asuka thought about putting up the sound-proof barrier more often.
She was about to head down the stairs when she saw Shinji stopped near the bottom.
"What is it?" Asuka asked.
"Come see." Shinji replied.
Asuka moved down the stairs and stopped beside Shinji. Her mouth dropped at what she saw.
Feathers were everywhere, on the couch, the floor, tables, shelves, just everywhere. In the midst of this were the partiers. A blond haired Skuld was still in a sitting position, leaning against the couch, snoring. Sayoko had her head on Skuld's lap and was also peacefully sleeping. Cayla and Rei were the off to one side, asleep, though Rei would have an awful crick in her neck when she woke up. Then Asuka spotted Yui. She was laying with her head on a pink haired Arael's stomach. Arael herself was actually using a pillow with her head turned slightly towards Yui. Her arm lay across Yui, who seemed to be holding it tightly against her.
"Seems like they had fun." Shinji said, "But why is Skuld's hair blonde?"
"Why is Arael's pink?" Asuka responded.
"Why are there feathers everywhere?"
"I guess they had a very good time."
Shinji glanced at Asuka. "Think we should wake them?"
Asuka shook her head. "Nah, let them sleep. Besides, Yui looks so cute cuddled up to Arael like that."
"Who'd have thought it?" Shinji said, "Our daughter is friends with an Angel."
"Hush." Asuka said.
Shinji glanced at Asuka. "You ok with this?"
"At first, maybe not." Asuka said, "But I've had several years now to get to know her. Arael isn't that bad. If anything, she's like how Rei was back in Tokyo-3. But she's getting better. And I think Yui is part of the reason why." Asuka turned to Shinji. "Arael needs friends, and I can't think of anyone she needs more then Yui."
Unnoticed by Shinji and Asuka, one person heard and saw them. That person then closed her red eye and went back to sleep.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I know I owe Guardian Asuka a lot.
Not just because of what I did to her and the Fifth child so long ago. In spite of my…….transgressions, they have both been very kind to me. All of their families have.
And for that I am forever grateful.