Standard Disclaimer
Ugh, life has not been kind since last I wrote a little note. A lot of people needing money, health issues, cold, and depression. Add to it work has went crazy with my layoffs (I am still fine), promises of lower raises, and just 'we don't care about you lesser employees' has had a bad effect on the mental health. But I press on!
X-X
This Time Around
Chapter – 7
While Urd wasn't skilled in motor craft, knew less about bikes, and wasn't a gear head, she was glad to be standing with the team. It was just a trial run before the actual race next week, but the atmosphere was no less engaging. Clad in her cheerleader outfit, sadly Peorth was not up for playing as well, she sang out and batted her pompoms as Keiichi took another lap around. Stupid lug better not hurt himself on that contraption of his. It was one of the bigger bikes he made, huge engine, and it only went straight as fast as possible.
"You do know if that thing explodes we'll have to show our true nature to these mortals right? That is unless you run distraction and I save him," Peorth whispered at Urd. Leaning in just enough to not give those spectators any fuel to work with, Peorth was still not Urd's best friend. The wedge from Troubadour was still there, it was between all of them, not just Peorth and Urd. But the two days of not shaming Keiichi, Urd was trying her best to fix that.
Knowing Peorth wasn't super keen on female on female touching, Urd wrapped an arm around her neck and yanked the earthen goddess in close. Multiple heads turned to watch that, many with bugged eyes and open mouths, "I think I can distract them if needed. But I would save him before you could. I have a mini-version of myself on that thing." Call her tenacious, but after being reminded of how Troubadour had betrayed her, Urd was doubling down on Keiichi. She had very nearly fucked up bad, had fucked up bad, but it could have been worse.
Pushing Urd off with an exasperated sigh, Peorth rolled her eyes. Holding up two fingers, she smirked, "Guess I win again. That mean I get today's date? Thinking with your sisters still gone I can really get him to relax. Got some new flower extracts I want to try." Peorth held her head up in that haughty manner that Urd just wanted to smack.
"No you lose, as having two of yourself on that back slows it down. From what Kei-chan said, weight is a big issue. And while I'm light as a feather, you have a few extra pounds of First Class," Urd stopped playing. Hands to her hips, she stood nose to nose with her rival in love. Hey friendly rival was still a rival, and Urd wanted to shake the foundations of the temple! Jutting her hand out at the track, "You had the last one, I get this one. Just how it goes. I have a lot of ground to reclaim after Troubadour."
Coughing discreetly, Megumi got the two goddesses' attention. "So something did happen the other day. I knew Keiichi was faking it. Just who is Troubadour now? Another person joining this odd little relationship of yours?" Now that mortal did not appear happy at all, quite the inverse. Arms cross, brow arched, and a lip that just kept creeping into a sneer. The Morisato siblings were quite similar in that regard, never threaten friends or family.
"No he is not, I will not allow that to happen. But I'll let Urd tell you about her ex. I have a trial to watch. These bikes are fascinating...but their fuel source leaves much to be desired in smell. Maybe I can think of something as a replacement," Peorth nodded at Megumi before leaving the pair. Heading to the track, Tamiya scared a few people away so she could have a nice place to stand.
Before Urd could talk, she found Megumi grabbing her hand and leading her away from the others. Nice a private, never a good sign, nobody wanted to have a heated conversation view of others. Finding a secluded little broken bottle infested patch of dirt behind the public restrooms, Urd was not looking forward to this. "Alright I admit it, I made a few mistakes. An ex of mine came to town, needed a place to stay and I offered the temple. Guy was a jerk, still is, and things were awkward between Kei-chan and him," Urd was a masterful liar, weaving fake stores using nothing but truths.
Megumi's foot tapped hard and fast as the girl calculated the information. With a grunt, "Urd...I don't know how to take you. I really don't. I like you, makes this harder on me. You're a fun one, quite the contrast to my always so serious brother. But you are TO fun. Nothing is ever serious with you. Life is a big game. Is that all Keiichi is to you as well? A game? Something to play around with until you get bored?" Megumi wrapped her arms around her waist tightly gripping her shirt.
"No, he isn't. I know I'm not the most...serious person. But there are somethings even I don't mess with. Kei-chan is one of those things," Urd had heard this type of talk before. The wind ripped through the hollow of trees and grass they stood in. The smell was a mixture of sick and urine, Urd's nose crinkled up at the nastiness of it. People always looking down on her for wanting to spice things up, to destroy boredom where she could! Now this girl was saying she wasn't taking her relationship seriously? Pacing about trying to calm herself, "I'll not lie and say Troubadours attention was a bad thing. I enjoyed it. Kei-chan is so reserved and Troubadour was dynamic. You have to admit, hearing ballads sung about you is a powerful thing.
Leaning against the back of the restroom, Megumi's head hung low. "That's it? You like people calling your pretty? Urd you've been selected Campus Queen? Who the hell much more attention do you need? How much of your attitude will need placating before you're satisfied? Keiichi is my brother, I want him happy. But if this love-in you've got going hurts him again, I'll try and put a stop to it. I bet I could get Belldandy to pick up the pieces if I tried," Megumi did not come off gloating or angry, just sad.
"I didn't really want Peorth to start stealing my honey!" Urd yelled back. Emotions would be her bane, they spun up like a tempest and throttled her mind. Advancing on Megumi, the audacity of this mortal! Threatening to try and take her things away from her! Towering over the woman, who did not appear afraid, "And this isn't about my ego! I love your brother, I do. I just had a moment! We all have them! How do you think I feel knowing that he fucks that stupid plant bitch?! I like Peorth too, but she...but she..."
Leaning in just a little, Megumi matched Urd stare for stare, "But she is better than you. You know it, and now you're worried she's going to snatch him from you. So you bring your little ex in to yank the chain around Keiichi's neck. The great and sexy Urd has other options, so you better not sta-" Megumi's head bounced off the wall. Her whole body spun around as a trickle of blood escaped her lips and her eyes were dazed and vacant. Slumping down to the ground, the younger Morisato sibling just tumbled over.
"Oh fuck what have I done!" Urd just gasped. Her hand still fully extended, she had not held back. Things she heard her whole life came spinning back and fluttering around as Megumi narrowed in on exactly she feared. The idea had crossed her mind, Peorth was better than her in many categories. So rather than think logically about things, an emotional sister was NOT a found of logic, Urd lashed out. Dropping to her knees, she upended her bag and let her elixirs, potions, and pills fall to the ground. Gently shaking Megumi, getting no response, Urd felt tears start to trickle down, "No-no-no I did not just do this!"
Healing salves, created just in case something did go bad today, were rubbed against the woman's neck and face. Urd would have broken a few minds if they saw her administer the pills via her mouth, but tender lips were not on her mind right now. No, she had to undo what she stupidly had done. But to her hidden shame, the last thing she slipped into the alchemical mix was a memory suppressant. Megumi would forget the last five minutes, handy when a mortal sees a little something they're not supposed to.
"Oh damn, what hit me?" Megumi groaned as she stepped back from the breech. Propped up against the wall, she rubbed the back of her head, and smacked her jaws. "Something tastes foul too. You didn't get me to drink Ever-clear again did you?" she took the offered hand and was yanked back up.
Pointing at the bottles on the ground, Urd felt sick to her stomach, "You better watch your feet next time. Trip on one of those, hit your head against the wall will mess you up." No lies, just not really addressing the issue. Not that Megumi knew that. Hearing some cheering from the track, "Sounds like Kei-chan is done. Can we have this chat latter? If I don't go now, Peorth will sink her claws into him before I can. And today is our date-night, not hers. Belldandy will be back in a day or two, and she really dampens the romantic mood."
Nodding and shaking her head, Megumi just followed behind Urd, "Yeah. Can't really remember what I wanted to talk to you about anyway. Odd, it was so clear before, but now I can't remember at all. Hate when that happens. You two going someplace nice?" Megumi was keeping a watchful eye on the ground for anymore phantom bottles.
"The temple actually. I'm going to cook something special, we have a movie picked out, and see how it goes from there," Urd finally had her breathing under control. With her reagents being Keiichi acquired midgard replacements, there always was a threat that the reaction would be different. But based on how Megumi was smiling at her, the girl did not remember how she rightly pegged Urd's insecurities, or the near fatal beating. Megumi was right, Urd was not good for Keiichi right now. Stupid Hild for fucking with them, digging in the soil of their minds for the lushest of dirty secrets and sins buried beneath the topsoil.
A booming voice filled both women in on what they missed. "Morisato! You have again proved to us you are the right man to take over! A new top speed, and you even kept up after the blowout! We could not ask for a better successor!" Tamiya and Otaki exclaimed loudly.
"Oh damn, I missed it," Urd snapped her fingers. Peorth saw the event, she had been hiding the evidence...shit. At least once she merged with her mini-version she'd have a front hand account. "H-how about you come over tomorrow if you have the time. Been awhile since we had a girl's night out," Urd set the bait and rushed off. Rushing over to her beau, she hip checked Peorth away from him, and clamped on the moment he was free of the oaf. Father she was shaking! What the hell did she just do, did she deserve this moment? No, but she had to make herself worthy is all. Giving Keiichi a kiss to the cheek as her mini-self filled her in on the speed trial, "You pushed the forth gear to hard again. But you still win."
Sweaty and full of energy, he was always a ball of tension during these trials, Keiichi pounded back a bottle of water. "Megumi leave already? And yeah I did, thankfully the little angels kept me from pitching off," Keiichi winked at Peorth and hugged Urd with one arm. Man knew how to give credit, know his limitations, unlike a certain Goddess in his arms. Watching the crew take the bike to the trailer, Keiichi instructed them how to properly tend to it, a leader even if he didn't want to be.
After the droll packing up was finished, Keiichi was calmer and showing the effects of lack of tension. He was haggard but smiling, "So what did we want to do to celebrate? No tests, homework done, and I think we're ready for the race. I feel like doing something nice?" he was trying, dear Father he was trying to accept Urd's apology and move forward.
Kissing both of Keiichi's cheeks, Peorth pressed her emblem to his forehead, "You two need to talk, Ma Cheri, so I shall let you two do such. Much has happened, and while the boar has left, the air still stinks of his musk. I shall graciously let you two deal with it. I shall tend to your sister and the club as your ambassador." With a withering glance at Urd, Peorth joined the motor club and departed with them.
Bitch just had to say it that way, and then leave! Timidly looking to Keiichi, the scolded daughter, Urd's poise and grace did not save her this time. Yeah, Keiichi was examining a unique stain on the ground and not looking at her. Bitch. Since Peorth couldn't have a nice romantic date, she ruined Urd's chances at one. The talk they had after Troubadour left, smoldering and very hurt, had been the start of the healing but a lot of ground was still needed to be covered til they were back pre-asshole. "Shall we go then? I can cook us something and we can talk," so much for the romance movie that was nearly soft-core porn.
"I could order us something instead if you want. Money is a little tight, but with only the three of us right now I've scrounged up a little," Keiichi kick started his bike. He left Urd to chose either to get on the back or take the sidecar. Never would any lady mistake Keiichi for a 'bad-boy', and Urd was growing to learn why that was perfect. Stupid women fell for stupid men and vice versa. Hurt and be hurt, part and parcel. Keiichi was a rarity, a gentleman that had enough masculinity to be a threat when necessary. And Urd nearly threw it away for the dunderhead that used her to get a giant bird!
Climbing on the back of the bike, his grin melting the ice around her heart, Urd snuggled up close. This mortal was far to forgiving, and she was blessed for it. "I'm cooking. Been spending to much of your money. As loath as I am to admit it, Peorth and I need to start pulling our weight. Going to have Skuld make a generator that I can power with lighting, cut down on at least one bill. And maybe your sister was right, the two of us could easily be models or something..." Urd was leery of using Megumi's name. So frail and weak these mortals be, one hit in frustration had nearly...she hugged Keiichi tighter.
Revving the engine, Keiichi took off with a whoop of pleasure, boys and their toys. Urd loved it nearly as much as he did. Times like this, just the two of them enjoying the passions of the other, passions shared, were bliss. World was better when it was just them, troubles of the day obscured by winding roads and passing scenery. The trip was over far to quickly for both of them, as the empty temple met them, and Keiichi helped Urd off the bike. "Welcome home, Urd. As for your ideas...generator would be fine. I'd be a bit jealous of a model contract though. Those things get personal," it wasn't a no, he never said no to them.
"Come here you big lug," Urd just reached out to him, and when she felt his fingers she yanked him in close. Crying again, how was this fair to him? She had hurt him, and she was the one sobbing like a little child! But she just felt so ashamed! Best relationship in her life, nearly ruined by stupidity. When she was rightfully spoken down to about it, she lashed out and nearly killed a person! Just what was she doing!? Peorth would be better off without her, Belldandy could take her place, Keiichi should have a normal life! If she stayed, what horrible things could she bring upon his head? "You...you should tell me 'no' more often, Keiichi. Don't hurt yourself to make me happy," she blinked her eyes clear of moisture...and he was smiling that sappy grin of his.
"I love you Urd. The issue with that man is over. You had your reasons, I didn't understand them, still don't. Seeing you with him hurt, hurt a lot. But with Peorth, I felt it fa-" Keiichi's lips were sealed with Urd's. No, it wasn't fair, it wasn't balanced. Peorth wished for nothing but Keiichi's happiness, Troubadour had wished only for his own joy. Urd wanted...she didn't know. But she wanted Keiichi with her when she found out. It was time to start making amends for her actions, to make up to those she hurt.
Two hours later, naked as the day she was born, she hugged Keiichi from behind as he snored. She'd cook after he woke up, she was barely conscious too. "Love you, you stupid man. Stupid for being with me, but I'll make it up to you," she rubbed against him and got that thrill again. It never felt this good with Troubadour or any of her other lesser lovers. No, this was proper, this was true. And as she fell asleep, ideas of how to start meeting him half-way on things, things were maneuvering against her.
X-X
The two pikes clashed against one another time after time, the clack echoed in the training ground to the delight of the onlookers. Not everyday the Lind took on challengers, even fewer Belldandy wore the mantle of Valkyrie. Today both happened, Belldandy was re-upping her license and asked Lind to be her tester. Did anybody expect Belldandy to win? A few of her diehard fans maybe, but most were there to see how long a First-Class Goddess could last against One-Wing Lind.
"How goes the efforts in your other angel?" Belldandy asked as she dove under a vicious swing. This whole ordeal was only partially for her license, it wasn't due to expire for some time. Belldandy wanted answers, just how much of Urd and Peorth's actives did Lind know? Dream Lind had both angels, while this one still only had the one, or was it a trick? Jabbing forward with the tip of her pike, Belldandy pushed harder than was normally needed during a test, "I would so love to see you with both, and fully accepted as you should be."
Catching Belldandy's jabs, barely, Lind spun around Belldandy's staff, and slammed her side against the other First Class. Actually showing some signs of tiring, Lind used the moments to catch a few needed breaths. Distancing herself from Belldandy, "It goes poorly. Cool Mint is still the only that will respond to me. Why do you worry yourself with my condition though, should not your sister be your primary concern?" Leaping nearly horizontally at Belldandy, Lind went for a cannonball approach.
Calling up a gust of wind, Belldandy didn't aim at Lind but to the side to send the carefully aimed blow off kilter. Charging at the now exposed flank, "Skuld's test is only for those undergoing the exam. No outside viewers as they might offer aid. I shall be there when she is done to congratulate her." Skuld would pass, of that Belldandy had no doubt. As standard though, Lind was tight lipped and cautious, Belldandy didn't want to tip her secret to early, less Lind clam up.
"I meant your other sister, Urd. From the rumors passing around of Troubadour being at her dwelling, figured you might be returning," Lind corrected. In the moment before Belldandy rammed into her side, Lind turned with her training pike and intercepted, only the rod shattered in pieces. Now armed with a short stick on one hand and the top of the pike in the other, Lind kicked out and connected with Belldandy's face. Not a clean move, but desperation did leave for inspiration. The two circled around one another, the battlefield heavily damaged, "You did not now of the bard's return did you?"
Urd's old lover had returned? No, Belldandy did not know of that, she had been to focused up on Skuld and the oddities she learned. Shaking her head, "I have faith in sister to come to the proper conclusion regarding that man. But you, are you concerned about Keiichi-san?" Belldandy swallowed hard, that man still vexed her! A darling man, one she cared for deeply, but how deep was it? Love, lust(?!), or just joy that Urd found a man so perfect for her. Just before sleep and just when waking her tired mind hinted that it was a mix of all.
Trying a few duel wielding techniques, overhand smashes with the butt while swiping with the head, Lind was out of her element. When Belldandy caught both ends of her damaged training gear, she swept at the Goddess of the Present's legs only for her to jump over and side-swing and hit right above Lind's hip. Rolling to the ground as cheers let up, "The mortal? I know little of this Keiichi Morisato. I do not have time to watch midgard as others do. The Valkyrie need be ready at a moments notice to strike. And you...you are ready in such a regard." Standing up Lind bowed her head and the match ended.
"You went easy upon me, dear," Belldandy was not lying either. Lind was known to break trainees when called out, peaking order was needed even in the Valkyries. Tossing her training pike to a waiting Third Class god, she reached out for Lind's, "Did you wish me to mend that for you?"
Never one to smile, the always strict Lind just shook her head. "I went as hard on you as needed to gauge your strength. You are in the reserves, so full strength would be wrong. As for this, I shall mend it myself," Lind responded. Taking the shards of the pike in her hand she washed her hands over them and attempted to fix the destroyed tool. The end result was...a spiraled hoop of wood with flower like growths on it. Another failure, Lind just couldn't use crafting magic with any real success. Dropping the ruined hunk on the ground, Lind did sulk a little.
Smiling softly at what she hoped was a friend, Belldandy just nodded. "You tried your best, just some are not suited for such unique magics. Now you spoke of being ready at all times? Is there something you fear is coming? As a surface representative, I could assist in looking if you wish?" Belldandy received a towel from another watcher as Lind did the same.
"No such clues ever exist. But your report of who has been prowling midgard has my attention. I will keep my eyes open for her," Lind's fierceness pierced through. The old belief that names gave power was a superstition that the Valkyrie practiced, anything to weaken an opponent, so they never used Hild's name or titles. Handing the towel back to the attendant, "Now if you have no more need of me, or questions for me, may I take your leave?"
Bashfully drawing her hands up to her cheek, Belldandy felt a smidgen ashamed, Lind had known it was a ruse all along. "I apologize for my tactics, but I've seen a few oddities in something sister and Peorth are looking into. I needed to check. Thank you for being as earnest as always dear friend," Belldandy proceeded to give Lind a light hug. The Valkyrie went ridged for a moment, then relaxed into a friendly embrace. She did not return it, but it wasn't expected of her.
"Ah yes, your time in the unused portions of the world tree. I meant to ask you about that, but my time is short today. Maybe you can show me what called you to me today, and maybe I can assist you," Lind gave Belldandy a warrior's salute and left with her subordinates.
So at this point, if Belldandy's guess was correct, Lind was not yet privy to anything. What the dreams would have done, Belldandy had no plan to see. No this was to be between Peorth, Urd, and herself now. Visions or warnings from another plan, unable to verify them, they accepted and acted on them. "But to what end, why do such a thing?" Belldandy wanted to trust her sister and co-worker. But why hadn't they told HER about this? Heading back to the chamber, Belldandy prayed it wasn't something bad happening.
"Ah it is you that sought out the source of those wicked dreams, I had great hopes it would be," a voice Belldandy did not expect stated. The moment Belldandy walked into the room, something had been different. Powered up to full, dusted, cleaned, and rearranged in ways not considered before! And it wasn't empty, putting the final piece in place, another Belldandy stood only appearing a little older, wiser, and dare it be said more alluring?
Not one to trust strange versions of herself, Belldandy instantly donned her battle attire and hard twin wind blasts at the ready. "Who are you, and what have you done to this room?" a trick by Hild maybe? The woman across from her did look much like her, but Belldandy could see the subtle differences, much like those between Dream Urd and Real Urd!
"None of that is necessary dear," Bell swatted her hand and Belldandy's wind dissipated as if candle smoke. Attaching the piece she fit into place, it whirred to life and images of multiple worlds all blossomed to life and filled the room with a beauteous cancer. Sitting on her broom, she floated over to Belldandy, "As for this room, I put it back the way it was intended to be used. I am a you from a world not known to you. My sister in a poor decision separated this world from the view to avoid my correcting it. You may just call me Bell if you wish, alleviate confusion while I fix this world."
To be so soundly disarmed, yet not threatened after, Belldandy was perplexed. "If-if you are me, you can prove it can you not?" Belldandy willed Holy Bell out. Leary of just letting anybody into the heavens to do what they wished, Belldandy would fight and protect all. With Holy Bell at her side, her confidence rose, "And what did sister do to warrant. Well whatever she did?"
Summoning her own version of Holy Bell, the two angels started to sign to one another. Bell stifled a little laugh, "The me without Keiichi-chan is very sad. You are so worried and afraid. I remember being that way when I learned of the binding placed upon me. Your memories of this are likely jumbled. But have you ever wondered why Keiichi-chan gets afraid of making love when you first star...no...you are not the Goddess of his wish are you?" Bell strode closer. The angel's song was reaching a crescendo, all proof needed was being delivered.
"So beautiful, your Holy Bell is such..." tears started streaking down Belldandy's face in view of such a glorious song. She could feel the same pulse as her own angel in this new one, it was Holy Bell, meaning this woman was in fact her from a different world. Yet that did not give the new woman a free pass! Something happened that separated her world from the others, and the dreams pointed at this woman as the source. "So you are me, but that does not answer why you are here, or why your Urd did what she did," if she had to summon the Valkyrie Belldandy would do so. She had to protect her world, protect her family, and that included Keiichi.
Willing Holy Bell back inside her, Bell sadly shook her head. "You appear as all the other Belldandy's had, those that were denied the wish. I corrected them, corrected their world. And you should see them now! So glorious and happy. Their worlds overflowing with love and joy. Our passion ignited prosperity across the nine realms! We even allowed for possible peace with Hild! But Peorth, Urd, Lind, and Chrono wanted a world to their own. One that was not blessed with Keiichi-chan and my initial pairing. So they did this," Bell gestured to the room about them and to Belldandy herself.
Going to the monitors as Bell pointed, Belldandy observed world after world. Each had a version of Keiichi-san and her together. Some had others joined in the pairing, others were just them. But the worlds were happy, she was happy as was Keiichi-san! "Urd wanted this for herself, but not with me? Why was that? W-what did you do to your sister after she did this?" Belldandy couldn't tear herself away from the visions. Such things she saw, unexpected and myriad, all filled her with growing confusion!
"She is now a member of our marriage. Urd, as you know, is a bit selfish when it comes to love. The fact she worked together with others...she likely aimed to betray them. Actually I know she did, only reason you could contact me is because to many hidden messages in the code ruined the stealth pattern. But they did prevent me from re-shaping it from the outside. But I am here now, and I can fix this. Set as it should be," Bell approached her other self with a small zeal in her eyes. Grasping Belldandy's hands, "I can sense you don't believe me yet. But I can show you. Close your eyes."
So wrapped up in the various worlds, seeing herself as a harpy complete with Keiichi-harpy was oddly cute, she didn't fight. Closing her eyes, "But what I see here is beautiful as well. Urd is happier than I've ever seen her! Yes they struggle, but it is wonderful to watch." Feeling Bell touch her emblem, Belldandy's body pulsed with such a shock she fell to the ground. But she felt no different when she opened her eyes, "W-what did you do to me?"
Helping Belldandy up, Bell just winked. "You may not have been informed since it was not your wish. But you had a limiter in you, it was keyed to mortals to prevent longing and lustful thoughts. Urd was not given one as for her nature, Peorth's ties to nature prevented her from having one, but other goddess and goddess of rank two or higher get them. They prevent mortals from copulating with us, to prevent nephilim. Keiichi-chan and I had mine removed after we proved ourselves worthy. And since we had such an impact...father allowed me to undo the seals of all other versions of me," Bell's voice held nothing but love when she mentioned Keiichi.
"What should I do...with this?" Belldandy didn't understand! Why would such a seal be used? What was happening! "I cannot support you right now, more...more proof before I can do such." Guilty until proven innocent was the rule of the day right now. It all could be an elaborate trap. A glamour Mara or Hild put on her to trap her or trick the others!
Shrinking into a tiny form, Bell lost none of her joy. "I would expect nothing else from you. I would never wish to allow Keiichi-chan or my family to be hurt either. I will show you, just listen to me when I talk. And all will be revealed. Now let us go," she leaped to Belldandy's shoulder and vanished within the hair.
Careful, she had to be careful about this. Maybe even tell Urd and Peorth about the other her. But for how she would try to trust, while watching and listening. Gathering Skuld, successful as expected, they made plans for supper and then the return to the temple.
X-X
While he would never be one for parties, these gatherings at the temple of the club members were fun and acceptable. Keiichi sat on the ground, Peorth and Urd flanking him, a light acholic beverage between his legs, and a comfortable buzz going. Hardly the thing of nightmares. Megumi couldn't make it sadly, she had a date, but he'd find time to chat with his sister soon enough. Belldandy and Skuld's return combined with his accepting the position in the club prompted Urd to spur on this little shindig.
"So you's said you was home for some sort of school?" Tamiya had a bit more than he should have. When the big guy got the engine going, he really let loose, and with how he was eying Peorth across the room, pretty clear he was tanked. Nothing lewd, if anything it was charming. Guy was pouring his heart out, knowing full well that Peorth was out of reach, but still love was love even if unrequited.
Gently petting the sleeping Skuld's hair, Belldandy was nursing a coke. Nodding a few soft times, "Yes, Skuld-chan had a few tests she needed to take. I went with her to make sure everything went fine and to check in on friends." Belldandy had been oddly tightlipped about her trip to the heavens, but Keiichi suspected it was likely more of the procedure to keep 'humans' from knowing to much. Turning to Keiichi though, her eyes held a certain allure, "Now what happened here while we were gone? Paperwork and reports are a little boring, I assume things were a little different here? Urd, I heard you had a guest?"
"Y-you heard about that back home already? Word travels fast," Urd quickly hugged Keiichi tighter. This was something that wouldn't be buried fast, both of them knew. It may never fully go away, and that was something Keiichi was accepting. The culture shock was huge, go figure they were technically different species. How group pairings worked in the heavens was something Keiichi needed to sit down and decipher one day. Apparently a group could have as many members as long as each included person agrees. Sipping her drink, she was going light today, after the previous day's outbreak it was expected, "What did they tell you?"
Finding the whole room paying attention to them, Keiichi was not liking the turn of conversation. For the first two hours it was stupid talk. Who was watching what, what was Aoshima getting up to, or talks for future club activities. Get a few drinks into people and suddenly its emotional talk time, and relationships were a very private thing for the young Morisato. "It wasn't that big of deal though. Just somebody staying over for a few days," Keiichi hoped that got the conversation moving past them.
"Was this when you were sick, Sempai?" Sora had to drag that up. Now even the slightly tipsy members were paying attention. Keiichi didn't get sick much, hardly ever really, and just when he got sick somebody was visiting? Oddly suspicious if Keiichi had to admit.
Keiichi noticed Peorth pinching Urd's hand off of him, guess she was making Urd fess up to the past events, so he shut his mouth. Peorth did take his hand though and hold it, he had told her of his feelings on the matter and she mirrored them. Clearing her throat, Urd waved her bottle across the table, "An ex was in town looking for a new pet. Some stupid bird he could only find here. Things got a little complicated when he tried starting things up again. I tried to get him to leave, he wouldn't. I put Kei-chan in a bad place while I dealt with the jerk. Peorth was in that blasted greenhouse of hers and didn't help a lick." That was going to be the cause of some animosity for a time as well.
"I shouldn't have needed me to cut the thorns off for you Urd. You're an adult, or so you keep playing at. I tend one of my little projects and when I come back, Ma Cherie is a wreck and you're flirting with that bard! Don't put this on me," Peorth had found the joys of wine to be to her liking. Pulling Keiichi into her lap, letting her hair dangle in his face, she winked down at him, "You are a blast furnace, do you know that Ma Cherie?"
Grabbing Keiichi's arm, Urd gave a mighty yank as well, pulling him a midway between the two, "I was not flirting!" With each woman tugging on him, the room went up in cheers, some for Urd and others Peorth. Great another of the great faction battles was starting. With a powerful tug, Keiichi went flying over to Urd and the two crashed onto the ground, Keiichi was provided two very comfortable airbags. Hugging the man, "Wasn't flirting. Was just overwhelmed. Kei-chan here is more private a person than Troubadour is, he is a better man. I forgot that package deals gives you all the good and the bad. But that pig is gone now and I won't have you…HEY!"
"No fighting you two, you nearly woke up Skuld-chan. Now until you can play nice, I shall tend to Keiichi-san," Belldandy sat the young man at her side. Before sitting down herself she forced the two other goddesses to sit beside one another. With a confident nod, "There, now you two can be friendly yes? We have company and it would be a shame to end the party so soon, would it not?" A little coke made for big changes in the middle sister.
Otaki had a big grin on as he poured himself another beer, "Yeah! We haven't even played any games yet! Urd-san always has the best! Last time finally saw Satoko-chan and me finally…" The big man's blush went wide as his lady friend bashfully hid her face into his side, guess it wasn't meant to be made public yet. That got a cheer from the room, everybody was happy for them.
"How about we play the King Game? I know it is not one of Urd's, but it appears quite fun," Belldandy suggested. Now if Belldandy had ever asked for anything before the group might have debated, but Belldandy often just sat and knit during these parties so calls for the King's Game were rampant and loud. Thank Urd for the temple being far away from others, as the noise complaints would have been in the dozens by now.
As the game was set up, Urd and Peorth warring for who got to design the King stick, Keiichi watched the party contently. "This isn't too big of group for you is it Belldandy-san? Before you'd just watch mostly, today you're actively participating. And as for the Troubadour thing…we are trying to make amends for it. Don't know how much you know about it. How Urd-chan hid me. Urd-chan still blames herself for things. And I admit what Hild said to me struck a chord to. Not just her…" Keiichi shut up when Belldandy put a hand atop his. Wh-what was this? Belldandy didn't just touch people!
"You are a dear man to put up with such, and even trying to accept Troubadour if Urd wished it. Sister is very lucky to have you, as is Peorth," Belldandy touched her head to his. When that brief contact was made, Keiichi suspected she'd pull back yet she didn't, they just sat there in full view of everybody.
Maybe she fell asleep, coke did knock her out, so he asked tentatively, "A-are you awake Belldandy-san?" What was odd was how he still felt normal! Typically after Peorth or Urd got him feeling a little randy, and the tug of war ending on Urd's breasts had reminded him of his very attentive lovers, Belldandy would be the mental cold shower. Right now…well she was warm.
"Very much so Keiichi-san. Oh and when we have time, I found out what they were up to if you'd like to know," Belldandy did pull away. Just in time by the looks of it as the cup was passed around with sticks all ready for a silly game. Taking the cup in her hand, Belldandy looked at both Peorth and Urd and shook her head, "It is no fun to cheat so let us all have a fun game," her hand waved over the cup as she drew the first stick.
As typical with the King's Game, it started off tame. Number One sing a song, Sora was not the worst singer. Number Three give Number Five a foot massage, Tamiya nearly burst to rub Peorth's feet…he was not skilled in the task. Belldandy might have cheated when Number 7 had to hug Number 2, Peorth and Urd nearly walked out.
First time she was king, Sora wobbled back and forth, she was not the best drinker, "Number two…most romantic moment you can remember. Be as graphic as possible!" That got a cheer up from the masses!
"I uh…well…guess I'm number two," Keiichi did not like his current predicament. Two ladies instantly were eying him, which of them had the better romantic event? They were rivals, not enemies, but whatever they could use to establish a pecking order was used. When both of them tried talking first, Belldandy held her hand up, they stopped, and then that arm draped around Keiichi's shoulder. It was a cop out, but it was true, "You'll all think it cheesy, but my first kiss with both Urd and Peorth. It was different, all of it. Different setup, different reasons, and defiantly different intensity…but both were so pure that I knew I loved them."
A chorus of boo's and wadded up pieces of paper and empty cups were pitched at the young mechanic, thrown by everybody not a goddess. The look they shared, well Keiichi felt himself perk up a little, then nearly pass out when Belldandy's hand fell onto his leg and squeeze it gently. "That was beautiful Keiichi-san. Now next round shall we?" the honeyed voice struck Keiichi right in the soul.
A few more rounds of slowly intensifying bets started happening. Number Six had to pound their drink, Belldandy needed another coke. The first 'not happening' occurred when Tamiya was to kiss Satoko, nobody pushed that issue. Keiichi had to show everybody his best Belly Dance and that nearly ended the night with people passing out laughing. Without the liquid courage he likely wouldn't have done it, but he had fun.
"Dai-chan I got this! Number 5 slow dance with number 1!" Otaki flashed the thumbs up. It wasn't hard to see how a few of the questions and dares were hoping to get the thick man a moment or two with Peorth. After the Troubadour incident, Keiichi had no fears of Peorth straying so he had no qualms if his sempai got cherished moment. But the numbers were off…Peorth had Six and he had five. Number one was…
Standing up and helping Keiichi to stand as well, Belldandy was fully flush eyes glistening. "It's been so long since I slow danced. Keiichi-san, I hope I do not disappoint," she slurred just a little. How much coke had she imbibed today! Wrapping her arms around his neck, drawing him in close as Sora started a song.
"Just hope I don't step on you," Keiichi muttered. This was not how he anticipated the game going. Why were all the odd dares between Belldandy and him! Was it just odds or was Belldandy doing this? She was so close to his face, eyes sparkling with such a content face! Never in his life had Keiichi been so struck by Belldandy! When her eyes closed, she leaned in, Keiichi's heart nearly popped, her body pressed against his, and…her head leaned back. Keiichi had to catch the girl as she swooned into him. "That explains a lot. She is loaded! Urd want to help me take her to the tea-room?" Keiichi laughed.
Already pulling her legs up into the air, Urd was beside herself as well with a few laughs, "Need to keep an eye on her when she's tied one on! Guess that ends the party guys. We'll have to have another soon." The grumbling was expected, but it wasn't as loud, time was past midnight after all. Helping Keiichi take her younger sister to her room, the pair found Peorth and magiced the room clean and Skuld deposited by the time they got back. There in the stillness of the temple, "Was it me or was Belldandy acting strang?"
"She had to have put a hex on that cup, to many of them were focused on her," Peorth poured herself another glass. Leading the duo to the couch, she plopped on the left while Urd took the right leaving Keiichi the middle. Putting her legs up on Keiichi, "And you were her target. Think we have to worry about her making a play on our man here? After what you caused, he might feel the need to switch sisters."
Urd did the same, leaving a pile of legs on Keiichi's lap, but Urd aimed for the money shot. With her bottle of saki in hand, she poured Keiichi a glass while she took straight from the bottle, "No more of that take today. You got your dig in during the party. I messed up. I don't want any man other than Kei-chan here. And while I can stomach you, as bitchy as you can get, I don't think I could stomach Bell. Love her, but…wait…you've still got a woody? What the fuck? Bell's had coke around you before and…" Urd's face lit up like a Cheshire cat.
"I uh…don't know what to say either. S-sorry. Wasn't trying to you know…she's your sister," Keiichi did not like having his erections be common knowledge. But both of his lady friends were now gently kneading with their heels. "Hey how…you keep doing that and I won't be held responsible for my actions. Two beautiful women teasing me, I can only be pushed so far until I," Keiichi found Peorth suddenly leaning in close.
Ok, so the wine did flavor the kiss, and it gave it a fruity bouquet as Peorth shared her drink with him. Urd then followed suit, the saki and red wine did not mix well together, but he drank it both down. Feeling them lift him off the couch, Keiichi's foggy mind just went along with it as they lead him to his room. Was something going to happen, or just sleep? Oh boy he hoped it was just sleep right now, it was all hitting him and fatigue just washed over him in waves. When they opened his door and he saw the room was NOT his normal…unless it was much larger in size since he was last in it and had a king sized bed. They tossed him up on it, flanked him…and he got his wish. They all passed out. Best night sleep he had in ages.
X-X
Storming into the Auto Club's building, Peorth was trying her best to not get angry. She was failing, but you get points for trying in some things. Magicking herself back into her 'normal' human attire and not the dress, she pulled on her hair in anger. Her plan of an impromptu date with her little mortal had went down like a sinking ship. The worst part was, he was good for it! But no, Belldandy just HAD to go for groceries today as the temple was running out of food! Why couldn't Urd's sister just teleport to the store and back? This was getting out of hand, and they needed to address it today! The whole week since she returned, Belldandy had been a thorn in Urd and her side when it came to one little mortal!
Helping with the greenhouse, the cold weather made outdoor gardening impractical. Watching movies where she constantly blushed or cringed into said mortal. Breakfast, lunch, and supper she was just always there! Something had happened while Belldandy was off with Skuld, and it was not good. It was time to do a system scan. Hild might have done something to Belldandy and that was what was causing this new form of torture. Worse of it was, they didn't want to take it out on others as it was purely Belldandy's doing!
"Peorth-san? What are you doing here? I thought you had plans with how you were dre…?" Sora stood perplexed. The young woman had seen Peorth in her black sleeveless dress and light jacket not twenty minutes ago. Now Peorth looked like a nicely dressed student and not a debutant. Keeping a wide distance, girl was not made for confrontation, Sora sat with a book in her lap.
Always quick to put others at ease, Peorth dazzled the tech with a smile as if she wasn't seething. As fake pleasant as she could be, "Oh you know, plans change. Wanted to change into something a bit warmer after things go cancelled. What are you doing here? I thought the club was closed after today's trial." The race was only a few days away so the team wanted a few last tweaks, they went smashingly.
"So it isn't because of Belldandy? With them leaving together I thought…well…all four of you?" Sora peaked out over her book. She had been at the speed trial, and the girl watched everything. Taking out a few sheets of paper and her pencil, guess the homework guise wasn't totally fake, "How are you going to get home? Need a ride?"
Running her fingers through her hair in frustration, Peorth's smile cracked and was glad Sora didn't notice. "No it is not four, just us three. Belldandy is just lonely right now. Just got back from home last week and all. We're going to have a talk with her about things. As for the ride, I'll be fine. I have my own way back. What about you, not hiding in here from something are you?" the club did take to protecting Sora. Girl was small, seemed timid, didn't talk back, and exuded every 'worried' vibe one could imagine.
Shaking her head, thankfully she appeared happy, "They're having a party at my dorm for a girl I don't know. Rather than be distracted I came here knowing it'd be empty. Well almost empty. Since you are here, mind answering a question for me?" Sora had a highlighter in hand. The squeak of the marker on the page was followed by the window panes rattling, a cold day for sure. New Year was coming, and that held all the joy and pain of death and rebirth.
"Why not Ma Petite, what do you wish to ask of me?" Peorth sauntered over to the girl. Physics and applied mathematics was the book she was reading. Part of Peorth felt horrible that she couldn't correct these books, but rules are rules. Urd might be willing to break them, but Peorth was a class above and would not break sacred law on a whim.
Closing the book, but keeping her finger on the page, Sora bashfully looked away, "A woman like you, like Urd-sempai…you could easily be in a normal relationship. But you're not. I know cultures are different and all, but why?" She ended her question gazing right into Peorth's eyes, not accusing or judging just pure curiosity.
Shrugging her shoulders, Peorth held her hands up and shook her head, "Because love is love. They accepted me and I joined in. If anybody else wants to join we all have to agree. And in Belldandy's case, that isn't going to happen. Thinking it would be three strikes if she did try, hoping anyway. Well I better get going. Don't stay to late, it gets cold a nights now." Peorth didn't want to talk more about this right now, not with an outsider.
Leaving the club room, Peorth found a nice place to teleport away from anybody. Setting the disposable camera on the ground behind a trashcan, she went through. The rush of the transport would always leave her tailbone tingling and her hair a bit frazzled. Basking in the warmth of her greenhouse/room, Peorth was tempted to just drink a bit of wine and let it go. Belldandy would return to normal, girl always did, it was the curse others had to bare. Belldandy was perfect, nothing bad happened to her, everybody loved her, and she got what she wanted….
That last thought broke Peorth of her paralysis and she headed out towards the temple proper. Maybe need to ask Skuld to make a nice little connection hall between them. She was living her forever now, might as well make a few alterations to the temple for her. Not spotting the Beemer, Peorth was going to talk with Urd about things so they had a plan when they got back. Opening the door, she saw Skuld chomping on ice cream and watching some tech show, "Where is your older sister at?"
"In her room, new potion day. Be careful or you might have spots like I do now. At least she got me this as compensation," Skuld didn't even look just pointed her spoon at Urd's room. And true to her word, Skuld's arms and face were laced with polka-dots of every color. Whatever the potion was supposed to do, nobody suspected that Skuld's condition was the intention. After the show went to commercial, "Wait…if you're here and Urd is here…?"
Walking past Skuld, Peorth paused a moment to rub her head, hard not to like the little spud that lent all her manga. "Belldandy NEEDED groceries and that precluded our date. And since the system force is still down, figured she can fill the roll. Now Urd and I have to have some words. Oh did volume four of Love in a Bottle come out yet?" Peorth hung back just to ask. Said manga was currently Peorth's favorite, then again all of Kitsune Urashima's work was good.
"Delayed, they said it was due to a delayed honeymoon or something. Super upset. I'll let you know when I get it," Skuld slowly left the couch towards the kitchen. The youngest of the Norns was not liking her beloved sister's sudden fixation either, but she'd never say anything outright. Can't contradict Belldandy, it wasn't something Skuld could do.
Standing outside of Urd's room, Peorth listened for a break in the work. Much like her own garden, Urd had taken to her alchemy as a way of trying to drum up money. Urd said to become models, sell a calendar or something, but Peorth was leery of that. Only select people she wanted to see her as she was, not everybody with a few yen to spend. Hybrid roses now, those could sell.
A small boom and a curse signaled a failure and Peorth opened the door and entered. "Urd we have to talk about Belldandy. This is getting out of hand. I had plans, you know this, and she just HAD to ask to get groceries now! And…what happened in here?" Peorth stopped her rant mid-stride. The room was a mess of broken bottles, smoke adhered to the walls, Urd was a mess, it was a disaster site!
"Miscalculation, they happen," Urd dropped the shattered bottles into a pile of them. Shaking the dust and soot out off her face, Urd started the cycle of experimentation again. Sitting on her floating broom, Urd grabbed various fluids and powders and started mixing them in careful measure. A low level anger flowed out of her, "And yes, we do have to talk about my dear sweet younger sister. I'm glad she's blossoming out of her shrew form, but you're not the only one who had their plans ruined. The old version that was just a cold shower was better! At least then we didn't know she had aims. Just going to have to tell her to back off. Maybe introduce her to…"
"I do not believe that will happen, I am sorry," a tiny voice stated from across the room. Stepping out from behind some of Urd's human clothing left on the ground was a tiny Belldandy. Growing to her full size, the new addition had just the smallest frown on her face. Plucking one of the bottles from Urd's hand before it crashed down, she set it down gently. Pacing the room, "So you are this universes version of my sister and Peorth. I had such hopes that I would have your support in fixing this universe."
Peorth instantly had her angel out and ready to strike, this couldn't be Belldandy! "I saw the real Belldandy not thirty minutes ago! Who are you?" Peorth however was quick on the update. This woman said 'this universe', and what had they been researching in the heavens? Oh…oh no, they left that little project running didn't they? Belldandy had been in the heavens a long time as well, and after they said not to look into their scans! Putting her hands down, Urd had to have her hands pushed down though, "You're from the universe that sent us those dreams?"
Nodding just once, Bell waved her hands over the room and it was cleaned to perfection. A level of skill and proficiency a few years advanced from the current Belldandy. "I've come to right what has been prevented. My universes version of you two, as well as Lind and Chorno tried to prevent what Father allowed. What happened here with you three was not meant to be, not as it is. You both occasional join us, but never without me. Not after what we went through and have done. But with the code mixing as it has, I'll have to do it manually here. Reset time to before you receive your dreams, prevent it. Make things as they're supposed to be," Bell hugged Urd with one hand.
"The fuck did you just say? You…you are NOT my sister. Reset time? Prevent our wishes from happening? Why? What do you get out of meddling with other worlds?" Urd pushed away from Bell. Joining Peorth in a little circle game of walking around this new incarnation of Bell, both had a pensiveness about them.
Summoning twin blasts of wind, Bell encased both with gale force winds and moved them to one side of her. "Did you not get my wish because of meddling? And I am not going to hurt or ruin anything. I will be expanding upon it all! Making the world, all worlds better places! I have been given free rein in this venture by Father! If you doubt me, as your version of me did before I undid her seal, look at this," Bell set a small cube on Urd's table. It was only one inch in size, but it was pure white with a small pink bow marring one of its faces. "I will give you a week to decide if you wish to help me, or if I do this without you. If you do aid me, I'll try and salvage what you have here. I do love seeing you both so happy. You are happy in our pairing in my world as well," with a coquettish giggle, Belldandy dove into a mirror and vanished.
"Break that thing! That had to be some illusion of Hild's! No way would Belldandy talk such madness!" Urd summoned up a mighty bolt of lightning.
Holding her hand out, Peorth stood between Urd and the cube. It terrified her, Peorth knew it was distilled memories and data. "I don't…I don't doubt her, Urd. What were we looking into? Who sent us those dreams and why? Well we just met her! And I for one have to see what she wants to show us. Maybe find out why our other selves went so far to do what they did," Peorth plucked the cube up. Holding it to her emblem. She paused before accessing the data, "If something happens, do what you have to do."
"Don't you make me do it, this is your idea not mine," Urd had the bolt at the ready though. If it was a trap by Hild, Urd would tend to the corrupted Peorth.
Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, Peorth unlocked the seal on the data and ingested it. All of it, she saw all of the other Belldandy's memories from the moment she granted the wish till the moment she made the memory cube. Years of love and trials, all the ordeals that the other universe underwent, all condensed into a perfect moment. The trials thrust upon them, the passing of it, and the beauty of the life those two lived!
"Oh…oh no…what have we done," Peorth dropped the cube once her vision cleared. Crying, she was actually crying from the wonders she saw and the knowledge that this world was devoid of that. Latching onto Urd who came closer to inspect her, "It's true! We…we…the other use did something terribly selfish. What they accomplished over there, they passed all the trials and tests, impossible tasks! Urd…view it." Peorth fell to the ground, her foundation rocked. The notion that these dreams were good, that this new life of hers was the best thing no longer was sound!
Urd's result was close to the same, her eyes were red rimmed but she crushed the box after she finished her viewing. "Of course Belldandy was meant to do all of this. Always her, always first…but? But what do we do now? Do, do we let that Belldandy alter our world? I-I-I don't know. Can we risk all that could be lost if we don't? Is keeping this to ourselves worth it?" Urd hugged herself tightly.
"I don't know. We…we have to tell this, we can't keep it a secret," Peorth was glad the cube was destroyed. It was for celestials only, but the urge to re-watch it would exist, and that would alter their aims. What she saw, Peorth wanted to see it, but also wanted to craft it! But that same fear came to mind. Could they do what Belldandy could? If they couldn't?
Urd stood up and grabbed a bottle of saki and two glasses. "You forget something. If we do chose to oppose her, can we stop not one but maybe two of my sisters?" Urd knocked back a heavy belt before pouring a drink for Peorth. They did not have answers for that.
X-X
The drive back to the temple had been a little odd, but not horrible to one Keiichi Morisato. Belldandy sat blissfully gazing out at the scenery from the sidecar with a few bags in her lap. Oh they didn't just do a little grocery shopping though, Belldandy wanted to window shop and wander a little. If he hadn't expected Peorth had plans, Keiichi wouldn't have been so apprehensive about going home. While Belldandy often didn't want anything, lately even he noticed she was asking for a little more. Thinking that a good thing, Belldandy was to giving for Keiichi's taste, he didn't mind. Just had to show both Urd and Peorth his intentions we pure.
"Thank you again Keiichi-san for humoring me today. Lately I have been, I don't know, feeling unnecessary here," Belldandy gently grasped his elbow. Never a good thing to startle or shake a driver, and Belldandy took those lessons to heart. Holding up her bag from the Yarn Barn, she rubbed it cutely against her face. Girl was super easy to please, and Keiichi hoped some lucky guy (or girl since everybody seemed to love Belldandy) noticed and was worthy of her. Leaning on her palm, the picture of complacency even on a motorbike, Belldandy added, "I don't know what to do."
A problem? Belldandy had a moral quandary? Keiichi never thought anything could knock Belldandy off her path. Girl knew what she wanted, simple things and joy for others, and aimed to make it happen. Waiting as Belldandy used her wind magic to open the gate, Keiichi sped through to his parking spot. Noticing a lot of lights on in the temple, but not in Peorth's room, Keiichi walked the bike the last few feet. Taking his helmet off he tossed it into the empty sidecar, "Something on your mind Belldandy-san? Don't know what to do about what?"
"When I was back home, I met somebody," she gasped when Keiichi's eyes opened, "oh no, not that way. You could think of them as family. They showed me something beautiful. But I see something else just as beautiful…and I have to choose." Holding the bags with one hand, Belldandy pulled on her ponytail with the other. The spastic motions knocked her earrings around making a lovely tune with them. Standing outside the temple door, she held firm, "How would you choose between two things that are equal yet different? In one I get something…something I believe I could love. But in the other I don't, but still enjoy the benefits of it?"
Never one to understand such cryptic language, Keiichi wondered if the heavens spoke this way or if it was just Belldandy's crazy intelligence. His time with Urd had trained Keiichi to know when a woman wanted to talk in private and when she didn't mind company, and Belldandy wanted to have this conversation without her sisters about. Leaning against the door, "Well, if they were equal it doesn't matter what you choose. But since you CAN'T do that, means they aren't truly equal are they? What is this thing you could love but might not get?" Keiichi had a small inkling, but hoped it was just his imagination.
"You are correct, they are not truly equal," Belldandy paced in the cold air, her breath coming out in white gusts. Setting the bags down, the confused goddess waffled with indecision for maybe the first time in her adult life. Caressing a wilting wildflower from the grass, "I cannot tell you what the thing is, as I do not fully know what it is. But it is much like this flower was. Battered, wilting, but capable great beauty of given the chance. I could nurture it, others could nurture it, but it is possible it could thrive without any ones aid."
Shivering a little, Keiichi gave a small sneeze and that got Belldandy to hustle over. Stupid human frailties, she wouldn't talk more inside and with him showing signs of distress she wouldn't stay out any longer. With her hand on the doorknob, "Know that whatever you do pick, I'll support you as will everybody here I bet. Sometimes though it is good to be selfish Belldandy-san. You do so much good for others, maybe it is time you take what you want." Keiichi hoped it was she met somebody in the heavens and maybe she was going to leave to be with them. Would mean Skuld was leaving, and that would be sad…but not like they couldn't visit!
"If you knew fully what I saw, what was being presented," Belldandy shook her head and put on her best smile. Heading into the temple, the joyous heat wafting over both of them, Belldandy put her coat away and helped Keiichi take his off. Peaking down the hallway for any interlopers and finding none, Belldandy took a moment to again take Keiichi's hand. With almost reverence, "I am glad to have met you Keiichi-san. Sister and Peorth truly are blessed as you are. I-I should start supper." With that cryptic comment, Belldandy hurried off.
Hearing Skuld call out to Belldandy to help with some…did she say colors? Whatever, Keiichi just let it go. Urd's potions probably had a weird effect again, not the first time they've done odd things. Looking down at his crotch, "Still think it's bigger since the latest pill she gave me, but I've never measured it. Heading to his room, Keiichi contemplated going to Urd's lab, but if she was working on something he wanted to give her space. Side projects were things he felt best were private affairs. "Guess I could get some study time in while I wait for, oh hello," Keiichi saw his room wasn't empty.
"K-Kei-chan, we-we have to talk," Urd was sitting on his floor with Peorth next to her. Both goddesses had a bottle of some intoxicant in hand and smelled as if this wasn't the first. Slapping the ground next to her, causing some stacked books to fall off his small table and crash the ground. "Oops, sorry bout that…been drinking…we've…oh-oh…stupid room is spinning. Peorth make it stop," Urd's hand swung out and slapped Peorth in the chest.
Yelping in pain, Peorth grabbed her offended mammary and returned the blow in kind. Urd however toppled backward and fell onto her back. Wow, Keiichi didn't remember Urd getting THAT plowed since the license debacle. Twirling her wineglass fast enough for some of it to spill out, Peorth was no less drunk, "Ma Cherie, what she meant is…uh…don't know. What I know is we learned something. It isn't good, well it is…but it isn't…its…oh merde! Drink with us!" A vine grew out from around Peorth's wrist and pulled Keiichi to them.
Ok, today was just getting weirder. First Belldandy was all cryptic, now his girlfriends were drunk and not making sense. Finding not one but two bottles pouring into his mouth, that didn't end well. His face and shirt were covered since he couldn't drink fast enough. When he started coughing he felt Peorth's hand patting his back comfortingly. "Ok, what happened? Just tell me. You don't…you don't have to leave do you?" that was Keiichi's biggest fear.
"My sister…well not REALLY her but a version of her showed up," Urd started. Grabbing the back of Keiichi's shirt, she yanked him backward and into her arms. Normally Keiichi loved being this close to her, but right now her breath could be light aflame. Possessively grabbing ahold of him, "That side project of ours in the heaves? She's the cause of it. Different dimension, different her. In that universe, she made the wish with you not me."
Yanking Keiichi out of Urd's arms, Peorth pulled him over to her. Relenting to being a human yo-yo to the two drunken goddesses, Keiichi just let them talk and tried to comprehend it. At least Peorth's breath was fruitier and less noxious, "And I never made a wish with you. It was all Belldandy, and we were just support for the two of you. You two went through so much, achieved wonders against massive troubles. Our compatriots in her universe…sent dreams to us and we changed things." Leaning her head against his chest, arms hung limply against his chest and shoulders, Peorth hiccupped a few times.
"So?" Keiichi wasn't understanding this. He just stroked Peorth's back and tugged on her hair as she loved. He wasn't seeing the doom and gloom that they were. When Urd sat up, a strange unreadable expression, Keiichi suddenly felt as if he said the world was flat. Coughing again, "I don't care how we started. A dream or not, what we have is real. I don't know this other me, or the other you, or even the other Belldandy. What I do know is that I care about you two, I want to be with you two, and it doesn't matter to me if it was a fluke that got us started. So why are you two so worried?" There had to be more to this.
Urd's cheeks plumped out into big semicircles, for a moment Keiichi readied himself for an expunged stomach, but what came out was laughter. Falling back down again, arms and legs flailing about as she cackled madly, "You would say that! Leave it to my mortal to just say it as it is! Who cares how this happened or why! Let's fight her! Let's fight to see if we can make and even more beautiful world than the one she's from!"
"Ma Cherie, you just know what to say. Yes, let us make our own garden, and let it surpass the one we saw," Peorth echoed. Her vines reached out and pulled Keiichi in closer. Pouring more wine down his throat, she followed suit. Tossing the empty bottle away, "What she showed us was a long and wonderful story. Showed us things…we didn't think we could mimic. But if you have faith in us…we will stop her!"
Fighting off Peorth's wandering vines, Keiichi was still confused with their verbiage. "Fight? Fight who? What are we fighting for?" Keiichi wasn't keen on fighting unless necessary. Challenges were fun, but fights had consequences.
"Belldandy, the other one," Urd sat up and dried her eyes of her laughter tears. Zapping Peorth's tendrils so they fell off, she leaned against his back. Her chin bit heavily into Keiichi's neck as her ability to support herself was draining, "She wants to reset this world. Make it like her own. Meaning you and I don't have the first wish. The drunk rose didn't force her way in later. And all of this is different. You rocked my little sister's world so much it messed her head up. But due to the results, Father allowed her to instill that wish into all universes if she wants. And she, if you didn't know, is a jealous bitch at times. Rather than let others have you without her, she's trying to force herself on ya. And two goddesses is enough!"
"Agreed, Ma Cherie, deux déesses est assez," Peorth's eyes glazed over as she pinched Urd's hands. Soon Keiichi found himself pitched to the side as the two started a small drunken rumble. Talking battle plans, strategy, and the victory celebration, Keiichi suddenly felt his slacks go taught. Now this was something from those magazines he had to throw out, it only got more enticing when the angels joined the fray.
Grabbing Urd's discarded bottle, Keiichi would get more details in the morning after they sobered up, but he knew enough for now. They were hiding this dream business from him, worried it would cheapen their feelings. Keiichi had a lot of dreams, dreams he'd NEVER tell them about. Well, not wholly, as some of his dreams did make their way into reality, and oft to fun on both sides. Peorth loved it when he wrapped her hair around his arm, took her from behind, and pulled on it like a leash. Urd going all 'angry teacher' on him was fun role play on both sides! Some dreams were wonderful, and if his life stemmed from one…two…who know how many, who cares!
Drinking from the bottle as battle damage started to happen and he enjoyed himself some full frontal, Keiichi didn't know how much aid he could provide them. But he'd try his best! Eventually Belldandy did come and gather them for supper, after nearly fainting at seeing the damage in his room and what she walked in on. They kept it a secret from their Belldandy, but while they were eating Keiichi could have sworn one of the feet that 'accidentally' rubbed against his shin had a sock on, and Urd and Peorth's were destroyed in the rumble.
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Author notes
Yeah one maybe two chapters left, likely one. I had a nice little idea with this and don't want to drag it out. This has been fun write, nice to have a confused and side-character Belldandy (I love the manga/show but man she has all the tenets of side-character) and focus on a Urd/Keiichi/Peorth pairing. Hope ya enjoying.
Ja Mata
Zentrodie