It's been a while, hasn't it? Well, I've started work on it
again, and found some time to inscribe this onto my computer and mail it
out. It is still incomplete, although I estimate one more instalment,
hopefully coming soon, as things are winding up. I promise I will get it
done, but more than that I cannot promise in good faith.
In addition to the newer parts, I've corrected some minor spelling
and possibly punctuation. Revisions will come after a) I finish the
story, and/or b) I get C&C on what to change.
Speaking of C&C, it is appreciated, requested, obliged, required,
the stuff dreams are made of, and would be really, really nice for you
to give (I'll be your friend! Honest), so if you would....
Characters are created by Kosuke Fujishima, and are used without his
express permission.
The song 'Ice Cream' was written by Sarah McLachlan, and are used
without her permission or knowledge.
Sue me at my peril (although I'd appreciate it if you didn't, and it
really wouldn't be worth your time from a financial standpoint).
Figure it begins sometime after OVA 5.
And now, more Ice Cream!
Ice Cream:
Your love is better than ice cream.
Better than anything else that I've tried
and your love is better than ice cream
everyone here knows how to fight
and it's a long way down
it's a long way down
it's a long way down to the place where we started from.
Your love is better than chocolate
better than anything else that I've tried
and oh love is better than chocolate.
Everyone here knows how to cry
and it's a long way down
it's a long way down
it's a long way down to the place where we started from...
do do do...
Bugs are funny things, aren't they? I don't mean the regular
type, I mean the sort that happens in computer systems. Big systems.
Systems that control reality, like the Yggdrassil system. Let me give
you an example- it involves three goddesses, and a young college student
named Keiichi.
**
**
**
Skuld was alone- a situation she found intolerable. Belldandy
was with (ugh!) Keiichi, they had gone to see some movie together or
something (a date! face it, they went on a date). Urd, well Skuld did
not want to know where she was, never mind actually do something with
her.
Really, who else was there? No one, now that her older sister
was being taken away by that foolish mortal. Just poor little Skuld,
moping away by herself at the temple.
"I wish," said Skuld to herself (after all, who else was
there?), "I wish Keiichi made a different wish."
An explosion of light and sound later, and Skuld's wish was
granted.
Funny thing about bugs, isn't it?
"I wish I was successful." That's what I want, isn't it? Keiichi
thought.
"Your wish... is granted." Oh Keiichi, you really don't
remember, do you?
A thin beam of light burned through the mark on her forehead and
soared into the heavens, not heeding the nigh invisible tears of the
goddess it came from.
Skuld shut down the monitor; she did not need to see anymore.
Belldandy would be back soon and they would be together again, forever,
as it should be.
**
**
**
Time passes, as it often does. Belldandy stayed in heaven, which
meant Urd did not get banished to Midgard for interfering with the
Ultimate Force (although there was that little thing with trying to get
Idun to make apple cider, but that has nothing to do with us).
Belldandy threw herself into her work, even more so than before,
but she always had time to help her little sister, Skuld. Belldandy took
on more and more assignments, she was on the fast track, and the
Almighty noticed it.
Skuld... was happy. Debugging was a lot easier with her sisters to
help (much as Skuld hated to admit it, but Urd helped her too,
sometimes, not often, and not a lot of help that definitely was not
worth it). Belldandy was in heaven and all was right with the world.
There was actually time for Skuld to do some research, like why she got
a wish in the first place. After all, goddesses granted wishes, they
didn't receive them, right?
On earth, in Japan, Keiichi Morisato drove the Miata home from his
Motor Club meeting, so he could get changed for his date with Sayoko.
Things were definitely on the rise for Keiichi and Nekomi Tech's Motor
Club. Getting Aoshima to handle the treasury was all it really took, and
that wasn't hard with Sayoko helping. Now the club had no monetary
problems. The members were so glad that they immediately made Keiichi
president of the club, and as their star racer he drew in more and more
members.
Strange thing is, Tamiya and Ootaki did not mind at all. Maybe not
so strange after all, when Keiichi thought about it. They didn't have to
worry about money for the club, or even running the club. Those two got
to spend their time and energy on making newer and better vehicles,
which Keiichi usually won with. A few design teams had been sniffing
around lately, and Tamiya and Ootaki had already received a few offers,
pending graduation, of course. No, those two had nothing to complain
about, they were in seventh... ...heaven.
Who was she, Keiichi wondered. That girl with hair the colour of
wheat and the markings on her face. That girl who claimed to be a
goddess and offered him a wish, and her name, Belldandy, was oh, ever so
familiar. Keiichi quickly put those thoughts aside, he had his Sayoko,
the most popular, and arguably the most beautiful woman at Nekomi Tech.
Keiichi had his own place, a good job with a better one guaranteed after
graduating, the adulation of many with his racing, Sayoko (and Keiichi
thought she was really starting to get serious about their
relationship), not to mention being in the top ten percentile in his
class. His future was so bright he had to wear shades. So why couldn't
he get that (ever so beautiful) Belldandy out of his head, and why did
he think he made the wrong wish?
Keiichi stopped at his home, a nice apartment building close to
campus. Even that was an interesting story. Sayoko decided to stop by
the dorm to see him one day, not knowing the infamous 'no women' rule.
Needless to say, Keiichi had to find a place quick. Luckily, Keiichi's
job as a test driver (after winning one of his races he was offered the
job for a car magazine) put him into contact with people, especially
people who knew people, and soon enough, phfft! an apartment was found
well within Keiichi's means.
Keiichi quickly readied himself for the date, and called the
florists to make sure the bouquet was ready. As he left to get the roses
(sixteen, one for each week they had been dating), Keiichi grimaced at
the Miata, wishing he had a different car for the date. The front end
reminded him of that American movie, Christine. The almost smiling face
seemed somehow psychotic, never mind how the car actually handled.
Keiichi consoled himself with the thought that in another two weeks
there would be another car to test, hopefully something a little better.
The date went perfect, as usual. Sayoko's dress was as immaculate
as ever, and she dropped a few subtle hints that she might, perhaps,
just maybe, like to take the relationship to another level. The
restaurant was good, with a chamber quartet beside the dance floor.
Keiichi and Sayoko took advantage of the ballroom dance lessons they
took together, and danced the evening away.
Keiichi escorted Sayoko back to her house, and stayed to chat with
her father a bit (the man absolutely adored Keiichi, and treated him
like the son he never had). Keiichi left, making excuses about a busy
day, and studying still so that his marks wouldn't drop.
Yeah, Sayoko's dad loved him, his parents loved her, and were so
proud of him he thought they might burst sometimes. He had the respect
of his peers, good grades, a most promising future with Sayoko, and he
already had a career on the rise. By anyone's standard, Keiichi was an
absolute success. So why was it then that he felt so empty inside?
** **
Belldandy ended the scrying spell, letting the mirror return to
normal. She sighed, seeing Keiichi with that woman again tore at her
heart, but she could not stop herself from watching it-- watching him.
He wasn't happy, Belldandy knew, she could tell from the look on
his face before he went to sleep every night, and every morning as he
woke up. She could fix that, she KNEW she could make him happy. But
there were rules, and there were regulations, and Belldandy had to
follow them. Belldandy sighed.
Still, maybe just a quick visit would be okay. A quick talk, and
nothing more. Just once, surely that couldn't hurt, could it? Just a
chance meeting in the streets, or in a hallway, or something, surely
nothing wrong with that, was there?
A happier Belldandy smiled secretively as she made her decision,
then went to see what Skuld was doing.
** **
When she was off-duty, Skuld found herself looking in on Keiichi.
Just to make sure everything was okay. She did not want him to suffer
after all. A few quick looks assured her that Keiichi was fine. If
anything, his life seemed better than before Skuld's wish. Maybe her
wish did that. Everyone was happier this way. Must be it, her wish was
good.
Skuld researched the circumstances behind her wish, quietly,
slyly. If the Almighty found out she had been granted a wish, who knows
what trouble she would be in. Urd had never even gone that far, Loki
hadn't even attempted it. But it was an accident, she didn't actually
try to get a wish... it just happened.
Still.
Even so.
Skuld searched on the job, a moment here, a moment there; when she
could, or course. While working, she had much greater access to
Yggdrassil's resources, and had a much better excuse should she get
caught.
That was interesting, a bug. Well, in and of itself, a bug wasn't
really all that interesting, but the ToG (Time of Generation) had not
happened yet. While rare, bugs of this nature were not unique. More
importantly, the ToG was roughly the same as... oh... her wish.
Skuld quickly cobbled together a cage, and in defiance of her job,
and all the laws the Almighty had, did not destroy a bug on sight.
Instead, she captured one very particular bug, and stole away to her
room with it, avoiding all eyes and all ears.
"I can't, I just can't," Skuld heard herself whisper, looking at a
very special bug through a thin metal-barred cage. The bug didn't know
what she was saying, and just wanted to play.
**
**
**
The end of another day of class for Keiichi. Again, he walked
through crowded halls towards the parking lot, alone. Sayoko had to stay
to work on a group project with the other members of her group. Tamiya
and Ootaki were holed up, working on their latest design. Everyone had
something to do, some place to be-- except Keiichi, that is.
This happened more and more often, Keiichi sighed as he hopped
into the Miata. Another night of around the town driving by himself
then; there were deadlines to meet, and a job to be done.
Keiichi started the car-- it turned over easily despite the damp,
cool weather. A chance glimpse in the rear-view mirror, and he saw her.
A light mauve woman's business suit and matching beret set off her
wheat-coloured hair, and accented her pale, cream-coloured skin.
Belldandy.
The wish.
He needed... he needed to talk to her.
***
Belldandy smiled (ah! the heart breaks from the beauty of such a
sight) when she saw Keiichi wave at her, beckoning her to come and talk.
"So, uh..." Keiichi managed to say intelligently when she arrived
at the car.
Belldandy was not much better, looking at the ground and replying,
"Yes, er..." underneath the faint blush spreading through her cheeks.
"Food?" Keiichi asked. "Are you hungry? There's a place I haven't
been to yet, but it's supposed to be good. We can talk over dinner," he
said with hope.
Keiichi's hopes were answered. "Yes. I think that would be a good
idea," Belldandy said delicately.
They went to a cosy little bistro on the east side of the city.
Neither talked on the way there, listening to the faint strains of the
latest pop sensation on the radio instead.
The bistro was not too upscale; the atmosphere reminded one of a
home-- not your home, this one was cleaner and nicer. The atmosphere
though, that's what it was-- the same relaxed and welcoming feel
permeated the place, through the decor (tasteful and subtle) and the
staff (cheerful, but not forcefully so). The place was somewhat
appropriately called "Taste of Heaven". They took a booth which offered
them both privacy and a good view of the window which comprised the
front of the establishment.
After ordering two house specials (fresh Pacific salmon steaks,
slowly cooked with lemon and some very specific spices, along with rice
and steamed greens), Belldandy and Keiichi started to talk.
Nervous, though he tried to hide it, Keiichi threw a question into
the air. "A goddess?" he asked with exaggerated calm.
"Yes. A goddess. Class one. Unlimited license." Sip the tea
delicately.
"It must be... must be fascinating, I suppose." Still awkward,
still unsure.
"Sometimes, but most of the time, no. I'd rather hear about you
though. Was the wish good? Are you happy?" Give me this one thing, even
if it is selfish. Please.
Don't go there, don't let her see the emptiness you hide even from
yourself. "The wish? Oh, heh... yeah, the wish. It worked. I'm the
president of the motor club, and their top racer too. I have the respect
of my friends and the admiration of others. I have a good job, good
grades, a bright future, everything. Why shouldn't I be happy?" Keiichi
ended off defensively. Why didn't you mention Sayoko to her, eh Keiichi?
Maybe because if you did, you wouldn't have a chance with Belldandy. But
she's a goddess. So? You can't lie to yourself, not forever.
Belldandy, sensing the tenseness in Keiichi, sought to change the
conversation to something lighter. "Tell me about yourself, Keiichi.
Tell what it is like to be a mortal."
And so he did. Keiichi gave her his story-- well, all that was
written of it at least. He told her about growing up with his more
outgoing and perky sister, Megumi. He told her about school, high
school, and finally college. He told her of his friends and family; his
first date, and his first kiss. He told her about his dreams, both now
and when he was younger; how they changed over the years, and how
sometimes they came true. He told her many things: often small, often
inconsequential, in and of themselves, but when put together you got
Keiichi.
There was one curious exception to what he told her; one
particular deletion. There was a summer, long ago, where he met a friend
in the woods. They played with each other for those few months--
virtually inseparable. He never told her about that, mainly because he
had no memory of it, though it did happen.
Belldandy listened to it all with rapt fascination. A dreamy look
was in her eyes, and a wistful smile on her lips as she lost herself in
Keiichi's words, in Keiichi's face. She laughed with him as he told her
a particularly funny story involving Ootaki, Ootaki's girlfriend, a
meeting with her parents, and the parents' new pet, a miniature
daschund. [Auth. note: Ootaki is afraid of dogs]
Her eyes misted up with unshed tears as she sorrowed with him when
he related the death of his favourite uncle when he was eleven.
Belldandy made a silent vow to give the uncle the goodbye Keiichi never
got to, when she returned to heaven.
Her eyes flashed with pride and triumph when Keiichi told her
about the first race that he won-- a soapbox derby when he was five. Her
nose crinkled in amusement and delight at the image of a five year old
Keiichi, heady with his first taste of victory, vowing to make the
Formula 1 circuit someday.
"Belldandy... Belldandy, are you awake?" Belldandy was startled to
find a hand waving in front of her face.
"Sorry for boring you. My life really isn't that interesting, I
guess."
"Oh no!" Belldandy protested, "That was fascinating. I mean I
loved hearing about it/you. I must have got caught up in it, I suppose.
Your world is so different, so alive. I wish I could be part of it."
The sky was dark now, and the waiter, who had earlier on decided
that they would rather each other's company over him interrupting them
with offers of tea or dessert, was going off shift, so he hovered
nearby. Suddenly aware of the time, Keiichi asked for the bill.
As they left the bistro, Keiichi asked Belldandy a question she
dared not even hope he would ask. "Can I see you again sometime?"
Belldandy's smile brightened the night, and cleared the overcast
skies, letting the stars shine through. "Oh course."
An offer of a drive to wherever she needed to go, and a peck on
the cheek later, and Keiichi was gone. Belldandy put a hand to the cheek
where Keiichi kissed her, and went to look for a mirror to return to her
home. She smiled again. This would not be their last time with each
other.
***
Time passes, as it is wont to do. Autumn approached, changing
things, turning the leaves to a multi-coloured shower as they fell off
the trees and get blown by the winds. Belldandy and Keiichi continued to
see each other, and their relationship deepened and grew.
"Keiichi?" asked Sayoko once, at the end of a date.
"Mhm?"
"You seem, oh, I don't know... happier lately. Not quite as
single-minded I suppose. Content, I think that's the word I'm looking
for: contented."
"I guess I am," he smiled, the one that melted her heart each time
she saw it; something which happened more and more lately. "Maybe I just
realised how much I have, and how lucky I am to have-- you." Almost
screwed up there, didn't you Keiichi? Almost said Belldandy. How much
longer until you can drop this facade? The longer it goes on, the more
Sayoko will be hurt when it ends, and she doesn't deserve that.
***
"Skuld?"
"Yes Belldandy," Skuld replied eagerly.
"Could you do me a favour? I need someone to cover for me
tomorrow. Would you be a dear and do that for me? It would mean a lot.
I'll pay you back, promise."
"This is happening more and more big sister. We don't see each
other as much as we used to. Why do need me to cover for you?"
"I... have to go to the Surface World. I left something important
there." My heart.
"Okay, but this is the absolute last time. I know I said that
before, but this time I mean it."
"Oh Skuld, you're such a dear. How about this? This weekend we'll
go on a picnic, just you and me. I'll make all of your favourites, and
we'll get some ice cream afterwards."
Skuld nodded tiredly. Belldandy flashed a smile, kissed Skuld on
the forehead, and left for parts un(but not really)known.
***
"Bell, how much longer do we have to go on like this?" Keiichi
asked, smoothing her hair reflexively as they huddled together under a
tree, staring at the city below them.
"I don't know. I still can't think of a way to break this to the
Almighty easily. Until I can we have to, otherwise he might order us
apart."
"Is seeing me getting you into trouble Bell? I couldn't bear it if
you got into trouble because of me."
"Oh Kei," she laughed softly, "seeing you is the high point in my
day. I wouldn't give you up for anything."
"Love you."
"Always and forever."
***
"Keiichi?" asked a worried Sayoko.
"Yes Sayoko?"
"You seem distracted. Are you okay?"
"Hmm? Oh, no. Sorry Sayoko. Things have just been a little hectic
for me lately."
"I'm just worried about you, that's all. We haven't seen each
other as much as usual. My father is beginning to miss you," Sayoko
cracked a tentative smile with her last sentence.
Keiichi laughed half-heartedly. "I'll make it up to you. Promise."
Inspiration hit as Keiichi suddenly came alive. "The Ritz-Carlton. Next
week. You, me, dinner." Sayoko loved fancy places like that. It would
work.
Sayoko's eyes lit up with joy: it worked.
"Mean it Keiichi? You better not bail on me like last time," she
ended off ominously.
Keiichi smiled, the gentle one which transformed his face and
melted Sayoko's heart all over again. "Of course not." The smile
convinced her. She believed the smile's lie. God forgive, she believed.
***
"Belldandy," the Almighty said. Others would make it sound like a
question, but not Him. Never Him. He never questioned, He stated fact;
He knew.
"You have been derelict in your duties lately. This is not like
you. Belldandy, you are quickly replacing your sister Urd as my most
delinquent goddess, and after Idun and the apple cider incident..." He
trailed off, leaving Belldandy to work out the implications of what he
said for herself.
***
It wasn't supposed to be this way-- we were supposed to be happy.
Skuld sighed as she checked on the Bug in it's cage. The Bug nibbled on
some lettuce; it seemed happy enough.
***
"Keiichi, we're going to have to ask you to step down. You're not
taking the Club seriously enough," Tamiya said sombrely, while his
omnipresent friend Ootaki nodded behind him.
"Wuh, what do you mean?" asked a shocked Keiichi.
"You're hardly here for any of the meetings anymore, you don't
know what's going on in the Club, and you aren't taking the races
seriously!" Tamiya ended in a righteous thunder.
"There's other reasons Morisato, but these are the important
ones," Ootaki added. "No hard feelings, right?"
"Yeah. No hard feelings." Keiichi slumped away to his next class.
By the end of his last class, Keiichi began to feel better. Not
being president of the Motor Club meant less responsibility, which meant
more free time, which meant more Belldandy. A rationalisation? Maybe,
but any port in a storm will do.
Keiichi went to his job at the magazine, only to find a note on
his desk to see the editor when he got in.
"Morisato, do you have your article ready yet?"
"No sir, I was just about to type it out now."
"Don't bother."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean clear out your desk." The editor wrote something on a
piece of paper. "Go to payroll with this. They'll give you your two
weeks of severance pay."
"I don't understand, why sir?" asked a bewildered Keiichi.
"Don't understand! Keiichi, this is the second month in a row you
haven't met your deadlines; and last time it was over a week and a half
late! We have a magazine to put out."
The editor sighed. "If you were having problems you should have
came to me. I'm not heartless, regardless of what the office gossip says
about my operation last year. We could have worked it out; could have
made it into a bi-monthly column for you or something. You didn't
though-- we're a team here Keiichi, a family. We help each other out
when asked. That's all you had to do."
"But wait! Can't I--."
"No," the editor shook his head sadly. "It's too late now."
Keiichi left the office, left the building and retreated to his
apartment, alone. He needed her, needed Belldandy, now more than ever.
In his distraction, his need, Keiichi was briefly aware that there was
something he was forgetting, but he shrugged off the nagging feeling.
Emotionally drained, he went to sleep curled up tightly, and hugging his
pillow fiercely.
In the Ritz-Carlton, a beautiful woman waited with increasing
impatience-- forgotten. again.
***
Well, that's all (for now) folks!
Place another mindless plea for C&C here.