{Chapter 12 : Try as one might, just to get it right.}
"I want a mark of confidence, is all!"
- Reverend Samuel Parris, The Crucible by Arthur Miller

    So far the Almighty had no luck finding out what had caused the accident. And where the Almighty was concerned, Luck normally had no role. This was exasperating, He knew, but there was absolutely nothing to go on. He had reports from every department in the Heavens working on the issue, He'd read Uruz's own report. From all He'd read, the only logical conclusion would be that Uruz had somehow forced her way into an occupied channel already full of other transmissions, or that she'd forced her way into several channels at the same time, resulting in the data corruption, and worse, forced feedback. That one was the worst case scenario to anyone in His jurisdiction granting a wish could have. Having a data line in mind and using it at the proper pace were one thing, being force-fed entire programs without any restrictions over the speed at which they went through your head hurt real bad. The Almighty was actually surprised that Uruz had gone through it without anything more than one bitch of a headache and almost terminal depression. The Almighty sat and pondered. Perhaps it had been a demon's doing, but there was no trace of anything that might link a demon or demoness to it. This was vexing.
    And the Almighty was hardly ever vexed.

*     *     *

    Uruz was swinging left and right, breathing heavily. There had been a recent bug infestation recently, and Uruz could guess who had done it. After all, there hadn't been much of a serious problem in Yggdrasil recently until that event. Again, that event. Uruz was getting tired of everyone talking about it. If it didn't stop soon, Uruz would sooner go to Hell than listen to this in the Heavens, and that was literal. She smashed the bug, and watched as another one came out  of its hiding place.
    And thus, there would be no end.
    No end at all.

*     *     *

    Freya, Peorth and Silver Sapphire were making their way out of the building of the Gods of War when they passed by the God of Modern War's room. There were people talking loudly in there.
    "Do you believe it? There's this mortal working for world peace!"
    "Sad things. Humans will be humans, they prance about and boast that they will have peace in their endless theatrics, but in the end, they fight. Look at what happened to these humans working for peace. These names, and so many others lobbying for peace. They've either been shot, poisoned, died in accidents, or died in some other way, and none of them have done anything effectual. I'd be surprised if anything they did worked."
    Peorth couldn't keep her temper in check anymore. She'd named the sections in the Earth Otasuke Center specially after these brave mortals in hopes that the planet she loved so much would have peace (that's why she had the EARTH Otasuke Center, it had more than one meaning. Otasuke = help) with a little intervention, and here were two arrogant Gods talking about how humans couldn't do it. They obviously didn't believe in a little something called the human spirit.
    Freya noticed Peorth's reaction to the overheard discussion. She put a hand on Peorth's shoulder and shook her head.
    "They're not worth it."
    "I could show them a mortal or two..." Peorth muttered, a half growl. "Just let me have a go at them, Freya."
    Freya couldn't stop Peorth, it was her decision. And she did like the idea, she'd had enough of those two Gods. She was a Goddess of War, but there would always be limits.
    "I'll wait here with Silver Sapphire." Silver Sapphire tinkled in agreement.
    Peorth went in. She would teach them the lesson, like it or not.

*     *     *

    The nameless God of Modern War and the other was just called War sat together, talking. War wasn't exactly a God, but he had the same duties. Inducing his namesake. He was one of the Four Riders of the Apocalypse : Death, Famine, Pestilence and War. War was looking forwards to the day the Apocalypse would come. He'd have some fun then.
    He was hoping it would come, not could. At the rate these Wish Granting offices were recieving calls, War wondered if more and more of these humans were becoming saints.
    Just then, there was someone at the doorway. Both turned and looked.
    It was a woman. The two dismissed her as nobody.
    "I would like to know what is it about humans you two have a problem with." The figure in the doorway said. The nameless God recognized the voice. He stood.
    "Ah, the First Class Goddess?" He said. He was cocky, which irritated Peorth. Peorth never did take time to look at herself in the personality mirror though.
    War stood. He was decked out from head to toe in armour, so nobody ever saw the person underneath. But Peorth could tell he was smirking. She allowed her anger to simmer a little, but not boil over. She walked in, grinding her heel against the floor to emphasize her point.
    "I could show you a dozen humans on Earth who would gladly throw down arms given the chance. And after those dozen, a dozen dozen more, and a dozen dozen dozen more." Peorth said, making sure each word was intoned properly, enunciated with the proper amount of severity, and dripping with contempt for the two standing before her.
    "Don't worry, I know just how many want peace. Misguded they may be, but I aim to change that. In fact, I could show you World Peace. Then where would you two be?" Peorth asked. The nameless God laughed.
    "Ask the God of Politics. He's the one who makes the humans go to war over petty matters." He said, daring Peorth.
    "He's trying not to." Peorth said. She knew that God. He was trying to get the proper people into office worldwide. He'd made some mistakes, but...
    "There will always be humans who are like you-" Peorth said, pointing at them. "-But there are even more humans who aren't. You two wouldn't even have been worth the energy even looking at-" Peorth taunted, daringly. "-If I didn't love the mortals so much." Peorth laughed, sardonically, tauntingly, threateningly. She looked at them with all smugness. War looked like he wanted to speak.
    "No, don't say a thing yet. I'm not even done. You only came about because of certain humans who couldn't control their testosterone." Peorth said, pointing to the nameless God. Then she pointed to War. "You are only here as a safeguard, which I know is absolutely unnecessary." Peorth knew it wasn't too true, there were a lot of greedy humans around, she knew. But it wasn't too late to start changing them now. But she took the gamble.
    "Sadly, both of you are going to be obsolete soon. Pity, the God of Modern War is going to become ob-so-lete." Peorth laughed again, taunting the God to say something. He couldn't. He was clenching his fists and steaming like a kettle from the ears and nose. Peorth was sure she'd made her point. And she'd angered the two enough to know they would be busy cursing her name for the next century or two before actually going back to whatever jobs they were supposed to be doing, which Peorth could then report to the Almighty. They'd get removed, easily.
    "Seeya again sometime," Peorth said, smiling. "NOT!" She raspberried at them, and walked out, swaying her hips as she did. She loved it when she was right.
    And she remembered to put the final touch. She snapped her fingers, and roses popped up everywhere, Gods included. They grew out of the walls, their vines choked displays and smothered everything they covered, and the Gods themselves stared as rosevines suddenly grew all over them, bursting through their clothes, and took full bloom. They yelped and tried to tear the vines away, but more grew and they only succeeded in stripping themselves bare instead.
    Peorth laughed loudly as she walked out and the smell of roses filled the air, amidst equally colourful, but polluting curses.
    But she and Freya still had a job to do, one they'd do right whatever it cost.

*     *     *

    The first thing Keiichi found out about being female was that it was very inconvenient to have frequent toilet breaks. There was a lot of hassle involved which Keiichi didn't really care for, but that was about the worst of it.
    So far. It had already been three days after she and Belldandy had had that talk.
    Belldandy was also having quite a bit of fun with Keiichi as a woman. Seeing that Keiichi had nothing else to do the rest of the time except plan for Nekomi Tech's next semester, she planned to teach Keiichi some things, just to see how Keiichi'd react to it. And on the side, Belldandy daringly, unconsciously hoped, it would do something else.
    So it had been just a few hours after breakfast that Belldandy decided to spring her plan into action.

    Keiichi was in her room, planning projects for the reopening of Nekomi Tech after the Summer break, such as a fund raising Nekomi Auto-Club funfair, proposed automobile workshops for those interested, as well as drawing up plans and blueprints, and some revision on the side for the coming semester. Holidays were fun most of the time, but there was a time when one had to work. Belldandy thought Keiichi'd been working too much lately, just to repeat a year to catch up for that one missing point needed to make the grade from University. Belldandy came into Keiichi's room, hands behind her back, looking expectant. Keiichi was talking to herself.
    "We'll need to segregate the topics to be covered from here..... engine parts, mechanical parts, assembly, disassembly, maintainence and identification...."
    Belldandy had to smile though. Keiichi was still working so hard despite her predicament. Belldandy didn't notice Keiichi working so hard soon after she had came into 'his' life, but that had changed, along with a lot of other things. Belldandy wasn't too sure whether the Keiichi when they had just met was better than the one now.
    "Keiichi-san?" Belldandy inquired. Keiichi stopped for the moment, and turned to look at Belldandy. Keiichi would always drop everything he was doing and listen to Belldandy, no matter what it was. Of course, Belldandy was considerate enough to wait if he was doing something really important. So it was now that Keiichi was listening.
    "Yes, Belldandy?"
    "Would you mind coming with me for a moment?" Belldandy said. She knew it wouldn't really be a moment, but Keiichi could always refuse her offer.
    As if Keiichi ever had, or would.
    "Sure thing, Belldandy." Keiichi said, putting the pen down on the drawing board. She stood up, dressed in her normal t-shirt and jeans now, and walked up to Belldandy. Belldandy held her hand and brought Keiichi to her room. Halfway down the corridor...
    "What is it anyway, Belldandy?" Keiichi asked.
 Belldandy turned and smiled, not saying a thing. Keiichi was left wondering as Belldandy resumed her lead.
 Inside her room, Belldandy had laid out a basket filled with balls of yarn, two pairs of wooden knitting needles, and a sheet with knitting instructions. Keiichi could guess what Belldandy had in mind.
    "We're knitting?" Keiichi asked. Belldandy nodded happily.
    "I thought Keiichi-san would like to do something else for a change, and since I have the chance to show it to you, well...." Belldandy seemed very hopeful. She wasn't totally expecting Keiichi to agree, but she had enough hope to see her through.
    Well, Keiichi thought. This is certainly a change. Like a lot of other things so far. Keiichi looked down again and rubbed her chest. It had become a habit, as if trying to remind 'him'self that it wasn't a bad dream. After these few days, Keiichi still had a little trouble adjusting to the thought of being stuck female for a while to come. That time with Troubador had been bad enough.
    But at any rate, it would be fun to learn something new every once in a while.
    "Sure thing, Belldandy."
    Belldandy clapped her hands together once, and laughed. She was smiling angelically, and went over to the table, Keiichi following.
    "You'll like what you can do with these, Keiichi-san." Belldandy said, picking up the needles. "Here, let me show you..."

*     *     *

    Even though Urd was determined to find out what it was they were digging up, tiny piece by tiny piece, she didn't have that much patience. Three days later, gathering as one Urd again, she had left instructions with the Earth Spirit to report to her once every day about the progress made. And they could help themselves to the food Urd would leave everyday.
    Urd also left instructions that if Keiichi ever showed signs of stepping out, everyone was to take cover under the temple. More to preserve their lives them than to let Keiichi know what Urd was doing.
    "Aah, the things I put up with..." Urd sighed. Well, it was just a small expenditure of time to leave the food out, a price to pay for her curiosity. Maybe she'd get Skuld to do it, or Banpei. But she just couldn't keep herself focused on what could be a long digging operation.
    "Ah well. I'm starved, I wonder what Belldandy cooked up." Urd had worked the morning, and remembering her stomach, which was growling at her in annoyance of having neglected it. Well, she told it, you wouldn't look so good if I kept feeding you now, right? But of course, the stomach wasn't technically sentient. Urd chuckled.
    Walking into the temple, Urd headed for the Tea Room, where Belldandy would normally be if she wasn't out in the garden. Urd would ask where her breakfast was, if it wasn't already in Skuld's stomach by then. She slid the door open, poked her head in, and asked all at the same time.
    *schriiiiiip*
    "Morning, Belldandy! Where's breakwhoa!" Urd's eyes opened up really wide when she actually took notice of what was going on inside.
    "What's going on, Urd? Some people're trying to invent things you know." Skuld complained as she stepped out of her room and peered around the corner. Urd had shouted a lot louder than she'd thought. She saw Urd, stuck in the doorway, and decided to investigate by herself. She stuck her head in the gap under Urd's head.
    "What's so interestiah!"
    The two sisters stared at Keiichi and Belldandy, both holding knitting needles in surprised hands. They stared back. Belldandy moved first, smiling.
    "Good morning, Urd, Skuld! I was just teaching Keiichi to knit. Would you two like to join us?"
    Urd and Skuld, both with disbelieving looks of oversized eyes and unhinged jaws, looked at each other. Skuld looked up at Urd, Urd looked down at Skuld. They faked smiles at the two, and waved their hands and sweated.
    "No... no thanks! We'll just... we'll just be minding our own business now! Ah haa haa, ha ha...." They said simultaneously, and zoomed out of view, slamming the door shut behind them. Keiichi looked at Belldandy, she shrugged.
    "Shall we continue?" Belldandy asked.

*     *     *

    Backs to the door, sitting on the floor, sweating, panting and gasping, Urd and Skuld stared at the wall in front of them for a few blank minutes just getting their thoughts back from wherever they had run off to screaming in shock. Urd recovered first.
    "Did I just see inside that room what I thought I just saw inside that room?" Urd thumbed towards the room. " 'Cuz I sure hope I wasn't imagining what I thought I saw in that room when I saw what was in that room."
    "I think we both just saw in that room what we thought we just saw in that room, because that was the only thing we could've just seen in that room." Skuld responded. Urd looked at Skuld for a moment, then smiled.
    "Ha haaaa!" Urd laughed and clapped once, loudly. Skuld looked at her incredulously, an eyebrow raised, her mouth half slanted down. Urd was going "Yes!" while pumping her bent arm up and down.
    "Urd." Skuld said. "Keiichi's knitting. That's unnatural."
    Urd waved a finger at Skuld, breakfast forgotten. "Non non, that's not unnatural, that's wonderful!" She was grinning like a cat.
    Urd moved over and grabbed Skuld by both shoulders, shaking her once.
    "Don't you get it? The two are getting together!"
    Skuld stared at Urd. She stuck a thumb in the direction of the room.
    "Like that?" Urd nodded.
    "Like that."
    Skuld looked thoughtful. This was unusual, Skuld thought. She decided this could be an interesting thing to learn. For a special someone of her own.
    "How'd you know anyway?"
    Urd smiled slyly.
    "Mochiron shirimasu ne, atashi wa koi no cupido! Ooh ho ho ho ho!" (Of course I'd know, I'm the Cupid of Love!) (note : Atashi is used only by females.)
    Skuld rolled her eyes.
    "I give up."

*     *     *

    Uruz had finally finished off the last bug in Yggdrasil for the day. She was exhausted. Nobody else in the debugging department could help her, since they had their own sectors to debug. The rest of the programming team was off decoding the wish Uruz had transmitted to Yggdrasil, trying to figure out what it entailed. Uruz sighed. She really hoped they'd find out soon, she was beginning to remember why she hated debugging so much. The endless running, swinging, searching. And as soon as you got one, another popped up. It reminded her of the software down on Earth, some of them anyway. But Yggdrasil wasn't as buggy as those, it wouldn't crash unless something really bad happened in the first place. Uruz hadn't been responsible for that, fortunately. Still, this was serious. The corrupted wish was causing widespread havoc with Yggdrasil's systems.
    Uruz could finally leave the horrid megacomputer with all its bugs for the day, and just go back to bed. She hadn't heard from her Angel in a while, but she hoped she'd hear from Silver Sapphire soon.
    A windchime tinkling came from behind her.

*     *     *

    Back in the Heavens, Peorth had gone on a widespread campaign with Freya to dispel the rumours and gossip about Uruz. They'd talked to the most talkative and influential gossips first, then worked their way down. The God of Gossip had even offered to help Peorth, a stunning show of generosity on his part. Peorth wondered if perhaps he held a flame for her.
    So far, it'd been successful. The Heavens were a much quieter place at the end of these three days. Peorth had convinced, cajoled, persuaded or otherwise reduced the gossip going around the Heavens about Uruz. And to add to what was a pretty good effort, the Almighty had made a Heavenwide announcement that He was personally looking into the matter and anyone willing to help could.
    Well, at least things were going smoothly for them. Peorth was glad her reputation was a lot better too. This time, word had gotten around that she'd actually managed to teach the God of Modern War a pretty good lesson at humility, something Peorth suspected was in no small part to Freya's mouth.
    Peorth retired to her office, where there had been several more calls to this and other Goddess Help Offices. Fortunately for the worn-out Peorth, the other Goddesses on duty had taken them for her. She reminded herself to thank them later.
    "Well, I'd say the day was pretty successful." Someone said behind her. Peorth turned her chair around. It was Freya, she could have told from the voice. Peorth nodded, and smiled.
    "Yep." Was Peorth's tired, winded reply. Freya smiled back.
    "And we gave them something else to talk about this time."
    "Hey, I didn't say you could give them my oh-so-valiant exploits to talk about." Peorth joked.
    "Would you I rather tell them to just keep quiet and not talk about anything?"
    Peorth shook her head. She waved a finger in the air.
    "You could've also told them that I cast a spell to make the God of Modern War wear a two piece bikini and make him run laps around the offices of the Gods of War wearing rosevines. Now that would be talked about for a long time."
    Freya laughed. That was true. Peorth was known for her skimpy dressing, but to make someone... well... it was amusing to just think about the implications. Freya's laughter was a lot more controlled and refined that Peorth's outright bursts of laughter.
    "Yes... but I think we've done enough."
    Peorth nodded. Freya looked at the sky of the Heavens.
    "I think I'd best be getting back. I'll have to make sure that nameless God doesn't cause anymore trouble for you or the humans." Peorth smiled.
    "As you say. Thanks for the help, Freya. Wouldn't know what to do without you."
    "I would always help a friend or student in need." Freya turned to leave.
    Uruz suddenly just floated down in front of the two, and the three looked surprised to see each other.
    "Uruz?" Peorth and Freya asked. Uruz looked at them, blinked once, and rubbed her eyes. Then she peered forwards..
    "One-sama... Freya-sama?" Uruz said, tentatively. If what Silver Sapphire told her was true, they had just gone all out to help her. She thought she was done for, her name would never be spoken without scorn again, that her sempais would abandon her. The weight of failure was terrible on her shoulders.
    Freya smiled, as did Peorth. Uruz suddenly felt her world come back alive again. The europhic feeling rushed up her feet and into her head, making her feel really, really light. Voila, the weight of failure was whisked into the wind. They weren't angry at her, far from it, they had actually helped her!
    She realized they still believed in her. She couldn't even begin to give her thanks. She tried to say something, couldn't find her voice, but her expression said all. Uruz probably didn't notice, but she was crying. Happily. That made Peorth feel pretty good, actually. Really good. She felt some pressure against her own eyes.
    "I..." Uruz started. She'd found her voice again, however chokingly it came out. "Thank you." Was all she could say.
 Freya walked over to Uruz and hugged her. Uruz accepted it, and rested her head on Freya's shoulders, still sniffing. Freya stroked Uruz's hair.
    "It's just some simple, stupid gossip going around. Why cry, child?" Freya sounded like a patient mother now. Peorth smiled, it was touching, really. Peorth didn't know why, she just felt glad that things would be all right here, at least.
    Uruz didn't speak, she just stayed there, holding Freya. Some things really were better left unsaid.

*     *     *

    Keiichi had been knitting for hours. Her hands ached a little from holding the needles too tightly, and she had started again more than once after finding out she'd knitted the thing wrongly. But Belldandy had been incredibly patient, guiding her hands and correcting the wrong actions.
    "Loop, twist, loop, yes, that's it." Knitting sure was harder than it looked, Keiichi thought. It was amazing Belldandy could spend so much time knitting the things she did, and get them all right.
    "It's just practice." Belldandy said, guessing Keiichi's thoughts. "There, you did it!"
    And indeed, Keiichi had finally knitted her first piece of flat, regular cloth. Not too bad for a first timer, Keiichi thought. Then her stomach growled.
    Belldandy looked at the clock.
    "Oh dear. It's already noon. I'll get lunch ready!" And Belldandy walked out into the kitchen, Skuld and Urd hiding behind the wall as Belldandy opened the door and walking down the corridor. The two had been engrossed in watching Belldandy teach Keiichi how to knit properly. Skuld remembered what Belldandy had said the other time, when Yggdrasil had broken down. Something about how the warmth, hurt and other memories of the day that went into each loop and knot. Well, Keiichi was definitely going to be putting a lot of memories into that piece of cloth. Skuld considered making Keiichi knit Belldandy something as payment. Apparently, Urd had thought the same thing. Urd had muttered that Keiichi should be knitting Belldandy something, maybe some warm underwear or something a little kinkier. Skuld had turned green at Urd's little comment.
    A few minutes after Belldandy had left the room, Keiichi was sitting there, pondering. Peering into the room, Urd thought that if she put a wig, coloured contacts, and used a little paint, Keiichi could've passed off as Belldandy. Urd wondered what gave her that strange thought.
    Keiichi was pondering. Worriedly. Considering the fact that it had only been a few days ago, things were likely to go a lot slower than she had hoped for. And Keiichi had this unvoiced concern. She'd talk with Belldandy about it when she finished lunch. But for now....
    "Ah... gotta pack up." Keiichi tucked the completed cloth into a pocket, and packed everything else into the hand woven wicker basket the way it had been earlier on. Urd and Skuld came in. Sitting down besides Keiichi, Urd was wearing that look. She patted Keiichi on the shoulder. Hard.
    "Well well, looks like our boy here is finally becoming hot. Even if you aren't a boy at the moment." Urd flashed an evil grin at Keiichi. Keiichi frowned at Urd.
    "Go mind your own business, Urd." Keiichi replied. Urd laughed.
    "Now now, Keiichi. Belldandy's showing you the ropes. In our eyes, she's giving you the hint. Right, Skuld?"
    Urd gave Skuld a wink, and had managed to convince Skuld into going in with her plans. Yet again. Skuld wondered how Urd could be so persuasive. Maybe promising to saturate her food full of weird and untested chemicals did the job.
    "Y..yeah, Keiichi." Skuld stammered, then promptly shut up. Urd nodded.
    "There, see? You may never get another chance at this, Keiichi. You've no reason to be embarrassed anymore-" Urd winked again, poking Keiichi's chest. It wasn't terribly big, not like Urd's anyway.
    "-Right?"
    Keiichi thought about it. Belldandy had talked about their affections that night, but affections were one thing. Saying Keiichi loved Belldandy was another. Damn, this was tough.
    Urd nudged Keiichi once in the ribs.
    "Thought it over?"
    Keiichi stared at Urd.
    "Come on, you know you wanna say it, don't you? Huh? Huh?"
    Urd did begin to sound a little desperate. Perhaps a year or two of failed attempts at getting Keiichi and Belldandy together had taken its toll on her. Well, Keiichi didn't like it herself, but things kept happening between them. Keiichi sighed. Urd had never heard one part of 'his' life. Keiichi swallowed. She wondered how they would take to this news....
    "Belldandy already said once, she truly loved me with all her heart. That was a while back."
    "Eeeeeeeehhhhh!?"
    Urd's jaw hit the floor, and Skuld's went through it. They both bent over limply, like as if there were one ton weights on their necks. Urd recovered first. She doubled over, laughing her heart out and clutched her stomach.
    "Yes! It's finally happened! It's finally happened!" Urd cried out, laughing. Then she went to her knees and looked skywards with her arms spread out like she were shouting to Heaven. In essence, she was.
    "Thank you, Almighty! Thank you so very much!!! Ooooh thank you!"
    Skuld and Keiichi stared at Urd, then at each other. Skuld waved a finger in circles around her head. Keiichi nodded. Then Urd got up, composed again all of a sudden.
    "Morisato Keiichi." Urd said in a deep, commanding voice. Like a two-bit actor trying to sound like an army general. Keiichi blinked.
    "Yes?" She swallowed nervously.
    Urd leaned over and poked Keiichi's chest repeatedly, as if trying to bring a point over.
    "You may have heard Belldandy's confession of love for you. But... have you made her hear yours?" Urd asked, poking harder and harder
    "Ouch! No! Ouch! Hey, stop that!" Keiichi exclaimed, and pushed Urd's prodding hand away. She rubbed the spots where Urd had poked her, painfully. Urd stood up again, arms crossed, a look that was a cross between smug and cross on her face.
    "Well then, it just isn't the same now, is it?" Urd said, seriously. "When the girl says she likes you, that's great. But what she's waiting for you to say is you love her. You are not going to disappoint her now, are you?"
    Keiichi thought for a second, then found the logic in that. She nodded.
    "You're right. I should say it sometime. But when?" Keiichi was going for broke.
    Urd slapped Keiichi on the back, hard. Keiichi coughed and nearly hit the table. For one other thing, Keiichi wasn't as strong as usual. A slap like that wouldn't have sent Keiichi hurtling to the tabletop under normal circumstances.
    Circumstances hadn't been normal ever since the Goddesses came into Keiichi's life though. Well, that hardly mattered.
    "Lunch!" Urd exclaimed, grinning. Skuld groaned.
    "That was fast." Skuld said, dripping with sarcasm.
    "The faster the better," Urd said. "Then whatever happens after that, well...." She shrugged.
    It did occur to Keiichi that if she did say she loved Belldandy now, they wouldn't have to worry about it later. And if Belldandy had to leave, at least she would leave fulfilled.
    Of course! Why didn't it ever occur to her?
    Because you're a coward when it comes to confessing yourself. A tiny little male Keiichi said inside her head. Sad, but true. She agreed.
    Keiichi had been slumping over during this time of deep thought, and Urd had been watching Keiichi carefully, from the other side of the table. Leaning on the table, Urd was looking up into Keiichi's face.
    "You alright?" Urd waved a hand in front of her eyes.
    Keiichi suddenly sat up, a fire ablaze in her eyes.
    "Ok! I'll do it!"
    Urd tossed some coloured confetti, cheering Keiichi on. Skuld groaned and covered her face in her hand, shaking her head.
    "Congratulations!" Urd exclaimed. "Keiichi's finally grown some guts!"
    The atmosphere of joy suddenly died like a bug on a windscreen. Keiichi stared at Urd. There was a little more than poison in those eyes and downturned lips.
    "What was that supposed to mean, Urd?"
    Urd grinned guiltily, sweatdrop forming on her head. She held her hands up in front of her in a placating manner.
    "Nothing. Nothing at all. Heh heh... ah haa haa haa!"

{End of Chapter 12}
{Chapter 13 : For the Love of Goddess II}