The next morning, Uruz woke up feeling much refreshed and
a lot better than she had felt last night. Flicking her eyes open, she stared at
the ceiling.
Which reminded her, where was Belldandy?
Then she heard some scuffling outside, a thump, and some
people yelling. She sat up. Someone opened the door. It was Urd, dressed in a
loose, sleeveless white satin blouse, a very immodestly tight, short red skirt,
and shades.
"Morning, sleephyhead." Urd greeted. She
grinned. Under those shades, Urd looked very... cool. Uruz blinked. "We're going
swimming today. Want to come along?"
That got Uruz up.
"Is Belldandy-san going?"
Urd
tsked, shook her head in exasperation, and nodded.
"Well,
I said we right? Come on, the others are here."
Others? Uruz thought to herself. Then they answered her questions. Even from
inside here, Uruz could hear some people shouting. She didn't recognize them.
"Ooooi! Morisato-kun! You look good!"
"I second that! Hey, you really do look cute!"
"Keiichan! Stop hiding behind that telly and let us see
you!"
Uruz blinked once. Then she remembered everything.
She laughed. She kept laughing and couldn't stop. Urd grimaced slightly,
wondering if Uruz was going mad.
"Hey, you alright?" Urd
asked, just to be sure. Uruz nodded weakly, still chuckling.
"I'll be in a second. Let me get changed."
Urd nodded, left, and shut the door behind her.
"Strange girl." Urd muttered.
* * *
In the living room, Keiichi was trying on the different
swimsuits that Belldandy had suggested for her. More precisely, Keiichi was
being forced into it by sheer peer pressure. Everyone was having a grand time
watching as Belldandy switched costumes on Keiichi with a snap, and then paraded
her in front of everyone. Keiichi never felt so embarrassed before. All those
eyes on her!
Or was the word 'modelled'? Keiichi thought
back to that modelling session with Sayoko once. Ootaki wolfwhistled when
Keiichi came out in a red and white striped swimsuit.
"You look good in that, Morisato!" He yelled. Catcalls and jeers on Ootaki's
choice of dress. The place was never livelier with Megumi, Chihiro, the sempais,
Skuld, even Mara, and just a little later Urd, appraising Keiichi in the
different swimsuits that Belldandy had thought to let Keiichi try. Obviously,
Keiichi wasn't being allowed the chance to select one of her own.
Well, all the same, it would be something for them to
enjoy, Keiichi thought, smiling to herself. Whether they remember it or
not, it is for their sakes as much as my own.
Besides, Keiichi was enjoying the attention. It wasn't everyday 'his'
sempais could do this and not care one whit whether Keiichi was supposed to be a
guy or not, as could Megumi, Chihiro, and everyone else in the temple. They were
happy, and thus so was Keiichi.
Belldandy snapped her
fingers again and in a flashy twinkle, Keiichi was in a black and white swimming
costume. The right side black, the left side white, there was a band of thick
horizontal black lines running from the left to right on the white side of the
costume at the chest level, while on the black side, bands of white ran from
right to left from the waist down. Everyone 'ooohed' and 'aaahed' at it. Urd
slapped Mara on the back amidst the shouts of approval and cheers and whistles.
"Looks like your choice was a good one, Mara." Urd said.
"Glad you decided to take some unofficial off time from your work."
Mara looked at Urd. She really didn't have much of a
choice whether or not to come along. If Uruz ever decided she wanted to hunt
Mara down, Mara would be a lot safer with these Goddesses than with the sad
bunch of demons she called colleagues. Those little pricks wouldn't stay and
fight anyday. That was why Mara was First class and them, well, calling them
rankless would be charitable.
"If the higher-ups ever
find out, I'm screwed, Urd. I hope you're happy." Urd chuckled.
"Of course I would..." Urd purred. Mara growled at her.
"...Not be."
Uruz came out a minute later. Everyone
turned to look at the newcomer. The response to her entrance was as loud as
their approval on Keiichi's costume. Tamiya went up to Keiichi and held her in a
friendly chokehold with an elbow.
"Who's that chick,
Morisato? Don't tell me you've been holding out?" Keiichi had heard something
like this the last time, it had nearly landed her a Brough Superior. Tamiya was
going to land her a few bruises.
"Nogh, schezes thad
Goddeshesh, Kyaamiyrra-shempai!" Tamiya's hold was getting tighter, and Keiichi
was having a lot of trouble speaking, let alone breath. Her voice became a
little raspy from the pressure. Tamiya let her go and Keiichi gasped for sweet,
life giving air. Belldandy had told them all about their new guests, one of
which was 'just a visiting friend' and the other was a Goddess who'd come down
on a social visit. She knew the row Mara's demoness status would've caused if
they'd known.
"Oh. Cute kid."
Chihiro looked at Uruz up and down. She yelled at Uruz in good cheer.
"You're a little young there to be so well endowed, young
lady!"
Uruz was in a rather modest one piece swimsuit,
most unlike Peorth's vertical three-piece, and wearing a flimsy see-through
cotton shirt and short red skirt to match Urd's own. The swimsuit was mostly
white, with yellow trim and lilies printed all over it. It had exposed flanks
and a long, bared back, with which her figure showed through, and it was a lot
better than most. Skuld looked at her enviously.
"Why
does Uruz have to have a better figure than mine?!" Skuld whined over the cries.
"I'm only a year younger than she is!"
Everyone started
jeering Skuld and laughing. Skuld sank down, embarrassed. Uruz noticed Skuld and
walked over to her. She was smiling, her mood was unusually good after the
previous day's incidents. Fortunately, nobody seemed to remember yesterday.
Today was a day for enjoyment and friendship, their troubles could come later
after choking on the dust long settled. The living room was a hive of activity
now, as everyone made last minute checks on their provisions and such. Uruz sat
down besides Skuld, who had her arms crossed and was pouting, and put a hand on
her shoulder. Urd was off with Belldandy somewhere, they had brought Keiichi
with them.
"Well, I guess I get a lot more exercise than you do, with
you cooping yourself up in your room and all, I guess." Uruz winked at Skuld.
"You ought to get out more. Try cycling. You can cycle, right?"
Skuld tried to shake the hand off, but she did it weakly.
Uruz, still grinning, shook Skuld a little, and repeated it. Finally Skuld gave
in and turned around.
"Oh, rats. You're right. Sitting
around all day and eating ice cream won't help. And yes, I can cycle."
Skuld smiled slightly at the thought, but it wasn't the thought of cycling.
Then Uruz poked Skuld's chest. Skuld glared at Uruz. She
had a bigger bust too. Skuld was always envious of those. She was always looking
forwards to the day she'd grow up.
"All that fat isn't
going here." Uruz commented. She pointed to Skuld's head. "It's being burned up
here." Skuld blushed, unexpectedly. Uruz grinned.
"T..thanks." Skuld said. "But I still want... those."
Uruz shrugged. "Sorry, can't help you there. Tell you what. You could either eat
more growing foods..." Skuld looked hopeful. "Or, if like that will fail, you
could always ask Urd." Skuld turned green, and Uruz waved the comment away,
wondering what was wrong with that. Urd was certainly well endowed enough.
"Ooookay guys!" Urd yelled from the corridor wildly. "Our
guest of honour Morisato Keiichi - 'chan' - is now going to give us the best
show in the universe, matched only by the fact that it's going to last
all day!" She laughed madly.
Everyone cheered and stuck
their fists in the air in support as Belldandy brought Keiichi out. Even Mara
joined in. They were all going 'ooh ooh ooh' like apes, cheering their approval.
"Woohoo! Keiichi's gonna learn swimming!" They yelled.
Chihiro added on.
"Let's count the number of guys who try
to court her!"
Keiichi had her arms crossed over herself.
She was wearing, in addition to the highly approved of swimsuit, a loose,
shoulder exposing cottony shirt and short shorts. She was beet red. It was
drafty in them.
"Why do I have to wear all this!?"
Keiichi whined. This was really embarrassing. Belldandy smiled.
"Well, maybe we could show you off to the world,
Keiichi-san." Belldandy giggled. "It'd be selfish to keep you to ourselves."
Keiichi blinked, looked at the group who were animatedly
supporting Keiichi, and smiled. Well, everyone was taking it perfectly fine, so
what the heck!?
"Well then, let's get this show on the
road and to the pool."
Belldandy nodded.
* * *
Peorth was sitting on a deck chair, lounging by the pool.
Her surveillance cam had told her that they were headed for the pool, with Uruz,
and Peorth decided to accompany them just in case. Again, she was in her knotted
swimsuit, almost split all the way down the middle. She was attracting a crowd
of admirers just sitting there and soaking up the rays, but she surrepitiously
ignored them. She wasn't interested in them anyway. The pool was crowded today.
There were literally dozens of people standing around, swimming and sunbathing,
among other things. It was comforting, the sounds of the swimming pool. Children
laughing and screaming, water splashing whenever someone took a dive or swam
close to the surface, and the shouts and laughs whenever someone started a water
splashing war with some friends. It was peaceful, in a way.
Peorth took a sip of something green and fizzy, and
lounged back with her eyes closed. They would arrive soon, and Peorth could
wait. She had forever.
* * *
On the bus to the pool, everyone was sitting around
Keiichi and making a lot of noise. Since it was a Sunday, most of the people on
the bus were fun seekers hoping for a day of sun and fun. So as it was, most of
them didn't care if it was noisy, they were just adding to the general
atmosphere.
In one corner of the bus, Urd and Mara were
sitting together along with Uruz and Skuld. Uruz was busy apologising to Mara.
"I'm sorry I blew up like that, Mara." Uruz said. "I
didn't know what came over me." She hung her head. Mara waved her hand up and
down, laughing nervously.
"Nah nah nah! Don't worry about
it! You weren't yourself, right?!" Mara said, nervously. Uruz looked up and
scratched her head.
"I don't know." Uruz said
apologetically. She fingered her amethyst necklace. "I hope not, but still..."
Urd cut in.
"Don't worry about it
now, girls." She cooed. "Everything's fine now. Mara's owned up and we'll be
fixing this in no time. No time at all."
Mara wasn't all
too sure about that. But she didn't wan to dwell on that. Skuld was tugged on
Uruz's sleeve.
"Uruz, how come you're just a year older
than I am and you've got all these great things to your name?" Skuld asked. She
was genuinely curious as to Uruz's unusual disposition. Second Class with an
Unlimited license and Third Category? Even Urd seemed afraid of Uruz's power.
Uruz shrugged.
"I don't really remember. All I knew was
that I worked as hard as I could and I was recommended for the position, so I
took it. I wanted to impress Peorth one-sama." Uruz smiled and giggled. She knew
she'd done Peorth proud by obtaining the Third Category job. Skuld 'ahhed' at
it.
"Darn. I finished my Basic Goddess Training and all I
got was Second Class with a Limited license and everything." Then Skuld prodded
Urd. She grinned impiously at Urd who looked indignantly at her in return.
"Fortunately, my older sis here's also the same, so I
have no fear at all!" Urd's veins bulged. Mara and Uruz caught the look and
tried to calm her down before she short circuited everyone on this bus.
"Hey, cool it! Cool it!" Mara exclaimed. Uruz was talking
to Skuld in private about the value of holding one's tongue at times. Urd glared
at the back of Skuld's head, wishing she could write words on people's faces as
well, but calmed down.
"Hmph. Some respect she shows for
her older sister. I have to teach her respect someday." Mara nodded in
agreement. She didn't like the little Goddess either, but she couldn't do
anything about it.
Off to the other corner, Belldandy, Chihiro, Keiichi and
the two sempais were having a ball. Keiichi was looking all over herself, trying
to cover up a little here, a little there. But the shirt wasn't big enough and
was made to expose. Keiichi gave up after a while. Chihiro slapped her on the
back.
"Welcome to the world of fashion, Keiichi." Chihiro
grinned. "Where females show off what they have and men, well, men show off the
only thing they have and sometimes not even then."
Keiichi blinked at Chihiro. Chihiro pointed to her arm and flexed it. Keiichi
blinked.
"Hey, that was mean!" Keiichi complained.
Chihiro laughed.
"Come'on, take a joke, Keiichi! And
don't take it to heart. I know as well as you do everyone's fair and square,
right?" She winked at Belldandy. Belldandy nodded hesitatingly. She was rather
sensitive to her position of Goddess now, knowing that the rest around her knew
the same thing. Chihiro threw an arm around Belldandy and sighed, leaning back.
"It's been a really wonderful few days, Belldandy." She
looked at Belldandy and smiled lopsidedly.
"I'll just be
sad to see it all go." She sighed, more of a mocking sadness than true
disappointment. Belldandy patted Chihiro's shoulder.
"Don't worry. If I ever have the chance to tell you all, I'll make sure you all
remember everything." Chihiro nodded.
"But it's not so
much the memories I'll miss.... but this." Chihiro swung her hand around the
bus. Belldandy's eyes followed. She saw people laughing, patting, talking,
interacting all over the bus. There was a mood of companionship, love,
memories... joy, things not remembered but felt. Belldandy understood.
Chihiro continued. "The companionship, the jests we can
pull without reprisal, the fun we had, our bond. The memories only help us
connect these together, but even if we forget them, the feelings stay always.
Right?"
Belldandy nodded. She could guess what they were
thinking. She smiled and patted Chihiro's hand.
"Don't
worry, Chihiro. I know what you mean, and I'll see what I can do. And you'll all
suddenly remember a certain private joke too." Belldandy flashed her own
lopsided grin. Chihiro was glad. At least she'd remember to laugh when she saw
Keiichi normal again, even if she couldn't remember exactly why.
The bus pulled up in front of the swimming complex.
* * *
"Theeeeey're here!" Peorth announced, grandly. She watched
as the group walked through the main entrance in a bustling, rambling group. She
smiled almost insanely as she looked at Keiichi, doing her best not to laugh her
precious head off. Then she turned her attention to the others in the group.
Ugh. There were those two ugly sempais, following an attractive woman she didn't
recognize, there was Urd, Skuld... Uruz, ah, Uruz.... and a demoness.
Demoness!?
Peorth almost literally
flew out of her chair. She didn't have plans to disturb the group unless they
noticed her, but there was a demoness in their midst! What were they
thinking!? Peorth had to do something about this.
Uruz! Peorth yelled, mentally. Uruz jerked a little at the volume of the
calling, and paused, letting the group go ahead. She looked around. Peorth? Her
face lit up.
One-sama! Uruz chirped happily.
Come join us today?? She was almost hopping with excitement. But Peorth
scowled. Uruz blinked.
Who's that demoness? Peorth
asked, as if she didn't know already.
Mara. Uruz
answered. Peorth crossed her arms and shook her head.
Does the word - 'demoness' - ring a bell? Peorth chided. Uruz laughed.
Peorth stared.
Belldandy convinced her to come with us
under a sort of truce. Uruz replied. She was laughing both mentally and in
the flesh, so to speak. Peorth felt her jaw unhinge.
Meaning she's just another one in the group. Peorth said. It was not a
question.
Uruz nodded. Peorth blinked.
How can I trust you guys on this? Peorth was
wondering. A demoness in a truce? This was something only Belldandy could've
done, for sure. Actually, there were rumours going around Up There that talked
of the other time Belldandy had made a truce with a demoness. Could it be...?
But it was probably more about Uruz... Uruz.... what was
she?
Trust us. Uruz said, doing a mock half bow.
Peorth could see from here Uruz was grinning from ear to ear.
"Hey! Uruz! Are you gonna stand there all day staring at
guys!? Come on!" Someone yelled from the other side of the pool, where the group
had found a place to put their things down. Uruz turned, bowed once in apology
in their direction, and flashed Peorth a final sidewards glance.
Feel free to join us, one-sama! Uruz chirped.
Peorth wondered how Uruz could sound so... chippy... after everything that had
happened. Peorth watched as Uruz ran towards them, drawing a small crowd of
admirers of her own. Peorth shook her head, tsked, but smiled.
"Well now, I guess there's no hiding. Let's see what
they're up to....."
Peorth headed for the pool and dived
in.
* * *
"Wheee! We're here!" Megumi exclaimed happily. She jogged
over to the umbrella sheltered chairs and dumped her bag, then immediately
proceeded to stripping to her swimsuit. Keiichi sat and watched as everyone else
did the same. They all came prepared, Keiichi thought.
Tamiya was wearing a blue and white striped full body
swimsuit for guys (complete with pants!), and kept his gloves on, while Ootaki
wore boxers, and kept his shades on. Well, they sure were well muscled for sure,
Keiichi noticed. They wouldn't be so bad if not for their state of minds.
Keiichi chuckled. Megumi sat down besides her.
"What's so
funny, bro?" Megumi was enjoying the slight breeze that was blowing. Keiichi
shook her head.
"Nah, nothing. Just thought of something,
that's all."
Keiichi noticed Megumi was wearing a black
and neon orange swimsuit, black from the collarbones down the middle in a thick
line, with the neon orange on her flanks. Megumi was still looking at Keiichi.
Keiichi blinked.
"What're you looking at, Megumi?"
Keiichi asked, defensively. She wondered what Megumi would find so fascinating
about her now. Megumi grinned.
"Your turn, Keiichan."
Megumi pointed at Keiichi's clothes. Keiichi blinked. She whined.
"Do I have to???" Keiichi asked, pleadingly.
Everyone around her laughed. Tamiya and Ootaki squatted besides Keiichi, and
Chihiro joined Megumi on the somewhat overcrowded chair. Belldandy was busy
arranging the baskets of snacks and spare clothes, while Urd and Skuld were
coming over to check out the commotion. Keiichi swallowed.
"Oh, all right." Keiichi finally relented, under the
pressure of so many expectant eyes. Everyone cheered and whooped. Megumi kept
sitting there, smiling.
"Way to go, bro!" Megumi cheered.
Keiichi blushed crimson as she took off her shirt first, then rather shyly took
off the shorts too. It was drafty. Chihiro laughed and clapped Keiichi on the
back.
"Don't worry there, Keiichi-kun!" Chhiro teased.
"Whaddaya think we're all wearing?!" Chihiro pulled at her own swimsuit's
straps. Keiichi noticed she was wearing a sort of turtleneck swimsuit, all
black, that exposed a large part of her shoulders. She didn't have too bad a
figure herself. Keiichi blushed at the thought. What perverted things were going
through her mind?? Chihiro saw the blush. She grinned.
"What, worried that you're not going to be ogled at? Don't ya worry!" Chihiro
laughed again, clapped Keiichi once more, and went to get some suntan lotion.
Keiichi looked around. She saw Uruz approaching from the edge of the pool after
Chihiro yelled for her. She looks unusually happy, Keiichi thought.
Wonder who she saw?
That someone came up a few
seconds later. While Belldandy was helping Urd and Skuld settle whatever
argument they were having at the moment, Peorth pulled herself out of the pool
and sauntered over to Keiichi's deck chair and sat down besides her. Megumi and
Chihiro had already gone off somewhere, so there was plenty of space for Peorth.
Not that, Keiichi knew, Peorth needed that space. She
cuddled right up to Keiichi, who swallowed nervously. Peorth was purring.
"Hello again, Keiichi darling." Peorth smiled,
alluringly. Uruz watched on, blinking with amusement. She still had her
jewellery on, the earrings and necklace. Peorth did too, but she didn't exactly
wear much in the way of jewellery. She didn't wear much in the way of anything,
come to think of it. This swimsuit was a lot more modest than her usual dress.
"H...hello Peorth." Keiichi stammered. Peorth was a
little too close for comfort, and Keiichi tried to shift herself, but she
realized to her dismay that she was already sitting at the edge of the chair.
Peorth knew that. She smiled again.
"So what brings you
here today? Hm? Showing off your... assets?" Peorth asked suggestively. What
the....!? Keiichi thought. She....
Peorth
caught the look on Keiichi's face and laughed. She stroked Keiichi's face.
Keiichi shivered.
"Don't worry, darling. I was just
joking!" Peorth grinned, moving away. "You ought to see the look on your face."
She giggled.
"Oi! Morisato-kun! You didn't tell me Peorth
was coming too!" Peorth's good cheer was ruined as she heard Tamiya's voice. She
looked up and saw Tamiya charging towards them.
"Urgh.
Mr. Personality-you're-so-ugly again." Peorth said, disgustedely. Keiichi
blinked.
"He still likes you after all this time, you
know. Keeps your name in his wallet." Keiichi said. Peorth stared wide eyed at
her. She put a hand to her ear and leaned towards Keiichi.
"....whwhwhwhwhat? Repeat that? I could've sworn you said
- he - still - likes - me?"
Keiichi nodded. Peorth stared as Tamiya came up to them both. He almost collared
Keiichi, but remembered he couldn't touch a girl. Geez, what a way to think of
his good buddy Morisato Keiichi-kun. Then he noticed Peorth.
"A... ah, hello, Peorth." Tamiya stammered. He suddenly
acted shy and scratched his head. He remembered where the old bike had hit him.
Peorth seemed to remember it too. She felt a little something twang in her
chest.
"Well, hello there." Peorth said. She wasn't
saying it cheerfully, but she wasn't scowling either. "Does it still hurt?"
Tamiya noticed where he was scratching. He shook his
head.
"No no no no! It don't hurt! I'm fine! How are
you?"
Peorth looked at Keiichi. Keiichi shrugged and
grinned.
"Enjoy yourselves, Peorth, Tamiya." Keiichi was
about to stand and leave. Peorth grabbed her and pulled her back down,
whispering harshly into Keiichi's ear.
"You are not
leaving until I get him away from me, understood!?" Her breath burned
Keiichi's poor ear.
"Yes, ma'am." Keiichi replied, sadly
resigned. Tamiya had his hands tucked tightly onto his thighs, still looking
shy.
"Ah... can I get you anything? Peorth?" Tamiya
asked. Peorth grinned to herself. She could get him away then.
"Oh, I dunno. What about... a double-decker super supreme
icy vanilla and ripple strawberry ice cream float delight?" There, let him
remember that. Peorth thought smugly to herself. Tamiya nodded.
"Ok sure. One double-decker super supreme icy vanilla and
ripple strawberry ice cream float delight coming up."
Peorth's jaw dropped audibly as Tamiya walked off. Then someone else called.
"Oh! Peorth! You're here too!" Belldandy exclaimed as she
walked over to Keiichi. She smiled.
"Enjoying a day here
too?" Belldandy asked, cheerfully. Peorth nodded, then shook her head, then
groaned and sighed. Belldandy blinked.
"What's wrong,
Peorth?"
"Tamiya." Peorth groaned. "He's still stuck to
me?"
Belldandy smiled. Keiichi followed.
"That's because he really likes you, Peorth." They said
in unison, stereo Belldandys/ies all over again. Peorth blinked once in
amusement.
"But he's... so... urgh." Peorth complained.
Uruz heard everything, and sat down besides Peorth. She grinned at all the three
under the shade. Keiichi almost shuddered, remembering that time...
"Well, one-sama!" Uruz chirped. "He's not much of a
looker, but you keep telling me beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right??"
Uruz looked hopeful. She knew what Peorth was thinking. Everyone around her did.
Peorth swallowed.
"Well... erm... I.. well, he doesn't
seem too smart either. I prefer smart men."
Belldandy
thought for a while. The proverbial lightbulb appeared over her head, bright and
shining.
"Well, Tamiya's rather intelligent, if not
simple," Belldandy said. Peorth looked at her incredulously. "After all, he did
create that map, and calculator code, and knows a lot about bikes, and he's
hardworking, and he didn't become a senior by being dumb, and he does have quite
a bit of common sense, and he was the Auto Club chairman, and-"
A drop of bigsweat formed on Peorth's head.
"Alright already!" Peorth exclaimed. "So I just don't
like him, all right??" Uruz and Keiichi shook their heads and clicked their
tongues. Peorth scratched her head embarrassedly.
"I
mean, he doesn't act that way...." Belldandy smiled. "Give him a chance,
Peorth."
Peorth blinked. Tamiya came back a few minutes
later, carrying two huge cups. He passed one to Uruz, who squealed happily and
took it. Peorth took hers tentatively.
"Erm, thanks."
Peorth said, considering her cup. Tamiya blushed. Keiichi and Belldandy
exchanged knowing looks.
"Nah nah nah! It's nothin'!"
Tamiya replied, shaking his hands. "And I got one for your sister too!"
Uruz grinned and thanked Tamiya, then looked at Peorth,
smiling.
"See? Even he says we're sisters! And he was
nice enough to treat us to one of these... erm, what is this?" Uruz looked at
her half eaten ice cream float.
"A double-decker super
supreme ice vanilla and ripple strawberry ice cream float delight." Tamiya
repeated, flawlessly. Peorth's jaw dropped, again. Keiichi grinned stupidly. She
couldn't help it, it was so funny. Then Belldandy's face lit up again.
"Oh, that reminds me! I'm teaching Keiichi to swim today.
Would you like to help? Uruz, Peorth? Tamiya?"
Peorth
looked to her adopted sister. Uruz looked back. Tamiya looked at them both. The
'sisters' grinned a wolf's toothy grin. Keiichi didn't like that look. They
nodded in unison.
"Of course!"
"Hey, anything to help Morisato-kun!"
Keiichi groaned.
* * *
In the Heavens, the Almighty was mightily pleased. Belldandy had called just a few hours later with all the information they needed on the device. The Almighty replayed the call just to sift through the information again.
*riiiing* *riiing*
*click*
"It is I. What did you call me for today,
Belldandy?"
"Ah! My Lord! How are you today?"
The Almighty paused it for a moment and smiled. He never got bored of Belldandy's cheerful attitude. She'd always ask Him how he was regardless of what He was calling for. Not many God/desses did that nowadays... He should make Belldandy a role model someday. Maybe give her an honorary title. He continued the replay.
"I have some information pertaining to the incident
with Uruz."
"Speak, by all means."
"We have confirmed the demoness responsible for the
disruption, and the device used in the misdeed. She is Mara, and she claimed to
have used something called the T.C.D 666."
"Interesting. What does this device look like?"
Belldandy motioned to someone outside of the screen's view, and Skuld brought in
a somewhat complete model inside a purplish cube. Stasis cube, the Almighty
recognized. Mighty tough things to build. Skuld was a genius, He knew.
"Ah."
"This isn't the
full object, some of it decayed, but we know roughly how it works."
"Good. Is there any other information, such as the
passwords?"
Belldandy looked thoughtful for a
moment.
"We never asked. My apologies."
Pausing the replay, the Almighty considered this. So far, nobody had an inkling of how to go about hacking them. They might cause some irrepairable damage if there were worm programs attached to them, and nobody wanted to risk it. The Almighty pondered for a moment. He knew about the matter, but there was something they were missing. He continued the replay. It was His turn to speak in the replay.
"Very well... if you find out anything else, inform me
at once."
"Yes, my Lord."
*click*
The Almighty sighed. While His programming teams had
managed to restored the entire wish, the cursed thing was still encrypted with
no way to extract any information from Yggdrasil, both the wish's exact
parameters nor the Ultimate Force's defensive measures to protect the contract.
Now all they could do was wait while the Decoders made backups of the files and
tried decoding those first.
Ah, there was that idea.
Backups. That was what had been missing.
"This is the
Almighty. Attention to all Decoders. Make a backup of the wish program on the
Dummy system and open the passwords from there."
When
that was done with, the Almighty sat back in His chair and brooded. He wasn't so
much disturbed by the wish now than He was worried for Uruz. The wish hadn't
shown any truly negative side effects, so He could remind Uruz to get the
specifics of the wish later, or if they didn't mind, wait until someone broke
the code. Actually, the Almighty was pretty glad now that they had everything
worked out, except for the specifics of the wish, the Ultimate Force, and that
demonic password system. Those could easily come later.
But there was that little berserk incident. Uruz was supposedly sealed up with
some of the strongest seals around. How did she loose herself from them? Worse
still, would she do so again?
This was troubling the
Almighty.
And it occured to Him.
* * *
Uruz waded in the water, watching as Belldandy supported
Keiichi and taught her a basic lesson in floating in the water. She sneezed
once, wiped her nose, and forgot about it. Peorth was sitting at the pool's
edge, watching with great amusement. Tamiya was just standing there like a rock,
looking more at Peorth than Keiichi.
Uruz swam up to
Belldandy's side and watched as Keiichi tried to stay afloat.
"Just think about lying on a bed, Keiichi-san." Belldandy
said, soothingly. "Breath normally and don't let the water bother you. Breath
through your mouth if you need to."
Keiichi shut her eyes
and tried it. Belldandy let go of Keiichi's underside and watched as Keiichi's
body floated. Keiichi was spreadeagled on the water, but she was floating.
Belldandy clapped her hands in approval.
"There, you've
done it Keiichi-san! Open your eyes now."
Keiichi slowly
opened them. She was wearing goggles, so she had little fear of water getting in
them. She blinked a few times and tried to move. She suddenly began to sink and
flailed around for a while before Belldandy grabbed her and straightened her.
Keiichi coughed.
"Argh, dame-da...." (Argh, I
can't do it.) Keiichi muttered as she held the ledge by the pool, getting her
breath back. Belldandy waited patiently for Keiichi to rest. Peorth scowled in
disapproval and kicked some water in Keiichi's direction. Keiichi dodged it.
"Hey! Watch it!" Keiichi grumbled. Peorth sighed.
"You keep saying you can't do it, Keiichi." Peorth
sighed. "So shut up and just do it!" She was a little irritated at Keiichi's
self-defeating approach. 'He' was interesting enough, but sometimes a little too
wimpy for her own good. Uruz laughed, as did Tamiya, who had enough of a mind
left to pay attention to Peorth's words.
"One-sama has a
point there, Keiichi." Uruz chipped in. "Just don't think about it. You'll be
fine."
"Yeah, Morisato-kun! Just do it!" Tamiya hollered.
"Remember the spirit of the Auto-Club! Never say die!"
Keiichi looked around. Belldandy was looking at her encouragingly. She nodded
with renewed determination, mouth tightly set and drawn into a determined line.
"Well.... I've got three Goddesses and my sempai helping
me learn to swim, and with the Heavens as my witness, I am going to learn
to swim or drown trying!" Keiichi announced. The four of them clapped.
"Then up and at them, Keiichi!" Peorth cheered. Uruz
nodded.
"Ok, lemme try that again." Keiichi said. She
kicked out once, and tried floating again.
But Uruz
suddenly remembered something. With the Heavens as her witness.... Uruz had the
horrible feeling she was forgetting something.
* * *
A small distance away, Megumi and Chihiro were watching
with interest as Keiichi desperately learned to stay afloat in the water. Megumi
was busy treading water as Chihiro used the edge of the pool as support. They
looked at Keiichi, then at each other.
"Your brother's
doing rather well, considering he swims like a lame chicken." Chihiro commented.
Megumi nodded.
"He's never learned to swim." Megumi
agreed. "Dad gave up on him a long time ago." Chihiro raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?" She asked. Megumi nodded. "Why?" Megumi grinned.
"Keiichi never did get used to going without floats."
Chihiro howled with laughter. Everyone around her, the
Goddesses and Keiichi included, stared. Chihiro had to use her other hand to
help hold the edge of the pool lest she sink from laughing too much and drown.
Megumi looked guiltily in Keiichi's direction. She called out.
"Sorry, Keiichan!" She said putting the edge of her
outstretched palm to her head in apology. Keiichi glowered at her from her spot
in the water.
"Don't go around giving out my secrets like
that, Megumi!" Keiichi yelled, indignantly. "It's embarrassing!"
Megumi blinked. She pointed.
"You're floating, Keiichan!"
Indeed, Keiichi was doing
rather well keeping herself afloat on the water while telling Megumi off.
Everyone applauded. Keiichi blinked as she looked skywards. No smothering waters
covering her face except for the occasional lapping. She didn't realize she had
her head bent a little backwards to glower at Megumi. She sounded surprised.
"You're right."
Megumi paddled
over as Keiichi tried kicking herself towards the pool edge. Megumi had to
admit, Keiichi did look cute in a swimsuit. Keiichi righted herself and looked
at Megumi by the pool's edge.
"Looks like you do have
your uses, Megumi!" Keiichi grinned. Megumi sulked.
"Is
this the way you talk about your helpful, caring sister, Keiichan?" Keiichi
grinned and took the goggles off. Peorth, Belldandy and Uruz joined them by the
pool's edge, watching happily. Keiichi looked around. Tamiya had gone off to
find a bin to dump Peorth's empty cup.
"Errrrr............"
Megumi noticed the three of them.
She smiled.
"Thanks for teaching my Keiichan to swim. Or
at least float."
"Our pleasure!" They replied all at
once. Then they looked at each other, and laughed. Megumi grinned. Once she had
their attention again, she continued.
"I remember our dad
trying to teach Keiichan to swim once..." Megumi started. She looked at Keiichi.
"Go on. No point hiding it now, I guess." Keiichi looked
obviously bothered by Megumi's chattiness, but there wasn't any harm in it.
Megumi smiled.
"Thanks, Keiichan. You're the greatest."
Megumi continued. "Dad finally gave up after Keiichi kept telling him that he
needed a float." The three Goddesses giggled. Keiichi blushed furiously. Megumi
wasn't done yet.
"So one day dad said to Keiichi-" Then
Megumi used her deepest, manliest voice. It was just hilarious. "-Son, one of
these days, I'll have to pray to th' Almighty to send a beautiful Goddess down
to teach you how to swim. And if even she can't do it, well then, you just ain't
made for swimmin'. An' it'll be a waste too, because the Almighty seems to have
made the rest of us Morisatos swimmers."
Everyone
laughed at Megumi's comedic act. Even Keiichi. It was just wonderful to recall
those days of childhood.... there was always something fun to remember. It was
like that night in the bathroom. Uruz decided to add her comments.
"And now Keiichi's got three of us!" Peorth nodded and
added her own.
"And if the three of us can't teach
Keiichi to swim-" Belldandy continued for Peorth.
"-Nobody can. Fortunately, we will do it, right?" She looked at Keiichi.
"Erm, of course, Belldandy!" Keiichi finished.
Megumi gave Keiichi a round of applause.
"Let's hear it for my bro Keiichan! Wait till I tell Dad
Keiichi finally learned to swim because of his girlfriend's tutelage!" Belldandy
blushed.
"Thanks, Megumi. You shouldn't forget Peorth and
Uruz though."
Megumi looked at them and considered. She
nodded.
"Keiichi's girlfriend and plenty of her friends
to boot."
Keiichi wondered what Dad would say about that.
Probably something like : "I'd swear they were
Goddesses or somethin'!"
* * *
A few hours later, an exhausted Keiichi dropped into the
deck chair and almost fell asleep from exhaustion. It was lunchtime, and the
entired group had gathered around the picnic basket for some drinks and
sandwiches. Belldandy had, of course, hand-made every sandwich in the basket, so
they went like hotcakes down the throats of the famished group of friends. Skuld
was enjoying an ice cream cone while Urd came back from siphoning a few free
favours off her own group of smitten admirers. (much to the annoyance of some of
their girlfriends) Urd looked with interest as Keiichi graciously accepted a
coke and a sandwich from Belldandy and proceeded to eat like there was no
tomorrow. Urd grinned and squatted by Keiichi's chair. She prodded Keiichi's
ribs, causing Keiichi to spit some of her sandwich out.
"So how are the lessons so far?" Urd winked. Keiichi glared at her.
"Fine." Urd frowned at Keiichi's frostiness.
"Come on, I'm only concerned for you, you know that." Urd
chuckled. Keiichi sat up and looked at her. She sighed.
"Come off it, Urd. I know you're just dying to see me do something with, or more
precisely - to - Belldandy." She waved the can in Urd's face. "Don't spoil my
day, right?"
Urd shrugged.
"Suit
yourself, spoilsport. But you better make sure Belldandy doesn't drink any of
that coke. She'll get drunk again, and then we'll see some fireworks."
Keiichi blinked, then saw Chihiro trying to offer
Belldandy some cola. She was refusing, but Chihiro kept forcing it on her.
Obviously, Belldandy remembered that last coke incident. Keiichi scrambled off
the chair and took the can from a surprised Chihiro.
"Mm?
Keiichi feeling more thirsty than the rest of us?" Chihiro chuckled. "I thought
you drank more pool water than the rest of us combined." Keiichi glared at her.
Everyone laughed.
"Forget it, Chihiro. Belldandy gets
drunk on this stuff."
Everyone stopped laughing. They
looked at Belldandy, who nodded shyly. Chihiro looked at the innocuous can in
her hand, shook it, listened to the bubbles fizz, and looked in it. She took a
sniff.
"This stuff?" Chihiro pointed to the inside of the
can. Both of them nodded. Chihiro took a cautious sip, tasted it, swallowed it.
Everyone was looking at her.
"Nope. I ain't drunk yet."
Chihiro eyed Belldandy. "You sure you get drunk on this??"
Belldandy nodded. Chihiro 'aah'ed.
"Hm. Interesting. Say, don't we have some mineral water in here somewhere?"
Everyone nodded. Lunch went on.
But off to one side, Uruz wasn't eating, or drinking. Instead, she pondered.
What am I forgetting? Uruz wondered. Something
about what Keiichi said...
* * *
For the rest of the day, Belldandy and Peorth coached
Keiichi in swimming lessons as Skuld and Urd watched, while Megumi went to swim
a couple of laps and Chihiro had the most unenviable job of making sure the two
sempais weren't scaring away any of the little kids in the kiddy pool they were
playing in. Urd had recommended Skuld go join Chihiro, but Skuld had taken
rather heavy offense at Urd's comment, and Keiichi was almost left to drown as
Peorth and Belldandy had to stop the two from turning the pool into a bloodbath.
Fortunately Megumi was at hand to help a sinking Keiichi up. Keiichi was
coughing at the edge of the pool as Belldandy had a talk with Urd and Skuld in
turn, about the issues of understanding and consideration.
"Ne, Keiichan." Megumi quipped. Keiichi was still
coughing, and Megumi slapped Keiichi on the back to help her get the water out.
"You're not doing half bad. You've learned the doggy paddle so far." Megumi
grinned as Keiichi, still coughing, gave her a dirty look.
"Hey, you wouldn't be able to pay attention too if about
half the pool were looking at you and your friends, little sis." Keiichi
retorted. Megumi looked behind her. She had to concede to that point. Urd,
Peorth and Belldandy were drawing quite a crowd of hot blooded male onlookers.
Keiichi grinned sardonically at Megumi when she looked at Keiichi again.
"See? You gotta feel a little self conscious sometimes,
especially if-" Keiichi patted her chest, pressed against the corner of the
pool's edge. "-These are their focus of attention."
Megumi stared. She blinked, and kept staring, one part disbelief and nine parts
amusement. She remembered how Keiichi kept resorting to floating to keep herself
from drowning everytime she was about to drown. Megumi had to admit, they did...
well, end up obtrusively obvious sometimes. Then Megumi started to laugh.
She kept laughing as she spoke to Keiichi.
"H... heh heh!
Keiichan! *giggle* You ought to be flattered! You realize you are getting
attention, right? *chortle*"
Keiichi blinked. She looked
behind her as well. About a dozen guys waved. She blinked, waved back nervously,
and looked at Megumi. Keiichi looked like she'd attained enlightenment.
"You're right. But what about you?"
Megumi stopped laughing and sighed.
"No idea."
She looked back, and
Keiichi followed her gaze. The group of Keiichi's admirers waved again, but
there were some extra hands as well. Megumi brightened up a little as she saw
some gazes directed at her.
"There, told you there'd be
some." Keiichi grinned when they turned back. "I wasn't wrong, was I?"
Megumi smiled. She gave Keiichi a quick peck on the
cheek.
"Thanks, bro. That helped."
Keiichi blinked. She touched the aforementioned cheek tenderly.
"It did?"
Belldandy had, by now,
resolved the dispute between Skuld and Urd. Urd decided to have a tan with Mara
while Skuld had gone off to look for swimmers her age in the pool. Peorth left
the pool, claiming to look for Uruz. Belldandy came over to join them.
"Hello, Keiichi-san, Megumi-san." Belldandy greeted as
she came over. The two turned to look at her. They waved.
"Hi. Urd and Skuld done yet?" Belldandy nodded.
"I think
Skuld went to look for some her age." The three looked in Skuld's direction.
Well, there was a surprise. Keiichi and Belldandy recognized Sentaro in the
crowd of swimmers. Skuld was headed straight for him. Sentaro was floundering
and Skuld was a pretty good swimmer, Keiichi noticed.
"Skuld's a good swimmer," Belldandy remarked, smiling as Sentaro noticed Skuld.
"She doesn't just travel easily through water by magic. Maybe Skuld can teach
Sentaro a thing or two... just to pay him back." Then, smiling, she turned to
face Keiichi, but Megumi was between them. Megumi ducked under the water and
swam off to one side to let the two continue their lessons.
* * *
Uruz sat on the deck chair, chin resting on clapsed hands.
She was leaning over a little, looking blankly at Belldandy and Keiichi. Peorth
saw her and came over. She sat down on the deck chair soundlessly. Uruz didn't
notice her.
"Hey, something on your mind?" Peorth asked.
Uruz shook her head. Peorth leaned closer.
"Come on, a
penny for your thoughts? I'm your 'sis' for goodness' sakes."
Uruz sighed. She didn't turn around. She spoke in a tired
voice, full of frustrated breath.
"I keep trying to
remember a little something I'm sure I forgot, but I can't remember what for the
life of me."
Peorth considered. "Well, if you can't
remember it, I'm sure it isn't important."
Uruz shook her
head. "I'm sure it's important. I know it is. That's why I'm trying to
remember."
Peorth groaned to herself. This girl could be
so intense at times. She couldn't even let go for a moment at the swimming pool,
with all its hundreds of fun seekers. Peorth clapped Uruz's shoulder.
"Come on, Uruz. Don't let it get to you. I'm sure you'll
remember somehow, or we could get Urd to cook up some medicine to help you
remember." Peorth hoped Uruz had no idea how terrifying Urd's medicines or the
way they were administered could be. Uruz sat up for a moment, and nodded. She
turned around.
"I guess you're right."
She didn't know. Peorth gripped Uruz's shoulder firmly
and reassuringly.
"Come on, let's have some fun."
Uruz smiled weakly, and nodded.
* * *
Keiichi was trying the breast-stroke underwater, while
holding her breath. Belldandy was holding her firmly by the waist, watching
Keiichi kick and paddle. After a while, Keiichi pointed upwards, signalling the
need for air. Belldandy let go. Keiichi came up with a gasp.
"Phew!" Keiichi took a deep breath. "Am I getting better,
Belldandy?" Keiichi asked. Belldandy nodded.
"Much,
Keiichi-san." Belldandy smiled. "You should be able to do a lap now, I think."
Belldandy said. Keiichi nodded, and looked around. Megumi was busy swimming
around, looking for some of those who waved at her earlier on. Skuld was busy
teaching Sentaro some neat swimming tricks, one of which involved underwater
flips.
"Where're Peorth, Uruz and Mara?" Keiichi asked.
Belldandy looked around. She saw Urd with shades on, talking to Mara, who also
had shades on, both tanning in the sun in exactly the same position. Keiichi
looked, and saw that they shifted positions in perfect synchronisation with the
other. Keiichi blinked and pointed.
"Was one of Mara's
parents Urd's too?" Belldandy shrugged.
"I don't know,
Keiichi-san." Then Belldandy looked at Keiichi.
"Let's
see you try the breast-stroke on your own, ok?"
Keiichi
nodded. She was nervous, it was her first time swimming on her own.
"Ok."
"Remember to raise her head
once every two strokes for breath."
"Sure."
The two water hopped to a side and Belldandy watched as
Keiichi prepared herself by taking a few deep breaths.
"Here I go." Keiichi said, and dived.
Belldandy watched.
Bob, duck, kick, kick, bob, duck, kick, struggle, kick,
bob,... yes, yes...
Keiichi emerged on the other side,
waving a hand and shouting. Her voice turned the heads of about every young man
(and some others) as she shouted to Belldandy.
"I did it!
Woo hoo! I did it at last!"
Belldandy clapped her hands
and smiled. She called back. The same heads turned to the second owner of the
same voice, puzzled.
"I knew you would! Come back here
then, Keiichi-san!"
Keiichi nodded and disappeared under
the water.
* * *
Keiichi was ecstatic. She'd managed to swim on her own
without Belldandy's help at last! There was a rough spot here and then, but
Keiichi had managed it. The feeling was as wonderful as learning how to ride a
bike for the first time. Keiichi was cursing her foolishness at having passed up
previous offers to swimming lessons.
But Belldandy is
my instructor now, Keiichi thought to herself as she was taking a few
strokes back. That makes it extra special. And in spite of herself, she
smiled.
Then she bumped into something soft. Keiichi
panicked for a moment, then came up, half thrashing.
"*Gurgh*... help! I can't *gurgh* tread water!" Keiichi struggled. A pair of
firm hands grabbed her. Keiichi stopped struggling and looked. It was a white
swimsuit with lilies all over it. Oh, Uruz.
"Come on,
Keiichi-san." Uruz giggled. "We're in the shallow end." She laughed. Keiichi
reached down with her feet and managed to find a floor with her toes. She
blushed embarrassedly.
"Oh."
Belldandy came over, smiling.
"Ah, I see that I must
teach Keiichi-san to tread water next." Belldandy smiled at Uruz, and Uruz
grinned back, all good cheer and merriment. "And to watch out for water
obstacles."
"Yeah, you do that. I think I'll go a few
laps and come back to watch you guys." Uruz winked at Keiichi once, and dived.
She was lithe and smooth in the water, no doubt about that. Keiichi envied the
Goddesses. They could do everything. Belldandy held Keiichi's hand and led her
to a slightly deeper part of the pool.
"Come on, we'll
start here, Keiichi-san."
Keiichi nodded as much as she
could without dipping her nose into the water.
* * *
By midday, everone was exhausted, but happy. Sentaro had
to leave a little early, so Skuld was rather disappointed he couldn't stay until
they left, but then she remembered Keiichi. She had contented herself by having
an ice cream, Sentaro's apologetic treat. She was blushing the whole time she
was with him.
Chihiro had contented herself by half-lying
in the main pool and watching the two sempais from there, doing a few laps of
her own once in a while. She still couldn't stand kids despite having met that
unusual boy who knew Belldandy, whose name she couldn't remember, and being near
the kiddy pool was fraying her nerves.
To one side, Urd
and Mara were ribbing each other about how one was already too dark to get a
tan, and the other was too light and needed one. Mara told Urd that she could
skin herself and give it to Mara, but Urd had returned the comment by telling
Mara didn't have a good enough figure to fit into the skin even if Urd could
take it off. Belldandy had to take some time off to seperate the two, and
eventually Mara told them that she would be leaving, no hard feelings intended.
Belldandy had bade Mara a cheerful goodbye.
Megumi, well,
Megumi was pretty much in cloud nine by now. A few of the guys had offered to
treat her to a drink or ice cream, and some had asked her for a date. Megumi had
considered. One of them was a really nice guy from her school. Maybe...
And Keiichi? Well, Keiichi was a much better swimmer by
now. Peorth commented that Keiichi swam like a lame duck, but at least he could
swim properly now. Uruz had made a few friends, and the sempais... we'll not go
into that, save that a lot of kids would probably end up having nightmares about
two grown ups in their pool.
But all in all, everything
was fine. They were packing up and preparing to return to the temple for a
special surprise Belldandy had arranged. As Peorth waited by the side, Uruz was
clinging to her arm. Peorth looked down at her.
"You
really can't leave me alone, can you?"
Uruz looked up at
her adoptive sister. She shook her head and smiled.
"Nope. You're my big sister now!" She giggled.
Peorth
groaned. Kids.
"Ok guys!" Urd announced. "We're set, packed, and ready to
go!" Everyone cheered. They trotted off, and as Belldandy passed Peorth, she
nodded.
"Would you like to come back to the temple with
us, Peorth? We have a special event I'm sure you'd love to take part in."
Peorth blinked. Uruz tugged at her arm.
"Come on, sis. I'm sure we could go! I'm going for sure.
I still have the Almighty's Orders to stick by."
Peorth
looked at Uruz, then back at Belldandy as the rest of the troope marched by. She
cocked her head to one side for a second, and shrugged. It wasn't easy, with
someone clinging to your arm.
"Sure, why not?"
{End of Chapter 17}
{Chapter
18 : Noise}