Release 1.2
December 24th, 1996
An AMG/OMG Fan-Fiction Featuring Skuld Disclaimer I would like to publicly thank omega@freenet.toronto.on.ca for thy work. First as a proof reader, then a full fledge editor, and finaly as a net-friend. Without thy help this story would have never seen the light of the net. I would also like to publicly thank kschultzl@isd.net and hcobb@slip.net for all of their work editing and pointing out my mistakes. A fan fiction based on Kosuke Fujishima's on going manga series "Ah! My Goddess" (Also know as "Oh My Goddess!"). Keiichi Morisato, Belldandy, Urd, Skuld, and Megumi Morisato are copyright 1991, 1996 Kosuke Fujishima, and used without permission. Kenji copyright 1995, 1996, Ed Sharpe. Donner copyright 1996 Ed Sharpe. Dramas Personal Keiichi Morisato: A collage student at Nekomi Institute of Technology (NIT), majoring in engineering. He lives in a temple with Belldandy and her two sisters. Belldandy: Goddess of the present, staying at Keiichi's side because of his wish and her own free will. Urd: Belldandy's Older sister, goddess of the past, with tan skin and a nice figure. Skuld: Goddess of the future, the youngest of the three goddesses. Kenji: Keiichi's cousin on his mother's side. Donner: A god. A childhood friend of Skuld. * * * * * * * * * Donner * * * * * * * * * * "Da daa dada daaa daa," a girl -- no, a young woman, hummed "The Ride of The Valkyries(1)" happily as she scooped ice cream into her dish. The supple hints of budding sexuality were upon her features, her long black hair bellowed behind her as if alive. He had rounded blue plectrum shaped markings on each cheek, adjacent to her eyes, as well as a larger one on the middle of her forehead, which give her a sensual, exotic look, Exiting the temple with the dish in hand, Skuld was confronted with a scene that shattered her good mood. There on the porch, where everyone could see, a young man and lady in their early twenties, sat talking. His short black hair, with bangs in his eyes, seems to want to go in all directions at once. Her long light brown hair flowed behind her, borne on some unsensed wind. On her forehead and both cheeks were small violet ovals. Her blue-violet eyes shone with their own inner light. Like Belldandy, Keiichi's dark eyes shone with their own inner light. Keiichi was pestering Older Sister. Keiichi was all over Older Sister, pawing her goddess' body with his thelyphthoric hands. Just the thought of where his hands might have been on her older sister made Skuld nauseous as she thrust another spoonful of ice cream in her mouth. Really, thought Skuld as she inserted herself between the two of them, just because his wish has bonded you to him, that does not give him the right to paw you like that! Looking across Skuld at Keiichi, Belldandy spoke, "I am sorry, Keiichi-san." Glaring at Skuld, Keiichi did not bother hiding the sarcasm in his voice. "It's all right, she's just a little kid." "I am not!" Skuld snapped back, 'How dare he, a mortal, call me, a goddess, a little kid. Really Older Sister, you apologize way too much. You should never apologize to this person. He should apologize to you for forcing you to become a martyr!' Skuld thought as she whacked Keiichi with her spoon. The three of them sat in silence as Skuld slowly ate her ice-cream. "Ring ----, ring ----," the telephone reverberated throughout the temple. Uncharacteristically, it was followed by Urd yelling from somewhere inside the temple, "I'll get it." "Oh, Skuld-chan, it's your little play-mate Kenji-chan." Urd shouted teasingly from the depths of the temple. Squealing in delight, Skuld jumped up and dashed into the temple, leaving her ice cream behind rattling in sudden neglect, and Belldandy to fend off Keiichi's advances on her own. Kenji, now he was a mortal worthy of a goddess's heart. Kenji needed no stinkin' wish to get a girlfriend. A young man who could win any girl's heart, who was too good for any mere mortal girl's heart, had won the heart of this goddess (second class, limited). Why can't Belldandy find someone worthy of her, instead of that jerk? "Kenji," Skuld sang into the phone. * * * * * * * * * Earlier, Urd saw it all from her perch in the cherry tree, where Keiichi and Belldandy could not see her spying on them, while sipping her sake. No, not spying, standing vigil over the two, praying that Keiichi would finally put the "moves" on her little sister and consummate the contract, when Skuld came out of the temple, ruining Urd's good mood with her interference. Urd had had it with her little sister. Why did she always insist on interfering with Bell and Keiichi. They had been doing nothing. A real "G" rated scene, in fact, if there was rating milder than "G" they would gotten it! They weren't even kissing, let alone sticking their tongues down each other's throats and otherwise exchanging bodily fluids. Well, it is about time to teach you a little lesson, thought Urd as she divided herself into several Mini-Urds. All men are dogs (except Keiichi) Skuld, and the sooner you learn that, the better off you will be. * * * * * * * * * Later, 'Everything is set,' thought Leader-Sensei Mini-Urd from her hiding place near the phone. With a sense of irony, Leader-Sensei Mini-Urd set her lesson plan into motion. "Switch-on!" she shouted quietly, as she depressed a big red button. "Ring ----, ring ----," the telephone in the temple shouted. Picking up her mini-microphone Leader-Sensei Mini-Urd shouted, "I'll get it!" Leader-Sensei Mini-Urd slowly counted to ten, then spoke in her best teasing voice into to her mini-microphone again, "Oh, Skuld-chan, it's your little play-mate Kenji-chan." Look-Out Mini-Urd watched her little sister receive the news of who was on the phone. 'What a hypocrite,' Look-Out Mini-Urd thought as she saw Skuld squealing in delight run into the temple. 'It is alright for you to have a mortal boyfriend, but not Bell!' "Urd?" Skuld called out, but her sister had left, leaving the phone unattended. "Kenji," Skuld bleated excitedly into the phone. "Hello Skuld-chan," Voice-of-Kenji Mini-Urd spoke into her mini-microphone, doing her best to imitate Kenji. Voice-of-Kenji Mini-Urd continued, "You are probably wondering why I called. Well, my friend Omega-kun asked me whether I talked to you while making love. And I had to say no. He said that I really should talk to you while making love, that girls really like it when the man that they love talks to them during intercourse." "Um...," Skuld interrupted Voice-of-Kenji Mini-Urd, "why are you calling me with this?" "Well so I can talk to you while having sex," answered Voice-of-Kenji Mini-Urd. "What!" Screamed Skuld into the phone. "How can we be making love when we are 99.314 kilometers away from each other?" "Oh! Am I suppose to be screwing YOU when I talk to you?" asked Voice-of-Kenji Mini-Urd in to her mini-microphone. "Who are you talking to on the phone?" moaned Faking-Having-Sex-With-Kenji Mini-Urd into the mini-microphone. "Your little sister Skuld," replied Voice-of-Kenji Mini-Urd. "Aaah, more, more K2," moaned Faking-Having-Sex-With-Kenji Mini-Urd. "I'm not sharing this with you, little sister!" Skuld was speechless. She could not believe her own ears. Kenji-- her Kenji-- was doing . . . doing . . . It was too horrible to think about. As her fragile, young mind sank deeper into the abyss of her goddess being, the world became a dark lonely place for Skuld. All she could hear was the breaking of her heart. It sounded like laughing. 'Laughing?' thought Skuld. 'Why do I hear laughing?' Sensei Mini-Urd had lost control. Skuld's reaction to the phone call had become too much for the Mini-Urd. As her laughter permeated the temple it infected the other Mini-Urds. Soon all four of them lay on the floor rolling in laughter. Slowly it began to dawn on Skuld that it was not the real Kenji that she had been talking to. Depressing the hook to get a dial tone, Skuld dialed Kenji's number. An older woman answered the phone. "Hello, is Kenji-kun there?" asked Skuld. "Yes, just a moment," the lady replied. "Hello?" Kenji queried into the phone. "Hello, Kenji." "Oh, hello Skuld. What's up?" "Did you just call me?" blustered a worried Skuld. An apprehensive Kenji replied, "No. Was I suppose to?" "No," a relieved Skuld answered. "You haven't seen my sister Urd today have you?" A now confused Kenji replied, "No. Is everything OK?" "Yes, Kenji, Yes!" a very relieved Skuld answered. "Don't worry about it, I will call you later, bye!" "Bye!" A very perplexed Kenji hung up the phone. "Urd! You will Pay!" Skuld vowed, putting down the phone as the Mini-Urds continued to laugh at her. * * * * * * * * * Skuld was pissed. Really pissed. Older sister Urd had finally crossed the line. Skuld understood and accepted that Urd had a mischievous streak, it was what made Urd, Urd. When Urd had gone over to the other side for a while, Skuld had forgiven her. Skuld had come to accept Urd trying to get Keiichi and Older Sister to do the "nasty," and had forgiven her for it. Even forgave her for giving Kenji such problems last month. But this outrage Skuld would never forgive. This cut through the ties of blood. As of today Urd was no longer her sister. It was sacrilege to toy, the way she did, with a young virgin's heart. No punishment, no torture, no pain would be too great to right this wrong against the hearts of all young girls. "Urd! You will Pay!" Skuld vowed again, shaking her fists at the heavens. "Banpei-kun, fetch my armor," Skuld commanded her faithful robot. As Banpei-kun left, Skuld slowly began to undress in a cool, slow, measured manner. Her precise movements frightening in their deliberate perfection. By the time Skuld had finished undressing, Banpei-kun had returned with her armor. As Banpei-kun handed Skuld each piece, she began to dress. First was a short skirt of parboiled leather reinforced with metal studs. Next, a lightly padded blouse, over which Skuld donned a light form fitting breast plate of black enameled metal. Next Skuld pulled on a pair of low-top boots, each with a large brass button on the toe. Next on were her greaves, made of a golden metal, they covered her kneecaps and her lower leg down to her boots. Vambraces of the same metal as the greaves covered Skuld's lower arms. As Skuld pulled red leather gloves over her hands, Banpei-kun handed her a small helmet of the same material as the breast plate, topped with horse hair dyed red. Setting the helmet on her head, Skuld gave Banpei-kun one last command, "Bring it!" Banpei-kun hesitated at the command. "Bring it now!" Skuld shouted as the light the men call reason slowly faded from her eyes. * * * * * * * * * Banpei-kun entered carrying a dusty wooden box. As the robot placed the box on the table, Skuld moved to it and wiped the dust off of it. The small brass plate on the top was etched: "Mjolnir, Beta." Opening the box Skuld removed a wide belt of dark red leather which she fastened around her midriff. She then lifted a hammer out of the box. Where Skuld's usual hammer, the Mjolnir Mk II, was slender this hammer was massive, and as hers was bright this one was dark. Lifting the hammer above her head, the lights in the room dimmed, free lighting began to play around Skuld and her new hammer, and as thunder sounded in the distance, Skuld again vowed, "You will pay Urd!" * * * * * * * * * Putting a Jimi Hendrix tape into her walkman, Skuld pressed the play button. With "Stone Free" blaring in her ears, Skuld slipped out of the temple. 'Die, Urd, Die!' though Skuld. 'Your's will not be a slow painful death older sister! Not until I have sucked the marrow out of your bones and washed myself in your blood will there be justice in the world. Until Mjolnir eats your brain, the voices of a thousand virgins will cry for justice.' Spying Urd across the courtyard through a blood red haze that tinted her vision Skuld let out a soul-rending scream. "Aiyeeeeee." Skuld's scream interrupted Urd's sake drinking. Looking up Urd saw a battle crazed Skuld running, swinging her hammer above her head. Staggering to her feet, Urd uttered the first thing that came to her. "Skuld, have you been watching Xena again?" Rushing Urd, Skuld took a mighty overhead swing with her hammer at Urd's head. At the last possible nano-second Urd's self-preservation instinct kicked in, allowing Urd to evade her little sister's blow. But, not quick enough to avoid having the hammer smash down on her right big toe. "Shit!" screamed Urd, "That is going to hurt, you little brat." 'That is when the sake wares off' Urd added under her breath. Looking up from examining her toe, Urd saw Skuld regain her balance and prepare to take another wild swing, this time from the left side, like the great Sadaharu Oh going for number 869. Hopping on her good foot, Urd jumped back, just out of the way of Mjolnir as Skuld continued to wildly swing her Vengeance Weapon. Grabbing her own blouse by the collar, Urd pulled it down, exposing her fully-developed breasts. "See these Skuld? Its called cleavage! If you had some, Kenji might want to be seen with you in public!" teased Urd. As the two sister's continued their game of connect the hammer to the head, thunder clouds un-naturally began to form over the temple courtyard. "Damn it you little punk!" cursed Urd as her little sister wildly continued to try to connect Urd's head with Mjolnir. "Give it a rest Skuld! You are going to really hurt someone if you keep this up." Jumping away from another wild overhead swing, Urd stuck her tongue out. Skuld paused, gulping in air, her body working as fast as possible to replace the oxygen she had burned in her frenzied pursuit of Urd. "Have you got it out of your system yet?" asked Urd from just out of Skuld's and Mjolnir's reach. "It was just a joke. You know that I have no designs on Kenji and I don't think he even likes big tits!" But Skuld heard nothing of her sister's plea. Her body's need for oxygen had not restored her intellect. All she knew was pain, and the source of that pain was in front of her; destroy it and the pain go away. Lifting Mjolnir above her head, Skuld leapt at Urd. But as Skuld ascended nature intervened. "Ka-boom," the lighting bolt thundered, striking Skuld in mid-leap, and throwing Urd across the courtyard, dropping her on her ass. 'Woooo,' thought Urd. 'That was way too close.' Standing, Urd rubbed her cute behind. 'That is going to leave one hell of a bruise. Maybe I'll get Keiichi to kiss it better.' Looking the across the courtyard, Urd saw the cause of the lighting. 'So it was just Donner arriving from Asgard. I wish he could arrive by stepping out of a T.V. or something. Lighting bolts are so damn loud.' As she moved toward Donner, Urd saw what had become of Skuld. She lay in a small crater surrounded by scorch marks, dressed in the smoking remains of her armor. Next to her knelt Donner. "Ice-creama, ice-creama," was all Skuld could say. Endlessly repeating the word as her eyes spun crazily. "I'm sorry, Skuld-chan; I'm sorry, Skuld-chan," the boy kept repeating. The absurdity of the situation was too much for Urd. Breaking out into hysterical laughter Urd fell to the ground, bruising her other cheek. With Urd in hysterics, Skuld dreaming about ice-cream, and Donner apologizing for it all, Keiichi and Belldandy entered the courtyard un-noticed. "Oh my!" exclaimed Belldandy at the sight that confronted them. 'What now,' thought Keiichi, resigned to the bizarre in his life. Keiichi moved toward Skuld and the boy that knelt beside her, intent on finding out just what the hell was going on. As he approached, the young boy interposed himself between Keiichi and Skuld. "Who are you, mortal?" demanded the boy, "Dare you not to come closer." At his words Keiichi halted his forward progress to take a good look at this boy. He was short, only a hand's breath taller than Skuld, and of the same age. His bright red hair was tied in a small braid. He, like the three goddesses, had small markings on his forehead and each cheek. Where Skuld's were shaped like rounded plectrums, his were shaped like small lighting bolts. In his hand he held a hammer, twin to the one in Skuld's hands. Coming up behind Keiichi, Belldandy wrapped her arms around Keiichi's waist and, resting her chin on his right shoulder. She answered the boy's question. "Greetings Dooner-kun, he is Morisato Keiichi-san." His eyes widened, "'The' Morisato Keiichi?" the boy asked. Simply, "Yes," Belldandy replied as she gave Keiichi a squeeze. Bowing, the boy introduced himself, "I am Donner, Son of Thunder. I apologize for my earlier rudeness. May I stay with you while I am here on Midgard?" "Why?" asked a puzzled Keiichi. "Why? Why I am here to visit Skuld-chan. She is my best friend after all," Donner stated in a matter-of-fact tone. Bending down Donner gathered Skuld's stunned body into his arms, lifting Skuld with an ease that shouted of an inhuman strength not apparent from his size. "Belldandy," began Donner, "if you would be so kind as to show me to Skuld's room, I will tend to her until she recovers." "This way Donner. I am sure Skuld will be honored to have you attend her," responded Belldandy, as they moved toward the temple. Forgotten, Urd continued to laugh in the courtyard; unable to contain herself, Urd soon divided into six mini-urds, each paradoxically laughing harder than the other. * * * * * * * * * * * Donner gently laid Skuld upon the futon Belldandy and Keiichi had prepared. "Thank you Belldandy, Morisato." "I'll make you and Skuld some tea," offered Belldandy. "Tea! That is a sissies' drink, have you not wine in this place?" queried Donner. "Wine?" exclaimed Keiichi, "Aren't you a little young for wine?" "I'm a god!" thundered Donner, "I was there when Beowulf threw down Grendel; I watched as Harold lost his eye, his life, and his crown to the bastard duke that September day; I have feasted with my father in the great hall, and dare you to tell me I am too young, mortal!" "I'm sorry Donner," softly interrupted Belldandy, "But here on Midgard you will have to have tea!" "I understand Belldandy," Donner weakly responded. "While on Midgard I will follow customs." Then, under his breath, added, "Tho' its more like Niflheim than Midgard." Closing the door to Skuld's room, Belldandy smiled weakly at Keiichi. "Um, Belldandy," began Keiichi. "Yes? Keiichi-san." "Is it alright to leave him alone with Skuld in her bedroom?" "It will be all right. They are old childhood friends. Skuld thinks of Donner like a brother." * * * * * * * * * * * Back in Skuld's room Donner began to soliloquize, "Skuld why do you sojourn here on Midgard? It is no longer the Midgard of old when men were men, brave and free, living by their own strength. When women were beautiful and loyal, trusting in the strength of their man. The air was clean and sharp, and with every breath you knew you were alive. Now the skies are choked with smoke and poisons. Men are weak cowardly liars, afraid of women, --no, girls! What a backward place Midgard has become, where the women are strong and the men pretty. This is not Midgard; it is Niflheim! What is it about mortals that so fascinate you and your sisters?" * * * * * * * * * * In the beginning there was the void. And in the void a voice began to speak, "ice-creama, ice-creama." Slowly Skuld's conscience became first aware of the mantra, then the fact that she was Skuld. Painfully Skuld put her brain back on-line. "Ice-creama, ice-creama." Skuld wished that who ever it was that kept repeating 'ice-creama' would shut the heck up, only to realize that it was her. Where was she? What had happened? Skuld could not answer these basic questions. Another voice began to filter into her brain from out of the void. "Skuld-chan, are you alright?" 'O yes,' Skuld recalled. Kenji. It all started with a phone call from Kenji. Only it was not really a phone call from Kenji. It was a nightmare. 'Oh Kenji, you are here, I had the most horrible dream.' As light began to chase the blackness from her vision, and she could just see his outline. Skuld pulled Kenji to her, kissing him. But something was wrong! Opening her eyes fully, Skuld realized that it was Donner she was kissing. Pulling away in horror from him Skuld stared at him. 'At least I didn't use any tongue.' Skuld thought in a silent prayer to kami-sama as she covered her mouth with her hands. "Thank you for the welcome, Skuld-chan, I didn't know you missed me so much," Donner responded, pleasantly surprised at Skuld's kiss. "Ahh, umm," was all Skuld managed to get out. "Did I really taste that bad?" Donner joked, trying to break the embarrassment of the moment. "No, it is not that," replied Skuld. "It's just that I thought. . . I'm sorry." "No need to apologize, Skuld-chan, I quite enjoyed it." 'I am sorry Kenji, I was unfaithful, please forgive me,' prayed Skuld. "But if you did not know it was me, who did you think you were kissing?" asked Donner. "Excuse me," Belldandy interrupted the two. "Oh, Skuld you are awake. Are you okay?" "Thank you, Older Sister, I feel fine!" Skuld answered, grateful for the rescue. "I have made some cake, and the tea is ready, if you would like to join me and Keiichi-san," Belldandy offered, leaving the two of them to follow at their own pace. "So Donner, what brings you to Midgard?" Skuld hesitantly asked, still embarrassed. "Well to see you of course. It has been a long time Skuld. I missed my partner in crime." "You missed me? How could you be lonely in Asgard? What with all of your brothers and classmates." A surprised Skuld answered, while thinking, 'I didn't think anyone in Asgard would miss me.' "Don't get me wrong, Skuld. I'm not lonely, and there always seems to be something to do. But Asgard in not the same without you and your sisters. Do you remember the time we faked that amorous E-Mail message from Aphrodite to Wotan." "I'm so embarrassed that you remember that. Fricka went ballistic when she saw it! We would have been found out if Urd had not decided to ride Sleipner through Valhalla's formal dinning-room that night!" Recollected Skuld. "I don't think I have ever seen her so drunk. I wonder what she was drinking?" mused the red headed boy. "I think it was something called 'Tequila'," Skuld offered. "She said it was made from the fermented blood of Jormungandr, but you know how she likes to tell tales." "O-Boy do I. Do you remember the time she told everyone she kept Odin's eye in a pickle jar?" "Actually that is true!" stated Skuld. "I think she has it hidden around here somewhere." "No shit!" thundered Donner. "No wonder she tried to rip Lodge's tongue out of his head." "I've seldom seen her so mad. Of course you cooled the situation off by deluding us all in that sudden thunder storm." recalled Skuld. "That was great, but I couldn't have done it you hadn't given me access to the Yggdrasil computer system." added Donner. Skuld remembered by rubbing her tush. "I couldn't sit down for two weeks after that. But it was worth it to see the look on Urd's face when she got hit with that torrent of water!" Amazed that Urd actually did have Odin's eye, Donner asked, "How the hell did Urd get Odin's eye in the first place?" "I don't know, but it was about the same time she started to drink. And drink is all that Urd seems to do now days," sighed Skuld, a little bit of worry for her sister creeping into her voice. "Skuld, seeing you again is so much better than I imagined it to be. Skuld..." Interrupting Donner, Skuld made a request. "We better go. The tea is getting cold, and if we are too late Keiichi will eat all of the cake. I'm sure Older Sister would like to visit with you too." "As you wish." Rising from her futon Skuld guided Donner to the tea room. Belldandy, by hand, was feeding Keiichi some cake when Skuld entered. "Really, Older Sister! Must you do that?" Snapped Skuld. "Now Skuld, we have been over this before, and we have a guest," Belldandy replied. Turning her attention to Donner she continued, "Have a seat Donner. I hope you will find this Darjeeling tea refreshing after your trip from Asgard." "Thank you, Belldandy," replied Donner, confused over Skuld's reaction to her sister's behavior. 'Is it not the duty of the woman to serve her lover?' thought Donner as he sat down opposite of Keiichi. "Skuld wouldn't you prefer to sit next to your friend?" Keiichi suggested as Skuld tried to insert herself between himself and Belldandy. As all eyes turned to her, Skuld sheepishly sat down next to Donner, leaving Older Sister next to that pervert Keiichi. Ever the perfect hostess, Belldandy began the conversation. "So Donner, are you here on business or just pleasure?" "I am here to see Skuld. Pleasure all the way." Donner replied in an almost rakish tone. With Belldandy's attention focused on Donner, Skuld took the opportunity to silently stick her tongue out at Keiichi. "Skuld?" began Belldandy. "Yes? Older Sister?" a startled Skuld responded. "After tea," Belldandy continued, "you better get out of those soiled clothes and take a bath." A meek Skuld agreed. "Yes, Older Sister." "Donner do you remember taking baths with Skuld when you were little?" asked Belldandy. "Older Sister!" wailed Skuld, her face red in embarrassment. "It's nothing to be ashamed about Skuld; we were both little kids at the time. In fact we even snuck out once and went skinny dipping when we where in kindergarten," Donner added. "O my!" exclaimed Belldandy. "Skuld, did you really?" A very humiliated Skuld chose to look at her hands in her lap rather than answering. "This is really delicious cake, Belldandy," Donner stated, tying to change the subject. "Why thank you, Donner. It is a new recipe I got from my friend Betty Crocker. It is really nice of you to visit. Skuld has been a little blue since Kenji left." 'Was it Kenji Skuld thought she was kissing?' Thought Donner before inquiring, with a hint of jealousy in his voice, "Kenji? Who is Kenji?" "Just Keiichi's cousin," interjected Skuld, chagrined that the conversation seem to move from one embarrassing topic to another. "I just helped him with his computer programming homework while he was here, that's all. So, Donner, what are you doing now days?" "Well I am working in TAK, (The Acts of Kami-sama department) as a backup thunder and lighting technician." "O' I thought so," responded Belldandy, "I can always tell when its one of your thunderclaps; they have such a unique sound. There seems like there is something almost reckless about them." "Thank you. I try very hard to make each one a work of art." To Skuld's relief the rest of tea passed without anymore embarrassing moments. * * * * * * * * * "Belldandy, that was delicious!" Donner stated the obvious to all who were present. He had just finished his third serving of chirinabe. Keiichi too was just finishing, but he, unlike Donner, had spent most of dinner looking at his own dinner instead of eating it. When the three girls finished, Donner already had enjoyed a second helping. 'So far, so good,' thought Skuld. To her relief, supper had so far passed without any of the embarrassing revelations that had marked tea. "So Skuld," Belldandy asked, "what are you and Donner going to do tonight?" "Aaa, uuum, I don't know. I haven't thought about it." Skuld stammered. "What would you like to do Donner?" "I don't know. What does one do for fun here on Midgard?" "Maybe we all could go to the video-arcade," offered Skuld, looking at Belldandy for help. "Sounds good to me!" interjected Urd. "Let's go then!" Grabbing Skuld and Donner, Urd dragged the two teenagers out of the room. "Older Sister!" Skuld pleaded looking to Belldandy to save her from Urd. Belldandy waved good-bye to the trio. "Have a good time Skuld. I'll bake some cookies for later. Bye, bye!" "Hey, we can go to the pachinko parlor too!" Urd added from down the hallway. Belldandy turned her attention to Keiichi-san. All through dinner he had been quiet, lost in thought. Belldandy was worried that she had done something to upset him. But then Keiichi-san looked up from examining his tea, a warmth spread throughout her body, "Keiichi-san?" "Yes, Belldandy?" "It looks like it will be just the two of us tonight..." "What about the cookies?" Keiichi asked, knowing that he would have to explain to Skuld why Belldandy was unable to make them. "I have already made them." "..." * * * * * * * * * After spending the day alone with Skuld at the temple talking and reminiscing about old times, Donner finished Monday night's dinner by putting his foot in his mouth. "That was delicious Belldandy. Keiichi is a very lucky man to have you as his lover." "She is not his lover!" Skuld screamed, "Right? Older Sister?" Belldandy blushed, as Keiichi stammered, "A-a-a-a-a-a." "That's right," offered Urd. "Not that the two of them haven't thought about it! Keiichi is just too damn shy." "Urd!" Shouted Skuld, "stop encouraging them!" "Skuld, you are such a hypocrite!" Countered Urd. "What did you and Donner do all day with no one here to chaperon? Nudge, nudge, wink, wink." Adding under her breath, 'I have seen how you look at Kenji. And now you have Donner here too. I see you're playing the field, and keeping your options open, little sister.' Embarrassed, Skuld continued to scream at Urd, "Donner is just a friend! How come you have to turn everything into sex?" "Because everything comes down to sex!" "Skuld Bomba!" Skuld screamed, reaching into her blouse. White-grey fog formed around Urd as she chanted, "Whether in sea or fire, in earth or air, extravagant and erring spirit hie to my defense!"(2) Skuld flung her bomb at Urd. As the grenade reached the fog surrounding Urd it slowed to a stop before reversing its trajectory. Landing in Skuld's lap her bomb exploded, filling the room with dark grey smoke. "Hear my voice O wind." Belldandy chanted, "Awake and heed my command: Blow, blow spirit of air, obey your mistress and clear this room." A gentle wind began to blow, and soon the room was cleared of the smoke. "Dj$w.$m $g $d Do.:%@!^=/[] Dq$g$?x ($x)$. S3 R$*<>$* $@@ R<$*<@$+>> $@$1<@$2> R$*<$+>$*," Skuld mumbled as she stood up and left the dinning room, her clothes singed and torn, and her hair a disheveled mess. 'What did I say?' thought Donner as Skuld stormed out of the dinning room. 'Does she really only think of me as a friend?' "Sister!" Belldandy grilled Urd, "Why must you tease Skuld so?" "I must be cruel, only to be kind(3)," Urd offered, as she too left the room. * * * * * * * * * Wednesday night, Urd in mini-Urd form quietly made her way to Skuld's room. Skuld and Donner where going over a set of blue-prints they had been working on all day. "You see Skuld," Donner was explaining, "if you increase the bus speed to 132 GHz, along with increasing the width of the bus to 64 mega-bits you will increase the through-put from the Flux-Capacitor to the Over-Thruster by a factor of ten. "Ah so," Skuld answered, "I see, but we will have a lot of wasted band-width 80 percent of the time." Donner nodded his head in agreement. "I know, but the other 20 percent is the critical part, at that time we will be maxing out the bus!" "Yes you are right, that critical 20 percent will max out our ability to move instructions down the pipe. But that is the important distinction. It is instructions, not data that we have to push down that pipe." "Brilliant Skuld!" Donner exclaimed, excitement burning in his eyes. Skuld explained. "If we can optimize the causality fluctuation algorithm by just five percent, the new bus design will be able to feed the Flux-Capacitor block transfer computations fast enough to achieve stability in the Chameleon Circuit." "You're a genius Skuld!" Donner declared, giving Skuld a hug around the shoulders. "No you are the genius! Your redesign of the influx booster circuits was a work of art," giggled Skuld in rapture over their design. "Well get the source code out and let's get to optimizing it." As Skuld pulled out a ream of paper on which Urd assumed the program was written, Urd cursed. Kami-sama! How can two teenagers be so boring! The thingy-majiggy goes into the whachamacallit that interfaces with the doohickey! AAAAAH! It makes my head hurt! Then a wicked smiled crossed Urd's mind. I could teach both of you a thing or two about putting a doohickey into a whachamacallit. What they need is a little C15H15N2CON(C2H5)2 in their milk, Urd decided. You almost think that they loved their computer more than... Urd paused and thoughtfully watched the two teenagers inanely chatter on about their invention. Who do you love little sister? Aaa Donner, my naive sister has no idea how you feel about her. What will you do if she does not choose you? Dear kami-sama Skuld! You have no idea how much it is going to hurt when you break one of theirs heart. It hurts just thinking about it! Sighing, mini-Urd wandered away from her sibling's room in search of yet another bottle of sake and forgetfulness. * * * * * * * * * "My, my, how interesting," Urd remarked as Skuld and Donner entered the dinning room Friday night for dinner. "Hun?" Donner responded. "You two look very cute with your matching outfits," Belldandy added. "What?" Skuld stammered. Looking at Donner, the flush of embarrassment colored her face as she realized that though she was wearing a skirt, and Donner pants, that their outfits matched in color and cut, each accented in red and their ever present hammer. "How embarrassing," murmured Skuld as she sat down. "What's so embarrassing about it? I think it is cute," remarked Keiichi "It just shows how much alike you two are." Urd observed. 'What does she mean by that?' thought Skuld. 'What does she mean by that?' thought Donner, as he sat down. Belldandy agreed. "You're so right Urd. Keiichi? Would you like me to make us matching outfits?" Keiichi nodded his agreement. "If it would make you happy Belldandy." "That would be very cute." Donner interjected. Skuld turn her attention toward Donner, trying to bore a hole in his head with her stare. "W... what?" stammered Donner. "W.. What I do?" Skuld dropped her gaze, and shook her head. "Please don't encourage them." "Lighten up already Skuld." Urd pleaded. "It's not like having matching clothes means they are sleeping with each other. Or is there something you are trying to tell us with your matching outfits?" "Wrong!" screamed Skuld at Urd. "Right Donner?" The flush of embarrassment apparent to all upon his face, Donner nodded his agreement with Skuld. "The lady doth protest too much, methinks."(4) countered Urd. "Urd, you tedious old fool!" Urd sighed, having not the energy nor the will to fight. "No need to get so worked up, Skuld." Rasing her sake cup, she proclaimed, "Kanpai! To friendship!" The rest of the table raised their tea cups at Urd's toast, "To Friendship!" "So what are you two going to do tonight?" asked Belldandy. Before Skuld could speak, Donner lightly tapped her shin with his foot. "I'm pretty tired. I thought I would watch the stars for awhile, and turn in early," Donner informed them. "I have some modifications to Banpei-kun I wish to make tonight." Skuld added. Urd added her plans to the discussion. "I guess I will just watch some T.V. then." Belldandy beamed a smile at Keiichi. "Well it sounds like a nice quiet evening then." "This looks delicious!" What is it called? Donner asked, as he dug in to the plate of food in front of him. "It is called sukiyaki," Belldandy answered. "Hey leave us some!" Keiichi and Urd yelled in unison, as everyone began to eat. * * * * * * * * * Leaving Urd watching TV, Skuld slipped un-noticed into the courtyard behind the temple. "There you are Donner. I thought you where going to turn in early tonight." "Skuld, I am tired of everyone tagging along, so what say you to sneaking out to see a movie?" asked Donner. "I don't know. I am not really suppose to go off without letting someone know where I am," stammered Skuld. "By Woden's Spear!" Donner cursed. "Are you not a goddess? Why do you let them, especially that mortal, treat you like a little kid?" "Let's go! What are you think of seeing?" "I though you would like to see 'Mission Impossible'," answered Donner. "But its only playing in America!" exclaimed Skuld. Taking Skuld by her hand, Donner lead Skuld across the courtyard toward a telephone-pole. "What good is it being a god if you can not see a movie when you want to?" Skuld's vision blurred in a flash of white and her head began to swim. When her vision returned, Skuld found herself standing next to Donner on a small sphere whizzing through space. Looking around Skuld took in the strange world she was in. Although lighted, there was no discernable source for the light. The sphere she and Donner were on flew through the air like a mini-comet. There were many other spheres visibly whirling around them, some circling other spheres, forming mini-solar systems. "Where are we?" Skuld asked. Nonchalantly Donner replied, "We are riding an electron inside of a wire that makes up the global communication network. We should be in America in a minute or two, our relative time." "Wow! It's so fantastic, like a ride at Disneyland," Skuld exclaimed. * * * * * * * * * "Ring..., ring....," the phone shouted, interrupting Urd's T.V. watching. Somehow Skuld and Donner had managed to slip out of the temple without her. Urd was bummed, another Friday night watching reruns. She could not even remember the last time she had a date, let alone the last time she snuggling up to something soft, warm, and hard. "Ring..., ring...," the phone demanded attention. Urd shouted down the hallway. "Belldandy, are you going to get that?" As in response to her question, Urd was greeted with the sound of Belldandy's voice drifting from the far side of the temple. "Keiichi-san that tickles!" "O brother!" Urd swore as she got up to answer the phone. "If he knew what he was doing it wouldn't tickle little sister." Picking up the phone, Urd gave the phone the tribute it demanded. "Hello!" Pausing, Urd listened to the phone. "No, I'm sorry she is out somewhere with Donner." She responded to its query. "Sure, I'll let her know you called." Urd assured the phone after another pause. "You know I'm free tonight." She added. "How noble of you." * * * * * * * * * Arriving back at the temple in the wee hours of the morning, in the same matter that they had left, Skuld and Donner materialized in the courtyard in a flash of lighting. As her vision cleared, Skuld began, "Donner, thank you for the movie. I had a really good time. I had forgotten how much fun we used to have in Asgard. Well it is late, good night." "Just a second Skuld," Donner spoke, stopping Skuld from entering the temple. Taking Skuld's face in his hands Donner gently kissed Skuld on the lips. Breaking the kiss, Donner lingered for a moment, before moving back. "What was that for?" Stammered Skuld. "What was that for? Do you not understand, Skuld. Can you not see that with all of my heart, with all of my mind, with all of my soul, yes, even with all of my body I do love thee, Skuld. I have always loved you Skuld. If you ever had any affection toward me. Even if that affection is not yet love, grant me this one boon; come back with me to Asgard," pleaded Donner. Blind-sided by Donner's confession, Skuld stood there looking at her childhood friend. "I do not know what to say," Skuld finally managed to get out. "Only say that you will return to Asgard with me," replied Donner. "I have to think, this is all so sudden. I..., I... ." Pivoting, Skuld sprinted into the temple. Her head and her heart raging in a clashing symphony of words, thoughts and emotions, her eyes turning into water. "Ah, my Skuld," Donner soliloquized. "You are so cute when you are flustered. When first I came to Midgard I had a rougher task in mind, but now I would dare all. Waste not your time on this unworthy Midgard, Skuld. I have had my fill of mortals; I long for our home, and thirst for mead and thee" * * * * * * * * * Belldandy was up early, even for her, working on breakfast for her family. Skuld and Donner had been gone all night. Worried, Belldandy was not singing some little ditty to the food as was her habit. "Ano. . . ," Skuld interrupted her sister, as she entered the kitchen. "Skuld! Where have you been? Do you know how worried I have been about you?" Belldandy asked as she turned to look at her sister. "Skuld! Are you OK? You have been crying, haven't you?" "Please don't chastise me," pleaded Skuld. "Donner has asked me to return to Asgard with him, and I do not know what to do Older Sister." "For a visit?" Belldandy asked, sure that it was more than just a visit that had Skuld upset. Looking at her shoes, Skuld simply spook her head 'no'. "Kenji?" Belldandy stated more than asked. "Older Sister do you miss Asgard?" "Yes, Skuld, I do so miss Asgard, and my friends. But...," Belldandy answered. "But?" "I have something here on Midgard more precious than all the gold in the Rhine. Keiichi-san is all I could ever want, all I want, all I ever wanted, all I will ever want. Listen to your heart little sister," Belldandy advised. 'But,' thought Skuld as she studied her shoes, 'I can't hear my heart over the din that my head is making!' "Skuld?" Belldandy continued. "Yes, Older Sister?" "When I can not think clearly, I do something relaxing, something I like to do, to rest my mind. Like knitting, or cooking, but maybe you would prefer to work on Banpei-kun." Suggested Belldandy. Throwing her arms around Belldandy, Skuld gave her older sister a hug. Disengaging herself, Skuld left Belldandy to finish breakfast. "Skuld." Belldandy's voice stopped her sister in the doorway of the kitchen. "Yes?" "I do love thee, no mater what you do," Belldandy added as she turned back to her task of preparing breakfast. Silently Skuld left. * * * * * * * * * * Returning to her room, Skuld tried to work on improving a servo in Banpei-kun's legs. But her heart would not let her mind concentrate on the task. Sighing in frustration, Skuld turned on her computer. 'Maybe some net-surfing will relax me,' thought Skuld. Connecting to Yggdrasil, Skuld found an E-mail message awaiting her. Hesitatingly Skuld began to read: Return-Path: aeka@usagi.jrd.dec-j.co.jp To: skuld@yggdrasil.asgard Subject: Insomnia, thinking about you From: Takaiyama Kenji <takenji@win.or.jp> Content-ID: <4062.826867040.1@super.win.or.jp> Date: Fri, 24 May 199X 04:17:20 +0900 Sender: takenji@super.win.or.jp Reply-To: takenji@win.or.jp Dear Skuld, I called you today, but you weren't home. Urd said that you where out with Donner? I just could not sleep last night and spent the night staring at the ceiling and thinking about you. I hope you are well. I wish I could have phoned and heard your voice, but I did not want to wake you (or Keiichi). Anyway, about two o'clock this morning I wrote you a poem, it is not very good and does not rhyme, as I was not born under a riming planet(5), but I hope you like it. For Skuld if by being a writer, (a poet) made one a pen, (and if and deed I am a poet, despite what the critics may say) and I was a pen, (a slim and lovely silver pen that wrote with redandgold ink) and if this slim silver pen was yours, (as my darkred heart may well be) I would be a happy man clipped to your white cotton blouse by my strong fingers I would sleep nestled against your warm white breast with the music of your brightred heart upon my ears Kenji // // Member of SkAS // Skuld Appreciation Society // As she read, Skuld began to cry. To cry softly with gentle tears filling her eyes, unlike the torrents of tears she usually cried. Even tho' Donner was her best friend, and sometimes it seemed like they were so close that they could read each other's thoughts, Skuld had always thought of Donner as a brother. But that had all changed with three little words. Skuld had to admit to herself that Donner was cute, and he did have the most gorgeous red hair. But to think of him in a romantic way, well, yesterday Skuld would have called it incest, but today, like the temptation of a forbidden fruit, it was dangerously exciting. "Kenji, Oh my dear Kenji! I don't know what to do." Burying her head in her arms, Skuld cried until Belldandy called her to breakfast. * * * * * * * * * Entering the dinning room, Skuld found Keiichi and Urd already at the table, waiting for Belldandy to finish setting the table. To her relief, Donner was not present. Skuld knew she could not face her best friend without torrents of tears. Sitting down, Skuld picked up her rice bowl and, pouring her shiro miso over the rice, began to eat breakfast. Leaning over, Urd picked at Skuld's broiled fish with her chopsticks. "So Skuld, out all night were we?" "None of your darn business Urd," sneered Skuld. "What's the matter Skuld? Couldn't Donner 'rise' to the occasion. Or couldn't he measure up to 'K2' Kenji?" Teased Urd. "Only a whore like you would say such things!" "Why you little punk, what do you know? I otta teach you a lesson in manners," Urd offered. Standing up, Skuld reached into her blouse. "Come on then, we still haven't finished our last fight!" "Anytime, anyplace, you Xena clone!" Urd shouted as she stood up. "Slut!" "Lolita wanna-be!" "Sisters!" Screamed Belldandy as she jumped to her feet. "Can't we all just get along? Urd, I know you have been depressed about something. I wish you would talk to me about it. But, please do not take it out on Skuld. Skuld, I know it is hard, but do try and ignore her teasing. She only does it because she knows it will get a reaction out of you. You are both my dear sisters, and I do love no Aesir as much as I do you two. But, I will not tolerate such strife in Keiichi-san's home. Am I understood?" Belldandy stood her ground waiting for an answer. "Skuld?" "Yes, Older Sister." Skuld meekly replied. "And you Urd?" Belldandy asked turning her attention toward her older sister. "As you wish, sister," Urd solemnly agreed. "Let's eat then." Keiichi commanded, breaking the tension between the sisters. Skuld silently began to pick at her food, but after minute of this, she pushed her bowl away. "May I be excused? I don't feel well, and would like to lay down." Belldandy shot Urd a sharp commanding look before she could make some crack; wisely, Urd kept her tongue. "Of course you can go. Would you like me to wake you for lunch?" Offered Belldandy. "That is OK. I will set my alarm clock," Skuld answered as she left the room. "Well I'm done," announced Urd a minute later. "Urd?" Belldandy questioned. "Yes, Belldandy?" "Don't you go bothering Skuld." admonished Belldandy. "Don't worry. I have had my fill of that hormone time-bomb. I am going outside to catch some rays. Later!" "I thought they would never leave," sighed Belldandy. "Keiichi-san, I found this book in a used-book store yesterday. I thought we could read it together after breakfast." At Belldandy's unique request, a slightly confused Keiichi asked, "Sure Belldandy, that sounds fine. What is it called?" Leaning over, Belldandy whispered into Keiichi's ear and ran her hand up his arm. * * * * * * * * * Donner woke to the smell of Belldandy cooking lunch. Stretching his limbs, he got up. Everything was right in the world. He would be home in Asgard with Skuld by tonight. But first things first, his stomach reminded him. Finding Belldandy in the kitchen he asked, "Belldandy how soon until lunch and do you know were Skuld is?" "Ah, Donner, I should be very cross at you for keeping Skuld out all night. Don't do it again!" Belldandy scolded Donner as best she could. "Skuld is very tired and needs to get some rest. So don't you go and bother her. Understood?" "Understood." "Keiichi-san and I are going on a picnic, I have made some western style sandwiches, which are in the refrigerator along with some juices and cokes. Help yourself. There are also some potato-chips on top of the refrigerator." "Thank you Belldandy. I think I'll grab a sandwich and take a walk. It seems like too nice a day to stay inside. You would make anyone a perfect wife. Later!" Belldandy waved good-bye to the naive god, 'Not anyone Donner, someone!' * * * * * * * * * * * Urd sat on the temple roof letting the sun's rays warm her old bones, but that mighty orb could do nothing to warm the coldness that cradled her heart. 'When sorrows come they come not single spies, but in battalions(6).' What will you do Donner, when Skuld breaks your heart?' Mused Urd at the sight of Donner leaving the temple. * * * * * * * * Slowly Skuld became aware that her alarm-clock was trying to wake her. Rolling onto her side, Skuld pressed the snooze button. Again Skuld became aware that her alarm-clock was trying to wake her. Already on her side, Skuld pressed the snooze button, and proceeded to roll onto her stomach. Once again Skuld's alarm-clock began its Herculean task. Rolling onto her back, Skuld once more pressed the snooze-button. But this time Skuld's eyes opened to the soft afternoon sunlight filtering into her room. Despite everything that had happened to her the last couple of days, Urd's teasing, Donner's proposal, Kenji's poem, Older Sister growing closer to that pervert, Skuld's brain had only one thought in it. 'I gotta pee!' Resigned to her fate, but not a wet futon, Skuld got up. * * * * * * * * Emerging from the bathroom, Skuld found herself in an empty temple. Wandering out of the temple Skuld entered the woods. As she walked Skuld barely the sound of Older Sister's voice. Following the sound, Skuld moved forward trying to make out what Older Sister was saying. But when Skuld got close enough to catch a glimpse of Older Sister and Keiichi through the trees Belldandy stopped speaking. Skuld never knew why, but instead of busting in on the two and putting a end to their shenanigans, Skuld chose to quietly observe them. Keiichi and Belldandy sat side by side on a blue and white picnic blanket. They just sat there, not talking, but simply feeding each other little morsels of food, looking at each other, or just watching how the sunlight danced through the leaves. It seemed to Skuld that the two of them would be happy to sit there for the rest of eternity. And eternity is a long time, Skuld knew. After all she is the goddess (second class, limited) of the future. There were many words Skuld's analytic mind tried to use to catalogue the scene before her. Bliss, contentment, harmony, picturesque, even nirvana, and pussy-whipped. 'Pussy-whipped'? Another part of Skuld's brain asked, where did that word come from and what does it mean? Of the millions of words available to Skuld there was only one word that could be applied: love. Turning around, Skuld started to make her way back to the temple. Reaching the cherry tree on the edge of the courtyard, Skuld closed her eyes and leaned back against the familiar tree. Skuld now knew what she would do. * * * * * * * * * "I'm back!" Donner announced as he jogged up to the temple. Kami-sama that felt good. Nothing quite like a brisk 20 kilometer run to get one's circulation going and clear one's mind. Donner felt like a new god. "Skuld? Belldandy?" Donner called out, but no one answered. Searching through the temple Donner found no trace of Belldandy, Keiichi, or Urd. Knocking lightly on Skuld's bedroom door, he checked to see if she was still sleeping, but alas, Skuld too was gone. Going outside once again, Donner found Skuld leaning up against a cherry tree on the edge of the courtyard. Moving to her, Donner reached out with his left hand to cradle Skuld's cheek and drew her to him for another kiss. Skuld moved away from his touch. "Donner?" It was more of a statement than a question. "Skuld are you ready to come home with me?" Donner asked. "My dear Donner, we have always been friends, haven't we. We will always be friends," Skuld answered, her voice just a whisper by the time she finished, "but my friend, I am staying here on Midgard. Please forgive me." "Why not? Your probation time as a surface world trainee is long past." "But, my sisters are here and ...," "Get them to come home too." "But Older Sister has a contract in force." "Pasha." Donner's voice began to rise in volume as he spoke. "Between the two of us, you with your debugging skills, and my knowledge of circuits, we could easily bypass the system enforcer, thus null and voiding Belldandy's contract with Morisato." "But...," Skuld continued to stammer, unwilling to hurt Donner. Angry at her excuses, Donner began to shout as thunder clouds began to form over the courtyard. "But, but, BUT! Is that the only word you can say? Why this hesitation Skuld? Have we not always been the best of friends? Will you not come home with me? I do so love thee Skuld. Do you not care for me? What is it that chains you to this Niflheim of a world?" "Please listen to me," Skuld pleaded. "My dear, dear Donner, you are one of my bestest friends, but it is Kenji I l..." "I do not want to hear! What is it about mortals that so affects you and your sisters? Why does loving an angel hurt?" screamed Donner at Skuld. In a flash of lighting, and a clap of thunder. He was gone. With that furious explosion the rain began to pour, drenching Skuld. Stunned, Skuld just stood there. "Damn you Donner! Why won't you listen? We were friends. Why did you have to say those three little words and ruin everything?" Skuld shouted at the heavens. Skuld wept. * * * * * * * * * Entering the temple the next morning like a rampaging Burma bull, Otaki greeted the occupants of the temple with a thunderous, "Yo! Morisato!" Destroying the peaceful quiet of their breakfast. "I have grievous news..." Urd laid her head on the table, covering her aching head with her arms trying to protect her hangover from the mercifulness decibels of Otaki's voice. 'Keiichi's senpai is such an oaf,' Skuld thought, determined to not pay attention to the buffoon, and continued eating her breakfast. "O my!" Exclaimed Belldandy. "Senpai..." Keiichi stammered his chopsticks still half in his mouth. * * * * * * * * Owari * * * * * * * * 1. Richard Wagner, "Die Walkure," 1870. 2. William Shakespeare, "Hamlet," I, i, 153. 3. William Shakespeare, "Hamlet," III, iv, 178. 4. William Shakespeare, "Hamlet," III, ii, 242. 5. William Shakespeare, "Much Ado About Nothing," V, ii, 40. 6. William Shakespeare, "Hamlet," IV, v, 78.