Ah My Goddess Fan Fiction ❯ Valkyrie's Mirror ❯ Act II ( Chapter 2 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Imaldris is introduced to the hazards of the Morisato racing way. If only that was the singular worry though.

Anime/Manga: Ah My Goddess Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Fantasy / Comedy / Adventure / Action | Type: Fanfiction Sequel | Uploaded On: 01.30.2008 | Pages: 28 | Words: 26.9K | Visits: 203 | Status: Completed

Oh My Goddess! - Valkyrie's Mirror

Volume II

Act II

--------------------

He heard the shuffling of wittle feet, and `really' didn't want to open his own wittle eyes to see the obvious. Course, all that purring in the same `waiting' just kept gnawing at his concentration as the knight meditated upon the Temple steps.

Waiting around impatiently wasn't Imlade's style, course just meditating was a trying affair anymore, as he realized on the pressing of the purrings, he wasn't going to be left alone again. He spoke with eyes closed in annoyance now.. “Please tell me the bikes have new racing engines installed. Please, please...”

..and opened them... and groaned.

Afar, Keiichi walked out from the residence, dressed in best racing fashion, his dark slick jumpsuit catching the light behind him in the residence, and as he was fiddling with his usual/favorite biker helm, he stopped with a sudden jerk, at the same sight Imlade just threw a tiffy at.

Before, down below the temple steps, a neat, nice, and disturbingly furry, nine by nine `box' formation of various kitty breeds, all held `exacting' station before the annoyed challenged. Imladris saw whom was at the head of this box.

“Velsper... you cursed twit.”

Velsper, knowing full well the cat `problem' Imladris had, just threw up a paw salute. “Yup.” ..which the other cats did the same in delayed, near simult, adding a meow vocal `salute' even. Imladris just dragged a hand across his face at this.. “At least this one isn't as bad as the last idiocy you caused.”

Velsper put a paw at his/her chin in a... “Oh I know.” ..chuckle.

---

-37.5 hours ago (or so..)-

Keiichi, standing about the same position he actually has at present, his plain shirted back to the readers, just teardrops and twitches at the sight of the entire Temple, completely blanketed in cats. Just..... covered. Fur and tails waggling to the point the Temple itself didn't have a bare patch visible. (and not just outside either.) Snow isn't this think in Japan usually. (In his old Montana it is, hence the...) Inside, at least Lind's voice cooed happily at the furry gifts at least she had the mind of full to just float over. Imlade within however reacted differently at the time...

“VELSPER, YOU TWIT!!!”

Keiichi just wondered at the time also... “Hope no one around has cat allergies...”

---

“...or is going insane.” ..Kei puts `in' the annoyed present.

Imladris meanwhile just flicks his hand and creates a large ball of extra potent cat nip, to the throw and bounce away towards the residence. “Fluff off fuzz balls, I got enough troubles tonight.” ..this as the `orderly' column of cats suddenly shoot off, nearly trampling over Keiichi in the process. Keiichi just yells back at the receding fur line. “Go get declawed already, demon cat!”

“Keiichi.” ..said mortal hears of light chastised tone, from a bike suited beloved of the Present. Keiichi looks at Bell and immediately... “Sorry.”

Imladris heard and looked over, his meditation ruined as it was. Seeing the two together was a warm sight to his eyes. Course other things easily on mind weren't so warm to consider. “Hmm.. about that time.”

Imladris at this rises, as Belldandy and Keiichi compliment each other on being neat ready. (The two were a perfect pair after all.) At this of course, the sound of many engines start to approach faint hearing. Bell notes looks at Keiichi, and then looks over at a knowing Cousin, whom looks neutrally, before turning to reenter the Temple.

“I think Cousin is nervous.” Bell notes for her own reasons. Keiichi looks over and catches the left hind foot entering the Temple. “If you say so.” ..he says, before he also begins to hear the approaching engines. His mind however recognizes who's is coming first, by the pitch.. “Keima to the south.... Hmm... Chihiro the other way to the west.. Ah... and now... Megumi and Keiba from town.

Here they come.”

Belldandy smiles. “This promises to be a special evening Keiichi dear.”

Keiichi nods, before strange laughter catches both their ears. Keiichi just teardrop-sighs. “Urd will ensure that.”

“Oh dear.” Bell exasperates lightly to the same.

Just then, the first engines arrive, which catches Keiichi off guard when he hears a new pitch he didn't realize was being masked of a sort. His mind wonders, before a pair of tires screech like the night had no tomorrow. “Jeeze!”

Belldandy beams. “Melody.”

Keiichi wondered for a moment, before heard. “We be here dames and dudettes!!” ..and notes a moth. uh Takano like voice. K1 realizes and notes. “Melody from a tuba maybe.”

--------------------

Peorth had to admit... “Trop bruit fort.” ..as she had to hold her ears more than once, as the sound of all those well tuned and maxed out hog engines, being revved and shown off to each and all in that suddenly crowded temple courtyard. Frigurina nearby just smiled. “An interesting symphony to be sure.”

Peorth looked over at a anime interested Frig, and noted. “Oh, you so are Belldandy's mother.”

Frig just beamed back.

Sure was a lot of noise indeed, as no less than seven characteristic, distinctive, and noisy motorcycles filled the said grassy temple knoll. Keima, the one whom began this whole affair with his `objection' to a quirky sounding opinion, looked around and actually smelled the air.

“This smells nice.”

By the wide range of smiles that came back, this was a place for bike lovers.

Chihiro meanwhile just gawked back at one additional number in their present area, one whom she was amazed caught on to the nuances of this same gig, so quickly.

“I swear you goddesses cheat or something.” ..she cracked, as a valkyrie just smirked back. “It's not a difficult skill to learn. Even if I am not as experienced as Belldandy is.” ..this Chihiro looks past to a sheepishly grinning Bell, as K1 finished his pre race inspection of his old BMW.

“Actually I'm curious about that.” Chihiro admitted.

“Same here.” ..comes from a rough suited Takano, no more than leather riding pants, hiking shoes, a turtle neck, jacket of brown cowhide like leather, and holding a worn in helmet of white and well kempt visor, notes over to, the far more slick looking types around her. Chihiro just smiled back as much as Bell did. Keiichi just looked up nervously, but saw an equal smile on Keima's façade.

It got infectious indeed.

Megumi meanwhile just noted. “So, one big fat family race is it?” ..this Keiba quickly notes.. “Family?” ..both dressed no differently than they had when they raced earlier in the day. (Not that it mattered really.) Takano just pipes up.. “Course we're family! Where's your mind at boy?” ..this Keiba just blushes, as Megumi eggs.. “I wonder too actually.” ..this Keiba throws a fit at.

Lind meanwhile looks around her. She was glad the `suggestion' allowed her this rare in rare chances. Her `biker' version of her normal jumpsuit colors, as slick as Belldandy's version was, adored with twin axes and single wings upon each, embellished upon her suit backside, a plain white biker helmet rounding her attire out, looked a bit more light compared to the others in biker garb.

Which went unheeded to an emotion she had actual difficulty describing.

“We're ready!!”

Everyone looks, and suddenly have various forms of apprehension, as Skuld appears, her and Sentaro in biker slicks even, atop a creation that only a mother could love. (See? Frig is looking sickly happy.) The mortals looking at least however, as one, remark.. “Uh...”

Peorth just looks and quips. “The things you can make Banpei into.”

Skuld, not getting the gist of Peorth's remark, (since it wasn't toned as a compliment,) just beams. “Yup. My Banpei Racer X Special is going to feed the tar with ya all!!”

Sentaro.. “Beat the tar..”

“Oh, yeah. Beat the tar!”

Most roll their eyes, as Peorth just quips in with the last of her words.. “Can Banpei be turned into a cage to lock you in too?”

Skuld just snaps.. “Oh can it thorn-rose! This baby means business!”

Sentaro just looks down at the machine he's actually standing next to. “Uh... okay.” ..as they all see some form of a motorcycle, (or something,) shaped as if one of those Robotech Veritech bikes or something, all futuristic and bulky looking, has somehow, the head and upper body of Banpei installed as the... uh... head, of the bike. The bike happens to be colored and marked up as if it was Banpei normally.

Keiichi just remarks.. “Uh.. You're pushing a cross-over theme, into this story Skuld.”

“You're on my list Keiichi.”

“Who isn't.” Peorth cracks, which makes Sentaro dive for cover.

Sigel nearby meanwhile cracks at Banpei, who turns his clanky head.. “/ As if you couldn't look any dumber. \” ..which causes Banpei's head to look `down'.

Skuld in `turn'.. “Hey.”

“/ Sorry mistress, sorry! \” ..did Sigel just sweat?

Frig, for a moment allaying Skuld's contraption from minds, then remarks. “We're missing a couple. Though lovely Urd is still getting ready.

The other...”

Lind drew a knowing grin from Chihiro, when Keima on cue `notes'... “And we're waiting!!”

Said challenged emerged, and seeing all those eyes, rolled his own. “I'm coming, ye ol peanut gallery.”

“You're not dressed.”

Imlade stopped, hearing from Takano. “Eh?” ..and looked himself over, a simple shirt, jeans, work shoes, jacket bit, not needing a riding helm or such he though. “What? I'm being plain and...”

Chihiro rolled her eyes, ever egging things on with her coworker of a near god, and then looked at Lind. “Can't you train that bub a proper dress code for these occasions?”

“He was always stubborn.” Lind just jokes back. Imladris just sighs, preferring Velsper's joke earlier suddenly. Course, he `did' see Lind's choice of racy attire, and saw how... well.. `formal' everyone sorta was. (Not like they were wearing tuxes or such, but a theme nonetheless.) Imladris walked the rest of the way down, as Keima noted. “You know what we mean.”

“And I don't like being gaudy like that.” ..Imladris just retorted. Peorth however remarks. “And you'll look seriously plain when you summon your steed. He might even laugh at you.”

Imlade quips back in kind. “Never stopped him before in any case.” ..he puts with a tone of experience. The rest hearing start to wonder more and more. Megumi comments curious eyed. “That horse must be something then.”

Lind just prods. “Come now love. Drag not thy feet.”

Imladris just pouts, before `huff' summoning his gleaming bracelets unto wrists, and smacking them both in a hard clasp of both same wrists, causing his form to be quite knightly, literally changing in a flare-burst of light. He then quickly complains to the now aback bunch. “Spectacular?”

Takano quips through her blush. “Oh ya sure.”

And `then' since waiting was pointless now, Imladris quickly raises his right hand high, and clasps his left gauntleted hand unto the right armored fore arm in a rigid pose. Frig even has to warn in rare amazement. “Wow, here he comes.”

All watch, as the right palm bursts of the same small blue-white code orb aglow, before the author commands.. “Thee who I call most and best of friend, by many a life shared over many a world, come to my belayed Heed and Call!

Thus my Diligent Charger of War becometh!!' ..which by now the winds whip greatly, and eyes shield against a sudden beam of bright light from the code orb, striking the grassy ground nearby, and a portal of code and blue-light majestic explodes out.

And then a rather thick sounding.... “That is one serious horse cry.” Keiichi notes of, just before all have to look away from the light exploding breaking of the portal aperture, and the ground tremors under the foot of a mighty steed.

And no over dramatization this is either. Imladris looks back behind him before dropping his spell Summon, at the beast he called forth. And in so doing, has to remember to look a good bit higher than he remembered in his previous, false life.

Belldandy croons in full awe. “He's a beautiful as ever!”

Imladris has to chuckle, as a fully laden Clydesdale like white War Charger, laden proper for a mighty Paladin that rides such a mount, even adorned in war armor equal to the knight's own celestial armor, it's strides as it rounds his old friend `below' him, not to be ignored either. A mane as white as it's coat, feathers of hoof and tail as flowing as the knight's cape and robes, all well worth the words Belldandy praised with.

Keiba of note seeing a sight he couldn't have prepared for, any more than the other mortals, and nearly the same of the goddesses added, just remarks with trembles. “Well we asked for this.” Takano eyes over.. “'We'?”

“Good.” ..comes from a rather satisfied sounding Keima. Keiichi looks over agape. “What? We haven't raced them yet!”

“I give what due, for the little I do give.” Keima admits, as they all watch as Imladris sees his old friend finish rounding around him. The Charger stops, and silvery eyes look down, as Imladris nods. “A long time.”

The Charger stops abruptly and `huffs' back. Imladris blinks.. “What? I can...” ..before everyone hears a `bite' sound, as Imlade clutches his head in white anime pain! “ELDRAS!! OWW!!!”

Everyone watches with pipped eyes, as the named Charger just throws his huge head up and whinnies-huffs up a heavy storm. Frig afar just gulps. “Dang, that beast has a mouth.”

Imladris just snaps back comically. “I had amnesia, it was.. what.. seven year since last? And oh, I've been busy regaining my dang old life! And what of you, you beast of burden?! I see you've been doing more than eat bran oats.”

Everyone watches a strange, half amusing, half confusing display, as knight and steed start literally jawing at each other like angry sharks. Chihiro just remarks. “He's... talking to a horse.”

Megumi just remarks.. “And the horse is winning.”

Lind meanwhile watches with the most amusement to gain, as if she hadn't seen all she could know about her Confessed. She just watched as Imlade just snapped finally. “I don't care if you had seven mares to copulate with! I need help here already!”

Eldras just responded by bonking his heavy chin off Imlade's head, before huffing a query of effect. Imladris just responded by pointing right at the cyclic gathering. “These pleasurable folks think you are obsolete com pared to their fancy machines!”

“We didn't say that.” Chihiro put, not realizing the echo in of it.

Keima just noted Eldras turn a whinny at them, and guessed.. “I think we understand each other enough then.”

A `light' bit of explanations later, and even Eldras has his dander up, (as far as war horses go.) A heavy horsey huff and Imladris just remarks. “Shalt we begin this righteous affair?” Keima ever the protagonist, (well.. here anyway..,) just responds with a hard rev of his bike. “The usual starting point then everyone?”

A sound of a dry whinny huff just prompts Imlade to egg in addition. “Aye, like a dragon's cough these metal monstrosities are.” ..as he turns away from some choice eye daggers. He then tests and mounts his friend, noting almost immediately. “Added some weight.” ..and took a good buck for that.

Chihiro commented on cue.. “Nice duo tableaux.”

He ignored the amazed looks from the others, and turned Eldras, suddenly surprising everyone by both leaping `well' overhead everyone, and.. “Gee, didn't think the entrance was that low.” ..ala a neck craned Sentaro.” ..before they all hear a good hoof thud beyond the roadway.

“This night won't come again plebeians!” ..another ala egg, before Keima revs hard again. “Nope, it won't.”

Frigurina watches them all go, from on high, even Skuld and Sentaro, on their uber-futuristic contraption, and smirks over at a rising Peorth. “Wonder how this will turn out.” ..before Peorth sees the elder High Goddess float off with speed to the start of the same Inokura `circuit' that already had rubber build up earlier that day.

However one soul was conveniently forgotten, said so huffed almost in a similar horsey fashion.. “Gee, wait up for me why don't you all.” ..this as a goddess of angst love just yanks her.. uh.. ride, and then kicks at it like a broom, suddenly shooting off after.. “YIIIIIIEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!”

Sigel meanwhile sees the last of the racers off, and turns. “/ Better get the First-Aid kits and healing potions ready again. \”

--------------------

Mara just grumbled. “Can't believe myself of all demons, is trying to talk you of all goddesses out of this.”

Entropia just looks back, the look of pure disdain on her face, making Mara wonder if such a face could ever exist on Belldandy's. “Such dichotomy.”

Entropia just snaps back. “Who cares what you think or say, this is my business, so butt out broad!”

Mara frazzles at this hardly comforting treatment. “If it harms my mission here, then I will butt in, Goth-goddess!”

Entropia just looks away and just flies along, sensing her prey is close. She clenches the archaic cola bottle in her left hand in thinking of them. “I can't stand them. It's not my mission anyway.

I'll visit them discomfort before the end of this night!”

Mara almost considered pulling out her Familiar Intimidator on this brusque goddess of abused note. Course the last time Mara tried that, Entropia's Gray just canceled Intimidator out, since an Angel is still more effective verses the far less empowered Familiars. (Not that such a fight would reduce Nekomi outright anyway.) That version just ended up being a `demonstration' that only tussled the basement items about, before Entropia just `deposited' them back in place.

That almost seemed to show more goddess traits alone, than Mara expected at the time. This action this night, was far more demonic in intent however.

“Senbei is just too weird a guy to use here you know.” ..Mara tried to protest again.

Entropia didn't listen. Mara just groaned, before the two noted the goddess power signatures were all moving at once. Mara noted to herself.. “Where are they all going at this time of night?”

Entropia just insidiously whispers.. “To their humiliation if I'm lucky.”

Mara just shook her head.

--------------------

“Just like riding a bike.” ..Imladris noted, chuckling at the irony of his reference, as he slowed down to a light trot, at the unofficial starting point of the circuit. Imladris was more than aware of the significance of the area, having seen Keiichi and Belldandy a month or so ago, take a joyride out together on this same course, without informing anyone.

He never quite understood why, nor did the knight need to. Seeing this with Lind at the time when both were sparring at the time, just brought out alien feelings of a sort the two warriors felt a twinge of jealousy for their guarded souls of. To think this same place would see an event like this.

Eldras felt this from his old friend and whinnied an approving sound. Imladris blinked. “Where'd that come from?” ..this as an engine pack starts to approach from behind. The duo look back, as Keima leads the chorus of thunder. “What took you all?”

As the lot pull up off to the duo's left, Takano calls back. “You looked comfortable going that fast.”

“I'm used to combat speeds on this guy. You ever been chased by Goblins on Wolf Riders?”

Lind just quips back for the uncertain of answering. “This is not a tavern of adventurers you know.”

“You lot act like many a one.” ..the knight puts, as Keiichi puts to Bell and Megumi/Keiba nearest. “I think Keima unleashed a mouth on us tonight.” ..this Belldandy just giggles. “Cousin is being so funny. All of us are tonight.”

“Hope you ride as hard as you talk.” Keiba just mocks out, which Imlade just gives a smile.

Peorth and Frig look down from on high, and see the strange sight of one magical animal verses many quite magical of their own machines. Frig just smirks wordlessly, before Peorth wrinkles her brow. The latter as everyone hears something weird, Chihiro noting... “Who's screaming like a...” ..before the pitch becomes familiar.. “...oh, it's just Urd.”

Everyone looks back along the same road, just in time before said goddess suddenly shoots by, Keiichi and Chihiro of note amongst the confused eyed lot.. “That looks familiar.” .. “I thought that thing crashed back at my hometown beach.”

Skuld of more note just laughs, when Urd's old Comet 4 suddenly shot by with it's screaming cargo, and then promptly shot up, and then banked hard right to curve sharply downwards, down over a clump of trees, and to a... “UFF!!” ..you know.

Peorth floats down overhead, already anticipating. “Suppose this is a duty for a First Class goddess... I suppose.”

As Skuld just laughs until a motherly `Urd-like-bolt' zaps down behind Sentaro, Takano just imparts heavily.. “As usual, the run to the support campus?” ..Keima nods... “Good as any.”

Chihiro however thumbs back. “I imagine our mutual metal head will need to stay off the road.” ..this everyone looks back, and sees the indelible hoof prints all but imprinted into the roadwork. Megumi just chastises. “Jeeze dude! Can't you ride your beauty more responsibly?” ..this Imladris just sighed. “You wanted this folks.”

Keima just remarks. “The road need not be your path, any can be taken, if you can beat us to the proper goal.”

Imladris nodded, though he looked at the biker love of his life and wondered how she felt about that.

He also had to remember where the first good slope to use was. Keima nodded to Takano, the latter remarking out loud generally. “The first there gets the prize! And we all know whom the Prize is.”

“I'll keep y'all in mind then.” ..Imladris puts at a last, and looks up. “The Lady Mother Migoddess's call on above will be sufficient.” ..this everyone looks up, as said motherly deity just flicks a hand. “Oh, if you want.” ..and actually drops down, and spin changes her clothing into something that makes even Belldandy embarrassed. “Mother?”

Dressed in skin tight sixties pants and busty shirt, yellow and white each. Keiichi blinks. “You ever see a flick called Grease?” ..this Frig pulls a checkered silk bandana from her neck. “Hey, I like fun movies.” ..this as Bell and Skuld fidget away nervously.

“Can we start the race now?” Bell `asks'. Frig just smirks, and then raises her `checkers', and announces.. “You know the rules. Beat my Nephew. Ready?”

Imladris rolls his eyes, as Frig sets at the ready, and.. “And on my... aww, heck..” ..and outright drops the bandana. At that, all those engines suddenly roar off, tires burning on pavement, some even scorching paint lines, as not one apparently holds back!

All but one bike and one...

“You going already?” Frig blinks. Imlade looks over at Lind, as the latter comments through her helmet. “See you at the finish.”

“Chow.” Imlade smirks back, as Lind flips her visor down, and suddenly revs up to gently start off, before piling on the speed. Imladris however turns the opposite direction and imparts. “We'll need to backtrack a quarter kilometer bud.” ..and Eldras reacts by stomping off at a heavy gallop, to head for the proper area of the side hills to gain elevation into the adjoining hills.

Frig watches this and smirks. “He could have gone forward the same distance for a proper slope. Melodramatic kith.” ..before noting a form suddenly zip up to her. Frig turns her smirk unto... “A problem daughter?”

Peorth sighs as she approaches, hearing from a branch and mud covered Urd-sama. “Can I borrow that cell phone of yours, and a favor?”

----

Keima as expected, was already well ahead of the others, if enough for him to see most of the rest of the participants in his mirrors.

Like a family.. he so thought.

Course the first to match his speed, in effective fashion, was one he blushed most at over all others, even despite Megumi, Belldandy, or Frigurina. “Hiya deary.”

Keima was on the inside, as Takano pulled even for a moment, as Keima begotten his first challenger. The two didn't mince words, as the one who knew Keima best pressed him into the coming left hand hard curve. Both dug in deep as Keima quickly regained composure, and evolved like a mutant again to keep Takano at bay just beside and behind his right.

Megumi and Keiba had pulled ahead as the next pair, as their familiarity with each other and initial adjustments placed them further up. Megumi saw her parents in a rare fashion and then remembered one next to her.

Both traded a knowing look, just in time for Keiba on the inside, to suddenly note a much larger two seater swoop in, both surprised at the audacity of seeing the main bike hanging over on the very road edging lip, a second form expertly using her weight to pull off this high stress maneuver.

“Holy cow!” ..Keiba shouted, just as the BMW and it's famous duo, shoot ahead off better momentum and positioning. Keiba gulp-blinks, as Megumi smiles. “The royalty is on this road tonight.”

Megumi however is caught off guard by this, as suddenly Chihiro in her newly refurbished Honda zips by on the outside, on the shallowing curve. “Pardon me!” ..as Chihiro sets her sights on a race long since wanted. “Come on kids, lets see what you two got!!” ..as she pilled her speed to pull even with a blinking Keiichi.

“Uh-oh.” Keiichi realizes and then has to pull back ever so slightly as the curve shifts the opposite direction. Belldandy however sets herself over Keiichi back, and both don't hold back from there! This however means not.. “Wait for us Bro!” ..as Megumi makes the coming turn as sharp as she dares in her KSR, Keiba matching in his ZF1. Keiba and Takano see this, and have to pile on the speed where they can, as the races behind catch their draft just enough to start pulling up.

Behind, Skuld, with a nervous Sentaro driving, just yells... “Why aren't we catching up to them!!” ..Sentaro just ekeing out over the engine. “I'm not used to this I hope you know!!” Skuld just yelling. “But that cool shopping spree we promised each other!”

Sentaro just whines. “We need to live to even go `that' far Skuld!”

“Complain after we... YEEK!!” ..as Sentaro with Banpei's help, manages a hard G turn past the same curve the others blasted by a moment earlier! Skuld realizes.. “Okay, this is a ride!”

Sentaro however sees the other racers, and captivated enough by just seeing what hse can past his manic fear, to understand what he could really do when he grows old enough.

“I wana be like them.” ..he whispers, more than loud enough to Skuld's enamoured ears.

All which is killed by the terror of the next hard right. “YEEK!! I need more seatbelts on this thing!! Mommy!!”

“WHOA!!” Sentaro shouts, as suddenly a silver-blue Suzuki GSX650F blows them both by, with the rider's far more analytical mind eating up the curves like bears to honey. Sentaro gulps anew. “I think we're toast Skuld-chan!”

Behind the said Suzuki, her visor saw who she needed to pass. At least that was what her warrior intellect told her. So this is their terms. She muses, as she focuses on one particular rider, helping her own beloved keep Chihiro barely at bay, both swapping position at basically each passing curve. This as Lind realizes she needs to evolve her ability on the spot against these seasoned road warriors.

Take the next curve at 57 Kph, at a 36 degree angle...

Now throttle to 69 Kph..

Brake stutter at 2 seconds with a left curve of 58 Kph and 37 degree dive angle at the curve, risk the gutter edging.

Now full throttle at 70 Kph, the next curve three second brake to 56 Kph, and throttle back to 70 against 6 G momentum....

...and on and on like this, as ahead, Belldandy of note sees the expert jinks from a newcomer to their ranks. Bell smiles, before HARD jinking her body to the left to help Keiichi cut Chihiro off, stymieing another trading of position. Keiichi notes Chihiro's focus on them, and the intent of focused racing.

Keiichi however notes as his sister and Keiba are `hard' on their heels, one `he' wants to race again against.

“Sorry folks, I want another crack.” ..this as he burns throttle an extra second earlier than even Chihiro expected. “HEY!” ..as Keiichi and Belldandy look on ahead to a different race.

Ahead, Takano realizes her Keima is too good to keep this amount of stress on her bike with, the old Royal Enfield Thunderbird still a bit rusty to really push it over the limit. Guess I'll need to ride my Keima some more these days. She promised, as she saw the large two seater start to pull up.

Not that Takano gave way easily for the duo, as Keiichi and Belldandy were pushed just as vehemently as Keima did. Chihiro was nipping at the rear wheels at the same time, so it was taking a `lot' of concentration for Keiichi to garner even flashes of advantage over these two rabid racers.

Keima saw this from behind, but smiled even more when Megumi pulled up as they all hit a winding triple S section, Megumi using every last bit of drift to really gnaw at Chihiro with. The same no less as Keiba did using his own bike's power to catch Megumi and Chihiro off guard, a lot of position swapping taking place in this one small area.

As they entered the latter of the triple S however, Bell and K1 knew how to take advantage and went for broke, as Takano noted the larger machine pull a fresh over gutter maneuver, before using that momentum, added with a perfectly executed switch over Keiichi's back on the next curve change, causes the old Beemer to just nudge momentum towards Takano's Thunderbird, to cause her to adjust, and lose position. They beat me?! Wow.. she allows for a moment, if only `just', to know a slight change in respect status within the family. Megumi wasn't reminiscent, though with her hands full of two Fujimi cousins, she didn't get much time to reflect either.

As it was, Lind was left trying to position herself to gain into this switching stand off, and also surprised at how skilled Belldandy was at this.

Most impressive. She allowed herself, before she began to close on Keiba's rear. Keiba noted this and gulped.

I hope she knows this is just racing. As he began to have his own version of what Megumi was currently filled with.

Keima kept seeing all of this in his mirrors, but not the one he originally antagonized into all of this.

But he swore he kept hearing....

----

The landscape was sure thick with trees.

Not that these two seemed to heed, flying through the thick patches, float jumping above others, and generally defeating the rolling terrain with Eldras's impressive strength of speed and Imladris's knowledge of the surrounding topography, a must for a tactically minded warrior on a mission, both take advantage of the straight path that the biker family below do not enjoy. And their path is not a silent one, as even high above, a watching Forever goddess is equally impressed between the skill of the riders clipping at each other on the road, and their main opponent, whom are chewing up the distance as if the hills were zilch to them.

“They never fail to émerveiller.” ..she notes, and then gasps as below, a rather large depression that has a bridge span nearby crossing it, is also shot over with apparent ease, by an animal that has no right making such a jump normally.

“Ayyiyi!” Imlade notes wide eyed! “We might have pushed that one bud.”

Eldras just huffs, Imlade snapping back.. “Well I `have' someone to come back alive for thank you!”

Eldras just `laughs' as they slip past a clump of trees.

“I heard that.”

This however is cut short when Imladris hears distant engines.. “We're catching up fast bud. We need to hurry though. Four miles isn't much.”

Eldras notes this with a `shift' in his riding buck style, Imladris noting and adjusting just as swiftly.

Both had good reason to.

----

Keima had to gulp a bit, when Keiichi and Bell managed to `just' pull up, and give a glance that Keiichi alone still wouldn't be able to pull off. Keima just recover smiled, and then took the next curve into his favor with an ease that startled even Belldandy.

“Goodness, he's incredible.”

Keiichi didn't have time to respond, as both jinked to the left to catch back up, just before Chihiro pulled even to the right, having managed to shake Takano loose, who was having her own handful just behind. Keiichi realized this wasn't his intent and Belldandy helped to just beat out Chihiro to a dominating line through a long shallow left curve.

“Hey! I should dock your pay for that!” ..this before Takano screeches even. “Havin fun doll?” ..this Chihiro growls at, before Keiba suddenly clips onto the curve grating and beats them both into the same curve! “Dang it!!” ..Chihiro/Takano both snap as Megumi muscles her way in on the same inside, just as the curve shallows out. “Pardon folks!”

Chihiro dives in on Megumi's draft. “We'll see about that!”

Takano smirks and falls in line with the two, as they try to wrangle Keiba back in.

However all three see Lind suddenly pull out beside all three. They all gasp. “HEY! The next curve isn't good for ya there!” ..Megumi shouts. Lind however just concentrates, knowing she wasn't getting far where she was, and was risking something here.

“OW!!” ..they all suddenly hear as even Keima notices, this as Keiichi has to quickly slow down... “Keiichi?!” ..Bell calls fearfully over, as Keiichi.. “My left hand!” ..as he feels it had been hit by something! Takano quickly passes Keiba.. “Keiichi!!??”

K1 however quickly calls out. “I'm fine! I think a rock or something clipped my wrist. I can still move it though.”

Takano notes the lack of lasting pain on Keiichi's face, and sighs a good sigh of relief. None of them around do less.

Keima just nods, before they all hear tremendous thuds spikes above the sound of their engines. A split second to register this past the worry of before, suddenly then sees a massive form of animal and metal bound `right' overhead, and over to the other road side hills! “He caught up!!” ..Megumi exclaims, as Keima realizes to press speed...

...a moment slower than Lind reacts, who shoots past even `him'!! “EH!?”

“Promises come first!” Lind shouts, just before Keima piles the speed back on. “Indeed.”

Belldandy meanwhile. “Are you okay dear?”

Keiichi still feels enough sting in his left hand. “Man that hurt...” ..as the pain subsides somewhat quickly. “..but I'll be okay.”

Takano just announces.. “Good!” ..and is the first of the rest to speed back up fast. However as they all start to speed back up, they `all' are suddenly passed by a read machine, flaming at the rear!

Chihiro just notes of them all. “Those wacky kids!!” ..as Skuld.. “Okay! BAD BAD BAD IDEA!!!” ..as Sentaro looks all crazy confused, as the attempt to use Banpei's turbo to catch up in an impatient huff, just ends them up no better than how Urd's ride did! They all watch as they reach a Y split in the road, and the kids just end up going that left-hand direction, out of control.

“Uh..” ..Keiba notes, just before they all see Peorth shoot high overhead. Keiichi just sighs. “What a handful.”

They all then see Keiba take the next lead off. “Okay, we can't have that!” Keiichi announces, with Bell acting in concert, all worries flung away again, as the race resumes.

----

Enough that Imladris saw and wondered. “I just wish I understood.....” ..before Eldras jinks them both past some large trees, obscuring the roadway nearby. Imladris nods. “I hear you Master Charger.” ..and prods them both on even faster.

--------------------

Frigurina is watching all these events unfold from above again, waiting for the next big surprise she a bit too readily allowed, to catch up to them very quickly, when she noted what happened to Keiichi. “Oh dear, I never expected that.”

She however is interrupted via her senses, and looked to her far right.

“I didn't expect `that' either! Oh crud!” ..and sees she's already too late to stop the fomenting disaster incoming.

--------------------

“Come out Senbei twit!!” ..as Entropia snaps open the bottle, and in a putrid genie like cloud, the tiny form of unhappiness appears. “Me no like being twit called. Me don't like goddess calling twit either!”

Mara on safely behind, just moans. “Why'd I not just mail that thing to Pandemonium?”

Entropia just grinds out.. “Hey, I summoned you. You obey! Got it!?”

Mara just rolls her eyes, as Senbei just mocks. “You summoned me, but obey I do not have reason to do. Give me reason yes, if there is purpose, says I?”

“I says purpose is to make `their' lives miserable! Something to make them pay for my own dismay and ruination!” ..this as Entropia points at the racers on below, now within sight. Senbei look-sees and blinks. “There more happy people than last remember I. Many stories ago last was though, yes?”

Mara just watches bored again, as Entropia just screams! “Enough memory lane you dope! Give them a reason to cry for me!”

Senbei just shrugs. “Be it so.” ..and turns to flick his fingers! “And for once... SENBEI ATTACK!!”

This is what Frig caught sight too late of, as Entropia's dastardly plan come of dark, as a good two curves hidden by hill slopes away, a truck suddenly appears, as a newbie delivery driver had missed the proper turn to head to his next stop and was heading `right' for the unknowing racers!

Mara saw this and yelled. “YOU DOPE! Killing them won't help!”

Entropia just growls back.. “As if I care.”

Mara just realizes things would be `real' dour tonight if this all succeeded. “I.... eh?

Oh crap!”

Entropia that split moment later, realizes as Frig arrives, sees the author of this attack, and grimaces just before heading off fast to prevent the same act! Entropia gulps at the sudden arrival and departure of her birth mother. “What else is new goddess.” ..she seethes between her sweatdrops.

Mara behind just quips. “There's a squabble coming, so I swear with metaphors.”

--------------------

Lind was quite intent in trying to be the one to run down her beloved, and was thinking with every curve to do just that.

The problem was she was closed in on by one that didn't need to think at all on this course. Lind gasped as Keima readily closed the gap, and without much more than a heartbeat, was passed by the `mutant' before Lind could consider what to do!

Lind kept realizing too much as the others also began to close up.

A novice I am. The Valkyrie noted to herself, as Takano pulled even. Lind however managed to keep hold on third as Chihiro and Keiichi/Bell pulled up, already having handled Keiba off to Megumi again, as Lind realized she was in a fight of sorts, as effective as the ones she was far more used to.

She could easily see the juxtaposition in all of this, if they all here had to use a weapon for the first time.

A folly she realized a goddess's ability to adapt faster to basics. To expertise however was a far different matter.

Keiichi meanwhile had shaken off his earlier mishap and now got to see Lind in his element for the first time, as Lind didn't have absolute mastery of the nuances needed to keep the warrior ahead of them all. Bell saw the same and knew.. time is on your side Lind. Of the future to come.

Something else however cut all of this short, as Keima ahead hears a new strange sound.

And realizes from a half cusp glow from an ahead curve.. “Traffic!” ..and looked back. Takano saw this and realized, and this stuttered back, as suddenly a large cargo truck suddenly blares it's high beams over the curve and down at the road filled lot!!

“Crap!!” Chihiro noted best...

----

The duo managed to fight their way past a rather thick brush, and were making a downward slope into a new clearing.. “We should be able to catch them at the last kilometer marker! Let go for it bud!!” ..this Eldras took up the challenge, as Imladris prodded his mighty steed on, and they rammed into that expected opening..

...and the sight that about stops his still human based heart!

“NO!” ..this with a suddenly added jolt of urgency from Eldras who sees the unfolding disaster before them!

Ahead, the rest stop cold, but the driver ahead, looking at a map dead in his face, lost as all heck, does not see the same, nor obviously hear much else over his loud as deafening radio!

Chihiro looks around, and sees.. “Bad, very bad.. too late to go back...”

Belldandy sees this too, as she shoots a look at Lind, who nods. No way around to avoid their rather hemmed in position, the last hope they think is a timely spell.

Suddenly, Holy Bell and the Twin Mints emerge, and both combine a hasty spell to shield the lot quickly. “Let the salvation be as a wall that protects, as a wall that is as of pillow!” ..this as both spells bring up wind and ice based barrier shields to restrain the truck. They all, the mortals looking amazed, before then seeing doubled so, as a sheer wall of light suddenly emerges around the truck closing in on them fast! Bell realizes and sees.. “Mother!”

“Huh? ACK!!” ..ala Keiichi, as suddenly, their bikes start lifting off the ground! “What tha heck!?” Takano has time only for, before Lind realizes and then turns her head to the right, as their missing `opponent' appears, having brought out Evolution to aid where the Knight Lord could! “Be as light to the indelible pull, as a feather in the wind on Earth!”

Frigurina appears from above, as all cloister around a scene where a confused truck driver becomes doubly so, as his truck is `raced' through, the bike riders now on high, seeing a rare sight close up of a truck roof! “Oh that's swell!” Keiba cracks fearfully, as the truck is shoved past them all, and comes to a stop a moment later.

The driver, realizing something happened, sticks his head out. “What the hey!?”

The last thing he remembers, is a motherly goddess appearing and cradling his unshaven face.

“I think you're lost dear. Forget will you when you arrive proper?” ..and a forehead kiss that blanks the driver's mind utterly, enough for Frig to call back to the now safe. “I'll handle him.” ..and flicks her fingers, as she and Light of Creation disappear with their `load', leaving the others to then realize, this as Megumi quips. “Uh, can we get back down now?”

Imlade chuckles. “What? This is a rare treat for moi.” ..this Lind then adds. “Lower thy guard, and us too already.”

Imladris chuckle-sighs, and does so readily anyway, not even a noticeable thump added. “Nice control.” Lind congratulates. Imladris just calls out. “You all okay?”

“That all didn't go as planned.” Chihiro notes, before seeing Angel, Knight and Charger as one statuesque pose. She addendum's her earlier `assessment'. “Nice trio tableaux.” Keima looking them all over. Takano just complains.. “How can four danged miles be this difficult!?”

“It's still a public road you know.” ..Keiba puts, and regrets the glares he received. Imlade just sighed, which just made Eldras `chuckle' Megumi just points at the husky Charger. “He'd better not be laughing at us!”

Imladris however remarks. “Wonder if we should start over, given the situation.” ..this Keiichi rubs at his left hand. “We only got barely a kilometer left really.”

Keima however remarks. “That stuff never gets in the way of those foreign stock car races, when the times get bumpy.”

Imladris chuckled. “NASCAR usually doesn't have our brand of chaos to deal with.” ..this a few smirks are returned. They are about to prepare to restart, when suddenly the ground starts to shake. “Cousin?” ...Belldandy comments, said knight defensively.. “Tis not us.”

The tremors turn quite righteous, as everyone looks back to whence they all came, and then see a sight anew that just kills logical thought!! This as suddenly, Urd appears atop a steed that causes even Belldandy's jaw to drop agape!!

“Pardon folks! HAHA!!” ..as Urd passes them all by atop... “SLEIPNIR!?!?!” ..Bell, Lind and Imlade all exclaim! Keiichi remembers.. “You mean that oversized horse Urd couldn't control straight?!”

Bell blinks.. “She's not having problems this time...” ..this as Urd laughs maniacally, just before the eight legged steed bucks Urd nearly off the planet, just barely hanging on, before continuing on, Belldandy finishing.. “...I think.”

Suddenly Imladris realizes.. “If Urd wins... oh crudsticks!” ..as even the mortals can grasp the dire of such a scenario! Lind just shouts! “Go love GO!!”

Imladris all but blasts Eldras off into the race of their lives as Keima resets his own engine. “Didn't see that coming.” ..and then rockets off, all too ready to finish this affair!! Everyone else does likewise, though now most are in it to see what can possibly happen next!! (And how this finishes!)

Belldandy also realizes.. “I think we are in a special moment here again dear.”

Keiichi smiles over, as they approach another swiftly approaching curve. “Just another day in Nekomi then.”

--------------------

“Senbei feel so low.”

Entropia growled less than inhuman in tone, and shook the bottle in her hand. “Does everything around here have to be impotent?!?!” ..this just made Mara behind her laugh like crazy. “I really need to rip a Dvd of this and send it all to Hild. Man, you aren't doing better than I ever did! Whahahaha... ha.. wait, that didn't come out right.”

Entropia just huffed, before they too heard and saw the effadice of equine note, whit a love goddess brazenly rode. Mara blinks. “What, again!? Damn that broad!”

Entropia however sees a sight she hadn't seen since the days...

----

A haze of light, shadows that should have been warm, as she was lofted along upon a steed that broke worlds that it rode upon, the arms of one she called `daddy' with all proper love.

An endless time before the shadows of destiny also broke her, even scalding the few memories like this from her. Why did...

----

“WHY!!?”

Mara heard this, and about freaked out, when Entropia teleported away with a horrendous screech! Mara gulped.. “What the hell was `that'?!”

“A problem to be dealt with soon.”

Mara just blurted out between her frazzled mane. “Can't you goddesses knock already!?”

Frig just smirks, before the sound of `the' horse of note, catches their attention. Mara also complains.. “And get a leash on your daughter already! I mean that is `not' responsible!”

Frigurina blinks but then smirks. “But it is fun to watch.”

Mara blinks, and then just shrugged and on added sighing.. “Yeah, on an insane level.”

--------------------

Urd had to admit.. “Insane! Insane but hawt dang fun!!”

“URD!” ..this the said goddess looked behind and saw.. “ACK! Come on mighty boy!” ..this Urd tried to prod Sleipnir on, as Eldras saw a `real' challenge before it, this as Urd kept the massive eight legged behemoth on the poor roadwork, forcing the knight to do the same. Behind, Keima saw this unexpected turn of racing events, and kept up as close as he dared.

Which given the state of the same roadwork, was getting treacherous! “Dang horses don't respect roads, I tell you!”

Thank the literal gods and goddesses that they were already approaching the campus, Imladris knew this and knew enough of the opponent. “Come on ol boy! Take my Stamina as your own!” ..with his hands suddenly glowing pinkish-white, Eldras readily taking the offering, as he pressed unto Sleipnir as hard as he could. Sleipnir noted back the opponent and suddenly rode even harder, oblivious to Urd now! “Eh? Hey!!” ..as Eldras noted and strained all he had!

Keima saw this sudden surge of unnatural speed as the lights of the satellite campus began to crest over the last hillside. All he could do was blink and marvel at something he knew he'd never see again. All Imladris could do was see the rear end of Almighty's steed. “I don't like this view!!”

Eldras agreed and managed to pull to the rear hip area of the two sets of hind legs. Urd looks back, and almost lost her grip and lunch at the same time, as Sleipnir switched gallop strides to give an extra speed stride. Eldras took up that challenge and managed to reach halfway, but no further as they hit the last upsweep before the end stretch. Imladris saw this and had shades of being Urd's guinea pig for all her depraved experiments, while using up his account at the same time! And all of it just to help Keiichi's fourth grade level romance along! (At least it's advanced some now.)

And likely having Lind help.... “Qualme`!! Poica Qualme`!!!!”

Eldras just rolled his eyes, trying to press out even the slightest amount of extra strength from every equine pore, all of which just could get them past this steed of the One. They turn down the last bend, and the gate of the satellite campus in sight.

“Divine heaven of it all... EH!??” ..Imladris notes in defeat, as they are upon the entry gate, before he vectors right (literally) into the campus, but Sleipnir does `not'!! Urd realizes.. “ACK!! Wrong way! HEY! Go back and.. WAIT!!! AIIIIEEEE!!” ..as Sleipnir just flat out ignores her, and just rides along all but uncontrolled again!

Imlade `and' Eldras look agape, backing back out of the campus entrance, to see this wild display. Keima finally pulls up with a good screech of tires, as if it's heeded either, as Keima watches the uncontrollable pair fade away.

Keima flips his helmet up and blinks, as Imlade quips on down, still looking at the screaming display. “Uh, you can have the win. This alone is enough to suffer a loss.”

Keima just smirks and quips back. “Get donuts for me in the morning, and we'll call it even.”

The two just sit there as Urd's voice trails off into laryngitis and obscurity.

--------------------

“Yes Dear. Yes I know I put one past you Husband. Yes I know. Yes Urd still can't control her.” ..this over the phone, as the lot sit nearby in the Tea Room, hearing as Frig actually has to explain herself, allowing a certain steed being allowed out of it's celestial stall.

Urd meanwhile was heard in the background, wincing vocally, as she applied a version of cream for saddle sores. Imladris just chuckled. “Hope she has ice in there too.” ..this Lind pinches... “Be nice.” ...hard. The others, sharing various favorite drinks, mostly listen in amazement as Frig actually is chided for the allowance most irresponsible.

Frig however just countered.. “Well, you're still paying for putting me in labor three formal times. You ever been through that, ol Creative One?” The sound of Frig soon huffing a sorta pride over the phone, just makes Takano smirk. “Tha one thing no male will hold over us. Keep that in mind boyos.”

Keima just enunciates.. “I'd pay heed. It's critical.”

“Making payments.” Imlade put, Keiichi nodding. Sentaro and Keiba still not quite catching on, and not wanting too yet either.

The better halves all around don't need to respond.

Frig though does point out. “I wonder though, did you know Sleipnir could take lessons from your Champion's steed? Control is a matter of pride too.”

Imladris just beams at this a bit, which most around giggle at. What Frig says next kinda surprises everyone hearing. “Uh.. why would you want him to do a favor in return? He wasn't the one...”

“Now what?” Keiichi quips, as the goddesses wonder what possibly.. “Father wants a Favor from Cousin? Am I hearing right?” Peorth put, as Frig added.. “Husband, this is a bit loop hole much, for even You. But I'll ask him.”

Imladris blinked, before Frig heard herself `correct'. “Oh yes, sorry. “Command' him.” ..with a roll of her eyes, as she leans over to the opening. “Your Lord and Savior wants a Commandment upon you. (Favor actually.)”

Imladris couldn't conceive what could be at the hind of something he didn't even ask for. But he knew as much as anyone of celestial note in the room, the politics being plied here. “His Mighty Command is my will to His.” ..he put in tone that had enough `what the heck' in it to make the others smirks in amusement.

“Gee, ya think you'd have no problems there.” Takano snips out, as Frig took nay time in replying back over the phone. “He agrees, as if you gave him a.....” Frigurina however soon hears in the cut off, a detail that makes Frig realize something of personal history being impugned, that the elder goddess could appreciate. “Husband, thy is a flimsy flake at times.”

Keima even sweated at hearing this. “Good thing they have a `healthy' relationship.” ..as Belldandy wonders. “What would Father want with you Cousin?”

Lind however answers for her arm held beloved. “I sense something more than a mere `Commandment'.”

Imladris just commented nonetheless. “Of what indeed `am' I being Commanded?” ..and then he noted out loud.. “And `what' the heck was the lesson from tonight anyway?”

Keima just noted back with a quirky look.. “Lesson? I just wanted to race.”

Imladris just looked around at the slightly weary bunch. He did also wonder out loud. “You all just like razzing moi, no?”

“Every day.” Megumi and Chihiro toned out in simult. Imlade just groan slumps his head.

Lind meanwhile just noted beside her.. “You really should enjoy what I experienced tonight. Even I was put in my place, in an arena I only am new unto.”

Takano just beamed. “My Keima did a number on ya.” ..this Lind looked with enough embarrassment to note the message across on everyone. Imladris however made the good stick up for love response in kind. “Still, shows great promise with only one night to call upon. Much more than I can say for myself.”

Lind blushed at this, as Chihiro egged. “When `are' we going to get you on a bike anyway?”

“When I feel comfortable enough.” ...he heard himself say, then saw the uneasy looks on the others, and shook it off. “Nay nay, none of that self doubt stuff. Just... that feeling where something feels right to someone, about some things, is not what I feel when I see your looks about your bikes.

The same I guess, how I see my beloved Lind. That kind of thing.”

Lind really blushed, as even Keima could understand this. He looked over at Keiichi, and shared a look that only they understood.

-x2 HARD hand claps!-

Everyone is stunned back to the slide door opening. Frig just imparts. “It's that time girls! Come on.”

It didn't take long, (actually less than ten seconds,) for the men of the Temple to be left with the dishes again.

“Sheesh.” ..was all even Sentaro let out, as Keiba looks around left and right again. They then heard Skuld's voice complain suddenly, before a door slid shut, and `all' sound from it suffocate away.

Keiichi blinked and realized, and looked at Sentaro. “Uh... welcome to the club.”

“Say what!?”

Imladris, Keiba and Keima just chuckled simply, before Imladris then imparted.. “Let's do our part gents. Les we find it doubly enforced.”

The four just went off Imlade's lead with the dishes once again.

--------------------

“What did Cousin have to do for a Commandment?” Belldandy asked, Frigurina waving a hand. “Nay, no surprises to be disclosed as yet Daughter Norn. Let's get to the specifics.”

At this, everyone in a Space Expanded Urd's Castle (The device gets a good workout anymore,) as the ladies of the Temple all array themselves like it was a Indian powwow circle or such. Frig just takes up the leading reigns as usual, as she takes a spot upon a rather plush pillow, fit for a Sultan's throne. In fact, the entire room is `dressed up', as if it was a harem chamber or something, of such themery of décor.

Peorth just steered Skuld to a pillow, indicating.. “Se reposer, déesse de la Avenir Lointain.”

Skuld just did so, a bit confused as to this sudden inclusion of a place she'd been rigorously denied beforehand tonight. Skuld looked around nervously.. “Am I in trouble?”

“Hardly.” Lind put, as Bell actually formed a feather pen of white, and notepad well worn, once again. Megumi just looked around nervously at the interior same décor. “This still gives me the creeps a little.” ..this Chihiro slaps her on the back. “It's still in good fun. If in the conspiring kind.”

Frig and Takano then just nodded to each other, the latter opening up. “Okay gals, first order of business is ta finally introduce our last member of the Goddess Gang, Lady Skuld!” ..this everyone claps kooky for the youngest goddess. “Uh...” ..said goddess blushes out.

Frig takes up.. “Okay, what happened today.”

Skuld blinked at the quick change in content, as Megumi started.. “Nothing really new on my end, other than running Keiba wild.”

Skuld heard more than a few weird giggles, before Lind opened up next. “I used choice connotation before lunch today, as well as hoping to share a race sometime.”

Chihiro leans in on Megumi. “A lot of `riding' going on.”

Skuld gets a bit perturbed at the next round of giggling, as Frig has to prod bell a bit again. “Daughter purest dear?”

Bell blushed out as.. “I.. uh.. shared spaghetti with Keiichi dear, and.. uh.. removed some sauce from his chin.. uh.. and tasted it. And then.. oh, we had a boat ride together!”

Urd just cheers over her wincing. “Yup, Sis wins this round today!” ..this with lots of blush inducing clapping all around, as well as.. “HEY! What is all this!?!”

Peorth just bonks Skuld on the melon for this. “Tut tut child.” .. “But...”

Takano just leaned in on the kinseth goddess. “Oh, and like we didn't hear about someone wanting a boat ride of their own.”

Skuld looked horrified. “How did you..?!?” ..and then sees a motherly point to one's own melon. Skuld just groans. “Oh great.”

Chihiro just pipes up. “Looks like the proper time to give Skuld our mission statement.”

Skuld looks blandly at this. “Mission statement?” Urd quipping.. “Yeah, we have our own paradigm even.” ..this Skuld just rolls her eyes at. Frig just opens up. “Okay, let's recite the pledge.” ..this Skuld blinks weirdly at, as everyone else places a hand across their chests.

And as one set chorus.. “We so solemnly pledge to make the lives of our men, as interesting as possible, whether they like it or not. This is our goal as goddesses, above and below alike.”

Skuld just cracks. “You got to be kidding me.”

Urd, Peorth `and' Chihiro just keep leaning on in with each barb Skuld makes.. “Oh? And Sentaro doesn't mean that much to you then?” ..this Skuld just fidgets as expected. Chihiro just pats her raven melon. “Good girl.”

Lind just helps explaining for the newcomer.. “This gathering would primarily be my fault, given a request I made to Urd and Peorth a while back. It all has evolved into a gathering where we learn how best to accept the relationships we have begotten, as well as share many things to improve upon them.

It is after all, in the end..” ..she hands off the a more confident sounding Belldandy. “Yes. It is the love we feel for our beloveds, for good and ill, that gives us as goddesses, our strength. It is this natural progression that reverberates back to our loves, and their own confidence adds back to our own.”

Frig just bow wraps this.. “It may seem as if silly games, but this is what makes relationships what they are. All to the end of strengths that become events in our histories, and change many things all around us. If not for them, would many of us here, be not as happy as we are?”

Chihiro however `notes'... “Some of us.” ..this Takano eggs. “You've been busy `helping' more than you should.” ..this Chihiro frazzles the same as much as Megumi giggles. Skuld meanwhile complains.. “Still `is' silly and all.” ..hiding her sisterly fetish, and all `other' history in this same vein. Urd just groans and offers.. “Don't you think you'd be happier worrying exclusively about lil Sentaro?” ..more fidgeting, which Peorth mocks.. “Mon dieu, this one needs work.”

Urd just groans and offers.. “Don't you think you'd be happier worrying exclusively about lil Sentaro?” ..more fidgeting, which Peorth mocks.. “Mon dieu, this one needs work.”

Lind however fingered her chin. “Does all of this include what beloved was subjected to tonight?” Peorth just reacts by fluttering herself with an invisible fan. “Good thing my Secur was not present, a flutter business that was.”

Frig giggles to the next apparent point. “Is that also not why we are having these meetings? It's not just for ourselves.” ..this Bell again takes up. “When I see my Keiichi, he's magnificent as always. He was very skilled again tonight as always.” ..and traded back to goddess Mother... “We do, we here that are happily chained down, (as the saying goes,) seem to have chose ones that, when we conduct affairs of the heart, strengthening the same of ourselves, doubly so unto our beloveds.

For what power in the greater Existence has so much fragile, yet impressive power to change worlds, than does the word `love'?”

Even Skuld was enraptured, as Frigurina held her own chest over heart. “When we make more of ourselves, and selflessly out of that selfishness, unto our chosen, they seem to shine even more than they themselves realize. For if they did so too easily of themselves, we would not have chosen them so readily.

Acceptance is a complex road. Love along this can only grow strength from a trust that can't come from the selfish. And of those we chose, they do not see themselves as this, and rarely think of themselves the same. At least, not where the line we decided to choose them by, is concerned.”

Listening to a captivating oratory, Takano just enhances this.. “Such is good reason I call my Keima, `my'. He's as invincible to me, as yours own are to each you here. Do you not feel same Skuld grrl?”

Skuld happily admits. “Yeah. Sentaro always makes me feel happy when he tries his hardest. Even sometimes when he tries too hard.”

“My Keiichi is the same.” Bell admits, which kinda puts off Skuld. Frig just looks around at the others not immediately chained. “The rest of you, when your time comes, should pay heed.”

Urd just complains. “Do I have to?” ..this Peorth just cracks. “That song bird won't keep him away forever.” ..this Urd `really' groans at. Course, Lind isn't off tone either. “He still owes my beloved an apology.”

Frig actually gulps. “Let's keep that one civilized please.” ..this Lind only shrugs.

Urd just strikes back at Peorth.. “Oh, and how about `your' little matter?” ..this Peorth balks! “Faire ne pas parler du le!!” ..this Megumi just complains.. “I'm learning an informal third language here.” ..this Takano also wrings her ears out. “Not a proper way either.”

Frig just rubs her chin. “I may have to make some blind dates then.”

Urd/Peorth: “Forget it!! / Absolument pas!!”

Frigurina laughs too easily as of late. She also brings up a point. “Remember of our so called lesser halves, the ones that strive so hard when they have reason, nearly blindly at many a time, which can be scoffed at by lesser folk, but by us never.

For if we cannot see the accomplishments in them, they would not have made more beyond such.”

By now, Skuld was getting it. It wasn't hard to see why on `all' of their faces.

Not that such ever lasts long.

“Okay! Next we move on to accouterments!” ..this Frig quickly shifts topic, with a `show and tell' piece, this the others seen, and not one present `don't' blush like crazy! Skuld.. “EEK!!”

“Oh how darling!” Bell just exclaims, though Lind gulps.. “Still too flowery.”

Takano blinks. “Dang, it's just a teddy. You must like army pants too much.” ...this Lind snips back. “Is such so bad?”

Megumi fidgets as Chihiro just `adjusts' her shirt, at the red and black lacy `sight'. “Jeeze.”

Frig just looks around. “Sheesh, ye be like wusses. This all `is' also of the same evolving thing. Is it not?”

Urd a `bit' too readily notes.. “Yup!”

Skuld.. “Aw crud!”

--------------------

The others, of male lesser note, after at least plating everything for cleaning later, ended up outside to tend to the bikes, or in one case, a feeding steed of brute. Imlade just cracks as he brushes Eldras down. “I imagine it's best as always to not be hearing inside those thin walls.”

Keima just gulps. “I wonder if wisdom became of such things once.” Keiichi lifts his head from his Beemer. “Can't you ask about that, gold dude?” Imladris just chuckles.. “If I see His Eminence next time soon, I can.”

Keiba just shakes his head, though all chuckle a bit.

A muted sound from Eldras nabs Imlade's attention. “That leg okay bud?” ..he notes with a rub of his hands, making them glow again. Keiichi asks just as concerned. “Is he okay?” ..Imladris nods as he applies more healing spell energy to Eldras's left hind leg. “Aye, though we didn't expect to be racing the Lord Horse of all Existence this night. Just a mild strain.”

“How long were you two together?” Keiba asks, more than acclimated to the same zaniness of this place now, since he had need given his own racy relationship. Imladris just replies.. “Oh.. what... seventeen... no, eighteen years or so? Must have been soon after I left behind that dragon or such, and was just still wandering of all blank in mind. Came across this husky brute when he got caught by that green dragon.”

Eldras just huffs back at the knight. Imlade jokes.. “Uhuh.. that last owner or rider of yours sure didn't have a good day. All of a mouthful. Still trying to figure out how you didn't bust a leg or something, when I clipped that dragon's wing.”

Eldras just thrust his head up and made a proud whinny. Imlade just balked. “Is `that' why you're as dense as a stone? I swear your head is like that.”

The two end up jawing at each other again, as the other's sweatdrop at this. Keiichi meekly smiles.. “As Belldandy would say, they're made for each other.”

Suddenly Eldras feels a good pair of hugs from two First Class Goddesses. Imlade blinks as Lind and Frig just note. “This big boy is still much of might.” ... “His mares should be proud.”

Keima blinks and looks over at the opening at the approaching display of beauty. “Oh, done so soon?” ..before Takano just leans in on him. “Hey, you blokes didn't clean the plates.”

Keima balks! “The last time we tried, you got after us for just `that'!”

“Oh good, we understand each others then.” Takano walks past `triumphantly'. Keima just moans at the web he keeps being trapped in.

Megumi and Skuld (the former prodding the nervous latter along,) up unto Sentaro and Keiba, the lady latter stumbling to the blinking male former. “Uh.. you okay Skuld-chan?”

Skuld outright blushes like a tomato again, as Megumi just leans in on a nervous Keiba. The lady biker `queen' crooning. “You're so worth it.”

“Uh.... -meek- ...okay.”

Sentaro meanwhile just asks.. “Uh.. Skuld?”

Skuld looks at Sentaro for a moment, a split second before she suddenly uber-blushes and.. “Stop it!” ..and `pushes' Sentaro, which due to love infused goddess strength, plops the maturing boy, beneath sight of the bottom page panel, leaving only an.. “Uff!” ..and a dust cloud. Megumi and Keiba just look down. “You killed him.”

While Skuld overreacts to Megumi's `assessment', and almost smothers Sentaro in so doing, Belldandy meanwhile just edges herself over to her K1. “Dear.”

“Another fun meeting?” Keiichi nervously asks. Bell just nods up and down, a bit head squeaky like. Keiichi then offers.. “Did you want help with those dishes again tonight?”

Keiichi feels his right arm all but outright grabbed, as Bell about goes with that. “Okay! Let us...”

Frig however stifles that with another hard clap.. “Whoa! Whoa whao whoa.. before we realize each other's fantasies here, we still got one bit of business to deal with tonight.”

“Two.” Lind corrects, which Frigurina just thumbs. “Oh yeah.” ...at which Imladris moans. “Hasn't this story involved me enough? That's it, I'm going....” ..before he's shoulder accosted on both sides. Lind and Urd of note. “You still lack control.” ... “We shall make you complete.”

“You just like gawking at my Angel!” ..Imlade complains loudly, as he's dragged off to the usual Angel singing area. Frig just shakes her head and quips to Eldras as she strokes his mane. “You had to pick a loud one to befriend. Or was it one of those life debt things?”

Eldras whinnied over an answer, that busted Frig's gut in rife laughter. Keima just blinks and comments to Takano across his bike. “I'll not ask if you don't.” ..this Takano just blink-nods.

Peorth meanwhile then leans in on Frigurina. “Can we talk pour un moment, Reine Mère?”

The elder goddess blinks, and then nods.

--------------------

It was still a touchy affair, as the others around in following, saw the Angel of precursor note again. This as Imladris huffed in enough pain of stress, from the emergence of Evolution again. Lind asks as always. “Still painful to bring out love?”

Some easing huffing told the rest to Lind, as Urd shook her head. “The compatibility issue is still a problem. Not that much can be done about it.”

Imladris himself admitted.. “Being not of natural god would probably do that.” ..this the other Angel bearers look at each other nervously, all those save.. “Where'd Frig and Peorth get to?” ..this Skuld's query makes heads look around.

Belldandy however offers.. “Maybe this is a chance for proactive progression? She's helped teach you of Angel's and their trust enough Cousin.”

Imladris just chuckles at himself at that, as behind, Eldras stands with his towering head agape, over Megumi's and Chihiro's shoulders to either side, left and right respectively. Chihiro looks up at the horse, and uses a hand to close the Charger's mouth. “Watch it, I don't like horse drool.”

Of one chuckling.. “Even if my voice is still too brusque in comparisons here?”

Urd rolls her eyes. “When you have a few decades of singing experience as we do, doubly so compared to Present Sister, you voice may catch up. This is just as said..”

“Aye, aye I know. To understand angelic code string. Been of this in mind for long enough now.”

That bit of dour acceptance is however once again paled to innocent wonder, when a Twin version is exposed to the night air. Lind just offers... “I am no less in learning my recent lessons, beloved Confessor. My own Twins are enjoying them quite easily.”

Imladris just cocks an eye, as his Angel waves a meek hand, gauntleted and all, at the two giggling Twins. “You should, given your natural nature.”

Both Angel `and' Master had white, wide eyes of pain, on the clenched hand Lind lain upon his right hand chest. Lind just dryly reminds.. “My natural definition still relies on force. So you know.” ..this both Mints fold their own arms with huffed looks.

Skuld just teardrops. “Is this the same as natural disasters and all?” ..this Lind cutely fingers her chin. “Good query young one.”

Imladris just chuckles healthily at this. “I already know `that' answer, ol fearful of wrath.”

Lind... “Flatterer.”

As the banter went like this, Keima and Takano were hearing details that were anything but joyful, and hence were as quite as all dire.

“Golly.” ..Takano noted, on a quick explanation of already noted history. Peorth and Frig plainly nod. Frigurina beyond this, comments.. “So Husband is all but certain of this development?”

“Oui. It was cross referenced with Hild, since this is the one partition of information both readily share now. For all intents, Caceroth is likely back on this mortal plane. Where, we do not know, être tel le problème épineux.”

Frig sighs, as she then notes the uncertain facades of the two mortals listening. Keima just asks. “So... that... whatever he is, can come back here and attack Keiichi?”

Frig shakes her head. “Not directly. When Imladris defeated him, and that Mandala finished sealing his powers, he was prevented from returning to this particular world.

The same however is not true for the rest of this Universe. Save for gravitational pulses and meager information from Hild's link with Voluspa's network, we can't tell much more unless the Wraith Lord makes another move.

Until then...” ..Frig trails off, sharing a worried look with Peorth.

Takano however just comments on one part of all this. “I can't believe we have to rely on that infernal bimbo for any info. You'd think we should care about her end of worries.” ..this Frig smirks and offers.. “And such still is a pillar of Existence, all that good and evil stuff few save for my Husband and Imladris understand fully. In the end, Hild has as much to lose by Voluspa succeeding, as we of Heaven, and the rest of Existence in between, alike.”

Keima just sighs and shrugs. “Saving two of three however, wouldn't make `me' shed a tear.” ..this his disdain for about anything demonic was apparent. Frig didn't beheld a grudge for such. It was actually expected of mortal beings, those that were sane enough anyway.

It leveled out the few of evil that were sane enough in `that' spectrum, while they remained so.

The four just traded uncertain looks, just before they start hearing low key `prep' singing, from a certain broken baritone like voice. Frig just sighs. “He's got distance to cover yet in the meanwhile.”

“Espérer il a temps.” Peorth warbles out. Frig nods. “He will, if we keep this all mum for now. Caceroth has to act first before we can do anything about it. A wild goose chase from our Lord Knight, we can ill afford.”

Takano holds Keima's mouth, and face `zips' hers. “I'm sayin' zilch if you won't.”

Frig silently gave her thanks. Just before a second round of w-a-a-y off key practice singing made Takano blanch behind her. “Suppose you'd better set that metal goober straight again.” ..this Frig giggled.

---

“How many months since you begot this wondrous pal of yours?”

Imladris just replied back off deliberate key. “Long enough, and not long enough all the same.”

Frig giggled as much as the other goddesses, the shadowed area of night casting it's darker pall, compared to the light of the angels around that same fortunate tree stump. Three Norn, two Precursor, and an invited Forever most Gorgeous surround, as the faces and bodies of the mortals watching in awe, are all but bathed in this holy light.

Urd just mock chided the recent Angel bearer, as his Angel flutters it's much larger wing span about, easily capable of surrounding the other angels and goddesses in the same circling radii. “It's like you need us to jump start you Cousin.”

“Likely of truth.”

Frig then heard without much warning, a higher pitch sonnet, akin to a tuning fork of Angelic mode, as Lind apparently offered `just' that. Imladris just complied with his own much lower tone of the same, this Frig quickly offering.. “Much less uncertainty, much more smooth.”

Chihiro, amazed as much as anyone else, and likely to remain so for decades of such moments to come, just remarks. “Never have to be bored again.”

“Hear ya.” Takano whispers back, as the Norns join in, Sentaro of note watching, just falling in love all over again this night. Skuld was more than aware, far more than she let on in that `meeting' session, as she offered her version, the goddesses wrapping their tones around Imladris's own. It was not just fancy of sonnet either, as Imladris could `see', and `feel' the code of Intracel swimming through him, via his Angel of more attuned note, as once again they all go through an initial session of `comfort' merging, where the goddesses help gain feel of understanding of this mysterious Angel, as much as one keeps smoothing over sandpaper by hand, until one day, the surface wears down to a comfortable level.

Imladris knew, as far as he could tell, this analogy was likely to remain as so, and likely no farther, since this `was' a scar riddled Angel they were feeling. Purity of silk or satin, as far as these goddesses were in concert of feel, was not an attainable goal for this particular bearer.

The sonnets reflected that, ever one step below unto himself, in comparison, to these marvels he was amazed were so accepting of his reality. (And more that he wasn't admitting.)

Frigurina however, her Light of Purity for all intents, conducting this toned affair, feeds the results unto her elder Mistress, and in so.. “At least there is proper progression. More than you realize yourself young Nephew.”

Imladris gulped at that, not used to a different version of familiar title. “It still tickles some.”

Lind giggles a bit high pitch, Urd just chiding kooky like.. “Down warrior babe, save for later.”

Frigurina then decided to begin once more, and wordlessly handed off the `baton' to one with a voice of life itself.

Belldandy soothed out her formal song, a tone familiar to anyone listening, and off this, the other goddesses begin their sonnets along this tone, and this lead to Imladris taking cue in his more baritone quality. It was quite a stark contrast, as his voice was working a bit harder than it needed to, compared to the others.

It was sure still far more than what it all `used' to be. Keiichi alone still winced every time they all began a formal chorus, the first time actually trembling the ground, when Imladris didn't realize how much lack of control over Evolution he had, moreso over his Gravity powers.

At least Frig stopped the session cold, before Japan split in twain.

These days, it was that understanding, and a healthy dose of fear, that kept the singing to what it was, sessions of patient understanding and growing grasp of control. Frigurina kept her staunch tones, but was impressed nonetheless Imladris had gained so much control over this still, quite emotionally immature Angel, not to mention severely empowered at that.

It all came down to a growing trust that the goddesses were more than willing to give patients unto, so much the better for the results tonight.

It helped, when Lind held good clutch of the knight's left hand in her right, as her Twins bore their arms out and open, a contrast to Evolution's own at a still relative rigid and stiff.

Such was easily felt in the sung code, as a strange conflict of stabilization between ego and control, wrapped in growing maturation, still shown that there was far more to Angels, than simply power and even trust.

The compatibility problem, Frig already knew as attributed to Imladris's not as fully evolved biological-dimensionalized substructure, (or not of Tenth Dimensional make,) into a deity level base, meant there was compatibility problems at the very core.

If `not' for all that power the Title gave Imladris, he'd already be too impotent to even keep sway over the Precursor, much less able to prevent being overpowered, mind `and' body alike. Worse, Frig was worried of side effects of this incompatibility, over a longer span than had passed by now. For all the mock chides and joking at his expense, the goddesses were keenly worried of the possibility of a rejection syndrome setting in.

The very main reason why they were patient, and `smoothed' over his sung code. Both as `massaging' some compatibility in, as well as ensuring nothing dire `was' occurring.

The consequences had already been established, if there was failure upon this all. Worse with a certain Seal involved. The sessions therefore might be both a blessing, as much as a cure unto, for the likes of the one that sounded of singing in a old metal milk container. (He still needed work.)

But something new occurred this particular night, this as Imladris made an off cue `pitch' change in his singing, this the other goddesses recognized..

I... I can feel something in the code.

Up to now, he'd been too worried over his own self control, as he sung, to really pay further attention to what the code was really containing. For one that wasn't a natural at this, indeed as professed, it was easy to not see it, until he finally felt the barest twinge of confidence in his own offering.

Yes.. ..Frig and Bell realized, as because of that confidence, he `saw' a ray of more than he ever dreamed.

And that there was `life' in that code. Purity, a glimpse of what was possible through the songs of Heaven, a glimpse of what the meaning of `real' power was. Of what real majesty could be. Of more than a simplistic mind like his was expecting.

And words could not equal sight, and he did not try. A place where imagination had to come up with it's own imagination to comprehend the sight of feelings.

Wow... was as much word he could allow in his mind. It did not go past this however, as just then, he `felt' restraint upon his song. He quickly realized some of the code was keeping him from seeing too much at once.

One step at a time young kin. He `felt' in the song-voice of an elder goddess. He realized this, but then felt his own Angel balk a bit at this. His song tone pitch changed to a bit less serene, out in the open, as he realized the Angel wasn't agreeing.

`That' was handled in the care of a twin set of code that sung to `reverberate' the Precursor back to guidance, as Imladris found renewed appreciation for his Beloved's Twins.

It was there, that the song led by the Present, was rendered back there so.

By the time the tones faded off, a remorse had returned to `his' eye.

“Holy.” ..more than one mind, echoed in his voice the same. Frigurina blinked and nodded.

“GACK!” Imlade had time only to react with, when Lind and Twins alike just glommed happily. “Excellent beloved! You finally saw what our songs can do!”

`Y.. yea.. yeah..” Imladris shook out, still awe struck at realization. Belldandy just bowed, as Megumi afar asked.. “Did something new happen?”

Frig just gestured towards the old tree stump. “Take a look for yourself.” ..this the mortals (human and horse alike,) came up and then gawked. “Hey! That trunk looks newer!” Keiba exclaimed, as Imladris gasped at the sight of the old husk, having entire sections of the surface looking younger than ever.

There was even a branch growing a tiny seed nut from it.

“Wha...?”

Fig smirked as Belldandy explained happily. “Cousin finally saw the life force our songs can bring. And not more than simple code. Since we all use the tree here as a focus anyway...”

“He added to it for once.” ..Keiichi completed. Imlade just pipped his eyes. “Really?”

Lind just glommed happily again. “A brand new step into our world of being.”

Imladris gulped at that, as Frig however reminded. “Yes, but he still had a bit of trouble holding Evolution back. Again I must add.”

“Sorry.” Imlade readily admitted. Peorth just stood there amazed, as Urd offered. “Hey, at least you'll catch up in another hundred years. You and Skuld are on track.”

Skuld just frazzled as much as Nobel Scarlet did, while World of Elegance did the laughing for Urd. Imlade and Evolution, both glom-wrapped respectively, just dryly looked back at Urd, as Imlade spoke same.. “Your confidence is astounding, goddess.”

“Better than her sense of responsibility.” Skuld took aim back with. Urd/Elegance took turn to miff back facially as Skuld had her own laugh.

Frig and Bell traded a look each, and sighed unto both. “Oh dear.”

--------------------

“Angels are `not' easy to work with.”

Imladris's weary assessment at the foot of the residence slide door, just was accented by Urd's words. “An Angel is the pinnacle our realm of understanding and controlling magic, and therefore not to be taken lightly anyway.” ..this Urd eyes Skuld. “Unlike some of us once did.”

“Or ones that were hidden away.” Skuld barbed back.

Lind just put forth in an enamoured fashion. “Such is not supposed to be easy. Less so in your case. All such fanciful they are sure not.”

“Agreed.” Frig added. Imladris just chuckled. “I just hope I don't have to hog-tie my soul partner down, one day here. That side of it all is unnerving.”

For once, the others couldn't really echo words to this, save for one. “A unique challenge of this Precursor. You'll borne it well in time. We'll promise you that much.”

Imladris just nodded back. Frig and Peorth traded a look at that moment, the former wondering.. Will this all be a problem when Caceroth shows back up?

Even Imladris thought he felt a shiver. He didn't heed it past fatigue though. He also had another concern when a new whinny pinged the air. The knight looked up suddenly. “Eh? You sure about that?”

“Say who what now?” Chihiro queried as the knightly steed approached a bit, likewise from the weary knight, whom stood and approached. “You're that worried?”

Belldandy just offered for non comprehending ears. “He's worried about his own family too.” .. Megumi smiling. “Wow.. a family... uh.. horse.”

Imladris just nodded in further understanding. “Guess being a stud takes a lot of work.” ..this Eldras laugh whinnies back, which doesn't come back well in tone of.. “What does `that' mean!?”

He then suddenly feels Lind all over him.. “I understood well enough.” ..course Imlade pokes back at the oversized pony. “And what do `you' know about marriage? You're fooling around so much, I'm surprised you know of such words!”

Eldras just huffed and rolled his eyes. Still, the tone turned a bit more tender as Eldras whinnied and huffed in detail. Peorth.. “Seven mares and thirty four offspring? Talk about busy.”

“Okay okay, guess you have other things to do.” ..this Imladris stretches his arm over to give a good pat at the neck. “Long time no see though. With a bonus I guess.” Eldras just `replied', by mussing up the top of his friend's head with his large chin, a good sign of affection the others appreciated, before Imladris had Lind stand back. “Alrighty, be sure to embellish the story when you get home.”

A renewed portal spell later, with everyone bracing themselves against the wind lashing about, Eldras nods to Imladris, before then stepping to the portal. However on the call back, Eldras heard something that wasn't directed at him at all.

“What?!!” ..Imladris had time for before Eldras vanished, and the portal disappeared, leaving behind a nervous knight and a sauntering Valkyrie.. well.. sauntering up. Imladris just quipped.. “I know you didn't hear that. It's too early still.”

“I heard. A love child would be an added..”

Most hearing blinked as Imlade snapped.. “We're too young to do that! Plus it's a marriage thing and all, and..”

Lind just reacted `neutrally'. “I hear too much ill rejections in this tone.”

Imlade just balked back, arms waving about.. “Do I look like a father figure to you!?!”

Takano just got up and started wiping herself. “This'll get messy.” ...this as Sentaro croons. “Kewl, this night is complete!” Skuld however wonders over.. “Won't your parents get mad?” ..this Sentaro.. “I'm surprised `they' don't come over here.” ..this as Lind `picks' an earring of diamond shape. “You look like my betrothed.”

Imlade backed up.. “But we shouldn't rush such things, you... - CLANG - ...kNow... owwie.”

“We haven't sparred tonight, so... eh? HEY! Get back here!!!”

Everyone watches for about thirty seconds, before Keiichi comments.. “Oh, the dishes.”

Urd: “Ah, and my show is coming on.”

Peorth/Skuld/Takano: “Our show.”

Megumi: “Mahjong night `again'?”

Chihiro: “- yawning - Not me, got work tomorrow.”

Frig: “At least clean up after yourselves.”

Keima/Keiba: “Yeah, bike city.”

Sentaro just of note offers.. “I'll watch here for a bit before heading home.” ..before Skuld yanks him inside along with most else. “Nu-uh. I need some help tonight.” ... “Aw man!”

And so most disperse, as Lind just chases after Imlade.. “Get back here!!”

“Let me get my weapon at least! YIPE! I need my head you know!”

“Quit whining!!” -SLASH!!-

Keiichi just looks over his shoulder, occasionally seeing some swinging and manic crying. “Heh, it's still going to be fun.” ...and heads on in with the rest. Like they hadn't heard this same girly screaming for months now. (It's just more noise to block out.)

Inside however, as a large thunk sound signals the start of another Takano can of whup-arse, Keiichi walked past a calendar near the kitchen. “Eh?” Bell looked back.. “Dear?”

“Wow.. I forgot again to ask gold dude. He knows all about that Halloween stuff right?” ..this Bell blinks. “Oh my, with everything tonight, I forgot too.”

Some more manic screaming outside however just nets from Keiichi. “Maybe I'll ask when his bones mend.”

Bell just giggles, before a rather nasty sounding smash makes them both gulp.

“If he lives.” Bell actually admits.

“Hey! Stop it with the dang Menzenchin!!” ...ala Urd.

“I can't help it y'all gals can't stop with fancy-pants hands!” ..ala Takano.

Keiichi adds.. “If we live too.”

--------------------

- One early risen morning later, the sun just starting to rise -

A radio sounding of apparent note.

A strange sight today, as the infamous Inokura roadway, scene of many unofficial races by bikers through out the Prefecture, today has a new twist in it's curves, or rather, hoof prints. This as apparently sometime last night, people heard strange sounds attributed to a large horse of some kind, possibly attributing to the ghost rumors the circuit is famous for.

There is no current explanation for all of this, as road crews consider how best to tackle this...

“Imladris...” ..all the bike loving riders of the family that morning noted, as they all sit for breakfast, one of the two warriors looking all beaten up still. (It tain't Lind for sure.)

Said bloke hunching down.. “Hey, you all made me do it.”

(End Act II - Vol. II )

--------------------

Author tidbits: Hope this racing bit hit home for all such fans of that part of the series out there. There's more to come, with a few characters I haven't used yet, that will come into the picture again. Also wanted to try a few surprises out here along the same lines, and lead `that' into other magical plot bits I also have in mind.

Told ya all this wouldn't be as.. hehe.. short a series. (Like I wasn't long enough with Volume I, no?

Oh, and no Drabbles this time. Got a more holiday oriented thang in mind with this next offering. Enjoy kiddies.