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| Re: [FLUFF] New Year's Challenge - Team Bubba, Medium Challenge 1 of 2 |
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Group: rec.arts.anime.fandom · Group Profile
Author: Aje RavenStarAje RavenStar Date: Jan 3, 2007 19:02
>> "Bill Martin" hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:2007010112455975249-billrmartin@hotmailcom...>>> Okay, remember to post the fics in rec.arts.anime.fandom.
>>>
>>> --------------------------
>>> MEDIUM CHALLENGE
>>> --------------------------
.
____________________________
"It seems you had some unsought help in your task," one of the old men
around town said.
"And you owe these two assistance in return."
"They will explain. But, because what you did benefited us -."
"And it will be something else interesting -."
"We will give you a hand if needed."
"I see," I sighed, turning to the new arrivals. "What's the story?"
The two new arrivals bowed, saying "Pleased to meet you."
"I am Belldandy, Goddess first class, and my companion is Morisato Keiichi,"
the beautiful young lady added. "I have a letter explaining what is
required."
She handed it over.
I unfolded it and read, "Salutations, Hero, from I, the All Father. As thou
be faced with challenges dire, the favor of Heaven shall be yours in
exchange for a week's duty. I send the bearer of this missive and her
companion into your care for that duration while the attendants of Yggdrasil
make corrections to faults in the system force of which their companionship
has been the prime cause. As thou reside in a different dimension, this
should insure the necessary changes and testing should take no more than a
standard week. Upon completion and verification our dimension can handle
their pairing without damage while still allowing lassitude for them to face
appropriate challenges, they shall be recalled immediately. Be not
concerned upon their departure without warning. You have Our gratitude."
"Ah, Odin, then?" I asked. "And you know why you are here?"
"My father, yes," Belldandy smiled. "He is making it possible for my
sisters and others to make corrections to the Yggdrasil system that will let
Keiichi and I remain together per our contract, which the system accepted
and made binding but which yet has placed undue stress upon same. At the
same time, the system has to have flexibility to allow us to have challenges
come our way to be dealt with, poorly or successfully, for our own growth.
Father does not allow anyone a free pass, he expects all to serve a purpose
in his plan. He sent us here as it was a suitable distance to insure the
system was free of any influence from myself or Keiichi during the
corrective process that might have corrupted things as much or worse than
they currently are."
"As it should be," I nodded. "There were instructions for you
to use no powers at all without great need until your recall, were there
not?"
"Yes, there were," Belldandy nodded. "Father said you would
understand. You have the favor of Heaven in return for your service, but I
myself cannot do anything directly with my powers as a goddess to assist you
in any problem you have."
"So, basically, you're on vacation," I said, noticing that my translator,
Otohime Mitsumi, had returned and was relating the conversation to Morisato.
"That's it exactly," Belldandy agreed. "You seem to be taking this well."
"I remember you from last year, actually," I told her. "Your sister Urd was
helping me on a job sort of like this, and somehow you were pulled in as her
opposite. So I'm familiar with your background."
"Oh, that's right!" she exclaimed after a moment's thought. "You were going
by the name 'Charlie' then. Inu suits you better. I had forgotten that.
How strange"
"I think your sister wished it to be completely forgotten by everyone
involved," I pointed out.
"That could be. Well, that explains why Father felt comfortable sending me
to you."
We were joined by a group of about a dozen people or so in costume at that
point, two of which hollered "That's him!" One started drawing a katana,
alerting me that these must be the residents of the Inn we were just below.
I quickly moved the Ziploc bag of chocolates behind my back until I could
explain.
"" Otohime said, moving between us,
repeating it in English for my benefit.
"" an authority figure who had come up with them
said. He grabbed his phone and made a quick call. A car pulled up several
minutes later and the Council representative I had made my contract with
jumped out. "Arigatou, Inu - sorry. Thanks, Inu, for the extra service you
just provided. The criminal you brought to heel had a fair amount of money
on him. Most of it has been impounded against fines and damages that will
be levied against him - such as disposal of that football helmet - "
"I want it back!" one of the younger ones in the crowd protested.
"No," the Council guy said firmly. "Anyway, Inu, it was decided you
deserved 100,000 yen from this supply for your quick action in helping bring
this situation to a peaceful end with no one harmed. This is in addition to
the previous fee agreed to." He pulled an envelope out and handed it to me.
I bowed gratitude and he jumped back in the car and left. The crowd was
looking at me a little less hostilely with the exception of the cutest gal
of the bunch. "" she scowled.
"
known here by his calendar year than to try to translate his actual name,>"
Otohime told her for me. ""
She translated, and introduced the others. As I had expected, these were
the Inn residents, several of whom I had heard the names of from the Old
Men. I bowed to each. Afterwards, I handed the bag of chocolates back to
the young lady named Shinobu, and had Otohime express my explanation of why
I had them and ask her pardon for taking advantage of the opportunity to use
them as I had.
It then clicked on me what one of the introductions had been. I looked to
the single male in the group. "You're Keitaro-san, the manager of the Inn,
I understand?" I said.
"Hai," he responded after translation.
"Would you have at least two, maybe three, rooms available for a week? I
was supposed to leave this evening, but looks like I'll be staying here an
extra week, so I'll need a place to stay. With board, or at least kitchen
privileges. I can pay 60,000 to 75,000 yen."
He looked at the oldest member of the group, which I suddenly recognized as
the woman who had stopped the rest of this same group from tossing the guy I
was addressing in front of the sociopath. She nodded, smiling, and said.
"70,000 yen, two rooms, board included, one week. And access to the Hot
Springs."
"Excellent," I agreed. "My companions will claim one, and I'll claim the
other. Or he'll be sharing mine, not sure which. Let's just get there. I
want to relax a bit."
"," a couple of the young ladies protested.
"" Belldandy interrupted. "
privacy for both groups in the springs at once.>" Protest immediately
ceased, and she dropped back to talk to me again.
"I do not wish to disturb you, Inu-sama, but as we were being transported, I
felt a disquieting, negative presence moving along with us," she said.
"I think it was just a farewell present from Skuld," her companion
commented. "You know how she feels about us being alone. I wonder what
form her spell to insure we don't get close will take this time."
"I don't think she was allowed to," Belldandy told him. "We're on vacation,
completely. I asked an earth spirit to attend to the privacy matter, for
example."
"I hope you're right," Morisato said.
"Will ya'll have problems sharing the same room, or would Morisato prefer to
bed down in mine?" I asked.
"I think it best we stay together," he said after looking toward her. "We
don't know when this recall will come, actually, or what form it will take.
And, if there is something that followed us here, or her sister put a spell
on me, I'm better off near her so she can deal with it."
"Quite sensible," I agreed. (continued)
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