This is my second draught of my Oh My Goddess! fanfic called 'Meta-Matics'.
Comments, questions, and even complaints are appreciated. Thanks!
Aa! Megami-sama characters created by Kosuke Fujishima.
Character of Kenji created by Ed Sharpe.
All other characters created by the author.
*** If this story is too dark for AMG, then sue me! :-) ***
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METAMATICS
A dramatic retelling of the last days of the universe
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METAMATICS: What is it?
In the 1950's, Swiss artist Jean Tinguely developed mechanistic
sculptures that poked fun at the machine age and art itself. He
developed sculptures that were monstrous machines. He designed mechas
to attack one another, auto-destructive 'sculptures' that, in effect,
committed mecha-suicide. He also designed mechas that could themselves
create works of art, which he called Meta-matics.
PART ONE: ANGELS HAVE FALLEN
The old woman was wearing a dress that might have been classy
ten years ago when it was new, when it was worn by someone with the
right figure to fill it. On this woman it hung so long and loose
that the hemline, dragging on the sidewalk, was continuously threatened
by her sneakers, and the sleeves came down so low that her hands and
the neck of a liquor bottle were invisible.
The old woman brushed a matted clump of grey hair from her eyes and
viewed the temple before her. Situated on a hill, this beautiful,
Japanese temple overlooked the university town of Nekomi, home also to
mega-computer giant, Fujishima Technologies and Industry Corporation
-- FTIC. These details held little meaning to the lone woman. In her
weary travels she had finally reached her destination. When she spoke,
her words nearly stra ngled within her throat.
"Hasn't changed after all these years."
And she walked through the temple gate.
Belldandy was cooking dinner. She thought about how life around
her was sweet with her special love, Kosuke. She would do anything for
him, even die for him. She hoped he'd like what she was making.
"Kosuke?" she called out for him.
Moments later, Megumi peeked out from the kitchen doorway. "He's
right here." Megumi was holding the hand of a small boy with sandy hair.
"Wha', Mommy?" the toddler asked.
"Kosuke-chan!" she announced joyfully. Kneeling now, Bell wrapped
her arms around him and hugged him. "Thanks, Megumi."
"After dinner I'll give him a bath," Megumi offered.
"Oh, no thank you; I'm imposing on you already.
The doorbell rang.
A suddenly pensive Belldandy walked to the door, hesitating before
opening. The strange yet familiar woman before her looked weak and
frail but with a glimmer of youthful cleverness in her eyes. Her
clothes, as well her breath, reeked of sake. She gave Belldandy a sad
smile.
The restaurant was busy, and the customers were vibrating every
available air molecule with their boisterous conversations, talks of
the short life outside corporate walls. One such party was held by
FTIC. They were celebrating another 'coup' in their attempt to
increase their market share. Chopsticks dived hungrily into plates of
defenseless sushi, while beer glasses danced to the staccato rhythm of
company toasts. Everybody was blissfully ignorant to the outside
world. Everybody, that is, except Morisato Keiichi.
Keiichi's mind was on other things. The stress made it difficult
for him to have an appetite. He couldn't eat. He thought about the
Peter Principle, where in every hierarchy every employee tends to rise
to his or her level of incompetence. Had he reached that point?
He looked over the table and espied a young woman sitting there.
And she was looking at him! Keiichi looked away, thinking that she's
just being curious. Where was he? Oh, right. There must be more to
life than this, he wondered. After he got married, it seemed that
things got rather boring. Belldandy was too submissive. He needed a
woman to challenge him.
He accidently looked her way again. Still looking at him, she was
now smiling. It was him she was looking at, right? Giving in, he gave
her a friendly wave of his hand and then turned his attention toward
the president, who was blathering something about 'if a hundred
business men decide to do it, then it's legal.'
Keiichi was only half aware that somebody had squeezed a seat in
beside him. "Hi, I'm Kikuko," said a soft voice. Keiichi could smell
a strawberry fragrance which was like the voice for some reason. He
looked at the person beside him. It was her, the one who was looking
at him!
"I've seen you around," she explained. "You're one of the
technicians involved with the latest Birugeitsu project."
Keiichi was impressed. He thought that most people would not know
him, owing to the company's practice of de-centralizing the various
departments. "Yes, but there many bugs in the design and I've been
assigned as trouble-shooter," he said. He noticed that Kikuko was
quite attractive. Although her hands, toughened by years of work, and
her figure weren't feminine, she had a bright smile that would catch
any man's attention.
"Design work, hm?" she said. Aware that Keiichi was examining
her, she tucked one of the loose tails of her shirt back into her navy
blue pant-suit. "Myself, I prefer to get into the nuts n' bolts and
assemble the stuff by hand."
"Me too, actually. I never thought I'd work for what is essentially a
computer company but, with all those advances in technology in the last
few years, computers and mechanicals are one and the same."
"The world has gone mecha, alright," she concurred. "FTIC believes
it's products will revolutionize the way we live. Pretty soon we'll be
living in VR chairs and letting the machines live for us." The thought
made her shiver.
"What? And stop having these company parties?" he laughed, smiling at
his new friend.
They continued the conversation and soon found themselves carried
away. To them, the rest of the party was no longer there.
"Urd? What are you doing here?"
"I thought that maybe you'd be ready. I have no where else to go."
"What happened to your boyfriend?"
Urd hesitated as she looked away from her sister. "He gave me the
boot. I'm too old for him," she sadly replied. She looked down to see
the young child fiercely cling to the skirt of his mother's dress. Urd
had a puzzled look on her weathered face.
Belldandy noticed this so she told her that this was her son.
"Hi, little fellow. No need to be frightened."
Kosuke-chan relaxed a little but kept his distance.
Urd stooped down to talk with the boy. "How old are you now?"
"Uh, three. Mommy, who's the old lady?"
"That's your Auntie Urd."
"Oh. I want the bathroom."
"Go ask your Auntie Megumi."
Another surprise for Urd. "She's staying
here?"
"Yes, she's working at FTIC part-time and, since it's so close to
the temple, she's living here and helping me look after my son."
"And I'm here as well." A tall figure walked in. She was a
beautiful young woman, with a flowing mane of black hair and long
shapely legs flowing from out of her short skirt. She had toned down
the bells and large collars she once sported in adolescence. "Hiya,
Urd. Long time no see!"
Urd felt joy to be still recognized by her sisters.
"Skuld, my you have changed," she said, hugging her sister. "Bet
you're the envy of many boys."
"Yeah. I hafta swat them away with Mjolnir," she said with pride,
patting the polo mallet strapped to her back. "C'mon in. Dinner's
almost ready, so why don't you join us?"
"Why thank you," responded Urd while glancing at Belldandy.
Belldandy avoided her gaze and remained silent.
"Oh, and have a bath. You reek," teased a playful Skuld, still
childlike even at age 20.
Sitting at the dinner table was Belldandy, Skuld, Megumi,
Kosuke-chan and Urd. Megumi was feeding Kosuke-chan. Urd, thoroughly
cleansed, looked more like her younger self, although still weather
beaten. Urd appreciated the meal she had been offered. "Are you sure
there is enough leftover for me?"
"Well, it was for Keiichi-san but tonight he's home late. Normally, I
save his share and reheat it when he gets in, but that's okay," she
said without the proper conviction to sound like she meant it.
"I'll make it up to you, I swear," Urd said abruptly. She hated to be
guilt-tripped. Silence ensued as Skuld and Megumi, not understanding
the significance of those words, observed the two sisters as they
glared at each other.
Megumi, hoping to return the atmosphere back to happy talk, asked Skuld
to tell Urd what the youngest goddess had been up to recently.
"I've been in Iceland for the year," Skuld stated. "You'd figure a
place like that would have plenty of ice cream..."
The eldest sister was brought to life. "Ha ha, so you still can't get
enough of that confection, eh? Still have that mecha-fetish?"
"I grew out of it," said Skuld matter-of-factly.
"Really? When did that happen? I thought you'd always..."
Skuld hesitated. "I'm not.. sure," she answered, absent mindedly
pulling out a cigarette and lighting it.
"Skuld! Remember the non-smoking rule in this temple!" Belldandy
scolded. She emphasized her point by indicating a sign on the wall
which read: No Smoking - Temple By-Law #2.
"Sorry, forgot." Skuld was beginning to feel the bad vibes were being
dumped onto her, so she decided to change the subject. "Anyway, I'm on
a 2 month break from my contract to fulfill wishes. Ever since I became
a first class goddess, I've taken over Older Sister's former job."
Urd winced at the mention of goddess qualifications.
Finishing dinner, Urd asked Skuld about something of which she was
curious. "Now that you are in the area, have you visited Kenji yet?"
"Haven't had time."
"Actually, Kenji had sent a letter here for Skuld whenever she got back
from Iceland," added Belldandy helpfully.
Skuld asked to be excused so she could have a drag.
Megumi started again. "So if will you be in this town for a while, why
don't you stay here? This temple always has plenty of room. You can
even have your old room."
"That would be wonderful. I'll need some time before I can find my own
place." Urd looked at Belldandy, wondering what was on her mind. "If
it's all right with you..."
Belldandy was silent.
Megumi, realizing that the dinnertime chat was over, got up to
leave. "Well, I'm sure you and Bell have lots to catch up on. I'll be
giving Kosuke-chan a bath if anybody needs me."
Belldandy got up reaching out for Megumi as she walked away with
her son but she stopped herself. Too late. She was alone now with
Urd. How could Megumi leave her in such an awkward position?
Urd sensed the tension and did her best to ease it. "I'm sorry."
Bell tried not to listen by busying herself with clearing the
dishes. And making sure she didn't hear anything offensive, she hummed
one of her clean-up songs.
"You know I had good intentions at heart. It wasn't to spite you or
Keiichi," Urd tried to explain.
In response, Belldandy only hummed louder.
The evening sky was just showing the first few stars of the night. The
crisp, cool air, although refreshing to the lungs, only served to
remind Skuld that winter was coming. Time for longer skirts, she
thought, feeling the cool air caress her bare legs. She pulled out a
cigarette and lit it, creating an amber glow on her face for a moment
before engulfing herself in a cloud of smoke.
She had walked some distance before she arrived at a disused shed. She
hesitated before entering, wondering if this would only complicate
things further, then she went inside.
Quietly, Belldandy showed her oldest sister the guest room, Urd's old
room. Memories cascaded inside Urd's brain. She stepped inside and felt
a warm glow envelope her body. She wanted to clear things up with her
younger sister, but it seemed that Belldandy wasn't in the right mood.
"At least you gave me dinner, and I thank you."
"C'mon you are our guest," Belldandy said.
Urd looked at her younger sister with regret. "That's it, isn't
it? You're never going to forgive me."
Keiichi approached the temple wondering why the taxi dropped him
off at the ice cream parlor. Oh, right. He was hungry. Why didn't he
buy anything?
The street lights were fuzzy and the road was looked like it was
breathing. A loud crashing sound was heard.
And why do people put trash cans so close to the sidewalk?
Stumbling, Keiichi arrived home thinking pleasant
thoughts about Inoue, then with a growling stomach he thought about a
pleasant dinner by Belldandy. At least he had that to look forward to!
Skuld walked back smoking and contemplating. Holding a white card and
torn envelope, she then pulled out a yellowed, crinkled paper and held
them out as if to compare them. The old note read:
September 9, 1999.
Dear Skuld:
First of all, I'd like to congratulate you on your
passing of the exams. Anyway, I feel a need to write you
since I wasn't able to say this in person, and I've got to
get this to you before you travel abroad.
Skuld, when we met again at Belldandy- and Keiichi's
wedding, I didn't realize that my feelings for you were
stronger than ever. When we first met I was a little
confused and unsure of my feelings, but now I know that my
love for you is for real and a deeper love than just mere
infatuation. When I saw you at the wedding, I couldn't
believe how you'd become more beautiful over time. And
although you didn't steal the spotlight from Bell most of
the guys there were all over you. I admit that I was a
bit jealous. That's why asked you out, then and there, so
I could rest my mind.
The past two months have been the most wonderful of my
life. I wish it didn't have to end. Why do you have to
go? I wish we could have been together -- I mean, really
together. I'm sorry, Skuld, I have trouble writing about
my emotions but I know my love for you is forever. I just
want to know if you feel that way, too.
Love always, Kenji.
She was thinking about Kenji's note. 'I loved you but,' Skuld looked
at the white card, 'you deserve someone who is pure and innocent.'
Belldandy tried to greet Keiichi with a kiss but he avoided it and
asked about dinner.
"I'm sorry but Urd came for dinner, so I'm making something special
for you. It'll be ready in an hour," Belldandy pleaded. She didn't
like getting her husband angry.
"You mean, you gave Urd my dinner?" Keiichi was dizzy from
bewilderment. "How dare you! I'm your husband -- who's more important
than me?"
Belldandy was bordering on hysteria. "I expected you home much later
so I thought it would be ready by the time you came home. I'm sorry."
The apology only infuriated him. "You bitch!" he cried, slugging her
in a rage. In sudden realization of what he had done, he ran to his room
sobbing. Belldandy was left shell-shocked and in tears.
Urd overheard the melee as she walked over to the bathroom to see
Megumi, muttered to herself that it was a mistake to come here. How
could rectify a situation of this magnitude in the state she was in?
Keiichi was in the bedroom looking over the wedding photos trying to
figure out how everything had gone wrong.
"Everything was fine right up to the wedding. Look at Bell, how
beautiful she was in her dress. Like an angel. I was so madly in love
with her then. Tamiya, my best man. And Skuld, maid of honour. Mara
gate-crashed by popping out of the cake. Then the music started and
that demon wouldn't stop! That's classic. And Urd... "
He frantically flipped pages of the photo-album. "Where is she? I'm
sure she was a bridesmaid but can't find her yet. Wait. Here's The
bridal shot. She's not there! She was right next to Sayoko. Am I losing
my mind?"
Megumi was more friendly than Bellandy was towards Urd, so they caught
up on old times. Megumi was playing with Kosuke-chan as he was bathing.
"So my sister is now, not only a wife, but a mother?" Urd mused.
"Uh huh," she nodded. Megumi looked longingly at the child in the
tub. "Y'know, I wish I had a child."
"Was the pregnancy difficult?"
"For Bell? She found it quite easy, really."
Urd looked surprised. "Oh? Considering that a human and a goddess
conceived the child, I'm amazed that everything went so smoothly."
But before Megumi could continue, Keiichi came in to ask his sister
about Urd. "Oh."
He stopped. He saw Megumi.
Megumi looked at Keiichi. Her heart began to pound like mad and she
said, "Keiichi, you're home. I'm so glad."
They embraced tightly.
Keiichi's heart was also pounding. "I had a late meeting with the
boss."
"I missed you."
"I missed you, too."
Oh dear, thought Urd. Better break it up. "Keiichi, aren't you going
to say hi to me?"
Keiichi returned to normal. "Is that you, Urd?"
"Yes, 'tis I. I think we've got a lot of catching up to do, eh?"
The pair walked off and Megumi, herself again, re-entered the
bathroom. "How are you
doing, Kosuke-chan?" She looked in. "Kosuke-chan?"
The bathtub was empty.
"Kosukeiii!!!"
END PART ONE
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small sig, eh?
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