paixaorpg | All We Know of Heaven [Completed]

Entry tags:

All We Know of Heaven [Completed]

Character(s): Genie and Urd
Content: Urd needs some cheering up. Who better to help than Genie?
Setting: Urd's house in zone M6
Time: Week 20, morning
Warnings: More angst! Yay?

"Sometimes, when one person is missing, the whole world seems depopulated." So said the French poet, Alphonse de Lamartine. Urd couldn't remember where she read that quote or why it popped into her head now, but she couldn't deny the truth of it. With Belldandy gone, Paixao seemed so much more...empty.

Their house, the house Belldandy had created for them so that Urd could focus less on the details and more on some alone time with Genie, was quiet. She had no idea where Yorda went off to -- she hadn't seen the girl in some time, though she knew she was still somewhere in the city, safe. The morning light seemed dim as it slanted through the cheery curtains on the windows. Urd stopped her slow walk and gazed at the door in front of her, expression blank.

The sign on Belldandy's room read "Everybody's Tea Room." She lifted her hand and touched her fingertips to the familiar wooden placard. It was so like Belldandy to make what was supposed to be a space of privacy into a welcoming area for all. Sharing everything she had without question, embracing all with her undeniable warmth and quiet strength.

Urd's hand on the sign curled into a fist, head lowering as she felt a particularly strong pang of pain in her heart. She turned, placing her back against the door and slowly slid down to the carpet. She wasn't strong. To the outside observer, Urd had always seemed the most confident, most capable of all the sisters, but anyone with any real perception could see the truth.

She was only as strong as Belldandy made her feel.

Urd brought one knee up to her chest, loosely hugging it. It was better this way, she tried to remind herself. Belldandy was with Keiichi once more, where she belonged. It was selfish to want her to stay with Urd as long as she did. But Urd was selfish. Before Belldandy came, staying in Paixao was just a fun way to pass time until she figured out a way home. With her sister here and then gone, being in Paixao was somehow harder. It was as if she finally knew what she'd been missing all along.

Lowering her head to her knee, hair covering her face on either side, the goddess sat in the hallway outside her sister's room and tried desperately to rid herself of the heavy weight on her heart.

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Belldandy’s absents had not gone unnoticed. Genie had noted it immediately upon entry of their house alone that morning. There was a missing sort of warmth that goddess brought to the home, something that could never be imitated, and once he searched the house for the goddess he found that his feeling had been right. She wasn’t there. He had no intention of alarming Urd with such news, especially when there was no solid evidence that she was in fact gone. Perhaps she had decided to go for a morning stroll through the city or visit Destiny Islands to gather fresh ingredients for breakfast. To jump to such a drastic conclusion was simply unwise. Just because she was not home that did not mean she was not in ‘Castle Oblivion’. Without leaving as much as a note, or even checking to see if Urd was home, the genie set off in search of the missing goddess.

Genie had not gotten very far before he found a new journal entry over the network regarding Belldandy. It appeared as though Urd had beaten him to the punch, which came as no surprise. If anyone would notice her absents, it would be her. From their conversation it was clear that she had been out in search of her sister far before he had, searching the city, Destiny Islands, and even Halloween Town. All of which had lead to no traces of the goddess. It appeared as though their most dreaded conclusion had become a reality.

Home once again he searched the house for the goddess where he found her sitting outside her sisters room. He spoke softly, so not to startle her as he approached. “Urd.” Down to her level he wrapped his arms around her and embraced her in silence. She was not as alone as she surely felt and he was there to remind her of that.

She felt his presence even before he said anything. Before she was able to force a smile on her face, laugh it all off as if nothing were wrong, he was wrapping her into a hug. Genie's hugs were the best, full of warmth and caring and love. The only one who hugged like him was...

Urd swallowed the lump in her throat that had suddenly formed and turned her face into the crook of his shoulder and neck, squeezing him back. She couldn't look at him just then or he'd see how weak she felt, how vulnerable. Some absent part of her knew he wouldn't care, but it was the principle of the thing.

"Heh," she laughed into his shoulder, and if a laugh could have less joy in it, she hadn't heard it yet. She pressed her hands into his back a little more firmly, blinking away the tears that had sprung up, completely ignoring her will to not cry. "You'd think I'd be used to her not being around," she said once she felt she could talk without her voice wavering too badly.

Urd pulled away a bit, resting her hands on his upper arms. She cleared her throat and finally met his eyes, smiling weakly. "I'm glad you were able to meet her."

Genie knew what Urd was doing but wisely chose to keep quiet. He had seen it all before. It was not strictly human behaviour, regardless of the expression ‘only human’. No one wanted to appear vulnerable. Why, even he could recall a point at which he had chosen to mask his emotions as well. How naive he had been. He spent a good two thousand years resenting himself for that little error in judgment. But even after all the losses he had faced, he could not say he had the right to truly compare them to Urd’s. He had never been separated from a sibling before. He could not remember even having a sibling. Whether or not he truly did was anyone’s guess but, for the most part, what Urd must have felt he would never truly know.

He allowed the goddess to slide out of his hold, showing no protest to her actions. His gaze travelled down to meet with hers and knowing smile given in return to hers. “Sometimes we don’t know ourselves as well as we think we do. However, do not be mistaken. In times like these it is not always our true selves that are revealed but merely the strain of the trials we’ve faced. It is the small tests we are confronted with that show our character.” Genie placed his hands on Urd’s shoulders and looked deeply into her eyes. “Urd, I promise you, you will see Belldandy again. This is not goodbye, only au revoir. I’m more than happy to have had the opportunity to meet her and I smile because it happened! We only part to meet again and that means every goodbye makes the next hello closer. Although, I get the distinct feeling that she may have overheard that you might be taking up cooking and wanted to avoid the disaster - not that it would turn into one, of course.”

Urd listened to him quietly, his wisdom like a balm on her heart. At his last comment, she blinked a few times in surprise before laughing softly, even as a fresh sheen of tears rose up in her eyes. She rose up on her knees and, placing her hands on either side of his jaw, kissed his forehead. "Geez, how'd you get so wise?" she asked quietly, a gentle, sad smile curving her lips. She was more grateful for Genie's friendship now than she could put into words.

She stood up with a sigh, scrubbing at her eyes with the heel of her hand; a gesture that was almost childish compared to her usual elegant composure. "Enough of this. Belldandy is back where she belongs, with Keiichi." Urd opened the door and walked into the sunny room, breathing deeply the fresh air from the open windows.

"She told me once that she must've been brought here because she was needed. There's a powerful force binding Bell with the man she loves; I always knew it was a matter of time before it brought her back to him. But I think...on some level, she knew I needed her here, at least for a little while. Somehow, our connection was able to bypass all of the boundaries and locks. I needed her...and she came to me."

Urd turned and faced Genie, the morning light shining behind her. She gave him a genuine but quiet smile. "I must still be needed here."

Edited 2010-04-04 15:44 (UTC)

His smile sat steady and true across his features. A being of his considerable age was only expected to carry some amount wisdom, though he certainly found no interest in acting like it. Age, after all, we just a number. “Reflection, imitation, and experience.” He said in response to her question, quoting Confucius as simply as possible. There was no reason to look to deeply into the source of his wisdom. After all, this was about her not him. “Somewhere between sixty three and sixty four thousand years ago I must have picked it up.”

Genie offered the goddess a tissue as she stood to her feet once, his eyes full of concern as they followed her carefully into Belldandy’s room. He too rose from the ground and, in pursuit of the goddess, levitated in the doorway of the Tea Room where he quietly listened to Urd speak. Genie couldn’t help but nod along to her reasoning. There wasn’t much else to say, not when she had said exactly what it appeared she needed to hear. “I think you’re right.” He said in agreement. “It might not feel like it now but Belldandy must have known you no longer needed her here. I know you can get through this, we can do it together and help everyone that still needs us.”

Urd nodded, her usual gesture of crossed arms turning into something more revealing of the insecurities still lingering at the back of her mind as she hugged herself. She looked away, smile fading. "I think I'll drop out of the mayoral race...I'm not the sort of leader this place can depend on."

Turning away, she sat down at the Japanese-style table in the middle of the room, sitting directly on the floor. Placing her chin in her hand, she gazed a little vacantly at the cold teapot that Belldandy had used. "There's someone else who could benefit from the experience more, I think." Her lips quirked into a weak smirk as she closed her eyes.

"If he doesn't completely go off the deep-end, anyway."

Wait, the mayoral race? Genie looked confused. Talk about meddling in the affairs of other worlds! He knew the goddess had shown an interest in running but he didn’t think she had been serious. His expression grew grave at the thought. It wasn’t as though he thought Urd would make a poor mayor, certainly not. It was rather her disregard toward the World Order. There was no doubt a goddess would be a wise choice as any leader but such power was not to abuse it in such a manner. There were greater things to do with such strength.

“Sometimes it’s wiser to watch from afar.” Genie replied as he entered the room. “You don’t have to be mayor to make a difference in the city. It’s the everyday choices that its residents make that impact it. I’m not exactly sure who you’re referring to in this mayoral race but it’s not important. If anything, you know what you’re doing and I know you’ll do the right thing.” He joined Urd at the table and seated himself across from her. When his eyes met with the teapot on the table it instantly sparked an idea. “How about a spot of tea? Warms the heart, you know. What better way to bring a little life into this room again?”

Urd arched an eyebrow but said nothing in response to his initial statements -- despite his chaotic personality, there was a core of order and ethics that she was beginning to see in him more and more, and she knew he wouldn't approve if she'd admit she had wanted to run just for the experience. Another reason to drop out, really. Of course, who could say she would have won, anyway? With Belldandy's absence, it seemed more clear to her now how few people she'd really connected with here in Paixao.

"Tea sounds good," she replied quietly, leaning forward to put her chin on the table, eyes closed. Maybe some of Belldandy's left-over reserves of premium tea would get rid of this lethargy.

Edited 2010-04-10 13:04 (UTC)

The genie wasted no time in bringing some water to a boil while he gathered two cups for Urd and himself. He hummed softly while he worked, carefully picking through the remainder of Belldandy’s tea. Genie wanted to use what was left sparingly, that way they could save some for a time they really needed it. Not that now was wasn’t one of those times. He just could not shake the feeling that later down the road they would long for her premium tea even more so. A grin found itself across his features as he returned to the table to grab Belldandy’s teapot. Oh, Urd would definitely be in need of her sisters tea again later.

After properly preparing the tea for the two of them, he returned to the table carrying a small tray which held both their cups and the teapot. Genie placed it down in front of Urd before removing her cup and placing on the table in front of her. There he filled it and, without pouring into his own, placed the pot back down on the tray. Seating himself across from the goddess again he looked at her and raised his cup up as though to silently toast Belldandy.

Urd immediately seemed to perk up at the scent of the tea, sitting up. What was it? She never could remember exact tea types like Belldandy could (after all, it wasn't sake), but this particular scent was something special. It was a tea Belldandy rarely used. "This is the Silver Needle white tea!" she gasped, holding up the cup close to look at the light golden color. Of all the white teas, this was the most delicate, the most rare. Naturally sweet but surprisingly complex, gentle and subtle. Just like her sister.

She smiled at Genie and nodded to his silent toast, lifting the cup a bit as well. Then, touching her lips to the tea cup, she took a long, careful sip.

Full of memories of her sister, it was hard to be depressed when drinking such wonderful tea.

Genie looked up in alarm at Urd’s outburst, worried that the goddess had managed to burn her tongue. However once he realized what she had said a warm smile returned to face. Silver Needle, eh? No surprise there. He brought his own cup to his lips and looked at the teapot thoughtfully, then to Urd. Not a word was shared between them after that first long sip nor did it need be. Genie could see the life return to Urd, the memories she could recall through her eyes. It made such a small gesture feel all the more rewarding. Only a cup of Belldandy’s tea was capable of such power. Funny how even in her absents she was capable of making them smile. She had this goddess business down to the tee, didn’t she?

He looked down at his cup of plain hot water and broadened his smile. The remainder of Bell’s tea belonged to Urd and she deserved to savour every bit of it down to the last drop.

Savour it she did, taking slow, delicate sips and letting the flavor and memory infuse every part of her. A sort of peace filled Urd with every drink -- being in Genie's company, remembering the feeling of purpose and strength Belldandy always gave her and knowing that her work as a goddess didn't end just by being in Paixao...it was enough. The sadness wasn't completely gone and she doubted it ever would until she saw her family again, but there were other things to focus on now. In Belldandy's absence, it was time to be a better protector and guide for Paixao's people.

"So," she finally said, breaking the silence. "With all this angst of mine, I haven't even asked what you've been up to lately."

“Oh, this and that.” The genie replied. He placed his empty cup down on the table and slowly turned it in thought. “Recently there had been some complaints about the noise coming from a specific room in Iriela Apartments so I went over to investigate. I suspected it to be some sort of wild Lumen that was trapped in the room but instead I found a prince responsible for the entire ruckus.” Genie almost sounded disappointed by his discovery. Perhaps it was because he knew he could not take the Beast home where as the Lumen he had at last some chance. Not that he needed anymore pets. One was more than enough to tide him over. One Lumen was more than enough as far Urd was probably concerned too. He sighed and turned the cup he had been playing with upside down.

“It was a cursed prince, and a bit of a beast, but still a prince. He’s just let his appearance get to him. I know there’s a handsome, well mannered, and kind hearted prince somewhere beneath all that fur.” His eyes slowly turned their attention back on the cup which he lifted to reveal another smaller but stunningly beautiful teacup. The abundant of careful detail alone on the cup was astounding. “It looked like the work on an enchantress. I would love to turn him human again but there is an important lesson he has yet to learn. Until he does, I can only try to guide him in the right direction. After all, an enchantress doesn’t just go around casting spells on people for no reason. Not usually. Not here. And you do not want to be caught meddling with an enchantress’ work. This genie I met in the Arabian Desert, Hussan, did once. Waaaaaasn’t pretty. How about you, what has been on your agenda?”

"Ooh, a prince!" Urd said, smiling. That sounded promising. She watched him work his magic on the cup, placing her chin on her hand. "Hmmm," she murmured at the end of his demonstration. "Probably a good idea. Still, I hope he learns whatever it is he needs to before too long. Spells like that usually have some kind of time limit; kiss the frog before midnight and that sort of thing."

She shrugged at his question, lightly tracing the rim of the empty teacup with her finger. "Ever since that excursion to Halloween Town, I've been laying a bit low." She smirked as she gazed down at the table, recalling a memory. "Had a little fun with a demon. And I've been keeping an eye on the Master. He's a creepy guy, but I can't help but feel there might be more to him than I thought."

It didn’t surprise him to learn that Urd carried such knowledge of spells. Maybe she even had her some experience herself. Wouldn’t that be interesting? Of course, she was right; most spells as such did tend to have a time limit, most of which involving midnight. It was always midnight. For once he would have liked to see a spell last until ten in the afternoon or possibly even twelve, right around lunch. True, it broke from tradition, and would probably confuse a lot of people, but it would at least make things different. He smiled softly. But yes, this prince did have a time limit. Genie knew Beast would make it, though he still had a lot of work ahead of him. Fate intended for to change, for him to be with Belle. That was why even in Castle Oblivion they had managed to find each other. The genie gave a wishful sigh. Oh, it was so romantic.

Genie quirked a brow at the goddess at the mention of the demon however said nothing of it. He trusted her judgment and if anything she must have been offering some help to the demon, although he could easily see her toying with them for the fun of it. He had considered doing so himself with such characters as Scar. It was all in good fun, naturally! And Genie would never be out to annoy someone but maybe there were a few folks out there who deserved it. A grin spread itself across the genie’s lips at the thought.

“You mean the Time Lord?” he perked his head up at the mention of the Master. “He certainly is an interesting one, isn’t he? I can’t say I particularly trust him... It’s good somebody is keeping their on him, though I’m sure the Doctor has too. Do you think he’s a threat?”

Time Lord...the Master had mentioned being acquainted with moving through time, but it had been such an offhand comment that she forgot all about it. Now that he had such a foreboding title, Urd's unease increased. "Haven't met the Doctor just yet, but let's hope he keeps both eyes on him." She frowned, meeting Genie's eyes. "He's a threat, make no mistake. And he can't be trusted, which is why I'm not letting him know just how seriously I take him."

She sighed, lifting her hand to pull her hair over her shoulder. "But...I want to. There's something in him that makes it hard to completely dislike him. Maybe it's wishful thinking, but I can't help but feel there's some spark of goodness in him still." She rolled her eyes at her own naivete, scoffing.

"Then again, I thought the Organization could be redeemed too and that worked out great."

The look the goddess had given him before her response was proof enough that she was unfamiliar with Doctor Who, the series which both the Doctor and Master were from. Admittedly, it had been some time since he had last watched the show himself but he knew it well enough to recognize their cast. All this made him wonder, had he set his PVR before leaving on vacation? He would find out eventually. “It would be out of character for him not to. He knows full well what the Master is capable of. I can’t think of anyone who would know him better.”

Genie pressed his lips together and struck a thinking pose while he considered Urd’s words. “Well, we can always hope. Maybe there is a way for the Organization to redeem themselves, we just haven’t found it yet. Tetsuya Nomura was always one to throw a curve ball.” He mumbled the last part to himself before perking up again. “Maybe you should talk to the Doctor? Oh, and if you do, you have to get me an autograph. You might even get to go into the TARDIS!”

Urd blinked, lost as usual when Genie started his fourth-walling rambles (not that she'd know that was what it was), but amused nonetheless. "I'll have to find him, then. Does he know you? I'll get your autograph personalized and everything. It's the least I could do for you, after all."

She stood up from the table, taking their teacups and placing them on the nearby counter. "Have you heard anything about other people exploring Halloween Town? Any new threats we should be aware of?" Urd turned around, leaning against the counter with her arms folded.

“He shouldn’t be that hard to find. I’m sure if you were to ask for him over the message board or even on your journal you could find him easily.” Genie replied thoughtfully. “We’ve never met before but if you mention me he should know who I am. Asking for his autograph will probably confuse the poor bloke. Oh, well. If he’s interested I’ll even give my autograph in return – oh! And if you do get to go in the TARDIS you have to tell me all about it!” he demanded excitedly. He knew he was completely fanboying but at the moment he couldn’t care less.

The genie watched Urd rise from her seat, his eyes following her to the counter where she stopped. He pursed his lips at the mention of Halloween Town before rubbing his chin, a puzzled look on his face. “It was surprisingly quiet. There was no one there except for Heartless. Did you did you find otherwise?” Genie asked in concern.

She smiled at Genie's enthusiasm, but the smile faded at his question. She turned away immediately, busying herself with the dishes even though doing such a menial chore was completely out of character. "No...just Heartless," Urd replied casually, staring down at the cup in her hand without really seeing it. In her mind, she played back the solo battle she had with a Boggart.

A moment more of silence and she moved away from the counter, carrying the stack of dishes. "Oh well. Something's bound to pop up sooner or later." She smiled fondly at him from the door. "...thanks for making me feel better. I owe you."

Edited 2010-04-26 01:46 (UTC)

Now that had been an interesting reaction. He raised an inquisitive brow at the goddess and wondered what it had been she had truly discovered back in Halloween Town. Genie didn’t think she was lying, it probably was Heartless, but it was more the form they had taken on that made him curious. One of the Heartless he had faced back in the city some time ago had in fact taken the form of Aladdin. Had the Heartless she encountered taken the form of someone she knew as well?

"I'm sure we'll be ready for it." He said, sharing a smile in return to Urd at the door. “Don’t mention it. It’s what I do best.”

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All We Know of Heaven [Completed]

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