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The tired Mercurian of anime fan artists looked over at the dreadlocked gentleman across the table in the café with weary eyes. “Look Eli, I love you dearly, but this assignment I’ve been on is a bitch. And you taking off for parts unknown for years at a time...”

Eli smiled at her with a twinkle in his eyes, Lorail did indeed look a little run down. Her corporeal vessel’s ice blonde hair was hastily thrown back over her shoulders and looked a little shaggy. Not like the neat way she used to like it. And her clothes, a pair of jeans, sneakers, and a blue t-shirt that said “Service with a Smirk” looked like she had slept in them last night. She normally liked her clothes neatly pressed. Or was that a different vessel? Hmmm... It had been awhile. “Well, I’m sorry about that, Lorail, but things to do, places to go, and it’s difficult sometimes with Dominic hovering all the time, too.”

“Well, I’m glad to see you, at least. Good to know you didn’t forget about me.” Lorail couldn’t stay mad at Eli, as much as she might want to, “And I guess you can’t exactly schedule regular meetings with the Inquisition and all. Still, it would be nice to maybe get a vacation, or even just another assignment. I just need a change of pace, at least.”

Eli’s grin grew wider in his coffee colored face, “I know _exactly_ how you feel. In fact, that’s why I’m here.”

“Really?”

“Really. Was just bopping around the Great Lakes and other places up north about a month back... Needed to help a little with the Rock n’ Roll hall of fame. They’re ignoring some cool cats. A word or two in the right place... Oh yeah, and I bumped into someone who looked like they could use a job like this. She’s cool with it. She’s good too. You should see her work sometime. Real fine stuff. But she’s gonna be a newbie at this new job, so I figure you could let her know what she’s in for.”

“Eli, I’ve been beating my head against a wall with this guy for almost two years. I’m beat. And you want to throw a newbie into this?” Just like Eli, she thought to herself. No plan, no forethought. Just... argh. But that lovable little disarming grin of his got wider still.

“Oh... I think she’s more than up to it. Besides, you said it yourself. You’re tired. You need a vacation. And she’s fresh. And besides, I think she’s familiar with the materiel.”

“O...kay.” She trusted Eli, she really did. But he had a private joke going and he wasn’t going to tell her until he had the punch line set up. “Well, I’ll be happy to take a rest for awhile, recharge the batteries and all. Where is she?”

“She’s been shopping. There’s a comic book shop around the corner. Oh yeah. You already knew that.” Eli looked down at his watch, an artifact. He’d attuned one of the hands on it to his newest recruit, and the hand that she was on swept closer and closer to where it said “Eli”. (There was another hand marked “Dominic” and another one marked “Kobal” and “Asmodeus” and a couple of other minor players. They were all safely far away from that “Eli” marker at the number 12 position though. He really must thank that children’s book author in England for this. Lovely idea, really. Had saved him from dis-corporation numerous times.)

Ah... she should be here... right about... now.” And the two of them looked up toward the café entrance.

In walked a pretty young girl of about 19 years. Long red-blonde hair held back in front with a bandana. Another Mercurian, by the feel of her. You couldn’t tell anything from a corporeal vessel, but she really “felt” new. She walked over to the table with a happy bounce in her step and gave Eli a quick hug as she sat down. “Hi Eli!”

“They got anything new?”

“A couple of those ‘How to Draw Anime’ books are in. Some new ones that is. Perspective and fighting poses. And the latest issue of the American New Type is in! Can’t wait to go through it.”

Eli grinned, “Cool. That’ll help a lot of artists around here.” He was especially pleased that those books were so popular. He’d been keeping up with the anime trend, and was pleased how it had refreshed the animation industry.

They shook hands, Lorail found the younger angel’s enthusiasm perking her up a bit. Maybe she had what it would take after all.

“She’s gonna take over for you. So, why don’t you let her know what’s up with the assignment?”

“Okay then... Hey Eli, can you mask a song for me?”

“Sure thing. Private viewing?”

“Yes, please.”

Eli hummed a little snatch of the symphony and Lorail softly sang a quick version of another piece. A little patch of air above the table darkened and then another scene was visible. Nobody else in the café could see it. The view was only for the three angels. It was a view of a cluttered room in an apartment somewhere. Milk crates turned into shelving units in the classic college student style lined two walls filled with books and magazines. Anime themed wall scrolls adorned the walls up above the shelves. Figurines from Evangelion, Oh My Goddess, Silent Mobius, Ghost in the Shell, and Final Fantasy 7 stood on top of the shelves. A model of the Space Cruiser Yamato sat next to a Ryoko figurine. An odd stand-out that broke the theme was an old model of the robot V.I.N.CENT from the movie “The Black Hole”. More books scattered all over the floor in some neat and some not-so-neat stacks. A computer desk and a barcalounger in front of it. And an art table next to the computer desk. The art table was nearly covered in books and papers and a couple of soda cans that hadn’t been thrown away yet. And the chair in front of the art table was being used as a place to put the left-handed mouse for the computer. A folding arm lamp with a broken hinge rested half on the table and half in a box filled with computer discs and zipatone sheets. A stocky man with brown hair and glasses dressed in Dockers and a black t-shirt with a Yin Yang symbol on the front sat in front of the computer in the easy chair, surfing the net.

“Well,” Lorail explained, “you see, there’s this artist I’ve been trying to encourage... I’ve been doing this for the last 20 odd years or so. He started out good. Hit a really good stride in the mid 90’s, and then tapered off around 2000. He’s been in a funk that’s equal parts laziness and self-pity. And he’s _stubborn_ about it. I’ve been trying to get him out of it for two years now, and I’m at the end of my rope. He’s got this one commission that’s been on hold for over two years now! The guy paid him and everything. And I know he wants to do it. But he’s got too much self doubt now about the fact that he _has_ been putting it off and because of _that_ he’s unsure of his talent and is afraid to touch a real project in case he’s right. He’s not right, BTW. But it’s a vicious circle, and I can’t convince him of it. And to be perfectly frank, I’m getting tired of his shit.”

The younger angel looked as the scene showed the guy scanning some art pieces, “He’s scanning something now, isn’t he?”

Lorail shook her head, “I at least got him to do that much. But it’s older work. He hasn’t done anything new in months.”

“Hey!!” the red haired Mercurian exclaimed. “I know this guy! I’ve seen his stuff before! He’s great! You want me to help _him_ out? Wow, who’d have thought it?”

Why was Eli _grinning_ so much, Lorail wondered, “Well, yes. But you’re really gonna have to motivate him.”

The young Mercurian smiled, “Motivation is a specialty of mine.”

“Oh. Well that’s good.” She let the vision evaporate. “I guess that’s it.”

“Ready for that vacation Lorail?” Eli asked.

“Oh am I ever. When are you gonna need me again?”

“Oh, I guess I’ll check back in the next decade or so. Give or take. No rush, just be cool. I hear the marches are nice this time of year.”

“I think I just may do that.” She got up and looked at the young Mercurian. “Well, good luck, kid.”

“Thanks.”

“You’re going to need it.” She smiled tiredly, then said to Eli, “See you in another ten years then.

Eli raised his glass, “I’m looking forward to it.”

Then she left and Eli and his young charge were alone.

“Ready to get going?”

“Sure thing, Eli. Lemme at ‘im!”

“That’s the spirit, kiddo.”

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Logan sat at his computer, reading the latest Eyrie missives on the forum. Sighing, he pushed his glasses up as he rubbed the bridge of his nose.

A slight popping noise went unnoticed. But not for long...

“ALL RIGHT YOU LAZY BASTARD!!! CLEAN OFF THAT ART TABLE!!!!”

“GAH!!!” Was Logan’s articulate reply, as he shot up out of the chair and turned around to look at the girl with shining wings behind him.

“Um.. er... That... you...” His mind running in circles as the processing cycles of his brain tried to work their way through the surge of adrenaline.

“Right. Now do I have your attention?” The angel smiled. The... angel...

“...Um... Yes?”

*Oh my, soul of conversation right now*, Logan thought giddily at himself.

“Good. Now, I like you, but there are going to be a few changes around here. Starting right now. My predecessor was trying to be subtle with you. But on the way over, I read your file. And subtlety doesn’t work with you lately. So we’re going for the direct approach. I mean look at this place! Such a shame to let it go like that. That’s no way to treat that art table! You’re just stacking stuff on top of it for extra storage space! You could have fixed that lamp ages ago with that tube of superglue sitting on the table. You’ve got plenty of tools. Pens, pencils, paper. There’s no excuse for this. No good excuse anyway. Y’know, I really loved your work before... Well, never mind that... But I’m here to make sure you do more of it.”

“Er...” Logan sweatdropped...

“And the first thing you’re going to do after you get organized is a certain commission that you’ve been letting slide for two... whole... years...” She said it sweetly, but with the promise of certain mayhem if she wasn’t listened to.

“Yes ma’am!” He said, almost standing at attention, “Er... What’s your name? Mine’s Logan.” He said, amazing himself that social propriety was winning out over his shock.

“I know, mine’s Rachiel. Nice to meet you.” She smiled.

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I was tired of being maudlin. I don’t think Rachie would want that. Although I’m sure she appreciates the kind thoughts.

The above story needs polish. It’s off the cuff and somewhat irreverent. And it breaks a lot of In Nomine rules. I don’t care. It made me feel better.

There's a Chinese saying, "Ignore your art for one day and it will ignore you for two." And I've been doing a lot of ignoring over the last couple of years. I'm not going to do that anymore. I don't want to waste my life and talent. And the last couple of days got me thinking about my life and my art. I’m getting back in the saddle again, and I’m going to _stay_ there. For my own sake, and to follow Rachie’s example. You never know how long you’ve got. Make the most of it. She certainly did.

And Pearson? I’m serious. First thing out of the gate is that commission of yours. I promise.

If you don't mind, Logan, I'd like to see how that little bit up there develops. Sounds interesting.

-NeoRaven

Well, the next few words that come to mind are "I'm sorry" and "thank you," but not for the reasons you might think.

During the wait, let's just say that I was beginning to lose faith. Well, okay, I ranted a bit. I was wondering exactly what was going on, etc.

Logan, I'm sorry I doubted you. Thank you for renewing my faith in the good part of human nature.

Which reminds me...I've been quite remiss about a few things I've been meaning to do, one of which I should really get done before Anime Central.

If you'll excuse me, I've got a few things to do.

*takes the Monday, 6 PM memo off his Palm IIIxe to remind Logan, and turns off the GBA to work on Anime Detective.

--DocMui