Chapter 7 #2
“Of course,” the demon continued, “we certainly don’t need to try anything you don’t want to, but I’m fully capable of giving you any experience you’re interested in. You are interested in more experiences, aren’t you?”
Gabriel found himself nodding his head again, although he wasn’t quite sure what he was agreeing to.
“Perfect! I can teach you everything you’d ever need to know.
And we can practice. Lots of practicing is necessary for that sort of thing.
Which of course doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong, because there really is no doing it wrong, as long as everyone is enjoying themselves.
So the only rule is that you must tell me if you aren’t enjoying something. That’s rather simple, don’t you think?”
Gabriel nodded his head again. It was a simple rule, but was Levi talking about…
“And then you’ll be ‘schooled,’ as you put it, in everything mortal. I mean, it makes perfect sense if you think about it, since people find transcendence in so many things, and you are seeking to give them a spiritual and awe-filled moment,” Levi finished, staring at Gabriel.
What made perfect sense? How had Gabriel so lost the thread of things here?
Was Levi talking about them having more sex?
It seemed like he was, but surely that wasn’t what he meant.
First of all, Levi was extremely attractive and had something of a reputation, and surely he wasn’t interested in another experience with Gabriel.
Second of all, what did sex have to do with transcendence?
Levi must have sensed his confusion, because he continued.
“Obviously, to deliver messages you have to know all the positive things about humanity and what people enjoy. With special effects and television and everything else, shock and awe cannot merely be a vision, no matter how glorious you are in your archangel form. We’ll have to make sure you have all the positive experiences that humans find so fulfilling and life-altering, that way you can best deliver messages to give them that type of feeling.
Food is certainly one of them, and sex is another.
There are also other things that make mortals feel sublime, and we’ll have to do a bit of research to see. ”
“Research?” Gabriel said, feeling rather slow and muddled again. Levi just looked more excited as he talked, though, like he was warming up to the idea even as he voiced it.
“I bet you’d love cotton candy. It literally melts in your mouth.
And I know you can fly, but we’ll have to try sky diving without your wings.
There are some amazingly beautiful sights on earth as well, and we’ll have to do lots of exploring.
You’ve already experienced the ocean, but we’ll have to see more of it.
Humans often find scuba diving or snorkeling or sailing to be amazing experiences. ”
“It was beautiful under the water,” Gabriel said, and he thought he was starting to understand what Levi was saying. “So you think the leadership team means for you to teach me what humans find most enjoyable and awe-inspiring?”
Levi snorted. “I don’t really give a shit what the leadership team thinks. But,” he added, “I do think that exploring all the things that people find miraculous can make you more effective at delivering miraculous messages.”
Gabriel looked down at his hands, thinking.
Levi’s point did have merit. Giving a vision was rarely awe-inspiring anymore, but the demon was right—sight wasn’t the only thing humans experienced.
Gabriel himself rarely partook of earthly pleasures, but today had been something of a revelation.
He had experienced food, drink, and fornication, and they had all been lovely.
Really, “lovely” didn’t even do them justice.
Perhaps sublime and transcendent were better words.
And wasn’t that what Gabriel hoped humans felt when they received messages?
Not that he was going to start fornicating with mortals or anything. Certainly not, as it wouldn’t be professional. However, he probably should know what they experienced.
Yes, that was it. That was the only reason he was suddenly looking up and nodding his head at Levi, saying, “Alright.” It definitely wasn’t because he wanted to feel Levi touch him again. That wouldn’t be professional. Training for his job, however, would be perfectly professional.
Levi looked triumphant at Gabriel’s agreement, and he got up and whistled as he got them ready to head back to land. Hachi chose that moment to climb over the side of the boat, and he made his way over to Levi to climb up onto his shoulder.
Gabriel stared at Levi as they began the journey home.
The moon was shining in the sky, clouds glowing brightly alongside it.
Levi was standing at the helm, his hair blowing back in the wind, the moon glinting off his beautiful sun-kissed skin.
His pants were molded to his form, and his shirt blew out behind him in the breeze, the octopus perched on his shoulder like Hachi belonged there.
(Gabriel wasn’t sure if Levi was breathing for Hachi or not, but as long as the octopus remained perched on the demon’s shoulder, he didn’t seem to need to be submerged in the water to breathe.)
Levi was quite the sight to behold, and Gabriel understood what the demon had been talking about earlier. This moment in time made Gabriel feel peaceful but also inspired. He was awed and struck by the beauty all around him. He felt… different. Good. Better than good.
Gabriel didn’t remember feeling this way before. If a tiny little nagging voice in his head urged him to step back because this wasn’t professional, because Levi was so far beyond anything that Gabriel understood… Well, for once Gabriel resisted the voice of reason.
He was going to have more experiences with Levi. For research. For his job. Yes, of course, that was the only reason he agreed.
He’d just keep on telling himself that.