Eliade

Eliade has a wide range of private interests. He is very fond of painting, and several of the Chaos Remain field guides he illustrated are still used as models today. Puzzlingly, though, once scientific rigor is set aside and he creates purely for his own pleasure, the results are an ordeal to look at. Calling them merely ugly would be generous; they are the sort of thing that gives people nightmares.

He once held an exhibition of his paintings. Afterward the organizers went so far as to pull every string they had, petitioning Anita's senior leadership for one thing only: that Eliade never again entertain the notion of holding another. Facing the man himself, their representative worked through one handkerchief after another mopping his brow while explaining that his art was simply too far ahead of its time and might, at this stage, be better shared within a small circle... Eliade, for his part, was equally puzzled. To his eye the paintings are nothing more than a personal style; he sees nothing ugly in them, and nothing frightening. That no one understands his artistic sensibility is something he finds mildly regrettable.

His students have gently raised the matter in private: might he consider retiring the "fine tradition" of painting a portrait of every new student? Eliade gave it long thought and concluded that it cannot be retired. As a mentor he must be fair; he will not favor one over another. Take Conductor, that outstanding recruit of his from not long ago — not a true student, perhaps, but there has been some guidance along the way, so if the chance arises he will paint that young newcomer a portrait as a keepsake!

Eliade showed astonishing gifts from an early age, and everyone was certain the boy would one day become someone of consequence. His parents hoped he would grow into a person who contributed to society, and under their guidance he developed a deep interest in science.

Naturally enough, the day came when he received an invitation from Anita and became a Gardener intern. He was proud in those days: as the child his parents had late in life, he had been doted on from the start, and as a prodigy, he had never once met a peer as clever as himself. So apart from the hours he spent seeking guidance from his mentor and more experienced colleagues, Eliade spent nearly all his time reading. Rather than waste it on people who had not reached his level, better to take in more knowledge.

"You're reading this work too? If you have the time, would you care to compare notes on it?"

This happened more than twenty years ago. Hearing the voice, Eliade did not put his book down; he only raised his eyes to the red-haired youth standing there with a genial smile.

"My name is Chu Yuheng. I'm interning as a Gardener under Mentor Elvas as well. And you?"

Something stirred in Eliade. The look in this youth's eyes gave him a powerful presentiment: here, perhaps, was someone standing at the same height as himself, someone capable of understanding him.

So Eliade closed the book in his hands and answered, "Name's Eliade. Tomorrow, after lunch, I'm free."

When Eliade first came aboard the Eternal, the crew — the Anita personnel especially — were somewhat on edge about his arrival. This was a mentor of considerable renown, after all, and everyone regarded him with a degree of awe.

After some time in his company, however, they found that he put on no airs whatsoever. He was approachable, and more than happy to explain scientific matters to anyone in plain, easily understood terms. No one had ever seen him angry, or caught him at a loss. He always seemed patient and gentle, a presence that put people at ease and could be counted on.

He did let the fatigue show once, though. It was in Conductor's Room, where he closed his eyes and — astonishingly — simply fell asleep.

"...I actually fell asleep. How embarrassing, and in your own room, of all places." Perhaps because there was no one else present, he pinched the bridge of his nose to wake himself but made no immediate effort to smooth the tiredness off his face. He wiped his lenses and looked up again. "Does that surprise you?" Eliade smiled. "After all, I do maintain that image deliberately. As a mentor, I can't simply be a source of guidance. I need to be something people can hold on to in a deeper sense — a symbol, an anchor. Mm... which is rather like what you do as conductor, isn't it?"

Eliade rose, straightened his clothes and his hair, and then gave a smile so knowing it made you feel found out.

"Stop staring at me. I'm a little tired, yes, but I will not let you see me yawn."

Then his expression shifted, and he was once again the great mentor nothing seemed able to knock down, walking out of Conductor's Room at an easy, unhurried pace.