Greetings, Fictionpress universe! This is my first time actually writing a story, so I'm not sure how well it will be received. As such, any comments, advice, or critique is welcome and appreciated so I can learn. Whether you like it, hate it, or are simply apathetic, I'll be glad to hear opinions. Oh, before I forget: all characters in this story are my own or are being used with the knowledge and permission of the people who they are based on/ people who created them. Any other resemblance to persons, alive or dead, is purely coincidental. One last thing: I promise I will update as often as my crazy-busy schedule allows.

They scurry around like ants, so focused on their day-to-day lives. Rush, rush, rush. Everything is a hurry; they are born, live, and die in so short of a time. Fascinating to watch, the lives of humanity.

"Again, Anna?"

I look up from the portal between planes to see Connor striding over. He's tall and built, perfect by human standards, with thick blond hair and bright green eyes. His wings are out, there's a sword at his hip, and he's smiling.

"Well, would you look at that! The big, strong warrior Angel come back to talk to the baby!" I laugh and stand, smoothing my white robe.

"I'm just a warrior in training. I want to follow Michael, though. Oversee the Guardians." He looks at me. "You want to be a Guardian Angel, don't you? You're always watching them."

"Not a Guardian, no. I'd rather be actively involved in helping them. On their plane."

He raises an eyebrow in surprise, looking me up and down.

"You, little sister? Down among the people, the fickle humans?"

"I want to make a difference, Connor. And I can do this. I know I can."

"What if you run into a demon? A Dark One? You're too young, too inexperienced."

I shake my head. "No, I'm not. Besides, it's time for me to get my position, start learning. I'm going to ask Michael soon."

Connor puts a hand on my shoulder. "Ask, but I doubt he'll okay it. Don't get too disappointed. And if he says yes… Be careful, little one."

I nod and smile to reassure him. "I will."

He pulls me into a hug, ruffling my short brown hair.

"Hey!" I yelp, smoothing my hair with my fingers. I smack his chest, making my hand sting. As he walks away, I mutter, "Stupid, over-muscled Angel."
I stand there, rubbing my hand. How am I going to tell Michael…? Will he let me go? What if… What if he says no? What could my position possibly be?

A chuckle snaps me from my thoughts. "Well, we know what you won't be, little one! Certainly not a Sentry, being so distracted that you didn't notice my arrival!" The voice is warm and good-natured, but with the maturity of ages. An Archangel, Michael no less.

I turn to face him with a sheepish smile. Amusement dances in the Archangel's storm-grey eyes.

"Now, Anna, I've realized it's time for you to be assigned, turn in your white robe for one befitting your calling." His robe is gold, brighter than Connor's dusky bronze, and decorated to show that he's an Archangel and one of the Seven.

I nod in agreement, excitement bubbling up in me. My calling! No longer will I be the nothing-Angel, young, white-robed, and inexperienced. I'll be someone!

He smiles at me. "Do you have an idea of what you want?"

"I want to help humanity." More than anything. It's all I want to do. I've been watching them for so long…

"A Guardian Angel, perhaps? That's only helping one human at a time, but…"

I shake my head. "I want to be seen, be part of humanity. I don't know if there's a name for it, if it's even a choice. More than a Guardian, watching an area."

"A Monitor, but you want to be among them…" His brow furrows. "There hasn't been such a one for ages, it's not a very common request. I'd nearly forgotten about it. Praesul presul."

Wow, it really is an old term, if it's still the Latin… Protector, yes, that fits. I nod. "Yes, that's it."

He looks closely at me. "You know, I trust, what you must give up? Your wings, radiance, ability to transcend planes… You will be human, for however long this term lasts. Mortal, earth-bound, vulnerable."

"I understand."

Michael pushes my right sleeve up, his hand closing around my upper arm. "I need to tell my brothers, ensure no one has an objection. But you sound certain this is what you want."

I nod. "It is." Monitoring a place, being among the people and one of them, yet still Guardian to one... Yes. I am completely certain.
My arm burns where Michael's hand is, and I inspect the spot when he steps back. My arm is encircled by a thin, twisted band like a Mobius strip or infinity symbol, sapphire blue in color.

"The Mark of a Praesul presul. Even on the human plane, it will be visible." He turns and walks away, calling back. "I'll tell you when it's time for you to depart."

I pull my sleeve back down and return to the portal. Soon I'll be down there, with all of you.

A group catches my eye, the same people I've been watching for the past few weeks. Young, in their late teens all, in one of the many high schools, the many neighborhoods in the center of the state Arizona, the United States of America.

Of this fair-sized, fluctuating mass of humanity, three individuals stand out to me, the bond of friendship strong between them.

The tall boy, no longer at school but part of the group nonetheless. Wire-thin and lanky with hair that's brown like tree bark pulled back into a ponytail, glasses, and a laughing expression. He's a joker, rarely serious. I don't see him in the portal times like now, when the younger ones are in class. I've nicknamed him Grin because he seems to always be smiling, certainly when he's around the other two.

The girl, who I'm watching now. She is kind and observant. I call her Focus, because she seems to keep the boys from getting out of hand, or is just paying close attention to something. Her hair, lighter brown-blonde like a dark honey, is tucked behind her ears as she's bent over a notebook, writing furiously. What's she writing…? I can't see it…

She looks up with a smile and speaks. Another person walks into the portal-focused space.

He's the third individual I've been paying attention to lately. Somewhat taller than the girl, but not as lanky as the other boy. Dark brown hair that looks almost black and darker-toned, he is much more serious and withdrawn, though the other two can get him to smile. He is Solemn, because of the face he presents to the world and the way he acts toward most people.

He and the girl, Focus, are talking and occasionally looking at whatever she was writing. Must have something to do with that… I wish the portal was more than just visual! I'm not that good at reading lips, and these two friends interest me.

I watch them go about their lives, trying to infer the conversation from their expressions and rarely succeeding.

… I want to be there, meet them for real! In the few weeks I've been watching them, I've become shockingly attached to these young humans I've never met. I want to protect them, and their immediate surroundings.

Protect them… Praesul presul. My radiance locked away, my wings hidden. I will be nearly human.

One last flight, then, as full Angel on the plane. Bright white wings open and I take off, soaring. The wind ruffling my hair and caressing my bare arms… bliss.

So that's the first chapter of my first "real" story. I hope you liked it, and will read more as it comes!