Hellboy and all related characters are copyright of Revolution Studios and Mike Mignola. Adele is created by me.

"Art lessons? Art lessons?? You're not serious, are you??"

Hellboy's tone of incredulity brought a smile to Prof. Trevor "Broom" Bruttenholm. "Somehow I'm not surprised to see this kind of reaction from you, Hellboy," he replied coolly. "But I've decided that it would do everyone here a bit of good to have some decent extracurricular activities."

Hellboy took a few strong puffs on his cigar and leaned back in his chair, absentmindedly ruffling the fur of the noisily purring cat in his lap. "Hey, I haven't been complaining that I'm bored, have I? I've always got plenty to do outside our missions."

Prof. Broom sighed and pushed his glasses up on his nose. "I'd hardly call smoking, drinking, and card games 'extracurricular activities'."

"Well, I enjoy them. Why interrupt something I enjoy to make me do some artsy-fartsy crap? It'll probably be something that'll have me wearing a tutu, right? Liz will think I'm a fairy."

"Liz is looking forward to this program. So is Abe. Even Agents Myers and Clay have signed up. You won't be the odd one out. And there's no tutus involved. It will be visual art - drawing, sculpting, painting, and a few other things. You may find yourself liking it."

"Don't bet on it, pops. I've seen how artists hold brushes. In that sissy way. All swishy and stuff." Hellboy flipped his wrist to accentuate his statement. "And all they paint is flowers and trees and ladies with ugly hats. It's not my bag."

"Oh, come on, Red," Came an exasperated voice from the doorway. "You're making it sound like medieval torture. At least give it a try. For me." Hellboy looked towards the door to see Liz leaning against the doorframe, her arms crossed.

"Hmph. Well. Who's teaching it, anyway? Wait, don't tell me, let me guess. Some stuck-up fruitcake with a little moustache and an ascot and one of those dumb hats that look the the top of an acorn, right?"

Prof. Broom took off his glasses and polished the lenses with the bottom of his shirt. "No, Hellboy, not anyone like that. It's a woman, and I've picked her out myself. When I was considering starting the program I went online to browse some artist's websites. And hers caught my attention immediately. She's good, very good actually. And I think she will fit in here quite well. I told her a bit about the B.P.R.D. when I interviewed her, once I was sure that she was exactly the one I wanted. She's got a good mindset, and seems to be a kind and accepting person."

"Just try it out, Red. Art can help relieve stess. You seem to be kinda stressed out lately. It could do you some good. Okay?" Liz implored again.

Hellboy placed his cat on the floor, stood up and ground out the butt of his cigar into an ashtray. "I'll decide when I meet her. I'm not promising anything yet."

Liz frowned slightly, but knew that pushing him further would go nowhere, so she said nothing.

"When do we meet her, anyway?" Hellboy asked.

"She's coming this evening." Prof. Broom replied. "And I do expect you to be on your best behaviour. She's a gracious lady and I don't want to make a bad impression of us."

"Yeah, okay, sure. I'm going to get something to eat." Hellboy grumbled. He stomped out the door, swishing his tail behind him.

"Oooh! He's really been getting on my nerves lately." Liz hissed, once Hellboy was out of earshot. "Prof., do you really think this might work? To help calm him down, I mean?"

"Well, we can only try," Prof. Broom conceded. "I think it'll be good for all of us. Rather therapeutic. At least everyone else seems to think it's a good idea."

"Oh, I do, for sure," said Liz. "I've always wished I was more artistic, but I don't know where to begin. And Abe really seems interested. I guess being in water all the time doesn't give much opportunity to paint. Or draw, especially."

"Sounds like a positive outlook for the most part. Can you be at the library around 8? I'll be bringing her in then."

"Sure," Liz straightened up and strolled out the door. "Gotta get some supper in me, too. See you then."