Chapter 29 5 Years Later Mud hugs the hem of Mara's cloak. With that green-eyed distraction now a degraded soul at her disposal, Death happily returns to her eternity. She spends every waking hour (which are all of them as a creature who never sleeps) collecting souls with a newfound apprentice and accompanied detachment. Mara has learned from her mistakes-in this lifetime, at least. The passing of an elderly man leads Death to Tando. She walks along the spiritual plane until finding his still body tucked away in a quaint cottage. His wife is still weeping over the rather peaceful-looking corpse when Mara tugs his soul free from it. He protests as Death leads him from the home-only because he wishes to say goodbye to the wailing woman. Mara might have found this sweet if she still believed in love. So she herds the soul down quiet streets and between neat, brick buildings. That is, until a distantly familiar voice has Death stalling. "... you're useless, gingersnap." "I honestly don't know what you expected, sending me to get your ingredients." "Yes, silly of me to think you would actually get anything on my list." Mara rounds the corner, ignoring the grumbling soul behind. There, striding toward her, is the Tele and her Imperial. Blair's lilac hair is swallowed by the hood of her cloak, but the scars climbing up one side of her face are worn proudly. Lenny walks beside her, nearly unrecognizable without that starchy uniform. His hair is longer, clothes plain, an arm slung around his former assignment's shoulders. "Get off me," she orders, attempting to shove him away. But the Hyper clings to her closely, even daring to plant a kiss to her temple. Blair hides her smile with a sound of disgust, but there is no denying it-their souls are irrevocably intertwined. Yes, a vibrant glow of green and gold swirls around them, tangling into one. Death stares at them in disbelief (and she might have even shown it on her face). Because, after all this time, they are still doomed. Lenny, grinning widely, has nearly passed Mara when his eyes suddenly meet hers. Death stills. He smiles. "Good morning." To some, this is a simple, polite greeting. To Mara, this is the first acknowledgment she has received in years. And all because a Hyper found his sixth sense. Blair glances vaguely in Death's direction before scoffing at Gingersnap (which is most assuredly an endearing name now). "Who the hell are you talking to?" "The nice lady," Lenny murmurs. "Don't be rude just because you didn't get your sifted flour or whatever." Mara simply blinks at the apologetic look he throws over his shoulder. She listens to them bicker (some things never change, it seems) as they stroll down the street and stop before a corner shop. It is a bakery, Death realizes. Blair dons an apron beyond the large window. Lenny ties it for her. It is their bakery. Mara, rather begrudgingly, feels... something at the sight of them. She doesn't really want to think on it, actually, because she fears what will be discovered. Perhaps happiness. Or worse-envying such a thing. So, she carries on down the street with a soul destined for the Mors. Mara expects no more interruptions, but the sudden tugging in her chest cannot be ignored. She follows it, fervently and without thought, because Death knows nothing but this something that calls to her. A muted market street spans before her, but Mara's gaze cuts through the crowd. There, with an ear of corn in hand, skips a little girl. Her parents are a piece of Ilya. One with silver hair, and the other with that intriguing soul. But it is the child Death is drawn to. She crouches before the girl, her hair glinting gray in the speckled sunlight. "Hello, little one," Mara says. Her smile is bright in the face of Death. "You have pretty hair," the child says sweetly. Paedyn takes her daughter's hand. "Who are you talking to, Kit?" This name has a smile curling the edges of Death's lips. It is a bit uninspired, if you ask her. Mara tilts her head at the girl and watches as the happy family strides past. The girl and her promising soul wave goodbye to Death. But this is not the last time they will meet. Mara taps a steady rhythm with her boot. Though, she no longer pretends the beat belongs to her heart. No, she now finds comfort in the lack of such fragility. For she cannot be confined. Not by Life and certainly not by man. But perhaps by a woman. Death smiles. She has finally met her match. In a romance-themed observation show, several participants undergo a series of interactions and conflicts filled with love, misunderstandings, and power struggles. In the end, one couple rises to over...