A goddess-like woman stood before a large a mirror, disinterestedly fiddling with the waterfall of midnight curls cascading down her back. The floor length dress that hugged her figure resembled the night sky.

    Slowly, a smirk curled ruby lips and honey colored eyes shined with mischief. The bottom of her dress flared out as she spun on her heel, her bare feet softly tapping on the floor as she made her way toward a clear pool of water in the center of the marble room.

    This gorgeous woman, was Fate.

    The pool reflected the expanse of sky above the ceiling less room, it's smooth surface making it appear as if it, itself, held the cosmos. With a wave of Fate's hand, the smooth surface of the water rippled, resettling to reveal a scene of a black haired teenager arguing with the translucent figure of a woman in her 40s wearing a pressed business suit in the alley way between two closed stores.

    Fate giggled, not having to see the girl's violet eyes to know that they'd be darkened with annoyance. "Oh, Armin. When will you learn that they will always argue with you?"

*****

    Armin could feel her eye start to twitch as the soul of the woman before her continued to whine.

    "What do you mean I'm dead? I can't be dead! I'm too young to die! There has to be some mist-"

    "Shut up." She had officially had enough, her patience having been quickly worn thin by both the long night, and the soul.

    The translucent woman started, taken aback by the harshness in the teenager's words. "W-what?"

    "You're dead. You need to get over it. There was no mistake. You're Time was up." Armin cut her off as she opened her mouth to say something again. "And no one is too young to die." She snorted. "Besides, it wasn't like your death was particularly tragic. You died because you were crossing the road while arguing with your husband over the phone and got hit by car. I've had to pass on rape-murder victims half your age."

    The woman at least had the decency to look ashamed, after that. With a sigh, Armin held her hand to the side, palm open to pull something out of the air. The surrounding shadows moved and settled into the general shape of a scythe. They were somewhat translucent, and continued to shift and swirl, lacking a fully corporeal form.

    Eyes widening at the sight of the shadow weapon, the soul took a step back, clearly preparing to run. With a swift flick of her wrist, the blade of Armin's scythe sliced through her form, leaving a glowing white line through her abdomen. Her fearful face melted into one of contentment as her form dissolved into soft-gold particles, drifting up toward the heavens.

    Lowering her arm, the blade in her hands slowly dispersed back into the surrounding shadows and she lazily tilted her head to look toward the East. The sky was lightening as the sun started to peak over Everwood's horizon. Another night. Gone.

    It was times like these that she was grateful she didn't need nearly as much sleep as normal humans.

    Armin starting making her way toward home at a leisurely pace. Her parents knew what she did at night. They wouldn't be surprised that she got home late.

    Er... Early would be more accurate, I guess...

    Being a Grim Reaper wasn't exactly the most appealing job in the world, but it was hers. It wasn't like she had any choice in the matter. She was, after all, born to the title. Her eyes, a deep violet, were what secured the position as her when she was born.

    Her eyes allowed her to see the remaining lifespan of a person as purple number above their heads. That ability to see when a person's Time is up is what made her a Reaper.

    She glanced to the side, where her figure was reflected in the empty store windows. Her own lifespan was there, as well. Floating above her head, just like the others', glowing a soft purple. The only difference: hers was blurred and distorted, so that the numbers couldn't be made out, and not just because one was not allowed to see their own lifespan.

    Every Non-Mortal's (or non-human, which ever works) appeared this way because they do not have a definite death date, as Mortals do. If they aren't subjected to circumstances by which they would die, a Non-Mortal will simply continue to exist until they are.

    Armin's steps faltered for a moment as a thought hit her, and she broke out into a run.

    Well, shit...

    There was an English paper she was supposed to write that night.