As soon as I gave Aster the green light, him and York immediately stood up and left the room, talking to each other about what needed to be done. It's like they were just waiting for me to give them my consent.I'm left alone in Aster's little den, staring at the shut wooden door. What am I supposed to do in here?I take a second to look around. I hadn't really had time when we first came in. I was so overwhelmed with what was probably the inspiration of the commonly known visual for the Grim Reaper. Seriously, give the man a scythe and a hooded cloak, he'd look like every pop culture reference to the king of death that'd I'd ever seen. But he was a lot softer than York, not as sharp and crass. He seemed... nice, I guess.His room wasn't very big, it was like a bedroom. There was my corner with all the pillows and bean bags sitting on top of a fuzzy gray rug, there were two tall wooden bookshelves jammed with literature against the wall to my left, then the desk I had visited earlier. It was made of the same wood as the shelves. A dark cherry color. There were some pages written in foreign languages taped to the wall above the desk, but I already knew I couldn't read them, so I didn't bother getting up.To my right was where Aster had pushed back the chair he had been sitting in while we talked, a black armchair that looked like it came from Ikea. There was even a soft looking knit blanket thrown over the back. Where was he getting this stuff? I couldn't see him walking around a furniture store picking things out.There was a long table with more books and papers, empty bowls stacked high, and jars with various amounts of colored liquids in between the bedroom door and the black armchair. I tried to avoid looking for too long, because I think some of the liquids were bubbling and fizzing. What the hell did he have going on over there?Am I just supposed to sit here and wait for them? They just kind of ran off without saying anything to me.I sigh and stand up.I wonder if my sister knows I'm dead yet.I don't really care about how it will make my parents feel, to be perfectly honest. They always made it perfectly clear to me that their love was only surface deep. Once I had moved out, I didn't even get a polite holiday or birthday text. I was an adult now, and they were no longer legally obligated to care about me. When I died, it had probably been a good four years since I'd exchanged even a single word with my parents. I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't even shed a tear.But my sister, she was still young. Only twenty-two. She was on her own too, well, with a couple roommates but living as an adult in the real world.When was the last time I had seen her?Tears sting at my eyes, and I shake my head.I suddenly no longer want to be in Aster's weird little den, so I head back out the way I came in. I would just sit out at that giant table.The light from Aster's room pierces the long dark hallway ahead. I guess it made sense it was so dimly lit if they all could see despite that.Soon I'd be able to see in the dark too.I try to cling to that thought as I close the door behind me and place a hand on the wall as I start making my way back to the main room.As I got closer, I could hear a couple of voices chattering ahead. They sounded young and excited.I wonder who I was meeting next."When will he be done?""Depending on when Cole and Banks get here, he could be done and in recovery by this evening. They work pretty fast."Finally, the candles on the wall are getting more dense, which means I'm getting closer to the main room. I could see the light glow coming from it, as well."What does he look like?" I roll my eyes. Everyone is always so worried about how I look."Definitely hotter than you."
"That's mean."
"He's tall and has muscles."
"So, he'll probably be like Nico and Peter then.""Who are they?" I get a small amount of satisfaction at seeing York and a new person jump at the sudden sound of my voice from behind them.
It's almost funny how they turn around like they've just been caught with their hands in the cookie jar. I guess they were talking about me. It's not like it was anything bad, so I don't mind."You came out!" York exclaims, running over to me and wrapping his arms around my middle."Excuse you." I lay my palm flat on his forehead and shove him off. Why was he acting like we were buddies? I still didn't like the way he talked about guiding dead human souls to their next life. I mean, I was pretty blunt and crass, but I knew when to be sensitive or when to stop talking. I got the feeling he did not share that trait."It's nice to meet you." I hold a hand out to the newcomer. He was surprisingly average looking, brown floppy hair that hung over his eyes, average height and build. He wore too loose jeans and old looking tennis shoes, and had a giant, faded red hoodie hanging off his frame. His face was littered with sand colored freckles. His eyes were the only odd thing about him: they were bright orange. Although to be honest, even that quality about him was sort of plain compared to everyone else. With Aster's black and red eyes, and York's totally white ones, bright orange irises just weren't much to get worked up about anymore."My name is Jaskier." He says with a sheepish smile as he gently takes my hand. I want to scoff at the limp grip he gives me, but I don't. He is a Reaper, and one of my future brothers. I don't want to be enemies with any of them."I haven't thought of my name yet." I say, tilting my head to the side a little and watching his face. Theoretically, if I were to dictate where I sent Reapers, like which souls I gave which Reaper, I think I would give Jaskier young children. His eyes were nice, and his smile was real. It didn't feel forced, he genuinely gave off "boy next door" vibes.I wonder what happened in order for him to become a Reaper. Was it rude to ask? Would I care if someone asked me? I don't think so, but then no one has yet. Maybe I'll wait to try and get a feel on the etiquette on that kind of thing."Z is kind of a tough letter, isn't it." Jaskier hums. I nod, watching York drift away from us and over to the table, where he hops up to sit on the edge."Where did Aster go?" I ask York."He's getting his room set up. That way whenever the other two show up, we can get started." I nod a little, running a hand through my hair. I was still terrified for this part of my journey. I wish it wasn't necessary."You won't remember the pain." Jaskier offers. I look back to him, smiling a little. "I mean, it'll hurt while you're in it, but just for a little, and then you'll pass out. We all do. And after a few years, when you think about it, you won't be able to feel the memory of the pain anymore. It'll all just be a blur."I was right, he is nice, and soft. I would much rather him reap a loved one's soul over York, any day.