Markus looked around the restaurant. It was sparsely populated, with several groups of people scattered throughout. Everything seemed to be as normal as possible.

Except for the fact that sitting at the table with him, were basically a pair of gods. How many times have I been in a deity’s presence and not known it? Markus mused. He looked at Lucifer and Morrigan. If he had been a passer-by, all he would notice was a trio of Americans. There was literally nothing about the pair that could set them apart from anyone else. Lucifer was a seemingly well-dressed, tall, handsome businessman wearing a grey suit; while Morrigan was an extremely attractive, tall woman in a blue evening gown. She could easily have passed for his wife, and Markus their son or nephew.

Markus watched the pair across from him as they pretended to study the menu, talking softly among themselves. He let his mind wander to the possibilities of his future working for the CEO and Death.

He could picture his office, anime posters on the walls, some shelves with various statuary on them, an old 50’s style metal fan on his desk, and a computer for all his files and paperwork. He could picture the souls entering his office, one-by-one as he reviewed their files and gave them directions to their afterlife.

The afterlife. He wondered just what it looked like. What choices were available? Did they all look the same? Were the “punishments” held in the same general area? Did time and space just not apply? Why did he not see souls as he walked the halls of his “office” building? He knew those other doors were for other Soul Liaisons. Just how did it all work?

“...wonder where his mind is right now, Lucifer. Do you think he’s reliving that little scrape outside?” Morrigan looked at Lucifer, her chin resting on her hands.

“I’m not sure, but knowing him, it’s likely a fairly deep well he’s gone into. Markus? Are you here?” Lucifer snapped his fingers in front of Markus’ face, startling him. “There you are! I’ve taken the liberty of ordering for us. You have tea coming in a moment, my boy.”

Markus blinked several times. A flush grew up his chest and neck as he realized just how deeply lost in thought he had been. “I’m sorry. I was lost in thought. What’s going on?” He smiled sheepishly.

Morrigan laughed softly. “Lucifer has ordered food. I’ve been hearing your stomach grumble since we got here, so I know you’re hungry.” Softly, she asked, “So. What were you thinking about?”

Markus shook his head. “Nothing much. Just about what I’d like my office to look like, how the whole job works, what happens to the souls who pass through, you know. Normal stuff anyone would wonder about their new job.”

“Well. I cannot divulge much information right now, as we are in a public setting, after all. Suffice it to say that your office decor can be absolutely anything you wish. You want it to be a hedonist's paradise? Go for it. A gamer’s den? Absolutely! Just don’t be surprised to find your associates asking to come by to relax every now and again. Absolutely anything, Markus. The fine details are yours and yours alone.

“However. You may not bring any mortal that isn’t a coworker to the office in any way, shape or form, though. You will be terminated immediately. This stands regardless of how they get there. If they force you or wander in behind you, or you invite them, the end result is the same. We cannot have standard mortals understanding how Reality works behind the scenes. Not even Miss Ikeda. I don’t care if they’re deaf, blind and mute. They cannot be there. No pets, either. You may not record in any way, shape or form the events that transpire in your office. You cannot even use it as the basis for a book. Obviously, we cannot alter your memories. We can, however, keep you from speaking about it in your sleep. The CEO has granted the Dreamers this allowance. So, in order to maintain the secrecy, you are to continue with your statements about working for a “placement agency”. If needed, I can supply you with business cards that are directed to a special line. Does that answer your questions?” Lucifer smiled that almost irritating smile of his.

“Some, yeah. The rest of them are all related to the nature of Reality itself. I’ll wait until my training begins to get into that. I had expected to have to maintain the absolute secrecy of the job, actually. I’ve got other questions, but I’ll let my coworkers explain the answers when it comes time.

“So. What was it you wished to discuss, Lucifer?” Markus smiled at his manager.

“Most excellent. Right down to business, eh? I certainly don’t mind. Business before pleasure, and all.” He folded his hands in his lap. “I would like to discuss the exact nature of this advertisement, Markus.”

“Really? You’re willing to discuss that in public? Well, okay. Have you some paper in your suit? I’ll draw it up right quick,” Markus said, pulling a fountain pen from his pocket.

“Prepared, are you? I do so love a man who is prepared, Markus.” Morrigan gave him a sly grin.

“Now, Morrigan. We talked about this, remember? Markus is not to be harmed, correct?” Lucifer gently reminded her as he pulled a small notepad from his inside coat pocket. “Here you are, Markus. Wow us.”

“I doubt an evening or two with me will harm the man, Lucifer.” Her eyes never left Markus’.

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Markus took the notepad and began sketching. “With all due respect, Lady Morrigan, I should think that driving a wedge between Akane and I will do me great harm. She is not a fan of yours. You forged that animosity. I also doubt she would be willing to share me. Especially not in the beginning. That brings another question to mind, Lucifer.” He stopped sketching and looked up into his manager’s eyes. “As I get older, what of my visible age? Will my body age as normal? What happens when I go well beyond the normal human lifespan?”

“A very good question. At this point, you’d have some choices. Allow your body to age naturally to a predetermined point, go through a physical rejuvenation in your office, and start off in a fresh body, or you can simply refuse to age.” He smiled broadly. “That option is very useful for someone who likes to live for ten to twenty years in a place, then move across the world. It allows you to travel and learn your world intimately and rather quickly. You are free to choose either option and change your mind, if you wish.”

The drinks arrived, along with an assurance that the food would follow.

Markus resumed his sketching, “I would like to go ahead and age for now. Should Akane and I last, I certainly don’t want to seem like I never get older.”

“Should you last, you say? You mean to say you aren’t certain about her, Markus?” Morrigan leaned forward, her elbow on the table.

Markus looked up. “I’m as certain as anyone can be after a week, Lady Morrigan. She hits the right buttons and I genuinely like being with her. Furthermore, I seem to do the same for her. Are we perfect for each other? No. Nobody is. Are we close enough that we want to try? Absolutely. Do I hope that we last the test of time? Yes. Am I naïve enough to know that we will? No.

“I finally have hope again, Lady Morrigan. I would really appreciate it if you wouldn’t try to rip it from me.” He returned his attention to the paper.

Morrigan sat back, looking at Markus with a soft smile. “Okay, then. I’ll make you a deal. I’ll leave you be with all the desire and innuendo for as long as your relationship with Miss Ikeda lasts. I really don’t want to cost you your hope if I can help it. However. The moment it ends, I will return, desire intact. Assuming you’re young enough to handle me, still. Deal?”

Markus looked up and was silent for a moment. “You will leave us both alone and let our relationship progress as it will? Naturally?” Morrigan nodded. “You won’t throw any people in our path to try and force us apart?” She shook her head. Markus tapped the pen on his chin.

“That actually sounds like a good deal, Markus. Especially from her. I’d take it. Otherwise, she might show up at your house in a schoolgirl outfit and call you “Daddy”.” Lucifer said over the rim of his sake.

Markus stared at Morrigan, who simply shrugged and looked off to the side. “It’s been known to happen a time or two.”

Sighing, Markus shook his head. “Fine. Deal. You leave us be and let our relationship flourish or die, and afterwards, I suppose I’ll see more of you than I bargained for.”

Handing her the notepad, he asked, “Here we go. First iteration. What do you think?”

Morrigan eyed the small notepad with a critical eye. “It looks okay. It’s just so small.”

Markus smiled and rolled his eyes. “I’ll obviously make it much larger. About two feet by three feet. That way, it’ll be big enough to catch the eye, but not so big it detracts from everything else in the room.”

“Let’s go with that for now. You’ve still got about four months to make it finalized. We can sit on it and revisit it later, okay? Our food is nearly here,” she said.

The server came by with trays of food, and sat them down in front of each of them. Lucifer thanked them, and the trio dug in, enjoying the meal and making small talk. Eventually, each course had been served, and it was time to leave.

Once they made it outside, Lucifer looked over at Markus. “Well. I certainly had a good time. Don’t expect this often, Markus. We had interesting circumstances that needed to be resolved. In any case, it is almost ten, and you need to get back to your hotel. Would you like for either of us to accompany you?”

Markus smiled at the pair. “No, I think I’m okay. Besides, the train is just over there. I have about a ten minute wait, at most. I hope the two of you have a good evening.” He waved goodbye at the pair and began the walk over to the train.

Morrigan watched him go, staring appreciatively at his rear. “Such a shame. I could definitely have a lot of fun with him. Anyway, I think I’ll go find myself some entertainment tonight. Have fun with your paperwork, Lucie.” She turned away from Lucifer and walked into an alley, vanishing from sight.

Death sighed and shook his head. Chaos would never change. He looked around, and seeing that nobody was nearby, he turned down an alleyway, and faded into the ether.

Markus reached the station just as the final train pulled in. He checked his map, and settled in on the train to wait. A few moments later, the train was off, and he was watching the darkened countryside fly by, his thoughts heavy with the future.

As the train pulled into the station closest to his hotel, his mind wandered to Akane. Just what would their life look like with his job? Would she need to work? How would he be able to justify working only two hours a day? Did it really matter? He would probably try to get an exemption for her via the CEO, if possible. Or even find a way to get her onboarded, as well. Assuming everything worked out between them. Even if it didn’t, finding help for the other managers would likely be a good thing. As long as it wasn’t Chaos…

He paid his fare and got off the train, realizing he would have to walk the rest of the way. Thankfully, the street was rather well-lit, and his hotel was a straight shot from here. He let his mind wander, mulling over these questions and concerns and what-if’s, figuring if he just slept on it, some sort of answer could come to him as it usually did.

As he walked, he missed the fact that there were eyes on him, watching his every move. What he didn’t miss, however, were the footsteps following him. He heard those rather clearly. He calmly crossed the street, hearing the footfalls stay behind him. They followed him again when he crossed back over. Looking around with his eyes, he saw nowhere he could duck into and hide. Sweat began beading at his temples as his mind raced to find a solution.

Remembering that the nearby park had a restroom, he prayed that it was never locked, and passed his hotel without looking at it.

As he neared the park, he saw the lone light nearby was flickering, and took that as a good sign. He walked in, focused on his office and opened the restroom door.