(Untitled)

[no_justice]

There is a litter of kittens on a table, most of which are so tiny that their eyes haven't opened yet. They're forming a soft, mewing pile of fur, looking for the warmth of a mother that isn't there

Comments

[monthly_gift]

"Well."

Mother Nature looks down at the kittens from beside the table.

"There's something you don't see every day. But then, you don't see Mother Nature and Death together everyday, either, do you? We sort of work at different ends of the same line."

[no_justice]

Death grins at her.

The ends of that line meet quite often, he observes.

[monthly_gift]

"So it does."

She smiles back.

"Though when things are in proper balance, we're both equally busy in our work."

[no_justice]

Yes, Death agrees.

Although things are rarely 'proper'.

[monthly_gift]

"True. Mortals will insist on silly things like wars and birth control and any number of contrivances to either keep us extra busy or trying to put us out of work."

[no_justice]

It keeps them busy, Death says, much like someone might say of the Hitler Youth: 'well, it keeps them off the streets.'

[monthly_gift]

"They do like to be busy, even if they're not accomplishing much while they're at it."

She grins.

"But then, I like to keep busy, myself."

[no_justice]

You do?

Death regards her with some interest.

Do you have - I think they're called hobbies?

[monthly_gift]

"My work is my hobby...there are so many side lines to what I do. Though I will take on projects to amuse myself from time to time, and I've been enjoying keeping company with mortals here."

She tilts her head.

"Surely you do more with your time than simply collect the souls of the dead or point them in the direction they need to go next?"

She gestures to the box of kittens.

[no_justice]

I like cats, Death protests.

And curry.

[monthly_gift]

"Well, there you go, then!"

She reaches down to stroke the head of one of his little charges.

"Those can be hobbies."

[no_justice]

Yes, Death agrees.

I was asking about yours.

[monthly_gift]

"I do enjoy distractions, from time to time, but I don't know that I have any hobbies that I indulge in on a regular basis that aren't related to my work."

[no_justice]

Oh.

That's slightly disappointing for a Death who's fascinated by life.

I suppose your work covers a range of things.

[monthly_gift]

"Nature is pretty much happening wherever you look," she admits with a wry grin.

Death is pretty straight forward, she supposes.

"It helps that I love what I do. There's more leeway for me, than for you, I think--I can decide when certain things happen or not. Death is pretty much inevitable, isn't it?"

[no_justice]

Not pretty much, Death says. I am.