Gloom was too happy a word to describe the feeling that wafted in the air, mingling with the usual weight of indecisiveness and depression that took residence in Limbo; this in-between realm that served as the waiting room for the recently deceased was reaching capacity quicker than normal, forcing the day shift to cut the routine questionings in half and making the decision best suited for each candidate that approached their respective desks. The weather was slightly warmer than expected and the line stretched as far as their eyes could see, so a lunch break was off the cards.

Unfortunately for them, they all enjoyed what they did; one worker in particular by the name of Ayvorus had the most difficult task sitting in front of him. The other employees seemed to be flying through their souls to sort through; Ayvorus was the most human of the bunch and he specialised in reading visual cues and seeing what other workers couldn't. He prided himself in being a valuable affect to the team, but this was a true test – sitting across his desk was the cleanest sheet he had ever seen: no criminal record, no previous life offences, nothing – a normal life that seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time or taken by the unfortunate events of under-appreciation.

"I trust you know I have to take your best interests to heart and persuade you to want to go the other way."

His new client sat motionless but stared at the top of Ayvorus' desk, looking at nothing in particular. "I do."

"But something tells me there's nothing I can say to make you change your mind."

"There isn't." He gave a feint yet genuine smile; his voice wasn't demanding as such, but resolute.

The person across from him was honestly intriguing, but he couldn't dwell on it too much. "Because of this abnormal request I have to inform the man in charge." Ayvorus stamped his papers the way it wasn't intended, but they had never had an unhappy camper for millennia and he had no plans to change that. What a waste it would be for him to wither away on the damned opposite side of the spectrum.

The client heard the shuffling papers, counting the final stamps he needed for residence and stood, slinging his trusty backpack over his shoulder. "What's he like?"

Ayvorus stuck his folder out to him, carefully placing them in his outstretched hands. "Well, he's not like the last one, I can tell you that. He's really great from what I've heard; doesn't suit the throne because his personality is the total opposite from the usual requirement, but he's powerful and very much in control of the domain. He's easier on the eyes which is always a plus." Ayvorus gave his client a sideways glance as he nodded along with his words, keeping his eyes on the folder. "That brother of his is another story. Try to stay as far away from him as you can – masses like him only spell out trouble for the rest of the lot."

"Why do you say that?" His ears perked up, now interested in the peculiar direction the conversation had shifted. "He's already dead. What mayhem could a corpse carry out in a domain of dead just like him?"

"You'd be surprised, dear boy. He isn't like any of them."

The worker let the statement hang between them with no true intention, only that there was nothing else to say about the man. They may share the same bloodline but they were miles apart in every aspect. He stayed in his seat as his client got out of his chair, calculating the chances that the poor boy would cross shoulders with the monster. "I do appreciate your help, thank you. I thought you'd have me work for this."

Ayvorus shrugged. "We can't say no to requests – just the ridiculous ones."

His client let out a chuckle. "And this doesn't qualify?"

"I'm sure you have your reasons. Not my job to butt in." The clerk stood from his chair and led the way to the correct gate, using his authorisation card and fingerprints to activate the swirling blood pool that was the entrance to Hell. Thankfully, the entire process made enough noise for the newest addition to map out exactly where he needed to go. "As per protocol, can I get you anything to aid you on your journey? Guns? Cake? Common sense?"

Ayvorus watched him throw his head back in laughter and cover his face with the manila. After letting his arm fall to the side, the employee noted the great smile he had that would waste inside the boiling confines of non-productivity. "Some hair dye might be nice. New start and all."

He kept his hand on the activation pad while his other conjured his client's request, handing it to him and asking him to step forward into the gate. For the first time that day, his client sent a smile and nod to the employee's direction before stepping through, a small pop signalling a successful entry.

Ayvorus spoke to no one in particular. "I would have gone with the cake."