Sorry if anybody thought that my last author's note was offensive. I honestly didn't mean to come off as "I'm right, you're wrong."

Seeing as I'm a spineless worm, I'll let you guys decide if Black Star has feelings for Maka, okay? Everyone's happy!

And if anybody doesn't get the whole grim reaper thing, it'll become apparent as the story progresses. Enjoy!

"AAAAA- Oof!"

Maka Albarn landed with a grimace. She rolled onto her back, staring at the pale orange-shot sky.

Wasn't the trapdoor a bit much? The realm that death's employees worked in wasn't in the sky or something similar- the closest that she could come to explaining it was that it was a parallel universe.

Maka clambered to her feet, thinking less-than-respectful thoughts about her oh-so-funny boss. She surveyed the area, grateful that Shinigami-sama had dropped her somewhere deserted. It was a small park, with a couple of small trees that Maka didn't know the name of. She'd arrived just off of the sidewalk.

"You must be the one that Shinigami-sama sent over, ne?"

Maka whipped around, mentally berating herself for not thinking to use her Soul Perception.

She was facing three older teenaged girls, all of them studying her curiously. The girl who had spoken was tall, with long blond hair and sleepy blue eyes. Standing next to her was a shorter girl with lighter hair and a wide smile. Slightly behind them was a pretty girl with dark blue eyes, dark hair, and a shy expression on her face.

"Um, yes. I didn't know that others had been assigned this job, as well."

The shortest girl bounced toward Maka. "You kept us waiting for ages."

"Sorry," Maka mumbled sheepishly. "I was a little surprised, that's all. I didn't know death could get a successor."

The taller blond waved it off. "Oh, it's fine. What's your name, newbie?"

"I'm Maka Albarn."

"Well, Maka-san, I'm Liz Thompson, this is my sister Patty, and the one in the ponytail's Tsubaki."

Maka bowed formally. "It's a pleasure to meet you all."

Tsubaki smiled warmly. "Please don't bother with formalities. You can call me Tsubaki-chan, if you like."

Maka grinned back. "Then you all have to call me Maka-chan."

Patty, bored with introductions, grabbed Maka's hand. "C'mon, then! We're gonna have to go on a shopping spree to make you look normal!"

Liz smirked gleefully. "Yes! I love shopping sprees!"

Tsubaki sweatdropped. "Shouldn't we bring Maka-chan back to the apartment, first?"

Maka, who had been attempting not to get dragged away to God knows where, nodded fervently. "Yes, please!"

"Aw, you're no fun~" Patty whined, pouting.

"Very well," Liz sighed, with the aura of a martyr. "That cloak would've gotten us weird looks, anyway."

Maka found herself wondering just what she had gotten herself into.

Lame ending is lame. :p