(Stein's POV)

"No, you can't have them." Elvira says, flicking a wing in my direction.

"Did I ever say I wanted them?" I challenge, rolling up on her left so that I'm even with her.

"You said as much when you said you'd love to rip my mother's wings off." She eyes me from the corner of her pale gold eyes, smiling a little. "I figured I'd tell you now before you actually tried to do something, and as for you being nice, how you treat me will dictate how I treat you."

I smirk back. "Fair enough."

"Good, so long as we're clear on that." Elvira speeds up, walking a step ahead of me. "William," She calls, striding confidently into the building. "William T. Spears, I require your presence." She stops just as a bespectacled black haired man walks around the corner.

"Yes, my lady?" He pushes his glasses up on the bridge of his nose, holding his clipboard and a pair pruning shears in one hand. "What is it you require of me?"

"If you see Mac, tell him I have returned with help from Lord Death." Elvira motions to me. "We'll be in my office if anyone needs me."

"Yes, Lady Elvira." William bows low, showing respect to Elvira before straightening up and pushing his glasses up on his nose again. "I'll be sure to pass the message along."

Elvira nods. "Thank you, Will. You are dismissed." Will nods in return, continuing on his way down the hall. Elvira turns to me. "Well, on to my Death Room."

"Lead the way." I push my own glasses up on my nose and roll after her.

(Macabee's POV)

"But, Macabee," Grell hovers around me, buzzing like a fly. "I don't want anymore time!"

"Too bad." I grunt, glaring at him. "Everyone has to pull their weight, and that includes you."

"But, Macabee, darling," Grell stops in front of Elvira's desk, trying to pull an appealing pose. "I'm too delicate for too much work. Couldn't you pull some strings with Lady Elvira or Lord Tyrian for me?"

"Nope." I settle back in Elvira's chair, crossing my arms over my chest. "Ellie and Ty were quite clear. Everyone works. No exceptions."

"I knew you were a good choice to enforce the rules, Baines." Elvira herself sweeps into her office, someone in a rolling office chair rolling in behind her. "Grell, either get back to work, or leave my office and don't come back." She crosses her arms over her chest, waiting for Grell's response.

"Oh, Lady Elvira, ehheheh!" Grell jumps nervously, inching his way to the door. "Of course I'll get to work, and right away, my lady!" Once he's close enough, the red haired reaper darts out the door, hurrying off to find Will to get his schedule.

"Well, there's that taken care of." Elvira turns to face me, her eagerness written all over her soul. "How are things, Mac?"

"Other than Grell making a pest of himself, things have been pretty calm." I push myself up from Elvira's chair. "Unfortunately, there's been nothing new about the others. I'm sorry, my lady." I bow my head low, grief welling up in my soul.

Elvira nods, her own grief briefly swamping all other emotion before she shifts her focus. "That is unfortunate, but fortunately, I bring help from my father." She waves to the one who followed her in. "Macabee Baines, meet Stein. Stein, this is Mac."

Stein nods at me. "Pleasure."

I nod back. "Likewise, but why is he here? Shouldn't Lord Death be the one helping, and not this guy?"

"Um, excuse me, Mac," Lord Death's voice booms around the office. "But I couldn't be there in person for you to see me. I've sent Stein in my place. He's the best meister currently at the academy."

"Aah, I see." I nod to Lord Death, though I cannot pinpoint where he is. "How have you been, Lord Death?"

"Things here are fine, Macabee, but it sounds like you could use some help." His voice reverberates from nowhere. "So, what am I to do?"

"Dad, we need you to help keep an eye on things here." Ellie turns around, adressing her father. "Mac will take care of work schedules and all the souls that require his attention. You'll just have to keep an eye on the flow of souls."

"Alright, that sounds doable." Lord Death chirps. "Is that all?"

"Actually, Dad, there are-" Elvira is cutoff midsentence by a commontion outside.

"Oh, Sebastian! I knew you were nearby!" Grell yells. "I could feel it!"

"Yes, that's quite nice, Grell." A bored sounding voice answers. "I heard Lady Elvira has returned. Could you tell me where she might be?"

"Anything for you, Bassy!" I can hear the red haired reaper turn back to the office. "Right this wa-ay~!" He sings.

"Well, that worked out nicely." Elvira pokes her head out the door. "In here, Sebastian, Ciel. You have perfect timing."