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"Psychopomp. Spirit-guide. Soul shepherd."
"Listing off synonyms does not make it better!" said Danny. "I can't kill people. That's, like, the opposite of what I do. What I've always done."
"You don't have to kill people," said Clockwork. "Listen. Which one of those titles sounded like murderer to you?"
"I don't know, grim reaper?" Danny waved his arm in emphasis, trying not to focus too hard on the black glove and sleeve attached to it.
Clockwork sighed. "Daniel," he said.
Danny shivered at the sound of his name. Why did it feel so- so off?
"I apologize. I am not explaining this well, and you are... upset."
"No, duh," muttered Danny. He looked down, caught sight of his loose, all-black clothes, and chose to look up instead, at the high, vaulted ceiling of Clockwork's lair. "It's kind of- I just died again. And you're telling me I've got to-" He blinked rapidly, trying to keep tears out of his eyes. "I didn't even make it to thirty."
"Daniel-"
"Don't!" snapped Danny. "I don't- Why doesn't that feel right? Why do I..."
"You don't have to kill anyone," said Clockwork, gently. "All you have to do is guide souls that get lost. Dying is more complicated than it seems."
"Aren't ghosts supposed to be lost souls?" asked Danny, crossing his arms. "I don't think they need much guiding."
"There are more things in these worlds than the humans and ghosts you can see," said Clockwork. "You will be helping people."
Danny wiped at his eyes. "Why couldn't I just become a ghost?" he asked. "I know how to deal with that."
Clockwork patted his shoulder. "You'll figure this out, too." He smiled. "And who's to say you aren't still a ghost? Or a human, for that matter?"
Danny looked up at Clockwork with wide eyes.
"No," he said. "You have to be joking. No one gets that many chances."
"Admittedly, it may be more difficult for you to change than that first time. I have full confidence that you will eventually find the way, however. Come along, we have things to do. It is your first day on the job."