Ever rounded the corner, a minute away from the ice cream store. It was peak summer and these morning walks left him sweaty. It was strange how at the beginning, he couldn’t smell himself but as time passed, he became more aware of it.

  It was probably because Taylor took every opportunity to remind him once it got bad. He was down to the last can of deodorant that he’d bought all those weeks ago; he would have to go back to the corner store to get some more soon.

  He spotted Chaos also making his way to the ice cream store, though he was coming through the park. The primordial being saw him as well and paused for a moment - then he started running towards the ice cream store. Ever kicked himself into gear, accepting the impromptu invitation to race.

  Existence blinked for a fraction of a second and Chaos was at the front door, a smug smile on his bearded face.

  “You cheated,” Ever said, slowing down as he reached the ice cream store.

  “Who wrote the rules?” Chaos asked lightly.

  Ever pursed his lips, getting the keys to open the door. Existence blinked again and Chaos was inside the ice cream store before Ever even finished unlocking the door.

  To think that I was fearful of this being. Despite the appearance of an old, refined gentleman, he seemed to be immature and playful. Maybe he’s trying to make me drop my guard.

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  Ever came in and closed the door and the two of them began to fall into the routine of opening up the shop.

  “How was the reaping last week?” Chaos asked.

  Ever pulled up the tubs of ice cream from the freezer underneath. “It went well.”

  “What would a bad reaping look like?”

  Ever stood up, leaning on the bench, watching the icy surface of the ice cream mist. “I don’t know, I haven’t had a bad one yet. I’ll let you know.”

  “No,” Chaos replied, putting his apron on. “I don’t care.”

  Ever glanced at him, but left it at that. The two of them continued for a while.

  “Can you see souls and ghosts?”

  “I don’t know,” the first being in existence replied. “What do they look like?”

  Ever was surprised for a moment. “They look like people, except they’re not alive. They are translucent and might be gray in color, though I’ve seen greener and bluer ones.”

  Chaos paused. “I don’t know. They all look the same to me.”

  Ever didn't respond; he was checking that all the ice creams and sorbets were in the right spots.

  “You can’t blame me,” Chaos said, hefting up one of the tables to bring outside. “They all let regrets anchor them to this world in one way or another. Only difference is that you and Death release the dead ones as a final mercy. This part of humanity is predictably boring.”

  “So what’s not boring?” Ever asked.

  They held each other's gaze across the ice cream display when Taylor walked past the window. She looked at them and waved.

  “When humans sever the anchor and live like nothing’s holding them down.”