A slender woman with pointed ears sat beside a short older rough looking man with only slightly pointed ears at the tip.

They were both seated in plush chairs in front of a large dark stained wooden desk that was of the finest craftmanship.

Behind the desk in a chair that looked as soft as clouds to sit on, was a human woman that looked to be in her thirties.

The slender woman cleared her throat, she was nervous about how this meeting would go. Their department was having a rough time finding new blood.

Her short cohort was simply relaxing deep into his chair enjoying the comfort while it lasted. He looked at his manicured nails one at a time. Considering his background, it was amazing that his hands were as supple as silk and there were no flaws to be found upon his hands… “Gah! I have a small chip in my nail! Now I am going to have to see betty before our next assignment.” His shoulders drooped a little before he caught his female partner looking at him like he was nuts. “What? Can’t a fellow take pride in himself? I worked hard to get these babies to look this amazing!” He waggled his fingers at her.

With a scoff his partner swung her head back meeting the eyes of the woman across from them. She had finished going over her paperwork. Her eyes were neutral, but her mouth had a bit of a grin.

“So.” The woman behind the beautifully crafted desk began. The nameplate on her desk read “Amber Fuller”.

The short man stopped his silliness and promptly turned his attention to his red headed boss. “If only I was two hundred years younger.” He said softly eyeing the woman’s ample assets.

The two women turned and scowled at him as one making him stiffen, bolt up-right in his chair.

“Uhh, was that out loud?” He asked sheepishly.

“Do I need to contact H.R. again Mr. Rockcutter?” Amber asked him, continuing her glare.

“No Miss Fuller! I am very sorry Miss Fuller. I meant no disrespect. It’s just that well… You’re so beautiful and…” He blurted out his eyes still below her eye level.

The elf beside him smacked him in the back of the head. “Crude!”

“Ow! Hey!” The man said as his head snapped forward and down. Forcing him to shut his eyes in a squint of pain.

He looked up to see Amber lifting the phone and beginning to dial the phone.

“No! Please! I’m sorry Miss Amber. Anything but H.R.!” His eyes, watering slightly, firmly locked onto hers.

She held the phone frozen in motion as a hanging threat. The short man’s eye did not waver a millimeter.

After what seemed a century to the sweating dwarf the woman slowly put down the phone. Eyes still burning with fury.

“To get right to it” Amber began. “This department has had a horrendous showing the last hundred or so years. The brass is looking to shut it down. I was able to get an extension, but there will be cuts.” She took a pause and looked at the dwarf with a bit of evil glee.

“They are Cutting your extended benefits. So, there will be no more spa days for the near future.”

The dwarf gasped eyes snapping down to his chipped nail.

“Also, there are to be pay and budget cuts across the field office.”

“Ugh!” The dwarf slumped down into his chair as if he’d been shot.

Amber had a smile that would put any fairytale cat to shame after dropping that one two punch to the dwarf. She knew this meant he would have to tend to his own upkeep. Which he was bad at.

Catching the despairing look of the elf across from her she shrugged in apology to her.

“Sorry Wen. It was the best I could do. They were pretty adamant about how this department was no longer even needed after the reincarnation gig started.”

“But they tie our hands!” Wen shot back. “I know they are looking for that certain something in our clients. That reincarnated have no say in the matter and sink or swim they are easier to acquire.” She went on, her hands animate as she pled her case. “If we did not have to tell our clients about where the relocation was, like the reincarnate department is not required to, we would be busier and bringing in earnings to boot.”

“I can sympathize Wen. As you know reincarnates are given a second chance at life. So, the reincarnates pretty much jump at the chance. Even if they are not enthused, they still go mostly willingly. Strong souls willing to go through a woodchipper and soldier on are hard to find. Every dimension is begging for help with their problems. The only exception currently being earth. Since the only thing threating their peace is global warming, it will be a hotpot for harvesting for at least the next twenty years. After that, well it’s all downhill for them. Between the pollution and wars that planet is set for a reset soon. So, we are getting while the getting is still good. Unless of course the brass goes with alternate dimension splitting for earth. They we can harvest from the good iterations that come out of it.”

“Like you say, their world is going to shit. If we didn’t mention where the houses we sell were, I’m sure they would adapt well enough, just like the reincarnates. We could just leave a note in their house explaining everything once they took possession.”

“Wen, say it with me…”

“The Living…”

“”The living get a choice. The dead don’t””

“Good.” Amber clapped. “It’s all set. You two will set up shop on earth and get us some new talent.” Then she looked harder at Wen. “Willing talent.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll tell them.” Wen said without oomph.

“Good! Do us proud. And don’t forget your…” Amber looked to the dwarf who was almost crying. “Partner.” She finished with a grin.