Death Lingers By Love's Side (C. A. Cupid x OC)

Chapter 1: The Start of a New Year

Reapers, unlike other storybook characters, are born every few hundred years. And Once Upon a Time, Thalia Reaper was born to be the next Grim Reaper.

Her father Muzan saw her off to high school. As a "good luck" gift, he gave her a Cloak of Shadows, allowing her to blend into shadows at will. The man with eyes as red as blood with a dangerous glint and hair as dark as his shadows gave her a hug as she left.

She expected to be alone this year, as the daughter of the "Bringer of Death" doesn't attract any people. She could not hide, as her hair and eyes she inherited made it clear just whose daughter she was. So, just like the Evil Queen's daughter, people avoided her at all costs, not wanting to get caught in the deadly aura.

Even Raven Queen avoided her. After all, who would risk angering the Bringer of Death?

Thalia brought the hood of her cloak lower so that the shadow it cast covered her eyes as she entered Ever After High's halls. She clung to the wall, avoiding the mainstream of students. If they'd noticed her, they would surely run away screaming.

Somehow, being decked out in all black while wearing a cloak did not attract any attention. Maybe the shadows did hide her after all.

Ear-shattering screams filled the air. Had they finally noticed her? No, it was the arrival of Raven Queen and Madeline Hatter.

She watched as the purple clad girl groaned to her friend. Maddie's watch burst and she pulled out a table and chairs for an impromptu tea time.

Raven walked away, leaving Maddie to her shenanigans. Thalia, however, walked over without a sound to the mint haired girl.

"Hello, Maddie," she said, sitting down with her many rings clinking as she picked up a teacup. Maddie squealed in delight. "Thalia Reaper! It's hat-tastic to see you!"

"At least someone is happy to see me," said Thalia with a sad smile and embraced Maddie in a hug.

Maddie suddenly got an annoyed look on her face. "Excuse me, narrators! Thalia is a perfectly nice person!"

Thalia raised an eyebrow, but did not comment on Maddie talking to invisible voices. She knew a thing or two about that matter. Fortunately, she hadn't encountered any ghosts or lost spirits in the school yet.

Maddie responded again. "She can't even hurt you!" Pause again. "She doesn't even have her full powers yet!"

"I'm not even that dangerous... not yet anyways," said Thalia, sipping her tea once more. Maddie nodded eagerly while looking at the sky, her hand making a pointed gesture at the girl's words.

"See?! Nothing to fear." The two girls continued with their tea party through the afternoon. Maddie was the only person who did not fear Thalia, and she was grateful. Her red eyes were usually enough to terrify someone, having them running in the opposite direction in a matter of seconds. Quite sad, really.

Although, she would make an excellent security guard. Too bad that wasn't her destiny.

At around 6 o'clock, the sun was beginning to set and Thalia finished her classes.

When Thalia opened her door, her vision was flooded with pink and hearts. She fought the urge to vomit at the sight. All that pink and hearts could only mean one thing.

You've got to be kidding me, she thought as she groaned inwardly.

"Thalia!" called Cupid. "Welcome home!" Cupid rushed over to greet her new roommate. "Do you know what you need? You need a little love in your life," she said, pointing at Thalia. "And who else to help you but me!"