Before we begin, I just want to say thank you, Alana, for choosing me for your first interview! It just goes to show your excellent choice, if I may say so. You could have chosen any character, but I will forever be your first choice. Not that I would ever let it go to my head, of course, but I think it a great honour.
You’ve got some great questions, here. So, let’s get started, shall we?
How old are you?
How old do I look? What a forward question. The next thing you’ll want to know is how much I weigh and what’s my sign. I can see you squirming, just a bit. Ha! Got you, didn’t I? I do love my little jokes. What is life without the little jokes? Boring. That’s what. Ahem. Alright, I’ll behave myself for a bit.
How old am I? How long has Death existed? I’m a bit younger than Asher, but not by much. I’m older than most stars in the sky, but I like to think I’m young at heart. I’ve never lost my child-like fascination with the way things work. I stay up-to-date on modern life. You know what I like? I like to learn languages. Latin was a good one, although it’s turned out to be a dead language. Ok, next question.
What are your thoughts on Asher’s sudden interest in the human girl Izzy?
I think it’s hilarious. You’d have to know Asher for as long as I have to find the true humour of the situation. He’s had this large stick lodged firmly up his bum for ages. You know the old saying about all work and no play? Well, with Asher it not only made him a dull boy, it made him positively stifling to be around. Now he has his little human to worry about and I have to say it’s been most entertaining to watch the two of them together.
I’ve always thought he would fall for someone some fine day, but I never imagined it would be for a human, or that he’d fall so hard. One might almost pity the poor thing. He really doesn’t have a clue what to do with her, either. He’s so used to issuing orders and having them followed without question, but with her, he’s different. He’s softer, somehow. Not weaker, don’t ever mistake my meaning, but gentler, I suppose. Yes. He’s gentler when he’s with her.
As for Izzy, I wasn’t so sure about her to start with, but she has a way of growing on a person. I do enjoy a girl with sass. I like her loyalty too. She’s a bit of a loner, but the people she’s close to, she’s extremely protective of. She’ll make a fine Reaper one day, if she survives.
Do you enjoy harvesting souls?
Now, that depends on the soul, doesn’t it? I do enjoy harvesting the darker souls, I must admit. The murderers, the thieves and abusers. They never seem to believe there’s something out there more predatory than themselves. Not until the moment they meet me. I like that moment of fear and recognition, just a breath before it’s too late and they’re mine for the reaping. It’s simply exquisite. There’s usually no coming back for that sort, either. There are always so many more to take their place. It keeps me and my kind constantly busy.
As for the average soul, I’ve never really given it much thought. It’s just a service I offer. Death and life go hand in hand. Dying isn’t hard. Living well, that seems to be hard for a lot of people. For the innocent, Death is often a welcome release.
Have you ever fought with Asher?
I’ve fought for my brother. I will always fight by his side. As for fighting with him? Not really. We’ve had our share of disagreements, but what siblings haven’t had a tiff or two? As stiff and proper as he is, I love him dearly. I tell him so often, just to watch him squirm. He’s never been big on large shows of emotion. Well, he wasn’t until he met Izzy. Now a-days, he’s often as lost and clueless as a human. I’m enjoying it immensely.
Honestly, just between us, I admire Asher. I admire his strength and character. He lacks my charm, of course, but it doesn’t matter. The world can only handle one of me.
Did you have a mortal life before becoming the Grimm reaper? If so then how did you die?
I was never mortal. I’m angel-born, not made like some little Reapers I could mention. Ahem…Izzy. I was born of magic and stardust, little human. Which is probably why I’m so incredibly handsome and talented in so many ways. You must agree. After all, you could have had any character for this interview, but you wanted me.
How did you become the Grimm reaper?
I am Samael, but I’ve been Grim so long that hardly anyone ever calls me by my real name anymore. Occasionally, Asher will if he’s in a royal snit over something. He seems to be in a snit often, lately.
As for my nickname, other Reapers gave it to me during a long-forgotten battle when it was discovered I had a flare for the dramatic, if you will. It goes back to your earlier question about my enjoyment of the harvest. The blackest souls deserve a bit of what they’ve dished out. Hence, the Grim in Grim Reaper. I have a job to do, but there’s no reason I can’t entertain myself while I’m doing it.
How long have you known Asher?
Entire civilizations have risen and fallen while we watched, and they will continue to do so. Asher and I have been together for as long as I can remember. Longer, probably. He’s the other side of my coin. He’s the light to my dark. The peanut butter to my jelly. The bitter to my sweet. Really, I don’t know what he’d ever do without me.
Did anyone have the position of Grimm reaper before you? If yes then what happened to them?
No. There is only one of me. I’m happy to be Asher’s 2nd. He’s the first and the finest of us all, though I wouldn’t really say I have any superior to me. There have been more than a few young Reapers who wanted my position, however. As for what happened to them… well, let’s just say I have less and less competition these days. I’m not someone to trifle with. I have a sense of humour about most things, but trifling isn’t one of them.
What are your thoughts on Izzy’s best friend Gwen?
Ah, Gwenevere Rose. She’s aptly named, isn’t she? Just like the flower, she’s beautiful to behold, but get too close and the thorns will cut you. The woman could make a Saint curse one moment, and the Heavens spill tears for her grief in the next. She has the soul of a warrior. Absolutely everything has to be a fight with her. For some strange reason I bring out the worst in her. I’m pretty sure she likes me, though. She’s just playing hard to get. What’s not to like, right? Women find me irresistible.
What do you do in your free time?
I knit sweaters for homeless kittens.
Free time… you must be joking. Death is a constant. I have so little free time, and what there is seems to be taken up with keeping Gwen out of trouble. I need more help with that than you can imagine. Her guardian angel can’t seem to keep up with demand either. Strangely enough, she’s an Alana, too…
Thanks to author Sherri A Wingler for taking time out of her busy life for this.