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Copia let his legs bounce in anticipation while he sat outside of Sister’s office. She kept a bench outside her door like a principal's office, with far more authority and forbode than a pleasant school would have. Not often was anyone waiting long to see Sister Imperator; she was swift and straight to the point with her meetings, and Satan forgive whoever needs more than one talking to in the clergy.
Unless you were Copia, that is. He has spent quite some time on this bench, practically since he was at the age where his feet would dangle off the edge and kick back and forth. Not much has changed for him now except his height.
Sister’s door opened with a shaky metal sound of the handle and out came rushing some lower-ranking clergy Sister of Sin. Her veil and makeup were in disarray; crying from what Copia knew was Sister Imperator’s beratement. The sister looked startled to see Copia there, before correcting herself with a bow to Copia, the head of the church, and scurrying away.
It took only a moment for Sister Imperator to appear in the doorway, letting out an annoyed exhale; clearing whatever harsh words she had spat prior away with a hand glossing over her hair, sliding it back into place. Her eyes reopened with a smile at the sight of her favorite little star, Copia.
“Cardi, I am so glad you answered my summon so quickly– I would not pull you from your work if it was not urgent.” Sister said, an arm extending out from her side.
Copia quickly stood up, thinking Sister had intended to welcome him in a hug. When he came close enough though, she stepped back quickly, gesturing that her arm intended to guide him into the room, not a hug. Copia made a noise in his throat to apologize for trying to hug her before he just hurried inside. This was not the first time he had made this mistake.
Copia took a seat in one of the lavish pairs of chairs in Sister’s office. Her desk was a dark wood, covered in files and an old-style phone. There is a good chance it was the same phone she bought for the office when Papa Nihil was in charge. Behind the desk on the wall was a giant painting of Sister…with nothing on. Copia kept his eyes straight down even more. Sister clicked the door shut and sauntered to her spot behind her desk.
“Now then, to business.” She said, flipping papers out of the way to grasp a red envelope. She slipped the paper out, giving a pleasant sound to the ear where Copia and Sister left sound to be emptied. Sister gestured for Copia to take it from her.
Copia scanned the paper, it was written, handwritten.
“When the ministry gets any invitation, it is not to be taken lightly. As for how long it took to even get the dignity of invitations to music award shows– invitations to dinners and formal gatherings are even far fewer in between.” Sister spoke, her hands coming to clasp together with the firmness of a Venus flytrap. “The invite is a fundraiser from a nonprofit shelter, apparently of notable size. I am sure pictures of you there holding and kissing puppies will be good attention.” She smiled, not when she brought up the puppies, but at the prospect of gaining the attention.
Copia threw his hands up with an excited ‘Ohhhhhh!’. Finally, an event that doesn’t make him have to hold his breath around dignitaries. Puppies were the best types of hosts.
“There is a catch, Cardi.” Sister added on, making Copia’s excitement drop more than he hoped.
Copia sat squeezed between Aether and Mountian in the back of the van, worried his face paint was rubbing off on their black uniforms. They were just as cramped as he was, even if their helmets were masking their expressions. Swiss had whispered something into Cumulus’s ear, but it only sounded like a hiss to the papal’s ears. He cleared his throat, pulling all of the ghoulish attention to him.
“We should be there soon, I just want to remind you all to be on your best behavior, please, please, please no eating the puppies or people– or any sort of trouble.” Copia wiggled a finger at Dew, receiving a flick of a hiss of the fire ghoul’s tongue and a head roll to show what his hidden eyes could not in his annoyance. “Sister had told me before coming, that word of our presence there has…reached some unfortunate ears. Some of the local churches have decided to try and stop the event– unsuccessfully do not worry– but they still are going to be surrounding the event.” Copia leaned forward, his face turning stern, the emeritus eye sharpening towards his ghouls with a seriousness rarely seen outside of his satanic gatherings.
“We are to not engage with them. I am commanding that you ignore anything they say or do, we must not make a mess of this event.”
The ghouls gave not a sound of disagreement this time, only their eyes looking at each other under the masks, all in unease at their papa’s unfamiliar serious demeanor.
Rain had been idly trying to swipe away any creases on his uniform when he heard the shouting out the window. The ghoul looked up, watching as the van slowly drove past the sidewalk, filled to the brim with angry men and women with signs giving grotesque messages and vague threats. The water ghoul flinched as some made threatening moves towards the van. The van did not stop, inching through as the sea was forced to part. A hand found its way into his from beside him; with a gentle squeeze, Rain knew it was Mountain. The earth ghoul wasn’t looking out the window, but at Rain. No words were needed for Rain to understand the comforting gesture. His tail picked up where his anxious hands stopped, beginning to swish around nervously, Mountain moving his other hand to hold Rain’s tail with the same assurance.
The van finally was at the entrance, a clear pathway had been provided for the satanic group to make their way in, only by the barricades the shelter provided. The van doors slid open and let the shouting and angry voices spill inward.
Copia stepped out without any hesitation, immediately waving to the crowds as he would at a ritual. Rain tried to let his leader’s confidence empower him. Aether stepped out second, his demeanor far less inviting to the crowd. The spirit ghoul offered no wave, but his head remained high and stern. Dew stepped out in third, surprisingly keeping his middle fingers to himself. Copia had given them all an order, and even the worst behaved of the pack was obedient. The ghoullettes stepped out together, hands interlocking. Rain could coin flip if it was to comfort each other, or just wanting to flaunt their sapphic love in the protestors' faces.
Swiss began stepping out before turning to Rain, giving him a clawed thumbs-up paired with his disturbing, yet loving, teeth-bearing smile. Swiss greeted the crowd with the same smile, some of the shouting turned into discomfort at the sight.
All that was left now was Mountian and Rain. Mountain gave Rain one last squeeze of the hand before he stood up as much as his lanky figure could in the van before hopping out, jogging to catch up with the others.
Rain let the light from the sun give him one last chance to keep blinded and to not look for the crowds surrounding him as he stepped out. He corrected his vest before the waves of signs finally matched the onslaught of shouting. There had to be at least 200 people lined up, just to try and make sure his band felt unsafe and unwelcome. The band was far ahead, backs all turned and walking through the overstimulation with ease. Rain didn’t want to let the freaks around him see their efforts reap rewards; rather than catch up ahead, he walked through, barricades keeping them far enough back.
not far enough.
Rain had his eyes forward when suddenly he felt the sleeve of his shirt be tugged as if the deceased were trying to climb into Charon’s boat; a darker desperation. But where the dead have fear, this grip was a vice of anger, wrath.
Rain tumbled into the barricade, more hands descending across his arms and chest, fingernails that found bare skin digging in, those that found cloth joined together like a choir to hold on and pull him in.
The entire event happened so fast, Rain didn’t even have a chance to shout out to the ghoul pack for aid. In the hurricane of voices, one man’s voice was right in his ear, “His kingdom come, thine will be done!”. The spit Rain felt hitting his ear through the man’s teeth felt like venom.
Rain felt his blood rise in heat, his attuned water ghoul nose and eyes locking in on one particular hand on his chest, its blood pumping under the calloused knuckles; how quick he could bite down– letting all these humans see what hell’s retribution is– what ghoul summoning was really for.
But that was not what Copia’s retribution is, and it was not his orders. Before Rain would be reduced to a ravenous wolf, he was a God damned loyal dog.
Rain used his adrenaline to force his body out of the barbwire of arms, his stride before now a mad dash, Mountain only then turning with a face of confusion at Rain’s delay, seeing his bandmate almost falling forward from his launched run. He only gave Swiss a single knock on his shoulder to look before taking off to meet Rain the rest of the way.
Swiss helped scoop both Mountain and Rain inside the shelter doors before slamming them shut, locking them tightly. Whether or not it was to keep himself inside or keep the protestors out, was to be determined after making sure Rain was alright.
All that was left in the corridor was Moutian, Swiss, and Rain. All the others had already rounded the corner, unaware of what transpired.
Mountain held Rain’s arm like the water ghoul was going to faint. Rain’s expressions were tucked away inside the helmet but the state of his uniform showed enough.
Rain’s vest was ripped right along the collarbone, his shirt sleeve was completely ripped down from shoulder to elbow, his grey skin showing signs of scratches that would become scabs. Swiss joined Moutian’s side, hands avoiding the damaged areas, and landed on Rain’s forearm, as gentle and assuring as he could project in the touch. “What the fuck happened out there?”
Rain hissed through his teeth. “I’m fine. Protestors grabbed me, there was nothing I could do.”
Swiss hissed right back, his touch becoming a grip. “To hell there wasn’t, Why didn’t you tell us?”
Mountain had stopped staring and listening and just began walking back to where they were supposed to go. Despite his height and lighter form, the Earth ghoul’s steps were more like stomps, his boots connecting with the ground with a snap of the rubber on the tile.
Rain pulled away from Swiss, both out of frustration at the tenderness and still being shaken from being touched enough before already. “That’s not what we are here for Swiss. Come on, Copias orders.”
Swiss was acutely aware of Rain’s reaction to his grip, letting go and feeling regret just as fast.
Rain ignored Swiss’s concerned face and made his way to where the rest of his band would be, not bothering to look at his ruined outfit, adjusting it as best he could back on his shoulder. Swiss followed behind, not letting himself walk in front of Rain.
Rain felt shame– even guilt. Copia needed this to go well for the sake of the ministry, for Cpoia’s own sake he needed this.
Many of these ghouls had been around long enough to have served under the other papas. Copia had always been the kindest towards the ghouls, even when he was only a cardinal. Copia had enough fear and respect for them. Rain remembered when Copia first was introduced to the ghouls, how he offered a hand to shake to each of them, or even him asking for their input on tours. He had well earned their respect and duty. But all the ghouls knew about the love they now had towards their papa as well.
It was going to hurt if Sister Imperator asked the ghouls to once again do her bidding.
Rain finally came around the corner to see his papa correcting a ruffle on his sleeve, while Swiss muttering to the ghouls, surely exasperating himself to them about what Rain went through.
The other ghouls all turned and let their masks’ goggles reflect Rain’s approach at him, looking for signs of his assault. It made Rain even more upset. Dew tried to step near, prompting Rain to react with a gargled hiss before his bandmates could begin to surround him as the protesters did and try to tend to him. If he wanted to stand up for himself he would have.
The hiss drew Copia’s attention, making him turn to the ghoul pack. “What is the problem, eh? Didn’t I say good behavior?” His tone was like a cat owner scolding his colony.
Silence was his answer, Dew stepping back from Rain and the others following suit. It left Rain singled out and gave Copia a chance to see what had become of his Bassist’s uniform.
Copia’s mouth went agape, his hands coming up in a shocked and open way, but his eyes remained at the tattered shoulder and vest. “What did I say about fighting? You can’t go out like this– who started it?” Copia asked, his hand turning into an accusatory finger, looking to see if any of the other ghouls looked guilty enough. Copia was aware that Dew– who was most often the cause of spats– was oddly not steaming or showing any signs of blame. It surprised him when Moutian stepped forward.
Mountain was truly not only the tallest but the quietest of the bunch. If anything the only one who could get enough words out of the Earth ghoul was Rain himself. The ghoul stepped forward and moved even closer to Copia, lowering his face mesh enough to whisper into the singer’s ear. The rest of the ghouls watched Copia’s facial expressions turn from confusion to dismay. His eyes never left Rain when Mountian did explain the attack.
Copia nodded and patted Moutian's helmet before shooing him back in line with the others. “Is this true? Did they get ahold of you and hurt you?” Copia asked.
“Mr. Emeritus we are ready for you now.” came a woman’s voice, standing in a nearby doorway with her clipboard in hand; they were after all on a time schedule.
Copia gave her a dismissing wave. “I will join you in one moment, just…one moment.” He said, his face and voice showing his thoughts remained right there with Rain, or perhaps beyond.
The Shelter worker closed the door quickly, leaving the ghouls and papa alone again.
“Did they hurt you?” Copia asked again, his voice digging into his deeper, serious tone.
Rain gave a nod. Though water ghouls have exceptional healing abilities, the scratches on his shoulder and arms were too fresh to be unnoticeable. Copia’s eyes looked right where Rain had gently pulled back the sleeve to show it.
“And the people who did this?...Are they…well?” Copia asked, his words failing him in his meaning.
Untouched, Rain wishes he could convey to his papa, but instead, he could only shake his head.
Copia looked around at the other ghouls, the band wondering what Papa would do, and what they would do in return. Would Papa get angry? Would he reprimand Rain? Ask for replacements? Would the ghouls even let that happen, with their renewed sense of worth that Copia himself had brought them?
Unbeknownst to the ghouls, just how much admiration and loyalty Copia gave to them in turn. The ministry was secretive, not many knew the ghouls were no mortal men or followers. Hellish creatures on earth at the church’s command would cause quite a stir, one in which the ministry was not yet wanting to show their hand in. especially when it was hard enough to control them or get them in key during rehearsals.
Copia had suspected the ghouls were real when he was younger, seeing a stray tail during dark mass, hands being a shade outside of the normal paint, and of course in his required studies. He was fascinated by the creatures, more than he was the sex and fame in his time as cardinal. It seemed liked they enjoyed scaring him in those days, little jumps to remind him something was off with his senior papa’s band.
It was in his late-stage cardinal days he was permitted in on some of the deeper secrets Sister kept close to her chest. To which she had also told him fisting the air out of excitement was an improper response to the admittance of ghouls.
When Sister walked him through again at his coronation he finally could truly look at the ghouls in all their beauty; the ghouls were just as surprised to see Copia as the head of the church.
And that is how Copia has always been with the ghouls, in fact at this point he knew more about his dear bandmates than Sister. More than once they have come to his aid on the road or back home. Once the ghouls even brought him something dead– too mutilated with teeth marks to be identifiable– they had killed as a gift, much to his surprise from his desk covered in unplanned blood.
Copia brushed Rain’s vest as clean and centered as he could before letting his hand come up to Rain’s helmet and give it a good few pats before holding on with both hands.
“I am so sorry– oh mi amico leale– my orders got you hurt…We will fix this. They are still out there, yes?” He asked, turning back to Swiss.
Swiss’s smile was wicked, any storytelling you a tiger can smile is true when they know their prey is in position for striking. Swiss gives a far too eager nod.
Copia let his arms come up in an exaggerated shrug. “Well. Sister will have to understand they struck first, and we all reacted in the moment. Just defense, right?” He asked, causing more of the ghouls to catch on to his intent, tails flicking with excitement.
“Alright– make it quick, no videos, and before we make a run in the van, please rise off using the shelter hose; we got in trouble last time we came home in a bloody van.” Copia said, his hands on Rain’s helmet gripping a little harder and gently removed it from Rain’s head.
Rains hair, horns, and webbed ears flowed out from the helmet, his eyes wet and wide from Copia’s support.
“Go on, enjoy it.” Copia said, stepping back from his Bassist. The other ghoul’s hissing with excitement, each waiting for Rain to make the first move– his dibs.
Rain’s lips once locked in a line broke, his teeth spilled in his wide smile. Like a kid being dropped off from school, the smile was for Copia as he turned and began running towards the backdoors in a true animalistic way ghouls were meant to roam, or rather a better-suited word for this would be to hunt. All the other ghouls growled and trilled with the shared bloodlust, catching up quickly to their bandmate.
Copia had seen a frenzy before from the ghouls feeding, it was not as pleasant as one would think the satanic pope would like to see, believe it or not. Copia instead heard the doors slam open and screaming drift away from behind him as he walked to the door to go meet and greet with the puppies by himself, proud of his own pack outside.