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Papa II stared down at the little ghoul, his face paint making him look more intimidating than he meant to come across as. There was a mountain load of paperwork which he had previously been working on sitting on his desk, which he moved to the side and leaned back in his large leather chair. He crossed his arms, a sigh leaving his lips.
“Lucifer.. I quite frankly do not have the patience to deal with this right now”
He growled under his breath, trying to decide what to do. The little ghoul looked at the floor, feeling instantly like he was just a bug for Papa to stamp on.
“Come here”
Earth jolted slightly as Papa’s voice brought him out of his thoughts, he obeyed, stepping closer to him as he attempted to strain his nervous shaky breaths from under his mask.
Suddenly a hand came down to Earth’s head and he flinched harshly and shut his eyes, but no pain landed. Instead a soft pet to his head came, he peered up at Secondo with his green doe eyes.
“there’s no need to be frightened of me”
He nodded shyly, wanting to hide himself away here in Papa’s office. Safe. Familiar.
Every other part of the abbey that he had explored was still new to him, he was scared and didn’t know the other ghouls well yet. They scared him too, how they towered over him. Although they had been perfectly nice with him so far, he felt like they could engulf him easily, and he would be powerless to defend himself. He didn’t trust anybody yet, except Secondo of course. The first face he’d ever seen in his life as a new ghoul.
Papa’s tone was surprisingly warm when he spoke to Earth, not wanting to frighten the little ghoul. “I have work to do, okay? But you can just stay here with me for a bit, if you want”
Earth’s tail slightly wagged and Secondo did the closest attempt at smiling he’s ever made, before patting his empty lap. The small newly summoned ghoul immediately crawled into his lap and began to nuzzle his face against his shoulder, sniffing him and taking in his scent; ghoul instincts. Papa smelled of wine and expensive cologne, a hint of leather and tobacco. He basked himself in the scent, feeling more relaxed.
“There now, it’s alright..”
The Earth demon’s eyes closed as he curled up on Secondo’s lap, allowing him to continue working as he occasionally patted the ghoul’s head or stroked his back soothingly.
Secondo knew that this couldn’t carry on, yes new ghouls were sweet and ‘cute’ but he didn’t have the time for them. It didn’t do his reputation any favours, and Papa was not a man to be described as soft.
He knew the Earth ghoul couldn’t just keep hiding in his office, he needed to meet his fellow ghoul brothers; and needed to bond with them. If only he could get him to bond with at least one, the Earth ghoul would be out from under his feet all day.
It was the next evening, and Earth had found his way down to the eldest Papa’s (I) gardens. Secondo had given him permission if not encouraged him to go down, saying it would do him good to spend time in his element. Help break him in to the ministry a bit more, to give him a safe space that wasn’t Papa’s office.
Earth loved it, the moment he stepped foot in the greenhouse he never wanted to leave. The vast different varieties of plants and organisms fascinated him so much, and he was a very capable gardener.
The Earth ghoul kneeled down on his hands and knees in front of a certain flower bush that he seemed to be using his elemental powers on, helping a wilted flower to grow and watching in awe as it healed. Beautiful.
A gasp left his lips as he felt a large warm hand touch his shoulder, immediately he jumped up and backed up towards the fence. His back hitting it harshly as he stared up at the much taller, stronger ghoul than he was. His piercing blue eyes made it hard for Earth to look away even as he remained against the fence, trying to back impossibly further; his tail between his legs.
The tall ghoul held his hands up to show peace. “Hej, hej. I mean no harm, it’s alright”
Earth eyed him nervously, still unused to other ghouls.
He realised something, he recognised those eyes. They were ones that stared down at him from the Altar, yes. He remembered that ghoul from when he was summoned, that ghoul had been with Papa by the altar. The first ghoul to comfort him.
The anti-pope continued to whisper his prayers, finishing up the ritual as he finished with the unholy wine. The new ghoul squirmed and his eyes glanced around the room, his ears pinned back in terror as he had just been suddenly ripped from his home. He wasn’t in hell anymore, where was he?
The ghoul whimpered and writhed helplessly, only to be held down by many hands. His eyes shot up, meeting one of the owners of a pair of hands; meeting eyes of deep blue. The scent of pure fresh wind hit his nose, like the dew of fresh winter air in the morning. Another ghoul, his breath hitched as he realised. Other demons just like him, yet they seemed so calm.
A gentle cold hand stroked the spot in between his horns, a comforting touch. The blue eyed ghoul’s touch seemed to relax him as he stared up at the man with a painted face anointing him, body trembling.
The new demon desperately reached out to the dark clawed hand that belonged to the elder ghoul, squeezing it for some comfort.
The blonde woman stood at the side of the Altar seemed to dislike the actions of the old ghoul, shooting the comforting ghoul a glare of dissatisfaction; his hands immediately going down by his sides.
“You may serve our Dark Lord, and go forth to please him with your sins and worship for Him, Earth ghoul”
He whimpered at the feel of wine being poured onto his raw skin, his back arching; a symbol was being drawn by the man’s gloved thumb as he anointed him.
He shut his eyes, the only thing he remembered after that being the echoes of cheers and claps that rang in the cathedral when suddenly all of the hands were removed from him. Cheers from the Clergy still erupting. The new summon curled himself up on the Altar, not liking all of the eyes on him as he pressed his face against the cold marble, eyes shut.
“Hush now ghoul, you’re alright”
The man whispered, stroking his head for a moment.
He felt a silk velvety blanket wrap around him to cover his dignity as he was scooped up into strong arms of another ghoul with ease, as if he was a feather; and carried away somewhere to be dressed in his ghoul robes and to be formally introduced as a ghoul. A new summon.
His eyes opened to the sight of a smiling face and many cloaked figures staring at him with curiosity.
“Welcome to the Ministry, little one”
Earth’s expression softened as he tilted his head slightly. “I-it’s you”
He squeaked.
The ghoul seemed pretty stoic and calm, his blue eyes intriguing. “Yes, from your summoning ritual. You remember?”
The other ghoul nodded, remembering every minute. He immediately seemed slightly less scared, slowly peeling himself away from the fence.
He was still unsure, but he nervously observed the tall ghoul.
“Is.. is your element Air?”
Earth wondered out loud, taking a guess from his scent. There was no way it couldn’t be, his scent screamed of Air.
He nodded, bowing his head respectfully. “Yes, I am Air”
Earth smiled slightly. “Well, I’m Earth. I mean uh.. You obviously know that, m’just saying”
Air chuckled, his voice was so deep it sent shivers down the smaller one’s spine.
“Of course, little Earth”
He stepped closer slowly with a friendly and curious approach, and Earth tried his best to appear calm even as his tail creeped between his own legs instinctively; his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed, his mouth as dry as a desert.
Air simply patted his head and backed away, understanding the ghoul was still so new and unused to other ghouls approaching. Earth blushed at the kind touch.
It had been many years since Air was in Earth’s position, but he remembered it well. He figured it must’ve been much worse as well when everybody else was much taller and larger than you.
“Anyway.. Papa sent me to get you, youre set for your costume fittings. Apologies for the timing”
Earth nodded, stepping out onto the path and dusting his knees off from where he had previously been kneeling down. “Oh! That’s alright, we better get going then”
Earth’s voice, as soft and mellow as a cloud, he was simply so delicate; no wonder even Secondo took sympathy for him. He sounded so filled with hope and with innocence.
The air ghoul nodded, leading the way and making sure the other ghoul was following along. He remained silent the rest of the way, but there was something about his presence that made the Earth ghoul feel safe. Just like he did that first time he saw him.
Both ghouls stopped when they approached a large wooden door, the eldest turning to the young ghoul.
“You might feel a bit nervous at first, but nobody is going to hurt you, remember that”
“Thanks Air”
Earth nodded, a small innocent smile grazing his lips as he went to push the door open.
His breath hitched when the door was practically impossibly heavy, why were the ministry doors so damn strong? The fine wood they were made from was the cause. He growled and felt his face flush as he pushed harder.
Air hid the small amused grin on his masked face as his strong arms pressed the door open with ease, holding it open; with one arm, for Earth to enter.
“After you, little one”
Earth smiled.