#Copia x Ollie

[copiousloverofcopia]

UNHOLY FUCK Ghesties!

THIS IS IT! The final chapter of Death and Flowers is coming at you!!!

I hope you all enjoy it!!!! Our poor Copia and Ollie have been through so much. Will they have a happily ever after?

Commissions are OPEN, please see pinned post for Carrd info!

*Special thank you to @gothdaddyissues for the banners*-hit me up ghestie I owe you a fic or something for using these.

Death & Flowers

It hadn’t been serious, it never was with him. While Papa was suave and Ollie enjoyed their time together it wasn’t meant to be. She knew it wasn’t something meant to last…something permanent but—here she was. It was only one missed pill and life forever changed.

Chapter 14: Long May He Reign

Also available HERE on AO3! Haven’t started yet? Start from the beginning HERE!

Definitely NSFW below the cut!

They didn't bother to wait for the rest of the ghouls. Copia, along with Alpha, Omega, and Aether began working their way to Saltarian’s office. The Cardinal, having finally put all the pieces together. He was angry at himself for being so blind—the answers were right there in front of him the whole time. 

“Tell us Cardinal, who is responsible for this?” Aether asked, watching as the anger inside both Omega and Alpha grew. Threatening to billow out of them like Hell fire—consuming anything and everything in their path. 

“It is those men–the League. Maybe Saltarian, I think he has been assembling them to overthrow the Ministry. The Emeritus family and the ghouls are just casualties in their pursuit of it. 

“Then… then why weren't they after you?” Aether asked, knowing the truth of Copia’s parentage. It would have puzzled Copia too, had he not overheard the conversation between Sister and Saltarian from before. Now he knew exactly why he was overlooked, despite his heritage.  

“The man has a soft spot for Sister… I am her son and from what I have learned, I was never supposed to know Nihil was my father. Blissful ignorance meant to keep me safe in favor of her. But now that has all changed.”

“This is fucking insane; how did they think they were going to keep everything in line without the support of the ghouls. Like it or not, we are essential for the connection and power from the Dark One himself.” Alpha snarled, as they walked, trying his best not to go running off on his own to fight them. The ghouls, confused and betrayed by all they thought they knew.  

“I am sure the plan was to have some of you become fodder for those hungry to condemn someone for the Emeritus family deaths, but I can only assume they never meant to imply that all of you were involved. I am certain now that this is why you were framed. Blamed for Primo, Secondo, and Terzo’s deaths.”

“How do you know?” Omega asked.

“The scent. I don’t have senses the way you do, but I have recently come into contact with the same smell Aether described. It was overwhelming on Bishop Martin… it has to be them. 

A few hours before…

Saltarian sat at his desk, head in his hands as he waited for the California Ministry to contact him. Hoping to have Copia set up to stay there for the majority of his time of touring. He wondered if he would be able to continue on as planned. His love for Elizabeth had already cost him so much and now with her carelessness, she threatened to undo everything he had worked so hard to orchestrate. 

He could hear it from down the hall as they approached. The sounds of footfalls on the tile, made with a sense of haste. Then as expected and without a knock, Bishops Mauro, Henry, and Martin came charging into his office. The looks on their faces telling him this was no casual visit. 

“What is it?” he asked them.

“We have a problem.” Bishop Mauro began, looking at the other two to see who might be next to speak.

“What problem?” he asked, rubbing his eyes. Allowing his pen to fall to his desk, and the room to grow quiet before he looked up at them. 

“We have learned some very disturbing news, your excellency.” Martin continued. 

“Seems our dear sweet Cardinal is not the father of Sister Olive’s child.” Henry smirked, a glint of evil in his eye. One that had far surpassed anything Saltarian had ever seen. The news was powerful, yet not a complete surprise to him. The most interesting part was the thought that Copia knew and still claimed the child as his own. Saltarian, now wondering if the Cardinal and Sister Imperator had conspired against him this whole time.

“He’s also Nihil’s son… a fact you seemed to be aware of, yet we are just now hearing of it. Is this true Mr. Saltarian?” Bishop Mauro asked, watching for a crack in Saltarian’s resolve. He was angered to the core—maddened. He had tried to do right by Sister Imperator. Hiding her bastard son from the eyes of those he answered to—those who also wanted the end of the Emeritus family. Only to have the bloodline kept alive and well in his child. Sure, that it was Sister Imperator who outed him as knowing the secret. 

“I see... that conniving bitch. That is preposterous.” he hissed under his breath. “You know what you need to do.” he nodded to the bishops. The men, acknowledging him as they set course to eliminate them all—Nihil, Copia, Olive and the child.

Present time

Copia rounded the corner and ran straight into Bishop Martin, he was covered in blood. Unabashed by walking around in broad daylight. His smug smile, sending a chill down Copia’s spine. 

“What have you done!” Copia yelled, the crest of his knuckles bashing into the bishop’s jawline as he threw the first punch. Sending a cascade of blood from Martin’s mouth to the floor. The ghouls standing behind them, growling and tails snapping in the air like whips. 

“You really are a fool.” Martin laughed, his face already beginning to swell from Copia’s right hook. 

“Whose blood is this? If you don't tell me what is going on, I will let them devour you whole, you figlio di puttana!” 

“All this energy over your dead brother's whore?” Martin chuckled. Leaving bloody fingerprints behind on Copia’s cassock as he tried to hold him back from another hit. 

“I’ll fucking kill you.” Omega roared, Aether and Alpha holding him down so that Copia may get answers before Omega went and tore him to shreds. 

“Oh Satanas Ollie.” Copia choked, his stomach sinking as the words left him. Scared that the blood may be hers.

“Relax Cardinal, you precious whore is fine. Though not for long. This blood… belongs to your old man.” he grinned, as Copia dropped his body to the ground. Running behind him into Nihil’s office. Only to find the old man dead in his chair–throat slit and blood decorating the walls. 

“Oh fuck.” Aether said, as he and Alpha followed him into the room. Omega, still in the hall. Sinking his teeth into the bishop's carotid before his body went completely limp in the ghoul's arms. 

“He’s gone.” was all Copia could say, quickly setting course back into the hall where he found Omega hovering over the bishop. Barely clutching onto his mortal coil.  

“She’s next.” he said, choking on his own blood. The ghouls and Copia, realizing instantly what he meant.

“We need to get to Ollie and Luss now!” Alpha growled, taking off full force alongside Copia and Aether as Omega finished off Martin. 

As they made it back to Copia’s Papal suites, there was an eerie quiet. The door cracked open and no sign of Ollie or Cumulus to be seen. Copia and the ghouls carefully crept inside. Searching for them, until finally they could hear the sound of glass breaking from within the bedroom. 

As they ran inside, they saw them. Two men, in shining silver ghouls' masks, holding Ollie and Cumulus captive. Knives to their throats and the two of them struggling against their captor’s grips. Cumulus, doing her best to try and bite them, while Ollie cried. Her hands, never leaving her belly.  

“Ollie! Cumulus!” Copia cried, attempting to run for them before watching the men adjust their blades. Stopping the Cardinal in his tracks as the ghouls continued forward. 

“Take those off! You can’t fool us you motherfuckers.” Alpha hissed, watching as the men removed the masks. Revealing themselves to be Bishop Mauro and Henry. Copia’s suspicions had been confirmed. It was the League who was responsible for the deaths of his brothers—and his father. 

“Step any closer and we will slit their throats.” Bishop Henry told them. Pressing the blade against Ollie’s neck. A string of blood, beading up along the cut as she cried out. 

“Copia!” 

“It’s alright amore.” Copia called out, the bishops laughing at his weak promises. Amused with his idea he had any control, knowing they held Ollie and Cumulus within millimeters of death.  

“We will tear you apart before you do anything to them!” Omega roared, looking into Cumulus’s eyes. Doing her best to remain calm as her life lay in the balance. Never showing her fear to them as they continued on. 

“Please you all are nothing but rabid animals. No sense or reason. You’re disposable. There are millions more like you awaiting summoning. None of them will ever know better.” Mauro smiled. The three ghouls standing their ground, teeth bared and tails swishing. Ready to pounce if they only are given the chance.

“Let Ollie and Cumulus go, take me instead. They have done nothing to you. It’s me you want. I am Nihil’s son.” Copia begged, trying his best to inch closer to them without setting them off. 

“There’s just one thing…a tiny… little… thing.” Henry said. Slowly brushing back the hair from off Ollie’s shoulder. Trembling in his grasp. “This is a problem.” he said as his free hand traveled down from her shoulder and over her chest, finally settling over the swell of her belly. 

“Don’t you fucking touch her.” Copia said, his teeth gritted and his rage boiling over. Bloodthirsty and ready to end them.  

“It’s nothing personal, Cardinal. The Ministry is just done with Emeritus. Sorry you got caught in the mix. Then again, you all are nothing but fools.” Mauro hissed. The tension was unbearable. Every second lingering as they stared each other down. Copia and the ghouls helpless but to watch until somehow, they could find a way in. 

Suddenly from the shadows, a figure appeared. Pushing past the men and bringing himself front and center. Positioning himself between them. Announcing himself as the man of the hour, the one who held all control—Mr. Saltarian.

“Not yet Henry…” he said, stopping things from moving forward until he had his final say. Wanting to draw out Copia’s torment for as long as humanly possible. Relish, in his agony as he watched his lover and child slowly be murdered in front of his eyes.  

“Ti sei rincoglionito?!” Copia growled, his white eye—blazing with fury. Chest heaving and ready to kill Saltarian where he stood.

“You know, I had a mind once to consider you a son. After all I have known you since your whore of a mother carried you.” Saltarian began, smirking at him as he crossed his arms. Lifting up a condescending brow and snickering to himself. 

“You are nothing—” Copia began before Saltarian cut him off. 

“I am everything… I have done everything. You know the whole reason this order, the League, was founded was to get rid of them. I may never have been able to become Papa myself, but I could have still had control. If your mother hadn’t been stupid enough to tell you about Nihil.”

“Don’t you dare…” Copia began. 

“I did EVERYTHING FOR HER!” Saltarian yelled back, turning around to rip away the knife from Bishop Henry. Pressing it into the side of Ollie’s belly, just hard enough to draw blood. The blood, staining her dress as she cried out. 

“Ah!”

“Please don’t hurt her!” Copia pleaded, ready to give his life for her. The ghouls snapping and snarling behind him. Waiting for an opportune moment to strike. Dying to taste the blood of the men on their tongues and pick their flesh from their teeth. 

“This is your fault Copia. Had you never been born she might have been mine. Not attached to that old bastard for so long. Even then I would have given you the Papacy to please her. Getting rid of Nihil so you could start anew with me pulling the strings—but now since she managed to ruin it all helping you and helped to protect this pathetic Emeritus whelp…” Saltarian said as he raised up the knife, “...I guess I’ll have to kill you all and take the miter myself!”

Saltarian threw Ollie to the ground and lunged towards Copia. The blade, barely missing his chest and digging into his shoulder. Copia groaned as he pulled it out, him and Saltarian struggling to take hold of it. Copia’s blood painting the floor, slick and red. 

The ghouls took their opportunity in the confusion. The bishop’s had grown comfortable, letting down their guard when Cumulus thrusted her elbow backwards into Mauro. Knocking him back onto the floor. The ghouls and ghoulette, flooding over him and ripping him apart with their bare teeth and sharp claws. Bishop Henry panting as he tried to take off. Aether, jumping over his gorging brethren to snatch him. 

The ghoul’s claws sunk deep into the flesh of the bishop’s back as he screamed. Blood curdling and powerful as he fell to the ground. Ollie, still laying on the floor, cradling her belly in her arms as she watched in horror at the scene. The ghouls devouring the Bishops and Saltarian and Copia fighting to the death. 

The ruckus in the Papal suite had alerted others, crowds of siblings and other clergy members spilling in from the halls. All too shocked and afraid to make a move. Worried that their involvement would seal the wrong person’s fate. Watching as Copia and Saltarian continued to scuffle. The knife dancing between them, always a split hair away from stabbing one or the other. 

Ollie pulled herself up, grateful to a pair of sisters who came to collect her. Surrounded by pieces of what once was the bishops. Covered in theirs and her lover’s blood. Catching Copia’s eyes for a brief moment, her tears once again began to shed. Wondering to herself if this was the last time, he would ever look at her.  

Seeing Ollie was all he needed. The thought of never seeing her again, never holding her again, gave him strength beyond measure. Toppling Saltarian to the ground and hovering over him. Knife raised high as he was ready to strike. 

“You know it's far from over. I am not the only one who wanted the power of the Ministry to be their own.” Saltarian said, spitting up at Copia.  

“Your vitriol nature has done nothing for you. How does it feel to know his son bested you after all.” Copia told him, gloating at the idea. Saltarian made one last stitch effort to get the blade. Punching Copia in the gut as he tried to take it from him. The two men, rolling on the ground over one another–until suddenly they stopped. 

The two of them, looking down to see the blade piercing into Saltarian’s heart. Immediately he began choking. Feeling his death approaching. Every beat of his heart, bringing him closer as he began to bleed out from the inside. 

“This baby will be born, and the Emeritus bloodline will continue…and one day Saltarian, he will become Papa…” Copia began, watching the light starting to fade in Saltarian’s eyes. 

“No…” Saltarian shuddered as Copia pushed the knife in deeper. Twisting it as he spoke, “And long may he reign!”

Epilogue 

A Few Years Later…

As the lights died down on the stage at the last of the Los Angeles shows, Copia remained bowed. His heart pounding in his chest and the thrill of the crowd cheering “Papa” echoing throughout the arena. Never did he imagine his life would be like this. Admired by all and revered by the Ministry. 

It had been so long since his humbler beginnings. The night of his true rise to power was long behind him. Followed swiftly by the sweet embrace of Fatherhood not long after. Becoming Papa, despite it all, in the in between.

Now that he had been in charge for some time, Copia decided that after the Imperatour he would step down. If there was one thing Saltarian got right—was that new blood was needed in the Ministry. Terzo's son—his son, would one day rise to power and until then Copia wanted the Ministry to be helmed by someone else. Copia, knowing he had done all he could there after working to reform things. 

He had worked hard to bring down all those who co-conspired in the deaths of his father and brothers. His mother was forced to step down from her position within the church. Toured for years with Ghost, and helped to foster a new wave of worthy siblings of sin and respectful members of the Clergy. Knowing that now was the time for someone else to lead.

He and Ollie had never been better, raising their little boy to the best of their ability while on the road. Never leaving each other’s side, even now. No longer haunted by the ghosts of the past as they worked to create their own family. A life, a love, something special just for them. 

As he exited the stage, he caught sight of them. The two things he cared about more than anything else, his sweet Ollie and little Giovanni were standing there waiting for him backstage. Juice boxes, held in his pair of small hands as Giovanni went running up to his daddy. Copia, hoisting him up in the air and squeezing him tight in his arms. Ollie, following right behind him, a smile spread wide across her face.

“That was incredible.” Ollie cheered, coming to plant a kiss on Copia’s smeared painted cheek. 

“I should say so, what do you think piccolo? Did daddy do a good job?” he asked Giovanni.

“I loved it!” his son cheered, throwing his arms around Copia. Juice spraying in the air and all over the back of his father’s vestments. Ollie, quickly coming to help try and help clean it up.

“Gio, you need to be more careful.” she told him. Giving him a cheeky look before dapping away at the spill.

“It’s alright cara, I won't be needing them much longer anyways. You know very soon Gio, daddy and mommy are going to take you to the country. Spend some time in the quiet… I feel it's well earned. For all of us.” Copia chuckled, sending Ollie the sincerest of smiles. Ollie was overcome with emotion. So happy to have time to enjoy just each other. The nightmares of the past behind them. She was unable to help but kiss him. Relishing the feel of his lips against hers and the sounds of their son’s giggles as she hummed in contentment. 

“That it is Papa—that it is.”

Notes: 

figlio di puttana- son of a bitch

Piccolo- Little one

[titlemewickedwonderland]

Just Witchy Stuff (Nameless Poly!Ghouls x OC) Part 1

Summary: As a witch, Ollie lives a quiet life. While most people find her stingy or eccentric in her beliefs and superstitions her presence is well known around the town as that 'witch' at the corner with her little witchy shop. But unlike what people think she has been around a very long time - never staying too long in one town for them to realize she never seems to age. Because of her moving around she wracks up a lot of favors. What she didn't expect was for one of her old favors to show up at her doorstep.

AN: Ollie is an old OC of mine based on a lot of myself that shows a glimpse of the writer behind the writings :) Enjoy!

Pairing: Nameless Ghouls Poly x OC

My Workshop!

-part 2

If you were to ask her what her favorite part of being a shop owner in this part of town was; she'd surprise you with the answer. While most people would say the foot traffic or tourism that comes through. Maybe they'd say it's just business and they love the money aspect of things; being able to do something to pass the time? Ollie would say she loved being a business owner because she loved to meet the people that would wander into her shop - the souls that would come in all clouded with whatever troubled them only to walk out with a precious part of them returned or uplifted with hope. To be able to make a difference even without them realizing it. Even when people often scoffed at her methods. She never batted an eye at them; perhaps when she was younger it bothered her. But when you were over 500 years old scathing comments and judgemental gazes did little to chip anything off her shoulder.

Ollie loved her small shop. She'd taken great pride in making it comfortable. As if one walked into another's home. Upon entry with the sound of a jingle bell above the door like a fairy chime to announce your arrival the first thing you'll most likely take in is the heady scent of Cedarwood, Sage, and Rosemary in the air around you that Ollie used in a homemade cleansing spray to clear the negativity and promote a protective cleaning aura upon entry to her small but protected domain. If you look at each corner of the room there are fresh sprigs of lavender and eucalyptus hanging from intricately intertwined leather cords that give the room an added layer to your senses also used for protection and calming. There are two areas in the large open space that is partially blocked off by a Japanese partition wall for a sense of privacy each section contained comfortable couches, an armchair, a low coffee table and some throw pillow to sit on to relax in with a single small bookshelf to each mini portioned privacy rooms with a bowl of crystals and some incense holders burning cones on top of the short bookshelves for others to choose from to indulge in. Beyond the closed-off rooms, it looked like any other small store; with rows of dark antique shelves lined with products - everything from spell books, bundles of herbs, and satchels of premade crystals charged and cleansed personally by the residential witch that owned the shop. There were loose leaf teas of all sorts of blends promoting different aspects of chakra, aura, and mental spell barriers to help the mind, body, and soul.

Other shelves were lined with different jars with spells within, jewelry made and blessed, and even a little bar area that offered complementary teas that were on display for sale as well. Signs offering personal spells made to order and other nicknacks only a witch or pagan would appreciate for she did not just delve into the surface of what people thought witchcraft was. There were things from all sorts of different religions as well as deities to work with. From candles, offerings, and little booklets she'd written and printed to help those who wanted to work with certain deities. Some items were....not for the faint of heart that involved voodoo and dark magic that she kept locked behind the checkout counter at her personal disposal. It would be bad if some unknowing wanderer were to get a hold of such items not knowing what it was.

Ollie prided herself in her cozy store. She had put a lot of work into it as well as money but mostly mental focus and energy to be able to keep everything up. No one would have realized that there were certain aspects of her store she was rather protective of and took seriously. Like the line of salt just inside the door of her shop. How there are lines of salt on the edges of window sills and any entry towards her home. Of how beneath the wildly colorful rugs scattered around her store there would be graphs and symbols carved or painted into the hardwood floor where no one else would see.

She was thorough if nothing else but despite the protection meant for not only herself but those who walk through her door, she is rather open and friendly to new faces. That was one thing she had going for her. So deceptively sweet, sassy, and kind that people did not see the beast that lurked beneath her violet eyes. Another signature trait of hers that people believed was contacts. The one thing people did not understand was that that kind person like Ollie who was sweet and open; giving without expecting anything in return their other sides are just as extreme and strong - god or whatever deity that person serves better protect them well if anyone gets on Ollie's bad side for there is nothing worse in this world and the next than a woman scorned - destructive if she's a witch; for she does not work alone.

After a long tiring day of smiles, spells, and emotional distress that her psyche took today, Ollie was more than happy to be able to flip the sign from 'Open' to 'Closed' on her door so that she may make herself a cup of tea and meditate but as she turned to walk back into her store a voice called from down the street sounding awfully familiar in it's over the top cheerfulness that no one should be having at midnight.

"Olivia, My dear! Won't you wait a moment?! We must see you, urgently!"

The woman spun on her heel and watched with furrowed brows as a group marched their way in a cluster down the deserted streets towards her quickly. Now because of her profession, Ollie kept her store open no later than midnight in case there was a wandering poor unfortunate soul that needed her help without the stares or judgment of others on the otherwise timely streets her store was located on but those were few and far in between. But the voice was certainly one she hadn't heard in many years - and she secretly grimaced at the realization of who was approaching.

The woman was tall and blond with her greying hair pulled up into a form of bun updo at the back of her head and her face although far more wrinkled than Ollie had last remembered her having was more prominent in the yellow light of the street lamps - no amount of concealer, foundation, or lipstick could conceal her age.

"Sister Imperator." Ollie's voice was even as she eyed the group while leaning against the open door. "I'm surprised you remember my shop after all these years." a wry smile tugged at her pink lips as her violet eyes gleamed in the light while she examined the ragtag group behind the imposing woman and the oddly dressed man trailing nervously.

Besides Sister Imperator, there were 6 others. A man who was dressed in a scarlet red suit from head to foot and what looked like some kind of mask painted on his face that made him resemble a panda as he walked with a cane in one hand although he clearly didn't need it and a fedora hat on his slicked back black (but greying) hair. His eyes were mismatched she'd noted. One white eye and the other a normal green that looked almost grey in the shadows. Behind him were 5 others dressed all in the exact same black attire. Black skinny jeans with black suspenders while their skin-tight black button-down shirts tucked into the pants and black riding boots. What was curious was the fact they all wore what looked like a faceless silver mask with engraved hair and horns - a form of devil mask or something of the like. But the masks only covered their heads and faces down to the noses leaving the people's chins exposed; well would have been if they weren't covered in black fabric. They looked stoic and their stances were....unnatural; too stiff and detached. She wasn't too keen on their energy either; dark and foreboding - like swirling black smoke that only her eyes could see coming from them.

"Olivia, dear?" Sister Imperator's voice broke through the fog of the witch's thoughtful examination bringing her slowly back to the present as if she was slowly being pulled from the water.

"Hmm?" Ollie blinked and turned her attention back to the woman before her lips curled slightly. "Sorry, Sister. Of course, come on in." she swept her hand inside her store.

The blonde woman walked straight in with no problem and while the man began to follow he paused halfway in and turned awkwardly towards her. He pointed with a gloved hand at her face and she raised a brow curiously when he didn't say anything at first.

"Is that you're real hair color?" he asked in a tone of voice that clearly spoke volumes of his lack of social skills.

Ollie reached up to tug a piece of her pure white hair in front of her eyes in amusement as she looked closely at her own hair as if realizing it for the first time that it was snow white.

"Why, won't you look at this?" she murmured before meeting the man's gaze with a humorous one of her own.

"Yes, it's natural. I actually used to be a brunette but...it changed over time. One of the hazards of my profession" she replied truthfully which seemed to satisfy the man as he gave a little hum and began walking inside again.

Ollie watched as the bulkiest of the silver-masked fellows followed after the man and presses a hand to the door to keep it open to allow Ollie inside first and she began to turn away until she realized that...he wasn't moving. His foot was hovering over the edge of the door but it didn't go past the line of salt at her doorstep. Her gaze stared at the foot before slowly dragging her eyes back up to meet the pale purple behind the mask.

"Sister Imperator. I don't believe you introduced me to your friends." Ollie's gaze did not leave that of the masked figure.

"Oh, yes well..." the woman behind her cleared her throat uncomfortable as she looked around the store as if realizing for the first time where she was.

"They are safe, Olivia. I promise you on my life." the blonde said her tone leaving no room to argue but Ollie did not move for a hot minute.

"It's not your life I'm worried about." she finally shot over her shoulder before her foot moved forward carefully and brushed the toe of her boot across the salt line slowly.

"Don't touch anything," she warned the masked figures in a low voice that broached no argument before swiftly turning and heading deeper into the store.

The store itself was dimply lit. The lights above were shut off and only a few oil lamps on a few surfaces within the store gave light. She led the way to the partitioned area and moved to the small counter where she kept her complementary teas.

"Alright, now that you've invaded my holy space." her voice was only partly joking as she busied herself in preparing a personal blend of tea.

"Would you like to make the introductions?"

Sister Imperator sank into one of the armchairs and sighed. "Always with the pleasantries, Olivia."

"Ollie."

"Or should I call you The Arcane Priestess." there was a gleam in the other's eyes that made Ollie tense up.

"I haven't gone by that name in centuries. A name you should not even know. Now talk. You know damn well I don't enjoy these little visits of yours so let's stop with the pretense of friendship. I'm tired, I've had a long day." Ollie snapped her gaze sharp as she turned cooly towards the group.

"Touchy aren't we?"

Ollie's violet eyes flashed and her hand clenched around the edge of the counter. "Your crossing the line sister, do you want me to take back the youth I gave you?" one brow quirked up and that seemed to shut the other up if only for the moment as the older woman's jaw tensed and she flapped her hand around the group.

"This is my son, Papa Emeritus IV -"

"Please call me Copia, mi cara." The awkward man in the suit gave a little smile to the witch who merely flicked her gaze up and down his frame a few times as if seeing him differently.

"These are... Well, these are my ghouls." Copia motioned for the masked group that had yet to take a sit; they damn blended into the darkness of the room so silent and still she didn't even bat an eye at them.

"I know it may seem a little out of this world -" Copia began but Ollie raised a hand to him to stop his upchuck.

"The names Ollie." she interrupted with a tip of her head and outstretched hands. "I'm a witch. There is nothing from this world or the next that can surprise me Copia. I think you should have already known that - or at least realized upon coming to a witch shop in the middle of the night." she snorted.

Copia seemed to flounder for words as he idly tapped his fingertips together. "Si si..."

Ollie then turned to Sister Imperator. "Now, you delivered your charges in my care. You may go."

"I am not leaving Olivia this is-"

Ollie leaned forward towards her; violet eyes darkening into something dangerous; the threat within them was clear as day and dangerous. "I. Wasn't. Asking." her gaze flickered to the door.

"Copia can fill you in after the visit when he returns to you. You're aura is suffocating and I cannot work with you breathing down my neck, snake. Now leave."

Sister Imperator stared shocked at the younger woman. It was hard to think that a girl who looked no older than her early 20s was speaking in such a way to a woman old enough to her be mother; the lack of respect. But it was the look in those purple eyes that held such years in them. A power in them that radiated through her entire being so palpable that even Sister Imperator had to rise to her feet feeling like a caged and cornered animal in a cage with a predator that could rip her to shreds and then some.

"Papa, I will be waiting for word." the woman stated with a false smile and nod before she all but ran from the shop. The door clicked shut behind her with more force than needed.

Ollie inhaled deeply and raised her hands to her temples to rub at the throb that was beginning to form but when she felt the unnerving pairs of eyes on her she lifted her head to peer at the others in the room. There was a heavy silence before she let out a puff of air from her mouth and placed her hands on her hips.

"Sister Imperator and I have known each other since before you were born Copia." Ollie gave a slight smile. "I knew Papa Nihil when he was younger than you when the Clergy was first starting. Trust me, I know a lot more about you guys than I should; I just like pretending like I don't in front of your mother. Gotta keep my trick cards close hmm?" the witch gave a bit of a more genuine smile before straightening up and motioning around.

"Alright, now let's go somewhere more private so we can talk. These walls have ears." she led the flabbergasted Papa and his ghouls from the room and behind the counter. She stood in front of a bookshelf and did an intricate sign with her hands. Seconds later the bookshelves parted to reveal a small well-lit tunnel.

She could tell as soon as they began to walk how the ghouls at her back visibly relaxed as the trap doors closed behind them - locking them inside as they walked. The tunnel was deceptively long in comparison to the building's structural making and if that itself was confusing the hellish creatures could feel the magic that palpitated from the very stone as they walked. Like honey coating the walls they soaked it up subconsciously basking in the magic energy like starving animals while they listened to the little witch and Papa talking ahead of them.

"You may have felt a difference," she shot her violet gaze back at the creatures with a small smile that held hundred years of secrets. "I don't like to practice my personal preferences in the common shop. That is more for show - for the customers that need the basics; it's for protection...for the light magic that people expect. Down here, gentlemen. This is where my true art takes form. Where the darkest of lies and secrets can be unfolded and the more...macabre and black magic can be done without the judging of others."

They came to an old-looking Victorian door with a brass knocker in the shape of a demonic-looking lion's head before she grasps the ring the head held within its menacing-looking jaws - knocking it loudly with a sound that vibrated the air around them it. And then with a start, the lion's head came to life - its golden eyes blinked open and they landed on the group.

"Sorry, Volrath. Didn't mean to wake you. May we enter?" Ollie spoke to the head.

The door knocker blinked slowly at her before its eyes closed again and the door clicked open allowing the group within the confinements of within.

"Oh...." Copia murmured as he stepped in looking around the vast space.

Ollie spun her arms around with a proud smile on her face as she pinned her guests with a look.

"Welcome to where the magic happens, boys."

The space was large. Looking like a two leveled warehouse filled to the brim with shelves of books, statues, and cases filled with items that looked older than time. A living area with comfortable couches covered in soft fabric with an old kitchen off to the side of the open floor space. The top level was guarded by archways made of stone and railings of iron that lead to a half circle wrapped around. One side was what looked to be a library or office space filled with all sorts of things up there that they couldn't make up while the other side looked like her personal living space and bedroom.

"This place is..." Copia began as he spun around feeling as if he'd stepped out of time for a moment.

"It's neat hmm? I like to contribute different eras I've lived through to my personal space. This is where I live. Below the shop. This space was designed to house and entertain different creatures and such that would pop down here for my services." Ollie looked visibly happier and more relaxed now that she was in her space as she idly pulled her snow-white hair up into a messy bun.

"What kind of magic work do you do?" the quiet voice of one of the ghouls spoke up causing her to look over her shoulder at the bunch.

"What do you think?" her lip curled up slightly but when no one replied she sighed out a chuckle. "To the world above," her voice was gentle and almost wistful as she pointed to the ceiling.

"I am just the crazy witchy lady that sells stuff people think is a hoax or a scam. Down here though, I practice far harder and more dangerous magic than some love spells, blessing crystals, and burning sage." she laughed

"There is a reason Sister Imperator calls me The Arcane Priestess. I've been around a lot longer than I look, boys. I've worked with so many deities, gods, creatures, and magic that you'd be surprised. So trust me when I say, my personal space is a safe space for you lot." she wagged a finger at the ghouls.

"Now drop the glamor. It gives a bittersweet taste to the air and I don't like it," she ordered placing her hands on her hips.

Heads tilted to look at each other silently but she was patient as she gave them time to adjust and instead look over to Copia. "Trust me, they aren't the first ghouls I've worked with or helped before. Now, what's going on that needs my help?"

Copia played with his cane as he nervously looked around. "Well..."

"Copia. I don't judge. I'm a freaking witch for crying out loud. Working with hellish creatures is child's play for me. Shit! That reminds me. I need to visit Luci." she clapped her hands and darted up the stairs towards her office workspace on the second floor; unbestowed to her that others followed behind her.

She was finishing lighting a black candle with a white marked seal on the side when she turned to find one of the ghouls reaching out to touch one of her other alters and she reached out sharply to grab their wrist.

"Don't." her voice was firm even when her grip was gentle as she guided the clawed fingers from the alters and shiny objects placed on that particular alter.

"Mother Hecate isn't very fond of others touching her stuff," Ollie stated softly before she turned away to view the others.

The ghouls were all standing there looking around but silent; deglamoured and their ashen skin and tails were flicking back and forth. She did not say anything about their masks figuring when they were ready and comfortable enough that they'd take it off when they were good and ready to do so. Instead, she guided everyone further into the room and motioned for Copia to take a seat on one of the couches situated inside the room.

"Sorry about that. Now. Go ahead and tell me what trouble you've gotten yourself into. Have you summoned a ghoul you can't control?"

"No....well not really. I mean si." Copia floundered waving his hands. "We did do a summoning but it backfired and well...it wasn't exactly a ghoul that we summoned - we sent it back of course but not before...well..." he looked towards the ghouls.

"Not without a scrape or few..."

AN: If you guys enjoyed this let me know if you'd like for me to make one shot series for Ollie and the Ghouls! I'd love to hear your thought. Did you like it? Would you like to see more of Ollie and the Ghouls outside of this series?

[theunholybastard]

Bad Day (Papa Emeritus IV x Gender-Neutral!Reader)

Requested by @ollies-station !!! <3

Tags: Fluff, Established Relationship, Hurt/Comfort, Reader Is Hinted Trans But It's Pretty Vague, Mentions Of Body Dysmorphia/Dysphoria, 2nd Person POV

Copia hovered over you, paints smudged and halfway wiped off. He stopped in the middle of washing his face when he noticed something wasn't right with you. You lay face down in the bed, unmoving, just so done with life.

"Eh... t-tesoro, what's wrong?" Copia asks warily, head tilted like a confused puppy, eyes darting around the room awkwardly. He was never very good at comforting people. But you were the love of his life, how could he not at least try to be of help? He just can't stand to see you like this.

"Everything." You reply hoarsely, muffled by the pillow you were crying into earlier. You were hardly exaggerating, everything seemed to be going wrong and sending you further down a spiral. Not to mention, you've not been very kind to yourself today either. When you first woke up, things immediately felt off. You felt off. Looking into the mirror, you instantly felt dread, like something wasn't quite right with you. Deep rooted insecurities bubbled up to the surface, your body not feeling like your own. You just want the day to be over already, but every passing moment feels like eternity.

"Bad day, huh?" Copia sighs, sitting down on the bed with you, mindful to give you a little bit of space if you needed it. You finally lift your head up, and the sight makes Copias heart ache. Red, puffy face, tear stains down your cheeks, hair tussled and greasy. You hadn't even gotten a chance to shower that morning, notably the first sign today wasn't going to be all that great. You probably looked like a hot mess right now, but to Copia, you were the most beautifully ethereal being he'd ever laid his eyes on, no matter what state you were in.

"Is there anything I can do?" Copia asks concernedly, softly stroking your back with a gloved hand. "Do you want to talk about it? It might make you feel better."

"Maybe... But there's still so much stuff I have to do today-"

"Non importante. Whatever needs to get done today, I will do it for you. You've had enough stress put on you today, now it's time for you to relax. Now, tell your Papa what is wrong, okie dokie?"

You couldn't help yourself, airing out all your grievances to him. You spared no details, every little thing that went wrong and every little worry you had was brought to his attention, and he listened intently to every word. That was the one thing he's always been very good at. Listening. And he was right, it did make you feel a little better, especially with how earnest you could tell he was.

When it was all said and done, he said nothing at first, simply holding you close to his chest, his warmth and sweet smell of cologne quickly lulling you into a sense of security and comfort. You knew you always had a safe space with him.

"Bad days come and go, amore. You must keep in mind that this won't last forever. The good days will come back sooner than you think. And yes, maybe they will fleet sooner than you want them to as well, but the important thing is that they will come again. Look outside, tesoro..." You did as you were told, gazing out the window to see the sun slowly setting over the horizon.

"The day is almost over, you see? And tomorrow is a new day. A better day. Why don't you sit here for a moment and focus on that while I run you a nice relaxing bath, hm? I'll quickly run whatever errands you have left today, and after that I'll order some takeout for the two of us, how's that sound? I'll get you whatever you want."

"And... And can we maybe watch something after? And cuddle?" You sniffle. A comfort show would be great right now. He smiles. "Of course! Anything for my baby." He presses a chaste kiss to your forehead, pulling away to get up and do the tasks he promised. You quickly grab the lapels of his jacket, keeping him from leaving you so soon.

"Copia... You know you don't have to do this, right? I'll be fine, really." You murmur, self conscious and worried that you're asking too much of this sweet, perfect man you've somehow managed to claim as yours. He chuckled.

"I know, amore; I want to. I want to make you happy, I want to make things easier for you. Because I love you. Because you deserve that. Capisci?" He says, a gentle firmness in his soft-spoken voice. Hesitantly, you nod. Still, you don't let go of his jacket just yet.

"Could you stay with me for just a little while longer?" You ask, hopeful and bleary eyed. He grins.

"As long as you need, tesoro."

-

[copiousloverofcopia]

Lol I actually address this in my Death & Flowers fic.... There's a broken A/C unit in the clergy break room that constantly runs. Primo insists on playing in there wrapped in his Burberry scarf (a gift from a sibling). Secondo throws on a coat to tolerate it and Terzo is completely unbothered lolol

Below the cut is the whole scene if you're curious.

Warning stays close to the canon of the chapters..

⚠️ Caution for death and some extreme Uno playing 😅⚠️

The lights were low with only the fluorescent overhead lamp hanging above illuminating them. The room was filled with an intense chill, the culprit being the broken A/C unit that insisted on pumping cold air through a room that felt like winter when it was the end of Spring. The two of the Emeritus brothers sat around the table, waiting for the last of them to arrive. Finally the door swung open, Secondo making his way to his seat and throwing on his fur lined jacket, huffing and puffing as he did.

“I do not understand why you insist on playing in here Primo when it’s so fucking cold.” he growned, settling into his chair and taking his hand of cards from Primo’s hand. Primo sat there comfortably wearing his favorite black jacket and burberry scarf, a gift from a sibling after a recent trip to London, to combat the cold.

“It’s not that bad.” Terzo commented, unfazed in his black button down shirt, sleeves partially rolled up on his forearms. Secondo rolled his eyes, sorting through his hand.

“You are a freak of nature.” he sneered.

“Can we please?” Primo asked, trying to hurry along the scuffle so they could get to playing cards. The three of them began, intensely placing card after card down waiting to call one another out for forgetting to say that one singular word. The night consisted of the three of them catching up. Secondo telling his tales of lust, Primo of the hopes for the season, and Terzo recalling his recent tour since it had still been fresh in his mind. Finally they began to gossip like school girls, another pass time of their cherished card night.

"I’m telling you–that Saltarian. He is going to give Imperator a run for her money." Terzo explained, setting down the blue four card on the pile at the center of the table.

"To be completely honest, it's about time someone put her in her place. The woman has Nihil so tightly wrapped around her finger, I'm surprised he doesn't have to ask when to shit—let alone be allowed to run his responsibilities with the ministry." Secondo spewed, dropping down a red four.

"She has certainly embedded herself into quite a few of the decisions being made around here." Primo said, shuffling through the cards with his mottled hands.

"I haven't liked her from day one and I'm a very good judge of character. I pick up on things quickly." Terzo said, Secondo and him, waiting for Primo to finally pick a card. “Primo this is Uno not fucking Chess—just pick a card.”

"I don't know about that fratellino…seems you've let some things slip your attention." Secondo started, Terzo's face filling with confusion as Primo finally took his turn.

"Oh I can not wait to see him where this goes." Primo said sarcastically, waiting for the inevitable fight between his two younger siblings, which always managed to find a way into their game night.

"And just wasn't heaven is that supposed to mean?" Terzo inquired, his eyebrow raised high with the accusation.

"Seems you've helped a sister find herself in a bit of trouble, or so I hear." Secondo said, placing down his draw four.

"You don't mean?" Primo started, knowing exactly what Secondo was alluding to. Terzo slumped back in the chair, completely perplexed by what Secondo was getting at.

"Oh I do. Found out this afternoon. Let's just say a little birdie told me." Secondo huffed, "you've really done it this time. Hope you plan on taking some responsibility fratellino."

"Secondo, you stronzo what is going on?" Terzo finally asked, irritated at Secondo for drawing it out.

"I think what he is trying to say Terzo is that you have managed to get one of your lovers pregnant." Primo said plainly, laying down his card. Terzo sat there for a moment, quiet. He knew his lifestyle would catch up to him sooner or later and apparently later—was now. He felt his internal rolodex spin with possibilities. He had used protection with all but maybe two—well more like three sisters as of late so who could it be?

"Who?" Terzo said, not even trying to deny the possibility of it being true.

"Sister Olive." Secondo explained, playing his next card.

"Ollie? My sweet Ollie? Cazzo, are you sure?" Terzo asked, running his hand back through his hair.

"She's supposed to come visit you tonight to talk, I suppose you can ask her then." Secondo chided, Terzo didn't seem as flabbergasted as he'd expected. Secondo was confused…maybe deep down he'd expected this all along.

"Should I go to her?" Terzo asked, readying himself to leave the table. Secondo putting up his hand.

"Don't rush off stronzo. I have it on good authority that she'll be here soon." Secondo explained. The three men sat quietly, each playing their cards one after the other, no longer uttering a word.

"Uno." PPrimo called out, Secondo audibly huffing as Terzo's mouth widened into a huge smile.

"Why are you looking like that idiota?" Secondo asked.

"I'm going to be a father. My sweet Ollie is going to give me a child. Why wouldn't I smile?" Terzo laughed. He had been thinking about Ollie for weeks, though before this he'd never admit it. He had thoughts of making things exclusive with her for a long time, but never could get himself to commit to it. Anytime he was intimate with another sibling, he would find himself picturing her there, unable to shake it off.

He had often found himself thinking of how sexy she looked even with her usual messy bun of wavy auburn hair piled on her head. He came to look forward to the days he led Black Mass, knowing that she would be up front and center in the pews, that soulful smile decorating her face. Her eyes—Terzo could get lost in those crystal blues forever. She was perfect and now she was, maybe, pregnant with his child.

"I'm honestly surprised at how well you are taking this fratellino. I fully expect you to do right by her." Primo affirmed, laying down the last of his cards.

"Stronzissimo! We play again. How do you always do that?" Secondo groaned, when suddenly the door flew open once more. Terzo fully expected it to be Ollie as he now waited for her, filling every millisecond of time passing since Secondo told him the news. To the brothers’ surprise, Sister Imperator stood in the doorway. Her silhouette shrouded mostly in darkness, the faint hint of Papa Nihil standing just behind her in the hall.

“Boys!” the Sister called out, the three of them standing up from their chairs. “You're being reinstated, you're going back on the road…you're going back in full regalia. Going to be back in the spotlight, forever! See you later boys.” Sister Imperator finished, leaving almost as quickly as she appeared, closing the door behind her.

Terzo shrugged his shoulders as the three of them sat back down. Surely this was another of Sister Imperator’s schemes to heighten the popularity of Ghost. While he was sure that neither of his brothers were excited, having been retired from the road—Terzo felt awful for he would be leaving Ollie behind. Suddenly he felt a sharp prick to his neck, watching—unable to speak as shadowy figures attacked his brothers.

Terzo struggled against them, feeling helpless to stop what was happening. He couldn’t make out who the attackers were, but he could tell they weren’t ghouls—only in ghoul masks. Terzo felt cold and still, no longer able to fight. His vision, becoming blurry watching the image of his brother’s dead before him. Everything went to black, and Terzo’s lifeless body slumped down in the chair.

i have many feelings about their outfits for uno night. mostly concluding theres no central heating

[nextnnet]

Muchos de los aquí presentes, cuando éramos algo más pequeños y todavía no pensábamos en las responsabilidades que tenemos hoy en día, teníamos un patín con el que íbamos al parque o a cualquier sitio y, aunque no fuéramos muy buenos y nos diéramos unos cuantos mamporros, nos divertíamos enormemente. En esta misma época podemos ubicar los juegos de patines, pero en esta ocasión no hace falta remontarnos tanto para poder jugar a unos títulos que ahora llegan a Nintendo Switch (después de su paso por Wii U y 3DS) en una versión recopilatoria que incluye ambos. Si todavía conserváis aunque sean un par de dientes, ¡atentos a las siguientes líneas para conocer OlliOlli: Switch Stance!

    ¡Patinamos donde queremos y como queremos con Olli Olli: Switch Stance!

Quizá conozcáis a OlliOlli como a aquel juego al que pudimos jugar por primera vez hará ya 5 años, en 2014, y a OlliOlli 2 como a su secuela que nos llegó tan solo un año después, pero en esta ocasión os presentamos OlliOlli: Switch Stance! la cual viene para convertirse en la versión íntegra de uno de los juegos de patines mejor valorados de su generación. Nada más lanzar el juego tenemos acceso a una pantalla en la que debemos decidir si queremos jugar al primer título o al segundo y, una vez nos hemos decidido, ¡empieza la diversión!

    Si decidimos jugar a OlliOlli, nos encontramos con el título original que nos encandiló en 2014. El objetivo principal del juego es avanzar con nuestro personaje hacia la derecha de la pantalla mientras vamos montados en nuestro monopatín. El planteamiento es sencillo, ¿verdad? Sin embargo, la jugabilidad llega a ser más compleja de lo que puede parecer en un primer momento. La base es que, si mantenemos pulsada la palanca derecha hacia abajo, nuestro personaje se agacha y si la soltamos, nuestro personaje salta, lo que le permite esquivar diversos obstáculos. Eso sí, debemos estar pendientes, ya que tenemos que pulsar el botón B en el momento preciso para realizar un aterrizaje perfecto sin tambaleos. Sin embargo, la gracia del título radica en que, dependiendo de la combinación de botones que realicemos, podemos realizar diferentes trucos. ¡Y hay tantos que incluso contamos con un diccionario para no perdernos con el vocabulario!

  En este primer juego, los modos de juego son 2 principalmente: el modo carrera y el modo spot. En el modo carrera el objetivo es llegar hasta el final y, si lo queremos, podemos cumplir una serie de objetivos (relacionados con trucos concretos, aterrizajes perfectos o combos), los cuales nos darán acceso al modo pro; y en caso de ser muy pros y de cumplir los objetivos de esta dificultad superior, podemos acceder al modo radical. En el modo spot, nuestro objetivo es llegar hasta el final encadenando un grind detrás de otro.

    Por el contrario, si decidimos jugar a OlliOlli 2, encontramos una jugabilidad idéntica, pero mucho más depurada, y muchos más trucos que podemos hacer con nuestro monopatín. A parte de las nuevas localizaciones en las que podemos hacer nuestros pinitos con el patín, también contamos con un modo multijugador de pantalla partida, en el que nos enfrentamos en torneos con hasta 4 jugadores en los que podemos decidir si queremos que el ganador se decide por tiempo, por la habilidad para llegar a la meta antes que los demás, por el mayor número de puntos o por sobrepasar un mínimo de puntos. Tampoco podemos pasar por alto que, si contamos con un sentido competitivo latente en nuestro interior, los dos juegos tienen un ranking online mundial y un modo de grind diario, en donde solo disponemos de una oportunidad al día para conseguir la mayor puntuación con nuestros grinds.

    Montar en Monopatín nunca había sido tan adictivo

Puesto que ambos juegos son, en esencia, lo mismo, creo oportuno hablar de la dificultad de los títulos de forma combinada. Tanto en OlliOlli como en OlliOlli 2 encontramos una curva de dificultad creada para que el jugador se adapte poco a poco a todos los elementos. He de decir que me costó media hora aprender a montar en monopatín en el primer título, pero a partir de ahí todo fue rodado. Los primeros niveles están pensados para que el jugador vaya aprendiendo de forma paulatina y para que, si comete un error, no se vea frustrado y pueda llegar hasta la meta. No obstante, conforme avanzamos en los 5 mundos con los que cuentan cada uno de los juegos, estos niveles dejan de ser tan fáciles y la precisión empieza a ser un elemento importante, ya que, en el último mundo, en caso de cometer un error minúsculo, nos vemos forzados a comenzar todo un nivel desde el principio.

  Además, otro aspecto técnico que es necesario mencionar es la banda sonora. En el primer juego tenemos a nuestra disposición varias pistas musicales, las cuales podemos ir cambiando si en alg��n momento alguna no nos agrada, pero no contamos con melodías específicas para cada nivel, al contrario de lo que sucede en OlliOlli 2, en donde cada mundo y cada menú cuenta con su propia melodía específica. En ambos casos, las pistas musicales concuerdan perfectamente con la temática skater, por lo que se puede decir que ambos juegos cuentan con una banda sonora a la altura de las expectativas, aunque sea algo escasa.

  Así, tampoco podemos pasar por alto el aspecto gráfico, ya que es uno de esos puntos en los que los jugadores suelen fijarse en un primer momento. En OlliOlli vemos un estilo más pixelado, pero que agrada desde el principio, mientras que en OlliOlli 2 este estilo es dejado de lado y pasamos a un entorno más colorido para ambientar el estilo de película que es característico de este juego.

    Por último, queda hablar de la velocidad de los menús. La verdad es que este es un aspecto que me ha sorprendido gratamente, ya que la carga de los niveles es instantánea y, en caso de que nos estampemos contra uno de los obstáculos con los que nos encontramos en los recorridos, si pulsamos el botón X, volvemos automáticamente al inicio. Sin duda, se trata de todo un acierto que beneficia a aquellos que quieren hacer partidas rápidas, pero también a aquellos jugadores más entregados que quieren conseguir todos los objetivos y que, por lo que sea, necesitan reiniciar los niveles en varias ocasiones.

  OlliOlli: Switch Stance – Monopatines para todo tipo de jugadores

Si finalmente decidimos hacernos con una copia de OlliOlli: Switch Stance, estamos adquiriendo un juego que se adapta a todo tipo de jugadores (ya que propone diferentes niveles de dificultad), pero que también cuenta con elementos para todos los jugadores. Además, esta versión es la más completa puesto que, pese a no contar con novedades respecto a sus lanzamientos anteriores, sí que contamos con dos títulos a los que de seguro dedicaremos un gran número de horas. ¡Coged vuestros patines y no os quedéis sin dientes!

    Este análisis ha sido realizado gracias a un código de descarga para Nintendo Switch cedido por Good Shepherd Entertainment.

Análisis – OlliOlli: Switch Stance (Nintendo Switch). ¡Mira, sin dientes! Muchos de los aquí presentes, cuando éramos algo más pequeños y todavía no pensábamos en las responsabilidades que tenemos hoy en día, teníamos un patín con el que íbamos al parque o a cualquier sitio y, aunque no fuéramos muy buenos y nos diéramos unos cuantos mamporros, nos divertíamos enormemente.

[copiousloverofcopia]

UNHOLY FUCK Ghesties!

Hello, how are you all?

I know I have kind of absent on here a bit, but I have a lot going on in my personal life as well as just being an adult with responsibilities, so the struggle is real.

Thank you all so much for hangin' around (pun intended) and sticking in there with me...

As a thank you, here is the next chapter of Death and Flowers, featuring Copia and my OC Sister Ollie.

Commissions are OPEN, please see pinned post for Carrd info!

Death & Flowers

It hadn't been serious, it never was with him. While Papa was suave and Ollie enjoyed their time together it wasn't meant to be. She knew it wasn't something meant to last…something permanent but—here she was. It was only one missed pill and life forever changed.

Chapter 13: The Little Things Give You Away

Also available HERE on AO3! Haven't started yet? Start from the beginning HERE!

Read below the cut!

"You have got to be fucking kidding me Dew!" Cirrus growled, tripping over the ghoul's guitar case. Her white eyes, burning as she glared at him across the room. The rest of the ghouls, all huddled together for practice and tuning their instruments while shooting the breeze. 

"Maybe you should watch where you step girly." Dew snickered. The room filled with "oos", echoing off the walls as the Ghoulette stomped over to him. Dew, chuckling to himself on the floor before she gave him a good slap on the back of the head.

"Hey! Why I oughta…" he growled, teeth bared and tail swishing angrily behind him. 

"I'm here, I'm here." Copia called out as he erupted into the room. Flustered looking, but ready to get the practice going. Hoping that he might distract himself from all he had just experienced. Dedicated to playing the part of ignorance until he had more to go on.

"Finally." Dew scoffed, the little gremlin rubbing the aching spot on his skull. Copia paid him no mind. Too lost in his own thoughts to be shook by any of Dew’s petty commentary. It was clear to the ghouls from the moment he entered, that Copia had things on his mind. 

Only Aether and Cumulus knew the truth. That whatever distracted him, it was more than just impending fatherhood and a world tour. Aether, wondering what was learned that the Cardinal was desperately attempting to keep buried down in front of the others. For now, everyone was waiting and Copia knew he had business to attend to. He grabbed the mic, shooting a look over to Aether. An acknowledgement that there was much to discuss between them, and with that practice began.

It was a couple hours into their session, and the ghouls were having an absolute blast. Practicing their chords and notes. Not a care in the world other than being the best they could for each other and, most importantly, Ghost. The music was melodic and hauntingly powerful. A testament to the talents contained within them. 

Copia was more reserved, still heavy with his thoughts. Though you could no longer tell by looking at him. Within just a couple of songs, he was debaucherously swaying his hips and singing away. Melting into his performance like butter against a hot knife. The ghouls were in absolute awe of him. If there were ever any reservations about the Cardinal taking up the mantle that Terzo had held so magnificently before him, all of that had now been washed away. 

Copia was truly in his element. A shame that had it not been for the tragedy befalling the Emeritus sons, he might not have been considered for Ghost. Afterall, only those who were of the bloodline had had the honor. Copia knew differently—there was Emeritus blood running in his veins, even if only a few others knew it. 

It was in the middle of one of the last few songs that he noticed Ollie. Stammering through the lyrics as he saw her face. She had snuck in and managed to tuck herself into the back of the room. Eyes wide and a smile pulling at the corners of her mouth while watching him. 

Copia was mesmerizing and even enigmatic. Her presence made him more feral. Wildly prancing around the ghouls like the cat who caught the canary. Showing himself off to her. Ollie, delightfully clapping at his every antic. Watching with wonder and joy in her eyes. When practice was finally over, he rushed back to her—panting as he took her into his arms and held her close.

"Such a nice surprise to see your face here. Though I'd prefer you rest." He told her, his hand gently gliding over her belly. 

"Cope…I just got the ok to be up and about—you can bet I'm not gonna waste the opportunity to come see you all perform.” she replied as the ghouls all began packing everything up. 

“This one has a lot of talent, that's for sure. Hopefully the kiddo takes after him, eh?” Mountain said, giving a jab to Copia before passing by. Drumsticks in hand and towering over everyone else in the room. Copia and Ollie gave one another a slight smile with his words in response to his words as Aether and Cumulus approached them. 

The two ghouls, trying to hide the worry from their faces. Waiting patiently as Dew and Cirrus passed by them. Leaving only the four of them standing there in the emptiness of the Hall. A few moments of silence passed before any of them spoke. Ollie, finally breaking the quiet between them with a question. 

“Wha–what’s going on?” Ollie asked, looking back and forth between Copia and the ghouls. It was clear the three of them knew something that she didn’t. The feeling was beginning to gnaw at her stomach as she waited for them to respond. 

“Ah–” Copia stumbled around to answer before Aether chimed in.

“Cardinal, what did you hear?”

“What’s going on Copia?” Cumulus asked, completely confused as well, but sensing the ominous tone between them.  Copia took a quick look around the room, making sure no prying eyes or ears were around to witness them before speaking. 

“I can’t say for sure Aeth…but it seems there is a conspiracy to overthrow the Emeritus bloodline. For the Papacy to be used in a way it was not intended…and it seems I am being used as a pawn in that—the ghouls I hear are too. A scapegoat perhaps for the death of the brothers.” Copia explained, though still unsure of it all. Aether, Cumulus, and Ollie felt the sense of doom creeping in.  

“But Cope…your…” Ollie whispered. 

“I know—according to Saltarian, I should never have known about Nihil. He was furious with Sister for telling me.”

“Nihil?” Aether asked, the three others preparing for what could possibly be said next.

“Nihil is my father.” Copia confessed. Aether rubbing his head, swirling with the implications. “I wasn’t supposed to know…and I think it has something to do with Saltarian. I just—just can’t say for sure yet.”

“What are we going to do?” Cumulus asked, her tail tucked between her legs and her eyes heavy with tears.

“We fight back.” Aether chimed in, taking Cumulus’s hand in his. “Cardinal, what do you need us to do?”

 “The two of us will get the ghouls ready. I need them all sniffing around to find some answers…particularly with Saltarian and his three men—but be careful we don’t know what they are capable of. Cumulus you take Ollie back to the suites. I want her kept away from anything that might go down.” 

“Right. We got this.” Cumulus asserted, determined to help in any way she could. 

“Copia?” Ollie said, her hand gripping onto him tight as she cradled her belly. The anxiety, building up steadily inside her. 

“It’s gonna be ok Ollie I promise…but for now we are still in danger. Especially you and the baby.”

“Yeah, and you know who else—” Aether said as he gritted his teeth. “Nihil.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

From the moment they left, Copia could tell they were close. Both him and Aether, walking steadily down the hall. Their steps filled with intention though they remained composed. Hoping they wouldn't give away their intentions to anyone who might be keeping watch. Just as they reached the double doors leading to the ghoul’s den, the chaotic dwelling of Hell spawn, someone grabbed Copia by the cassock. Yanking him off into one of the rooms used by siblings for prayer and solitude—among other things. It was Sister Imperator, placing her hand over her son’s mouth as Aether tried to follow them inside. 

“Ghoul, this doesn’t concern you.” she snipped. Copia removed her hand from his mouth, motioning for Aether to leave to the two of them and continue on without him.

“It’s ok Aeth. I will be with you shortly…please go.” he begged him. Aether nodded, reluctantly following his orders and taking off into the den. 

“What is it you want, Sister?” he asked her.

“C—I need to tell you something. I should have long before now.”

“What else could you possibly have to say?”

“I fear I have put your life in more danger. You see there is someone…someone who wants the Emeritus bloodline to end and—”

“And I am the last of them?” Copia asked, trying to appear as if this was the first time anything had occurred to him. Careful to not let Sister know he knew anything other than what was heard from her own lips. 

“It’s not just that, you see they’ve always known about you. The problem is not that now you know and because of that I have put you at risk and, unexpectedly, the baby.”

“The baby?” Copia asked, hoping he could get her to confess more. That she would reveal to him those who threatened Ollie and the baby so he could dispose of them. 

“There was always a risk, you see…since…since the child is his.” Sister confessed, her words hitting Copia like a knife to the chest. She knew. She somehow knew that Copia wasn’t the father of Ollie’s child.

“Then… then you…”

“Know that Terzo is the father? Yes, I do, unfortunately and I am not the only one C.”

“Why haven’t you said anything before now? Pretending to be this innocent woman and now more and more of your secrets and lies just keep spewing out of you—-what more aren’t you telling me?!” Copia demanded answers. 

“I need you to understand C, it's not as simple as that. You see I had my suspicions that Sister Olive was carrying his child from the beginning. I knew she was pregnant before the brothers were killed. I will admit when I discovered it, I was angry. I hoped that she would end things before they got too far, but then when Terzo…well I just knew in my heart she wouldn’t be able to NOT have the baby.”

“This whole time!” Copia began yelling, ready to strangle her. His white eye, glowing with rage as he tried to contain his fury. Taking everything in him to not kill her where she stood. 

“Shh…someone will hear us.” she quieted him. Continuing on with what she needed to say, “I knew then her life would be in danger if anyone in the Ministry was to find out. I allowed myself to make some poor choices…because of my own selfish wishes to have you ascend.” Copia shook his head in disgust. He had never asked for any of this. Not the papacy, the power, any of it. All he ever wanted was Ollie and now his own mother was one of those responsible for the danger she was in.

“I panicked and tried tipping off the ghouls. Hoping they would convince her to leave, but instead all it did was drive Omega mad and Alpha deeper into his need to prove the ghouls’ innocence.”

“So there is a conspiracy against them?”

“Yes, C…I am so sorry. I can’t say why. All I know is that if anyone was to find out about it it would be catastrophic, but then you, in your chivalry and  devotion, decided to proclaim the child as your own…and I knew then if we could only keep that secret safe—well then your reign would still be secured. No one the wiser of Terzo’s little indiscretion.” 

“Indiscretion? Is that what a child is to you Sister…Mother?”

“Of course not C… listen to me. Now that it's out you are an Emeritus heir it no longer matters who is the child’s biological father between the two of you. Just knowing that the both of you carry the bloodline has placed you both in danger and there is nothing I can do to stop it now.”

“Who?! Who is behind this? Sweet Lucifer woman, if you have soul worth anything in you, you’ll tell me who threatens my family!” Copia begged, shaking her a bit in his haze of desperation. 

“I—I can’t say or they’ll kill me…you for sure.”

“Then you are of no use to me anymore.” Copia hissed, letting his grip go of her sleeves and storming out into the hall. Hastily making his way through doors to the ghoul’s den.

“I hope you know what you're doing.” Sister Imperator sniffled, knowing that the time of truth was finally on the horizon.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Copia ascended the stairs, bounding up them like a man on fire. Determined to find Aether and the others and get to the bottom of things once and for all. After only a few moments he caught sight of them in the darkest area in the den. Their eyes glowing from the shadows as they stared at him from the end of the hall. 

“An Emeritus after all.” Alpha commented, his sharp tongue whipping out the words like lashes from a switch. 

“Indeed and because of that I fear we have all suffered. We need to move. It’s now or never.” Copia proclaimed.

“Wait what's going on?” Omega asked, the big ghoul ready for whatever may come, despite his calm demeanor. 

“Seems that you all have been made to take the fall for my brothers’ murders and that someone here is orchestrating the overthrow of the Emeritus line. Nihil and I are pawns. Most likely only serving their will until we will be put to slaughter like the rest. 

“Who?” Omega growled. 

“I am not sure, but as I have told Aeth, I have my suspicions about Saltarian. It’s just he couldn’t have killed them alone. There has to be others involved. Do you all remember anything from that night? Anyone acting strange.”

“Cardinal—don’t you think we would have done something about it by now if we knew who was setting us up?” Alpha argued while Omega tried to calm him down. 

“Wait…” Aether said quietly, everyone turning to face him. 

“What is it Aeth?” Copia asked, the ghoul scratching his neck as he tried to think. Copia and the others, watching the gears turning in the ghoul’s mind. Recalling only now what he thought previously was an insignificant detail.

“That night…well the whole thing. Everything about it was…you know it was overwhelming.”

“Yeah so go the fuck on with it! What do you know?” Alpha groaned, waiting for Aether to spit it out. Omega, placing his crawls into his kin’s shoulder to help ground him. 

“I caught the scent of something faint that stood out. It was hours before they allowed us around the breakroom. Especially since the whole ghoul mask thing and well I didn’t think much of it then, but despite all the other scents in the air I kept catching one that I wasn’t familiar with before that night.”

“What was it?” Omega asked. Aether furrowed his brows, trying to think of how to describe what he smelled. 

“Something woodsy. Like…like—”

“Like Juniper and Cypress?” Copia asked, the revelation hitting him full force.

“Yeah, that's it. How did you know?” Aether asked, his eyes widening. Copia clenched his fists recalling the smell he had the displeasure of encountering with his own nose. 

“Aether, Omega, Alpha—grab the others. I know who is behind all of this. 

[copiousloverofcopia]

The next chapter of Death & Flowers is LIVE!

Thank you all so much for your love and support! I am truly grateful to you all!

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Death & Flowers

It hadn't been serious; it never was with him. While Papa was suave, and Ollie enjoyed their time together it wasn't meant to be. She knew it wasn't something meant to last…something permanent but—here she was. It was only one missed pill and life forever changed.

Chapter 12: The Time Has Come

Also available HERE on AO3! Haven't started yet? Start from the beginning HERE!

Definitely NSFW below the cut!

The night had been met with unbridled passion. A course traveled like the words of a poet—fully felt and beautifully lyrical. Lovers held tightly to one another on their way to ascension. All rushing to the end where their bodies begged for release as they embraced in the darkness. The whole night Copia and Ollie reaffirming their love. 

It was no wonder that when Copia’s eyes began to open in the later afternoon that he still felt completely exhausted, but so in love.  He rolled over to see Ollie sleeping beside him. A smile on her face and a calm about her that he hadn’t seen in such a long time. It was at that moment he knew everything between them was going to be ok. More than ok—they were in it for the long haul. 

He went to sit up along the side of the bed. Careful not to disturb her rest as he went to stand up, stretching out a bit before noticing the late hour of the day. Shit, Copia thought to himself. He was due at practice with the ghouls in just over an hour. The whole day had been lost to them in their much-needed slumber. 

“Cope?” Ollie yawned, noticing he had left the bed.  Quickly feeling the chill with the warmth of his body leaving its place beside her. 

“Oh amore…I am sorry did I wake you?” he asked her with a smile. 

“No…no… I was already getting up.”

“Liar.” Copia chuckled, sure she had been completely passed out before he moved. 

“Hmm.” Ollie hummed, acknowledging her playful little white lie with the shrug of her shoulders. Copia, lamenting with a smile. 

“Well then…” he continued on, “...as much as I could stay lost in those very convincing eyes Ollie. I am sorry but I have to get going. Seems we have been out most of the day, it’s already 2.” 

“Oh my. You aren’t going to get in trouble are you.” she panicked, trying to pull herself up in the bed, a spark of nervous energy running through her.  

“Shhh…no no. I’ll be fine, just need to make sure I don’t miss practice is all. The ghouls get a bit rowdy if left to their own devices for too long amore. Especially Dew.” Copia laughed. Ollie nodded at him and Copia turned to make his way across the room for the shower. Before he could take a step, Ollie pulled back on his wrist. Copia stopped and turned back to face her. 

The way she looked at him, so loving and sweet. Eyes sparkling up at him from her position in the bed. Copia couldn't help but notice the curve of her body silhouetted in the sheets. The desire began growing inside him. All of it had sent Copia’s blood pumping. “Really, now?” he asked her. 

“Now.” Ollie demanded pulling him back on the bed. Their lips, meeting instantly as they clamored together to remove the treacherous sheets that lay between them. Copia hovered over Ollie, keeping his weight off her belly as they continued to kiss.

Her lips, so soft and needy—showering him in kisses. Copia's hand tangled in Ollie's crimson hair, holding himself up as best he could on his elbows. Copia knew he would disobey Lucifer himself if his reward was to spend one more moment inside her. One more moment where they were as one. 

Copia pulled away a moment from her lips, both of them breathless and yearning. His hands, slowly making their way down her neck and over her soft breast. Copia began gently kneading it before sitting up on his knees over her. Taking his already hard cock in his hand and beginning to stroke himself as he gazed over her. Ollie wrapped her legs around him, trying to pull him closer to her. 

She let out a desperate moan as she felt him begin to rub himself through her slick. The head of his cock, nudging against her entrance. Both of them, on edge, waiting for the moment he would slip inside her. Her body melted beneath him as he pushed himself carefully inside her. 

Copia’s mouth fell open as he slid into her. His hips rocking and his pelvis, gently thrusting into her with fervor and intention. He wanted her to feel every vein, curve, and surge of blood through his body. Reveling in her core pulsing around him.

"Oh Cope…you feel amazing. Don't stop. Ah!" Ollie mewled, breathy and languid. Copia thought she had never looked more beautiful. Her hair sprayed around her pillow, eyes closed, and lips parted in ecstasy as he took her.

"Amore. I won't stop…not until I've made you cum. Not until I've made you mine once more." He grunted, trying to hold back his own release–teetering ever so close to the edge. Ollie gripped his ass, helping force him deeper inside. Biting her lower lip as he filled her, over and over again with his girth. The slight curve of his cock guiding the tip in the spot that made her see stars. 

Her grip tightened up into him and Copia grew concerned it was too much. Slowing his pace a moment and asking, "Are you sure this isn't too much? I am not hurting you?" 

"No…it's not. It's good…oh Cope it's so good. You feel so good inside me. Mmm...please don't stop. Make me cum like you promised." She begged, allowing one of her hands to slide up through the thick layer of hair on his chest. My fingernails scraping the flesh and sending a chill through him.

It was then Copia could feel it. Her core began to squeeze down harder—rhythmic and tight all around him. Her breathing hitching and finally a rush of warmth flowing out between them. Copia, holding on to Ollie as he came. His lips pressing against her forehead as spilled himself deep inside her. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It was worth being late, Copia had thought while he made his way down the corridor. Freshly showered and ready for practice—and only 15 minutes late. When he arrived at the Great Hall where practice was held, Aether was waiting for him outside the doors. A concerned look on his face and the distinct lack of sound coming from behind him. An eerie quiet, when there should be instruments being tuned.

It made Copia weary, wondering if something had gone wrong. Things had been going too well lately he thought to himself. Between Ollie’s improved health and how well the remainder of her pregnancy seemed to be going to the reassurance of their love, and finally with the lurking danger that constantly loomed over them falling quiet. Something felt as if it were too good to be true and Copia felt like he was waiting for the other shoe to fall.

“Cardinal.” Aether began, watching the concern washing over Copia’s face.

“Si Aether what is it? Why is no one practicing yet?” he asked the ghoul. Aether glanced around at the siblings that passed them. Drawing closer to Copia as he spoke.

“I told them you canceled.” Aether replied as Copia’s eyebrows raised high on his head. Aether could almost see his blood flowing faster, increasing with his anxiety and frustration. 

“You what?!” he exclaimed. Aether quickly grabbed him, pulling him just inside the doors of the Great Hall. The two of them, standing alone in the empty room. Aether began whispering so that the room need not echo his words. 

“Cardinal. I overheard Sister Imperator and Mr. Saltarian…not too long ago as I was bringing something to the main office. There was an exchange…something about the ghouls being to blame for something…I tried to listen in but their words were too soft to make out the rest and then they headed up to her office so hastily you’d have thought the Abbey had caught fire. 

“What are you saying Aeth?” Copia asked, trying to wrap his head around everything. 

“I don’t know what's going on Cardinal, but whatever it is I know they have to be up there discussing it right now in her office…and if anyone would be able to figure it out—it's you.”

“Me?”

“I heard from Cumulus that you and Sister have a special relationship.” Aether said plainly. Copia’s face grew pale as he swallowed back. “If they are planning on pinning this all on us Cardinal—like Alpha has been saying…we deserve to know. Please.” 

“I see.” Copia replied. He could see the pain and fear in Aether’s eyes. It was true that Alpha had been suspecting that there were those within the Ministry that conspired to blame the ghouls for the deaths of the Emeritus sons. Was it really Sister—his own mother? Was Mr. Saltarian also in on it? 

“Please Cardinal. I beg you as my friend.” the ghoul’s eyes pleading. Copia put his hand on Aether’s shoulder and smiled up at him. 

“Aeth…I’m on my way now.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Copia made his way to Sister’s office. The door had been left open–only slightly. The light from inside cascading a sharp slice of light onto the tile floor as Copia approached. At first, he could hear them, Sister and Saltarian arguing almost loud enough to be heard clearly at the top of the stairs, but as he reached the door the noise seemed to dissipate like smoke. Only a lower hum of conversation noted between them. 

“You have made a lot of questionable decisions in your life Elizabeth, but this one is the absolutely worst.” Saltarian snapped as Copia tried to get as close to the office door without arousing suspicion. 

“Heh…is that so? It was a mistake to tell my own son I am his mother.” Sister snapped back. 

“That’s just it. Because you couldn’t keep your mouth shut now and your legs closed 50 years ago now, we must all pay the price for your incompetence. 

“I beg your pardon. I will have you know you aren’t exactly the saint you claim to be either.” Sister Imperator said, furious with Saltarian’s frankness and disrespect. Though it was something she had come to expect in this situation. 

“I am not even angry that you told him about you. I could care less if he knows you carried him. What ENRAGES me Elizabeth… is that you told him about his connection to Nihil. We have come so close to being done with them. The reign of the Emeritus line is over, after everything that's happened, and you want to throw away that opportunity away. An opportunity that was bestowed by Satan, for some maternal bonding with your and Nihil’s bastard.” Saltarian fumed, slamming his fist down on the desk before rubbing his eyes in frustration and anger. 

“I will tell him to keep it to himself. We can trust Copia to do what is asked.” Sister assured him.

“Oh, I know we can. The reason I agreed to help you, help him ascend has EVERYTHING to do with his ability to do as he is told. He would have been a great face of the Papacy while we handled things behind the scenes…but again you have compromised everything! Who knows who he has told things to already before you decided to let me in on it!”  he barked again. Before Sister could get out another word, Copia accidentally rested too close to the door, causing a creak to interrupt the conversation and immediately draw attention to him. He knew whatever he was overhearing them speak on now—that conversation was over.

“Who’s there?” Sister Imperator called out. Copia quickly came peering into the room and tried his best to pretend, behave as if he hadn’t heard a single word of any of it. 

“Ah Sister, Saltarian. I am sorry to interrupt, but I just wanted to stop by and let you know I canceled practice today. Ollie was not feeling the best and I thought it best to remain by her side…” he began in his most convincing tone. Copia’s hand, still holding on to the door and ready to leave with the things he had learned tucked away. 

“Oh of course Copia. Family comes first.” she replied, glancing over at Saltarian. 

“Absolutely…please Cardinal, sit. Sit.” Mr. Saltarian insisted, gesturing for Copia to sit beside him in the pair of chairs that sat in front of Sister Imperator’s desk. Copia did as instructed. Another knowing glance sent back over from Saltarian to Sister—a reliable follower of orders he was indeed. 

“Thank you Mr. Saltarian..oh?” Copia began only to hear a knock at the door from behind them. Within moments, three men entered the office. They were only vaguely familiar to him but all men he had seen before in passing. 

“Ah yes. Right on time. Please gentlemen come closer.” Saltarian beckoned them towards the desk. “Cardinal I…ah…don’t believe you have all officially met.” As they approached Copia’s nose was overwhelmed with the scent of juniper and cypress. It lingered heavily in the air around them and seemed from the clothes of one of the men who stood directly behind him. The man’s large hands gripped to the top of Copia’s chair. The smugness and lack of decorum immediately made Copia uneasy, but he tried to pretend he didn’t notice it. 

“Oh si, I do not believe we have.” Copia responded as he rose from his chair to face them—eye to eye. He saw that the man behind him was tall with brown hair. He had a scar over his eyebrow and donned blackened paints around his eyes. The others were painted the same, but both were slightly shorter and had longer, darker hair that was tied back in pony tails. All of them dressed in traditional black vestments and zucchettos atop their heads. 

“These men are Bishops Mauro, Martin, and Henry.” Saltarian began, naming them left to right. Copia, realizing the scent was coming from the one he named Martin.  Copia nodded to each one of them as they bowed towards him in a show of respect. The Cardinal could feel the tension in the room—something wasn’t quite right about them, but he couldn’t place his suspicions. 

“Pleasure to meet you all. I am Cardinal Copia.” he introduced himself but somehow, he knew that the three men already knew who he was, nodding and looking back at Saltarian. 

“You asked to see us, your eminence.” Bishop Martin spoke. His voice was low and commanding. The men seemed almost militant, like some sort of security for Saltarian, but for  what reason Copia was unsure.

“Well pardon my rudeness Mr. Saltarian, Sister, Bishops—but I must be going. I have a practice to reschedule.” Copia stated, trying to find his way out of the room as swiftly as possible. 

“I thought you canceled to spend time with Sister Olive?” Saltarian asked. The rush of anxiety spread through Copia instantly and he hoped that his face did not betray him. Had he already forgotten his cover story?

“Ah si, well she is resting peacefully by now so I think I should try to take advantage of the time before you know we have—” Copia began before Sister cut him off.

“Of course, C. Please go and practice. We need you at your best for the tour and the days are numbered as you know.” she explained. Copia swallowed back his nerves, nodding to her and the men and leaving as calmly as possible. 

As he walked down the hall, Copia tried steadying the beat of his heart. He had clearly heard something he was not supposed to in the exchange between Sister and Saltarian. A plot to take over the Papacy? Using him to control things? Why would his own mother agree to this and what about Nihil and the ghouls? Where did they all fit into this? 

Even more concerning to Copia, was the men Saltarian was surrounding himself with. How were they involved? Copia knew he needed to tell someone what he heard. The mysteries kept piling on and Copia was beginning to wonder what was going to happen when all that hid in the shadows would finally come into the light.

[copiousloverofcopia]

Death & Flowers Link List!

I will occasionally post the updated chapter links list with tags so everyone can use it to navigate.

This will be -IN ADDITION- to when I post about the new chapters.

It hadn't been serious; it never was with him. While Papa was suave, and Ollie enjoyed their time together it wasn't meant to be. She knew it wasn't something meant to last…something permanent but—here she was. It was only one missed pill and life forever changed.

tags: Death, Romance, Angst, NSFW, Mentions of Suicide, Decapitation, Major Character Deaths, Murder, Conspiracy, Pregnancy, etc.

Chapter 1: Expect the Unexpected

Chapter 2: Uno

Chapter 3: Per Aspera Ad Inferi

Chapter 4: Issue 309

Chapter 5: The Rooftop

Chapter 6: Giving In

Chapter 7: Unspoken Truths

Chapter 8: Green Eyed Monster

Chapter 9: The Keeper

Chapter 10: More Secrets

Chapter 11: An Emeritus Son

Chapter 12: COMING SOON!

I will try to update as I go! Enjoy ghesties 🖤

[copiousloverofcopia]

Chapter 9 of Death & Flowers is LIVE!

To read the latest chapter go here!

Haven't started yet? Go here!

[copiousloverofcopia]

FINALLY, the next Chapter of Death & Flowers is here, featuring Cardinal Copia and OC Ollie.

Thank you all for being so patient with me. Sometimes it's hard to keep up with things when you have a full-time job and 4 kids you are raising lol. I appreciate all your support so much 🥰

Death & Flowers

It hadn't been serious, it never was with him. While Papa was suave and Ollie enjoyed their time together it wasn't meant to be. She knew it wasn't something meant to last…something permanent but—here she was. It was only one missed pill and life forever changed.

Chapter 11: An Emeritus Son

Also available HERE on AO3. Haven't started yet? Start from the beginning HERE.

Commissions are now OPEN, please see pinned post for carrd info!

SFW below the cut, overall fic is NSFW

Copia left his office only moments after Sister Imperator. His face was pale white, with only his freckles giving him the faintest hint of color. He had so many mixed emotions. There was relief, finally having an answer to where he came from. But the most prevalent was the shock.

The knowledge that Sister was his mother, of all people, however made so much sense. All the time she spent doting on him, nurturing him—the signs were all there. Copia ran his hand through his hair, scratching his head as he continued struggling taking it all in. While it was easy to accept Sister as his mother, the truth he could hardly bring himself to accept was the revelation of his father. 

“Cardi…that's not all I wish to tell you…this might come as a bit of a shock.” Sister Imperator swallowed back. 

“What else could you possibly tell me that is more of a shock than this?”

“Your father, well your father is Papa Nihil. It was a long time ago and I was so young and…”

The memories of their conversation, flooding back to him. Sister’s words echoing like whispers in his mind. No wonder she was in such a rush to get him to take control of Ghost, hinting to him that he should become Papa—he was always meant to be Papa. With all the chaos swirling in his head from the news, Copia could hardly think of anything else. His thoughts however, were never far from Ollie. 

What would she say? Finding out he was her baby's uncle—Terzo's brother. Would it change anything for her? She'd already been through more than any one deserved to in a lifetime. Copia, wondering if this would finally be “the thing” they couldn’t come back from. 

He struggled hard with it, drifting down the hall towards the refectory as the “what ifs” played in his mind. He was nothing short of desperate for another cup of coffee and a need to be away from his office. He arrived, like dissociating on a drive home, without being exactly sure how he got there. The familiar halls, lined in old paintings and crypts of long gone clergy members whose bones laid to rest within the walls, were nothing but a faint blur. 

The Cardinal tried his best to maintain appearances, smiling and nodding to siblings as he passed. Knowing most of them found him to be awkward at best. How would they feel knowing it was the heir to the miter and not just in title? Would they accept him? Did those responsible for his brothers murders know? 

Inside he was an absolute mess. Exhausted, not only physically, with his lack of sleep, but the constant stress and questioning leaving him running on fumes for days, perhaps months. Finally a bright ray of light in the darkness, he thought as he caught sight of Cumulus sitting at one of the tables, pensive and troubled. She was obsessively twisting around a lock of her hair and unable to get comfortable in her seat. He approached her wondering what she had learned. What was making her normally bubbly and lighthearted demeanor, so distressed?

As he got closer, he began to second guess himself. Unsure if he really wanted to know anymore "answers" today after all. The image of Ollie spurred him on, knowing that at the root of it all was his love for her and the want—the absolute need to protect her and their child. He continued on, smiling when Cumulus got sight of him. The ghoulette, looking even more nervous than before.

"Buona giornata a te ghuleh, spero che ti abbia trovato bene." Copia began, grabbing the nearest pitcher of coffee from the cart and sitting down beside her. Cumulus turned towards him, her posture still tense and unsure.

"Papa." She began, her words faulting. Worried what speaking her truth would mean. Alpha was the keeper and he had indeed threatened Ollie and Copia. His motives however were woven by his fear. A fear earned for someone was out to frame the ghouls for Terzo and the other Papa's deaths and he knew it, and he believed Copia was involved. 

It wasn't true, it absolutely couldn't be. The thought of her sweet Cardinal being involved, sent shivers down the ghoulette's spine. Her tail, twitching with the sensation and catching Copia's attention as it flicked against his back. Copia placed his hand on her shoulder to ground her.

"Cumulus, what have you learned?" 

"I know who the keeper is." Cumulus admitted, shaking as the words left her in fear. The little hairs along her ashen skin, standing on end as she waited for Copia’s reaction. 

"Who? Who is it?" The Cardinal begged, his rage burning behind his mismatched eyes. He was indeed ready to fight, to end the misery that was being caused. Cumulus swallowed back the knot in her throat before speaking.

"Copia please, don't do anything rash…please hear me out before you go making any decisions." She began, leaving him feeling dumbfounded. He relaxed back down into his chair, having jolted up with the news. He smoothed out the fabric of his cassock and adjusted his biretta on his head to aid himself in gathering his composure.  

Why would she protect them? He thought, doing everything in his power to settle himself enough to hear her speak. "I'm ok…please tell me." He beseeched her, his tone, much more level and collected than before.

"I went to the den and spoke with Alpha." The ghoul's name sent Copia back to on edge, knowing just how close he was with both Omega and Terzo. "He admitted that he has suspected all along something wasn't right about Ollie's baby and that he believes wholeheartedly that someone is out to frame us ghouls for the Papas' deaths. He also admitted that he has been the one sending you the letters—he’s the Keeper." 

"I see." Copia said, running his fingers over his mustache.  

"Copia…Alpha thinks you may be in on it. He thinks it's all a conspiracy to allow you to ascend…" Cumulus explained, watching the color drain from his face.

"He's wrong my dear ghuleh, I can assure you of that but…” Copia swallowed, “...he is right to be suspicious. I–I have something to tell you." he told her, his gaze falling to his lap. Cumulus took in a deep breath, she knew whatever it was, it was not going to be good.

“What? What is it Cardinal?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Copia confessed to Cumulus his truth. She was surprisingly understanding, despite how bad things sounded. Copia could swear that the ghoulette was his only remaining friend. Between Ollie, the baby, and all the mystery surrounding his recent appointment,  he had secluded himself. Finding it hard to keep up with any outside relationships, when all that mattered right now was Ollie and the baby. 

After the initial shock of the news, Cumulus could feel it. Deep in the brimstone and astral dust that made her, Copia was telling the truth. This whole time he too was a pawn in a much bigger game being played. One that he had no idea he was in, that none of them had, and while his ascension seemed to be the will of  those in behind the scenes, Copia had no part in it—at least not willingly. As Cumulus took off back to the den to settle Alpha’s suspicions, hopefully ceasing the letters and taunting, Copia decided to head up to the Papal suites. With his soul unburdened from truth and his dear friend on his side, he found a new determination to make things right with Ollie. 

As Copia walked back down the hall he passed Dr. Cunetto. The Doctor had just barely caught his attention, carrying his black bag and looking as if he were to accompany Copia up the main stairway. It was only then that the Cardinal remembered—Ollie had an appointment today. Copia furrowed his brow and brought his hand to his face. How could I forget something this important?

Surely the intensity of the day had led to his absentmindedness, but to him this was unforgivable. He tapped the doctor’s shoulder to catch his attention. “Oh Cardinal, on your way up?” Dr. Cunetto asked him. Copia sheepishly smiled and nodded as they both headed up the stairs. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ollie pulled herself up waiting for the doctor to arrive. Her nerves frayed and her head spinning at the change in position. She had spent so long in bed she thought she might go mad. Her mind, still heavy with the thoughts of Copia and his secrets. 

She was fast approaching her third trimester and soon a child would be born to the Emeritus bloodline. A child that she was working so hard to keep safe—his true parentage hidden. She noticed her heart had begun to soften. Accepting that her lover was only trying to protect her and this child with his actions. Keeping things from her to prevent harm from befalling them. A child that wasn’t even his. She still felt the sting of anger inside, angry for constantly being left in the dark.

Since her child’s conception, she felt like she was an unwitting participant in something sinister. Her baby’s  life, constantly hanging in the balance. She missed her independence, her ability to only worry for herself. Selfish, she thought as she ran her hand over the swell of her belly. The little boy, kicking strong inside her, reminding her that it was not about her anymore.

She sniffled back and wiped her eyes, when the sound of the front door brought her out of her thoughts. Within a few short moments, Dr. Cunetto and Copia walked in. Her sweet Copia, she couldn’t help but love him so much.  She felt happy to see him, finally deciding to pull herself out of the self-wallowing abyss she had insisted on dwelling in. 

For the first time in days she could see him for what he was. A man who loved her unconditionally—and her child. Ollie couldn’t say if it was the hormones or not, but she was ready to leap off the bed and into his arms. Showering him with kisses and professing her love in droves to make up for lost time. Spouting apologies for her insipid behavior towards him. 

She knew he only ever did it to protect her and it was time she was a big girl. Accepting things as they were and not as they could have been. Letting go of her anger and coming into her own. Finally standing up for herself. 

She remained quiet as Copia came to sit beside her on the bed. Choosing not to turn away from him. A welcome fact that did not go unnoticed. Her small gesture, giving him hope that things would be ok. 

“Sister Olive, are you ready for me?” Dr. Cunetto asked as he sat his bag down on the bedside table. The feet on the bottom of his bag clinking as it hit, sending Copia wincing from the discomfort of hearing it. 

“I think so.” Ollie told him as she glanced over to Copia, whose eyes were now fixed on her. He reached out to grab her hand when there was a knock at the door. 

“Come in.” Copia called out and within moments, one of the water ghoulettes entered the room. Bringing with her a portable ultrasound machine. The ghoulette smiled at them and quietly handed the equipment over to Dr. Cunetto.

“I apologize for being late doctor.” she told him, as she glanced around the room. Marveling at the lush bedding, the vaulted ceilings, and the ornate tapestries that hung from the walls. Even letting out a gasp when she saw the old wooden carvings, inlaid with actual gold embellishment, that lined the archway of the master bathroom. It was clear she had never been in a Papal suite before and was in awe of its grandeur. Losing herself in her observation as Dr. Cunetto spoke. 

“No worries Isle, thank you so much.” he said, reminding her to mind herself. The ghoulette smiled and looked over to the coupe upon the bed.  

“Yes thank you.” Copia and Olive said in unison—both amused at the time of their shared expression of gratitude. As the ghoulette took her leave, the doctor wasted no time in booting up the machine. Both Copia and Ollie, anxious to see the baby doing well and praying to Lucifer that things were as they should be. Copia watched her, his heart aching as he saw the worry begin to fall over her face. 

Thankfully it wasn’t long before he saw it—Ollie's smile pulling at her lips. It had been so long since he'd seen it, but seeing that the baby, safe and sound within her womb had brought it back. He was forever grateful for that moment. His whole world, beginning and ending with that smile. Her happiness, paramount to his own. 

“Copia.” Ollie said tearfully looking up at him. The Cardinal, beginning to tear up on his own as he squeezed her hand within his. 

“I know amore. He’s getting so big.” Copia stammered, holding back his tears and smiling down at her while Dr. Cunetto took some measurements. The doctor was quiet which made them both a bit uneasy but the relaxed look on his face didn’t give away anything. It was a few agonizing moments before he spoke again. 

“Good news Sister, Cardinal. Everything seems to be going ok, I am not continuing to see any evidence of bleeding or issues. I feel like, with light duty and some restrictions, we should be able to allow Sister Olive to come off bed rest.” Dr. Cunetto smiled. Copia and Ollie were so excited. Ollie was so ready to be out of the suite and both her and her Cardinal, thrilled the baby was doing ok. As the excitement calmed and the doctor wrapped things up with Ollie, the reality set back in for Copia.

He still had more secrets to tell her. His heart, torn having just made progress with her only moments ago. Even Copia had just learned the information himself. He knew deep down he would need to tell her and now. Holding back would only hurt her more and create the same problem over again. And this time he would have no excuse for keeping things from her. 

As the door fully shut behind Dr. Cunetto, Ollie was already up and getting dressed. Copia, smiling as he waved the doctor off down the hall. When he returned to the bedroom, the Cardinal couldn’t help chuckling to himself. Watching Oliie, tossing out habits left and right from her drawers until she found the one she liked. 

“Excited?” he laughed.

“Very! Though I can’t find anything since the ghouls organized it all.” she sighed, wading through the mess of clothing. 

“Well that can’t be helped I suppose. They did their best.” Copia reasoned, Ollie nodding in agreement. “Ollie, we need to talk.”

“Copia, you’re right. I am so sorry I was so harsh on you. I know you never meant to hurt me…” the words spilling out of Ollie so fast, Copia barely had time to comprehend them. 

“No…no Ollie. It’s ok I am not talking about that.” he smiled softly as he watched her face turn to confusion.

“Oh, what then?”

“I had a meeting today with Sister Imperator.” Copia began, pulling at his collar, loosening it around his tightening throat. 

“And?   

“She told me something that I need to remain, for now, between us.”

“Copia just spit it out already, what is it?”

“She told me that I am her son.” he said point blank. It took a moment for the words, and their gravity, to fully hit her. 

“Oh…I mean that's good right? You finally know where you come from, though I can think of better mother figures.” Ollie smiled, trying to lighten the mood. 

“That’s not all. She told me that my father…my father is Papa Nihil.” 

“Wait…Copia? You’re…no, you can’t—you just can’t." 

"Yes…” Copia began, his chest aching as he watched Ollie’s heart break. “I’m HIS brother Ollie. I am so sorry…but this changes—" 

"This can't be right. Maybe she's made a mistake." she panicked, head spinning and broken at the implications of his words. She could hear her heart pounding, sparking her baby to move inside her. Ollie, instinctively bringing her hand to her belly. "...this means you're—"

"I’m…I’m the baby's uncle. I'm an Emeritus. Ollie I'm so sorry I had no idea. Never in my life had anyone explained anything to me. No one had—"

"The eye." Ollie said plainly, both her and Copia staring at each other. The truth was hidden in plain sight. After all this time it had never occurred to either of them that he might be related to them. The only explanation the Cardinal had ever heard as a child was that his eye was “a blessing from Satanas to those who would be worthy of his ranks”. Now both of them were painfully aware that the trait was, indeed, inherited.

Ollie sat back down on the bed, her crumpled up habit gripped tightly in her hand as she stared off into space. Copia went to sit beside her again, watching the tears silently falling down her face. She had spent so much time in tears since they’d been together. Some of them were joyous, but more often than not, he found them in sorrow. He wished for her to never cry out of unhappiness again. 

“Amore?” Copia said as he pulled Ollie close to him. She allowed him to hold her, her head falling onto the broadness of his chest as she cried. It was warm and comforting there. Like a childhood bed that felt safe and sound. How she wished you could stay there forever. 

“It’s just always so much, you know? Just as I feel I can catch my breath, enjoy my life, be excited for the future…the rug is pulled out from under me. The air taken from my lungs. What does this even mean Cope?” she asked him.

“I will become Papa. Other than that, this changes nothing. That baby is still mine and I will love him as such for the rest of my life. Nothing anyone else can say will change that. What happened before doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters to me now is you—and him. Do you understand me?”

“He’s not your son Copia.” she said softly, her heart wanting to tear into pieces within her chest. A patchwork of a thing that it had become, now barely holding itself together. Copia squeezed her tightly, his fingers tangled in her hair as he brought her face up to kiss him. 

A deep, wholly felt kiss. They had desperately needed it. Longing deep down to be within each other’s arms. Copia pulled away a moment to face her. Looking into her sparkling eyes as he pushed back the unruly locks of her red hair that had fallen into her face. 

“HE will be.”

Notes:

Buona giornata a te ghuleh, spero che ti abbia trovato bene. -Good day to you ghuleh, I hope it has found you well.

[copiousloverofcopia]

Its been a long time coming but here is the NEXT chapter of Death & Flowers. Im trying something new with posting the chapters on Tumblr as well as AO3 with a small descriptions so anyone new can check things out!

Let me know if you guys like that in the comments!

Death & Flowers

Chapter 10: More Secrets

Also available HERE on AO3! Haven't started? Check out the beginning HERE!

Below the cut for space!

September 13, 1969

It was a warm September night and the city of Angels was thriving. Traffic, still steadily flowing outside the building sitting on the corner of Sunset and Clark. Just behind the closed doors was the sound of rock music heard billowing out from inside. The room was dark, lit with only the help of stage lights and tall black candelabras that boasted triplet candles on their tops. The crowd, waiting anxiously as they were surrounded in a cascade of smoke that no one seemed to come from nowhere. The head of an ominous ram staring out of over the crowd as the last evening’s band prepared to play. 

The patrons of the Whiskey a Go-Go were still cheering for the previous act as a man in skull paint walked out onto the stage. He looked magnificent in his clerical collar and fur-lined leather coat. The mysterious men behind him, shrouded in silver masks quickly began to play. The song was Kiss the Go-Goat and Papa Nihil, their suave leader, was the man. Belting out the lyrics as the crowd swooned with his dark charm. 

Ghost was playing their first night at the venue. There were go-go dancers a plenty and a palpable energy among the crowd that was now bathed in red light. Nihil was ready to rock and roll, knowing just how to work the crowd. Oozing sexual charisma and mystery, everyone entranced by him as he moved and sang—exactly what the Ministry asked for. 

Then there was her—breath held tight within her chest as she watched them from the balcony. Fingers tracing the rail as her lover performed for the masses. Spreading the word of the dark lord as he went. She was so excited for this first night. Wearing her favorite dress and her golden blonde hair pulled back behind a headband, and the dangling earrings that danced on her shoulders when she moved. 

She looked like danger, and she was—only soft for him. Her eyes locked on Nihil with an intense hunger and lust. He was her lover, despite some of the Ministry's best efforts to keep them apart. She couldn't help but fall for him, just as his audience did. "A lamb led willingly to slaughter" they told her. She didn't care, she was in love.  

She watched him work his magic. Hanging on every word, tightly gripped to the railing as he sang. Her heart pounding away in her chest as her hand traveled along her dress, the black sequin pattern feeling rough against her fingertips as she went. Her hand found its place to settle, resting gently atop her inconspicuous lower belly. She fanned out her fingers over it, as if she were protecting it from the outside world. 

She'd only known for a short time but was already well into the first trimester of her pregnancy. Delighted in the small life growing inside her. Elizabeth, still ever so anxious to tell Nihil that he was to be a father—again. As Papa and head of the Ministry, he had been made to produce heirs before. Ones he had spent maybe all of 5 minutes with at a time throughout their lives. 

He was never around for them. The still young, and hopeful, sister of sin convincing herself that it was because he needed to keep to his Papal duties. That things would be different when the child was theirs. She felt the warmth radiating from inside her, knowing that she already loved Nihil's baby more than anything and if the Ministry wouldn't let them be together, well then, they'd run away. Just the two of them and start over far from pious eyes.

Elizabeth came back to reality as another woman approached the rail. She didn’t give her much credence. As with most others, she was ambivalent unless it were someone needed to further her own aspiration. That was until the smell of smoke wafted over in her direction. Her rage, beginning to overwhelm her better judgment. Angry that her child was being subjected to this vile, disgusting habit—and she snapped. 

While her exterior remained cool and collected, she very calmly took the cigarette from its perch between the woman’s two fingers. The poor woman, having only barely noticed before Elizabeth had pressed the hot embers into her face. Teeth clenched tight and fury burning inside the sister’s veins as the woman struggled against her. Pulling and tearing at the feathers of her sleeves. 

She had managed to get a hit across Elizabeth’s bottom lip, only enraging her more as she fired back, lunging at her with full force. Her actions, causing them both to tumble on the floor. Elizabeth straightened herself up, finding that the woman had been knocked out cold. She was quick, shoving the evidence into a back storage closet before turning to watch her lover on the stage. Her demeanor, appearing as if nothing had happened. A way of carrying herself that would suit her well in her lifetime.

The song had come to its end, the sound beginning to die off, leaving nothing but a hum from the amplifiers as Elizabeth watched Nihil toss the mic stand to the side. Dropping to his knees as he reached out into the crowd and took hold of a woman, one he’d been eye fucking the whole song. He kissed her passionately as the set lights dimmed. Elizabeth was stunned—crushed. Her heart sank deep inside her chest, now just a battered piece of flesh that no longer wished to continue on. 

Nihil had only caught a glimpse of her as she stormed off. Knowing that he had done more damage than he could undo, he chose to finish his set before attempting to follow her out. One of many idiotic mistakes he'd made in his life. Elizabeth wasted no time in heading back to the California Ministry. Tears flowing freely as they painted her face in ribbons of black. The mascara, spelling out the pain she felt inside. 

There it was—they were right. She’d made a mistake thinking he could ever love her. She would never forgive herself and now there was a child. She walked inside, trying desperately to stifle her tears, quietly closing up the door behind her as she managed the noise of her heels on the title, but the sounds of her efforts alerted a shadowy figure that approached from the front office. 

“Well seems I ventured downstairs at just the right time Eliza. What’s got you all worked up at this hour?” Mr. Saltarian huffed, trying his best to appear unbothered. 

“Oh, shut up Abel.” she snapped at him, growling as if she were a wounded animal—cornered in her pain. Ready to lash out and anyone who dare approach her. The man softened, dropping his shoulders and his eyes now holding concern—this had been no regular fight. 

“What happened? Tell me?” he asked her, wrapping his arm around her as she wept. She was shaking, and clearly more hurt than he’d ever seen her. Elizabeth was a dangerous woman, especially when wronged—he had a mind to remind her of the position of her transgressor when she spoke. 

“You were right…he’s a fucking letch! I should have known. It's not like he didn’t have a reputation. Going through women like tissue, but—but I thought this was different.” she cried.   

“I warned you…we all did. He's reckless Elizabeth, and I tried to keep you away from him. Don’t you know that you could do so much better. Don’t you realize how much I lov—”

“I'm pregnant.” she blurted out. A secret that ripped a hole wide into Saltarian’s heart. He wasted no time in pulling her close, Elizabeth crying against his chest as he took in a deep breath.  

“Are you sure?” he asked her, fingers gliding over her hair as he held her close to him. 

“Yes, It was confirmed. I’m already almost in my second trimester.” she explained. Saltarian pulled back in haste, rubbing his head in his hands and pacing. 

“Sweet Lucifer Eliza—” 

“I would have told him tonight, but he… he…well let's just say his reputation was well upheld. I should have never…”

“Are you keeping it?” he asked her point blank. No sugar-coating or gentle tone. Just the harsh matter of fact words spilling from his mouth. Saltarian, tasting the poison of them on his lips as they left him. 

“It’s an heir to the Emeritus bloodline. What do you think the Ministry would do to me if I didn’t.” Elizabeth barked back. Angry for him even having asked. While she was right that the child had a rightful claim to the miter, she still wanted it regardless, but now she didn’t want anything to do with Nihil and having his child would make her bound to him for life.”

“We can make this go away Eliza. You’ve worked too hard for what you have here to throw it all away for some sorry excuse for a man whose only claim to power was because of blood and nothing else. Don’t do this to yourself…no one ever has to know—”

“I will know.” she said, her tone and the look in her eye explaining everything Saltarian needed to know. “I don’t want Nihil to have anything to do with him.” 

“Then we must send you back to Italy. He won’t know if you are out of sight. You can have the child and be back to do your duties before you know it. Nihil none the wiser.”

“What will come of him? I can’t raise him. Not at the risk of being stuck with that pathetic asshole. Please, I must know what we can do. You can NEVER tell Nihil.” Elizabeth begged. The first time Saltarian had ever seen her look so desperate. He held her face in his hands, watching as the fear in her eyes grew. 

“It’s going to be ok Eliza. I have an idea.” 

------------------------------------------------------------------

Present Day

Ollie had been quiet for days. A cold silence, filling the large Papal suite that her and her Cardinal now shared. She had seen the letter from the Keeper and Copia had confessed his sins. Her heart felt shattered for him having not only kept this from her, but from the realization that the nightmare of her circumstances was far from over. 

She was trapped in their bed. Forbidden to leave lest she take the chance of her child paying the price. All the comforts the Ministry could offer, only serving to feel like a prison. Unable to move like a sitting duck, waiting for the Keeper or whomever was responsible for Terzo’s death to get her and her child. The pied piper, coming to collect his dues. 

Copia had buried himself in his work. Choosing to give her space and not push her. He left early that morning, choosing not to wake Ollie. Though she wouldn’t acknowledge him even if he did. 

She was hurt and he knew that it was his fault. What comfort could he possibly offer her now? Watching idly by and unable to provide the protection she so desperately needed. If he could only find out who was behind it all—he’d kill them himself. 

He sat himself down at his desk, the chair letting out a creak as he got comfortable. Drinking from his cup of coffee, while attempting to finish up some work on the lyrics for the final song of the new album. He was proud of it, but he knew he had so much more to give. For now this will have to do, he thought knowing his heart ached too much to be giving it his all. 

As the morning dragged on, he felt his head begin to droop—repeatedly waking himself from the pull of sleep.  He surely wasn’t sleeping at night, worried that someone would come for Ollie and the baby in their slumber. The endless flow of caffeine, however, could no longer sustain him. Despite his efforts, he succumbed, dozing off at his desk. Awaking only to the familiar sound of a throat being cleared. 

“Seems someone has been burning the midnight oil.” Sister Imperator commented. Copia, quickly straightening himself out and wiping the spittle from his lip.  

“Sister! Oh, I am so sorry I—”

“It’s alright Cardinal at ease.” she smiled, placing her hand on his shoulder to encourage him back into his chair. Copia smiled back, nervous that her kind response was only a front, and that his infraction would be used against him at an undisclosed time. 

“Again, your Eminence I must apologize.” Copia began, Sister quickly cutting him off once more with the wave of her hand. She always had a way about her that both frightened and intrigued him, but something about her today was different. She had never been quite so—informal before. Even as a child, she spoke to him as if he were another adult, choosing only very rare moments to show a slight tenderness towards him he could never quite place. She sat down in front of him, making herself comfortable in the chair and crossing one leg over the other as she could see his discomfort growing. 

“How are you holding up Cardi? I mean with all this?” she asked him—from her lips a nickname he hadn’t heard in years. Copia tried to find his words. While the Sister was foreboding to be sure, he wished he had someone like her to confide in at a time like this. Someone who had real power within the Ministry, someone who might be able to help keep Ollie safe—but who could he trust? 

“I’m doing my best. Just worried about…well you know.”

“Of course, a man should always have his family on his mind. That is after all the most important thing—family.”

“Si, I will be happy when things are…uh…over.” Copia replied, forcing a smile. Sister placed her hand over his, the Cardinal looking up at her in confusion. 

“I want you to know, the Ministry and I are very proud of the work you have been doing on Prequelle. I truly believe that it will rival anything that has come before it.” she smiled, Copia’s face dropping down to his lap.  “I expect no less from you, you know? After all, you will soon become Papa.”

“Papa!” Copia exclaimed, the word leaving him faster than he could think it through. He could feel the cold sweat collecting in the small of his back, his heart pounding, the nerves firing off inside him. It had been one thing when Saltarian had hinted but this was Sister and what she said was as good as gospel. 

“Cardi…you deserve it. After everything I have seen so far…your album, the tour—I can’t see it not being a great success. Nihil of course would have to be on board, but I believe once he sees what you are capable of, then he won’t have any other choice.”

“Sister that is all well and good…but I am not his son. I am just a Cardinal in his clergy who happens to be able to sing. Had it not been for their death’s then I’d still be lucky to be Employee of the Month!” 

“No, Copia you are far more than that. Trust me on this. Don’t rest your worry on the fetid rotting course of your predecessors. They are gone, now nothing's standing in your way.” Sister Imperator explained. Copia suddenly felt an unease falling over him. Swallowing back hard as pieces of a puzzle he had been slowly working out, were beginning to fall in place. Creating a picture of which he couldn’t quite make out, but the possibilities were nothing if not horrifying. 

“Sister, what do you mean?” he asked her. His heart, continuing to pound as he waited for her answer. The glare he sent her, filled with curiosity and terror. His mismatched gaze, striking her with amusement as she began to speak.

“There is something I need to tell you.”

[copiousloverofcopia]

🐀 COPIA FIC MASTER LIST🐀

These are all the fanfiction AO3 links to Copia related content, both as Cardinal and Papa. Please see pinned post on Tumblr for other Papa content!

If you don't see something you are interested in please feel free to send an ask when open as well as commission me through the heart mug site. Link in pinned post!

Multi-Chapter Works:

⛧  The Cardinal’s Prime Mover (COMPLETE) >>> Copia & OC Sister Rosalia Sister Rosalia is a young Sister of Sin in the Church of Satan who is a dutiful and average girl until she falls for the Cardinal... hard. (NSFW-Romance/Pregnancy Loss/Sex w/the intention of pregnancy/Angst) Copia x Rosalia Sequel Snippets (Mini sequels to the Papas in Love stories): 🜏 Late Night Serenade It's been a long night for Prime Mover Lia, up all night with the baby. When Copia awakens to join her, they share a sweet moment together. (SFW-Fluff/Romance/Comfort/Daddy Copia) 🜏 Birthday Candles Prime Mover Lia's birthday is around the corner and Copia is struggling to come up with the perfect gift. Lia only has one thing she desperately wants in mind. (NSFW-Birthday/Romance/Fluff/Sex w/the intention of pregnancy) 🜏 The Major Leagues Sister Imperator has Copia doing another wild promotion event for Ghost, this time it's the opening pitch for the White Sox. Will his Prime Mover Lia help him gain the confidence he needs to go through with it. (NSFW-Ghaseball/Breeding Kink/Romance)

⛧ Death & Flowers (IN PROGRESS) >>> Copia & OC Sister of Sin Ollie It hadn't been serious, it never was with him. While Papa was suave and Ollie enjoyed their time together it wasn't meant to be. She knew it wasn't something meant to last…something permanent but—here she was. It was only one missed pill and life forever changed. (Romance/Comfort/Unexpected Romance/Pregnancy/Death) ⛧ The Red Dress (COMPLETE) >>> Corrupt Copia & OC Celeste Celeste is a stagehand at a local arena when her night goes south after a Ghost concert leaving her cornered by ghouls. Her life changes forever when she is told that she is to play a crucial role in the destiny of Papa Emeritus IV, and that the gimmick is real. (Dubious consent/Breeding Kink/Pregnancy/Violence/Dark Romance) ⛧ Something Blue (IN PROGRESS) >>> Copia & OC Astrid Sister of Sin Astrid is anything but excited for Cardinal Copia to return home from tour. As his assistant, she leads a life of monotony and boredom from which she longs for more. When the Cardinal returns, anointed as Papa Emeritus IV, she is faced with an unwanted and unavoidable situation predicated on her family's position within the church. Will Astrid rise to what has been asked of her or will she destroy everything and leave it all behind? (Romance/Comfort/Unexpected Romance/Angst)

One Off Works:

Whiskers The Cardinal's little ratto wakes you up... (NSFW-Romance/Vaginal Sex/Fluff) The Monstrance Clock is Ticking You've been invited to help Papa III and Cardinal Copia with a very pressing matter. (NSFW- Three-way w/Terzo, Breeding Kink, Sex w/the intention of pregnancy) Sweet Taste of You Copia has been begging you since the moment it began to let him, today you decide to let him get a taste... (NSFW-Lactation Kink) The Souvenir You had never felt more excited. Attending a ritual was something you had been dreaming about since you first heard Mary on a Cross, now some years ago, faintly playing over the speakers at the record store. Fast forward and here you were, against the odds, somehow managing to get a spot at the rail. (NSFW-Three-way with Cirrus, Breeding Kink) My Lioness Cirrus has grown close to the Cardinal now Papa. Now as they return home from the tour she is left to deal with her feelings and her Papa's request. (NSFW- Part 1/2/Copia x Cirrus/Breeding Kink/Sex w/the intention of pregnancy) His Pride and Joy Cirrus has grown close to the Cardinal now Papa. Now as they return home from the tour she is left to deal with her feelings and her Papa's request. (SFW-Part 2/2/Copia x Cirrus/Pregnancy/Fluff) Candy Wrappers It's Halloween night at the Abbey, Papa IV/Copia decides to spend it sharing his love of horror films with ghoulette Cumulus and a sister of sin. The 3 decide to watch John Carpenter's HALLOWEEN and pig out on candy while it storms outside. (SFW-Fluff/Halloween/feat. Cumulus Ghoulette) What Would I Do Without You You aren't feeling well so your beloved Papa Emeritus IV comes to care for you. (SFW-Fluff/Romance/Comfort) Well Read Copia returns to the Abbey as Papa IV. No longer the Cardinal that you befriended in the library. Now you like awake at night your mind set on him when you decide to do something. (NSFW-Romance/Fluff/Love Confession) The Burning Ones Cardinal Copia is in love with a Sister of Sin he has known the majority of his life and now on the precipice of being Papa he must chose between her and possibly losing the Papacy. (NSFW-Older Sister of Sin/Romance/Fluff) On a Pale White Horse You've entered your second trimester and the need to have your Papa in the most carnal of ways is growing--there's just one catch his nerves. (NSFW-Romance/Pregnancy/Lactation Kink) They Come At Night The Cardinal has been sneaking out at night, tonight you find out where he goes. (NSFW-Three-way with Terzo/Vampire Terzo/Dracopia/Blood/Resurrected Terzo/Dark Romance/Period Sex) The Show Papa Emeritus IV has returned from tour and now you and Dew are to put on a show. (NSFW-Copia likes to watch/Feat. Dewdrop-Sodo Fire Ghoul) The Quiet Ones Papa Emeritus IV has hit the height of his heat cycle and is despite for a hole to fill when there's a knock at his door. (NSFW heat cycle/Copia x Rain ghoul) Too Small Couch A night spent cuddling and binge watching your favorite shower with your lovers, Cardinal Copia and Papa Emeritus III. (SFW-Hanging w/Terzo/Fluff/Comfort/Humor/Non-Gendered reader)

Open Road You've been dating Cardinal Copia for a bit now and after learning about your love for motorcycles he decides to surprise you with a ride. (NSFW-Motorcycle ride/Romance/Fluff) Ghex on the Beach Papa Emeritus IV has finally returned home from tour and heading straight back into his Papal duties when he tells you to pack up you're going to the beach. (NSFW-Chapter 13 theme/Romance/Fluff) According to Plan Papa Emeritus IV plans to pop the question to you, but nothing is going right. (SFW-Proposal/Angst/Romance/Fluff/Humor) Mending Wounds Copia and his Prime Mover have reached the moment where consummation of their relationship must take place, but the couple must deal with the unhealed wounds of her past. (NSFW-Mentions of SA/Comfort/Fluff/Angst) Papa's Blanket Fort Copia surprises you with yet another thing he never kid as a kid, something you planned to fix---right here right now. (NSFW-Humor/Fluff/Comfort) The Promise Cardinal Copia and you have been dating some time now, both of you nervous to take things to the next level until a bit of serendipity finds you both alone together. (NSFW-Romance/Fluff/Loss of Virginity) The Keyhole After staying up to do paperwork for Sister Imperator, you head back to the sibling dorms in the dark of night. When a noise catches your attention, you can't help but let your curiosity get the best of you and go to investigate finding the noise and a light peering from the keyhole coming from inside Papa Emeritus IV's office. As you discover the source of the mysterious sound, things change forever. (NSFW-Voyeurism/Romance) Okie Dokie Your shy Cardinal invites you to meet in your favorite spot of the chapel, deciding tonight is the night he commits to you in an act of carnal pleasure. (NSFW-Romance/Fluff/Chapel Sex/Virgin Copia) The Cherry Stem Your recent break up and late-night depression sends you into a hole in the wall bar when you meet a man who is intrigued by the trick you can do with a cherry stem. (NSFW-Romance/indoctrination of a new Sister of Sin/Public sex) The Fires of Indignation You are excited but ever so anxious as the time when you become Copia's Prime Mover draws near. One night when you forget your notes for your part of the ceremonies you are confronted with a grudge held against the Emeritus family bloodline. (NSFW-Violence/Feat. Alpha Ghoul/Mentions of Pregnancy/Blood/Revenge) Jesus He Knows Me Father DeFroque is a pious leader of the church who spends some quality time worshiping his true lord of Easter Eve. (NSFW-MFM/Degradation/Oral/Priest kink/Facial/Blasphemy Kink) As A Man Would Cardinal Copia has fallen hard for a Sister of Sin but keeps his distance knowing that he hides something about himself that will keep them apart forever. (SFW-Angst/Romance/Hurt/Copia is Death) Inspiration When your Cardinal invites you to meet him in the main hall of the Abbey wearing nothing but your nightgown and a smile, you are in for a night of pleasure. (NSFW-Romance/Public sex) Now We Wait Copia has something he has been wanting to talk with you about and now is the perfect time. (NSFW-Romance/Breeding kink/Sex w/the intention of pregnancy/Copia POV)

All Just For Show Papa Emeritus IV has reached the final show of the Re Imperatour and you know what's coming next... (NSFW-Angst/Hurt/Comfort/Violence) For Us Copia has had something on his mind, and you are determined to find out what it is. (NSFW- Romance/Breeding Kink/Sex w/the intention of pregnancy/Transmasc reader/Angst) Unwind Being a sibling of sin is hard...especially when dealing with the wrath of Sister Imperator. Copia helps you find a way to relax. (NSFW-Romance/AFAB Reader/Vaginal Sex/Anal Sex/Anal fingering) Gentle Sin Copia has been keeping his feelings for you secret for so long. What happens when you confess you are feeling them too? (NSFW-Romance/Love Confessions/Copia POV/Angst) And Then It Hit Him You have news for your husband, Cardinal Copia on the brink of his ascension to the Papacy, but will he stop long enough to listen? (SFW- Romance/Fluff/Pregnancy) Rush You know exactly how you ended up here and exactly how much trouble you'll get into if caught...but that's not stopping you and Cardinal Copia from consummating your feelings. (NSFW-Rushed Sex/Vaginal Sex/Confession booth/Cardinal Copia)

Copia One Off Works Featuring Other's OCs):

Something Within Your Eyes (feat. OC of @sistersaccharine) Sister of Sin Saccharine is elated to learn that Papa Copia has invited her to meet with him tonight at the stroke of midnight which just happens to be her birthday. (SFW-Romance/Fluff/Love confession/Dancing) This Night Was Made For Us (feat. OC of @sistersaccharine) Sister of Sin Saccharine has big plans for her first Lupercalia celebrations with her lover Papa Emeritus IV... Little does she know he has a surprise of his own. (NSFW-Romance/Proposal/Valentine's Day/Lupercalia/Fluff) Stay With Me...Forever (feat. OC of @sistersaccharine) The day has finally come for Sister Saccharine to marry Copia. Won't you be our ghuest at the wedding? (NSFW-Romance/Wedding/Fluff)

Selfless (feat. OC of @vampghoulette) Caldera, an hardworking and selfless Ghoulette begins to feel anxious about the upcoming Re-Impera tour. Knowing Copia's time is coming to and end she struggles during preparations for the tour. As she tries to help Copia and Aether find out how she's feeling and help ease her concerns in more ways than one. (NSFW-Spit roasting/Angst/Three-way/Comfort/Body Issues/OC Ghoulette) A Whisper of a Thrill (feat. OC of @a-tired-sparrow) Deacon Via is the head of the Human, Ghoul, and Other Anomalies Resources Department at the Ministry. Their everyone's go to person and a frequent confidant and of Papa Emeritus IV. While they have never told Copia about their affections, an unexpected phone call and a meeting changes Via's life. (NSFW-Love confession/Nonbinary character/Romance/Fluff) Not Another Sleepless Night (feat. OC of @a-tired-sparrow) Deacon Via and Papa Emeritus the IV have been enjoying an intense romance until the beginning of the Imperatour threatens to destroy what they've built when Via can't let go of their work back home to leave with Copia on tour. (NSFW-Romance/Angst/Nonbinary character/Tour bus sex/Fluff)

⚠️COPIIA-Unrelated/Non-related AU⚠️

As the Night Settled In (Spin off from Let There Be Night) Copia pulls an all nighter after becoming Cardinal and gets some much-needed release when he gets back to his lover. (NSFW-Romance/MFM/Established relationship/UNRELATED/NON-RELATED AU)

Thank you for reading!

May he walk with you in Darkness, leading you from the Light

⛧ PM Ren

[titlemewickedwonderland]

Just Witchy Stuff (Nameless Ghouls x OC) Part 2

Summary: As a witch, Ollie lives a quiet life. While most people find her stingy or eccentric in her beliefs and superstitions her presence is well known around the town as that 'witch' at the corner with her little witchy shop. But unlike what people think she has been around a very long time - never staying too long in one town for them to realize she never seems to age. Because of her moving around she wracks up a lot of favors. What she didn't expect was for one of her old favors to show up at her doorstep.

AN: Ollie is an old OC of mine based on a lot of myself that shows a glimpse of the writer behind the writings :) Enjoy!

Pairing: Nameless Ghouls Poly x OC

My Workshop!

-Part 1

Copie motioned towards the group of ghouls; motioning to one of them who stood with his hands behind his back and stock still minus the slight tilt of his head. He was small, much smaller than the others but Ollie could tell he had a temper - his energy was all over the place...like a flickering fire.

"Dewdrop here got into a spot of trouble. Mountain tried to patch him up as best he could but his herbs could only do so much and Aether tried to ease his pain but...we think it's infected." Copia confessed with a heaved sigh and Ollie's brows furrowed.

"Okay, Dewdrop. Come sit here and let me take a look at you." Ollie pulled out a stool and patted the cushioned surface. "Where was he injured?"

Copia cleared his throat and pointed across his torso mimicking what Ollie most likely will be seeing here in just a moment and she hoped the vague demonstration was not up to scale. That looked rather large of a 'scrape' as Copia put it but the Ghoul had not said a single word or shown any sort of pain thus far.

There was mild hesitation before the ghoul named Dewdrop walked over and placed himself on the stool; perched precariously on the edge. The witch raised her hands and met the firey orange orbs from behind the mask.

"I do not do anything without permission; whether holy or unholy of creatures. It's a universal respect thing - especially seeing as you are not contracted to me I'd feel more comfortable for the both of us to ask alright?. So I'd like your consent to touch you. To look at that wound of yours to see just what I can do to help patch you up okay?" she said gently ignoring the snickers of a few ghouls at her back.

"Depending on the extensiveness of the injury there will be magic involved and sometimes my magic isn't always compatible with others so even if I am helping you it will most likely hurt if you reject my magic energy. I have to warn you...all of you before I take a look at everybody." her head turned to scan the room to see if they understood what she was saying.

She may work black magic that would consist with their energy she also did all sorts of other magics that would reject the idea of being near an unholy entity; there is always a residue left behind.

Dewdrop still silent gave a tight nod after a long tense moment. She nodded back slightly before she began flicking off the suspenders off his shoulders and began to unbutton his shirt to be able to see all the damage done.

"Feel free to grab something to eat, drink, or hang around on the sofas. Get comfortable this may take a hot minute," she mumbled over her shoulder as she examined the ashen skin beneath the shirt. There were a few minor scrapes here and there that weren't bound but it was the large white bandage wrapped from navel to right under his pectorals that was stained black that caused her brow to pinch in concern.

"Who did you say patched him up earlier?" Ollie asked absently as she began to unwind the wrappings.

"I did." a deep but soft voice spoke up from over her shoulder and Ollie tipped her head up to look at the towering Ghoul that had so silently come up behind her to watch.

"Mountain right? What a suitable name." her lips turned up slightly into a slight before she returned her attention to the wounded ghoul; she crouched on her heel so that she could look at it closer and frowned thoughtfully as she took in the damage.

Her touch was gentle as she nudged at the flayed skin around the edge of the wounds but she felt the muscles beneath her touch tense at the pain. A tail she hadn't been paying much attention to before now made itself known as it whipped around in agitation. She softly shushed him like she would a frightened animal and reached out with her free hand to grab Dewdrop's flailing tail; wrapping it around her arm before shooting him a small smile as if to tell him 'It's okay, you can hold on for support.' before turning her attention back to the wound.

The wound itself was jagged and would leave a scar no doubt. Despite the ghouls being hellish creatures they were not immortal nor did they suffer from complete healing. It'd leave a scar and it'd heal faster than a human but it would forever be etched into his ashen skin like a streak of silver along his side and chest. Whatever had done this to him was of supernatural or demonic nature - meaning he was not immune to its effects.

"How bad is it?" her ears perked up at the soft voice above her and her violet eyes lifted to meet the orange glow of the fire ghouls behind his mask.

"It's deep and it'll scar. But you'll live. Your pack did well." she reassured but there was a tightness of her lips as she spoke that made those glowing eyes narrow at her.

She amended with a sigh as she dropped her gaze again. "But it's infected alright. Not so much infected but...poisoned." Her fingertip trailed a faint dark line from the edge of the wound as she spoke; like a tree root dark and inky beneath the skin - pulsing with toxin that made the ghoul's flesh quiver as she agitated it.

"Is it bad?" Copia peered over her shoulder and she idly reached back to pat his leg in reassurance.

"He'll be fine, you guys did well to help the healing process and to come to me. If you hadn't it would have gotten worse. Mountain," she looked up at the towering male. "Did you use Goldenrod and Lavender?"

The tall being nodded his tail swishing nervously side to side. "And Bloodroot." he stated softly.

"Where's you get bloodroot from?!" one of the smaller ghouls chirped in surprise.

"Rain he's literally our gardener of the abbey and a demon...do you really need to know how he gets these plants?" another one piped up with a playful smirk.

"I was just asking Swiss! I help him sometimes in the gardens..."

Ollie chuckled under her breath at their bickering before rising to her feet. "Bloodroot is a good start. It's not a common herb people would find in their gardens but seeing as it's not a normal garden I would be rather intrigued to see what you have growing Mountain." she smiled before going over to a shelf where she had a few jars and browsed them.

"Mandrake...mandrake...where...Ah! There it is." she plucked a jar and headed back to a small table to grab her mortar and pestle.

"Mandrake? Isn't that going to do an anti-effect of the other herbs?" Mountain sidled up to her again and Ollie sighed.

"No, Mountain. Believe me, you may think that a witch's herbs may be against a demonic presence but it's actually the individual's energy and intent that you put into the mixture before application that has its true effect. If any normal person used any sort of herb whether its background came from a holy land or not it'll still do its duty to heal in the herbal sense of the word but it won't do anything for the supernatural part of things." she told him as she got to work dropping a few roots into the bowl and grabbing a few liquids off of the tabletop in front of her to begin grinding and mixing the concoction together.

She felt the shifting of the air around her with worry as she worked in silence and it felt like a heavy fume of gas. "You're restless, I get it. Why don't you guys go downstairs alright? Feel free to browse my collections, grab yourself something to eat, or read a book or something. But please, you're worry is for nothing - Dewdrop will be just fine but it is hard for me to work if you're going to hover like a pack of fussy hens." her voice was soft as she spoke but her words were not that of suggestion.

One look towards Copia made the man shift and turn; ushering his ghouls downstairs with a worried glance over his shoulder at his wounded guitarist and witch. Once they were gone the air cleared a bit but was replaced by the feel of eyes staring at the back of her head.

"What is it?" she asked without looking up at the fire ghoul.

"What made you turn to magic?" Dewdrop spoke up curiously.

She smiled as she used her strength to grind the stubborn root. "I was born in a time that witchcraft was taboo - forbidden, unimagined, and considered devil's work whether it was for the good of mankind. I was a normal girl once, lived a quiet life - it was actually my older cousin who started it for me. She was always the odd one out of my family. But she was pagan - secretly of course, if her family knew she worked with the devil she'd be burned at the stake or worse for her beliefs. I suppose after spending so much time with her, seeing the work she did and how it helped people I got intrigued. It's a long story." her brows drew forward as she recalled the past.

"Perhaps it was her influence that had caused my demise in the end. I got too cocky, my lips got loose and I slipped information I shouldn't have to the wrong people. I was stoned to an inch of my life before being burned at the stake. But because I was far too deep in the magic I was using at the time...I was reborn. I dragged myself from the ashes and escaped by night." she shrugged and turned to the Fire ghoul who was watching her intently.

"You could say I saw the devil before I returned to reality." her lip curled up slightly as she walked over with a mixture of the muck she'd been grinding down.

"Are you afraid that people will find out the truth? Of people realizing that you aren't a hoax and come after you?" Dewdrop asked tilting his head slightly.

"No." Ollie replied as she reached for a pitcher on a side table and the bowl beside it. "The 21st century is much better than the time I lived in. People can turn a blind eye to it. I have no fear of being killed. Those fanatics who claim I am a devil's child are just as loony as I. No one will believe their claims anymore then if I did a magic trick out of thin air proclaiming it's true magic. I know the truth, they see what they want to and believe what they believe." she dipped the rag that rested on the bowl's edge into the cool water and began cleaning up the stain of crimson left on his ashen skin.

"You would be a sight at the Abbey. The Siblings would be so curious of you."

"No more than they are of you I would assume." her lips curled up slightly at him with a secretive smile before returning to her task. Her ears perked when she heard the steps of someone coming up behind her.

"What is it Copia?" she asked without looking up as she dipped her fingers into the slimy mixture in her other bowl and began applying it to the wound causing Dewdrop to snarl at the instant pain like alcohol pouring into a fresh wound.

"T-there was a ding downstairs...w-we didn't know what that meant."

Ollie's head tilted and she looked over her shoulder at him with a raised brow. "That'll be the indication of someone upstairs. It's still rather late but I do get an occasional guest." she lifted her wrist to check her wristwatch.

"Right on time as usual. It'll most likely be Moss. She's my gardener." her lip curled up even more. "Forest Faes are absolutely darling. She's a great help when I need a supply of herbs. Would you mind going upstairs to show her down here please?"

"But what about the door? The magic...door?" Copia looked unsure as he pointed to the ceiling remembering how Ollie had to work some sort of opening spell.

She waved her hand. "Varoth has seen you. He sees both this door and the one above. All seeing doorknocker." she grinned at him. "Just knock on the shelf three times like this." she reached down and rapped her knuckles on the ground in a symbolic rhythm.

The man gave a little sound of understanding and hesitated a moment as if he wanted to say something before he was scurrying back down the stairs.

"You have weird company." Dewdrop grumbled as his clawed hands gripped the stool's edge.

Ollie smirked up at him and shrugged. "Hazards of being a witch I'm afraid. You meet all sorts of creatures when you dip your fingers in all sorts of magics. Don't worry, no one that I know will be of harm or threat to you." she reassured as she resumed applying the rest of the muck to his wound and then stood to wipe her hands with a sigh.

"Let me see...where did I store those bandages?" she mumbled to herself as she rummaged around her shelves and cabinets.

"That's it...just some...gross shit on me and you're done? Isn't there some sort of...ritual or spell you can do?" The fire ghoul looked displeased as much as he did bewildered while examining his wound.

"Magic isn't always spells and rituals, little fire ghoul," she told him with a bit of a laugh. "Sometimes it does take just a certain mixture of herbs to help. That substance I just put on you is best for most toxins and poisons that creatures from hell possess. If it looks like it's getting worse, then I advice for you to come back to see me so I can use stronger methods. But the poison in your veins hasn't spread too far and it's been slowed by Mountain's efforts. But, I will make an extra jar for you to take with you so that Mountain can help apply it daily for the next week." she said returning her to the work table.

"You're weird."

"I've been called worse." she shot him a smirk. "Is this your first time dealing with a witch?"

"Maybe."

"Not a man of many words I see. I thought fire ghouls were supposed to be snappy." she quipped.

"I thought witches were supposed to be old and wrinkly." the ghoul quipped back and Ollie burst out laughing at their jabs at each other.

"It's the 21st century. Magic is everywhere. For all you know I could be using a glamor and really look like a hag beneath all this glorious facade." she turned to sweep her hand down the length of her in a joke.

The small ghoul tilted his head before slipping off his chair and talking over to her causing her to narrow her eyes curiously. She backed up as he drew closer until the edge of the table dug into her back and the items jostled at the weight pressing into the table. The fire ghoul said nothing as he drew impossibly closer; the nose of his mask brushing hers as her vision spun at the orange glow peering back at her. She felt the cool metal brush upwards against her nose and then over the bridge before down the other side; her mind catching up to her a little too slowly that he was giving her a form of ghoulish appreciation in a form of...an Eskimo kiss? But before she could say anything the ghoul had already begun leaving the door and was halfway down the stairs.

"Dewdrop wait! You need to be bandaged-" Ollie raced for the railing but as she looked down she saw he was holding up the roll of white gauze that he'd found on his way out.

She sighed and leaned over the railing with a bemused expression as she watched the pack of ghouls interacting together before her attention was turned towards Copia who was escorting a pretty-looking girl behind him chatting away with a sweet smile on her face as she supposedly charmed the pants off of the man. Ollie grinned and shook her head as her violet eyes met the unnaturally green of her friend's below.

"Copia don't you leave yet, I have something for Mountain to take with you guys before you leave." the witch called before disappearing over the railings back to her workstation to finish the promised concoction for Dewdrop's wounds.

"I thought you were done with the Abbey, Ollie?" the sweet voice of her Fae companion spoke up behind her as the female sidled up to lean a hip against the workbench.

Ollie smiled fondly down at her work. "I'm done with Siste Imperator, Mossy...but I would be going against everything I have vowed to turn my back on Papa Nihil and his kin." their eyes met and the pale woman beside her gave a soft sigh and tipped her chin once as she reached out to brush a strand of pale purple curl from her eyes.

"Oh, silly little witch you." Mossy murmured as she perched herself onto the corner of the table. "You're fate is tied to that Abbey, isn't it?" her gaze softened as she turned her head at the sound of bickering downstairs.

Ollie's features darkened slightly as if she was remembering something. "I promised Nihil. I owe him that much at least to not abandon or turn away from them if there was ever a need. Whether it be him or his sons...or his heritage of ghouls."

"You do have a choice Ollie. You know that, don't you honey?" Moss spoke up turning her attention back towards the witch.

Ollie would have answered but instead, she poured the mixture she had been working on into a jar and capped it before turning to find Mountain standing at the staircase. She forced a smile on her face despite the feeling of heaviness in her gut as she handed the jar over.

"You are welcome back whenever you feel up to visiting. If anything goes wrong. Call me." she informed like a doctor prescribing medicine as she nodded her head towards him in farewell.

"Thank you, Ollie." the tall ghoul rumbled as he took the jar carefully from her hands and after a beat of silence he turned and strolled back downstairs to join his pack.

Ollie and Moss stood by the railings to watch as the ghouls gathered with Copia who was looking back up at her and gave her a little wave of thanks; she gave him a two-finger salute before he and his ghouls left the way they had come leaving the large space feeling oddly empty making the witch realize how utterly alone she was in this vast space even as her Fae friend rested a hand on her shoulder. She gripped the slender fingers and gave them a squeeze before turning to begin cleaning up her mess - preparing to finish off her night with the good company of her friend and a cup of tea.

I don't even know what I'm writing anymore! It was supposed to be a oneshot...but now it's starting to turn into an unexpected series?! Let me know if you like it so far!

part 3 available now!

[titlemewickedwonderland]

Just Witchy Stuff - Part 5

Summary: As a witch, Ollie lives a quiet life. While most people find her stingy or eccentric in her beliefs and superstitions her presence is well known around the town as that 'witch' at the corner with her little witchy shop. But unlike what people think she has been around a very long time - never staying too long in one town for them to realize she never seems to age. Because of her moving around she wracks up a lot of favors. What she didn't expect was for one of her old favors to show up at her doorstep. This is her adventure!

Pairing: Nameless Ghouls Poly x OC

My Workshop!

-Part 4

The first thing that Ollie registered when she woke up was pins and needles in her mind. Like she'd been laying the wrong way and her body was starting to wake up; the blood flow was all fucked and she felt it deep in her spiritual core as her eyes squinted her eyes open. A long groan croaked from her throat as she felt the room spin and her stomach churn. She rolled over weakly and wretched over the side of the side - a bit surprised but grateful when she opened her eyes to see a bucket right beside her.

A hand rubbed up and down her spine slowly soothing her back to consciousness while another hand was petting her hair from her face; her gaze raising up to peer at her friends sitting beside her. The familiar faces of her the Fae and Pixie smiling in relief brought a source of comfort as Evangeline helped her sit upright.

"Fuck that was awful. How long have I been out?" she wiped at her mouth and gratefully took the cup of water that Rain was holding out to her. She chugged the entirety of it before her gaze fell on Aether as he replied from his station by the couch.

"Only a few hours."

"Dew doing okay?" she licked her lips feeling how chapped and dry they felt.

Ollie could feel the lack of energy she had; not just of her physical strength but of the ebbing magic that Dew had devoured hours before - she'd prepared for that outcome. Being put into a semi-coma by Aether as requested had kept not only her physical self unconscious but his quintessence had also kept at bay the magic from replenishing itself. That was why she needed her artifacts as much as she needed her friends here.

"He's...well..." Aether awkwardly rubbed the back of his head.

"He's compliant...for right now at least." Swiss' unexpected voice spoke up as he slipped from Dew's room. "Currently knocked out actually. Went from huddled in the floor to ransacking the place and then suddenly he just collapsed; I set him on the bed for right now."

Ollie examined Swiss realizing how utterly exhausted the ghoul looked. He hadn't slept it seemed in a while and Ollie wondered just how much the pack had been through before they'd come to find her for help. He was also looking a little worse for wear with a few scratches and rumbled clothes.

"You look like shit." Ollie snorted receiving a small smile from the multi-ghoul.

"You look like the dead." he quipped back.

"At least you still have your spirits up. That's good." Ollie rolled her head on her shoulders cracking her neck as she worked to get herself back in order.

"Tesero..." Copia piped up coming to sit beside the witch on the couch. "I hate to ask this...but..are you strong enough to help us?"

Ollie stared him down a long moment. "No." at his surprised expression that morphed into dismay she continued with a hand on his shoulder.

"That is why I needed my friends and those items they were instructed to bring. This isn't my first rodeo and I have dealt with a lot of demonic presences. I knew if I took this route things could get messy. I'm not strong enough the way I am right now to exercise the Vinashesk from Dew. But what strength I do have will be put into preparing for the ritual with the help of Evangeline and Moss."

She looked at her friends; seemingly having a silent conversation with them before she spoke up again. "If Dew is incapacitated right now it's the best time to do this, but I will need your strengths to hold him at bay for us to do this. But while he is out cold we need to get in there and prepare the banishing circle. Copia, can you do that for us?" she looked back at the papa who after a moment nodded warily.

"The banishing circle is a little more complicated than a summoning one so I will show you what it looks like for you to copy it; to write it you must use the blood of the Vinashesk instead of paint." she added.

"But we don't-" Rain began but stopped when Mountain seemed to pick up on what the witch was hinting at.

"But we have Dew's blood..."

Ollie nodded slowly glad to see someone was following along. "Exactly, it is not pure blood that would usually be used but because he was infected his blood is tainted and thus we have an essence of the Vinashesk to work with."

"But that also means we will need to restrain him to do that. He may be out cold now but...when you have to gather his blood he'll definitely be awake for that." Moss added placing her hands on her hips.

"We will hold him down if someone can drain his blood for Papa." Swiss piped up.

Ollie nodded. "Good. We will need a chair to be placed in the middle of the circle Copia will draw. Evangeline can you get us some holy water?" the witch turned to her friend.

The pixie dug beneath the color of her dress to pull out a small glass vial with a playful wink. "Don't ever leave home without it!"

"That's my girl." Ollie smirked before turning back to the ghouls."So, Dew's blood, a chair, some rope to soak the holy water in to restrain Dew to the chair, and lastly we'll need some candles, one white one black, and one purple. Each is placed at the symbols points - this will help create a barrier that the evil spirit cannot cross while we ritual is taking place." Ollie rose from the couch and looked around the room.

"You guys ready to do this?" after a moment everybody in the room nodded.

"Then let's get son of a bitch outta here."

~

It wasn't easy. The waiting, the preparation...or the doubt that lingered in the minds of the ghoul. Fear that this could go horribly wrong and they'd lose a pack mate. But the girls were strong and determined - head in the game as everybody gathered in Dew's room. The room itself wasn't big but it felt almost claustrophobic with so many people in it; it stank of fear and worry so palpable even the girls could practically taste it in the air but they did not let the others see anything but strength as it came time to start the ritual.

The disaster that was Dew's room was cleared out enough for a single chair from the kitchen to be placed in the center of the room and while Rain busied himself soaking the white rope he'd gathered from the supply closet his fellow packmates helped grab the unconscious Dew to a sitting position into the chair. After this had been done Rain firmly bound his packmate to the chair; pressing a kiss to the fire ghoul's head as he whispered something to him before stepping away. Moss and Evangeline had the candles in hand and were ready to act quickly.

Copia had to act fast - using a bowl from the kitchen he drew closer to Dew; while Mountain, Swiss, and Aether took a solid grip on the fire ghoul to hold him still Copia gripped the ghoul's bound arm and with a quick apology that sounded like a prayer - made a quick slash on the exposed forearm deep enough to draw blood that he caught in the bowl. As soon as the blade broke sink Dewdrop was awake - but it was not Dew who woke up.

His usually golden eyes were pitch black and black veins were creeping from the edges of his vision as he snarled - his voice sounding too guttural... too demonic even for him as he screamed in a language that the others were not familiar with. He was yanking on his restraints and jerking his body but the others were quick to pin him back down as Copia - with shaking hands drew the symbol Ollie had known him with the blood he'd drawn.

With every point made the girls placed a responding candle to each corner and lit it with a match; when that was done the others had to leave the circle before the last candle was lit. As it was, a white glow emanated from the circle.

While Moss took one pointed corner, Evangeline took a second, which left Ollie to take the front. In her hands, she held open her mysterious black grimoire that had seen better days and in her other, she held the shattered mirror up in front of her like a priest would with a cross.

The pixie and fae held their hands up and closed their eyes; as Ollie began to chant in a language that was certainly not Latin a glittering gold aura withdrew from the fae and pixie's bodies; piercing through the blinding light shield and swarmed around Dew's struggling body while an inhuman wind began to circulate in the room along with it the sound of the monster's ungodly screams.

The ghouls and Copia watched in amazement as they shielded their eyes from the bright light as a black smokey figure began to peel itself from Dew's back and hover behind him; its eyes were white and piercing as it shot forward towards Ollie but the white barrier kept it from escaping. It screeched, twisting and slamming against the barrier as it tried its best to get through to attack the girls but finding it could not it swirled on Ollie again.

Her eyes peeked open and she stared it down - her own eyes which were once a pretty violet color were blood red as she stared it down.

"Go back to hell bitch." she lifted the mirror in front of her face blocking the view of her eyes and forcing the evil spirit to stare at its own reflection.

It shrieked at this and the others watched in terrified awe as the dark figure got sucked into the mirror like a cloud of dust. As soon as every inch of it vanished into the cracked reflection Ollie turned swiftly and brought her hand down hard against the edge of a desk - shattering the mirror completely and with it the barrier vanished with the gust of wind that took with it the agonizing cry of the demon as its essence got shattered along with the mirror.

The only thing in the room left was the smell of candle smoke whose flames had been extinguished with the wind and left the room in darkness again. Swiss bolted over when he saw Ollie's body begin to sway and Mountain yanked the curtains back open to allow light in to see the damage done.

Ollie was exhausted but still conscious as she leaned against Swiss'. Her eyes stared across the room toward Dew's slumped figure with bated breath praying that the ritual went well.

"Did it work?" Aether muttered taking a step cautiously forward.

Rain wasn't cautious at all though as he rushed over and knelt in front of his packmate; gently lifting his head to stare at his face. Dew's eyelids fluttered a bit before his familiar orange glow peeked from beneath his lashes - latching onto Rain's worried face.

"Aye raindrop." he mumbled a second before the water ghoul launched himself at him and hugged him for dear life.

"oh, satanas thank you!" Rain mumbled feeling his eyes well up with tears.

"Well I mean...it wasn't exactly Satan who helped you but I suppose calling the big guy to deal with his demonic nuisance wouldn't be half bad." Moss muttered rubbing a hand over her hair tiredly.

Ollie laughed huskily and rested her head back against Swiss. "You doing okay?" Swiss murmured looking down at the exhausted witch.

"Meh, felt worse." Ollie shrugged before looking at Copia.

"Hey old man, next time...check that you have your ritual shit together alright?" she snorted

"Double check." Moss added

"Triple check!" Evangaline piped up popping her 'p' for emphasis.

Copia looked sheepish and nodded. "Si si. I promise. Thank you...Ollie for all of this." he waved his hand around.

Ollie grunted in reply and made a move to sit up with Swiss' help. "I'm getting too old for this shit." she added as she righted herself.

As Rain began to untie Dew the fire ghoul stood up with a wince but his energy drainage and overall exhaustion didn't stop him from stalking over towards the witch. Everybody held their breath as he stopped in front of her. Ollie just peered at him calmly simply thinking how awful he looked.

"Thank you." she blinked at him in surprise; well she wasn't expecting that.

Dew reached up and drew her head towards him; bonking his head against hers in a show of fondness and gratefulness. "Thank you for not giving up."

Ollie's lips curled up into a half smile as she thunked a fist against his shoulder. "Anytime spitfire. Just..." She drew back a bit to look at him with a narrowed eye. "Don't go trying to be a hero."

He let out a burst of rusty laughter and shook his head. "Wasn't trying to be in the first place."

Everybody else echoed the laughter as the air cleared in the room. She waved a hand around the room. "Now, let's get this cleaned up so we can all go get some much-needed rest." she added.

"Nuh uh!" Rain piped up as he ducked himself beneath Dewdrop's arm. "That can wait for later - come on." he didn't indicate what he was telling them but the other ghouls seemed to know already.

Without instruction, the ghouls grabbed at the girls and dragged them back into the living room where they were soon engulfed into a massive ghoul dog pile. Arms, legs, and tails entwined around different body parts as they meshed together on the floor with some pillows and blankets. Papa chuckled watching the pile with a fond smile as he waited by the door. Happy and relieved they had their Dewdrop back and that everything would be okay now. But he still had paperwork to be done to clean up all this mess so as he turned to leave there was a clicking sound behind him and he turned to find Ollie had her hand raised in the air.

"Come on now Papa, get in here mister. You look like you're about to drop any minute," she told him.

He was going to protest- really he was. But when several pairs of eyes turned to him and grabby hands reached toward the man he simply could not deny them. So he joined them in the pile on the floor squished and cuddled between warm bodies that vibrated with sounds of purring and chittering. He met Ollie's eyes and she gave him a small smile before allowing her eyes to close again and snuggled against Dew's chest for a much-needed sleep not induced by magic or bloodloss...but by the gentle happy purring around her.

~The End

Thank you, guys, for reading! I hope it was as entertaining and fun to read as much as it was to write! If you like little mini-series like this feel free to check out my other works as well!

[titlemewickedwonderland]

Just Witchy Stuff (Nameless poly!Ghouls x OC) Part 3

Summary: As a witch, Ollie lives a quiet life. While most people find her stingy or eccentric in her beliefs and superstitions her presence is well known around the town as that 'witch' at the corner with her little witchy shop. But unlike what people think she has been around a very long time - never staying too long in one town for them to realize she never seems to age. Because of her moving around she wracks up a lot of favors. What she didn't expect was for one of her old favors to show up at her doorstep. This is her adventure!

AN: Ollie is an old OC of mine based on a lot of myself that shows a glimpse of the writer behind the writings :) Enjoy!

Pairing: Nameless Ghouls Poly x OC

My Workshop

Part 2

It had been a while - nearly a month actually since her impromptu doctor session with the ghouls of the Abbey. So long ago that she'd actually quite near forgotten the encounter - nearly. She would probably have forgotten them entirely with how busy her schedule had been recently preparing for the October Festival in town when it had happened. A night she'd never forget and here she was sitting at Dewdrop's bedside watching his chest rise and fall shallowly while the inky darkness of veins filled with the Banshee's toxin slowly ate away at his sanity as much as his body while she could do nothing more than just watch and hope her ritual had helped.

Where did all of this start you may ask? How did she come to be sitting here beside the ghoul she had thought she treated a month before? It actually started 3 days ago...3 long days that felt like an eternity...

[Flashback]

Her heels clicked on the pavement as she strolled down the sidewalk. The moon was high in the sky; just a sliver before a full moon and she could feel the air shifting. The night was crisp and cool with the bite of October - as crisp as the fallen leaves beneath her boots as they scrunched beneath her steps. The lamps along the street gave plenty a few several feet in front of her despite the darkness of the clouded sky above her head wiping the existence of stars beyond. But Ollie wasn't afraid.

October was the hour of the witch after all. Where all the spooks and gremlins of myths come alive - when the veil was the thinnest between their worlds and humanity. Just a few days away from Halloween - but she still had much to prepare for. Not for her shop but for her own festivities coming this holiday every year left her the busiest of all.

She left the safety of the street lights and turned toward the darkness beyond where the trees were thick and led out of the quaint little shopping street. She felt it more than she saw it. The air shifted around her as she reached for the darkness. But right as she took the step a hand grabbed her shoulder and she was suddenly spun around - pinned to the brick wall of the last building bordering the forest.

Her spine protested at the bite of brick but she was a witch after all and thus came prepared for stupid people to try and rob her. The only weapons she carried on her had been in her bag she had hanging off of her arm as she had walked but she had a split second to snag the handle that barely peaked from the opening and press the silver blade against her assailant's throat just as they pinned her. But instead of pinning her, instead of a struggle, instead of hearing threatening tones, guns, or knives at her throat she was faced with her own reflection in a familiar silver mask.

"Lucifer below...." she breathed out a breath in relief when she realized it was a ghoul. The familiar characteristic mask of one of Papa Copia's ghouls to be exact. (each ghoul at the abbey chooses to wear a different assembly of the eras they were summoned from by each papa.)

The figure was too short and slender to be either Mountain or Aether. But they were also not as small as Dew so this had to either be Swiss or Rain. A quick glance through the eyes of the mask made her relax a bit. The dark pupils peering back at her were frantic and filled with barely contained panic but they were unmistakenly those of Swiss. A tail slithered around her leg - wounding up tight as if holding onto dear life as did the hands still holding onto her shoulders.

Swiss's form was bent halfway over her and Ollie realized with a start that the ghoul was panting; out of breath and jittery - something either spooked him or something was very very wrong.

"Thank Satanas we found you." Swiss's voice was huffed out through deep breaths and Ollie glanced behind her to catch sight of Rain behind him in the shadows wringing his tail as if it were a wet rag as he glanced around nervously.

"Swiss, what the hell?" Ollie gently brushed away his hands to grasp his arms and peer up into his bent face trying to read him just by his eyes alone.

"What's the matter?" she asked frowning concerned.

"It's Dew." Swiss gritted out through clenched fangs as he finally lifted his head. "Dew's gone bad."

[End Flashback]

And here she was. Her hands were covered in dark scarlet tinged much darker due to the poison wondering if there was anything she could do. Her head hurt and she felt weak but he was stable. She made sure of it. As Ollie rose from her chair she swayed a bit but a pair of hands gripped her shoulders and she looked up tiredly at a maskless Mountain.

The taller ghoul helped her from the room; leaving the door ajar but without light beside the single candle on Dewdrop's bedside and ushered her to the common room where the rest of the pack sat jittery, legs bouncing, and tails twitching anxiously in the room. Upon their entrance, a few of them rose.

Copia who had been standing by the window turned his head and noticed the state she was in. "Tesero you look awful!" he declared

Ollie's lips curled up in a half-hearted twitch. "Thanks, Copia, you look like shit too." The man really did. His hair was everywhere and he wore none of his usual makeup. He even had managed to change out of his usual outlandish suits and instead wore a pair of jogging pants and a T-shirt.

Ollie probably didn't look half as put together as she usually did either. Her clothes were torn and blooded, and she too was covered in splatters of blood while her hair resembled a messy nest on top of her head. Her eyes were probably the worst of them all. Sunken, dark, and pallid skin as if the life itself was draining from her.

"Oh honey you're bleeding!" a feminine voice spoke up as a ghoulette rushed forward.

Ollie's gaze left the papa at the window to sluggishly gaze at the slender ghoulette in front of her trying to remember her name. There had been little to no introductions when she'd been whisked away by Swiss and Rain hours ago. It had been such a battle - a time were no one could actually have the proper time to say a hello let alone names. She'd probably only gotten unknown names from one or another ghoul shouting at each other as they tried to wrangle a deranged and delusional Dewdrop under control.

Dewdrop had looked utterly feral. Reversed to utter animalistic nature and instinct. Ollie had barely recognized the small ghoul. But there had been nothing they could do except try and catch him, hold him still, and calm him down as Ollie did what she could. She did not leave that room without several deep claws and teeth marks on her pale skin. Wrangling an angry bear or mountain lion would have been easier.

"-Ollie?" the witch blinked and refocused her gaze on the worried group in front of her and she tried to smile while waving off their concern with a smile that didn't reach her face.

"I'm fine. Just a bit drained. If I can get some food in me and a shower I'll be alright." she promised but as she turned to leave presumingly she swayed again and everyone seemed to lurch forward as if to catch her.

"Shit! How much energy did she use?" Swiss muttered as Ollie was picked up and placed on the couch.

"Sunshine go get a wet rag would you?" Mountain's voice spoke up somewhere above Ollie's head as her eyes fluttered open and shut as she fought the urge to pass out.

"Stay will us Olivia! You'll be alright." another woman's voice spoke soothingly as a cool hand stroked her clammy forehead.

"She looked like she'd got the blood drained from her." someone else in the room muttered

"She did use a lot of her magical energy to stabilize Dew. Aether can you seep some of your essence into her; get her stable again." Mountain piped up before he was directing his next order at Rain.

"Raincloud and Swiss go keep an eye on Dewdrop. Don't want him stirring while she's out. Papa, can you call the nurses?"

"I'm afraid they won't be able to help any in this case besides her wounds Mountain." Papa's voice piped up as he bit his fingernail.

"That's better than nothing Papa. She doesn't look good."

Ollie could hear them but it sounded like they were too far away until nothing but silence filled her hearing and she was slumped into utter darkness and peaceful bliss. Until the shouting began again and her eyes snapped open to find the room in utter blackness.

She felt a weight on her and felt the soft puffs of another's breath against her neck and she squinted. The sliver of moonlight behind closed blinds gave an eery look to the room but she knew immediately that she lay not alone. The weight of at least 3 others was on top and around her. Curling around her with extra limbs and body heat made her mind sluggish to realize that she was in some sort of cuddle pile on the couch where she had been placed.

And then the sound of pure agony in the form of an animalistic screech reached her ears and she jolted from the couch as if electricity zapped her back to life; tumbling over the warm bodies of the female ghouls that had been cuddled up to her while she slept and causing them to fall to the ground in tangled limbs and disoriented voices. She only managed to call out a breathless 'sorry!' before she stumbled on wobbly legs towards the sound of the ungodly screeching.

The room was a pit of darkness. The moonlight not reaching through the curtains and the candle that had once been lit was snuffed out. To a ghoul the blackness inside would not have hindered them but despite her magic, she was still very human, and thus her eyesight was poor.

"What the hell is going on?" her voice carried amongst the shouting and the screeching.

A pair of arms wrapped around her as she stumbled over something and she grabbed onto hefty biceps as she got righted - her vision still dark and navigation blind.

"Dew woke up again," Aether spoke near her ear. "The lads are trying to get him calmed down but he looks... Shit!" she was yanked backyards causing both her and Aether to slam into the door causing it to shut behind them with a bang.

The room suddenly was deathly silent - not a single voice raised or howling to be heard. Just the soft panting of those inside and a low rumble of a cornered animal somewhere in the darkness. Ollie had dealt with demonic creatures before but not to the extent that she was literally cornered blind.

"Has it spread?" her voice was barely audible as she spoke through trembling lips that barely dared to move around the words.

"Up to his neck now." Swiss's voice came from somewhere inside.

Ollie swallowed feeling the dread like icy claws gripping her stomach. "That isn't right..." she muttered. "The spell should have worked and the herbs should have done their job to expel the poison it should-"

but she did not get to finish as a clawed hand suddenly wrapped around her ankle and she was yanked viciously down to the ground. She screamed as she was dragged across the floor and a pair of toned bare arms wrapped around her as she was pressed to a lithe body behind her.

"Ollie!" Aether shouted as her pained cry reached the ears of those inside the room when Dew's fangs sank into her shoulder.

But despite the painful position and her blind state, she felt it when Dew seemed to sag in relief at the first taste of her blood on his tongue. For the first time since he awoke feverish and delusional, she felt him calm down just slightly - and that notion caused her to throw her hand up in the air to stop the shifting of the ghouls that could see her just fine despite the darkness.

"Don't! He's satiated."

"He's going to devour you alive Ollie!" Rain called

"No! He's not devouring my flesh Rain, he's feeding...Ghouls don't need blood like vampires to sustain themselves. But a specific type of creature does." the act of swallowing was difficult as she could feel the press of Dew's fang in her flesh every time she moved even a minuscule inch.

"What are you babbling about?" Swiss muttered agitated as he shifted again causing Dew to rumble a warning and wrap his tail around Ollie's waist as his arms around her shoulders tightened in warning and protectiveness. Like an animal warning another away from its meal. It was a dangerous game to play.

"It had been bugging me for a while when Copia said it was a banshee that he summoned on accident. It doesn't meet their MO. Banshees don't attack victims. They don't have victims!"

Ollie's whimper of pain caused the ghouls in the room to bristle as they fought their instincts to try and grab her from the clutches of their deranged packmate.

"What are you saying Ollie?" Mountain's voice spoke up from somewhere in the room where he had otherwise been silent.

"I'm saying it wasn't a Banshee that Papa summoned. It was a Vinashesk." her words were ominous in the darkness.

"A vina what?" Swiss sounded confused and Ollie wanted to sigh if it wasn't for her current position.

"It won't matter what it is if I'm dead, Swiss. Mountain, I need you to go find Moss! Tell her I need my mirror!"

"A mirror?" a confused Mountain rumbled under his breath

"Yes, a mirror Mountain!" Ollie shouted in frustration; her reaction causing Dew to snarl and tighten his grip - Ollie having to bite her lip so hard it bled just to stop the cry of pain she wanted to release.

"Yes...Mountain." she finally breathed out feeling the weight of her fear starting to get to her. "A mirror. Tell her to find my mirror...please." her plea sounded almost desperate as she hung her head in the dark as if to hide her face.

"What about you?"

"I'll be alright..." she forced her brave face back on. "Just you better hurry before he does end up sucking me dry."

"What can we do Ollie? W-we can't just leave you like this...what can we do to help?" Rain asked

"I need you to go find me a Pixie by the name of Evangeline. She works in the bookstore a few blocks away from my store. Tell her I need my black grimoire." Ollie's voice was getting weaker.

"What about me and Swiss?..." Aether spoke up feeling kind of useless.

"I need you two here. To make sure he won't suck me dry...Aether can you slow my blood flow?" she asked licking her suddenly dry lips as she felt the very essence of her magic being sucked from her like the blood Dew was consuming from the gash he had his teeth sunk into.

"Y-yeah." Aether nodded despite her not being able to see it in the dark with her human eyes.

"Good....put me into a temporary comatose state...as soon as he lets go....get us out of here. Swiss, watch Aether's back. You'll need to hold Dew back from trying to drag me back." Ollie turned her head until she felt the points of Dew's horns pressing against her cheek.

"Now get to work! We don't have much time," she ordered firming her voice as her hands shakily rose from their awkward position to grip Dew's clammy skin.

"It'll be okay...I promise we'll fix this Dewdrop. I promise you." her words were soft as she stared into the darkness feeling each gulp that he took from her.

She didn't know when Mountain and Rain left. Or when Swiss managed to drag her from Dewdrop's arms and fangs. All she felt was the calming nature of the quintessence ghoul as her body and mind drifted away and went limp - she was thrown into a different kind of darkness this time; feeling as if she was floating in the oblivion of warmth and comfort; her last lucid memory was of Dewdrop's clawed hands frantically swiping at her before she was pulled from the door and the door slamming shut with the hellish creature howling in fury as his meal was take from him.

Part 4

[copiousloverofcopia]

Death & Flowers Chapter 6 is up on AO3!!!

Start from the beginning here!

It hadn't been serious, it never was with him. While Papa was suave and Ollie enjoyed their time together it wasn't meant to be. She knew it wasn't something meant to last…something permanent but—here she was. It was only one missed pill and life forever changed.

Original Terzo art: kc5thelement (Pinterest)

Photo edit: me (cause I'm weird and bored)