#darth copia

[nihildenial]

i feel like copia hasn't moved rooms yet because he keeps spending his salary on movie-accurate darth vader cosplays

[jessicafangirl]

Just A Little Thing - A Copia/You Ficlet

I'm enjoying these Copia and you fics. Here's a fluffy wuffy one talking about how you and Copia came to be more than friends...or the stirrings of it. I promise part two of The Birthday Gift is on its way as are the others I'm working on. But this little idea came to me and I had to write it.

You can read here or also at AO3

You had to buy it for him. It was just too perfect. Drat Vader, a little plastic doodad of a rat in a Darth Vader helmet. It was even flocked. He was holding a tiny light saber in one hand and a piece of Swiss in the other. It screamed loudly Copia in every language known to man.

You hadn’t seen him in a few weeks as he was on tour. It was the big one, the one ending in LA for a two-night stay. You’d finally got the time to come to a stop and so you were going to see him and the gang in Vegas. Sin City may not be ready for a group of rowdy ghouls and a Papa like Copia, but it promised to be an insane time.

Copia had pulled rank and said they all deserved a rest after this show. They’d been going nonstop for a few months. So after the ritual it was a play day for everyone. When you arrived it was nearly the end of the performance sadly thanks to a flight delay. But it didn’t matter, you watched the man who had become your best friend give it his all to the crowd.

Ashley saw you and came bounding over giving you a hug. “Thank god you are here. He’s been even moodier than usual.” She said, exasperation evident in her voice.

You squeezed her and after the hug you asked her. “What’s been going on?”

“He’s the same Copia but when you aren’t around, he’s just…more broody. Also he’s been on edge lately. Just…I’m happy you are here.” Ashley gave you a smile and headed off to check the next wardrobe change.

You looked worriedly out to the stage where Copia was making the asses wobble with Kiss The Goat. Ashley’s words echoed in your head. You worried about your friend. Copia was always walking a fine line in his own head. Sometimes the anxiety would win. And those times you were glad you could help him take his mind off things or listen while he vented what was wrong. Hopefully your presence wouldn’t make things worse but better like Ashely had said. Whatever you could do and maybe Drat Vader would make him laugh.

You watched and listened as Dance Macabre started. It was your favorite, and you knew Copia would kill as he always did with it. It was amazing as expected, and Copia was a blur of sky-blue sequins on the stage from where you could see. He always gave everything on that stage. You’d seen the proof before. He’d be exhausted and drained and you’d try your best to get him back to normal. Sometimes it was more difficult than others.

When the song started coming to an end you knew that the encore was over. You quickly moved to a corner out of the way as the applause and cheers echoed from the venue like thunder.

The Ghouls came in first heading to their area to collapse and recover from the show. They were chattering away, and you grinned as you watched them, hearing them talk about hitting the casinos hard tonight and the challenge of an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Some poor Chinese restaurant was going to be put out of business this evening you had a feeling.

You heard Copia before you saw him. He came into the backstage area, and you saw Ashley quickly move to help take his Encore Jacket off to store it safely for cleaning. “Good show yeah? You think? It felt like a good show.” He was saying to her.

“Very good show.” Ashley replied, shaking her head at how someone who just got a massive standing ovation could still doubt their performance the way Copia could.

The Papa turned and sat down heavily at the dressing vanity, staring into his own mismatched eyes. The face paint was starting to get a little faded. Out of habit he added a bit more powder to the white while noticing another bit of grey at his temples. His lips thinned at the sight.

“Maybe I should follow at least one example Terzito set, eh? Dye the hair and flip off time.” He muttered to his reflection. He was feeling every one of those grey hairs this night. He was glad he had decided to give a rest day to everyone, including himself. He loved being Papa, he loved the stage which is why he gave it his all every night. But when you feel like there is nothing left of yourself for yourself…it was time to take back some of it.

Copia’s thoughts wandered, of course going to you. He missed you. The tour would be far easier if you were around to keep him grounded, which seemed to be more your job than assisting with the publicity team. If you were here, he could take you to Madame Tussaud’s and together you could pose suggestively with the statues or get ridiculous with them. Go to Circus Circus and watch the acts. A voice in his head said very quietly “Get married by an Elvis Presley lookalike and spend the honeymoon night in a suite with a heart shaped hot tub.”

Copia’s eyes widened at that thought as it scurried away into the recesses of his brain. Where had that even come from? Dark Lord…that was…not appropriate. Nor was the fluttering in his chest at the imagined picture of you wearing a black bridal veil looking stunning in a lacey black dress while he slipped a band on your finger while the ghouls all cheered as they witnessed it. The fluttering spread to every part of his body…and apparently the blood flow also followed it as the image of pulling you into his arms and kissing you filled his vision. Bending you backwards and cradling you in his embrace, officially his…propriety be damned. You’d taste like cherries and sugar…

The Papa shook his head vigorously. This was how tired he was…thoughts like this had been bothering him so often of late. You were his bellissimo amico. Not his paramour, not his amante. You were his friend, and he had no right to think of you in that way and Satanus knew how you’d react if you found out he was even having these…daydreams? Thoughts? He’d lose you no doubt…you’d run away with every right to, and he’d lose one of the best, most precious friends he’d ever had. That he could not bear. Copia closed his eyes, head falling forward and sighed heavily.

Ashley sat his silver cup next to him, causing him to look up. This time he could smell the bit of whiskey mixed in with the tea and lemon. “Satan bless you.” He said as she patted his shoulder.

“I think you might want to turn around.” She said grinning and then headed off to double check the packing of the gear.

Copia glanced in her direction, perplexed and then turned around in his chair.

When his eyes met yours, you waved. “Hey, uh..surprise!” As you watched Copia’s gaze widened in a mix of disbelief and shock.

Copia stood, uncertain if he was dreaming. “Cara?? You…you’re here??” he quickly put his cup down on the vanity and practically skipped over to you, no longer as sore from the concert. He threw his arms around you, nearly spinning you in a circle.

“Aaaa!!” You let out a happy shriek as he squeezed your ribs into pieces. “Yes! Yes I’m here you lunatic.” You laughed.

Copia stopped dancing you in a circle but didn’t let go. He was grinning from ear to ear. “Si, you do drive me crazy dolcezza but in a good way.” His eyes, though still tired, were sparkling with more life than before. “You surprise me when I most need it, Grazie.”

You searched his face, seeing the exhaustion that was creeping in. You reached up and touched his painted cheek lightly. “You look tired Papa.”

Copia grabbed your hand, holding it in his gloved one. “I’ve told you before cara, when it is you and I, I’m simply Copia.” He placed a quick kiss to your knuckles, and then sighed, keeping hold of your hand and leading you both to the velvet covered couch in the corner.

You both sat down, Copia grabbing his silver cup of more whiskey than tea. Ashley was serious about him resting or simply collapsing based on the mix. “Si, I am tired. This has been a long tour and…it feels as though…well…” He took a drink, letting the burn flow down his throat into his chest.

“What’s on your mind Copia?” You asked him, watching as he stared into nothingness for a moment.

He looked over at you, your eyes so open, so kind. You’d come all this way just for him. Those thoughts from before came unbidden again and his gloved fingers flexed where they rested on the black velvet cushion. He sighed heavily. “It feels like…something…big…is coming. I don’t know cara…I just have a sense of something on the horizon.”

You’re brows narrowed in concern. You touched his black sleeved arm. “Something good or something bad? You’ve always been a little psychic Copi.” You asked him.

Copia felt the warmth of your touch through the soft fabric of his shirt. It helped to settle him a bit. “I don’t know tesoro. Eh, I’m not that good of a psychic.” He laughed softly. “If I was, we are in the right town si?”

You shook your head. He was trying to get you to not worry but it was too late for that. “Copi…wait…is that like 100 percent whiskey your drinking?” You asked, the scent hitting you suddenly.

Copia glanced down and gave a slight chuckle. “I think Ashley got a little bit too excited about the…is this, Jack Daniels?”

You took the cup from him and took a sip, eyes bugging out of your head. “cough…Yeah…that’s…cough….Jack Daniels. I think she gave you most of a bottle.”

The Papa chuckled. “I think she’s trying to help me sleep. I…I’ve not been able to rest well for…well…the last few weeks.” His voice grew softer as he spoke, the exhaustion leeching into the words.

You winced at the sound, a sharp little pain hitting your heart. “Well tonight you’ll get some sleep, or be in an alcoholic coma if Ashley has any say apparently.” You put your arm around his shoulders and gave him a brief squeeze.

Copia sighed, letting the scent of your perfume fill his lungs, the warmth of your embrace settle into his bones. Just this and he could feel the anxiety running away along with the worries of the last few weeks. He wanted to rest his head against your shoulder, pull you into his arms and lay back on the couch for a long nap. But that was another of those daydreams and he would not lose you to his own flights of fancy.

You remembered your gift suddenly. “Oh I almost forgot!” You said and stood, moving to where you had left you backpack.

Copia nearly fell over onto the couch he’d been leaning so close to you. He caught himself before he could become a complete embarrassment. He missed your warmth immediately. “What…what did you forget?” He managed to ask, taking another drink of Ashley’s concoction.

“I got you a gift. I think it might make you feel better about things….or at least laugh.” You pulled the small gift bag out of your backpack and headed back over to the couch.

“You already make me feel better cara.” He said watching you settle back next to him, his eyes glinting with the sheen of exhaustion mixed with affection and a little whiskey. “You’re the only gift I need il mio bel regalo.”

“Whatever you said, just hush and open it. I hope you like it.” You handed him the little gift bag, the same color as his favorite concert jacket, a dazzling blue.

Copia smiled, setting his drink on the table. He carefully pulled out the tissue paper and unwrapped the little lumpy figure inside. When he saw the little Dark Side rat his heart felt as if it had grown too big for his chest. “Dolcezza…he’s…he’s…”

“He’s a buddy for the road…he’ll watch out for you when I’m not around with his special Sith Cheese powers. Drat Vader will take on all comers.” You told him, watching his face as he studied the little rodent.

Copia felt tears pricking his eyes. Of course she would pick something this perfect…would know him this well. “Sith…Cheese.” He repeated smiling.

You bit your lower lip, still unsure. “I know it’s just a little thing…but he seemed like he needed a home…I hope you like him.”

The Papa turned to look at you a grin on his painted lips. His expression was wistful and almost disbelieving. “Like him? I love him tesoro. He’s perfect, just like you.”

You blushed, not able to stop it. The way he was looking at you and the compliments…it made a little shiver in your chest. You needed to be careful. You’d really missed Copia in the days he’d been gone. You were realizing just how much you’d come to rely on him to not feel alone, to talk to. He was everyone’s Papa in the ministry and while you weren’t a church member…you knew what that meant. He was shared to all who needed him…you weren’t special.

One time you’d said this to him when you’d had a particularly bad day regarding your crazy family. A phone call had set you off and you’d called out sick for the rest of the day, heading back to your quarters and curling up in a ball. Sometimes it could get a little much.

As was his special super power, Copia somehow knew you were MIA. Phil must have told him you’d left because an hour or so into your crying jag there was a gentle knock at your door followed by a softly accented voice asking “Cara, it is me…can I come in?”

He’d have stood out there all day if you hadn’t let him in. You knew Copia…he was stubborn. When you opened the door, he was standing there in a blue velvet tracksuit with a probably vintage Black Sabbath shirt, sans his papal paints. His darkly circled eyes found yours, red and puffy from crying. His face immediately looked stricken. “Oh…tesoro…I am too late to stop the tears.” He swept you into his arms, hugging you tightly. “I am here now though…no going anywhere cara.”

Still holding you he pulled away to tilt your chin up to meet his eyes. “I have ice cream, Ben and Jerry’s and Chopping Mall on DVD. You are going to have chocolate and schlocky goodness with me, si?”

You’d shaken your head. “I’ll…I’ll be okay.” He didn’t need to drop everything for you like this. You’d sniffled, hating how it could hit you so hard after so long. “You’re Papa and you have a whole flock of people that you have to take care of.”

He’d given you the strangest look then, grasping your chin once more. “I told you before cara…for you I’m Copia, always. And you are il mio adorabile amico. And I take care of my friends because…well…they are rare gifts the dark lord has bestowed on me. And you are one of the most treasured I have. If I neglected you cara, Lucifer would kick my balls…he’s got hoofs…it would hurt. And he’d be right to do so.”

You laughed, not able to help it. He already could do that with just a stupid joke and a hug. He’d caught your eye again, smiling. “Eh! I heard a laugh. See…you can’t send me away now. It’s the rules…I get you to laugh you have to watch a movie where robots murder teenagers in a mall.”

“That’s a very specific rule Papa.” You’d replied.

“Bah, I told you…Copia for you…you have special…access.” He’d tried to figure a word for it, but access actually sounded sort of…dirty now that he thought of it.

“Oh, special access? What does that entail?” You’d asked him batting your eyes playfully.

Copia had to pause a moment at that. Oh…that…that was not an appropriate response, and he would not voice what had gone through his head. “Eh, don’t you worry about it…just…know you got it.”

For a moment you paused and then nearly toppled him with a hug. You couldn’t help it; he was just so Copia. Sweet, caring, fiercely protective and right then he smelled really good and was cuddly as hell in the tracksuit. He was like your own sky-blue satanic teddy bear.

“What is all this…eh?” Copia managed to stutter out, surprised by the hug but it was not unwelcome. He wrapped his arms around you and squeezed.

“Thank you for my special access.” You muttered against his shoulder. “You’re…you’re my best friend…just thank you.”

You couldn’t see it at the time, but Copia’s eyes had grown watery, tears swimming in the green and white of his gaze. No one had ever said what you had to him just then. Never best friend, maybe rarely friend. But never this. He closed his eyes, one single tear breaking free from beneath his black painted lid. It smeared his cardinal paints slightly, just the slightest trail. He quickly wiped it away with a gloved finger, not wanting you to see what a silly old fool he was.

“Prego cara mia.” He said softly, almost a whisper because he didn’t trust his voice not to break just a little. “E mio onore.”

The memory was bittersweet. The time spent with Copia, stuffing yourselves with New York Super Fudge and watching the 80s literally play out on screen was so sweet. You felt like a teenager again. But the bitter was there. The screaming of your sister over the phone about how you were going to burn in hell…you could nearly smell the beer on her breath through the receiver.

You wouldn’t think about that now though. Copia was here in the present. He and the ghouls and Phil were your little tribe now. “I’m far from perfect Copia, but Drat Vader is.” You told him grinning.

Copia shook his head. “Bah, you are perfecto. You know me too well cara. I am glad you are here and now I have a little buddy for the bus to keep me company…it will make the time away from the bambinos easier.”

“Oh the babies say hello by the way.” You told him, having been checking on them while he was gone. You pulled out your phone and quickly pulled up the couple of pictures you took before leaving. “Phil promised to take care of them.”

Copia smiled at his little babies. Rigatoni was shoving his furry face into the camera. He glanced over at you, seeing your eyes reflect just as much love for the little rascals as he felt. It made a sweet little pain hit his chest. He sighed. “They look as mischievous as ever.”

“Oh they are…you never told me how much an escape artist Rigatoni is. I had to add a lock to the door.” You put your phone away, shaking your head.

“That’s on me…” Copia said nodding. “He’s my Houdini. He’ll hate the lock…eh, he’ll probably have it figured out in a day.” The Papa already felt better than before…and also maybe a little drunk since he hadn’t eaten prior to the show and had been drinking down the whiskey laced with tea for a few minutes. He glanced over at you and smiled loopily. “I’m glad you are here dolcezza. Grazie for this.”

“Grazie for what?” You asked smiling, eyes meeting his heterochromatic stare. He looked sleepy and a little plastered. You didn’t know if you’d ever seen Copia drunk before…that would be an adventure.

He waved one gloved hand around in a shaky circle. “This…all of this. You coming to see me. Il mio piccolo Sith Lord. Just…you. Grazie.” Copia’s voice light and the words only a little slurred.

He then leaned over to kiss your cheek, but you didn’t know he was going to and when his lips connected it wasn’t with your cheek but the corner of your mouth. You stilled, a shock of heat going up your spine as his warm, sweet whiskey scented kiss pressed against you. You froze, a little squeak of surprise in your throat.

Copia pulled away almost immediately, the flush of his blushing visible even through the face paint and definitely on the slightly pointed tips of his ears. “Mi dispaci…I…my aim…it was…off.” He stuttered, trying to forget quickly how soft your lips were and how they’d felt even for that brief moment. The booze was affecting him…that’s what it was…not the fact he’d just kissed you…a real kiss…and it had made his heart stop for that moment.

You hoped your face wasn’t on fire…oh god…please don’t make me look like a strawberry. “No…no worries…it’s okay.” You laughed nervously, trying to forget that spark of heat that had flooded your entire body.

Copia felt like a louse. This was exactly what he shouldn’t be doing. He would scare you off…you who had been this kind to him…and he was being un fottuto idiota. He glanced to you once more and noticed he’d left a black mark behind from his ill aimed kiss.

“Perdonami,” he said softly and reached over with his gloved thumb and very gently wiped away the evidence of his lips on yours. His gaze was caught in yours as he did, trapped and he found happily so. Oh…this was…not…appropriate.

“Okay Papa, time to change.” Ashley bounded back just in time. “I need these ready for cleaning. Your clothes are laid out behind the curtain.

Copia quickly turned at her arrival. You felt like you were just shaken from a dream, what was going on? Why were you leaning towards him like that? Why was he leaning towards you like that? Oh…not…not appropriate.

“Ah, grazie Ashley.” Copia managed to say, sitting up quickly. He turned back to you. “A few minutes cara, then we go and get something to eat, si?”

You nodded still dazed a bit.

Copia headed behind the dressing area’s divider and took a breath. Ashley had lain out his red track suit this time and a Scorpion’s t-shirt with his dress shoes. Good choices. He found himself leaning heavily against the black wall, his head falling back and gazing up at the cavernous ceiling of the venue.

What was happening? He couldn’t…he couldn’t be…this was…you would never… He thunked the back of head against the wall a half-hearted attempt to knock the thoughts away he was having. Instead he just hurt himself and winced, “Eehhh…” he muttered, rubbing his now sore head.

Without thinking Copia brought his gloved thumb to his lips, licking away the mix of his paints and your lipstick. He closed his eyes and sighed at the taste combined on his tongue, sweeter than any whiskey or honey. “Amore…” He whispered softly to himself, realizing there was no fighting this any longer. “Please…please don’t run away.”

[copia]

delighted though i am for ghost's growing success i'm keeping my fingers crossed for an obviously low-budget ghovie like the chapters before it. because the papa nihil darth vader breathing and seestor's car crash montage and the shitty nihil ghost effects and copia living in the hall outside a bathroom with no door etc all add a certain je ne sais quoi

[leezlelatch]

Laying face to face with Copia on the Star Wars pillow. He lets you pick if you wanna be on the Darth Vader side or the Luke side. 😍

“Who is your daddy? Hehe. I’m feeling a little on the dark side tonight, honey.”

[o9t1mus-x]

a day in the life (cardinal copia standalone)

pairing: no pairing

warnings: mild language, terzo brings up in passing that he might get laid tonight

summary: Cardinal Copia is a strange man, but not an unkind man. Often nervous, but with a tendency to read people better than they could perceive of him. It's easy to wonder; just what exactly does this enigmatic man do in a day?

additional note: This is set before the Chapters, Copia has no idea he is related to his brothers, Sister Imperator, or Papa Nihil. But he has his suspicions.

word count: 3.6k

authors note: i want to eat copia alive. also this is my first time writing something like this, so comments and feedback are always extremely appreciated! thank you for taking an interest, i hope you enjoy!

Read on AO3

———————————————

The dawn is breaking through the sheer curtains on the window, illuminating the dust motes in the air. The small television on the coffee table is still on from the night before, Super Mario 64 still loaded on the screen with the main menu. In front of the television set is a small bed, cloaked in a red duvet, and barely visible under the billowing blanket is a pillow swathed in a Star Wars pillowcase. Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader are locked in a stare, a mental battle of fortitude and will. The inhabitant of this room is in a similar mental war with himself. 

Under the blankets Copia is stretched out, one leg up to his stomach while the other one is stretched out like a stick. His cheek is level with his sheets, his lashes languidly brushing the linen below him while he thinks. He knows the first of his alarms is about to go off, his mental clock telling him it is just now turning 6:15, perhaps even 6:10. He knows he has to get up, but he’s dreading leaving the warm confines of his bed. Maybe I could manage to take a small nap between paperwork and my meeting with Imperator today…  He thinks to himself Oh, but I have a Latin for beginners class to sit in and observe for the Siblings certifications… He groans lightly under his breath as he resists the urge to curse, slowly curling into a ball, reaching his hand upwards to peel the duvet back and let his head peek through. He scans the room, not wanting to leave his bed. He blinks once, twice, clearing the sleep from his brain as best he could.

A deep sigh. Knowing he can avoid the day ahead no longer, he throws the duvet off, shivering at the chill of the small room. He knew that Primo rose even earlier than him, and chuckled at the thought of the older man watering his plants in the chill of the early morning dew. Maybe he should swing by the gardens on his way to his office, and say a brief good morning. Compared to his brothers, one stern and the other vivacious, he was slightly more down to earth. (As much as a prolific leader of the church can be.) While he wonders about how he can fit this encounter into his morning, he stretches, promptly cracking his back, a groan creeping out from his mouth. 

Copia pulls himself up, and begins his slow trek to the small personal bathroom he has, staring into the mirror. “A small trim of my mustache, maybe? How else will I keep the Siblings in line?” He chuckles to himself, running his fingers along his jaw. His sideburns could use a small shave, a bit unruly for Copia’s taste. 

 From the other room his alarm goes off, and he makes a light jog to his nightstand. He doesn’t use his phone much, but he has gotten the hang of setting up his alarms. Better than the one before, that nuisance, he thinks to himself. A small chorus of squeaks erupts from the corner of the room, the small chimes of the alarm waking his rats. 

“Yes my little ones, I will feed you soon! As soon as your papa gets clean, I will start your morning.” Copia coos from across the room, and walks back to his shower, turning on the water as hot as it will go. As steam fills the room, he takes the time to walk to the cage across the room in order to stave off the beginning of his busy day. He pops the cage lid on top of it, and reaches his hand in. 

The most mischievous, Sandro, runs up to his hand and gives a curious sniff. Copia runs his hand along Sandro’s spine, the approving wheet wheets making Copias’ lips curl into a soft smile. Francesca, the smallest of his rats, gingerly pats up to his hand and sniffs eagerly. He douses her in gentle scratches on the top of her head. In the corner of the cage his other two (quite large, admittedly) rats, Ira and Faustus, sleep in a delicate heap. 

“Oh, so sweet! I will have to swipe you all some blueberries from the kitchens, the kitchen ghouls will not mind… hopefully. Heh.” He makes a small grimace, remembering the last time a ghoul had seen him sneak out with snacks in the dead of night. They had not said anything, but the silence and their almost hypnotic stare made the embarrassment feel worse than a verbal lashing. Reluctantly, Copia closed the cage latch, and walked to the bathroom. He sighed, swiping his hands over his face. The day must begin, he thought to himself. 

-

Copia whined to himself, dropping his head into his hands. He wishes he had stayed in bed, damnit. His day had not been going… south per se, just definitely wonky. 

Papa Emeritus the III had clapped him on the shoulder earlier after their morning meeting, smiling with a small look of gracious pity.

“Cardinal, you do too much of the worrying, si? You are almost as bad as Secondo, just less of the frowning, of course.” He looked at Copia, whose eyebrows had drawn up in worry. “I guarantee you that the day will proceed as calmly as you wish for it to. You may even have time for one of your mid-afternoon naps you enjoy so much.” 

Copia had only sighed. “Perhaps, Papa. I will have to try to pencil it in.” Mentally he threw the idea away as he realized there would be absolutely no time for a catnap after planning his week's itinerary at the meeting they had just left from. 

Papa chuckled. “Of course you should! The Dark One encourages indulgence, who are we to deny his will?” His gaze turned inquisitive as he gazed at Copia. “Have you spoken to my brother about the arrangements for the sermon tomorrow morning? We have run out of black salt.” 

“Please be more specific Papa, you have two brothers.” Copia said, quickly mentally giggling to himself. Probably more from the way Nihil whored himself out all those years ago. But who am I to say, I do not know these things! Copia had to quickly bite his cheek, a nasty habit, as he stopped himself from giggling aloud. 

None the wiser to Copia’s internal quips, Papa Emeritus the III shrugged nonchalantly. “I mean Secondo of course, he is always so fussy about his sermons! Going on and on, he does. I am always asleep by the end, melted to the floor like his precious candles.” Papa smiled at Copia. “I am only joking, you know this? It is always my father who is slumped in the pews.”  

Copia let a cautious grin cover his face at that. Many times he had seen Papa Nihil hunched over in the front pew during midnight mass, curiously still with a measured rise and fall of his back. 

Terzo stopped sharply and turned to the Cardinal as they reached the end of the hallway. “Well, our little chat was nice, but I should be going now. Siblings to talk to, calls to make. You understand.” 

Copia nodded, “Of course Papa, perhaps I’ll see you later?” Copia didn’t mind talking to people, in fact, he looked forward to it. He just often found himself saying the wrong thing at inopportune times. While Terzo was a colorful horndog, he was good fun on occasion. It was more so that Copia hated crowds, he had since he was a child. It was always better for him to rush in and get out as quickly as he could, or wait behind the back of the queue for everyone to trickle out. But he knew Terzo had his side he hid, the one that Copia had only seen when they spoke quietly with a sense of brother-like urgency.

Terzo smiled, his eyes warm as he looked at Copia. “If our paths cross! I will see you at dinner, most likely.” He claps Copia on the shoulder. “If I am not having another meal in my quarters.” He smirks, and makes to saunter off, leaving Copia with only the thought of chasing down Papa Emeritus the II and inquiring about his taste in candles, and preparations for the Black Mass at the end of the week. 

It is now that Copia sits at his desk, his forehead resting on his steepled hands. I will die under a sea of paper. He thinks to himself, and his stomach gives a plaintive growl. With how his day was going, he had only had time to scarf down two cornettos before the early morning meeting, and had been surviving on coffee with cream and an egregious amount of sugar. The caffeine did little to serve him, it only made the absence of food worse. He knew these things, and yet here he was, sipping out of his small saucer of a drink that barely qualified as coffee anymore. 

He sighed, and leaned back in his chair, blinking his eyes which felt syrupy with sleep. He reached his hands up and took off his biretta, running his hands through his mousy brown hair. Maybe he’d have time to take a nice long bath tonight, curl up and pamper his babies? Maybe drive Miss Daisy? He opened his eyes and looked at the mess of expense reports he was currently sorting through. He leaned forward and rested his head against his desk, the cool wood welcoming. Maybe he could rest his eyes for just a few moments, just a break for his brain… 

-----

“-inal. Cardinal!” 

Copia awoke with a start, his biretta slipping off his head and drifting to the ground pitifully. He flung his body up and jerked his head up to meet the person who woke him up. Papa Emeritus the I stood towering over him, his posture still domineering even in his old age. He stared at Copia, his eyes curiously questioning in the low light of his office- wait. How late was it?

Copia swung his head towards the window and gasped. “Papa! I am so sorry, I- shit.” Embarrassment overtook him. “I, eh, was resting my eyes. The reports and such, they can be, eh… challenging.” Copia angled his face back towards Primo, feeling his face flush. To be caught slacking in his duties by one of the senior most Clergy members… he would think about this moment for years to come. As the owner of the second most employee of the months awards, he hoped this wouldn’t be jotted down in a performance report. 

Papa’s eyes shone in the ambient light of Copia’s tableside lamp, and his face softened by a portion. “Cardinal, it is not as late as you think it is. From the state of your hair, I only think it has been about, hm, twenty minutes or so since you drifted into sleep?” Copia let out an exhale, yet Primo continued. “I only closed the blinds for you. Tell me, do you perhaps have the schedule for next weeks’ pumpkin carving activities for the younger siblings? I need to prepare for the pumpkin harvest with the ghouls.” 

Copia nodded and scrabbled amongst the files on his desk, gingerly pulling out the paper and handing it toward Primo, who deftly took it. 

“Thank you, Cardinal.” Primo spoke firmly, gazing briefly around the room and then looking back at Copia. “I hope you enjoy the rest of your day, I will have a Sibling drop this schedule off here after I’m done looking through.” 

“Of course Papa, take your time” Copia was still fighting off the mortification that Primo had caught him asleep, especially since he was prone to drooling when deep in sleep. He would have to check his desk for any slobber once Papa had made his exit. 

Primo nodded, and walked towards the door to his office, and Copia took the chance while his back was turned to scan the desk for any drool. Luckily, he only saw papers, papers, and more papers. 

“Oh and, Cardinal?” 

Copia perked up and looked towards Papa. “Yes, Papa?”

Papa Emeritus the I smiled, his white eye held a subtle twinkle, belying his age. “You are lucky mio fratello did not find you sleeping on the job. He would never let you hear the end of it.” He swiftly turned to open the door, and slipped out, the door closing with a soft click.

Copia simply nodded, his ears were surely bright red. He hurriedly ran his fingers through his hair, and dropped his head onto his desk. “Shit, I just-ugh!” He was indeed lucky that Secondo had not caught him, the disapproving look and talking to he would have received would have ripped him in two. He just wanted this day to be over, and it was only 2 o’clock! Though he hadn’t smoked one since his novitiate classes, he could go for a cigarette right about now.

He rose up and took a deep breath. He couldn’t wait to be back in his bed, watching a movie, maybe playing his games, and curling up in his sweats. He would light a candle maybe, and then he would slip into blissful sleep. But for now, the work of the Cardinal was not done. Copia picked himself up with a small puff of air, and pushed in his chair behind him. He needed to go supervise the Latin class, and then check on the preparations for midnight mass for later in the week. He wanted nothing more than a nice coffee. 

-

Compared to earlier when Copia had wanted a coffee, now all he wanted was a stiff pineapple daiquiri. The sit-in observation at the Latin lesson had gone well (The siblings were sure to pass their certifications with flying colors, Sister Bianca was good at what she did).

However, the midnight mass preparations had gone to shit. The candles the clergy usually used were out of stock, and they weren’t with their current stock. He had even tried to call in a favor with their usual supplier, and they were too stretched thin even with the wiggle room they had. Not for the first time that day, he was beginning to think of just hiding in a nearby storage closet. Not that he had done that before, surely not. (Only once or twice, though he would never speak it aloud).

He made his way to Secondo’s office, his papers nervously crinkled in his hands. He often had the bad habit of wrinkling his papers in thought, and then discovering that they were bent every which way when he inspected them later. Thankfully, no one had ever commented on it, but he had received no shortage of stern looks from his instructors as a young man. 

His feet had led him to Secondo’s office, and he stood there contemplating whether or not to turn around and simply sprint to the nearest room and hide. While he wasn’t actually scared of him, he didn’t want to disappoint him. Copia never wanted to disappoint anyone. Sister had always told him he needed to keep in mind that there will always be somebody who will be disappointed. While these words did little to comfort him, they never really had , he knew they were true. It didn’t lessen the fact that Copia wanted to give good news whenever possible.

Taking a deep breath, he raised his hand to knock on the door when it opened. Copia was only slightly shorter than Secondo, but he still had to raise his head up to meet his eyes. Papa Emeritus’ eyes stared back, his eyes glowering down at Copia. 

“Cardinal, I thought I heard you outside. Please, come in.” His baritone voice floated through the air, and Copia nodded quickly. 

As he stepped inside Secondo’s office, he found himself slightly relaxing. The scent of incense was strong, but not overwhelming. The lighting in the room was minimal, the only sources being the tall lamp adjacent to his desk, and the curtains that blocked the large window to his left. He shuffled in, sitting down at the plush green armchair in front of Papa. 

“So, Cardinal,” Secondo said, letting out a huff as he sat down in his own chair opposite Copia. His hands rose, steepled under his chin as he gazed evenly at Copia. “How are the candle orders for Mass this week coming along?”

Copia sighed, his hands coming to rest on his lap. “Papa, I will not lie, they are… not promising.” He said quickly. 

“Oh? And what exactly is not promising about them?” Papa spoke quietly, his hands uncrossing from under his chin and reaching out, gesturing for the papers currently in Copia’s hands. 

“I have been unable to get in contact with anyone who has them in stock. Papa, I don’t suppose you know anyone?” He leaned forward, handing the manilla file of papers to him. He was hoping, praying even, that Secondo might be able to help him. Besides the expense reports still sitting menacingly on his desk back in his office, Copia still had to sort through the mail he had received during the weekend. 

Secondo hummed, his gloved fingers flicking through the order forms. “I do.” He said simply, his eyes still looking over the papers Copia had handed him. “I can get in touch with someone. Consider it done, I’ll have a ghoul drop the finished form off in your office by the morning.” He locked eyes with Copia, a subtle smirk on his lips. “They didn’t let you call in your favor from last year, hm?” 

Copia shook his head, his anxiety rapidly fading. “No, they did not. They said they didn’t know what I was talking about, I think it may have been a lie.” He chuckled softly. 

Secondo scoffed, letting the papers fall from his hands back into the manilla folder on his desk. “Inutile (useless). We need to change providers, I believe.” 

Copia sighed, nodding quickly. “I agree, Papa. Thank you for your help.” He smiled softly at him. 

Secondo nodded, a subtle smile sent towards Copia. “Of course, Cardinal.” He cleared his throat, raising an eyebrow at him. “Now, I believe you have some expense reports from Terzo’s trip to Los Angeles to work through. I wouldn’t want to be you, especially with how much that idiota (idiot) spends on his hotel rooms. How a man could need that many extra towels is beyond me.” He shook his head with a barely audible scoff, leaning back in his chair and letting his eyes close. Copia could see where the papal paint around his eyes had begun to crease, the wrinkled skin underneath peeking through. But just as quickly as he had seen it, Secondo had met his gaze once more. 

Copia rose from his chair, ignoring the twinge in his lower back. “Yes, Papa, of course.” He nodded once more towards him, and then walked quickly to his office door. He heard Secondo sigh from behind him, and the scratch of his pen against paper. And as Copia closed the door as quietly as he could manage, he let out a deep breath. One less thing off of his plate, he said to himself.

—

And just as quickly as the day seemed to slide downhill, it leveled out just as quickly. Copia briskly walked down the Abbey hall, looking to his right to gaze out the window as he passed by. The gentle rays of the last hours of sunlight shone through the glass, just soft enough to light the way without blinding him. Through the sunlight he could see the nearby forest, the green boughs of leaves bouncing in the summer breeze. He could see dots of picnic blankets dotting the courtyard, no doubt Siblings and ghouls wanting to take in the weather while they could. And even when the sun fell down below the skyline, he knew those same people would lay under the waning gibbous until the lightning bugs went to sleep. 

Copia smiled to himself. His reports were done, his belly full from the light dinner he had with Sister in the corner of the dining hall, and his back had popped when he rose from his office chair earlier. No more candle crisis either! 

As he opened the door to his quarters, bumping the door open with his hip as he held onto the small plate of fruit, he grinned at the sound of his rats squeaking from the corner. 

“Yes, I hear you bambini (babies), I have a surprise!” He cooed as he shut the door, quickly walking over the elaborate setup in the corner. All of his precious rats were up, their delightful little faces peering curiously through the bars. Ira and Faustus were now awake, pawing at the wire. Copia set the plate of fruit down on the adjacent nightstand, his hands quickly unfastening the top of the cage so he could look in from above. 

“Ah, sì, naturalmente, (yes, of course). I have not forgotten my promise! Look at all of you.” He whispered, his hands dipping into the soft bedding below to pick up Francesca. He holds her to his chest, reaching one hand over to grab a piece of diced apple. He hands it to her, a delighted smile gracing his face as he watches her small paws gingerly hold the apple and raise it to nibble upon. 

“Yes, cara ragazza, it’s all for you. Don’t gorge yourself.” He giggles, his hands holding her close to his chest as her tail wraps around his wrist for safety. His rats below squeak plaintively, clearly offended that he had picked Francesca up first. He laughs at the way Sandro has risen onto his back feet, reaching out to him. 

“Yes, you will all have some, I promise. Abbi pazienza! (Have patience!).” He shakes his head in false exasperation, his heart swelling with the warm feeling of a day well done, a duty well fulfilled. 

And he also has time to play Dr. Mario.

[blackbird5154]

Nihil as the embodiment of the tendency to escapism

There is nothing in the world more helpless and irresponsible and depraved than a man in the depths of an ether binge.  — Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

I really dislike this character, but I will try to be impartial as much as possible. So, Nihil is an illustration of a severe escape from reality, a desire to bring back the past, to stop time. In the era of the Third, he brought back the Middle Ages as Papa Zero. In the Cardinal era, he was slipping his old records onto store shelves (so people would know about them? Or rather to create the illusion that they were for sale again?) and regretted not being allowed back on stage as a frontman. Hence his envy of Copia, his constant belittling of him, emphasizing that he hadn't achieved some results and comparing him to himself. Nihil felt that this place legitimately belonged to him, with no regard at all to his health capabilities. Eventually, he got three of his old songs performed in the era of his successor.

Escape into illusion is the main way Nihil interacts with reality. Immersing himself in his enchanting fantasies where everyone is young and beautiful again, he overlooked a fateful decision and allowed his sons to be killed. The illusions are like a membrane through which he perceives the world around him. Sister got him to appoint Cardinal as frontman because from the depths of his erotic fantasy he answered ‘yes’ to her and that became an answer to her question. In fact, he did not make any decision.

Maybe inhaling oxygen from the life support system is having that effect on his brain. Sometimes I think it's not just oxygen, but something else mixed in. He takes a breath from the tank when he sees Sister wrapped in bandages and confined to a hospital bed - and the semi-darkness of the room immediately turns to sunlight, everyone becomes beautiful and happy, and Sister flirts with him instead of wheezing. Reality becomes bearable. We also hear the sound of breathing into an oxygen mask (similar to Darth Vader's breathing) in the background of the scene in episode 7 when Nihil sees the 'ghosts' of young Sister and himself. Perhaps all that is happening is his hallucination caused by inhaling ether. 

Nihil is so incapable of accepting his current moment of existence that he always keeps his oxygen mask at the ready. He probably sees Sister as the strong, active person who will contact reality in his place while he enjoys his fantasies. We know what Sister is doing behind his back: killing his children and promoting her son, giving him as much patronage and privilege as she can.

Eventually, in the RHRN movie, Nihil seems to finally become able to make contact with reality: he is already a ghost and no longer uses a breathing support system. Sister makes him remember his paternal duties, and he gives parental guidance to Copia. Along the way, he realizes his place in life, in his family and at work. He is finally here and now, not in his fantasy world. It took him dying to do it.

Well, better late than never.

[brighteyedbushybrowed]

I was hoping that you could write some headcanons for Nihil with a friend reader who is wayyy younnger and likes to just be silly and goofy with him (and mock him sometimes)

I'm back back back back back again! I think this is actually the first Nihil specific request I've ever gotten, so ty for this anon!!

Nihil can be a little silly and goofy himself, though not as much now in his old age than when he was younger

I think age and maturing as the years went on as well as still being a little bitter about his and Imperator's break up has something to do with that

Before you became friends, he was sort of grumpy especially around Copia

People find your friendship with Nihil to be an interesting one

It's mostly because of the age gap

But also because of how much you remind them of Nihil's goofy side from when he was your age

You like to joke that he's the Ministry's answer to Darth Vader with that oxygen mask

You decorate his oxygen tanks with various stickers you've collected and bought

A lot of the stickers are Darth Vader themed as part of your little inside joke

The moment you learned about him sharting in Copia's car, you vowed to never let him live it down

Cue whoopie cushions and fart soundboards on your phone

Most people think that he would hate these jokes and get mad at you for them

And of course at first he's not happy because he feels like you're trying to embarass him

He eventually goes along with it all and finds it just as amusing

He's walked in on you a few times dancing and singing along to videos of Copia in concert, particularly Kiss The Go-Goat, and it makes him want to join in

Sadly, his body isn't made for dancing anymore so he has to just sit and watch as you dance like you're the only person in the room

The two of you make fun of Imperator behind her back when she tells you both to grow up or act your ages

He doesn't feel younger as such, but you do make him happier and he's become more care free and silly as your friendship has progressed

His ghouls are less on edge around him now

Even his sons are a little more relaxed in his presence with you there

Your silly goofy antics have had a positive impact and influence on him and he greatly treasures your friendship (even if he does call you a clown sometimes) (it's always affectionately)

[theevilresident]

we need fan art of sith lord copia RIGHT NOW

[sweepinguptheemeraldbar]

I WILL NEVER AGAIN SHUT UP ABOUT THIS!

NEVEEEEEEEEEER!

[ryuzatodraws-archive]

Can we get a steaming order of Sith Lord Daddy Copia?

The only thing i know bout star wars is darth vader ksjsjj

compliments to the chef

[krooliis]

Imagine if Toenail just reverse Darth Vader/Luke'd us like Copia going to Nihil on his death bed and saying, "I am your son."

Nihil just flat lines and doctors rush in like what happened? He was on the road to recovery? He was doing so well. Maybe add in Nihil coming back to life for a split second to insult Copia one last time before dying again.

[clergytextsfromlastnight]

Copia: don't worry about me. I have my Darth Vader flashlight

[weatherghoulenthusiast]

Nihil having darth vader breathing sounds was the hint that Copia was his son :/

[elbiotipo]

🧉qué opinas de los nuevos Star Wars

Gracias por el mate!

son horribles

Yo creo que en retrospectiva ya estaba todo echado a perder en Despertar de La Fuerza cuando J.J. "Mi Estrella De La Muerte Es Más Grande Que La Tuya" Abrams decidió hacer una copia ESCENA POR ESCENA de Una Nueva Esperanza. Jakku por ejemplo, iba a ser un planeta medio pantanoso con chatarra de naves espaciales. Lo cambiaron por un desierto porque Tatooine es un desierto y Jay Jay El Avioncito hizo absolutamente todo lo posible en sus manos para hacer un reboot porque eso es lo único que le sale. Toda la trilogía fue una falta de respeto a los arcos de los personajes de la trilogía original (Han Solo pasa de general responsable y buen esposo a un divorciado miserable, Leia pierde la República y la familia por la que luchó, y si le hubiesen atropellado a Luke con un camión sería menos falta de respeto) PERO, todos sabíamos que Despertar De La Fuerza iba a ser siempre medio mediocre (en retrospectiva esperaba más), porque la idea era que iban a introducir nuevos personajes no

Y los nuevos personajes eran interesantes! Rey y Poe eran geniales aunque sus historias eran medio trilladas pero con potencial, Kylo Ren también era bastante interesante en el sentido de un villano que nunca se podría comparar con Darth Vader y lo sabía pero FINN... FINN TENÍA TODAS DE SER uno de los personajes más interesantes de toda la saga, un soldado forzado a combatir desde chico, secuestrado de su familia, que iba a liderar una revolución de stormtroopers... la idea era que la nueva trilogía iba a introducir estos nuevos personajes con sus tramas y darles una buena despedida a los de la trilogía original

Bueno después vino Rian Johnson que pasó absolutamente toda su película cagandosé en el personaje de Luke, descartando TOTALMENTE a Finn y dandolé un arco de mierda a Poe, destruyendo cualquier tipo de resolución por cosas muy extensas para explicar acá pero básicamente al final de Los Últimos Jedi todas las tramas fueron rotas, y empezando el romance de mierda entre Rey y Kylo. Después trajieron a Jay Jay El Avioncito para arreglar el desastre que él mismo empezó, pero ahora totalmente destruido porque PLOT TWISTS LOL. El resultado es simplemente un mamarracho. No hay otra definición aplicable.

Fue un desastre de principio a fin, me siento mal por actores como Boyega y Tran que tuvieron que sufrir el racismo por parte de la producción (y muchos fans de mierda) y ver como una historia genial que les apasionaba se hacía mierda para un romance choto y la pelea entre hacer una historia "deconstruida" que resulta ser una porquería mezquina por Rian Johnson y un reboot 1:1 de J.J. Entre los dos arruinaron Star Wars a tal punto que aparte de The Mandalorian nadie quiere tocar que pasó después de Retorno Del Jedi porque al final el sacrificio que nuestros héroes hicieron en la trilogía original no significó nada.

En un mundo mejor, Finn, Rey y Poe son los personajes estrellas de una nueva saga genial y copada y Luke, Han y Leia tuvieron una despedida como los héroes que son. No es este mundo desafortunadamente.

[littlenightma]

Request Guidelines & Rules

🔮 Rules

Please be nice when sending in asks/requests. I will not tolerate any hate on my blog.

I write and reblog NSFW posts. If you are underage and interact with my blog in any way, you will be blocked.

Do not complain or pressure me to finish an ask/request. I do these on my own time and have no time frame but I do try to get them done in a timely manner.

Have a movie/slasher you want me to watch or write for? Send an ask and I will add it my watch list :)

🔮 Character List

Note - Just because someone is not on my list does not mean I don't or won't write for them. There's just too many to remember.

Michael Myers (Halloween)

Jason Voorhees (Friday the Thirteenth)

Freddy Krueger (Nightmare on Elm Street)

Jesse Cromeans/Chromeskull (Laid to Rest)

The Creeper (Jeepers Creepers)

Chucky/Charles Lee Ray (Childs Play)

Brahms Heelshire (The Boy)

Papa Emeritus I, II, III, and Nihil + Cardinal Copia (The Band Ghost)

Billy Loomis and Stu Macher (Scream)

John Kramer/Jigsaw (Saw)

Erik Destler/The Phantom - (2004, 1990 and 1989 movie versions. If you want a more general Erik reply don’t give a specific movie)

Pinhead Cenobite - (Hellraiser)

Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelson and Anthony Hopkins. Please specify which of them you want)

Pyramid Head (Silent Hill movie + games)

Leatherface - Bubba/Jedidiah and Thomas Hewitt. Please explain which of them you want (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre)

• Rusty Nail (Joyride movies)

• Eric Newlon/John Carver (Thanksgiving)

• The Other (Hellfest)

The Man (Hush)

V (V for Vendetta)

Candyman/Daniel Robitaille (Candyman)

Grim Reaper (Lore)

The Babadook (The Babadook)

Bagul/Bughuul (Sinister)

Marlow Roderick (30 Days of Night)

Slenderman (Lore)

Billy Lenz (Black Christmas 1974)

Jacob Goodnight (See No Evil)

Eric Shroeder (The Maze)

Jack Riley (Basement Jack)

Lockhardt (Left for Dead)

Blade (Puppet Master)

The Joker (The Dark Knight)

Scarecrow/Jonathan Crane (Batman Begins/The Dark Knight Rises)

Bane (The Dark Knight Rises)

Beetlejuice (move version)

Djinn (Wishmaster)

Darth Vader (Star Wars)

Voldemort, Severus Snape, Lucius Malfoy, Fenrir Greyback, Barty Crouch Jr., and Antonin Dolohov (Harry Potter)

The Devil/Man in Black (End of Days)

The Headless Horseman (Sleepy Hollow)

The Boogeyman (General)

Venom - (Venom)

Art the Clown (All Hallows' Eve/Terrifier)

Pennywise the Clown (original + remake)

All Twilight Characters

Tywin Lannister & Jorah Mormont (Game of Thrones)

🔮 Who I Won’t Write

Actual killers. I am not one of those blogs that fetishizes murderers like Ted Bundy or Richard Ramírez. While they are interesting from a psychological perspective, I do not and will not romanticize them.

🔮 What I Will Write

Headcanons - Maximum 3 characters

One-Shots - SFW and NSFW - Maximum 1 Character

Aesthetic/Moodboards - Maximum 1 character

Consensual Non-consent

General Discussions. I love talking about slashers, serial killers and anything to do with the horror genre in general :)

🔮 What I Won’t Write

Multi-Chaptered Fictions

Anything that makes me too uncomfortable or overwhelmed. Too many topics, too descriptive, or if I believe I won’t be up to par for what you've asked for then I will politely deny your request.

Pedophilia

Scat/Watersports

Rape

Incest

🔮 Current To-Watch List

Phantasm