Chapter Text
Chapter
I groaned as I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling above me. It was spinning and I felt overwhelming nausea as I tried to push myself into a sitting position. I froze when I noticed the five pairs of eyes staring at me. There was a human woman and man standing on one side and on the other side were three ghouls who were watching me carefully. The smallest one smelled of salt water and campfire mixed together. The one in the middle smelled of seaweed and salmon and there was something in his cerulean eyes that made me not want to look away. The last ghoul was significantly taller than the first two and smelled of frankincense and myrrh incense.
“Hello cara. I am Cardinal Copia. You were just summoned to the top side.” I just blinked owlishly at the weird man in the alarming red dress. “What's your name? Can you speak english?” I cocked my head and let out a little chirp. The hybrid spoke up next.
“She says yes but not a lot. And her name is …. Erm Rory would be the easiest to say for you guys.” I let out a purr of confirmation.
“Thank you Dewdrop. What element are you?” He asked me. I let out a few chirps and clicks, looking straight at Dewdrop as I did.
“Erm… Earth and water. A hybrid like me.” He seemed to realize he was still holding something in his hand and his eyes went wide. “Here.” He murmured, moving over to me and wrapping my naked frame in a cloak.
“Dewdrop, I am going to have you help her learn the ways of the top side and teach her english.” The man in red told him.
“Papa! I wouldn't do good at that!” Dewdrop complained. “Rain would do so much better. And he actually is a water ghoul.”
“Yes, but I asked you. No arguing. Now off with all of you.” With quiet muttering Dewdrop helped me to my feet and laced his tail with mine to guide me down the hall. The building was twisty and confusing as he led me through it and down a staircase into what I presumed was the dungeon. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was actually well lit and very cozy. There was a den area with soft fluffy seating and in front of it on the floor was all sorts of soft plump squares and sheets in the shape of a nest.
“This is our den but we each have individual rooms back there.” He gave a light tug on my tail with his to tell me to follow him. We trailed further back in the hall to see a bunch of doors with writing on them that I couldn't decipher. I gave a confused chirp and he looked at me. “Oh! The doors have our names written on them. Don't worry you’ll be able to read it soon enough. That one's yours.” He said pointing to the door just down from us. “Mines the one directly across from you.”
He led us into the room and the first thing I noticed was the bad raised nest under the window. There was also a table in the corner across from the bed and a chair in front of it. I tugged on his tail and pointed to the raised nest and cocked my head.
“That's a bed, though we usually put plenty of pillows and blankets on them to make them a better nest. We can get those for you after you take a bath. He opened the door in my room and inside was a big white tank and a counter against the wall with a little dip in it. “That's the bathtub. You can get clean there while I go get you proper clothes.” I clicked at him a couple of times and he sighed. “Right. You’ve never- hang on. Step in.” I grabbed his hand and stepped over the edge of the tub. He helped me remove the cloak he put on me and messed with the dials on the edge, making something spray down in my face. I yelped in distress and scrambled out of the tub, huddling myself in the corner.
“Rory! You have to take a bath. Come on!” Dewdrop huffed. He tried to grab my wrist but I jerked back and let out a series of whines and whimpers. “Fucking satanas. Would you do it if I was in there with you?” He snapped, making me shrink even more. He grumbled and started stripping his clothes off, climbing into the tub and holding out his hand. “Look. It isn't that bad.” I crawled forward and stuck my head under the stream, purring at how warm the water was. “See?”
I looked up at him for a second before grabbing his hand and stepping back into the tub. He took a cup from the side of the bath, filled it with water and brought it up over my head. He started slowly pouring it into my hair and getting me wet. I trilled and nuzzled into his chest.
“D-Dewdrop?” I stuttered. His eyes lit up and he nodded.
“Yeah, that's my name!” He grabbed a round bottle and poured some liquid on his hands before massaging into my head. I let out a trill and nuzzled into him. “Hey! Now I’m covered in it.” He laughed. He repeated the process again with a different bottle before taking this bubbly stone and rubbing it all over my body. Once all of it was washed off of me I smelled my arm and crinkled my nose. “I know it doesn't smell the greatest but you will get use to it.” He murmured as he toweled me off and did the same to my hair. “Perfect, Rain left some clothes for you from the girls.
“R-Rain?”
“Yep. He was the water ghoul at your summoning. The other ghoul was Aether.” Dewdrop helped me step into soft pants and slipped an equally soft shirt over my head. “Sit on the bed so I can brush your hair.” I sat down and felt something tugging at my hair. I pulled away and looked back. “Sit still!” He scolded. I huffed and settled down. Once he was done brushing he started running his fingers through my hair and tying it back. “It’s late. You should probably get some sleep. We will work on your english tomorrow.” He stood up and started to head to the door but I bolted after him. “Do you need something before I leave?” I shook my head. “Ok, Night then.” I followed him across the hall and into his room. “Rory, I’m going to bed. Go back to your room.” He pulled back the blanket and I dove under the sheets. “Ror!” I gave him my best puppy dog eyes and he glared at me. “I don't fall for those!” We had a stare off for a few minutes before he sighed and crawled in after me. “Fine. But only for tonight. Then you are sleeping in your own bed.”
I trilled happily and snuggled up into his chest, purring in content. He immediately seemed to melt and wrap his arms around me. He buried his nose into my hair and sniffed it for a second before joining my happy sounds and snuggling into me.
“You tell anyone about this and I’ll chop that pretty hair off. Got it?” I chirped happily and nuzzled into his neck. “Good. Now go to sleep.” He pulled the fluffy quilt over us and lulled both of us into a deep sleep with his soft purring.