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Aether loves bananas. Everyone knows that. The other ghouls and ghoulettes, the Clergy, the Siblings of Sin. Even the Ghost fans know that, from seeing backstage pictures on the band’s official Instagram account. What not everyone knows, is just how much he loves them. And it’s not just eating them either. No, his love for the fruit goes way beyond consuming the yellow treat. Till the point where it has become…rather concerning. Or at least, those closest to the quintessence ghoul see it that way.
For Aether, it was love at first taste.
He tried the fruit for the first time when offered one by a Sister of Sin during one of the first daytime celebrations held in the abbey he attended to. After that, it was over for him and he developed an addiction that led to an almost dependence. That in itself was not only rare but also a reason for concern since, even though ghouls can eat human foods, the fruit it’s not necessary for the demon’s nutrition. What they do need to consume in order to live in the human world is… Well, something else.
It is known by those who delve into the occult arts that demons such as ghouls need a certain kind of sustenance in order to survive amongst humans once summoned into the earthly plane. That particular nourishment can only come from one source: humans themselves. However, over time, it was discovered that ghouls can survive by consuming other types of meats to replace flesh, yet not with the same result. All in all, they do still need to eat flesh at least once in a while. Otherwise, they can become sick. Or worse, they can become feral.
As for what concerns the ghouls and ghoulettes that the Ministry is in charge of, they usually eat raw meat from either cows, pigs, chickens, or lambs. Mountain is more partial to fish, though.
Still, as previously mentioned, they do enjoy eating other kinds of foods, just for the pleasure of it. Cumulus has a big sweet tooth while Cirrus is more into sour things. Swiss likes alcoholic beverages a little too much, to the point where he can even get drunk if left unsupervised at the abbey’s parties. Mountain is known to treat himself to a few rolls of sushi from time to time, and Rain prefers vegetables and fruits in general.
And Dew, as could be expected, loves spicy foods.
Also soap, apparently. Although, according to him, that’s just a false rumor. It’s up to anyone to decide if they believe him or not.
But he isn’t the one in need of an intervention. At least not right now, and not because of the soap allegations. Who’s in need of help is Aether, ‘cause his liking has turned into a borderline dangerous obsession. And dangerous not only to him.
Over the years he has spent on Earth after being first summoned by Papa Emeritus III, he has collected quite a hefty amount of banana-related memorabilia, merchandising, and all other kinds of objects. Clothes, tableware, stationery supplies, and more. He even has banana-scented candles that he likes to light from time to time. His bedding is littered with images of the fruit as well, including cushions and plushies in its shape.
It’s too much, and those around him are growing more and more concerned.
“We have to do something about Aether’s…problem,” Mountain says, starting off the emergency meeting they are having.
The ghouls and ghoulettes are currently sitting around the coffee table in their common room. They were called there by the earth ghoul in order to discuss the problem that has begun to get out of hand regarding the quintessence ghoul. They are taking advantage of the fact that said demon is currently occupied with helping the Cardinal with his daily paperwork.
“Yeah, shit’s getting outta hand,” Swiss agrees before he pops a licorice candy into his mouth.
Despite the multi-instrumentalist’s words, he doesn’t look as concerned as he sounds, given how he’s sprawled on the couch while he eats sweets. That blasé attitude gains him a swat on the arm from Cirrus, who’s sitting between him and Cumulus. From the other end of the room, in which the small kitchen resides (one that was put together after the demons were banned from using the general kitchens of the abbey), Dewdrop is standing in front of the island, brandishing a knife while he cuts peppers, which he’s going to eat raw. In the meantime, he complains about what concerns him the most regarding Aeth’s situation.
“The stench can be smelled from my room even. It’s so fucking annoying!”
“But what can we do? We already tried to talk to him about it and he either dismisses our concerns or says that he’s gonna change but never does,” Cumulus points out before stealing one of Swiss’ candies.
“We need to do something drastic if we want him to stop,” Cirrus reasons.
Being one of the few demons to be truly invested in the task at hand, she ignores her two bandmates sitting on each side of her, preferring to address Mountain (who’s sitting on the armchair to her right and in front of the coffee table, the kitchen being behind it) and Rain (who’s sitting opposite the drummer, on a twin armchair placed at the other end of the coffee table). The two ghouls are as concerned as her, fearing for the well-being of the rhythmic guitarist.
That’s what leads the bassist to make a suggestion that could help their friend. Although, what he might think of as helpful could end up being more detrimental than anything else.
“Should we get Imperator involved, then?”
“Dude, you wanna help him or get him killed?” Swiss accuses as he holds his small bag of licorice candy as far away from Cumulus’ reach as possible.
“I say we should try our luck with that,” Dew innocently suggests, fooling no one.
That gains him Cirrus’ admonishment, to which he replies with an even more unhelpful comment.
“Dewey…”
“What? Worst thing that could happen is that he gets sent back to the Pit.”
“We don’t want that!”
“Speak for yourselves. You don’t have your frickin’ bedroom stinking of rotten bananas!”
The heated exchange between the fire ghoul and the air ghoulette is tense enough to merit Mountain’s intervention, bringing the group back to the pertinent discussion. And as Cirrus settles down more comfortably on the couch, slouching a bit, Dewdrop finally makes his way over to the living room, plopping down on the bean bag chair residing in one of the corners of the room, between Rain’s armchair and the TV. In his hands, he’s holding a bowl filled with Ghost Peppers.
“Telling Imperator is out of the question, but we could get Copia to help,” Mountain suggests. “After all, he’s very fond of Aether.”
“Almost too fond, some would say,” Rain mutters under his breath.
However, despite his attempt to be inconspicuous, he’s heard by Dew, Cumulus, and Swiss. And even though the latter chooses to ignore the comment, the other two can’t help but reply. Or rather, the guitarist replies while the keyboardist chides both of the ghouls for their incriminating words.
“Swear it gives me the creeps sometimes.”
“You two, stop it.”
“So, it’s settled then? We tellin’ Cardi?” Swiss questions, happy to tattle on Aether.
The multi ghoul’s inquiry catches everyone’s attention, bringing back their focus toward the real issue they are supposed to be dealing with. It also serves to distract them from whatever it is the developing nature of Aether and Copia’s relationship which, honestly, none of them want to dwell on for long.
“Seems like we have no other choice at this point,” Cirrus laments, sounding despondent.
“Let’s just hope it works out in the end,” Mountain says, already dreading that the ordeal will be hell for them.
“Yeah, before I fucking set his room on fire so it smells better,” Dew threatens as he loudly chews.
The fire ghoul’s warning is enough to snap Cirrus’ patience, pushing her to scold him more firmly in the hopes of shutting him up.
“Quit it, you gremlin.”
Thankfully, the embarrassing nickname is enough to quiet down the guitarist, leaving him chewing on his peppers with his mouth open. ‘Cause even if Dewdrop accepts defeat, he always does it in the pettiest of ways.
It wasn’t easy getting Copia alone without rousing suspicion from Aether, so the demons decided to choose their champions to go talk to the Cardinal. The chosen ones were Mountain and Cirrus, who managed to slither away unnoticed while the quintessence ghoul was being distracted by his other bandmates. They were watching one of the Despicable Me movies, much to Dewdrop’s chagrin (yet he still put up a pretense of enjoying the film, just to appease the rhythmic guitarist).
When the drummer and the keyboardist finally got to the frontman’s office, they wasted no time explaining their concerns regarding their friend’s increasingly worrying addiction. And to their surprise ‒not really‒, they found that the Cardinal was as distressed as them about the subject. So, he readily agreed to try and put a stop to the unhealthy obsession Aether had developed towards bananas.
Copia decided to approach the issue directly, summoning his favorite ghoul to have a little chat during tea time. Aether’s tea flavor of choice is banana, of course. A rather uncommon flavor that the Cardinal had gotten him for his “birthday”.
“Aether, my boy,” Copia begins tentatively, “we need to talk about something that might be…upsetting for you.”
The moment the words leave the Cardinal’s mouth, the ghoul sitting on the other side of the desk furrows his brow behind his silver mask.
“What is it, Cardinal? Is there something wrong?”
“Well, the others have raised their concerns regarding your consumption of, uh…”
If Copia has to be honest, he hasn’t rehearsed a lecture to give the guitarist, although he should have, considering how he’s now struggling to find the right words to express what he wants to say without angering the other. He thought he had it figured out. He didn’t.
“Is this about my bananas?” Aether asks in a small voice.
“Yes, I’m afraid so,” the Cardinal admits, not wanting to delay the matter any further. “It has come to my attention that what started as rightful indulgence has veered towards preoccupying dependency.”
“It’s not that bad, really‒”
“Aether, Rain found a bundle full of rotting banana peels under your bed.”
“Those are from the best ones I had, the most delicious ones. I was planning on drying them, I just never got around to doing it…”
“You also have at least two peels stuffed in your trousers’ pockets right now, I saw them when you sat down.”
The remark makes the ghoul instantly reach towards said pockets, trying to inconspicuously push the protruding peels back inside. Naturally, the singer notices his bandmate’s actions, eyeing the slight movement like a hawk.
“I was holding onto them until I could throw them in the trash. I ate a couple on my way here,” Aether defends innocently.
The demon’s words make Copia sigh deeply. He’s honestly at a loss for words. He doesn’t know what exactly he can do to put a stop to the madness and help his dear…friend. The only thing that comes to mind that could actually work long-term is to threaten him with something that none of them want to do: tell Seestor about it. However, he knows that isn’t something he should be using willy-nilly, but rather as a last resort.
So, he attempts to talk the demon out of his uncontrollable fixation on that particular fruit.
“Look, we all want what’s best for you, and these habits you have been developing are far from healthy and safe. It’s not only about your well-being anymore, Aether, you might be putting everyone else at risk as well.”
“But I keep everything in my room!”
“Yes, yes, I know. But rotting fruit can attract all kinds of pests. And although that might not be particularly dangerous to your kind, it is to mine,” Copia reasons as calmly as possible.
Still, he might be a little hypocritical considering the kind of pest he refuses to consider harmful.
“I know it might sound strange coming from me, a Cardinal of this unholy organization, given that we preach about indulging in all kinds of pleasures. But the Ministry also recognizes the hazards of addiction,” he patiently explains, hoping to make the other see his point. “Too much can be as bad as too little. It is best when there’s a balance!”
“So, what you are saying is that I should cut back on the number of bananas I eat?”
“Yes, as well as getting rid of whatever organic waste you’re currently holding onto,” the man clarifies. “Oh, and you should probably tone it down with all the merchandising. It’s a little garish, my dear.”
The last part is added almost as an afterthought, considering that despite not being harmful in any way, the bright yellows of all the banana-themed objects Aether possesses clash with Copia’s preferred aesthetic tastes.
“What if I can’t do it? What if it doesn’t work no matter how hard I try?” Aeth questions with false worry.
The ghoul isn’t asking out of real concern, but just because he wants to see if he can get away with pretending to fail in his journey toward “sobriety”.
“Well, my boy,” Copia begins with fake dismay, fully aware of what the demon is playing at, “if that were the case, I would have to tell Sister Imperator about your problem and seek her counsel in the matter.”
As soon as the Cardinal mentions Seestor, he can see the guitarist’s demeanor change completely. The demon goes from smug to terrified in less than a second, almost paling at the possibility of having to face the woman’s wrath. And given how much he dreads that, he quickly arrives at the conclusion that perhaps eating fewer bananas and sleeping on sheets that aren’t bright yellow isn’t the end of the world.
“Okay, I’ll stop eating so much and I’ll throw away the bundle under my bed,” Aether concedes, defeated.
“And?” An expectant Copia prompts.
“And I’ll donate some of my banana-themed belongings to the local orphanage,” he begrudgingly relents.
“Atta boy!”
With the matter seemingly solved, a satisfied Copia gets up and rounds his desk in order to give the ghoul a keen shake of his hand as well as a tight hug. And if the Cardinal’s hands slip on Aether’s back a little lower than it would be deemed appropriate, and if Aether blushes under his mask but says nothing about it, that’s no one’s business.
“Excellent! Now that we have an agreement, you may go, my boy,” the singer announces with a cheerful tone. “But, don’t forget to throw the peels in your pockets before you leave.”
The man’s direction is heeded by the crestfallen demon, who takes both peels out of his pockets to dispose of them in the trash bin that sits in one of the office’s corners. Problem is that neither of them notices that one of the peels drags a second one with it out of the left pocket, which silently falls to the floor.
As the Cardinal opens the door to his office and ushers Aether out, telling him how happy he is to see him trying to improve and do better, the ghoul grimaces under his mask. Despite being content to appease Copia and avoid dealing with Seestor, his downcast demeanor is noticeable in the way his shoulders, head, and tail hang low.
The Cardinal watches as his beloved Aether leaves before he reenters his office, still unaware of the banana peel lying on the floor. Because of that, he slips on it and falls backward on the hard stone floor, breaking his ass tailbone in the process. In the end, an agonizing Copia is left lying on the floor of his office, struggling to call for help given that Aether is already too far away to hear him.
It takes half an hour for a Sister of Sin to go look for the Cardinal, upon Seestor’s request. She finds the man still on the floor, pale and shaking. As soon as she realizes what’s happening, she goes looking for help, coming back a couple of minutes later with other Siblings as well as a worried Imperator. And together, they all help the poor man up and onto a stretcher that will transport him to the infirmary where he’ll reside until an ambulance arrives.
While Copia lies on one of the infirmary’s beds, he can’t help but wonder what will be worse: the pain of healing his injury, or the pain of dealing with Nihil’s condescending mocking.