Chapter Text
"I can't believe you're dragging me along for this," grumbled a not-so-happy fire ghoul as he walked with his Papa.
"You're the new pack leader, Dew," Copia gently reminded, "If I'm choosing a new ghoul for the project, I at least want your approval."
Dew scoffed softly at that, his torn and burnt ear fins pinned back against his head. The former water ghoul wasn't happy that a new ghoul was being brought into the pack, mostly because he knew the ghoul would take Aether's spot. He, Mountain, and Aether are bonded, being the only ghouls in the Ghost Project left from previous eras.
Only a handful of ghouls from previous eras remained. Ifrit was spared the Pit thanks to him being Secondo's adoptive son. Zypher, in turn, was allowed to stay because he's bonded with Ifrit. It was because of the Clergy's investment in Alpha that he was kept, despite all of his progress going down the drain when Secondo was killed, the once proud fire ghoul becoming almost a hermit in his grief. Omega just disappeared. Since the night of the Papas' murder, he had vanished, and no one has seen him since. And despite pulling the same disappearing act as Omega, Mist can sometimes be spotted near the lake. The other ghouls were sent to the Pit, while others were sent to abbies around the globe.
Dew was still hurting from the separation of his packmates. He had grown up around those ghouls, and he was now losing not only his pack leader but also one of the few ghouls he had left. Dew was so lost in his thoughts that he hardly realized he was about to walk into the closed door of the General Quarters of the Ghoul Den.
"Dew! Careful, Firefly," Copia winced, reaching out just in time to grab Dew by the shoulder and keep him from walking into the oak door. That action did earn him a hiss from the former water ghoul, causing him to put his hands up with an awkward, "Sorry, sorry. Forgot, no touch."
"Let's just get this over with," Dew grumbled, folding his arms across his chest.
Copia frowned, part of him second-guessing himself on bringing Dew along, but there was no turning back now. He pushed open the doors, stepping inside as Dew followed after him.
Dew could feel the eyes of the ghouls present in the main foyer of the dorm-esk manor. He didn't recognize any present faces, but he expected that. He's been in the Band Quarters for so long.
"Where is this new kid?" Dew huffed as he walked with Copia.
"Upstairs with the other Quintessence Ghouls. He arrived about a week ago," That got Dew's ears to perk up in curiosity.
"Arrived? Did he come from another Abby?"
"Si," Copia nodded, "I believe he was born here but raised at the LA Abby."
The LA Abby? Now Dew was really interested. Ghouls from that Abby rival those here at the central Abby. Maybe this new kid won't be so bad? Perhaps they'll be like Omega, stoic and intimidating, or they'll be like Aether with a comforting presence despite his threatening frame. His eyes soon landed on the still bare door that must lead to the new ghoul's room.
"Remember, be nice, Dew," Copia reminded as the fire ghoul stood straight, holding his hands behind his back.
"Yes, Papa," Dew nodded, his tail giving a small flick as Copia knocked four times on the door before opening it.
"Hello? You're Phantom, si?"
The ghoul inside perked up at the sound of Copia's voice, looking up from where he was reading on his loft bed, and when Dew saw the ghoul, he pinned his ear fins flat against his head.
He could tell immediately that this ghoul was a runt. The quintessential ghoul is the smallest he has seen with lanky limbs. A pair of bat-like wings were tucked tightly against his back, his tail naturally curled at his side. His dark gray skin was decorated with splotches of milky white skin, with it being concentrated around his left eye, turning it red. Dew's nose even wrinkled under his mask at the runt's scent. He smelt nothing like the Pit. Instead, he smelt more like a human than a ghoul but still has the slight scents of chemicals on him, similar to Aether's scent.
"Yes, that's me," Phantom answered, setting his book aside and hopping down from his bed, "D-Do you need something, Papa?"
"Si, I wanted to introduce you to my pack's leader, Dewdrop," Copia smiled as he gestured to Dew.
Dew stayed quiet, looking this Phantom up and down before letting out a chuff. It was expected that the younger ghoul would respond, as it was the most common greeting amongst ghouls. He didn't expect Phantom to reach a hand out towards him with a nervous smile and a "Nice to meet you, Sir."
"...Hi," Dew tilted his head to the side, halfheartedly shaking Phantom's hand.
"Dew, here is the lead ghoul for the Ghost Project," Copia smiled as he explained, "He ensures the other ghouls involved with the project behave and are protected."
Dew watched Phantom's ears perked in interest, his nervousness melting away as he listened to Copia's praises of him. Usually, he'd let all this praise go to his head, but he kept his focus on the younger ghoul. Of all the quintessence ghouls brought to the Ministry, why would Copia focus on this runt? What could he bring to the pack?
"I look forward to seeing you thrive here at our Ministry," Copia smiled, "I'll have Aether come and give you a more detailed tour of the grounds."
"Yes, Papa," Phantom nodded, his spaded tail wagging back and forth.
"Oh, you don't have to call me by my title. Copia does just fine."
Phantom nodded, giving a lopsided smile as he brushed his messy black and white hair away from his face, "Ok, Pa- Copia," He quickly corrected himself.
Copia chuckled softly, patting the ghoul on his shoulder, "Take care, Phantom. Dew, come," He chirped out, turning to leave the room.
Dew was quiet, keeping his eyes on Phantom as Copia left the room. The mask he wore kept his unamused expression hidden as Phantom looked at him with a boyish smile. It has a charm to it, not that Dew would admit it. He didn't return the smile, huffing softly through his nose before turning and leaving the room, trailing after Copia. Ignoring how Phantom's smile faded to a confused frown and tilt of his head.
"So, how do you like him?" Copia asked when Dew returned to his side.
"No," Dew shortly answered.
"Huh?"
"I don't want him in the pack," Dew growled, "The kid's a runt. He wouldn't survive his first tour stop."
"Dew, he'll do just fine," Copia huffed softly.
"I still don't want him in the pack."
"Alright, alright," Copia huffed, "We'll see what the Clergy will say."
Dew grumbled softly but dropped it. He was confident that the Clergy wouldn't choose that ghoul, there's so many other options.
Who would choose that baby bat?