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Papa Perpetua was trying to curb the amount of cussing that the ghulehs were doing. No one really knew the reason why. Probably just testing out the extent at which the ghulehs would listen to him. That or how they would simply react to any attempt at lessening certain unholy behaviors of theirs. Setting up a swear jar, he watched as it quickly filled up.
Mountain didn't mind it at first. Chuckling to himself when Swiss would have to pay double. Cussing after getting called out. Cycling through cuss words, Rain would steal his wallet and empty it into the jar.
It was only when he noticed his little, Hendrix was becoming nonverbal more and more when regressed. Thinking something bad had happened without his knowledge, Mountain was worried sick. Realizing it when Drix panicked after letting a f-bomb drop after a really hard day of work. That his regressed mind had deeply fixated on that blasted swear jar. Also, the fact that Hendrix had suddenly been able to switch it on and off in his adult headspace. He hadn't dropped more than $5 into the jar.
"Henny, I'm not gonna snitch on you. You can speak freely here." Going out of his way to look around the room like he was making sure there were no other ghulehs around. That and Papa. "Not gonna punish you for swearing.
A little after this realization, Mountain barges into Perpetua's office. "How long is this going to go on for?"
Perpetua's confused at Mountain's behavior. Never having any problems with the gentle giant. Greatly capturing his attention. "What?"
"The swear jar, it's making my job a caregiver incredibly difficult," Mountain hasn't even bothered to sit down. Unable to keep his pacing to normal footsteps instead of his usual stomps.
"Would you like me to talk to Hendrix?"
And that's how a regressed Hendrix ends up going to Papa Perpetua's office. "Do I have to?" Hendrix whines as they knock on the door.
"No, not necessarily. But it'd be rude to not hear him out." Drix had no response to that. Letting the ghuleh knock on Perpetua's office. Walking in, Drix sat down. "I heard from Mountain the swear jar is stressing you out, cucciolo." Hendrix gave his caregiver a surprised look before pouting.
"So what if it is? Have to follow the rules somehow," Hendrix mumbled.
"Yes, that's what I've tried to instill within you. But you shouldn't be stressed to the point of being too afraid to talk," Mountain pointed out.
"I was thinking of getting rid of the swear jar—"
"—you were? Sorry," Drix accidentally jumped the shark.
"I was. Got all the information I needed. Just wanted to see what methods would be successful in curbing the ghulehs' behaviors. But right now, I want to apologize for the grief I've caused. To both of you. Hopefully, you can forgive me, little one."
"What do you say, Henny?" Mountain prompted.
"I think...I can forgive you, papa."
Perpetua smiled at getting to witness Mountain's caregiver side. Even a small glimpse. "It's okay. I understand if it takes some time to earn back your trust."
