It's a Long Way Down

Chapter Three: The Uno Game

"We managed to get the room ready faster than I thought, my Ember," Copia told me as he led me down the hallways, leading me to my new room, "You are, however, able you customize it as you wish, make it yours, if you will."

"And if Sister Imperator deems me unsafe or unfit and sends me back?" I asked, the haunting question that had been in the back of my mind. Papa paused and looked at me, "You don't need to worry about Sister. I'll handle her. Just go ahead and get settled here."

He continued walking for a little longer, stopping in front of a door, "Now, you will be between Swiss and Sodo, so there may be quite a bit of chaos outside your door, but inside the rooms everything is basically soundproof. I've noticed my ghouls like to have their privacy during their cycles."

I nodded as he opened the door for me, revealing the room, which had dark red painted walls, dark wooden floors, with a 4 poster bed up against the right wall. There was a bookshelf on the wall opposite of the door, along with a window that seemed to have a reading nook. Copia spoke once again, "I did fill up your book case with some of my own books, some that I had found while we were touring, along with some educational books about ghouls and their cycles and all, in case you needed more information. There isn't much clothes in here, but we do allow ghouls to go out and find clothing at least once every two weeks with an allowance we provide."

"Thank you, Copia. This is perfect," I tell him, cutting off his rambling. He offered me a smile before backing out of the door, "I will leave you to get settled. Aether is just across the hall from you, Rain the next door down with the ghoulettes just down the hall, along with Mountain."

He closed the door behind him and I let out a sigh. My eyes flickered around the room, landing on some candles. I wondered how much of my power had stayed with me when I came up here. I waved my hand in the general direction if the candles, the wicks lighting up instantly, making the room a little brighter. I gave myself a small triumphant smile.

I decided to rummage throught my drawers, trying to find some comfy clothes, just to find more of the ritual uniforms and jeans. I sighed walking out of my door and walking across the hall, knocking on Aethers door. He was quick to open it, giving me a small smile when he saw who it was, "Hey, what's up?"

"Do you still have the clothes from this morning in there?" I asked. He nodded, going to grab them as he spoke, "You still rooming with Sodo?"

"No, my rooms just across the hall, actually," I told him. He came back, handing me the folded clothes, "Oh, cool. Hey, for the Uno game, you know where the common room is?"

I shook my head. He just put his hand on my shoulder, putting it lightly, "I'll help you find it. I'll grab you in 30 minutes? That enough time?"

I nodded, "Yeah, sounds good."

With that, I walked back into my room, going into my ensuite bathroom and putting down the sweats and a shirt, tossing the other 2 items on top of my dresser. I took off my mask and balaclava, putting them on the counter as I started up the shower. I ran my fingers through my short hair as the water heated up, trying to get out the tangles I didn't have time to tame this morning. Soon, I stripped out of my clothes, getting under the water, giving my hair a quick wash, being careful of my horns. After washing and rinsing my body and hair, I got out, drying my hair before quickly getting dressed. I made sure to slide some shorts under the sweats just in case I got too hot during the game. I ran a brush through my hair, throwing it up into a quick bun before putting on a neck gaiter, pulling it up to cover my mouth and nose, sliding on my mask to finish just as a knock sounded at my door. I walked over, opening it, seeing Aether, "You ready?"

"Yeah, lead the way," I told him, closing my door behind me. He led me down the hallway, rambling on about how the game might get intense and all, since Swiss and Sodo get too competitive. He soon led me into a larger room, fit with couches, 2 tvs with gaming consoles, a kitchenette, a fireplace, and the rest if the ghouls. Swiss was the first to notice us, "We were starting to think you tow wouldn't show!"