Ghosts'Ghoul Gang

A Night's Work

Cumulus readjusted her grip on the heavy stack on books and various research papers in her arms, the air goulettes' pace quickened down the shiny clean halls. Some of the books she had gathered were from the library about ancient runes and dead languages; some of the papers she had typed were translation codes for some of those dead languages. There were books on ancient rituals, pages and pages of translated spells. The ghoulette didn't know why Sister Imperator needed any of these, but it wasn't her place to ask, it was her job to do as she was told. She shifted the weight to one arm, raising the other to knock on tall dark wooden double doors, being granted entrance with a soft "Yes?" that broke the silence easily.

Cumulus slid inside, the door closed softly behind her, the cape pooling around her knees as she spun around. The ghoulette dipped her head in greeting before walking towards the desk in the center of the room, careful stepping a quiet creek on old wooden floors. Sister Imperator wore her silver hair short, eyes sharpened and trained like an eagle's gaze as she watched. Cumulus set the large stack on the nearest edge of the desk, then stood straight with her hands clasped behind her back.

"This is good. Will you be a dear and fetch me the Cardinal?"

Cumulus smiled fondly and nodded.

"Tell him its urgent, thank you."

With another nod Cumulus turned and left the large office room, the sounds of Sister Imperator returning to her paperwork as the air ghoulette closed the door. She walked to the front door, checking the first door on the left where the Cardinal was usually in his office, only to find the makeshift bedroom adjacent area empty. She then went on to check the dining halls, the library, and the gardens with no success; he wasn't even in the past papa's resting room. With a shiver cumulus relented and descended to the basement level.

Before the ghoulette saw anything she heard them. Amongst the melodic dripping of water from a pipe distantly, there was metal or glass tinking and hushed voices. Cumulus crept forward, each cautious step a heel toe to make as little noise as possible; but if she could feel a ghoul presence down here then they could surely feel her too. The noises and scurrying stopped as she approached the tactile shelves, and several isles down she could make out honey golden orbs a glow. Not far down the way Swiss stood with her arms full, beside him was Cardinal smiling sheepishly. The youngest Papa extended his hand as the air ghoulette approached, and when she complied, kissed the top of her hand in sweet greeting. She always liked how this Papa treated the ghouls- like they were gifts to be appreciated- not tools to condemn to use when you need or want.

"Cumulus, dear. You shouldn't sneak on me."

Cumulus smiled and nodded once, then spoke gently, "Sister would like to see you."

"Of course, thank you for letting me know, i'm sure it was quite the hunt." Papa said before turning to face the tall multi ghoul, "Go take care of these. You know where to take them, yes?" and after Swiss' nod, "Good ghoul, then ill meet up with you after, wait for me there."

The Cardinal left first with Cumulus following close behind, but the tall multi ghoul had to go the same way and came up alongside the air ghoulette as they walked a step behind their current Papa. The three were quiet going upstairs, and even more so in the halls. The Cardinal had enough restraint to not stop and personally greet every rat in the hall, but he did smile and bid every rat a sweet 'Hello'. Papa and Cumulus stopped at Sister Imperator's doors, waiting only a moment long enough for Swiss to pass by, then Cardinal led the pair inside the office without knocking first.

Sister Imperator looked up at the doors movement, watching them approach, a bright smile reaching her eyes as she looked upon the Cardinal. But Cumulus stopped halfway across the room, not liking the glint behind the woman's eyes; though her warmth felt real it also looked misplaced. Sister stood from her seat to greet him with a short hug, then faced the ghoulette who stood halfway from the door to the center of the room.

"Thank you for your work today, i'll take it from here. You are dismissed." Sister Imperator spoke to the ghoulette.

Cumulus dipped her head twice, then left the room. Sighing as the door closed her, she turned to head for the Cardinals 'office' to find the multi ghoul. Cumulus usually did complicated research, but overall her job was easier than most other ghouls. As Cumulus watched the multi ghoul from the doorway she still had no clue what the pair were up to; Swiss was organizing various items atop the desk with his back turned.

"Do i even want to know?" Cumulus finally asked.

Swiss spun around, smiling wide and brightly at the ghoulette he said. "I was told not to tell."

She accepted this with a half shrug, stuck her tongue out, then said, "Have fun working."

"See you soon." Swiss said bye.

The air ghoulette took to the halls, making her way past empty closets and locked rooms, eventually she peeked into the common room as she wasn't yet tired enough to seek out sleep. Rain sat on the edge of the couch, white base with a black pic guard snug on his lap. Sodo sat on the edge of the coffee table with his matching black and white guitar; the pair jamming together. Cumulus walked through the room to the attached kitchen, prepared to make the three of them something to snack on.

-

Swiss said see you soon, but it wasn't for hours later that the rest of the ghouls saw the tall multi ghoul, but he wasn't alone. It was a pleasant surprise, but a shock nonetheless when Swiss followed the youngest Papa into the common room. Another ghoul fetched Cumulus and Mountain from the kitchen where they were making dinner, and when all the ghouls had been gathered to the common area Papa Copia motioned for Swiss to join his ghoul gang.

"My ghouls, and ghoulettes." Papa started, "Due to our continued growing size we are long overdue for change. This coming week the ministry will be relocating. Arrangements have been made with moving companies and handlers. But i am well aware that change can be difficult, therefore i wanted to personally let you all know." and after sparing a glance at all his ghouls, "Well, ill be off then. Later!"

The ghouls waited for their Papa to leave before exploding into small chats about the news bomb, Cumulus and Mountain having a more quiet conversation between themselves now back in the kitchen. Most of the conversation were excitement or anticipation, but some ghouls voiced their own fears and concerns; before any of them knew the night was coming to end and the sun was rising.

A/N: 1185 w