Here Comes The Son (Ghost Band / Papa Emeritus fic)

No More Ambiguity

Dew and Swiss stood outside the dressing room door listening. Not just listening but basking in the joy of listening to Copia's pre set warm up. Both ghouls had been part of Papa III's entourage and knew his singing abilities and vocal range well. Neither would deny that both were impressive but even though Copia sang many of the songs differently to Terzo, most notably an absence of sensual overtones in some of the more risqué songs like Jigolo Har Megiddo, his power and range far exceeded that of his half-brother.

There was an innocence to his voice that encouraged adoration from his flock no matter how angry the lyrics. Many were the times that the ghouls had looked out into the audiences to see their arms outstretched, singing along, their faces lit with joy as if the lyrics were the purest of hymns. Terzo had changed everything - the music, the ghouls and even his own appearance with the idea that sex sells, but it seemed to the two ghouls that joy, personal connection to the message and to the bringer of the message sold even more. Terzo had been handsome, popular and successful, but that success was more about himself than the Ministry, with many of his flock ready to swoon at his feet. He had begun with the best intentions but had made too many mistakes, not least of which was the self-aggrandising Popestar tour and he had ultimately paid a hefty price with the Ministry.

Copia's ghouls were determined that history would not repeat itself - not with the Ministry and certainly not with whoever had recently targeted him.

As they spied the other six ghouls making their way in full glamour, appearing as human as Papa himself, Dew and Swiss knew it was time to head for the stage. Rapping on the dressing room door, Dew stepped back as only a moment later Copia opened it to greet them all, beaming with delight at another opportunity to take to the stage.

*

As the house lights dimmed fully a roar went up from the audience as the anticipation rose. Swiss grinned at Aurora as she gave him a mischievous smile in return. Tonight they would tease the audience with something new. In a dim red glow near the back of the stage, the audience could see movement but it was impossible to make out. A momentary flash of white light hit the pair on the podium revealing Swiss on his knees, his long tongue extended towards Aurora standing in front of him as he gripped her thigh. The audience screamed their approval before another three bursts of light showed the pair in a series of sexually charged and increasingly erotic poses. Aurora's back arched in ecstasy with her hand on Swiss's head being the final scene before the lights dimmed again and the first notes of Kaisarion began. The audience already heightened by the ghouls' raunchy activities raised the roof as Copia launched into the powerful and high pitched scream that introduced the song. As openings went it was a remarkable spectacle that promised even more excitement to come.

Only just over half way through the set, it had been a blistering performance by everyone, settling into the tour with their enthusiasm still high but their comfort levels increasing with each performance. There was never a ritual where every aspect went according to plan, there would always be occasional mistakes or missed cues but this time the issues were small and with each performance, they had ironed out a lot of them.

As He Is drew to a close, Copia gave a slight bow to the audience as he headed off behind the drum riser to make a costume change. It was Dew, Rain and Phantom's cue to take centre stage for Miasma.

The middle of the instrumental approached as two Clergy members began to wheel a covered glass coffin on stage containing Swiss dressed as Papa Nihil pretending to be revived for his saxophone solo. It had annoyed Nihil intensely that they continued to play Miasma following his death at the end of the song in March of 2020. The theatrics of Swiss dressing as him and being brought back to life with a defibrillator seemed insulting but Copia had taken time to convince him that it was intended as a salute to him - a sort of in memoriam. That he was unique and there was simply no one else they could ask to play it as he had. Their only option was to make believe he was still with them, and more than in spirit. Nihil had reluctantly accepted the explanation for want of any proof to the contrary but still firmly believed that Copia was mocking him. Nihil was right.