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

Can't You See That You're Lost

Perhaps surprisingly, finding some way to watch the security tapes in had been the most difficult task. All of the ghouls wanted to watch at once and the small security booth with barely enough space for only two humans was no place for eight worried ghouls.

Rain and Mountain had easily convinced the security team to release the tapes to them and Rain had been absolutely right in the idea that lowering their human glamour would be the way to do it. It had been for only the briefest of moments that he showed glistening red eyes, sharp teeth and claws and the tapes were clutched in his hands, leaving the security team to ponder over what they had really not just seen.

Gathering in the largest of the dressing rooms used by the five male ghouls, only seven of them were present. Dew still speaking with the Clergy members was yet to join them.

"We need to start," Mountain suggested, looking at the pile of recordings, each one at least two hours in length, some three or more depending on location. "Dew will understand, I'm sure."

Murmurs of agreement followed and the seven of them crowded around the large TV screen with a pile of recordings taken from each location that cameras had been placed. Having already sorted them into an order starting with the most likely to be useful, they began to watch the first one that showed the backstage area covering behind the drum riser and beyond. It wasn't the best angle but whilst they hadn't seen the loading door opening, they had observed the arrival of the four men and the coward who had apparently let them in. Pausing the picture, Mountain had an idea.

"Can someone fetch Papa's phone from his dressing room?" He suggested. "If we're going to find out who this is we'll need a photograph, just for ease of showing it to people.

Swinging around in his seat, Swiss was already on his feet and heading to the door.

"On it!" He called back.
"He's probably got it locked though," Cumulus noted. "Humans do that, I've seen them."
"Yeah, but his code is easy," Rain chuckled lightly to himself as he recalled watching Copia unlock the phone before making a call.

Saying no more, Rain was surprised to find a collection of expectant eyes focusing on him, waiting for him to continue.

"Oh, come on, it's a six digit code!" He laughed. "What's the most obvious thing you can think of?"
"One to six?" Phantom suggested only to receive an eye roll in reply.
"Six zeros?" Phantom tried again.
"You're closer, but come on give him some credit for humour!" Rain shook his head.
"Got it!" Swiss burst back in brandishing the cellphone.
"It's unlocked?" Cirrus turned a confused eye as she looked at the screen of apps displayed.
"We have to," Swiss shook his head in confusion, having missed the earlier part of the conversation.
"Well, what's the code then?" Phantom asked, frustrated by the lack of explanation.
"Oh! Don't you know?" Swiss grinned, earning a look of irritation from his bandmate. "It's six, six, six, six, six, six."

Phantom slapped a hand over his face at the ridiculousness of bothering with a code that was so easy to decipher from one single viewing, even if the humour of it was lost on the observer. Rain merely laughed at the reaction.

"Come on," Mountain drew their attention back to the TV. "Get a photo, we have to find this guy."

A stillness fell over the room as the stress in Mountain's voice brought them back to their task. It wasn't that they had forgotten it, but the constant crush of anxiety and worry needed to be pushed back if only for a moment. They were already a little closer to finding Copia, they just had to make it a lot closer. Taking a series of photos of the man who had let them in, all at different angles as the recording progressed, Swiss found himself growling quietly to himself with barely concealed hatred. Aurora began slowly rubbing comforting circles on his back, offering her head on his shoulder as his muscles responded by relaxing slightly, grateful for her empathy.