Rogues

Episode 38 | Back to square one

She wished she could say that she still felt something in the back of her mind that was locked away, so that they could at least continue on with the hope of removing that barrier and retrieving her memories. But she'd be lying if she did.

Sunshine's breaths were unsteady, tears threatening to spill as she longed for the memories she'd supposedly lost. She was currently sat on one of the infirmary beds, curled in on herself and shaking.

Bismuth was stood in front of her, leaning down so he could stare directly into her soft pink eyes. He flinched every now and again, humming or mumbling to himself.

Again, he sighed and turned away abruptly, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I can't focus with all this noise. Would someone please remove him."

The earth ghoul the Council had lended to them, Hinn, had been inconsolable since they'd arrived, swearing to the Dark Lord himself that Maricha was responsible for their lost memories.

The Prime Ghoul had been contacted and a summoning requested for Hinn's retrieval. The second Sunshine and her group had arrived back at the ministry with no memories, the situation had become the Council's top priority and the Prime Ghoul had requested to be summoned if any significant decisions needed to be made.

Copia had been hesitant at first to envoke the Prime Ghoul's request, but they needed to decide what their next step should be and he was sure that conversation should not be had without him.

Sunshine whined, sensing her mates by her side. Cirrus held onto her hand gently as she peppered kisses across the small ghoulette's face, Cumulas rubbing her back in an attempt to sooth her. She leaned into them, desperate for any semblance of stability.

"Sunshine?" Copia's voice was gentle. "If Corson cannot retrieve your memories, could you please follow me to my office so you can recount the events of the past few days as you remember them?"

Bismuth snarled, his tail whipping behind him. Copia had clearly forgotten that the Rogues hated being addressed by their legal names. They viewed the act as a reminder that the Clergy now knew what lines they belonged to, and that their actions were still at risk of putting their families in danger.

Copia sighed. "My apologies, Bismuth."

The air ghoul hummed a reply, reluctantly accepting his apology.

Copia staggered back as Hinn grabbed onto him, the Council ghoul clutching desperately onto the sleeves of the Papa's robes. "It is her! I promise it is her! Please believe me!"

Copia slowly moved the frantic ghoul's hands off his sleeves, holding them between his own and planting a gentle kiss onto the ghoul's shaking knuckles. "We will handle this, dear ghoul. No matter what caused this, you are safe here. You do not need to panic."

"You do not believe me," Hinn yelled back. "Why do none of you believe me?"

Before Copia could respond, a tall woman with greying hair stepped through the door. "The summoning is about to begin."

Copia nodded to her, handing Hinn over to two of his other ghouls and following the woman out of the infirmary. "Thank you, Seestor. I will be back soon, my dear," he called over to Sunshine. "Bismuth, please keep trying in the mean time."

The rogue nodded, turning to continue his work on Sunshine as the door to the infirmary closed behind the Papa.

But his attempt was abruptly interrupted again by a sudden scream from Hinn. Out of fear of what happened or frustration from not being believed, none of them could tell. He collapsed to the floor suddenly, sobbing and curling in on himself.