Aether ~ Attraction (AetherxReader)

3

He was about to speak again but was interrupted by another entry. Aether hurriedly reached the table and sat down next to Dew, bowing respectfully in front of Copia. 

"I'm sorry I'm late Papa, I had to finish some paperwork." he explained before darting a menacing look towards Dew. 

"Don't worry Aether, you're right on time for the first course." Papa said, dismissing him and sitting down at the end of the table, between Cumulus and Aether. 

As soon as Papa had finished talking, Aether's eyes met yours, and he flashed you a warm smile, which you returned with a little blush. Even though you felt a little shy and were a bit impressed by all these ghouls, you felt at ease and secure.

The first dish arrived, and you all started eating. 

"So, how was your first day here?" the ghoul named Swiss asked you.

"I mean I've loved everything I've seen so far, I can't wait to visit the gardens and to see al the other rooms." you started, eager to show your enthusiasm. "And Rain started teaching me how to play the bass, so that was very fun."

"Well technically I could've taught you how to play the bass too you know." Dew pointed out. "I probably would've done a better job anyways."

"Dew we've already discussed it." Papa calmly mentioned, making Dew roll his eyes and Rain chuckle softly.

"I'm sure you can join us tomorrow Dew, if you're not too busy." you suggested, which he happily nodded to.

The meal passed with the ghouls chatting amongst themselves and with you, mostly making small talk and sometimes cracking a few jokes. 

Right before dessert, Papa  asked for everyone's attention before speaking up:

"My ghouls, I want to remind all of you that the day after tomorrow, before dawn, we will perform a very special ritua for our newly arrived ghoul. Of course, I want all of you to be present and prepared for the ceremony." All the ghouls nodded, excited looks spreading on their faces. 

Then, turning to you, Copia continued:

"Come speak to me after dinner cara, I will explain some of the details to you."

"Okay, thank you Papa." you answered. 

You ate dessert and when every one was finished and got up to go about their business, you walked towards Papa who was waiting for you.

"Walk with me." he said, "I'll talk to you in my office."

You nodded and followed him through the corridors, all the way to his office. You entered the room and realised that the bed you had been in when you had first arrived was gone, and that now, a pretty desk sat in the middle of the room. However, Copia turned towards the corner where sat a couple of armchairs and he motioned for you to sit down. Afterwards, he sat down in front of you, and looked you in the eyes. 

"Tell me cara, how has your first day been? Was everyone nice to you?" he asked. 

"It's been great Papa, I have no complaint. Everyone was really nice with me, and I feel that very quickly I will truly feel at home." you answered truthfully. 

"That's very good to hear, please do not hesitate to come talk to me if you have any concerns. Now that this is settled, I wish to talk to you about the upcoming ritual." Copia said. 

You nodded, eager to hear more. 

"This ceremony is a very special one, since it will be the official moment where I will proclaim you as one of my own ghouls. It's a sort of pact, if you will." Copia explained calmly. "We just have a... special way of making that pact."

"What way?" you asked.

"Well, a pact requires that I mark you in one way or another, so each Papa had their own  way of doing it, but for me, I have tattooed each of my ghouls with my mark. There will be music, and only the ghouls and myself will be present."

Your eyes widened a bit a the explanation, but you simply nodded.

"Okay, I think I'm okay with that." you said.

"Good, I'm glad to hear that. I'm sure you'll do great bellisima." he said with a reassuring smile. "If everything is settled, then I will let you go for tonight. I recommend you go to your room and get a good night's sleep."

"I will, thank you Papa." you said as you stood up, Papa leading you towards the door.

"Oh and just in case, I asked Aether to walk you back to your room. We wouldn't want you getting lost would we?" Papa said, opening his door and revealing the tall ghoul waiting patiently outside. 

"Oh, thank you." you said, slightly surprised.

Papa closed the door, and you were left alone with Aether. 

"Hi again." you said with a little wave.

"Hey." Aether said, the warm smile you had seen on his face during dinner returning. "I believe that we haven't been formally introduced. I'm Aether, the quintessence ghoul. It's nice to meet you."

"It's very nice to meet you too Aether." you answered, smiling back to him. 

"Let's get you back to your room. You must be exhausted from all your practicing." he said as he started to walk.

"I do feel a little tired but Rain was very nice with me, don't worry. He's very patient." you said. 

"He sure is. Too bad that's not the case with every ghoul here." Aether chuckled.

"I won't tell Dew you said that." you smiled.

"You can, he won't do shit."

You giggled at his confident remark.

"Okay mister tough boy, I'll tell him then." you told him teasingly.

"Fine by me."

You scoffed with a smile, and realised you had already arrived to the door of your provisional bedroom. 

"That's where I'm dropping you off. Be sure to join us for breakfast at 9 a.m. tomorrow." Aether said. 

"Okay, thank Aether, I'll be there." you answered as you entered your room, waving him goodbye.

"Bye little ghoul."

"Goodnight Aether."

Your heart fluttered as you closed your door, and you let out a content sigh. You really enjoyed yourself here. Everyone was adorable, and you just couldn't wait to see them all again. 

As you changed into pajamas and jumped into bed, your mind came to wonder back to what Copia had said about the ritual. It felt kind of scary, as you didn't fully understand what it would consist of, but you felt confident that everything was going to be alright. 

With these happy thoughts in your mind, you soon fell asleep.