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Aurora blinked, trying to clear the confusion that clouded her head and her vision. After a moment the world slowed its spinning and she became vaguely aware of a voice murmuring somewhere to her left.
The world around her came into sharp, sudden focus and she realized she was standing in the center of a circle. In the candlelight, she saw curious eyes watching her, maybe a dozen pairs, glowing softly as they stared.
The smell of smoke and frankincense hit her nose as well as a combination of other smells, unfamiliar but not wholly unpleasant.
As the realization set in and her head cleared, panic crept into her gut. She looked around, eyes wide with confusion, trying to make heads or tails of the odd situation.
“You’re safe little one, no one here is going to hurt you.”
She turned sharply to see a man in flowing robes standing at the edge of the summoning circle, his skull-like face paint visible in the low light. He held out a hand to help Aurora out of the circle, which, after some consideration, she took, gently stepping out.
The low murmur continued, its pitch rising with excitement. She turned to see around a dozen ghouls, all clothed in black with simple silver masks, hovering curiously several meters away.
Nervous as she was, she listened carefully as papa emeritus IV explained what was going on. Fear and excitement bubbles in her stomach as he told her about the ghost project. Finally, something fun she could do!
When Papa had finished explaining, he gently guided her over to where the ghouls were standing, all of them waiting patiently for their newest ghoulette to join them.
With a nod from Copia, the ghouls bounded forward to greet Aurora, excited and enthusiastic.
Aurora, on the other hand, was intimidated and immediately shrunk away.
“Too much! You’re all too loud!” One voice muttered.
“Back off! Give her some space, she must be confused.” Commanded another.
“We didn’t mean to frighten you sweetheart, we’re so sorry.” A soothing, female voice said, and she looked up into the eyes of a ghoulette standing closest to her.
“I’m Cumulus. We can all introduce ourselves better in a minute but let’s get you settled first, hmm?”
Aurora nodded, letting the ghouls lead her to a cosy common room, where they plopped down on the fairly random assortment of chairs and couches, the tallest wandering off in search of tea for everyone.
There was a pause as everybody settled themselves and a few murmured thank you’s as as tea is passed around, before the focus is turned back to Aurora.
She shifted, a little uncomfortable with all the eyes on her, before Cumulus spoke up again.
“Well, as you know, I'm Cumulus, and that’s Cirrus.” She said, gesturing to the ghoulette sitting next her. Cirrus was slightly taller and slimmer than Cumulus, with kind eyes that showed the hint of a smile beneath her mask.
The ghouls and ghoulettes briefly introduced themselves, and they began to chatter away, Aurora watching and listening with great interest, still a little shy.
She noticed how close the ghouls seemed to be, whether it was Cumulus and Cirrus, gently leaning against each other, tails entwined, or Dew, who was perched on Aether’s lap, whispering in his ear.
She realized she’d been staring a moment too late, as Dew’s mischievous face was now turned towards her.
“You’re staring.”
“Sorry.” She mumbled, looking away just as sunshine sat down very close to her.
“Hmm you are sweet aren’t you?” Sunshine mused, reaching out to play with a lock of Auroras’s cotton candy hair, enjoying the blush that crept onto the new ghoulette’s face.
“Be gentle Sunny.” Cirrus chided gently.
“Hush Cirrus, I think Rory can decide for herself.” Swiss butted in, looking pointedly at Aurora.
Aurora, despite her fluttering stomach, looked back at Sunshine somewhat defiantly.
“I don’t mind.”
“Oh looks like Sunny won already. That was fast.”
Aurora’s head snapped up.
“What?”
Swiss chuckled.
“We all wanted to see who you’d gravitate towards first, and I mean Sunny was predictable.”
Sunshine grinned triumphantly and gently pulled Aurora to sit in her lap, fingers still twined in her hair.
Rain and phantom mutter something and Cirrus grins.
“Don’t mind them sweetheart, they’re just jealous.”
“Of what?”
“Sunny.”
“Why?”
“Well you’re new sweetheart, everyone is curious, and maybe a little jealous sunny got to you first. They’ll have their chance later-if that’s something you’re comfortable with of course, no pressure, that’s just how it works around here for us.”
Aurora blushed a deep pink, suddenly shy again.
Sunshine patted her shoulder and grinned, waiting for Aurora to find her words.
“So…how does this work?”
“Well essentially do whatever you like, provided everyone is comfortable, and, nine times out of ten someone is down for some fun.” Swiss winked. “There aren’t too many ground rules so as long as you can perform for the rituals Copia doesn’t care.”
Aurora considered what was on offer, before grinning up at the other ghouls, still perched on Sunshine’s lap.
“Sounds like fun.”
The pack grinned at the new ghoulette, thrilled.
Sunshine tugged Aurora to her feet.
“So new girl, my room?”