#Ngihtmare is a fallen angel and everyone in the group now knows!!

[ancha-aus]

Ghosts & Medium Drabble - Morning After

I figured that after the angst I did before I should add something fun instead :3

This is right after the Banshee incident :D

*------------------------*

Cross frowns as he feels Dust shiver again. The small patches of ice on him still seem to grow and no amount of rubbing his arms seem to be able to keep it at bay.

They need to get back to his apartment. Cross knows a few old rituals but it works best to cast those on something to drink. A ritual to bring inner warmth. It is meant to comfort someone and warm soemone in the winter.

Cross hopes it will work against Banshee magic. He never... he never heard the other priests speak about banshee magic and how to treat it... How it affects a person.

He knows what spirit magic does to other spirits. He knows that the priests take careful care to cast divine spells of protection before dealing with one.

They hadn't know.

Who expects a Banshee?!

Cross glances over his shoulder as he watches Nightmare talk with the cult members in the distance. Horror is floating near Nightmare no doubt to hear what is being said while Killer and Ash are both right here by Dust and himself.

Killer groans "what is taking him so long?! We need to go!"

Ash is beside himself as he floats from side to side. anxiously glancing around as he mutters about rituals and ingredients. All while muttering about how spirits will notice the Banshee leaving. The empty area that has appeared is open to be claimed.

Cross frowns as he removes his own jacket to place around Dust over his normal hoody. He still feels cold to the touch. He picks him back up afterwards and tries to share his own bodyheat with Dust.

Cross realises he needs to say soemthing to Killer or risk the other doing something impulsive... and after seeing what he he is capable of he doesn't want to see what the other would do. "Ngihtmare is thinking long term. It would be very suspicious for Dust to leave without payment. We don't want the cult to know or even think that Dust wants something other than payment." this whole thing had been a plan to find information on the artifact that Nightmare wants. To repay the other for him helping Dust with Cross at Cross's request after Cross messed up.

In... a way this is Cross's fault... XGaster really was right... Cross jsut causes more trouble than he is worth-

Nightmare walks over "Done. We have the payment for Dust and they are none the wiser."

Killer groans "Finally lets go!" and he floats into the van as Ash looks anxiously at him and than Dust. Cross gives the spirit a gentle smile as he picks Dsut up.

Fuck he weights nothing... Cross had seen how unhealthy his diet is but he hadn't thought it would be this bad?! At least Horror is trying to get some better habbits into Dust to take better care of himself.

They enter the van and see Killer just stare at the wheel.

Nightmare hums as he taps his chin "I don't supose you know how to drive?" he glances at Cross.

Cross blinks "Of course I do?"

Nightmare looks pleased "Then you can drive."

There is just one small- honestly large issue. He looks back at Dust before looking back at the maybe demon? Dust never quite told them what he felt like he summoned and Nightmare never told them what he was... Cross just knows the other senses emotions and seems to eat emotions. Which is demon behaviour but isn't limited to just that kind of creature.

ngihtamre raises an eyebrow and Cross realises he was quiet for too long again "I euh... need my hands to drive..." he frowns back at Dust and sees that more ice formed and he quickly rubs the arms to get more warmth into the other.

Nightmare jsut stares at him for a moment as he slowly arches his brow. One of his normally hidden tentacles moves over to take Dust and Cross immediantly pulls Dust further away "Not wiht tentacles! He needs warmth!"

He doens't like the idea of Ngihtamre just holding Dust like a sack of potatoes! He needs to be careful!

Nightmare sighs but holds out his arms. Looking very unamused. Cross shoots him a look but carefully hands Dust over.

Ash looks deeply unhappy wiht this and goes over to Ngihtmare to tell him to 'hold him different!' and to 'support his spine better!' and most of all 'Rub his arms to warm him more!'.

But Cross needs to get them back to Dust's... Cross refuses to call it an apartment. It is a shithole and Cross can't beleive Dust just lives like that! Once this whole mess is over maybe Cross can convince him to at least live at the temple with him? The priests there are nice! They will probably be okay wiht Dust living there! That way he can safe up money as well and try to really get his feet back under him!

If... he wants... Dust seems content to wander... Hell the only reason he is even there as often now is because they all are with him and he needs aplace to plan instead of just... going from job to job with his van.

Something to consider later... Maybe he just doesn't like to stay at home because it is shit place?

Cross feels bad for thinking it. Dust is being nice and considerate wiht letting them all stay and trying to help Cross fix Cross's mistake... and here Cross is just thinking negatively about his place.

Talking about place... They are here.

Cross gets out and leads the way for Nightmare. Cross is happy to note they don't come across anyone... Cross has been noticing people shooting them all looks. He really hopes that doesn't bring issues to Dust later.

For now they get inside as Killer just opens the door. Right... Poltergeist... interacts easily with physical things. He just... never does it because Dust doesn't like him moving his things around...

Cross doens't have time to think about just how strong Killer is... Or the fact that Ngihtmare just declined Cross taking Dust back from him and instead calmly walks inside himself.

This is a mess.

This is such a mess.

horror looks at him "We are back... What now?"

Cross swallows as he speaks "I think it is most important he rests and warms up. I have a ritual that we used to do at the temple all the time. To help warm a person from inside. It is... more like a heightened tea than anything." more pressing "But well... Dust needs to also warm up form the outside. Best for that would be for him to take a bath or shower." But Dust is still out cold.

Ngihtmare however just looks unimpressed "That is all? That is a very simple solution. I will wash him while you prepare this tea-"

Killer growls as his target soul flashes as he leans clsoe to Nightmare "The fuck do you think you are planning?! You DON'T get to tocuh my mate like that!"

Ash glares at both 'Neihter of you are allowed that!"

Cross is unsure what to do. What does he say? he can't do this?!

Horror speaks over the other voices "Ice is getting worse."

It pauses the arguing between Ngihtmare and Killer as both glance down at Dust, who is still held in nightmare's arms. He is shivering and the ice is creeping up his neck and covers his shoudler now.

Shit.

Shit shit shit!

Nightmare frowns.

Killer glares at him "you can't even feel him getting cold! What makes you think you can even take care of him?! Make sure he is okay and warm?!"

Ngihtmare glares at Killer "Don't speak foolish assumptions about me spirit. You may not like what you learn."

Ash straight up yells out a loud shout of pure frustration. Stuff wiggles lightly as the light flickers. Weak compared to what strong spirits can do. But for a weak phantom? It is impressive.

Ash glares at them "Stop this! Either help my brother or leave." things shake again even as Cross sees the other flicker. Ash is using the little power he has. he is desperate.

Killer looks unhappy before glaring at Ngihtmare unhappy "Fine..."

Nightmare huffs as he leaves towards the bathroom. his now visible tendril grabbing a sweater and sweatpants from the ground in Dust's room.

horror looks at cross and mumbles "can you teach me how to make this... magic drink? It is best that more people know how it is made." Cross can see that both ash and killer followed Ngihtmare. No doubt to keep an eye on the maybe demon adn Dsut. Cross nods and goes towards the kitchen. He looks around around the kitchen and is happy to find a few spices. No doubt Dust's small stash for rituals to begin with.

okay. Time to make special tea. any flavour will do, as the flavuor just makes it easier to drink for the one needing it. The real magic is into infusing the energy and feeling of the right spices into the very essence of the tea.

It is one of the easiest things to learn. but a comfort and useful trick. Cross gets to work and explains each step to Horror. It is nice... in a way. knowing he is doing soemthing that will help Dust. knowing someone else is learnign about this.

It is quick work and Cross waits. knowing the tea will stay warm until it is consumed.

It is also a great trick to make a drink for yourself that you know will stay the right temperature...

In the end Killer comes back to tell them that they got Dust cleaned and his body at least a bit warmer.

Cross takes the drink and meets the others in his room. it is cramped. but Dust looks a bit better even if he still looks very pale. The small matrass is covered with three blankets and Cross is very sure dust only has two in his house. He suspects Killer for stealing more.

He is wearing sweatpants and a sweater now. a beanie on his skull to keep it covered. Cross can hear the old washer running in the background. Cross joins them and nightmare keeps dust upright as cross helps him drink the tea. it is slow work but luckily it works. Dust mumbles unhappily.

Cross laughs "Right sorry... you don't like cinnamon as flavour..." strange that he remembers that... they had been kids... way back... Cross mentioned once he liked cinnamon buns but that his father didn't let him eat them...dust showed up with one one day for cross... cross had tried to share but dust just told him he didn't care for the taste.

It was just... the easiest spice to use wiht the most effect. at least that he had available. Probably why Dust kept it around... it is one of the cheapest spices which can be used in most easy rituals.

At least dust is still sort of there and awake. that is good.

he finishes the tea nad it takes but a moment but some colour returns to his bones as his shivering stops.

Cross makes sure he is completely tugged in and warped up in the blankets. He checks the window for no draft and makes sure the curtains are drawn.

They leave the room and just take a moment...

And now... they wait...

It is up to Dust to wake up now.

*-------------------------*

his body feels sore... it is... cold...

He doesn't like the cold...

It is fine... there is always someone nearby who... Who is warm...

nightmare isn't warm to the touch... something about what he is... but cross, or at least cross's body, is warm. no matter who is in it...

He feels the blanket and follows along the surface of his bed under it... his hand searching for the other... retreating back when he feels soemthing cold...

Where... where are they? He is alone? Why is he alone? Don't they want to stay near anymore?

Why... why does that thought hurt?

He forces himself to open his eyes. Wake up. Don't think like... that... That is stupid...

Dust glances around and frowns. Just his room... lots of blankets though and he shivers. He pulls one tighter around him. strange... It is still warm out and while his apartment is shit it doens't get cold like this until it is winter...

He looks down adn frowns. That is the old knitted sweater he has... it has been an impulse buy when he was younger... He had been feeling low and sad and just miserable... so splurged a lot of money on this knitted sweater... It was soft and warm and he regretted spending that much money on it...

He doens't usually wear it... scared that it will get dirty or get ripped or soemthing...

Dust pulls the blanket tigher around him as he slowly gets up..

Fuck it is cold. Why is he so cold? He enver felt this cold? Well it does remind of him that fucking banshee-

The Banshee....

The cold magic that had clung to his very being, his very core, the magic that held him together.

He had struggled up the stairs...

He met the others... they had been searching for him?

And Killer...

Killer had....

His soul beats faster just remembering it and he shakes his skull.

What... what is wrong with him?! He should be worried! he should be stressed about doing something against the other! To make sure Killer won't hurt them!!

But he cna only focus on how... fast and strong he had been. How quickly he had moved to defend him!! How it hadn't been a battle at all... more of an execution...

He pauses before the door and tries to sense the magic and energy in the air.

It is... difficult. it is like trying to move a sore muscle. Trying to focus through a migraine. He can still sense them but it is all muddy... Seems like he lost more of his energy than he had thought...

But he can sense them... they are all still there... but quiet? That is new.

He opens the door and looks around. They are all staring at him. Dust blinks back and sees the slowly darkening sky through the window. So it is only a few hours after their trip? They were before lunch at the cult trap and-

"Dust!!" Ash floats over and stares at him "Are you oaky?! How are you feeling? Sit down! Are you still cold?!" he looks anxious.

Dust blinks but takes a seat at the obvious disstress of his brother. Cross is next to him and it takes longer than usual for Dust to spot who is inhabiting the body. Seems like it is still Cross. Cross checks his temperature and asks some questions.

Dust is still confused but answers them. Yes he still feels cold but not as bad as when they were near the Banshee. He is still a bit tired but feels awake enough. His senses are still dulled as well.

Cross looks very worried "I think she ate a chunk of your life force and life energy... I... I am not sure... We would need to ask other priests."

Ash sounds panicked as he tries to plan but before he can even think off an answer Nightmare grabs his face and turns him to face him.

Ngihtmare studies his face and nudged parts os his skull and near his sockets. What... waht does Dust do? What is he doing?! Dust isn't sure what to do or what is going on? What is the other even doing-

Ngihtmares sockets glow a brihgt cyan for a moment as he continues to stare at him. He hums and slowly turns Dusts skull this and that way. Next the summoned being looks around the room before taking his hand. He checks the joints there.

Ngihtmare hums as he lets go and nods. the cyan colour disappears "You are weaker and some of your life force and energy has been taken correct. However your core and soul are not affected by this predicement. You will recover your lost energy with time and rest."

Dust blinks dumbfounded as Cross sputters "How do you know that?! Us priests can't even do that unless we have much training and practise!? How did you just... see that!? So quickly!? seeing someones core and energies isn't just something you can do?!" Cross stares in shcok.

Ngihtmare looks rather amused "It is part of what I am. It is hardly more complex than that."

Cross sputters "It is!! It doe smatter as it is divine magic! It is an ability reserved for those who are of the divine nature!"

Nightmare just continues to look at him amused "I am sure you will figure it out very soon."

Dust stares in shock. A fallen... A Fallen... Divine...

He... he is a ...

"You are an angel."

Nightmare's smile grows as he gives a half shrug "Even if they are unhappy with me. They can't change what I am. Exile however is possible." he sounds so amused.

Ash figured it out to "An angel... you are a fallen angel.. That is why you are only known as the Fallen..."

Nightmare nods "Indeed. Now." he gets up "Dust. yOu should rest more. Unless you are still feeling cold. In that case you should start with taking a shower. Cross, after you closed your mouth, prepare more of that tea for him. It should help him warm up." He looks to the side "Horror. you mentioned you had some leftovers for him to warm up and eat?"

Horror nods and mentions he saved all the leftovers.

Dust blinks "I... what?"

Ngihtmare looks back at him "You slept for 26 hours straight. From what I know of mortals that is well beyond the time they need to eat and drink. which you will do first. After that we make sure the Banshee's Breathe doesn't keep freezing you. then you go back to bed to rest and make sure you recover your energy." He nudges Dust back fully on the sofa as he walks towards the kitchen, listening to Horror to hear where the food is and starts warming things up.

cross is still shocked but rushes to make some sort of ritual tea? Dust can already smell the cinnamon and thinks he remembers drinking something warm with that taste? he still doens't enjoy it...

He glances to the side and sees Killer floating beside him. Looking right at him. Staring.

The confusing mess of feelings return... remembering how he moved and attacked.. he was strong...

Dust isn't sure what to do as he pulls the beanie closer around his skull.

Killer tilts his skull at him "You really fine?" he frowns as he pouts "Sorry i didn't get there earlier. Stupid nightmare said it was better to remain as a group or risk someone else getting lost who we would need to find." he pouts at him "I wanted to go straight after you through the floor! But nightmare stopped me!" he blinks "Oh right! nightmare's tendrils? Thsoe things we can see but others don't? Yeah. They can touch ghosts! but only when he wants to. Which is a rip off honestly! Like. It is unfair that he can deside to grab me to keep me from following you but I can't just poke him right near the center to annoy him? It is rude and unfair and-"

"Thank you..."

Killer blinks and stares a thim. Dust just feels more embarrassed but pushes through it... it is only fair... and... well... "You... did save us... thank you." there. He said it.

Killer fucking cheers and floats through him!! Dust shivers and glares "What the hell?"

Kilelr pouts "I wanted to hug you!! Cross! Crossy!! let me borrow the bdoy!" and he floats over to cross.

Cross yelps "Killer! I am doign a ritual stop distracting me!"

"Crossy don't be greedy! I wanne hug Dusty! Let me go hug my mate!"

Dust groans as he covers his face.

Why doe shis face feel warm? and why doesn't that statement bring annoyance anymore?

It is... probably because he is still disbalanced after the Banshee attack... Yeah... that is it... it is fine.. It will be fine.