#phantom/swiss/aether

[lilypadlys]

Domestic December Day 12 - Someone Set Off the Fire Alarm

In which Phantom discovers how toasters work. And what the smoke alarm is for…

Notes: Mention of wounds and blood but not too graphic. Don't worry, Phantom just has an accident and Aether quickly patches him up. Prompt list by comp-lady. See prompt list here

Midnight snacks and fire alarms below the cut or on AO3

Phantom wakes up at three in the morning, unable to get back to sleep. No matter how much he tosses and turns, sleep continues to elude him. Sighing, he decides to just get up. Maybe he’ll quietly watch a movie or something. He wanders into the common room, blankets in tow and begins to dig through the dvd collection when his stomach growls.

Phantom whimpers. Usually he sleeps in and the other ghouls have breakfast ready by the time he wakes up. Swiss or Cumulus or Rain also generally help him make food at other meals as well. Now though, he’s on his own. He pads into the attached kitchen and pokes through the cupboards and fridge. While there’s plenty of food, most of it is too intimidating for his novice cooking skills or temperamental stomach. His stomach growls loudly again.

His eyes settle on the bread basket. Toast would be good, he thinks. He pulls out a couple slices of bread and sets them in the toaster oven. He turns it on but he’s unsure what temperature to select or how long to leave the bread in there. He wants it done fast so he shrugs and cranks the temperature dial up to max. Then he starts digging around the fridge for the grape jam.

It takes a while, the jar having been moved from its usual spot. When he finally finds the grape jam, the jar is practically empty. Grumbling, Phantom tosses it aside and retrieves the strawberry jam instead. In his frustration, he forgets about the toast. He’s in the middle of trying to unscrew the sticky lid when an aggressive and ear piercing screeching noise begins. Phantom startles, dropping the glass jam jar. It shatters at his feet and one of the shards wedges itself in his bare foot.

Overwhelmed and in pain, Phantom drops to the ground and curls up with his eyes shut and hands pressed over his ears. Mercifully the noise stops and he hesitantly opens his eyes. Swiss is knelt next to him with a concerned look. Aether is holding the fire extinguisher and foam coats the inside of the toaster oven. Mountain is resetting the fire alarm. The rest of the pack sleepily wanders into the common room with confused expressions.

“Hey Bug.” Swiss murmurs. “You alright?”

Phantom manages a nod, too embarrassed and overwhelmed to verbally respond.

“Can Aether take a look at your foot?”

Another nod.

Aether comes over and kneels next to Swiss. “Hey Batling. Gonna see if I can help, okay?”

“Uh huh.”

Aether gently lifts Phantom’s injured foot. There’s blood but not too much. The shard of glass only nicked him. Cumulus comes over with the first aid kit and Aether takes it with a grateful smile.

“I’m gonna get you all patched up okay? Just need to remove the glass and use some antiseptic. Then I can heal the wound. I’m sorry, it might hurt a little.”

Phantom nods and grits his teeth. Swiss holds his hand while Aether works.

Aether counts him down. “Three, two, one.” He eases the glass shard out with tweezers. Phantom hisses and Swiss does his best to comfort him. Aether cleans the wound before healing it with quintessence. By the time he’s done there isn’t even a mark.

“There we go. All done.” Aether says. “Sorry about that.”

“You did so good Bug.” Swiss praises. “Feeling a little better?”

“Uh huh.” Phantom nods. His foot does feel better. Now though, with the issue of his foot resolved, he now notices the fatigue on everyone’s faces. “I-I’m sorry…”

“For what Batling? Accidents happen.” Aether soothes.

“But, I woke everyone up. I couldn’t sleep so I tried to make a snack but then…I just made a mess.” He starts to sniffle, words cut off by choked sobs.

“Hey, hey. It’s okay.” Swiss purrs. “You didn’t mean too. Nobody is mad at you. It happens.”

“R-really?”

“Really. We’ll get the kitchen all cleaned up in the morning and everything will be fine.”

“O-okay.”

“What do you need now, Batling?” Aether rubs his head. “Still hungry or do you want to go back to bed?”

Phantom’s stomach rumbles even more institantly than before, answering for him. Phantom can’t help but giggle as Aether and Swiss chuff.

Aether smiles. “Toast coming right up.”

With the toaster oven temporarily out of commission, Aether gets Dew to toast some bread real quick. Swiss even tracks down grape jam from the communal kitchens. Stomach satiated, Phantom lets Aether and Swiss bring him back to bed. After all the excitement, he’s able to fall right back to sleep.

[bonesy-doodles]

And the Ghouls are done! They are all soooo,,, twirls hair,,,, Tell me who's your favorite!!! And don't be afraid to ask for my ghouls head canons!!! I'd love to share <33333

[casperghoost]

[the-pigeon-queen]

realizations

so anyway I've been trying to decide on my designs the ghouls

[bonncy]

photocards of the demon cats

[nihildenial]

big fan of backstage pictures that give "papa duck and his eight ducklings" energy

[robboyblunder]

As promised I went ahead and continued my "ghoul guide" with a part 2 (part one linked in replies)! This one covers stuff specifically with a made up lore guide of in-world ghoul stuff as if they were a sort of unique magic entity.

This one wound up way longer and had to be split so expect a third final one eventually lmao. for now though... I'm gonna take a break and yell. Bonus extra info plus the transcript under the cut!

ID in ALT text!

Bonus note: While not portrayed in the guide, it’s important to know a detail about ghouls’ origin called “memory echoes”. While ghouls are formed from humans past who lose all memory of their previous self while maintaining an assumed personality from before, at times certain instances of events, actions, items, and otherwise can trigger these “echoes”. Echoes are very rare, but a valued treasure to ghouls; they make them feel more connected to their past and more “human”. Upon triggering an echo, a ghoul will become completely listless, unable to respond or react until the echo has completed, usually within seconds.

“Memory echoes” are described as blurry faded memories that often show featureless shapes and colors, but a very strong “feeling” of a Deja-vu of the moment. They feel viscerally real and can have a mix of the senses i.e. touch and smell, but produce no recognizable faces or imagery of the self. No ghoul has ever reported fully remembering one, nor any semblance of their true past beyond the haunting leftovers.

Begin Transcript:

A Compendium of Hell’s Derivates

While there are many theories on the demonic nature of ghouls,

The true source is surprisingly Human.

Souls cannot be recreated; rather, they’re Recycled and Reborn

The cycle of ghoul creation started for unknown reasons…

But one thing is Certain:

Natural forces do not change easily.

Raw elements collide with the fuel of life itself until one connects

by His command

A violent injection of pure elemental magic

Rewrites and erases all memory and one’s past, drastically altering the soul…

These new powers lend to the powerful allies of the ministry,

However….

… new powers are a dangerous toy.

While coined as “Feral”, new ghouls would better be designated “Raw”, “Unbound”, and “Lawlessly Dangerous”

First formed, they are still elements;

Torrential, Aimless,

Incapable of coherent thought or rules

-but with time, coherence returns to the individual

Who grows much like a life cycle’s stages without necessarily aging.

The overall cycle is the same per ghoul, yet varied enough each rises differently…

First form: “Raw” – Second form (1): “Feral” – Second form (2) – Third form: “Stabilized”

Catalyst, violent, poor formation – Unaware, wild, chaotic – Conscious; can act like oneself; less raw – fully formed and recognizable

The first form, “Raw”, is notably so violent the devil himself does not release them until stage two.

The second form in stage one of a “Feral” ghoul is much like the forces of nature; free willed and wild, understanding minimal speech.

Take caution: they can be mischievous and cause decent damage.

In the second stage of a “Feral” ghoul, they behave like typical people; however, they’re still very free and may choose to never fully stabilize.

Note: you can tell they’ve reached this stage by presence of a tail and civil habits.

If desired, a ghoul reaches the final form: “Stabilized”. They’re transformed into a stable humanoid body, a form less powerful but safer.

Note: Talented ghouls can change form at will in this stage between secondary Feral and Stable.

When it comes to location, each form is most likely to be found:

Raw: Hell, contained

Feral (Stage 1): wilds/natural areas

Feral (Stage 2): wilds and civil areas

Stabilized: anywhere people go

Seeing feral ghouls is not uncommon, and can even be considered lucky!

They tend to provide free protection to keep their home

Ghouls can only stabilize via ministry ritual;

One can assume they’re ministry members if stable, even off duty.

Ghouls are uncommon, but found most places if looked for;

This seems especially true near ministry placements.

Ghouls only form from adults and don’t “age” traditionally, yet they’re still mortal

Deceased ghouls do not seem to return or recycle.

Summoning intentionally pulls only second stage feral ghouls or stable ghouls from anywhere,

They don’t always like this however (see other guide).

The cycle of ghouls serves a main purpose – as forces for the Dark One, in return for rebirth

However, there are two channels through which they serve.

1) Natural defense against corrupted holy magic

Non-stable ghouls defend at will naturally where they live

2) training to fight, protect, and uphold the ministry’s efforts in the name of the Devil.

Contrary to belief, summonings cannot grab from “nothing”;

Like the creation of a ghoul,

Their element, once developed, is what becomes pulled by nature

The force of such pull is incredible,

A disorientating test of will so great…

…it can render even the most sound minds rather violent.

This is why while some choose to stabilize, others may not;

But should a mind change, they can be freed or re-summoned.

Alternative to wild summoning, one can summon from trained ghouls over feral;

Many ghouls are trained for ministry positions all over, but any can be summoned if unassigned.

Though stabilized, unassigned ghouls are not contractually bound to anyone until assigned.

They’re great for extra work hands and being able to know what kind of team mates you’ll get without leaving it to chance.

Summoning any ghoul however reverts them to feral form, and the challenge to tame them remains the same.

Just because you know a ghoul does not mean an easy summon.

Finally, be warned: forcing unwanted breaking or upholding of a summoning contract

Will have dire consequences.

Aside from rarity of an element, there are “power classes” within each element.

Tiers:

Rarity of an element does not equal strength.

The break down is as follows:

Rare – extreme and dangerous power. These ghouls earn a specialized title.

Quite strong, stand out in their class and very sought after.

Most common tier; average and decent powers that are expectable.

Weak powers, but some uses are applicable.

Uncommon – ghouls who possess little to no powers. Ghouls in this tier may at times suddenly change power tier without warning to any other category.

S-Tier ghouls are quite rare and a sight to behold- truly, they embody nature’s power.

End transcript.

[frontalgarf]

Rushed ghost fanart because I NEEDED to get something out to celebrate rite here rite now (btw saw the movie it was incredible I loved it it was soooooo so sososososo silly)

[karmicbias]

Something about the way Phantom is stepping up this tour.

He's not the new kid anymore. And now that Dew's hurt, and with Swiss unable to perform - he starts picking the slack, as he sees it. He honors Omega and Aether's legacies of being that reliable right-hand ghoul even though he misses Cardi, stepping up where V needs him.

More crowd work. Sharing pedal duties with Rain when Dew needs it. Playing the acoustic parts too. Soothing Dew's ankle when the pain is too much.

And everyone loves it. Loves him. How could they not?? He's worked hard on his skills and it shows, and Pride is a sin worth indulging in.

But how much can one Bug put on his wee little shoulders?

[r4diopl4y]

Ghoul designs anyone? (Pt.1?)

[ashthewaterghoul]

Kidnapper: I have your Ghoul.

Copia: Which one? I have 10.

Kidnapper: The annoying one that keeps cussing me out and trying to bite me.

Copia:

Copia: Which one? I have 10.

[seestorimperator]

[xruiiii-blog]

Just another day in the den.

[kalesaladd]

[texting]

dew: who the fuck added me to a fucking group chat?

aether: language!

phantom: yeah! watch your fucking language!

swiss: okay, who taught phantom the fuck word?!

rain: “the fuck word”

mountain: are you stupid? you guys use the f word all the time!

aurora: oh my god he censored it.

swiss: say fuck, mountain.

cumulus: do it, mountain. say fuck.

[namelessdumbass]

🏳️‍🌈Happy Pride Month🏳️‍🌈

[bonncy]

little demons