In A Blink

The bus was still driving when Bluebell woke up, slightly disoriented. For a split second, she was panicked - where am I? However, once she sat up and looked around the area, her chest slowly fell as she felt relief swing through her. For some reason, she had been waking up in half-panics since she had come to the U.S.

Bluebell turned in her seat to scour through her bag for her wallet, only to be caught off guard by the sight just behind her. What was once just one man with punk-like hair were five, all of them sprawled out and several of them slumped over each other. It was such an absurd sight, seeing five grown men with that style all tangled together, that Bluebell quickly snapped a photo with her phone before stowing it away again. She was distracted once more by the search for her wallet.

The quiet click of a phone camera was what woke Ashley up. He was in the front row of their little group, with his legs tossed over Jinx and his shoulders cramping from such discomfort. He screwed up his face as he stretched, lowering his legs from Jinx's lap. Well, tried to lower his legs - his right was asleep to the point it was completely numb and unusable, making it thud loudly to the carpeted floor of the bus. He froze, sure that would wake up his friends, only to relax once more as their mumbles faded back to sleep.

However, Bluebell was startled by the sound. She had finally found her wallet, unsnapping it and riffling through her many Visa MasterCards and several dozen green bills. Most of them were fifty bills, adding up to several hundred American dollars with who knows how much on each of the ten MasterCards squeezed into the card holders. All of that fell onto the ground in Bluebells surprise, her head whipping around as her breath caught in her throat.

Ashley gave a sheepish grin, trying to rotate his ankle to get some feeling back. "Sorry," he whispered and was taken back when Bluebell only offered a brilliant smile and a little shrug. Definitely not American, Ashley thought to himself as he watched the girl lean forwards to pick her wallet back up. His eyes were drawn to a wide strip of smooth, tan skin exposed by the hem of her gray t-shirt as she searched for her wallet, but he tore his eyes away and nudged Jinx awake. "What?" The older man snarled, ever the morning wasp. Ashley just jerked his head in Bluebells direction - she was packing everything away as the screen at the front of the bus showed their next stop - Seattle, Washington. She was going to get off.

Several minutes later, all six people who had been on the bus were stepping down the stairs. Andy and C.C. watched Bluebell from behind dark sunglasses, making it look like they were playing on their phones - no need to scare the girl. Jinx was actually using his phone - calling first a taxi, then hanging up and calling their tour bus company and giving their location. His eyes flickered over to Bluebell thoughtfully, watching her scroll through her Uber app not ten feet away. "And load an extra bunk on. We'll need it."

Bluebell was all too happy to accept a ride from the band, introducing herself in a thick Australian accent that had Ashley swooning so hard Andy thought he'd have to prop him up on his feet. "G'day, I'm Bluebell Bellova, but most people call me Blue. thanks for the lift, by the way," her accent was like music to Ashley's ears, his eyes locked on her in a way Andy was totally unused to. Ashley? Hooked? Andy glared at the bassist, jabbing their ribs with his elbow harshly to snap them out of it.

Bluebell was polite and friendly, an easy laugher. She had been planning on crashing at a cheap motel about five miles out of the major parts of Seattle, surprising the band. "What? Aren't you loaded?" C.C. had asked, although his eyes cut towards Jinx and Andy, who were sitting in the front row of the van. Ashley and Jake were behind him and Bluebell. The girl just shrugged with an easy smile. "Yeah, but this motel's just for one night - then I'm going to keep traveling 'n' see what's to see."

Jinx wasn't listening to her talk - he wasn't one to swoon easily, unlike Ashley in the back row. Instead, he was talking with Jake - but not out loud. Jinx's hand was casually slipped into the front pocket of his jeans, holding onto a broad silver coin with Jakes' Holding Name etched into the back: Mourner. Jake was holding onto a coin in his pocket as well, the word Mystic carved into the material.

Mourner, do you think you can help her choose to come with us? Just a little nudge? I don't think she's that comfortable with us yet.

Obviously.

Jake's finger traced along the edge of the coin in his pocket, an d the word Prophet replaced the other.

Prophet, I'm going to help her feel more comfortable. It would be best to ask her in a few minutes before we pass our hotel.

Andy didn't reply, just blocking out the communication link and turning toward Bluebell again. C.C. was doing wonders keeping her occupied, finally revealing who they were. "You're in a band? that's so grouse! I think my little sis is a huge fan, actually - you 'n' sleeping with sirens. God, when she finds out I met you all." As C.C., Jinx, and Ashley kept her talking, Jake placed one hand on the back of Bluebells seat. He felt the familiar rush of power in his wrists and palms before he saw it. Invisible to everyone else, the glittering silver dust dusted along the girl's hair and eyelashes, throwing glittering strands of light everywhere. The moment the dust fell onto her, they changed colors - and didn't stop either, a kaleidoscope of neons and pastels. It was surprising to the man, but he didn't mention it to the others - even if the dust usually stayed silver.

A few minutes later, Bluebell felt surprisingly comfortable around the men as the taxi cruised to a stop in front of a high-end hotel with a glorious water display at the front. "Blue, wanna stay with us for a few days?" Andy asked bluntly, turning around in the front seat and smirking at Bluebell. She barely thought of the question, simply accepting the offer with a large smile that had Ashley practically sweeping the ground. He even helped her out of the van like a true gentleman, although Bluebell declined his offer to take her backpack for her.

The band shared glances, something Bluebell missed as she watched the amazing water show in front of the hotel. It was only ten in the morning, and the watery Seattle sunlight made the jets glisten hypnotizingly. The five men absentmindedly fiddled with the black ribbons around their left wrists - soon enough, Bluebell would have one too and the Clan would be whole.

Notes