In A Blink

It had been an honest mistake that Bluebell had already seen what the Holdings could do. She had insisted that she cooked the boys a proper dinner in thanks for their kindness, something they were all too happy to accept. She had gone to a local grocery store to get ingredients and things for the kitchenette, and the men had determined to check to see if they were going down the best path by keeping her with them before she acknowledged just what she was, and what they were.

Almost the second the door had closed, all human names were dropped and the five men fell eerily silent as they stood in position - each of them standing as a point of the star they imagined on the ground. Mystic looked from Prophet to Mourner, who stood to his left, before beginning the ritual. His hum was deep and intense - joined by another and another until four of the five men were humming in perfect harmonization. Mourner was the only one who kept silent as his hands rose into the air, his eyes locked upwards as his silver dust floated from the skin of his palms, resting lazily on the other four men and himself. Their sensations stilled, leaving their minds open.

Each man took their turn. Once Mourner had joined the humming, Deviant rose his hands - his energy came from the floor around his feet, slipping over the black leather boots and outlining the star in between the Brides with dark red. The men found their hearts beginning to race from energy given as Mystic raised his hands and lowered his humming. He was the most powerful of the Clan, that much was obvious from his Holding Name - the Mystic, his abilities working in mysterious ways. There was a loud crack from the ceiling before the star suddenly exploded into violet flames - the heat sensor broke above them. The flames tangled together, opening a slit of brilliant white light into the Unknown. It was the Man Without Face who lived in the Unknown, who spoke to the Clan to make sure they were going the right way in their mission.

The five men exchanged glances before their humming stopped, one voice at a time. The flames were completely silent - all five were uneasy watching the flickering lights without the crackling of heat. However, Prophet simply stepped forwards from the points of the glowing star and bowed slowly before rising once more. Prophet was the one who spoke with this being, the others unable to hear the voice of the supernatural being. "Man Without Face, are you there?"

Prophet was greeted by a deep voice in his mind alone. Yes, Prophet, I am here. You wish council for the girl, do you not? Prophet glanced at Mystic, who watch watching him intently, and nodded. Mystic looked away then, satisfied they were on the right topic. "Yes, Man Without Face. Have we found the right person, and is she safe with us?" There was silence, and Prophet began to shift his weight nervously. Finally, Man Without Face answered. Bluebell Bellova is in the right place with her soon to be Holding Clan. She must find her Holding Name before time is done. "How can we possibly convince he-" She is beginning to see her abilities clearly already, Prophet. She will accept her identity. Now leave me, and know that you will soon have a complete Holding Clan.

Prophet felt the presence of Man Without Face leave his mind, and then the portal to Unknown closed in front of him. The purple fire came apart once more, flickering silently. The five men stood in silence for several moments, four of them watching as Prophet considered the words of Man Without Face. Perhaps he was right, and Bluebell would be accepting of her Holding Name soon after they told her of what she was. It was a difficult thing to imagine - the girl had only just met them, after all. Prophet just shook his head and looked at Destroyer, seeing the drummer look at him with surprisingly calm eyes. He was always the one fidgeting during the rituals. "Take it under, Destroyer," Prophet said, and the man nodded as he raised his hands upwards as if he were praising a God above. The flames were crushed in a massive gush of the wind, the glowing lines on the ground being torn from the ground and silver dust being whirled away in an invisible twister. It was swallowed by the floor afterward, every sign of supernatural powers gone in a heartbeat. There was silence for a moment.

Crash!

The men whirled around with wide eyes, seeing Bluebell standing at the door with a few shopping bags - they had fallen to the ground and the bewildered and slightly afraid expression across her face gave away what she had just seen. Jinx stepped forwards in concern, reaching out to grab her as her knees seemed to give out. Bluebell was too lightheaded to even notice Jinx picking her up and placing her on the couch, letting her gain her wits back.

It took a few moments, but Bluebell seemed to regain her wits enough to speak. "What... was that?" She asked weakly, hiding her face in her hands as her shoulders tensed, unable to process what had just happened very well. C.C. sat down next to Bluebell, being the first to dare wrap his arm around her and hug her against his chest. Andy was picking up the shopping bags with Jakes 'help' and putting them in the kitchenette, avoiding her - they were far too on edge at the moment to dare look her in the eye.

"Someone answer me please," she said weakly. instinctively turning to C.C. and begging him with her eyes. He shifted uneasily, glancing over at Andy as he came back into the room. "Andy, how're we gonna do this? Just tell her, or-" Andy interrupted the drummer before he could finish. "Yeah, pretty much. Okay," he sighed, running a hand through his hair and motioning for Ashley, Jake, and C.C. to leave. Releasing Bluebell, C.C. reluctantly obeyed and followed the other two from the main room, leaving Andy and Jinx to talk to her.

"Alright Blue, we'll be honest," the guitarist announced with a short sight, "we'll start at the beginning..."

Notes