In A Blink

Black Veil Brides was so shaken by the first appearance of a demon in hundreds of years that their next show was pushed back by two days. Bluebell and C.C. had become totally inseparable, but none of the other men seemed to mind. Often times, the Sixth would bond especially strongly with one of the first five - it was expected, really, that C.C. would be the one who she latched on to. He was the one who may have very well saved her life.

For her own safety, Bluebell often used The Creator abilities to disguise herself in public - although she had no idea why. According to Andys' housekeeper, fan mail was turning into hate mail - especially for Bluebell. As expected, many of them accused her of being a whore who just happened to be good enough at the piano to join and sleep around with the band. However, she was never told about the letters, a secret Andy kept. He and Jake were keeping another secret to themselves - someone had opened a portal to the Dark Unknown on their bus with the intention of harming their Sixth. Even just the thought of it made the two men's blood simmer with rage, talking quietly together on Andy's bunk to form a plan to prevent another attempt at their Sixth. They didn't know why she was so valuable to the Dark Unknown, but they would fight with every ounce of power they had to protect her.

"I think we should join the other Clans," Jake said quietly, watching C.C. cuddle an exhausted Bluebell against his chest as she snuggled against his side. Andy thought about Jakes idea for a moment, noticing that Ashley and Jinx were bickering about something in the kitchenette - probably about who ate the last two pieces of pizza. The singer slid the paper plate behind him to hide it. "Probably the best idea I've heard for the last few days," Andy replied in his low, raspy voice. "Even the incomplete Clans could help us. Pierce The Veil, in particular. I know their Voice is particularly powerful, and their Stiller could learn from you."

The pair fell silent as Jinx and Ashley seemed to be done bickering, probably planning to get Chinese takeout for dinner that night. C.C. disagreed, mentioning that Bluebell's favorite food was Italian. The bassist told them that he could find an Olive Garden somewhere in their next stop, reaching over and stealing Bluebell from C.C. to have his fair share of cuddles. "We need to know who created the portal. What if it's someone we trust? Someone close?" Andy looked over at Jake, eyes darkening as The Prophet rose slightly. "What are you suggesting, Mourner?" He didn't ask, he demanded to know. Jake simply looked away, giving a slightly uncomfortable shrug. "I don't know, Prophet. I don't know. Should we call the others?"

Andy took a moment to push The Prophet down before glancing out the window at the passing views - lots of trees, blue sky. Oregon state. He wasn't sure how to respond - the singer was fairly sure that Black Veil Brides was one of the few clans with all six members accounted for. At the thought of the Sixth, he glanced over at Bluebell - her white hair made her caramel skin seem even creamier, her golden eyes like a wolfs in the snow. A surge of protectiveness washed over him, and it was all he could do to keep The Prophet from rising when he replied with, "absolutely."

Several hours passed - noon flew by in a rush of Taco Bell and cigarette smoke. Bluebell was having issues eating - again. C.C. managed to weasel the fact she was vegetarian out of her and even ordered the same thing as she did so she wouldn't feel so awkward eating meat-free food around the others. Ashley had a field day with that. "A vegetarian Aussie girl," he mused playfully, nudging the girl in the ribs with his elbow, "thought you'd be crunching giant spider heads for a snack!"

This resulted in a very sticky Ashley who had to take another shower, as he was covered in Cola.

Fun and games didn't last very long. Far too soon, the Black Veil Brides bus pulled into a huge RV lot that several other tour buses were parked in. After the electric, plumbing and air conditioning unit were powered, Ashley triggered the expansion and the Holding Clan filed off the bus at the walls slowly slid outwards to create a larger area. Members of other Clans disguised cleverly at musicians were already outside or climbing the stairs, a respectful distance away from Black Veil Brides so they could come forwards. Bluebell watched warily, the Creator becoming nervous around so much power in one area.

Jinx was the first to step forwards, reaching out and shaking hands with the drummer of Pierce The Veil enthusiastically. "Mike! Long time no see!" That seemed to break the ice. The Clans mingled together, introducing each other or greeting old friends. "So you're their Sixth?" Bluebell had nearly collided into a man just a few inches taller than her, and the words had blurted out before he could stop them. "Oh God, I'm so sorry!" He said, quickly reaching out and taking the girls shoulders before she fell backward into a woman that was heavily tattooed. "I'm Gabe Barham - I'm Sleeping With Sirens percussionist. And Sixth," he seemingly added hastily, giving Bluebell a crooked smile. A Sixth? Bluebell cocked her head to one side, and Gabe was taken back by how wolf-like those eyes were - such an unusual color, a golden yellow. "Uh, the other side of me - I'm uh..." He was so entranced by her eyes that he had completely lost his train of thought.

"Blue!" C.C. pushed through the crowd and wrapped his arms around the girl's waist, lifting her up easily and spinning her around in circles until she laughed. Setting her down on her feet, C.C. took advantage of her dizziness and pinned her to his chest, leaning down to hook his chin over her shoulder and glaring at the drummer who was obviously star-struck. The message was clear - she belongs to us. Gabe gave a slow nod, backing away and joining his partial Clan.

"Alright!" Andy's voice rang out over the crowd - a dozen and a half Clans turned to look. Black Veil Brides was the only one there with a complete Holding Clan, which made them the Alphas even when the others were complete. "We're going to start this off in a few minutes. Everyone, get your Clan together and let's make a circle with lawn chairs in this clear area. Get a beer - we've got a story that'll make you wish you had one."

Notes