[center][hr][img]https://i.imgur.com/GXHYmvi.png?1[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/AqbidS4.png[/img] [/center][right][b][code]Dancing Goats Bar and Lounge[/code][/b][/right][hr] What a busy night, Blu thought—perhaps busier than usual. The atmosphere was bustling as he prepared for his performance backstage in one of the guest rooms. It wasn't anything fancy for such a small and local establishment—just a large couch, a few sitting chairs, a coffee table with an urn full of sweets, and a sleek-looking vanity with mood lights overhead. He could feel the energy from beyond his dressing room, patrons eager for his appearance, likely already drunk on alcohol and some other questionable substances he was unfamiliar with. He thought the vibes would give him a boost, reinvigorate his heart—but alas, it remained heavy for reasons he didn't quite yet understand. Blu just felt this ominous tear—a dark rift within the chaos of an exciting night. He couldn't quite put his finger on what was bringing him this strange feeling, when suddenly, a knock on the door dragged him out of his revelry. Blu held his breathe, but let out a relieved sigh when his bandmates (Holland, Ricky, and Terra) practically bulldozed their way in before he had the chance to open the door. [color=gray][b]"Did you see that guy? He was practically all over me and we haven't even performed yet."[/b][/color] Terra boasted as she plopped on the couch and stuffed her mouth with a cherry sweet from the urn. [color=gray][b]"Mhmm. The one with the stained button-down and toupee? A real catch babe."[/b][/color] Holland teased her with his swanky British accent. The woman gave him a searing look and then resigned herself to another candy—peppermint this time. A few testy words later and they were bickering again—per usual. Blu looked at them with a knowing smile and then turned back to the vanity mirror, staring at his reflection ominously when Ricky walked up and draped his arms over Blu's shoulder. He rested his chin on Blu's head and then they both looked at each other through the mirror. [color=gray][b]"You okay?"[/b][/color] Ricky asked. [color=#4CCEB1][b]"Actually, no. I'm not. I don't know what it is, but...I have this strange feeling that something bad is going to happen tonight."[/b][/color] Ricky's gaze tensed, [color=gray][b]"Something bad?"[/b][/color] Blu nodded and then turned to him. [color=#4CCEB1][b]"Should I be worried?"[/b][/color] Aside from the audible bickering between Holland and Terra, it was as though the room stood still for a moment. Blu and Ricky basked in that silence, locked into eachother's eyes in thick contemplation. Finally, Ricky pulled Blu up from the chair and then pulled him in for a warm embrace. As they hugged, Ricky, who was a head taller, peered down at him with a reassuring gaze. [color=gray][b]"As long as we've been friends...I'd be stupid at this point to doubt you and those tingles you sometimes get. But..."[/b][/color] Blu looked up at him, [color=#4CCEB1][b]"But?"[/b][/color] [color=gray][b]"Buuuut..just try not to worry about it until after the show. It won't serve you any good now anyways and we need you in the zone for this performance. Okay?"[/b][/color] Blu wasn't wholly convinced, but he nodded feebly nonetheless—not wanting to disappoint his bandmates or the audience. The bar had drawn a reasonable crowd because of their band, [i][color=#4CCEB1]The Loveless[/color][/i], so he didn't want to be a burden for everyone—including the bar owner who booked them again. --------------------------------- [right][b][code]Dancing Goats Bar and Lounge ———> The Vanburen Estate[/code][/b][/right] After Loveless finished performing, Blu lingered around in the bar for a bit, interacting with bar patrons and his fans alike. It wasn't long after, however, when a text from Oscar came to his phone. It was unexpected, considering they hadn't interacted much since Oscar last tutored him. And that was some time ago. The urgency in his texts was alarming, and Blu thought back to the bad feeling he'd had earlier. Could this have something to do with that? He wasn't certain until Oscar arrived soon after and whisked him away out of concern for his safety. On the drive to the estate (Blu's first time being there in-person), Blu was startled into silence as Oscar explained what was going on. Wiccans attacking the Vanburen family? The possibility that he could have been their next target? But what was this cult and how dangerous were they really? So many questions rumbled through his mind like an unfettered storm. He clamped his hands around the ocarina hanging from his neck. Would he have to use his magic tonight? None of the Vanburen knew what he could do, but the thought passed his mind—this might be the night. If these cultists decide to rear their heads again while he's with his (siblings?), there is absolutely no way that he could just stand by and feign impotence. Once they arrived at the Vanburen Estate, Blu couldn't help but gasp—a lump filling his throat and stomach as he gazed upon the old abode as it came closer into view. From this perspective, it was truly grand. After they parked, Blu followed Oscar to where everyone was waiting. His almond eyes moved like a wave over everyone. Starting from the two he didn't know (Tuyen and Justin respectively) and then his eyes took in the presence of each sibling that was present. Aside from Oscar's tutoring sessions and the one time Ezra paid him a "friendly" visit at one of the music venues in town, he had almost no physical interaction with the Vanburen siblings since James' funeral. Despite his own relation to James, Blu felt like an awkward outsider, like he didn't quite belong amongst the rest of them. It was as though his position as the ward was inferior to their actual position within the family dynamic. He was the mystery child that no one knew anything about, so he wondered if anyone would question his presence here. The air was stiflingly cold and the vibes were tense, so Blu remained quiet as he listened to everyone speak and the situation began to unfold more and more. He wouldn't say much of anything unless spoken to, not wanting to impose himself or his own ideas into an affair that the others may not feel he needs to be involved in anyway. But the idea of confronting the cultists head-on did not appeal to him, but it seemed as though this was the current leaning of sentiments. Blu carressed his ocarina softly. Perhaps this was the dark happening that he had feared.