[center][hr][img]https://i.imgur.com/GXHYmvi.png?1[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/AqbidS4.png[/img] [/center][right][b][code]Vanburen Estate[/code][/b][/right][hr] Why was everyone rejecting his proposals? Perhaps it was because he was an unfamiliar figure within the group. He was a mystery to them, one who had yet to solidify a position within the circle--for better or worse. And that uncertainty meant he was not a first pick for any sort of current undertaking. And what Sabrina said was true... [quote][color=coral]"I think it'd be better if I go do it... no offense, but me and Georgie have a closer connection. I'm going to try to get her to come.... if not, I can get the skull from her. Then I'm going to head to the trap site, just believe in me."[/color] -Sabrina[/quote] [color=4CCEB1]"That's okay. None taken."[/color] Despite the gentle flow of his words, he stepped back instinctively and his expression fell into something like lukewarm despondence. This was the second time his offering of help was rejected and in that moment, he wondered if he should just stay quiet and 'know his place'. In truth, he wasn't really even supposed to be here, but Oscar had pulled at his heart with a story that was so disquieting that Blu felt the alarm in his chest as if it were his own. How could he not come to help? It was in his nature. But was his help even needed? Blu hated not feeling useful; it was one of his complexes. Blu blew the warmth of his breath into his cupped hands to thaw the chill that crept through his veins. he felt as though he were hovering aimlessly about, watching as Sabrina ran off to get Georgie. Suddenly his head was hurting again and his fingertips were nipping with a prickly sensation and he wasn't sure what he should do. Before he could fall into a daydream, Ezra leaned in closely... [quote][color=darkgray]“Thanks, Blu. I appreciate the offer. Sorry you had to be involved in our family’s mess. Go with her but hang back and let Sabrina do the talking. If Georgie doesn’t respond to her, maybe you can work your magic.”[/color] -Ezra[/quote] On one hand, Blu was glad that someone finally wanted his help, even in some minor way. But then again, should he? Sabrina said she could handle it and he didn't want to impose on a situation that he really wasn't privy to. Also, what if Sabrina thought he came along because he saw her as incapable? Surely not, but Blu didn't want to take that chance, so instead, he simply shook his head feebly. Having come to the least offensive conclusion, Blu said [color=4CCEB1]"Think nothing of it. And no family is perfect right?"[/color] Blu smiled softly, thinking about his own family back home. [color=4CCEB1]"But I shouldn't impose though. Sabrina said she should handle it, so, I suppose I have no reason not to trust her resolve."[/color] Ezra seemed to take his words in kind, because he quickly turned to the ginger-haired woman to continue making preparations. Just then, Oscar ran up to him and apologized on behalf of his family. [quote][color=yellow]“Sorry you had to witness all that, the rest of the family are a bit… touchy. Why don’t you come with me to talk to their healer? If you can make people feel better with your abstraction then that’ll be helpful when we’re talking to them.”[/color] -Oscar[/quote] An inner glow filled Blu as the taller fellow spoke to him--a familiar face (James was that person for him...) often felt like a safe space in a world that was unfamiliar and dangerous--as was this very situation that Blu found himself falling deeper into. He just hoped it would end well for everyone. But a thought lodged in his mind. Abstraction? Was this the term that these people used to describe magik? His curiosity took hold--nodding sweetly at Oscar's request for him to join in on the mission to talk to the healer. He wasn't much of a fighter, so it was better that he wasn't going with the ambush squad at the construction site. His presence would be more of a burden. But maybe, like Oscar said, maybe he could be useful after all. Only time would tell. [center][hr][img]https://i.imgur.com/GXHYmvi.png?1[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/AqbidS4.png[/img] [/center][right][b][code]Outside the Sunrise Resort[/code][/b][/right][hr] Never in his twenty five years of living had Blu ever done anything like this before. Sneaking through the forest on some deathly mission he still knew very little about. The night shadows dancing on the trees, the howling winds--it was all so spooky. He closed his eyes for a brief moment and daydreamed about his grandmother's face and encouraging words. [i]~This world is full of darkness my love. But you must ignite your inner flame and move through it with not even a whisper of indecision~ [/i] Blu replayed those words in his head over and over, doing his best to ignore the fear that sullied his spirit and turned his heart to stardust. Were they really going to confront this healer? And if she was a healer, why was she working for the enemy? So many questions, so little time to answer them. Not a moment later, a loud crack echoed through the forest nearby. It was so loud, like the cry of a thunderbird from his tribe's lore. When Ezra told them to get down, Blu did so with no hesitation. [quote][color=darkgray]“Those dogs are on the move. But remember, we’re here for the healer. Let’s try to hide and let them pass first.”[/color] -Ezra[/quote] He heard...no, he felt the thrumming on the forest floor. Somethings heavy, dangerous, and moving with great intention. Were these dogs? How could dogs cause his bones to quake like so? Blu's hypersensitivity kicked in overdrive and he felt an ominous aura spilling out into the air like tendrils. This was an aura he had never felt before, not even from people with the darkest of hearts. Blu was choking in fear, and in his enveloping trepidation, unwittingly gripped his hands around Oscar's arm for comfort and pulled himself in a bit closer. Blu whispered to Oscar, his voice and body trembling feebly, but noticeable nonetheless, [color=4CCEB1]"Are those actually dogs like Ezra says? They feel like something else, something...macabre...?"[/color]. Blu, having buried more bodies than he could count, imagined these bodies rising up from the depths of the ocean and laying waste to the world of the living. This was the nightmare he conjured in his mind that could best reflect what he was feeling in this moment. It was indescribable and he wondered if anyone else was feeling this--if anyone shared his unique sensitivity. [color=4CCEB1]"Oscar...should I be worried? My majik...I don't know how useful it will be. I've never used it in this kind of situation before."[/color] His chest was palpitating so fast, it might burst. For now, he would do his best to timber his stirring heart, if only not to burden the others. Blu would do what he was told and think about a brighter tomorrow. [color=4CCEB1]'Ole Ancient Ones...please give..."[/color] was the tribal prayer he began to mutter under his breath and in his mind. He would call upon his ancestors and his inner flame and carry with it with as much hope and courage as he could possibly muster.