“Breathe, or you’ll miss your mark.”
“Empress… EMPRESS! The girl’s gone mad! She’s gone… mad… mad… I t-tell… ”
There was a squelching sound taking over the room. Everyone went silent, wondering just what the Grand Elder had meant to finish. Liquid trickled, slow and steady. It fell into a rhythm. A metallic smell filled the air, a scent familiar to those that dealt their hands on the dark side, even for the slightest moment.
THUD
In that ever silent space, chaos roared, and the room lit up. Blume was busy adjusting her sleeve, fixing the cuff to straighten out her uniform, eyes long gone from the prize. Not more than three feet sat the head of the Grand Elder, face contorted into pain and realization merely a second too late. Blood streamed from the carcass that leaned back against the spliced throne. It poured from the throne and dribbled onto those marble floors she favored so much.
To each side of the throne sat three individuals, eyes wide with horror of the scene before them. They glanced in between Blume at the beheaded, wondering if they were next, but she did her best to ease their spirits.
“Do not worry. I kept my word; he did not. Nothing will come to harm the rest of you, because I still need you. This family just needed a change of position.” Within looking up, Blume had tilted her head off towards the right.
“Mother, if you’ll please.”
A low whistle sounded, and in came the thunderous booming of boots pounding against the elegant floors. A squad of four, burly individuals came in bearing a new throne, pristine and shining, the fluorescent lights reflecting off the smooth finish. Another pair fell into step behind them, dressed in black as they began the cleaning process and removal. Like generations before, the Grand Elder would get his funeral and cremation, only to be framed in the walls like his forefathers.
They were in and out, quickly, the rustic scent being replaced by pine from the scented cleaning products. A new home always came with a fresh smell. Where he once resided, the Matron and current family head, Lilie Diamante, now sat. Dressed in white, the current Mistress looked down at her daughter with a warm gaze. Pride to have seen her come so far. The outcome was long overdue, and despite being rushed, it couldn’t have gone any better.
“I, Lilie Diamante, will henceforth be registered as the new Grand Elder, and withdraw from my position as the Head of the House. Are there any objections?”
Peering out of her peripherals, Lilie could see the pale faces that sat at her sides, lowered their heads, and place their right fist against the center of their chest. Others within the room, such as the four guardsmen, Bradley, the newly emerged Kuno Diamante, and now the two oldest children, mimic their postures. Blume had followed suit, a glint in her eyes as she and her mother locked their gaze. From the depths of their souls, they bellowed.
“TO THE GRAND ELDER, WE CONFIDE! FOR THE DIAMANTE, WE PERSIST!”
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Their fists pounded against their chest, for the trinity, and the charm. Heads rose, and those six individuals took their seats once more without question. Pale faces clashed against the rosy-tone of Lilie's skin from being flushed. She'd waited for this day since they all had dared to go forth with a ludicrous idea. Fear was influential as it was dangerous. And the things they feared? Meaningless. Death was to be feared, as was a new life. A loss should be feared, as should exponential growth, but a child? An infant, something so small and feeble, should not be feared. The outcome of that infant's future should be feared. The environment in which they grow should be feared.
They made a demon with the appearance of a saint, and obedience was taken for weakness. Fear fueled those responsible for the outcome, and their worst desires came to fruition. The wolf in sheep's skin had revealed its true nature, and she had merely taken a bite of her prey.
“Blume Diamante, will you accept the role as the Head of the House, and receive the title of Mistress Diamante to perform your duties accordingly?”
Holding that position with her fist against her heart, Blume lowered her head once more and pounded against her chest, thrice concerning her new position and title. Beneath her locks, those large aqua orbs shined with excitement, but her expression did not match, keeping the meeting as it was supposed to have been: professional.
The crowds soon trickled out, and all that was left was the seven elders and Blume once more. There was much left to discuss...
A new order was set in stone. Everything that happened in this house would not go unnoticed. Kuno Diamante was still in charge of finances and other topics regarding the growth of their company and individual dealings. Both Kosmos and Kamelie learned quickly of their place once they had tried to argue against the Grand Elder, and were assigned to separate branches between Karakura Town and overseas. Blume was given the okay at the renovation of her new flower shop. It would have been strange if she'd suddenly gone off track regarding her teenage lifestyle.
Those large doors had opened once more for her, and down the steps, she went. The car was at the ready, raring to go as they waited for their lady-- no, their Mistress, to enter. With all that time wasted in the discussion, things had gotten considerably worse in such a short amount of time. That chill from miles down the lane was growing stronger as it inched into the Karakurua city limits. Naruki City News was still live, more or less, but being forced distances away from the chaotic rampage of Santa Klaus and those fighting against them. While normal humans couldn't see the spiritual entity, individuals like Blume could, but one would have to be stupid to set this as a natural phenomenon. Blume already knew of three individuals that had fled to go and save their homes. She could feel them even from such a distance away, but there were several more impeding on the party.
“Ah... this isn't good. Maybe taking the car wasn't as fast as I thought it would be.”
Opening the window to her right, Blume had peeked her head out. There was nobody walking within the streets, or at least was remotely close to her position. After confirming her surroundings, she tapped her escort on the shoulder and caught his attention. Looking through the rearview mirror, he could see that the new Head of the House was smiling before she climbed up and out through the window, startling him. The car swerved and Blume steadied herself as best as she could before releasing a concentrated amount of reiryoku and focusing it around her feet. To the skies she soared, gathering a breathtaking view that most people would be unable to witness. In the direction of Naruki, she turned, squinting at the city and its overwhelming presence. One foot after the other, the young Quincy skated across the skies towards the events unfolding in front of her. She'd already made a promise not to step in unless completely necessary.
From the scouts surrounding the area, reports flooded in on just what and who was causing the disturbance. The Diamante Forge wasn't limited when it came to resources. They got information when they called for it, and it would always be more than what they could ask for.
Those harsh winds blew against Blume's face, wrestling against her hair and clothes. The distance was bearable but had she continued to drive, there was no telling just what the end result could be if they didn't succeed. There was no telling if Karakura was next, and if they fell, Blume would have to come into play.
Karakura Town ———————————— traveling to ———————————— Naruki City