* * * Option Two: No Barriers Between Them * * *
Revelation
"Excuse me…" a brave but timid human voice whispers softly through the gathering, instantly catching everyone's attention.
Focus suddenly and fiercely riveted upon the newborns who have glanced over thirstily towards his friends, Edward invites: "Yes, Bella," in a tone markedly gentler than he has used with any of the vampires present. Her heart rate has unsurprisingly gone up with the asking, a sign that her already significant tension has only worriedly increased, and Edward is sure she wouldn't have said anything unless it was somehow important. Have you noticed something we haven't? I'm truly sorry to be making you so afraid.
"Um," briefly she glances uncomfortably past them and around herself, her gaze lingering on Edward then focusing on the Chinese gentleman among them, "with all due respect… and thank you very much for your consideration…" she offers, mostly addressing her heartfelt sincerity to the friendly stranger (if she's been reading his body language right), because she can guess by Edward's choice of language that neither of the newborns understand English, if they even would care to hear from her, "Why are you not concerned about the people in the stands?" None of them have even once glanced toward the crowd, as far as her weak eyes can tell, though they've looked at us with often hostile regularity. Edward is obviously worried.
Edward's muscles visibly tense even further in response, as in wary surprise he requests in a low voice, "What stands?"
Immediately, her eyes widen with shock and disbelief, eyes now fixed upon him as she tries to formulate an answer. It's as if his question doesn't compute. How can he not see them? Let alone hear them; they've been a screaming chaos from the beginning. Certainly his eyesight is much better than mine, and so is all of theirs! Not to mention his hearing… This doesn't make sense. Unless… the whole reason they've been trying to figure out whatever-it-is, is because they didn't know these were obviously the ones behind it? Does he really not know…? "Um," she gathers her thoughts, "we're in an arena – "
Suddenly startling a gasp out of her, Edward has jumped between her and a red bar of light that must have been headed in her direction. As he smoothly catches it with an outstretched hand, now again standing close enough to touch, thankfully it doesn't seem to have any effect – and she wonders what it was for… because it had to have come from one of them, whom he doesn't seem to be aware of. Only that it would have hit her if he hadn't intercepted it, now putting him even more fiercely on guard against any kind of thing. This is getting scarier by the moment, for more than just the obvious reason. Why would they have done this? The crowd's noises make it sound as if someone had been trying to… maybe silence me? But they can't do that! Edward has to know about this! I have to make him safe.
"…f-filled with spectators," she continues with a gulp, comforted by his proximity even if not by the rest of theirs, "many of which have been screaming at us from the beginning – and look as if they could be dressed like… witches and wizards," her face scrunches up a just bit; this description is difficult for even her to believe. "A few of them are wearing pointed hats, lots are wearing black robes, and some are even pointing at us with… sticks like wands."
Both Edward and Hě Chin are scanning their surroundings now, trying to see what she's describing… but the loud click of a jaw in awareness, triggering a sudden brief hush to roll throughout the crowd, comes only from Edward.
As his eyes abruptly widen and harden with anger as he clearly takes in the full complement of what he couldn't see, hear, or smell before, the noises of the crowd resume in earnest, and now they're much more panicked than before. They weren't supposed to ever know about us! How is it possible that he sees us now? And worse – much, much, much worse: what else can he do if that is true?!
But even more urgently: unaware of the import of Bella's revelation (delivered in another language he doesn't know), the older newborn is of a mind to take advantage of his subduers' distraction. Thus, in the very next instant, Edward is towering over him… harshly growling his displeasure before Javier can even finish his upright movement, and causing the newborn to stagger back down to his seated position in unwilling response. "Don't mistake my diversion for inattention," Edward fiercely warns.
As the man resentfully settles again, allowing Edward to defensively retreat once more and darkly look back up at the crowd, his low voice in English tells it all. "She's right," Edward reinforces her report to those who heard it, as he scans the crowd… because Hě Chin in particular deserves to know this, and there's no point trying to hide anything from Ben and Angela anymore. "The forest is a sensory illusion… and they've witnessed everything. This is not good," he amends to himself. No matter what language he'd spoken in, or how quietly he'd said it, they've magically listened to it all.
But it also tells him that his friends now have an option that will take them out of the line of fire. The moment they step out of the pen: the rest within it won't be able to smell them anymore, because they still can't see the stands. Apparently it's only he that has become able to see through both the muggle and vampire wardings they have in place. Aside from Bella, who must have known it all along. That's a start, at least. On the other hand, now shockingly informed that he must keep skin contact with his companions if he is to ensure they don't get separated by an ill-timed summoning spell…
"Hold hands with the others," Edward quietly but urgently instructs as he immediately steps back and reaches behind himself to grasp hers, as he remains protectively facing the other vampires in the pen. "They'll need you to lead them out." Bella nods, reaching to grab Angela's hand while her dazed and still obviously fearful friend remains holding onto Ben's. "To the tent?" Edward suggests, still watching the newborns closely, and she looks briefly toward the indicated object none of the rest of them can see. It also appears to be one of the quickest ways out of the pen. She nods again, but then turns right back toward Edward, eyes full of concern for the fact that he still hasn't made any motion to go. The lack of a tug on his hand indicates she's clearly not willing to leave without him. He smiles grimly at the caring motion, despite her fear, that is only visible to him through others' eyes. Sigh. Of course she wouldn't be worried about herself.
They all see that the physical connection between Edward and the humans is tenuous, were any of the vampires to challenge it, but thankfully both newborns know better than to try at this point. Hě Chin is simply fascinated to witness how entirely comfortable she is accepting his hand, then expectantly waiting for him, knowing what she knows. What she obviously already knew, unlike the other two. Just like she saw the stands, when none of the rest of us could. Does she have a latent talent? I wonder how Edward was able to see them.
"Since it appears that fate has chosen me to play liaison…" Edward explains to every vampire in Spanish, "you should be aware that the magical humans that brought us here can understand everything we say, and remain more than a little distressed now that we know that they are there." Javier is shocked and very quickly incensed by this incredible report, while remaining blind to see it for himself. At least there's that, though undoubtedly it will be confirmed for him as soon as we step out of the pen. "We are the terrifying subjects of a tournament in play, which end is dependent upon our cooperation, and as such: if you require anything and are willing to make it known – you just might get it. Upon the tournament's conclusion – which it seems they cannot effect prematurely – there are plans already set up for our return; although…" because they ignorantly haven't addressed the issue of safety well enough, "I have a few amendments to make. Being as it was the wizarding world that got us into this exposé conundrum: I am going to see what they can do to get us out of it. Either way, you'll want to make clear precisely where you'd like to be returned to, because they don't know."
Speaking directly to Hě Chin now as he begins to vigilantly back away (triggering the humans present to similarly head toward the exit), Edward suggests: "Once we move past the sensory boundary, you won't be able to sense me any longer… yet I'll be able to sense you. Therefore when you want answers: keep an eye out for convenient missiles. I'll take care of everything," he promises with a bow.
With his return bow of acceptance, suspecting an inability to leave the pen himself but still entirely willing to honor his pledge, ultimately the Chinese master is trusting in Edward pretty completely; it's humbling.
Angela and Ben aren't able to see anything but forest around them, until the moment they breach the sensory border. As Bella encourages them to keep on moving in their disoriented shock, the watching crowd sounds as if it must be holding its collective breath. Then, as Edward's hand holding hers and then full body is the last one through – the crowd goes into a terrified uproar.
Immediately within the pen, Javier sprints off sideways as if running in a straight line away from the karate master's position (and specifically not toward Edward's last location), only to circle the pen 3 times before coming to a stop. The moment Edward's presence was no longer a limiting issue, he was desperate to prove the confines he doesn't at all want to believe. His angry tirade of threatening curses is most uncomfortable for the nervous champions to hear. Most everyone else remains too distracted by Edward's successful exit, to give it much attention… other than to be immensely glad that this vampire couldn't follow suit.
While he was doing this, Ana Rosa had slumped down into the grass, relieved to finally be free of the incredibly ultra-tempting and throat-burning flavor that disappeared along with them… now also burdened with a growing sense of horrific realization concerning what it all means.
Quietly observing Edward's party utterly disappear from his senses, and obviously from the others' as well, Hě Chin calmly ruminates on the remarkable exchange he just witnessed. The brunette was not just 'not wary' of Edward, or merely comfortable with him… she was actively helping him see clearly and seeking out his company, knowing what he is. What we all are. And very possibly: much of what he can do. This goes deeper than I would have guessed. Why would she want to help?
Another curiosity, is that Edward didn't know what she could see. Though he obviously knew for the rest of us. More evidence toward a latent talent. Come to think of it, Edward's degree of tense defensiveness – plus his willingness to put his own life on the line for them – I've only ever seen before in relation to mates or human family members. His evident maturity suggests he couldn't have close family members of the same age, unless said family was generations old… and yet here we are. Could these be family of his?
Suddenly a tiny rock (or really, a large grain of sand) traveling low to the ground plinks against one of the many wooden stakes in the grass, causing it to rebound laterally a few times like a ping pong before coming to rest. The event was so insignificant that it was barely enough to attract his notice, let alone anyone else's. And yet it was clearly thrown by someone with exceptional aim. If this were body language, I'd say he was shaking his head.
So, not family. But then… as he recalls just how much the brunette intently watching him was also his perfect aural complement, it brings to mind that this phenomenon was most common to find in mutually devoted long-term couples. But no, that couldn't be. Could it? Is… your mate among the humans here?
Following a silent pause, abruptly another minuscule rock comes falling down from high out of the sky in the direction Edward went, only to bounce up high again off the top of one stake, and then another, before landing in the grass. Once again, not enough to catch anyone else's attention, but entirely sufficient to catch his. That looks like a nod.
Hě Chin is shocked. Truly?! A vampire with a human mate? This says all kinds of things about his most intriguing new friend, and substantially piques his interest. This is stuff I want to know about.
One more tiny rock comes flying in low, only to hit another and rocket briefly up, and then down again… in confirmation.
Wow, Hě Chin regards in amazement. Which gives whole new insight into her fear, as well… since she could very well have been afraid – for him. His expression softens, remembering. In fact, I think she was… most terribly so… as well as truly grateful when she addressed me… and suddenly he's considering Bella with especial gentleness and friendliness, because she's become a subject of even more profound respect than he knew, as well as curiosity in regards to everything she does. What an honor, to have met them like this!
Neither is that just a little bit of trust you've placed in me, by sharing this, he acknowledges. I thank you, brother.