Aro of the Volturi

Bella shook her head, a small smile on her face at that.  “No, everyone seems to think I was born to be a vampire, given how easy it has been for me.”  She said, almost smirking.  Gifted, however, she still felt was a stretch.  A shield wasn’t too much help except in battle, something she wasn’t planning to experience again.  The previous one, as non-climactic as it was, was enough for her entire existence. 

"It is simply remarkable how well you have become accustomed to this life. I would hypothesise that it is related somehow to your unique gift. Have you thought of expanding your gift?" Aro was a patient man. He could wait one hundred year or more to collect a gift he wanted, and he was determined to get Bella's.

"She’s been no trouble at all.  She continues to surprise us with her growth, especially Carlisle."  It would probably be easier to just tell him what he wanted to know, rather than keep it from him, Bella figured.  They didn’t need another visit from the Volturi in Forks, especially so soon after the previous.

"Of course, that offer extends to your whole coven. You are not experiencing new troubles in adapting to being a vampire, are you? The gifted ones always take a while to adjust..." He wanted to know about her power, about how it was developing, if it had grown further since their near-battle, and if there were any weaknesses to be found. Not that he expected to get that information that easily.

Bella stepped forward cautiously.  He had wanted her and her family dead at one point.  She had to say something.  After all, he couldn’t read her mind at the touch of her hand like he could others.  “Can I ask why you wanted to see me?”  It wasn’t like she’d planned this trip to Italy for herself. 

"Tell me, dear, how is the family? Your daughter has been no trouble, has she?"

 The suddent contact and close proximity made her flinch, but she didn’t pull away nor resist. The less complications she caused, the quicker and better this would go. :”I’m not surprised. Edward told me that vampires prefer dimly lit places.”

"Yes, such a horrible incident. It is unfortunate that had to happen." He leads her in a casual stroll down a dim stone corridor. "I, like you, do not want for any more trouble. No, I wish to offer my friendship. Dr. Cullen and I were long time friends, you know. If you are to join his coven, I wish to know you better."

         Volturi or not, Aro was someone that Bella wouldn’t trust so easily, but she didn’t see any underlying intent in his words.

He takes her hand - still unable to read her, he notes - and hooks it around his arm formally to walk her away from the rest. "I wish to show you my castle. It is rather dim for human eyes, I know, but as a vampire you will not need the light."

"Aro, my love, you’ve been cooped up in this study for most of the day. Won’t you take a break and relax a while?" 

"Perhaps you would assist me with my work, Sulpicia dearest? I could use your opinion. A new collection of vampires have appeared in Argentina and are behaving strangely. They do not act as a coven, yet they show no sign of forming an army either. What do you say to these reports?"

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