|
Post by Carlisle Cullen on Dec 6, 2008 22:32:52 GMT -5
Carlisle sat back and allowed his family to take the lead after his own revelation to their new hybrid acquaintance. He wasn't the best one to rally for any camp: human, vampire or hybrid. He had always been an accepting person and he simple didn't see the distinction beyond the necessary distance that their lifestyle deemed them to keep. He could only see being a hybrid as beneficial to fitting in with humans, though he could see why getting close to one of them would be a problem - they were so unprepared for anything the supernatural had to throw at them. And the only reason he could see it being a problem to fellow vampires would be jealousy beyond that which kept them in small groups anyway. He caught Edward's glance, but resisted nodding to him in encouragement. Instead he consciously shaped his thoughts to converse with his son.
You're doing fine, son, he told him, his eyes not erring from Jayden. She's rela-
His thoughts cut off suddenly as Esme carried on their encouraging conversation, accepting her as one of them, and a mental frown crowded out the remainder of the sentence. He understood where his wife was coming from, and he loved her for it, for her unconditional acceptance. But the reality was that they had more eyes than was comfortable on their controversial family, to protect the family he had to make sure they maintained a cordial distance. Half-formed thoughts ran through his head as he tried to figure out a way of distancing themselves without negating the headway they had made in her confidence with them. He smiled at the girl.
"Yes," he agreed on the surface with Esme. "We will all accept you for who you are, rather than the technicalities of your species, you don't need to worry about that. And we would be happy for you to stay in the town in the guise of a human if your eating habits allow you to do so."
And we'll have to tell the Quileutes, he added in his head. He could only imagine the response that would get - no doubt disgust and distrust, but he could talk them around.
|
|
|
Post by Edward Cullen on Dec 8, 2008 0:23:50 GMT -5
Edward appreciated Carlisle's thoughts of encouragement. He was surprised at how quickly Esme had verbalized her acceptance of Jayden. Edward's own comments had implied the same, but saying the words made it seem more permanent. He could hear the surprise in Jayden's voice at hearing the acceptance. It was obvious in her thoughts as well as the expression on her face that she didn't understand how quickly they had done so with having only learned so little about her.
"You've done nothing to make us not accept you" Edward explained, trying to help her understand.
As Carlisle thought of the Quileutes, Edward could only imagine how that conversation might go. He didn't expect that they would be too eager to have learned that they had invited another creature, half human or not, to stay so close to their land. Edward wondered if Jayden's hybrid status would work for or against her with the dogs. They themselves had more of a human side to them, which they might sympathize with, but her uniqueness gave her an unknown factor. They might not want to risk the unpredictability.
|
|
|
Post by Jayden Murphy on Dec 8, 2008 16:10:59 GMT -5
Jayden looked at Carlisle when he questioned her eating habits; she smiled as she spoke “My eating habits won’t cause trouble. I could never see humans as a food option. Maybe it’s my half human side or my fathers influence, but the though honesty makes me feel sick. I feed on animals and I eat food. Regular human food” she stressed with another light laugh. “And some of it is actually pretty good.”
Jayden looked back towards Edward. “Although I don’t fully understand your entire acceptance of me, I do thank you for it. All of you” She looked over to Esme and smiled in unspoken thank you.
Looking back to Carlisle she spoke again, “I’m not sure if I shall remain here. I’ve never remained in the same place for long. However, if I do I will try not to attract attention to you or your family.” Although these we’re the words Jayden spoke aloud, in her own mind she had almost made up her mind to stay. This place, from the little she’d seen, seemed as good a place as any to try out ‘human life’.
|
|
|
Post by Carlisle Cullen on Dec 8, 2008 18:11:48 GMT -5
Carlisle broke into a smile, satisfied that he had set the terms to her acceptance. With every word they spoke it seemed that Jayden was becoming more confident and comfortable with them, which he was sure he could thank Esme for. He tightened his arm around her for a moment in a little squeeze of gratefulness. He sometimes regretted that he had to distance those that deserved to be kept close, but he only ever did so for the security of his family.
“Ah, you’ll have to describe to me what these tortilla chips taste like,” he commented, his thoughts returning to his earlier question in the kitchen. He highly doubted that they could be described in terms of the blood he tasted or the scents he experienced, but adding levity to the situation could only be a good thing. He didn’t want to overwhelm the girl.
He nodded a little as Jayden told him that her plans were undecided. “We thank you for your discretion,” he told her, his tone genuine.
“And if you need any financial aid…” he trailed off the sentence, implying that it would be no problem. In fact, there would be no way anyone would be able to trace the money back to the Cullens - call it a windfall from an old relative, or something - they had so many accounts around the world under numerous different names. He didn’t want to see the girl suffer for a petty little concept such as money. That still left the Quileutes, though. If Jayden did decide to stay for a while he would have to contact Sam or one of the pack, if only to appease their distrust.
|
|
|
Post by Jayden Murphy on Dec 8, 2008 22:35:44 GMT -5
Jayden felt genuinely relaxed for the first time since she had knocked on the door. She smiled openly at everyone in the room, and then laughed as Carlisle asked her about Tortilla chips. “They’re a little plain.” She smiled trying to think how to describe the taste of plain to someone who probably doesn’t remember his last meal. Tortilla wasn’t anything compared to her favorite food. “It’s unique, acquired taste. Human food is fine, though I still prefer elk.” She said with an open smile. It seemed easier now to be open with them. Jayden turned serious for a moment at the mention of money. It wasn’t that her father hadn’t provided for her, it was more that it wasn’t going to last forever. However, she may be feeling comfortable but she wasn’t about to be so open. “I have enough to survive.” She said, “But thank you…I can never be too sure what the future may hold.” Turning the conversation back to less serious topic Jayden asked, “How many are their in your family?”
|
|
Esme Cullen
Dazzled
Vegetarian Vampire
The Mother
Posts: 164
|
Post by Esme Cullen on Dec 9, 2008 3:28:20 GMT -5
Esme listened to the Edward's and Carlisle's acceptance of the girl and smiled. Esme didn't speak again, listening to the conversation now. Her eyes glancing from each of their faces. Her hands sat in her lap now, completely still now that she was fully comfortable.
It wasn't until Jayden talked about her eating habits that Esme responded again. Her face fell a slight amount as she remembered what they had done before Jayden's unexpected visit. "Oh, I guess you'll need to tell me what human foods you like. We just cleaned out the kitchen," she told her, "I need to restock it, and it's always better to fill it with things that'll actually get eaten." Esme watched her words when she had said that, trying not to say anything about Bella; until very recently they hadn't paid attention to brand names or particulars.
Esme listened to Carlisle offer the girl any financial help, and Esme added to that. "And if you ever need a place to stay, anywhere, I'm sure we can lend or find you something," she said. Over the many years their family had purchased properties and Esme had renovated and restored them with some of their help. "And while you're here in the Forks area, you are welcome to stay here," she added.
With the talk of a place to stay Esme was suddenly curious. It was well known that vampires didn't sleep, but Esme wondered about hybrids. "Will you be needing a bed to sleep in?" she asked quietly, hoping not to offend the girl.
As the subject changed, Esme's smile grew, revealing her perfect, shining, white teeth. Naturally, a question that would evoke a response like that from Esme was about family. Just as she was about to answer, with a simple 'Eight.', she remembered it was probably better to not mention Bella, although she was a vital member of their family. "Seven," she said instead.
|
|
|
Post by Jayden Murphy on Dec 9, 2008 11:24:33 GMT -5
Jayden couldn’t help but smile at how welcoming and accepting Esme was. Every time she smiled or spoke Jayden’s heart raced and she found herself returning a smile. It wasn’t that she didn’t find Edward and Carlisle just as welcoming it was just that Jayden had never experienced the acceptance and warmth of a mother figure. Esme mentioned food. Jayden couldn’t remember the last time she’d eaten, but more then that she couldn’t remember the last time someone had cared what she liked to eat. She smiled openly, “I eat just regular food. Thank you.” She felt she should answer the next most basic question regarding food, “I thirst too. For that I prefer Elk.” Jayden thought about staying as Esme offered to help her find somewhere to stay. She knew she couldn’t stay here. As comfortable as it felt to visit she wasn’t sure they’d all be ok with her staying. She laughed at the mention of bed, “Yes I sleep.” She smiled, “I usually need around 2-3 hours every night. Though I’m happy to sleep longer, it’s a human trait. I’m sure I couldn’t possibly impose upon you to stay, you already seem to have a full house.” Jayden had never heard of such a large group living together. Let alone on as unique as this family. Even as she spoke the last words she felt a longing in her heard to belong, just as this family did.
|
|
Esme Cullen
Dazzled
Vegetarian Vampire
The Mother
Posts: 164
|
Post by Esme Cullen on Dec 9, 2008 14:14:22 GMT -5
"It's not a problem Jayden," Esme told her, "We have plenty of room for you to stay." As she said this she glanced around the huge house meaningfully. She was sure they could find somewhere for the girl to stay in the house, they could always convert a room. Esme made a note to herself that she would take care of at a later date; a guest room must be added asap. Of course most of the time it would be a prop room, but for times like these it would be useful.
"We enjoy a full house," Esme said. It was true, Esme couldn't imagine their house any different. Unlike most of their kind, the Cullens didn't mind visitors.
|
|
|
Post by Carlisle Cullen on Dec 9, 2008 15:18:37 GMT -5
Carlisle’s amber eyes shone with amusement as he tried to pinpoint the exact taste of the elusive tortilla chip.
Plain, he thought to himself, wondering if it was anything like the blood of a chicken. He hadn’t fed from many chicken in his time, they were too small to be a viable option, but when he had first discovered that vegetarianism was an option, he had gone a bit mad. Probably not. He generally concluded that ‘plain’ was in terms of human food, which he had very little memory of. He could remember the textures more, the toughness of low quality, badly prepared meat, the crunch of raw vegetables, the mush when it was overcooked. He didn’t so much miss it anymore, but it was an absence.
Carlisle’s thoughts were distracted, however, with Esme’s invitation for the girl to stay with them. Normally he wouldn’t have a problem with it, but the more the girl stayed in their house without actually being one of them, the more of a risk she presented. He noted how Esme omitted Bella, he assumed, from their family count, and appreciated her discretion there. He listened to Jayden, interest clearly etched on to his features as she spoke more about her eating and sleeping patterns. It seemed she did need time for regeneration of some tissues, probably those that aerated her blood flow and kept it pumping around her body, but given that about 90% of her body was apparently made from the same quartz-like substance of full vampires, she did not require nearly the same amount of rest as humans. It would make a fascinating paper, which he could never write.
“We are quite a large family,” Carlisle cut in, agreeing with the young hybrid’s assessment. His eyes slid smoothly across to his wife‘s face. “Esme, if she would prefer to have her own space, we have to respect that,” he spoke gently, not wishing to hurt his wife’s sense of hospitality, though he much preferred to keep the hybrid at a bit of a distance, given the current circumstances. His amber eyes quickly returned to Jayden. “If you ever need any help with anything, we are here, okay?”
|
|
|
Post by Edward Cullen on Dec 10, 2008 14:28:51 GMT -5
Edward gave a small smile as he heard Esme's initial thought to the question of how many were in their family was eight. She had included Bella but protected her with her answer of seven. He then grew concerned as Esme offered Jayden a place to stay in their home. He couldn't help but be confused as to how Esme could realize the danger of speaking of Bella as a part of their family, but then didn't think it could be complicated to have Jayden stay here when Bella was frequently a visitor.
Edward looked over at Esme, wishing he could tell her his concerns with her invitation. He knew it was in her nature to want to help everyone, it was her big heart. He then felt relief as Carlisle seemed to recognize the problem this could cause. He could tell his father was also worried about the increasing size of their family and how that could look to outsiders. It was a good point as well, one they couldn't overlook.
"We would all be glad to help you, however we can" He confirmed.
|
|
|
Post by Jayden Murphy on Dec 12, 2008 23:59:01 GMT -5
Jayden could tell that the men in the room we're a little unsure about her staying with them, not that she could blame them at all. She was a little unsure about staying there in the town let alone in the Cullen's home. "Thank you for your very kind offer of a place to stay, but I’m not sure that would be best at the moment. Other then my father, I’ve never lived around others of our kind and our acquaintance is so new I would not want to strain that. “She smiled kindly at Esme and continued, "I think I will stay in the area for a little while, at least. I feel there is still so much I can learn from you and I would like to meet the others of your family." Jayden looked to Carlisle, "Perhaps that is where I will need help; a place away from town to stay. If you could help me in that respect, I would be most thankful." Next she turned to Edward; "Am I right in my thinking that you interact with the humans? Actually live among them?" She thought back to the years she had spent watching humans and how they acted. She had perfected the human side of her nature but had never tried to interact with humans except for brief moments. She thirsted as any other vampire, yet for her the scent of human blood lacked a certain appeal. So that was never a problem. As the thought of blood moved through her mind she thought of her thirst. It had been close to a week since her last hunt, she was thirsty. She moved her attention back to Edward; "Also, hunting? I'm sure I will need to be shown where is best for that.”
|
|
|
Post by Edward Cullen on Dec 13, 2008 1:33:43 GMT -5
Edward felt grateful to Jayden for not having accepted Esme's offer to stay. Though he felt guilty for feeling that way, wanting to help her as best they could. There were just so many factors to consider at the moment, and at the top of his priorities now was Bella.
Edward nodded as she addressed him and asked about interacting with humans. "Yes we do. Myself and my siblings attend the local high school, only skipping class when we need to hunt or on days like today that are a bit too sunny for us to get in safely" He told her. "If you'd like to attend class there, I can take you, show you where the administrative office is to get you set up. We're quite experienced in registering at new schools" He said with a little grin directed towards his parents. He wondered if now was the time to mention Bella. She was a human they interacted with.
He nodded again as she mentioned hunting. "I'd be glad to take you myself anytime you like. " He then paused wondering about what other characteristics of a vampire she had inherited. Often her family wouldn't even bother driving to get to their hunting ground, they would just run it. It would save them time even, but maybe her speed was not like theirs. "We can drive if you need to..."
|
|
|
Post by Carlisle Cullen on Dec 14, 2008 12:21:05 GMT -5
Carlisle’s internal sigh of relief matched Edward’s own, though the doctor could not know that. However, from the look that Carlisle saw Edward extend to Esme, he could guess that the younger vampire was concerned at his wife’s hospitality in this instance. At least they could extend their own cautious version of Esme’s hospitality to the hybrid. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to help Jayden, it was just the logistics that made it impossible to welcome her so completely. It was true that they were already the talk of the town for having so many adoptive children split into couple living under one roof, adding to their hefty numbers had now become a bigger deal than it used to be. He smiled at Jayden as she refused Esme’s kind offer.
“Of course, Jayden,” he told her, money not being an issue - it was so tied up in different accounts under different names that it could never be traced back to him, his family, Forks or even the USA in some cases. “We will do all we can for you there. You just need to tell us how far away from town you think would be suitable for you. I’m not entirely sure of your tolerance level when it comes to humans, or if they even provide too much of a temptation for you. We’ll have to work something out about identity if you’re wanting to become part of the town, though. As Edward says, we have quite a bit of experience with creating clean slates for starting over.”
He would need to make contact with his ‘agent’ in Port Angeles, and he would also need to have a serious discussion with Jayden about the whole set of rules. Rules that must never be broken. He wasn’t sure that using ‘she’s half human’ as an excuse would be accepted for breaching the treaty with the Quileutes. If she did decide to stay in Forks then there would be no doubt that she would be a recurring presence in the Cullen household, and if she started the local high school as Edward suggested. The thoughts circulated around Carlisle’s head and worked their way back around to Edward and Bella.
If she does this then you may find that you have to tell her about Bella. I’m going to leave it down to you - it’s no one’s decision but yours, Edward.
|
|
Esme Cullen
Dazzled
Vegetarian Vampire
The Mother
Posts: 164
|
Post by Esme Cullen on Dec 15, 2008 4:28:39 GMT -5
Esme smiled back at the girl as she turned down her offer of staying in their spacious home. It didn't offend Esme that the girl had turned it down, whatever made the girl comfortable was all that mattered. And Esme could sense the tension her offer had cause both Carlisle and Edward. It wasn't until she thought about it that she realized why, especially on Edward's part; Bella.
Sorry, she directed the thought to Edward, knowing he would hear it. She couldn't believe how stupid her offer had really been. How it could have endangered her family.
As her mind filled with embarrassment, she didn't let her smile fade. She listened as the girl took up their offer in finding her a place to stay. At least they could help her in some way, Esme was glad of that.
|
|
|
Post by Jayden Murphy on Dec 16, 2008 11:55:24 GMT -5
Jayden watched as Edward and Carlisle seem almost relieved with her decline at the offer to stay in their home. She had no time to dwell on that as Edward mentioned attending high school. It was something Jayden had never thought about having received all her education from her father, books and the traveling they had done. Now the very notion of attending school and been immersed in human life sent her mind and heart racing with excitement. However, part of her brain chided itself for the silly notion; she could barely act wholly vampire how could she pull off a human impression in their environment. However, the rest of her brain didn’t listen it was off daydreaming about such a fantasy as high school. Jayden was so wrapped up in this daydream that she almost missed Edwards comment about hunting and driving to get there. She waited for Carlisle to finish speaking before she addressed their concerns.
She spoke to Edward first, "I'm just as capable of running as any other vampire." She stated with a little bit of a smile, "And I think I will need to feed soon, it has been a while." She said with a little blush of embarrassment. She’d never had to speak of hunting with anyone before. Her first time was a little uncomfortable especially with this new acquaintance.
Then she looked to Carlisle and spoke with the serious tone that this kind of matter needed; "I have no problem with the scent of humans. It neither tempts me nor disgusts me. My father always assumed it was something to do with the human side of my DNA making me some what immune to the temptation." She paused a second and shrugged, "Though it may be best to be a little way from town. I'm not at all use to been around humans and my awkwardness may give something of my true self away. Something we could all do without I’m sure. Though I promise to try to fit in here and cause no disturbance."
She turned quickly to Esme, eager to include her in this conversation and not lose the maternal glow she radiated. She smiled at her and spoke, "Perhaps I could still visit here?” She ventured cautiously not sure of a reply.
|
|