Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me, especially the dialogue in this update. Taken from mid Chapter 36.
Soft minds
Backed up by hard drives
Standing in single file
Anything to pass the test
You passed the test
Acceptance, "Cry For Help"
She remembered. . . Well, there are many things that have been collecting in her mind over the years.
Each memory was eternally vivid and tucked into the back of her mind for safe-keeping like precious jewelry. For the most part, Renesmee remembered the good times spent with her family and Jacob Black, mainly consisting of laughter ringing through the heart of the forest—all were moments that she would always treasure with every individual beat of her heart—every smile and laugh was hidden in a chest with a golden lock.
The key, however, was easily accessed, since it was hidden in such an obvious place. The embarrassing part was that Renesmee had yet to realize, in her five years of survival, that her key didn't even belong to her.
More on that later.
But the most chilling, the most confusing memory of them all—worse than watching the playoffs with her uncles—was Renesmee's brief encounter with the Cullens' supposed darkest nemesis and leader of the Volturi.
Aro.
He had been speaking with Renesmee's mother, Bella Cullen, pleased with the pendant he had given to her as a wedding present was being worn around her neck. Aro had commented on his gratitude and affection for the way it fitted on her, saying that the trinket matched her face.
That's when he graciously requested to receive the young child.
"May I greet your daughter, lovely Bella?" His voice was so soft, so comforting. . .
Bella's shield fled from Renesmee all of a sudden when the small one quickly realized that her parents were actually forcing her to go through with this meeting; and she gulped.
Aro was the scariest creature her wide, brown eyes had the unnerving displeasure of laying upon—with eyes the color of plum brandy, alabaster skin, and long hair that was blacker than the night sky. He was a strange sight, despite the fact that she should be used to shady characters.
What frightened her above all else was his cheery disposition—a falsehood of security no doubt. He was clearly a predator on the prowl and Renesmee was the unsuspecting gazelle mesmerized by a fiendish gaze from a hungry cheetah.
"But she's exquisite," he whispered, beaming down at her. "So like you and Edward," and then to Renesmee. . . "Hello, Renesmee."
She glanced at Bella, reluctant about being able to reply. She nodded.
"Hello, Aro." Renesmee said carefully, as if she were chewing on glass. She didn't want to expose her secret fear of him.
Aro appeared to be a bit taken aback, and of course Caius was skeptical. "What is it?" He queried.
"Half mortal, half immortal," Aro retorted, his crimson eyes alit with a gleam that nearly petrified the poor girl. "Conceived so, and carried by this newborn when she was still human."
"Impossible," Caius scoffed, directing a menacing glower at Renesmee—or possibly Jacob. She was unsure what problem Caius could have with the shape-shifter.
"Do you think they've fooled me then, brother?" Aro questioned, amusement in his velvet voice. "Is the heartbeat you hear trickery as well?"
Caius's scowl deepened into his sullen features.
"Calmly and carefully, brother. I know well how you love your justice, but there is no justice in acting against this unique little one for her parentage." It was disturbing how Aro's eyes never seemed to leave Renesmee's face, and she was too afraid to tear her own gaze away. "And so much to learn, so much to learn! I know you don't have my enthusiasm for collecting histories, but be tolerant with me, brother, as I add a chapter that stuns me with this improbability. We came expecting only justice and the sadness of false friends, but look what we gained instead! A new, bright knowledge of ourselves—our possibilities!"
Aro extended his hand towards the half-human, half-vampire girl—a token of trust and friendship—but she had her own strategy.
Renesmee leaned away from Bella, instead placing her tiny palms on his ice-cold cheeks. Unlike the rest of the visiting vampires, Aro had not gone into a lapse of shock of her gift while she showed him everything—her memories on fast-forward.
She showed him the Bella had gone comatose after murmuring her bizarre name. She showed him Jacob's intense brown eyes locked with her own for the first time. She showed him those horrifying days of anticipating for the Volturi to arrive after Aunt Alice and Uncle Jasper ran away from home. She showed him the present—how fearful she was of being the cause of a possible war between the beings she cared about versus the Volturi. She showed him that she meant no harm—every different type of being she was compassionate for.
Most importantly, Renesmee showed Aro the misery she would experience if she lost any of her family.
They don't deserve this pain. These people, every individual before your eyes, are my family in one way or another. Don't hurt them.
He smiled wider at Renesmee as she ended the visions, and sighed. "Brilliant."
Renesmee relaxed at this, almost positive that she had won him over. "Please?" She asked, her tone sincere and polite.
"Of course I have no desire to harm your loved ones, Renesmee," His smile softened, complying with her anxiety, and reminded her of the gentle look Edward gave her when he would sing her to sleep. She—one may have considered this to be foolish—believed him.
Even when Aro announced that he had no other choice but to dispose of the Cullens (he had been out-voted by the other members of the Volturi and voted along with the majority to satisfy the others)—even when he backed down when Nahuel had popped out of the blue and the Volturi had been proven that the Cullens had done nothing wrong. . . Even when all was said and done, a part of the naïve, innocent girl clung to the idea that somewhere—way deep down inside—there was good.
Not just the self-serving vampire he fooled everyone, maybe himself as well, into believing. Not every bone was hardened with selfishness.
Because as he walked away, Renesmee saw the mercy-hungry shine in those uncomfortably intense eyes of his. She felt sorry for him, knowing the need to console the enemy was immoral—wrong—but she just couldn't look away from those blood irises. Something similar to intuition shouted at Nessie; she knew in the depths in her soul that she and Aro would cross paths again someday.
Or at least, despite the gnawing feeling that she probably shouldn't, she hoped for it.
