Chapter 8 – Show Time
We stayed in the little guestroom with Elise for just a little while longer. Carlisle wanted to tie up some things with Elise's story, and then we brought her down stairs, to meet the rest of the family.
The reception she received was a mixed one. Of course, as I expected, everyone went silent for a few moments when they came into contact with her eyes, and she waited patiently while everyone regained their composure. I didn't understand why this happened every time someone saw the shocking green in her eyes, and she hadn't touched on it when describing some of her abilities to us. I had assumed it was just because of her beauty, but now I wasn't so sure. There was always a little more to the story with Elise.
She walked around the living room, introducing herself to everyone individually. She took the time to make sure that they were all comfortable in her over powering presence, and then Carlisle told them to take a seat while Elise told her story. I admired the way she handled the situation. She had the patience of tens of thousands of years behind her. She didn't skip any details of her story, at least none that she hadn't skipped for us as well. She answered everyone's questions in turn as fully as she was willing to, and was always pleasant.
Renesmee was sitting in Jacob's lap, both of them entranced in what Elise was saying.
'Edward?' I whispered to him. I didn't think anyone would hear me; they were all too absorbed in Elise's story.
'Yes love?' he whispered back.
'How are they all doing? What are they thinking about Elise?'
'Well, Rosalie doesn't like her. Not because of what she is, but because of what she looks like. She hates the fact that there are people more beautiful than herself out there.' Edward smiled and shook his head at the vanity of his sister.
'Emmett, on the other hand, thinks she is the coolest thing to walk this earth. He's wishing he had a chance to wrestle with a mammoth.'
I laughed at that one, and Edward put his arm around my waist, continuing with his evaluation.
'Alice doesn't like being in the same room with her, simply because she can't see when she is around. But she really does like Elise. Jacob likes her a lot. He's wondering what she is exactly... you should hear some of the suggestions going through his mind. Such a simple dog... Jasper doesn't trust her at all. He can't feel what she is feeling and it's making him nervous.'
Edward tilted his head and thought out loud. 'It's as if she is hiding herself from all of our talent's on purpose. She doesn't want me to read her mind, which is acceptable, but why is she hiding from Jasper? What can she possibly be feeling that she wants to hide?'
I shrugged. 'She said her and her family liked to keep to themselves, so maybe it's just out of habit that she shields herself.'
'Yes, maybe...' I could tell that he was still thinking deeply though. I turned my attention back to the conversation Elise was involved in.
'So do you reckon you could give us a demonstration of these abilities?' It was Emmett, almost begging her to show him something. Edward chuckled next to me. Elise made a face.
'Do you really want me to show you what I can do, Emmett?' She seemed unwilling.
'Yes! Please! We can go outside, there is plenty of room outside...' he was rubbing his hands together, anticipating the show that was about to come.
Elise brushed her fingers through her hair and stood up. 'Well I guess I may as well get it over with, hadn't I?'
Emmett grinned at her. 'Definitely! Right this way, please.' He said happily and showed her out to the back of the house. Everyone followed her outside, wanting to see the show that was coming. When everyone had gathered outside, she raised an elegant dark eyebrow at Emmett.
'So what exactly do you want to see first?'
'How about a bit of hand wrestling?'
So that's why Edward was chuckling before. Elise laughed.
'Okay, where?'
Emmett looked to the place where a large boulder had sat last year. The one I had decimated with my newborn strength was gone now. He had placed a new one in the same spot after I destroyed the last one, in hope that there would be further matches.
'Right there.' He said, pointing at the large rock.
'Sure, works for me.' Elise said casually and walked over to the rock, leaning over it and placing her elbow on top. Emmett looked like Christmas had come early, and took her waiting hand eagerly.
'You ready for this?' He asked, his gold eyes bright with eagerness.
'Say when.' Elise said, completely calm.
'Alright then...' He waited for a moment, the yelled 'WHEN!' He shoved with all his strength against Elise's hand. I wasn't expecting his pushing to make much of a difference, so I was surprised when Elise's hand gave way. Emmett smiled wide in triumph, and I heard Rosalie smirk from where I was standing. I was waiting for the crunch when her hand hit the rock, but it never came. I looked closer, and I saw that her hand was hovering an inch above the top of the rock. She had a sweet smile on her face. There was no sign that she was struggling to maintain the position.
'Are you ready for this, Emmett?' She asked him sweetly. He looked at her and his eyes instantly became worried. He knew how this would end. It had happened to him before.
Slowly, as if it was the easiest thing in the world, Elise pushed Emmett's hand over to the other side. He was pushing as hard as he could in return, but he may as well have been a human pushing against a brick wall. Delicately she touched his hand to the rock, and Emmett almost howled in disappointment.
'I lost... to a girl! Again!' He cried out, and Elise laughed.
'Oh Emmett, you knew it was going to end like this.'
Emmett nodded sadly.
'Yes, but why did you get my hopes up like that?!' It's cruel, I tell you!' And Elise laughed again. It was one of the happiest sounds I'd ever heard, a sheer, delightful bubbling.
'What do you want to see next, hmm?' She asked everyone, and Jacob stepped forward, Renesmee in his arms, a hand resting on his cheek.
'That fire thing you say you can do, can Nessie see that?'
'Ahh... I don't really know what the limits are with that yet... I guess this is the best time as any to start learning...' With that she held her palm out in front of her again, and a tongue of fire burned into existence there. It came easier to her now than it had in the bedroom.
Elise learnt fast.
Jacob's eyes started to twinkle with excitement at the sight of the flame contained in Elise's palm. 'It doesn't hurt?'
'Not at all. It just tickles a little...' She said as she frowned at the little flame. Suddenly, it burst in her hand. A huge pyre of fire rose above the clearing and we all jumped back. Elise just wore a look of intense curiosity. Like a child that was playing with a new toy.
'Oh cool!' Jacob exclaimed. He was the only one that hadn't jumped back. Elise grinned at him, and the light from the huge bonfire in her hand reflected off her green eyes.
'Hang on a minute, let me try...' She breathed in, and then threw the fireball in her hand at a nearby bush. The bush exploded into flame, and Jacob bounced with laughter and excitement. Renesmee laughed along with him. Elise stared at the burning bush, and then looked down at her hand. She waved it once, and a gust of wind blew in the direction of the bush. It smouldered, then went out.
'You have control of the elements too? Like Benjamin?' Esme asked her, still staring hard at the blackened bush.
'Not quite. So far, I can only manipulate water, earth and air. I still can't believe Sara learnt how to create fire out of nothing...' Elise was still staring at her hand.
'Wow... are you sure you're not like superwoman or anything like that?' Jacob asked in all seriousness.
Personally I Hated writting this chapter, but I guess it was necessary. Let me know what you think though. Love it or hate it.
XoX
