In summary: Bella is kinda dead, Edward is kind of a douche, and surprisingly... I am alive. Yes, I apologise for leaving this so long.
The change was intense. Of course Edward had explained the fiery burn to her, she had even gotten a taste of it when she was attacked by James, his venom burning through her, racing from her heart, trying desperately to reach her heart and make her one of them. But that had been nothing compared to this, this never ending torment, it lasted for hours, for days, maybe even months that bled into years. It was incomparable to anything she had experienced before. It was desperate and ravaging, melting her alive.
And still she did not regret this choice, this choice to not die, to be reborn, stronger and immortal, she would have forever. She was thankful to Charlotte and Peter, for finding her and bringing her to new life, and deep down for saving the Cullen's from the punishment of her knowledge. Despite how they had hurt her with their callousness she didn't want to see them hurt or dead because of her, she could not just turn the love for them off just because they did not return it. Love would be a lot simpler if it only existed where it was returned.
Well maybe at the point of this fire she did, this raging inferno that allowed little space for thought around the never ending pain. She wasn't sure if she was successfully changing, or if she had been sent to the eternal flames of Hell, a punishment for every crime she had committed in her life. She didn't think there had been that many crimes, she thought she had been good. But the flames, that must be born of Hell, said otherwise.
But finally, after an indescribable amount of time there was a slight recede in the agony. Just at the tips of her limbs, a miniscule change in the grand scheme of the inferno, her fingers becoming ice in comparison to the heat that enveloped the rest of her body.
And slowly but surely, it started to recede elsewhere, slipping in to her core, ice being left in it's wake, her heart increasing in intensity, the speedy beats and fiery heat burned through her, pulsed through her head. A scream fought to be released, a weakness she didn't allow, and just when she thought she could take no more, there was a stuttered beat, and then the fire strangled her heart and died out.
There was a pleasant quietness left in it's wake, and yet it wasn't silence, it was the buzz of sound that she should not be able to hear overwhelming her senses. The buzz of electricity in the old house, the creak of a chair as Peter rose from it. A fact she could only tell by the increase in her nose's ability. Peter to her left, Charlotte's scent over the top heavily, and then to her right was Charlotte, and like her mate Peter's scent clung heavily over the top.
Were they threats? And though the logical part of her was saying no, saying they were friends, her vampire brain was screaming at her that they were. Not at first, but the second she opened her eyes she was met by their familiar faces… and the not so familiar scars that littered porcelain bodies. So many, they were a threat, they were dangerous. A growl pushed past her lips, deep and agitated as she got up quicker than she thought possible and dropped into a crouch. They were both in her eyesight.
She was surprised when they both ducked their heads and bore their necks to her. She could see more scars on the back of their necks, deep and angry that would never fade. There was so many she wasn't sure how she hadn't noticed them just the other day when she had been in the forest with them. And then Peter spoke to her, voice steady and placating.
"It's okay Little Lady. It's just me and Char."
Bella recognised the voice, a fleeting memory of a past that she had tried to cling on to. Only a small part of it, but an important part nonetheless. She thought desperately against the instincts in her that told her to attack. Her heart was telling her it would be a bad idea, that these people meant something to her. Also, her head was saying it would be a very stupid move. The fact she could see all the scars, and yet they were standing right before her, told her she was hopelessly outclassed.
Still, her instincts screamed within her. And whilst she managed to fight a full on attack, she let out a growl that rumbled through her chest with a ferocity she was incapable of in humanity. She pushed up even further into the bed, and wall, behind her back, trying to escape the threat. It was the only option left that appeased her warring emotions. If she could not fight, then she needed to escape.
She was so sure, that with her enhanced stress she'd be able to break through the wall, but alas it was strong, enforced by these vampires with something that was impervious to their species. Alas, the bed was not quite as lucky, the wooden frame practically crumbling under the pressure. This time the growl that escaped was out of frustration.
"Come on Little Lady, we need to calm ya down so we can go get some munchies." Peter was starting to get impatient now. It had been a good half a century since he'd done the newborn thing, and whilst he remembered all the right things to do, he had forgotten how pig-headed and temperamental they could be, especially in the first few hours when they'd just woken up, when everything was new and terrifying, and the burn of hunger roasted them alive and yet they didn't know what it was.
As such, he was endlessly relieved when, at his question, Bella's head tipped to the side, some of the animosity in her posture was replaced with curiosity. And then a little more, as what 'munchies' meant entered her mind. The low rumble from her throat, which he was almost positive she was unaware of, was replaced by a high keening as she grasped at her throat. He figured she'd put the two together because of her past knowledge of vampirism. Most did not associate food with the burn in their throat until the second or third feeding.
"That's it Little Lady, you've got it. You wantin' some criminals or Bambi for lunch?" He knew that the Cullen influence was likely to have influenced, and he wouldn't force his diet on the little lady if she'd already made her mind up.
However, he could not deny the little relief that went through him when her keening stopped slightly, the little head tip of curiosity came into play, and then a whispered 'criminal' told him that she was going to be following the traditional diet. He let a small grin cross over his face. Whilst he loved Jasper, he wasn't so fond of the rest of the bunny-munchers so this felt like a small victory.
"That's just fine, Little Lady. You're a little young to take you into town yet. So I'm gonna make my leave now, and Char's gonna stay with you. She's gonna keep talking to you. Is that okay?" It was always best to check with the newborn if they were comfortable with the actions. It stopped them from going off the wall and trying to attack. Whilst he wasn't ashamed of his scars, he sure as hell wanted to avoid anymore.
When he got his agreement from Bella, he turned around, baring his back in a show of trust. He knew Char was there if Bella decided to take it as an opening anymore. But everything was fine and he managed to make his leave, and head to town, with no mishap. He just hoped he didn't come back to a trashed house.
Charlotte grinned to herself as she watched the astonishment cross over Bella's face at the obvious trust that Peter was granting her. By this point she had fell silent, her mind distracted by everything. Her hunger on her backburner, her anger forgotten. With time and the nickname repeated over and over she had remembered just who Peter and Charlotte were and why she was there. She was now sitting cross legged on the bed, looking at where Peter left with stunned wonder on her face. Charlotte wished she had a photo for this moment, so she could show Bella just how amusing her face was.
"Hey Isa, mind if I join ya?" The young vampire's head shot up, her attention riveted on Charlotte. Before a small smile lifted her lips and she nodded towards the bottom of the bed. Charlotte took the invitation with a returning grin, lounging lazily across the end of the bed.
"I'd have helped you with a shower, but you're about to get a little messy." She had helped a number of female newborns with their first few washes. It was just easier than replacing the taps and shower heads depending on the available facilities. Some minded more than others but Bella merely shrugged.
"That's okay, I don't mind," Then with a hint of vulnerability, "How do I know where to bite?"
Charlotte honestly tried not to laugh. She didn't want to upset Bella. But the question was so innocent despite it's topic, and she looked so unsure, that she just couldn't help it. A little chuckle escaped her lips.
"Don't worry so Isa. It's instinct and trial and error. It won't matter for a couple of weeks. The first feed you'll be so overcome with the need to feed, that the etiquette of the moment won't event cross your mind."
Losing her sense of self was an idea that scared Bella. She had started to feel that with Edward. As if she had become so embroiled in him and his life that she was no longer her, but rather an extension of him. At times she had become too afraid to question him, or she had been manipulated with promises of safety and care, so his wants became hers.
She also knew this wouldn't be the same. In a sense this would be the exact opposite. With Edward she was fighting her instincts, her only reprieve her power to protect her mind, and yet in this case she would be giving into primal instincts. The scary part was that they were new, and whilst they were part of her they didn't feel like her. But there was nothing she could do about. Well apart from worry, and then probably feel foolish over it, like she had with how she had reacted after she had awoken.
Instead she pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind, talking to Charlotte, getting to know the girl who had changed her, and was due to play a part in her life. She learnt all about Peter, and how they had met and how the Major had let them free, and then how they had come back for him. She also asked questions about the vampire lifestyle. About skills and benefits. And also the downsides. She wanted the most rounded view she could.
And yet, just as she was starting to relax... she caught the scent. It was feeding time.