Peter's Office ^ Peter POV
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I had already known, before the call from Jasper; that he was comin' and that Avira was with him. It was about the time that I figured Avira would get in trouble with the Volturi about this time of year and it wouldn't be long before I had a real pissed off Major huntin' me down.
Floppin' into the long lay down couch I watched as the Major sat across from me. He seemed to be studyin' me, but still hadn't said much yet. He did not look happy and that did make me a little nervous, which I hated to admit, even to myself.
Jasper was in Major mode, he was here for business and I best give him answers when he decided to speak.
"Colonel, Avira has informed me that you trained her for a couple years after she fled from Maria."
"Yes, Sir."
"And you did this without informing me. Why?"
"When I went in the desert lookin', I almost didn't find her. When I did she was not all there and I took the time to feed her and train her, I knew she would be willing to learn mixed martial arts and I knew she wouldn't follow me out."
Major seemed to consider my words, her chin raising a bit as he continued.
"And you decided it would be best to dominate her for what reasonin'?"
I knew this would get brought up, it annoyed me slightly because Avira had been holding onto the rape for a very long time. And now that she was trying to move on, Jasper was bringin' old shit up.
"She was very feral. I did try to rip off limbs and mind tricks. Which worked but not for very long; in the end it seemed the best option was fuckin' her senseless."
I refused to smile, despite the fact that I wanted to. For me, it had just been sex, a way to control a feisty little thing and Charlotte knew even though she hadn't approved of my tactics whatsoever.
Jasper was again analyzing me, I'm sure my emotions were somethin' like nervous and amused.
"Now, your mate was alright with this?"
"Oh, hell no. She was actually quite pissed, but she knew it was only a way to assert control. Had nothin' to do with whether I found her attractive or not."
"Why haven't answered my question. Why did you keep Avira a secret?"
"Because, if I had told you back then, you never would have gone on to meet Alice and learn that new way of life. She taught you a lot of self-control, I felt like if I stopped yah from goin' to meet Alice, you'd still be feedin' off humans and you wouldn't be Jasper Whitlock, you'd be full blown Major all the time. I did it to help yah, cause I care 'bout how you turned out, Sir."
And I did, even if Jasper thought it was for other selfish reason, it wasn't. I knew, and I knew without a doubt that he'd be someone different if Avira came into his life back then, rather than right now.
Alice, even if I didn't like her much, taught him self-control, how to feed off animals rather than humans. She loved him all those years and she wouldn't give up on him. Avira didn't learn to feed off animals until after I got her into the city. Once she was there, she had a clear head and wanted to try a new life without murdering people.
Jasper considered my words carefully, then nodded. I wasn't lying so my emotions couldn't betray me whatsoever.
"Now, how the hell did you hide her scent?" He was almost smiling, the air seemed to become more carefree as I relaxed against the couch.
"I would cover myself in animal blood and dirt, wash it off and then spend time around smokers, shower again and by that time her scent was so well covered, in Char had to take a deep whiff to catch Avira's scent."
"Alright, then Peter… I think it's important that you know, she has decided to put what happen between y'all behind her and she ain't gonna listen to you. She still thinks of me as Major, but you are just Peter."
"I know, Sir."
Jasper didn't need to say nothing else, he just stood up and offered me a hand. I did the same and we hugged. Despite our past, we really were brothers, and he was my best friend besides Charlotte.
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Returning From The Hunt ^ Char POV
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When I had left the house with Avira, I could see her aura was a pale green and she was quiet. She hadn't ever been the talkative type back in the wars and it was obvious she was still the silent type.
I was trying to pull her into conversation, but she was distant and I knew why. The guilt about it ate at me and I wondered why she didn't just turn Peter into ash after what he did…
Avira was hunting and I was simply waiting. I didn't eat animals and personally, I didn't like bein' around any other vampires when they hunted.
When she emerged from the woods, she was licking the last of the blood from her mouth and her eyes were the most intense topaz I had seen in a while.
I wanted her to open up to me, and the best way I suppose was to be honest.
"I know what Peter did."
Avira looked at me, her head tilting slightly as her long waves of hair spilled past her shoulder.
"And what exactly did he do?"
"He forced himself on you for the sake of dominance."
She just backed up a step, glaring at me. "And he told you this?"
"Yes… I'm sorry I didn't come out to stop him sooner…"
"Ain't nothing you could of done."
I knew this was true, but I still felt guilt over everything that had happened to Avira. Especially when she helped us defend our territory in Austin; it surprised me that she came at all.
"Yeah, maybe, but I still feel awful about it, hon. It bothers me that Peter learned the technique from the wars."
Her aura turned to a bright pink; curiosity.
"What yah mean he learned it in the wars?"
I really hope I didn't just put myself into hot water…
"Peter learned it from the Southern Wars."
"Who taught him?"
"… uh… Jasper. He used it on Peter before I was turned, and a couple dozen others."
Something seemed to click in Avira's head because her aura went from pink to red to black so fast I swear I nearly had whiplash.
"What?"
"Nothin', thank you Char." And she was racing back to the house so quickly; I couldn't even keep up with her.
I felt like I just witnessed the beginning of the end.
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More updates soon. Lovin' how the story is turning out.
Reira
6/19/13