AN/ I own nothing of Twilight, just my little plot line, and any changes to recognizable canon, and non-canon characters. I do not get nor do I seek any recompense for this work. I thank S Meyer for her benevolent generosity to her fandom in allowing us latitude to play with her universe.
** Summary: Alice's visions of Jasper ended not long before the meeting in the Philly diner. What happens when Jasper eventually meets the Cullens? What actually happened to change his destiny? Some non-canon couples, OOC behavior. Jasper/Bella pairing. **
Wednesday is one of my planned posting days, Saturday is the other. So the last chapter can be considered a bonus. Not gonna keep you, so enjoy!
Previously in Duty and Honor: Automatically, my feet slow before I step beyond clearly identifiable yet definitely not vampire scent warning markers. Turning to run alongside the boundary, curiosity wakes and new questions crowd my mind. Who or what has placed this boundary and why have I not encountered one set by the Cullen Coven?
I continue along the edge of the boundary, cementing its location in my mind to where I can find it even when not breathing. I'd not gone far along it when I started seeing flashes of brown and black keeping pace through the trees. I slowed to a stop, curiosity and caution poking me like a sharp stick. From the trees stepped a dark brown wolf. The size alone speaks of a species I've never encountered before. Part of my mind goes off on safari, speculating on the amount of meat it would take to sustain such a beast. The rest of me waited. Only something supernatural would have been able to pace me at my natural speed, even though I was not travelling at the top of it. Movement beyond the left shoulder of the growling wolf caught at my attention. Stepping around the trees was a tall American Indian, naked but for a tattoo on his right shoulder and cutoffs, hair shorn short. Their hatred and revulsion beat against my senses like a third heartbeat.
"I guess it's a fair assumption they know what we are." The Major's rasp did not hide his amusement. I'm not quite sure what has amused him, although the quivering muscles of the brown wolf certainly made clear his desire to attack. I keep feeling a strange stirring of hope and eagerness from the brown wolf. I can only guess that he is hoping I'll violate the territory markers. Is it holding him back? Why? The emotions I'm sensing are human in complexity. Interesting. I set aside my speculations. The answers really don't matter right now.
I stand still, as only we can, not bothering with the little movements that help disguise our nature. I am alert, but relaxed and unalarmed. The small strand of uncertainty running beneath their emotive surface tells me that these two beings are as young as they appear. I can not allow myself the luxury of assuming they are as predictable and inexperienced as a vampire newborn, but I am none-the-less very confident of my ability to deal with each of them alone or together should they start more of a confrontation beyond the glare fest we were currently enjoying.
I continue to stand, waiting for the two across from me to decide what they are going to do. The brown wolf has increased the volume of his growls as well as dancing on his feet, taunting me. My only response is to allow myself a smirk.
"You are not welcome here, leech!"
I wave a hand, indicating the boundary. "I can see that."
The tall, stern-faced Indian took a step toward me. "Then leave this area and never return."
I shook my head, "I've not breeched your territory. You have no authority beyond it."
"This entire range is our territory." The brown wolf lunged toward me, but stopped himself when the other waved a hand to stay back.
"Then reset your boundaries. I will not recognize your authority otherwise."
He scoffed. "Since when do any of your kind bother with things like boundaries?"
I cross my arms and cock my head. "Most vampires will honor territory markers, unless they are newborn or looking for trouble. Most of us just won't bother."
His scoff makes me shrug again in response.
"You've been warned. Leave or we kill you."
The Major's amusement has been climbing throughout the conversation to the point that I'm getting giddy. I feel my grin widening.
"If we are going to do this, at least let me save my shirt. It's the only one I have." I refrain from the melodramatic display of ripping my shirt off, but I did use my natural speed to shed it quickly. The sight of my scars on these two is educational as well as amusing. Their eyesight is on par with mine, given they can even see them. The Indian, he's yet to give me a name, takes a step back, his emotions spiking with wariness and trepidation. The wolf actually cowers briefly before his rage peaks higher.
My grin widens even further, my teeth now on full display, just short of a snarl. "Bring it, puppies. I am no newborn, though I've not come here seeking trouble. But don't make the mistake of thinking I won't end anything you care to bring to me. I said I would respect your boundary and not cross into it. I said nothing about tamely standing by and allowing you to rip me apart just because my existence offends you."
I increase the feelings of caution in both of them, adding the least bit of awe to the fear.
"You've been warned." The spokesman repeated even as he backed away from the line. The wolf had stopped his dancing, his head was lowered, although he meant it as more threat than subservience.
"I'll take it under advisement," I reply, unable to mask my distain further.
As the two continue to retreat, I turn and continue along the boundary. Shortly I become aware that a black wolf, even larger than the brown one, is pacing me. As long as he stays on his side, I will stay on mine. I notice the emotive grid from the creature is very similar to that of the spokesman I'd just left and I file this little tidbit away.
Eventually, my run brings me to a beach, the scent line curving inward. I turn away, resuming my hunt for the Cullen's territory markers. What the hell is up with these people?
I've run nearly to the outskirts of Seattle, having yet to encounter anything resembling a coven territorial marker. I am astonished and not a little baffled. Territorial markers serve many purposes in our society. It is a warning and an introduction. It also serves as a buffer. Often mediated disputes are influenced by the location of the markers of the covens involved. I find myself shaking my head, feeling slightly offended. Without well defined markers, it lands on me to try to decide how close to approach their house without being either threatening or just rude. It puts me on the defensive from the outset.
I sigh even as a sardonic chuckle sounds from deep inside.
"I guess that's why we make the big bucks. Buck up, boy. I doubt these fur-munchers even know how to bite. Not that it would show if they did."
'Tell me when then, Major. All the important decisions are on you to avoid the psychic.' I think to my alterego.
"Turn back now, boy. By the time we're back to that house, all of them should be home."
Obedient to my inner prompting, I turn my feet back toward Forks.
AN/ See you Saturday!