Author's note: So here it is...the beginning to Caralla's long-awaited explanation. It will move rather slowly to begin, and I have to inform everyone that if you only read this series for the lemons, you'll probably be waiting a bit. There is too much going on in the story at the moment to have a smut break, and it's about to get much more serious for a little while yet. Also, I feel obliged to repeat my disclaimer: I do not intend to step on the toes of anyone's personal beliefs with this, so if anyone gets offended about what is now and will be written...too damned bad. *grins* That said, onward!
Caralla swept her eyes over the group that was gathered in the room, seeing the anticipation and curiosity shining back at her from eyes both human and other. With slow, measured steps she walked over to stand in front of the large window, resting her head against it for a moment. This would be the first time she'd told this tale in anything close to its entirety, yet though she was hesitant about certain parts of it she knew it was time. Too much rested on this group, too many lives, too many dreams, for her to be stingy with information only she seemed to possess. Wondering how the two unknowing humans would take to the knowledge they were about to receive, she sighed deeply and turned back around to face them. Her internal debate had taken less than a minute but she suddenly felt every one of her years, and the weariness that rocketed through her was almost beyond her ability to mask. ~Nothing gained by procrastinating,~ she said firmly to herself, and took a deep breath. In the tones of one who was well aware of the potency of a verbal narrative, she began to speak.
"In this world, there are many things that we don't understand, many things we are not supposed to understand. But there is, as some have said, a storm coming, and I believe that in this case ignorance – deliberate or unintentional – will be the greatest hurdle to overcome. They say it's not the destination that matters, but the journey. However, a journey has two definite points. An end...and a beginning. Because everything starts somewhere. One cannot have a place to go to if one does not have a place to come from." She sighed, seeing understanding, confusion, curiosity gazing back at her from the assembled group, and without even realizing what she had done she pulled a chair to her from across the room, sitting down gracefully before registering the gasps of amazement that sounded through the room.
"How did you do THAT?" rang from more than one set of lips, as did "Holy shit!" and a few other exclamations. She caught Carlisle's eye and her golden-haired protege simply shook his head in gentle amusement. ~So much for being circumspect,~ she mused inwardly. ~You really are getting old if you can't remember to act normal around humans.~ With a smile more for her own internal dialog than anything else, she blinked slowly and raised one hand for silence. Such was the force of her presence that it was granted almost immediately, and in the ensuing quiet she took a moment to truly look at the group of people she was with. The two mortal girls and the shifter sat comfortably on the couch, eyes wide with unfeigned amazement at the fact that a chair moved across the room completely under its own power. Jasper sat in one of the chairs, Alice perched on his lap, their golden eyes hiding their shock only marginally better than the humans. The same could be said for Emmett and Rosalie where they were sitting on the other large chair opposite the couch, and for Edward and Bella who were watching wide-eyed from their seats on the floor. Carlisle was leaning against the wall, his arms lightly draped around Esme who was leaning back against his chest contentedly, though obviously impressed as well. In fact, the only one in the entire room that wasn't watching her with wondering eyes was Carlisle, and his wry grin told her he was enjoying his family's reactions quite a bit. She raised an eyebrow at him, wordlessly reminding him of his own first reaction to her telekinetic behavior, and he blinked and tilted his head at her in acknowledgment. Closing her eyes briefly to gather her thoughts, she opened them and leaned back in the chair, crossing her legs at the ankles and settling in for what promised to be the longest recounting she had ever before given.
"I know you all have many questions – I can see them burning in your eyes. But I ask that you be patient. There is a bit of background we need to cover first, and then it will be time for questions and answers. You see, this all started very very long ago, before life walked the earth, before the earth existed at all. I do not claim to know what, if any, beliefs any of you subscribe to, but I do not want you to think I am attempting to convert anyone. I have nothing to convert you all to, at any rate. But I need to establish an origin to our journey before I can explain the path we are on, so bear with me, because this will not be quick.
"Everyone starts with 'in the beginning.' Everyone has heard some version of where it all started. Regardless of religion, of personal preference, the one thing that can be agreed on is that it all started somewhere. I speak specifically about this planet at the moment, about the life and the creatures that walk its face. The true beginning is still a cause for much debate, and I will discuss it as briefly as possible, but the one thing that has to be understood is that sometime after the beginning, something went wrong. Horribly wrong.
"In most belief structures, some of which I am certain you will be familiar with, it says that God, or a higher being, created the world. According to the Christian bible, which is likely the most well-known to you all, this magnificent feat of creation was accomplished from beginning to end in seven days. While nominally true, that statement is ultimately misleading. As humans, you tend to see things in terms of your environment and surroundings. This egotism – understandable egotism, but such nonetheless – gives rise to a multitude of misconceptions and false truths. To be specific, in this instance I am referring to the concept of 'days.' It is understandable that humans, having no other sphere of reference that does not stem from their knowledge of this solitary rock they inhabit, would make assumptions, but when it comes right down to it time did not pass the same for the Creator as it does for man.
"A day for the Creator encompassed far more time than a hundred million human lifetimes. When the darkness split from the light and each became their own separate entity, to be defined as joined opposites instead of parts of a whole, the process was not instantaneous. It took ages beyond ages, and cannot possibly be measured for before the definition of 'light' and 'darkness' there was no presence of time. When the atmosphere separated from the seas below, when land rose from the depths and came into its own – aeons upon aeons could have been measured. And when life began to evolve and multiply upon the once barren rocks, there was still no concept of measurable time. Believe me when I say that all of the millennia that life has existed is naught but the blink of an eye in the timeline of everything. If time were the water one could hold within a bucket, then all of the creation story – billions and billions of human years – would measure less than one drop. And humanity itself could fit a million times over in one miniscule particle of mist." She sighed, taking in the rapt faces around her, and shook her hair back behind her shoulders as she continued.
"I've gotten off track a bit, but it serves my purpose. Before land and sea and day and night, there were the Celestials. For the Creator was...not lonely, not as human emotion would define it, but rather...unfulfilled. Who with which to share the joys of the unfolding cosmos? So were born the Celestials, a group of beings whose sole purpose was to bear witness to the spectacle, the miracle that was beginning to occur. And witness they did, joyfully amazed at the changes that were unfolding.
"When void became substance, they were ecstatic. When substance became deliberate form, they were overjoyed. When form became beauty, their praises echoed through the fabric of newborn time itself. But when beauty gave birth to mortal life, there was a resounding silence throughout the whole of infinity. No words, no sounds, no thoughts could hope to express the absolute magnificence they beheld. Awestruck and mute, for time beyond time they watched life unfold, gentle in its savagery, complex in its simplicity – hideous and beautiful and wholly without peer.
"The silence reigned supreme, the Celestials so absorbed in watching these infant life forms, these myriad complicated creatures, that they ceased to speak even amongst themselves. And then, though no one save the Creator could have predicted it, these tiny beings began to change. Over time – though time was nothing to the never-mortal Celestials, the lives of these new creatures turned into something else. From the chaos and confusion that marked the instinct of survival emerged a pattern. Small changes at first, little things that would have gone unnoticed had they not been watching as avidly as they were. As it was, they got to observe as life slowly began to start living. Necessity being easier to come by, comfort became the sought-after commodity. And as they watched these small, newborn creatures began to display unmistakeable signs of curiosity. It was then that the Creator chose a cadre of Celestials, those known as the Firstborn, to go down and assume form, to observe these fascinating beings from within their own plane of existence.
"The Firstborn, having been given instructions to watch without interfering, to see and learn and report back, did thus make their way down. However, no one had thought to consider how a group of beings so very different would be seen by the very collection of mortals they were to integrate with. And so, unintentionally, was born the idea of greater beings. These first mortals were awestruck upon seeing the beauty and superiority of the new-come Celestials, knowing immediately that these strangers were somehow...different. Better, more knowledgeable, more powerful. And in their uneducated minds was kindled the first sparks of worship. Thus began the concept of gods. And the temporarily earthbound Celestials, unsure how to react to this, determined that it was simply the logical next step in the development of these strange little animals and allowed them their reverence. Living amongst them as they were, the Celestials found themselves unable to keep from helping and teaching these eager, developing races.
"It started small – a bushel of grain in thanks for the Celestials' assistance with new watering techniques for the fields. An offering of fish in tribute for the knowledge on how to weave reeds into sturdy nets. From there it began to build. Soon the Celestials were not receiving payment for assistance and knowledge – they were being given bribes in hope of future favors. Often the favors requested were simple; if I give you this fattened calf, will you help me in my fields so that my harvest may be richer? And the Celestials, new to this feeling of 'being useful', were happy to help.
"Eventually, however, all things must end. The Celestials were called back to the realm from whence they came to share and discuss what they had witnessed. Bidding a fond farewell to the mortal beings they had come to think of as...beloved pets, really...they rejoined the Creator and their fellow ethereal ones and started the long process of describing their experiences in the physical world. And it was a long process indeed, for the Firstborn soon realized that it was near impossible for their kindred to comprehend the accounts of life on the mortal plane. It wasn't that they did not wish to understand, but rather that they were unable to. The ones that had stayed behind could understand the concepts of what had been observed, but no amount of storytelling or explanations could come close to compensating for the knowledge that could only be gained through experience. Frustrated at the conversational barrier, the Firstborn went to the Creator with their worries. However, far from being sympathetic, the Creator accused them of letting their sojourn in the company of mortals taint the bond they shared with the other Celestials, and instructed them to simply return to their status as watchers, to forget all they had experienced upon the created realm. Disheartened, they obeyed. But for the first time there was division within the Celestial realm, and discontent made its debut appearance. The praises and exclamations of wonder resumed – and if there was a slight hint of hurt or melancholy winding through the melody, not even the Creator mentioned it."
She closed her eyes, leaning her head back slightly, letting herself relax as memories flooded through her mind. She was dimly aware of her audience, previously captive to the velvety sound of her voice, but didn't acknowledge them at first. Not until someone spoke.
"So, what happened then?" Rosalie asked quietly, murmurs of agreement from the others in the room joining her question. Slowly, Caralla opened her eyes and sat up, smiling softly.
"Before I take up the thread of this tale once more, it might be a good point to take a break, stretch your legs, get a drink, whatever you would like to do. This is far from finished." Closing her eyes once more, she hummed softly in contentment as the sounds of a roomful of people standing and moving filled her ears. She had to admit, some part of her missed this - the storytelling, the recounting of information to an audience that would be willing to listen, without having to worry about being persecuted for it. Past experiences had taught Caralla that not everyone was as willing to listen, and she was...happy...that these people, bound together in ways they did not even realize yet, were so wonderful to speak to. Enjoying the quiet sounds of bustling and soft conversation, she let her mind wander over the next part of the tale she was telling them.