Jasper had lit the fire in the fireplace and by the time Alice and Jess came back downstairs, the latter now dressed in dry clothing and having been treated to Alice's pampering which included sitting in a chair while the vampiress used a hair dryer and brush to coax the last of the moisture from Jess' hair, it was crackling happily and everyone had more or less settled back down. Caralla was standing by the fireplace, the flickering flames casting shadows over her and highlighting her blood-gold eyes. She smiled at the girl.
"Well, Jessica, you look far more comfortable now," she said, lips turned up in a slight smile. Jess nodded.
"I feel a lot better too." She glared at Jake, who had the decency to look abashed regardless of the smirk he was trying to hide. "And smile all you want...you're on my list now, boy," she said slyly as she dropped back onto her place on the couch between him and her best friend. From the other end of the couch she could hear Bella chuckling.
"Uh oh, Jake. Better watch your back," the brunette said laughingly. He would have replied in kind but Caralla took that moment to move, smoothly dropping to sit by the fireside, tucking her legs beneath her and pushing her hair back from her shoulders. The silent movement got everyone's attention and the room fell to silence, broken only by the chittering of the flames as they played over the wood they were eating.
"The heavens waited to hear what the Creator had to say," she began without preamble, taking up the thread of her story without pause. "Both sides were to choose one champion, an immortal to speak for them all. These two delegates were to come before the Creator in supplication and make their case for their side's argument. The Creator would weigh both sides and set forth a judgment. This occasioned no small amount of discussion amongst the gathered eternal ones.
"After much deliberation the Celestials had their speaker. It was a difficult arrangement as many felt qualified to speak for their kin, but in the end it was one – we'll call this brave one Rov – that won the honor by simple expedient of waiting until the others were fighting amongst themselves and slipping away to kneel before the Creator. The others realized too late that the coveted position had been claimed as the Creator acknowledged Rov, and with much grumbling and ill-grace submitted to the choice.
"The Firstborn had a much easier time of it. They chose the calmest and most patient of their kindred, the one who had led the original group to the mortal realm – an immortal named Div. With the support of the Firstborn army the chosen speaker knelt humbly before the Creator. Thus represented, both sides were ordered to cease hostilities until judgment had been rendered.
"Rov was the first to speak. In a clear voice the Celestial ambassador spoke of the mortal realm; how easily these creatures could be swayed by greed, by hate, how small and frail they were. These beings, amazing though they were, were not yet worthy of the great gift of immortal spirits – and thought the Creator had been most generous in giving them such an honor, surely it was plain to see that they would be better off freed from the trials of trying to assure a peaceful afterlife for their souls, thus being better able to face and defeat their daily struggles without also having to consider what would come after. 'Let them live their lives for good,' said Rov, 'free of the burden of choice, so that their very existence may show your glory without stain of darkness.'
"Rov's words were kind, concerned, falling like sweet spiced honey on the gathered listeners. It was obvious that the Celestial did care for the mortals – there was no animosity in either speech or demeanor. And when Rov stepped back, thanking the Creator for the opportunity to speak before kneeling once more in humble obeisance, the entire assembly offered applause for the gentle, convincing argument. As the applause quieted, Div stepped forward to speak.
"The Firstborn spoke of the beauty of the physical realm, of the things the mortals had learned and achieved despite – or perhaps because of – their short, frail lives. The growth they had all witnessed was nothing short of astonishing, though that was to be expected from something so thoughtfully urged into being by the Creator's will. 'Why take away their immortal souls?' Div asked kindly. 'Why punish them for a gift they never asked for, one that they are trying to understand? And why punish the souls, condemning them to an endless trek across a realm they could no longer experience? Better instead,' opined Div, 'to allow these mortals to keep their souls and to encourage them to do good of their own volition. What would glorify You more – a group of mindless, thoughtless beings who did good deeds because they were unaware of anything else, or a collection of mortals possessing the power to perform evil works as well as beneficial ones, who choose to turn away from the darkness out of love for their benevolent Creator? And after the death of the physical shell, would it not make sense to bring all of the souls to the eternal realm to reside?'
"The speech was received with as much applause as Rov's had been, and while their kindred murmured amongst themselves the two ambassadors remained silent and kneeling, eyes humbly averted from their Maker. Eventually, however, the gathered multitude quieted to whispers, then to silence, every ear awaiting the ruling of the Creator. This wasn't the silence of awe or shock – this was tinged with curiosity, with apprehension, with anticipation.
"The Creator quietly considered both sides of the situation. Time passed – a span of time that seemed long even to the gathered immortals. Eventually, however, the silence was broken once more; the decision had been made. The Creator spoke.
"Both sides had given compelling opinions. So much so that it had been a difficult choice to make. In the end, however, there could be but one answer. The mortals would get to retain their souls, as well as being given the gift of choice. If, during their short lifespan, they proved themselves faithful, generous, honest and true, then upon their death their immortal souls would be given a place in the ethereal realm and they would be granted the opportunity to watch forever. On the other hand, if a mortal's actions, thoughts, and deeds showed them to be corrupt or malicious, upon physical demise their souls would be condemned to wander aimlessly for all eternity, unable to interact with living or dead, utterly adrift and forgotten forever."
"That seems kind of harsh," said Jess quietly. "I mean, everyone makes mistakes." Caralla nodded.
"You are not the only one to think that way. You see, though the decision appeased both the Firstborn's desire to protect and nurture the time-bound ones as well as the Celestial's insistence that the foolish mortals suffer for their insolence, neither side was happy but it was a compromise most could agree to. The only one that was obviously discontent was Rov, but the ambassador stayed still, not wanting to interrupt those who – for the first time – had begun to agree on mortal fates. Still, the Celestial's discontent did not go unnoticed. The Creator spoke, addressing Rov directly to ask what the issue was. Once more Rov was the center of attention, though this time it was definitely unwanted. One did not ignore the Creator, however, and so it was with a heavy and self-conscious mien that the ethereal one responded.
" 'So they shall be given free choice, yet be punished for exercising that freedom? It seems unfair,' Rov murmured reluctantly. The Creator nodded slowly.
" 'It is unfair. But if these small mortals are to learn and grow, if they are to advance and thrive, they cannot do so without conflict. How can one triumph in battle if there is nothing to fight? These creatures can only develop through overcoming hardship – and the most difficult foe to vanquish will be themselves. The burden of choice lies not within the choice itself, but rather in facing the consequences thereof. No mortal shall be judged by the actions of another. They will be judged by their own souls, their own choices, and how they respond to those decisions. They can allow others to influence them, but in the end each will die alone, and their eternal fate will be determined by how they have lived.'
" 'I understand,' Rov nodded. 'But the actions that each takes will doubtless have influence on his or her kindred mortals. Are they to be forgiven their sins pertaining to the behaviors of others?'
" 'No, they will not. Each mortal will be responsible for their own actions as well as the way they react to the world around them.
" 'But what of coercion? Provocation? These young creatures live such short lives as to be easily swayed by external forces. No mortal will ever be able to obey perfectly. Therefore, by your strictures, they have all been sentenced to eternal torment. Why give them choice at all?'
"The Creator's demeanor became both weary and strict.
" 'It is true. None shall ever be perfectly obedient, not without reason or incentive. That is why I am sending some of you down once more, to explain the terms of the arrangement I have devised.' The gasps from the immortals rang through the realm. But even that was nothing compared to the reaction the next announcement garnered.
" 'Since you are so worried about these...interesting little creatures, Rov,' the Creator said with a calm smile, 'you shall be granted the chance to lead the delegation. It is an honor you will share with your fellow delegate. Div, step forward.' Obviously equally stunned, the Firstborn speaker stepped forward to stand beside the overwhelmed Celestial.
" 'The two of you may choose the kindred you would wish to join in this endeavor. Your entire purpose will be to teach and to lead these mortals. You are to take care not to overtly influence them, however – they must be free to make their own decisions. You will serve as guides and teachers only.'
" 'How can we lead without influencing them, however slightly?' asked Div, the first words the immortal had spoken since the Creator had announced the decision.
" 'That is something you must discover for yourselves. Choose your companions and make your way to the mortal realm.' This was obviously a dismissal, and Div and Rov bowed once more before stepping down to confer with one another." Caralla stretched her legs out in front of her and leaned back on her hands, taking in the expressions of those sitting in the living room.
"So these two brought their friends and came down to teach humans?" Rosalie asked. Caralla nodded.
"Yes, they did, but this is when things stopped going according to plan. This is where it all began to fall apart."