Aurora
Disclaimer: The magic 8 balls says I don't own Twilight. It's correct.
Summary: Carlisle Cullen arrived in Volterra hoping to learn how to be a doctor and share his ways with others of his kind. In turn, he learns that Vampires aren't the only creatures that go bump in the night.
Author's Note: I could have gone on with this one forever! I think I'll just make this a two part chapter. This is part one. Part two will be up in a couple of days hopefully. I hope y'all like it!
Chapter 15
Though I did take the way through the crypts back, Caterina did not. After our brief conversation, I left her to her prayers as she seemed wanton of, for I wished to disturb her no further. As I descended the staircase to which did descend into the crypt below, my thoughts shifted from Caterina's unusual eyes –now I believed that I had some glimmer of understanding as to what the others of our kind thought of my eyes- to that of Paulo and the Gagliardo family.
Sadness over took me again and I thought on how much Death has a say on the lives of all but us for we are harbingers of Death if we so choose. Such a cause I couldst not take up for to me life was far more important though it was hard to think on life with such destruction and sickness assaulting my ever means. If not Paulo, who was destroyed by one of my own kind, then Laura, who was destroyed by her own kind and who had taken ill. How could life mean so little to so many it seemed to me as of late?
I forced such thoughts from my mind so as to not take on the melancholiness that wouldst be associated with them for no more room for sadness did I have in me. I had seen what depression doth do to other vampires and I wished to not be in such a perpetual state as that. So, rather, I thought on my studies and on watching the moonset so that I might know when to greet Caterina again.
To my own chambers did I go and only politely nodded to those about in the halls of the castle for I wished to do not more than study and be left to my own devices. Upon opening my chamber, I was startled to see Aro standing amongst my things. "Ah! Carlisle, how good to see you. I was worried I might have missed you," he said simply and did not make any apologies for his trespass.
Confused by his appearance in my personal chambers as well as by his lack of regret for his rudeness, I slowly closed the door behind me wishing to not offend him as he did so me. "Is all well, Aro?" I asked of him given the odd nature of his calling upon me.
"Yes, yes, all is well," he chuckled before sliding towards myself. "I merely wished to thank you for your help last night. Both Felix and Caterina mentioned that you joined them to find Lettice," he stated. At that did my face fall a bit though I tried to keep my emotions in check for last night was when young Paulo died at the hands of the vampire Lettice.
"I went only to bring Paulo home," I told Aro truthfully for little more than that did I accomplish. I had wish of bringing him home alive but that proved for not. Quickly, I banished such thoughts as the alternative futures that relied on my having been quicker or have gone myself to the apothecary, for these were thoughts that would help no one now.
Aro nodded sagely. "A good thing you did. Dr. Gagliardo is a good friend of the family and I am sorry for his loss," he said with so little emotion and so quickly again turned to a smile that I wondered if Aro even had any concept of death within his being. "I did come here on another matter as well, Carlisle," Aro chuckled lightly to himself. I watched as he picked up a bit of fine cloth, heavy in nature, as it lay draped upon the table within my chambers. My eyes did widen at the sight of such fine silk brocade for it was well worth a few years salary for just a cloth yard of it.
"Caterina mentioned last night that you might be in need of some new clothing. I do have a fine tailor here at the castle and offer his services to you but I also brought some cloth and ready-made coats that should fit one about your size," Aro said off-handedly. I went to the table to thoroughly examine the garments of which he brought for me. The silks were more fine than any I had seen but upon a few members here of the family. The coats were of brocades and lovely lampas to which I had not seen an equal. Such clothing was worthy of kings and not of simple town doctors. I was overwhelmed at such generosity.
"These are far more than I would have ever thought for myself. Grazie, Aro," I told him while fingering the metal embroidery on the cuff of one coat. To this, did he laugh and pat me upon the shoulder; I was glad that he needed contact by the skin so he would not know my thoughts of the past few days.
"We need to keep our doctor well dressed, after all," Aro chuckled again before making his way to my chamber door. He stopped inside the doorway and smiled to me. "If you have any needs of such things, do not hesitate to ask, Carlisle. I do wish for you to be comfortable here," he said with such sincerity I became curious as to if his words had another meaning.
Once I was left alone in my chambers, I examined the various suits and fabric that Aro had left. I had planned to wear what I had attended the funeral in to go meet with Caterina tonight but I did well remember our conversation from earlier and thought she might enjoy seeing myself in the more extravagant justaucorps and breeches that Aro hath just brought to me. Upon my head I placed my wig, an odd thing that was currently in fashion. The curls of it hit to below my shoulder. On top of this did I place my hat with it's feather in it's brim. Altogether, it did look a fine suit of clothes though it did not seem to fit me personally but of this was no matter for I wished to show Caterina I could dress to her station rather the one that I myself had been born into as a human.
Once I was assured of myself being of a goodly appearance, I took the wig off as well as the hat and cast them aside until they were to be needed. For the next few hours did I study alone within my chambers, hardly keeping much mind to the time or the rising and falling of the moon, till my mind did tarry and I noticed the change in the light within my room. Glancing outside, I noticed the moon not in the sky and threw myself to the table, adjusting my wig and hat before flying from my chambers, down the hall, and out of the castle.
Upon the streets, I needed a mind to be more cautious for I wished for no human to lend a curious eye to myself. I ran at a humanly fast speed, decrying myself for being so absent minded as to not take notice of the moon's setting, and praying that I be not too late and my sister would not be much vexed with me. I held my wig and my hat to my head for the wind at my passing wouldst threaten to take such things from me.
It did seem a great deal of time for me to run from the castle, past the clock tower, and to the city's main gate though but a few minutes such a journey did take. Carefully, I looked around once outside the gates and saw a figure emerge from the edge of the woods just beyond. Caterina did laugh upon seeing me and clap happily at the sight before her. I bowed graciously to which she came closer and smiled, kissing me upon the cheek in greeting. "Now, dear brother, this be far more suiting," she said as she appraised my fashion.
"Aro was gracious enough to give such suits to me," I informed her, smiling back. "I take it you spoke to him about my clothes?" I asked of her with my brow raised in questioning. Caterina lowered her head and did look most humble for if she could blush, I had no doubt she would; but, instead, she nodded demurely in answer. I did laugh at this for this normally strong willed and strong minded woman to be so reserved on such a simple topic is that as fashion; for if there were a topic that it did seem to me that any woman would gladly speak on it was that of fashion.
"And of what doth thou think?" I asked her in sport.
She did eye me critically for a moment and then a smile came upon her lips. "Tis my turn to ask thee a question for one didst thou already ask," she stated proudly.
I was incredulous at this at first for I thought this not part of the bargain but was most happy to acquiesce to her small demand of a tit for tat. I did smile and give a small bow so that she may engage me in her question. I watched her as she did pace slightly and then finally rest when a question had come to her. Caterina stopped before me, her hands folded in front of her and a smile upon her face. "Tell me of thy human life," she said simply.
"That be not a question, Catty," I chastised her in sport for I wouldst readily answer her. She looked upon me definitely and I did laugh at her scowling. Gently, I took her arm for I wished to lead us away from the main gate in to the woods were we may be able to sit and talk without much worry of an late night travelers stumbling upon us unawares.
"I was born in the winter in early 1640's. My mother died giving birth to me –God Bless her soul- but my father did raise me righteously," I told her. I led her to a fallen tree where she may sit and take her rest while I did lean upon another so that I might full impart my story to her. Once she was seated I did start upon my tale again. "He was a stern man but a beloved pastor," I told her; to this she laughed and muttered the words "bastard's follower". I quickly countered with a "papist" before continuing on. She merely sneered at me playfully. "He wouldst go on what he considered God's work; hunts in which he wouldst look for creatures such as ourselves," I informed her and noticed quickly the change in her demeanor. I smiled at this as I closed my eyes in remembrance of those days.
"I was bout 18 in when he did wish for me to take over in his stead. I did as he instructed but did not find evil where he said it lay. He grew frustrated with me when I took no notice of those that were crazed and I said they were not bewitched or if I took a look upon the victim of an animal bite and said that he were not the victim of a vampire and couldst not desecrate the corpse," I told her, a tone of sadness coloring my voice. I felt my sister's hand upon my shoulder and opened my eyes to see her own, now nearly an odd burgundy, looking into mine. I didst smile to let her know I was well before guiding her back to her seat.
"I grew to be more clever and, was unfortunate for me, I did happen upon a true coven in the sewers of London. In the raid I lead upon them, the one I assume to be the head of the coven did turn and bite me in our chase. Knowing that my father would burn any bitten by the creature, I crawled into a basement and stayed amongst the potatoes for many days," I told her ruefully.
"Potatoes?" she asked incredulously.
"Is it not I that is to ask the question now?" I did sport with her. She crossed her arms and sighed, nodding to indicate that I may ask something of her. I pushed myself from the tree and knelt to her level, my justacorps grazing the ground as I swept my hat from my head so I might look upon her fully. "What of thy life, dear sister?" I asked her quietly.
To this did she look taken back as if she did not expect such a question. I watched her as she pondered how to answer it and then she did slowly lower her eyes. "I do not think thou wilt like my answer," she whispered. Slowly, I moved so I might sit next to her for I thought it might be some comfort to her.
"Please?" I asked of her again for I could not imagine what would make her so reluctant to answer regarding her years as a human. She did sigh and turn slightly to me, though not meeting my eyes, so that she might answer.
"I was born in April of 1491," she started. Quickly, I calculated that that wouldst make her almost exactly one hundred and fifty years older than I. "My father was a baron and I was a twin but the youngest of all the children," she continued. I remembered upon our first conversation and recalled that she did state that she had many brothers but none a sister and how readily she added me to her pile of brothers. I chuckled at the memory but also found it fascinating that she was twin. She had a twin brother as a human and it did cause me to wonder as to what became of him.
"After an incident when I was eight, my father decided that it were good and time to find me a husband so he might send me off sooner rather than later," she did smiled. I was shocked for I had heard of the nobility looking to marry their sons and daughters off quite early but never had I been so close to it as this. She took notice of my expression and laughed.
"Eight? What could possibly," I began but she did hush me.
"Thou cannot interrupt either, Carlisle. Really, such manners," she teased, I sat there looking at her incredulously. She smiled and said nothing for a moment till I did open my mouth to speak again. "No, thou did ask thine question and I am to answer it. It was quite common to sign marriage agreements at a very young age during those days," she said as if this were but normal however the only thing I couldst think in my mind was that she were merely a child when she was to be looking for a husband.
Her smiled faded and she looked away towards the few stars that peeked down through the canopy of branches above. "He entered into a marriage contract on my behalf with a lord to the north of us. I was to marry him, by proxy, at the age of nine so that the lord may be in keeping of my dowry and I would be sent to courts of the north under his watch," Caterina explained. A weak smile appeared upon her visage as she looked upon me. "I never did meet my first husband. His son stood for his father at our wedding and even he was a good seven years my elder," she stated.
I felt my eyes widen at this for hearing of such things in none but stories of old and meeting someone who lived through such are two very different things. To marry by proxy was a process that had nearly ended before my days. Only the legal representative of one or both of the parties be present. The son of her first husband being only a young man of sixteen if Caterina's words be true – of that I had no doubt- then her husband would have had to at least have been in his late 30's if not a great deal older. And to marry a child! I could hardly see someone as old as Lavinia contemplating marriage but I did seem to recall that, though they might marry young as nobles, they did not live together as husband and wife till both were of age. My worries over my sister were eased as she did state she never did meet him.
"My lord died in battles away in France. The first time I laid my eyes upon him was when he laid cold and dead, his body much bloated and stickenth, upon a marble slab," she said with venom in her voice. I could tell she couldst still picture as such in her mind and thereby did I place my hand atop of hers in comfort. Caterina did smile briefly at me in thanks.
"By that time, I was twelve and learned my father had lost nearly all our money. He died of the drink outside an inn leaving myself, my mother, and my brothers with little more than our name," she said. For a long time she was quiet as if she was fearful of what she may say next.
"Nothing thou wilt say can make me see thee as any less than my dear sister, Catty," I whispered in encouragement to her. I saw the sadness plain in her eyes as she bit her lip before continuing.
"Please, Occuli, the world was a very different place back then. I know what such stuff as I did is thought of now but then was a very different world," she said, begging me to understand what I could not for I knew not. She lowered her head and looked to our hands before continuing.
"My eldest brother, Emilo, went to the Venetian navy as was fitting of his station and took commission. Marco," she did nearly sneer his name and I knew she liked him not. "Took his way to the Army. Iulio followed Marco with much regret and Chris, my twin, went to learn the trade of ship building," she said as fact. Her voice did lower at her next statement. "Having no money, I had but four choices. I couldst marry but I saw none that I had an eye for and none that would want a bride with no money for the estate of my first husband was held by his son and his son did have fear that my dowry would be gambled away by my brothers much as my father did," she told me for this did make sense. I have heard of such things happening before and I knew that had I been in the same situation I would have done much the same.
"I had not the temperament for a nun," she mused and did smile at me. "Nor wouldst I be well at serving another lady for a serving maid was not an occupation that would suit me," she informed me gaily but I couldst hear the warning in her words. I thought on what could the fourth possibility be given that not much else would be available to any young woman in Venice of station until I did realize that she had been a young woman in Venice at the turn of the 16th century. My visage must have changed for she nodded and didst turn away from me. "So, I took the only option that was left to me. One in which I could live as a daughter to a baron, a widow of a lord, have all the luxuries I wished for and, most importantly, an education so that I might not have such troubles again," she told me. "I became a courtesan," she whispered.
Of this, I knew not how to answer for all I could see was Caterina's long hair flowing down her back beneath her black lace veil in the dark of the night. My sister had been forced to sell herself to the elite, to be a mistress to many, due to her father's actions. Fire of fury filled my cold dead veins for none should have to make such a choice as between the life they knew well and living as a beggar upon the streets. I thought on what my sister had said and how she stressed that she wished for an education.
I tried, in vain, to remember what I could of the courtesans but all the stories I remembered were of nothing more than lavishly decorated ladies of the night and not of anything regarding educations or status other than they were not of the lower classes. She took to the lowest of the upper classes for Catty had said that none other place did fit her and this, to me, did not make sense. Surely that of a lady in waiting wouldst have been more befitting of her than to lower herself to such estate as that of a high class prostitute.
I tried to think on what I knew of my sister for she was assertive, strong willed, and did declare her mind freely. She was clearly educated and I thought on to the book she had given me prior to the funeral. From what I grasped of it already it was research conducted on the smallpox virus and she must have understood the Turkish perfectly. Such were the traits normally associated with men, even her current occupation as that of one of the assassins for the Volturi did seem most masculine. Then I did recall something in regards to the courtesans of Venice, for they could be made citizens; equals to that of men. Was this what she truly was? An equal of a man for this made perfect sense with what I had seen of her and her interactions with others; Aro, Caius, and even Felix. Was this what a courtesan during such a time as that.
Slowly, I moved my hand to her shoulder to turn her. As I did so, I realized I heard a small gasp and saw that, though she shed no tears, she was in fact crying. "Catty?" I whispered to her.
"I make no apologies for what I was for it was a good life and I gained far more than I lost, so I believe," she told me only to look up at me at the end of her small statement. Her eyes pleaded with my own. "Please, Carlisle, I know what you must think and it was a very different time," she whispered in pleading.
I hugged her close to me, terrified to see my sister in such estate. "All I am thinking is that I wish that thou didst never have to make such a decision at such a young age and that thou shalt always have a place to go when thou is in need of it," I told her verily. As a doctor, I did not make much but I wouldst never see my sister in so desperate a situation as that ever again. Whatever I could give her, she would have so that never again in her existence would such a choice be made. Thusly I held her for a few minutes before she pulled back and smiled softly though her eyes still held fear in them.
"Grand Mercies, Occuli," she whispered and did realize she was not finished with her story. I did sit back and awaited the rest for I knew that that was the most dreaded news she had to share.
"Do not tell the others of what I was for even Aro doth not know, if you would?" she asked of me first. I nodded quickly. "I will never tell any but how shall I keep such knowledge from Aro?" I asked of her. Caterina smiled devilishly at that for she did look as if she had a secret weapon about her. "Aro will not touch your skin again for he fears me and I shall ask him not to do so," she stated simply to which I raised my brow.
"I suppose my abilities wouldst be thy next question and so to those I shall explain," she said dejectedly. "Although I find my time in the Italian wars killing the French most interesting," she said, attempting to off set my thought. Although this admission did make me realize how she wouldst have military training but where courtesans allowed to fight? I shook the thought from my head knowing I couldst discover more on this later. "Catty…" I warned to which she did smile and bit her lip to keep from laughing.
"Alright, but I get to ask two questions next. Agreed?" Caterina asked of me and to this did I agree.
"Good. So my abilities are simply that I can take on the physical attributes of any sentient creature, such as that of humans or other vampires, but I can also ….force other beings to do things physically," she said with a hint of sadness. I took that she did not like the second part of her powers. "I can make people do things if I wish but I do try not to. It works with animals sometimes too which is why I cannot hunt," she whispered. I decided to go with the lighter side of the topic since I wished not for her to be saddened again.
"Your eyes?" I asked and she looked upon me smiling.
"If I am around humans, I take on the physical properties of humans a slight bit. My eyes go back to the way they were when I was human but not much more than that. Sometimes, if I think about it hard enough, I canst go into the sun which is lovely but that is all," she said happily before looking down again. "With vampires, I can take on their abilities, which is why Aro is terrified of me," she said with an impish grin. I looked at her curiously.
"He has something he doesn't wish for me to know."
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