Skill

Bambi stayed in her room for the rest of the day, thinking and daydreaming – which she did frequently. Aro was one of her only two friends at the castle, and she felt afraid of him. And now she was sure she'd feel awkward around him as well. It would be weird seeing him, but he had become a lifeline, as well as Renata.

Renata… thank God she wasn't like the rest of them. She seemed lovely and inviting, unlike the hateful stares she'd received from the other vampires. It was funny to think that this had all happened this morning. It seemed bizarre how fast her life was moving and changing, and as well as the current situation, it was strange having friends again.

Her thoughts returned to Aro once again. She thought about him most because he was most difficult to read. And the fact that he was beautiful and charming was a huge attraction to her as well. God, how long had it been since she had been approached by a beautiful man, who seemed interested in her, and didn't go on about what a freak she was?

Then the same thing that happened every day came. She thought of the incident two years ago, which she thought about at least 10 times a day, and she began to cry. The thoughts were always fleeting, blurry. Through extensive mental assistance, she'd successfully repressed most of them. She could not forget completely, of course, as what had happened to her was so awful. Every day she remembered that experience. For the first time in years, thanks to Aro, she remembered details as well. Her kidnapper's face as he lowered himself on top of her. The sensation of his breath on her neck as he slid his fingers over her body. The pain of his thrusts as he violated her-

Damn him. Damn Aro. Damn everybody.

She knew one thing for sure about Aro that was in her favour. He liked to hide his true intentions. As long as she was careful of what she did and said, she would be safe. Unless he had a momentary lapse of blood-lust control again - Okay, well, mostly safe. She would just try to run if he tried to bite her again… what else could she do?

Through the thoughts and confusion in her head, she drifted off to sleep. The next morning, a light rapping on the door woke her, and Renata walked in with a tray.

"I made you breakfast." She chimed, smiling.

Bambi could smell the flavours wafting from the tray, and she sat up in her bed as it was brought to her. "Thanks." She replied, smiling meekly.

"Are you alright after yesterday, dear?" She gave Bambi a concerned look, which looked genuine. 'Thank God,' Bambi thought. For the first time in years, there was somebody who cared about her.

"I know Master Aro can be frightening sometimes, but remember that he is a gentleman. If you behave accordingly, he should not harm you."

She nodded weakly. "I know. It doesn't erase the feeling of dread in my gut though," She sighed, and then averted her attention towards the full English breakfast on her lap. "This smells really good." She said, trying to change the subject.

Renata nodded and smiled, understanding. "I will come back in a little while to collect your dishes." She stood up and glided out of the room, Bambi's gaze following her out.

"Thank you…" She whispered.

A while later, after a long shower and an even longer choosing of an outfit, (definitely a Queen's wardrobe, or someone very important, Bambi had decided) she searched through the books on the ornate bookshelf in the corner, which she hadn't noticed before. There were books of all kinds. Fiction, non-fiction, science, biographies… But Bambi went straight to the fiction, as she loved to escape the real world through incredible stories. She scanned through the different books, finding classics like Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre. She glanced at the titles as her fingers danced along the spines.

She chose 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland,' which was her favourite book as a child, and dived straight in. She loved to read. It was the most fun thing for her to do at home, seeing as her mother couldn't afford a computer or a TV, and she didn't have any friends. She spent a lot of time at the library, and went there as often as she could. She would miss that…

But look where she was now. It was like her own private library. She would no longer receive sympathetic glances from the librarian, and mocking looks from the stereotypical high school jocks. She sighed and savoured the positive aspect of her imprisonment.

She had gotten through four chapters, when once again she heard a knock on the door, and he appeared.

Aro. Awkwardness captivated her being, and she strived to keep a straight face, and hoped she wouldn't stare at the ground too much.

He just smiled at her as she sat up and closed the book, looking like she'd done something wrong. "Oh, um… I hope you don't mind, I, er, borrowed a book." She spun her legs to the side of the bed and put the book back on the shelf.

"That is quite alright, my dear. That is the reason it is there, for books to be read from it." He walked over to the bookshelf and inspected the books. "Does anything in particular take your fancy?"

"Well, nearly all of the fictional books do. I love these stories. The Great Gatsby and Emma and Oliver Twist… I've read all of these. But this is my absolute favourite." She took out Alice's Adventures in Wonderland once more, showing the cover. She smiled, and then realized she'd spoken about four sentences without hesitating. The smile disappeared, replaced with a look of pleasant surprise.

"I agree," He said politely. "I do find fiction fascinating. And I understand perfectly why you like to read it."

He was referring to her life back home. She knew now that he knew everything about her, and although she felt a feeling of invasion, she said nothing, and looked down at her feet.

The attention she was giving her feet disappeared when Aro suddenly tilted her head up, and looked into her eyes.

"Today, Bambi, I think it is time that you were acquainted with the rest of the guard."

'Oh God.' The sentence made her shudder. "Um…"

"Do not worry. They will not harm you without my command."

That made her feel a little better. She would just have to try and keep her mouth shut. The things that she'd said to Aro the day before had almost cost her her life.

Aro escorted her out her of bedroom, and they walked down the corridor, the short silver heels she had found in her wardrobe rapping against the floor, which (she had hoped) matched her white, knee length dress.

A dark-eyed Felix and a black-eyed Demetri opened the large oak doors of the hall. Bambi wondered whether their eyes became this colour frequently, or if she had something to do with this. She didn't like to think of what the answer might be…

Aro un-linked his arm from hers and strode ahead to his throne with a smile on his face. He stopped at the stone steps, clapped his hands together and turned to his guard.

"My faithful friends. I am happy to formally introduce Bambi as a soon-to-be member of our coven. My wish is that you will not harm her during her time as a human, unless I command so." With that, he stretched his arms towards Bambi as if to say 'here she is'.

The coven nodded politely - their eyes getting more shadowed every second – except for Renata, who walked towards her with a smile.

"I can't wait to see you as a vampire," Renata said affectionately. "You will be so beautiful."

"Thanks," Bambi replied with a smile. "I wish I could think that."

She looked at the faces of the surrounding vampires. Jane looked sour. Alec looked bored. Caius looked murderous.

"M-may I go please? I don't like the colour of everyone's eyes at the moment." She asked Aro politely.

"Of course," he said, and tilted his head. "Renata, keep her company."

"Yes, Master." She said. She did a small curtsey, then turned to Bambi and smiled, taking her hand and walking with her out of the hall.

"Renata, how can you stand my scent?"

"I test myself. Sometimes I sit through a feeding and try to resist drinking any blood."

"H-have you succeeded before?" She hoped that she had.

Renata smiled. "Yes, my dear. Many times. You do not have to worry around me. And don't worry about Jane and Alec. Once you become one of us, they will warm to you. As for Master Caius… well he doesn't like anybody, least of all humans, so I wouldn't bother trying to win him over.

"I'll bear that in mind." Bambi giggled a little.

"Come, I want to show you something." She led her down several corridors, and into a large room with mirrors on every wall. It reminded Bambi of the ballet class she took before the 'incident'. She wondered if she still had any skill.

"And look." Renata walked over to a corner of the room where a CD player lay. A stack of CDs was placed beside the player, and Bambi began to browse. Apart from obvious classical CDs, which she had been expecting, there were beautiful songs amongst them as well. Songs she recognised. Songs that were barely a few weeks old. Songs she loved.

She inserted a CD, and a song she recognised started to play. She began to sing along without thinking, and lost herself in a world of song. Before she knew it, she was singing along beautifully to the chorus, whilst dancing. She danced so gracefully that Renata was amazed that such a timid creature could hold such gifts.

Suddenly, Aro appeared in the doorway and watched her dance and sing. She was oblivious to the two vampires watching her with such interest and intrigue.

No hesitating. No stumbling. Just… talent.

The song finished, and so did she. She looked up at the vampires, one with her mouth open, and the other with wide curious eyes and a slight grin on his face.

For him, it felt like Christmas. It felt as if he could only ask for one thing to happen that year, he would ask to hear her sing and watch her dance.

It was strange and new to him. And he loved it.

She blushed and looked down. "Sorry." She mumbled.

"Do not be sorry, my dear. That was beautiful." Aro confessed.

"I agree, it was magnificent!" Renata chimed in.

"Renata, could you leave us please?"

She turned, nodded and left with a smile on her face.

Aro stepped towards Bambi and held out his hand. She placed her hand in his, allowing him to read her thoughts. She would just have to cope with the fact that this was the norm: no questions asked.

"Cara mia, your skill is truly astounding. I wonder…"

She took this moment to be brave. "What are you thinking, Aro?"

This made him smirk. "I am thinking about your powers as a vampire, Bambi." He spoke her name as if she were an angel or a saint. His feelings towards her were certainly getting stronger, and he was determined to find out why. He would have invite Eleazer to the castle. Hopefully he could inform him of Bambi's power.

"P-powers? I could have powers? I-I've been singing since I was a little girl, and I took ballet lessons, maybe that's why I'm so good. Why do you think it could be a power?"

Aro smiled at her, and said, "Nothing for you to worry about, my dear. Now, are you hungry?"

She nodded and walked with him to the kitchen, where she saw a human girl of about her age cooking.

"Hi." The girl said, and smiled at Bambi.

"Hi…" Bambi said, confused. She wasn't here yesterday.

"Bambi, this is Alaya, our chef." Aro announced. "She is… new."

'New'… Bambi couldn't help but think of the sinister meaning behind that word.

She looked at Alaya, her olive skin, her long flowing skirt and flowing wavy black hair that ran down her back. She was beautiful, and so young.

She got to know Alaya better whilst she ate. She was told of her life. She and her young brothers were orphans living on the street. She managed to take care of them for a while, but they developed illnesses and they died. She was found in an alleyway, near death, by Felix who had brought her back to the castle. She was nursed back to health and she agreed to earn her keep by working in the kitchens.

She hoped she would get to know Alaya better. She seemed nice and friendly.

She wondered how long that would last.

After she'd finished eating, Bambi returned to the dance studio (she presumed it was called) to sing and dance once more. Aro watched her quietly from the doorway, out of sight, getting more and more curious by the minute. Why was he developing such strong feelings for this girl? This shy, timid rabbit in the headlights, who just happened to be extremely good and singing and dancing?

It wasn't love. Aro knew this. The feelings were too strong, too possessive, to be love. It had to be an inkling of her future powers, surely.

He walked back into the great hall and sat beside Caius and Marcus.

"We must invite Eleazar to fully confirm what her powers will be. She is getting more intriguing every second I am near her."

"As irritating as I find her," Caius sneered, "I agree. I found her singing to be strangely entrancing."

This convinced Aro that she was special. Nobody, not even his wife Athenodora, could move or impress Caius.

He sent a letter to Eleazar immediately, and waited for a reply. Of course, Eleazar agreed.

Aro could not wait to discover the child's gifts…