I don't own these characters. I only play with them.
Bella's Point of View
After an amazing breakfast, I went to shower. A shower never felt so invigorating before. Knowing I wasn't dying was having an odd effect on me. While I knew that each meal was one of my last, I was able to enjoy them instead of being anxiety ridden for the same reason.
When we walked out of our suite, Felix was there. He bowed slightly, "Marcus has invited you to visit the archives if that is to your liking."
"What do you think Bella,"
"It's an adventure, Let's go."
We followed Felix down passageways that ended in a steep set of stairs. Jasper simply started walking downwards so I followed him, Felix behind me. When the massive double doors to the archives were opened I stepped inside slowly. A room the size of multiple warehouses was outfitted like a library.
"I think I've found heaven," Bella muttered.
A laugh echoed from only a few feet away. "I feel like that every time I open those doors, Bella. Do you have a specific subject you'd like to read on for now? Marcus asked.
"I think I'd like to read about the change, Sir,"
"Just Marcus will do child. Let me show you our section on the change."
We followed Markus about 50 feet before he turned left and pointed to a shelf slightly above my eye level.
"Do you have any recommendations on the best place to start for someone who knows nothing?"
Marcus looked over the books of all ages and the ancient scrolls before settling on one narrow volume. "This should tell you everything that's important without boring you with details you don't need."
"Thank you, Marcus."
"Felix, show them to the reading area please."
Felix guided the way, stopping himself to pick a book from the millions available. "I think you will find this of interest Jasper,"
Following I couldn't keep my eyes off the books and ancient scrolls. So much knowledge. So much history. When we eventually came to the seating area there were multiple chairs and couches arranged in cozy conversation formations. I sat in one of the chairs and opened the book. I grew scared quickly and Jasper was at my side.
"It can take up to five days for the change?
"Yours won't take that long. Two or Three days most likely."
"Why the discrepancy?"
"The length of time of the change depends on how much venom is pumped into the body by the vampire changing the human. I wouldn't make you suffer longer than necessary."
When it said the change felt like being burned alive I remembered the feeling in the Ballet studio and couldn't help but agree.
"My eyes will be blood red? I asked, not being able to imagine it.
"Only for the first few months. If you stick to the vegetarian diet they turn gold quickly." Jasper comforted.
I read about the different ways to change a person and the reasons for each one. I read about how the skin began to turn hard first before the heart and organs changed. I was shocked that the change burned away extra fat, leaving you with your ideal body.
Toward the end of the book, it started discussing ways to change a person to cause the most pain and I skipped over that part, knowing Jasper would never do that to me.
After I finished reading the book I sat for a few minutes just absorbing what I had read. I was not afraid of this, but I probably should be. Now that I knew Edward and I were over, where was my place in this new world I was joining? I'd have to ask Jasper later. Overall I felt at peace with the ordeal my body would soon face. Two or Three days of the pain I felt when James bit me would feel like an eternity, but Jasper would keep me safe.
Jasper was reading a book on warfare through the ages, so I sat quietly and let him read, until lunchtime when my stomach determined it was time to leave.
His smile when my stomach broke his concentration was sweet and understanding. "Let's go get your lunch. Perhaps Marcus will invite us back another time before we leave." Jasper said. "Where do we place our books, Felix?"
"Would you like to continue reading that one Major?" Felix asked
"Yes, I would"
"Then take it with you. Bella, I'll put yours away and be with you in a second."
It really was only a second before he was back with us. "I'll guide you back to your rooms."
"Thank you, Marcus," I said quietly and Marcus was there. "Come back any time during your stay here. You are most welcome."
"Thank you again."
The twists and turns of the hallway were disorienting. Before I knew we were close we were back at our rooms.
"What do you think of the Archives, Bella?"
"I think I could spend a century in there and still find something new," I said as we entered our room.
"I thought I smelled a human." A vampire in our living room said.
"Felix," Jasper called.
Felix burst in and in a feat of brute strength, wrestled the unfamiliar vampire out of the room.
"It looks like your lunch is here. Your stomach will be very happy with that." Jasper grinned.
"What just happened?" I asked.
"You were almost someone's lunch Bella. That is why Felix is guarding us. Some vampires are here because they can't control themselves and they're being put on trial for it."
Bella sat down at the table and slowly began to eat her lunch, but as she tasted the delicious food, she sped up some, putting to the back of her mind the vampire that had invaded her temporary sanctuary.
After she finished lunch she asked Jasper, "How do you intend to change me?"
"The best way is to bite the neck, both wrists, both inner thighs, and both ankles. It gets the most venom moving through the body the fastest. I intended to skip the inner thigh because of the intimacy involved. You'd need to be nearly naked." Jasper explained.
"Is biting all those places really best?"
"Yes, for the quickest transformation," Jasper instructed
"Then I can deal with the intimacy if you can Jasper. I may not be as afraid as I should be, but I don't want it to last a moment longer than necessary."
"I can understand that."
"Jasper, will I be a nomad like Victoria and James were?
"Why would you think that?" Jasper inquired.
"Because I don't want to be with Edward anymore. Letting me die kinda killed any warm fuzzy feelings I might have had remaining."
"You can do anything you want Bella. You can stay with me and we could be companions or you could stay with Char and Peter. The Cullens would probably welcome you as well. If you really wanted, you could be a nomad traveling alone, but it gets lonely quickly." Jasper said.
"It's nice to know I don't have to be alone Jasper."
"It's nice for me as well Bella."
I want to show you something while the sun is still up Bella.
OK. Let's go.
"Where would you like to go, Felix asked as we opened the door."
"Is there a mostly unused sunny space?"
"Right this way."
We walked it seemed the length of the castle before Felix came to a halt. "Through these doors is an unused courtyard. Can I join you, just in case you get another visitor?"
"Of course Felix, Jasper said.
"Thanks for taking care of that guy. I think he meant to have me for lunch."
We walked out into the courtyard and I stood in wonder as both of their skin shimmered brightly in the sun. Jasper took his shirt off slowly and the pattern of the shimmer was thrown off. I walked over to see what the difference is.
"What are these," I ran my fingers over ridges on his skin.
"They're scars like the one you got in Phoenix. I wanted you to see now, so you didn't panic over them when you woke up. Both Peter and Char have scars too, just not as many."
"They're beautiful. You shimmer like a rainbow instead of a disco ball."
Jasper put his shirt back on with a smirk. "A disco ball is what you think most of us shimmer like?"
"Find a better comparison"
"I can't right now, but a disco ball? He started laughing."
I'd never seen Jasper really laugh before. I joined him. The look on his face was funny. When the mirth settled, he said, I didn't want you to wake up afraid. You'll be able to see the scars plainly on us when you wake as a vampire.
"Oh, because my vision will change."
"You're vision, hearing, thought processes, sense of touch, everything will be different and it will be quite overwhelming for a while," Jasper said.
"How long?"
"Up to two years." Jasper said, "Probably closer to one."
"What will I be like?" I asked
"Strong, Wild, untameable, hungry all the time, easily distracted," Jasper said in a low voice.
I couldn't imagine me as any of those things. It just wasn't me. "Are there any exceptions?"
"Not that I've ever seen, Bella. How about you Felix?"
"I've seen one that seemed to skip the majority of his newborn phase, but that was out of hundreds. It's highly unlikely Bella." Felix consoled
As they stood sparkling in the sun I asked, "What about gifts, will I have one?"
Jasper's Point of view
Bella was a gift and her mate was a lucky man.
"We'll have to wait and see. They don't reveal themselves till after the change. Although you keep Edward out of your mind, I don't know if that will translate into something or not. I can feel your emotions. Alice can see your future. Still, it's likely"
"Come on boys, you've sparkled enough for today and I'm a little tired."
In their rooms, Bella laid down on the couch. "A nap will fix me right up," she said.
"I'll just be here reading. You relax."
Bella had taken in a lot of information today, it was no wonder that her body needed a break. I must do a better job of remembering she's human for the next few days. The way Bella had looked at his scars was unlike anyone else. She wasn't scared or repulsed. She didn't shy away. He had hopes that when she woke she would react just as well. A few hours passed and her dinner was delivered. I thought about waking her up but just as I was about to she sat up on her own.
"That smells fantastic," she declared.
Going over to the table she proceeded to enjoy her dinner. Her emotions were peaceful. There was just a hint of fear and it was like she didn't even acknowledge it.