Heidi & Bella - Part 1 (Summer)
Through the window pane, she stares right at the now darkened sky, noticing the telltale signs of an upcoming thunderstorm. Aside from human blood, Heidi normally has an aversion to human's scent in the summer and thus, the smell of wet pavement provides a useful distraction to her. Summers often thrusts humans' distasteful sweat in the Tuscany street but thankfully the smell of their blood masks off their bad body odour.
The concept of time has no significance to most vampires so a few decades ago Heidi made a conscious decision to mark the arrival of summer as a new beginning; similar to how a human would make a big celebration for new years.
Coasting through immortal life in the beginning was thrilling and enlightening. The world feels like your oyster when you have vampiric speed, even less so with the powers one wields being a Volturi guard. After a while, even sex and blood can seem mundane to a vampire. For Volturi guards and royalty, they seek thrill and enjoyment in asserting their power and carrying out punishments. For others, the hunting of prey brings them content.
After centuries of living the same routine, Heidi years for more. From her necessary interactions with humans, she observed and learned. She even goes as far as to picking up a few of their habits, to help her find small doses of fulfilment and joy in life. But she does envy them for one thing; their ignorance of vampires' existence is a bliss.
"If we could get your signature here, then we'll all be done."
Heidi lowers her sunglasses and stares right into his soul. His eyebrows arch upwards slightly, forming a sinister curve that hints at his insatiable desire. There's not even a slight of hesitancy or guilt in his eyes. The corners of his lips twitch into a self-assured grin, his hands impatiently tapping onto the wooden chair in a particular rhythm.
Sometimes she wants to take pity on them, but staring this greedy businessman right in his blue eyes, any sympathy flies out the window. He's a testament to why humans often prove themselves to be well-deserving of their loomed fate. The greed he has tramps his humanity. There he sits comfortably, same as all of his predecessors once sat with the same crooked grin and ill temperament, giddily waiting for the fortune to come from the Volturi. Every 50 years or so, Heidi has to step foot into this generational mansion and renew the contract the family has with the Volturi. For about three centuries, this family has been a reliable business partner. They manage the Volturi's estates across the world whilst having to maintain a humble lifestyle to avoid suspicions.
She signs the documents off in a vampiric speed, refusing to waste any more time in the enclosed space and risking the new Volturi guard to further temptations. Heidi had never needed a guard before but Aro insisted due to a recent attack in Aspen. Though Heidi is infamous for her beauty and alluring charm, she is also very skilled in battles. She frequently spars with Felix, a habit she's developed as of late. Unlike the arrogant wonder twins, she has seen enough wars to know that having both the gift and the hand combat skills would improve her chances of winning. Especially since she is familiar enough with Aro to know that his lust for power would eventually lead to an unwanted war one day.
Nevertheless, her business dealings almost always go smoothly. She doesn't need the new guard messing up the business relationship she's built with this human family for the past 300 years. They may be greedy but they're loyal. And that's one trait Heidi looks for in her business partners. Aro knows she's more than capable of taking care of herself so she's baffled by his decision to have the new guard follow her on this business trip. Sometimes it feels like the King is purposely testing her patience.
She stands up to look at the new guard, giving him a warning glare to control his bloodlust, or else face decapitation. He straightens his broad shoulders and clamps down the thirst in his throat.
Heidi places the briefcase on the table, "There's more in the vault."
The greedy businessman's eyes widen when he opens the briefcase, looking more than pleased to see the amount of money and the key to the vault that she mentioned. Of course he's been briefed by his father and grandfather the modus operandi handling the vampires' dealings. The most important principle is 'No questions asked'.
They're about to shake hands and be done with the deal when she hears the faint whisper of sneakers making contact with the floorboard, heading their way in a sense of urgency and excitement. Another smell she doesn't recognise approaches and she repeats her threats to the new guard to be on his best behaviour.
The door bursts open and a girl, almost 10 years old, comes in excitedly, not sensing the tense presence of two vampires (not that she knows they exist).
"Papa, I just got these! Can we please donate them?"
The girl finally notices the company that her father has in the room and her heart stops. She doesn't know why but she is suddenly engulfed by terror and she remains frozen where she stands with dilated pupils.
"Anne, I told you not to interrupt me when I'm in a meeting!"
His face is flustered and his heart beats loudly. Gone are the looks of greed and hunger. In its place is now fear.
"I'm sorry, Papa," the girl muttered.
Heidi usually stays away from kids, not due to disliking them, but because they remind her too much of her past. Her main concern now is to make sure the new guard doesn't give in to his bloodthirst and jump the innocent girl. For the child's own protection, she ignores the man and makes her way to the girl. Under her breath, she orders the new guard to leave whilst distracting the innocent human. The new guard leaves silently and goes far away to find another human to sink his teeth in.
The man's about to apologise but she hushes him, paying full attention to the girl. She leans down and puts on her most charming smile, trying to diffuse the tension. It works because the girl is no longer shaking and her eyes seem glazed.
"What do you have there, darling?"
"A donation box."
Heidi's about to leave the girl alone when she catches a whiff of a tantalising scent. Against her natural instinct, she decides to investigate the source.
"May I see the box?"
Under Heidi's spell, the girl obeys and offers her the box. Nothing seems to be out of the ordinary but then she finds the source of the scent; an old t-shirt. After careful inspection, she finds no trace of blood and it confuses her. She decides to take it with her to study it further.
"Is there a chance you might know where this came from?" Heidi glanced at the man, looking for answers.
He approaches and frowns, fear crumbling within when he realises he doesn't have an answer to her question.
"Usually these can come from any part of the world. Sadly, we don't keep track of who sent what."
Carefully, he pulls his daughter behind him.
So you do have a humane side, Heidi thinks.
"If you don't mind, I'll be taking this," Heidi offered him a €100 bill.
He tries to reject the money but she insists. To a human, the amount may seem absurd for a donated old t-shirt. But to Heidi, there's really no price to be put on the item. Because she just possibly discovered the scent of her mate.
