"Ivy talking looks like this."

Faye taking to Ivy in her mind looks like this.

"Everyone talking out loud looks like this."

Chapter 18: Mystery Introductions and Checkers

Everyone seemed to go quiet as the atmosphere became tense and strained as everyone stared/glared. Edward glared at me while Rosalie and Emmett stared at him. Esme stared at all three of them in concern while Bella's eyes darted around to everyone's faces nervously.

Meanwhile, I slowly lifted the last piece of bacon in my mouth and bit down with a large CRUNCH.

I heard Ivy chuckle in amusement, "Really, human? Right now?"

Hey! I'm not wasting any wonderful food on this plate! Especially not bacon.

"True, very true. Now that I think about it great job not wasting any meat!"

I nodded my head at Ivy's appreciation. Suddenly I heard someone giggle making me turn my head to the sound which to my surprise was Esme. I gave her a sheepish look before looking around the room and noticed that the previous atmosphere had become lighter.

Rosalie and Emmett stared at me with amusement while Bella stared at me curiously. Esme was giggling behind her hand. Of course, Edward was still glaring but he also looked at me with disbelief and a little bit of curiosity.

I gave them a sheepish look tilted my head and shrugged as if to ask what. Suddenly Bella started to move towards me making me look over in surprise.

When she reached halfway, Edward suddenly stopped her and demanded to know what she thought she was doing.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed?" he shouted.

I let out a snort. If I wanted to kill her, not that I wanted to, I would have killed her already or I would have let James or Victoria live.

Suddenly a hand pops into my field of vision making me come out of my thoughts. I looked up to see who it was connected to and realized it was Bella. It seemed she walked around Edward to get to me. I looked at her hand for a bit then looked back giving her a confused stare.

I hesitantly grabbed her hand as she shook it, giving me a handshake.

"Hi, my name is Isabella, you can call me Bella though." I nodded my head. "I wanted to thank you for saving me, well us."

I stared at her for a bit realizing that this Bella wasn't as meek as she was in the movie. This Bella was braver and had a bit of a backbone it seemed. There was something else but I can't put my finger on it.

I heared Ivy clear her throat making me realize that I hadn't responded yet. I shook my head slightly deciding to figure out what it was at a later time and gave her a smile and nodded my head.

She seemed to stare at me for a while making me stare back in confusion. She leans forward while still holding my hand, her nose touching my snout.

I could feel Emmett and Rosalie become tense. It felt like the whole room went quiet.

"Hmm? Is it you?"

Me? Ivy, what does she mean?

"I don't know, Faye. Bella shouldn't know about us. We have barely been in Forks. She shouldn't have even been able to catch a glimpse of us, until yesterday."

I stared back at Bella in confusion and shrugged. She leans back, "Hmm well, I need to talk to you later about something, okay?" I nod my head still a bit confused, wondering why. She nods looking satisfied as she lets go of my hand and begins to walk out of the room. I sat there frozen wondering what just happened.

I could feel the stares of everyone in the room. Edward stared at me with a hardened glare most likely trying to figure out how I knew Bella or how Bella knew me.

Boy, That's what I would like to know too!

He stares for a little longer, lets out a frustrated huff, and then turns around to storm out of the room.

When he leaves, Esme speaks up.

"Bella met you before, dear?"

I shook my head at her question. I could still feel the questioning glances of Rosalie and Emmett. I slowly pulled my arm away from Rosalie as she made a sound of protest. I got off the chair before walking on two legs and taking my plate to the sink. While I was trying to figure out how to wash it, I didn't realize Esme was behind me until she spoke up.

"I can take care of that, sweetie. Why don't you go hang in the living room for a while?"

I turn my head finally noticing her before nodding my head and making my way into the living room. When I got there, Rosalie and Emmett were already there waiting.

Jasper and Alice were also there. Jasper was playing chess and Alice looked like she was drawing something in a notebook. Most likely creating something for fashion, in the movie I believe she loved making designs.

For some reason, Emmett looked really excited, "Hey, little bear! I know you can't play right now but would you like to watch me play some games?"

Games? I looked over at his setup to see what game systems he had. He seemed to have an Xbox 360 and a Nintendo Wii.

I nod my head excitedly while bouncing on my paws! Games! It's been so long since I've played games! I've missed it so much, I miss my pc with my Steam account. I've even missed my Nintendo Switch with the laggy game store!

He let out a chuckle, "Nice to know I'm not the only one that loves games! I'll set it up, just give me a second."

I nodded my head while he sped over to the TV and set it up. I glanced at Rosalie and saw her holding a car magazine, looking content. She noticed me staring and gave a small smile. I smile back before becoming lost in thought while waiting, mostly pondering games, or more likely, future games.

Speaking of games, I will miss the games that I loved to play. The Sims 4 didn't come out until 2014. Stardew Valley won't be a thing until 2016. I won't even be able to play Apex Legends till at least 2019. Sure, it was laggy sometimes and maybe there were a lot of cheaters but it was still fun! At least there is one game that I like that will come out sooner than the others, which is Minecraft. It is still some time away being in 2011, but it will be worth the wait!

I came out of my daydream when I noticed fingers being waved in front of my face. I looked up and saw Emmett's worried face.

"Faye, you have a bad habit of daydreaming."

I know, I know. I'll work on it. Sometimes I can't help it though.

"I set up the game, are you ready?"

I got up, shook out my fur, and flashed him a smile before glancing over at the TV to see which game he had put on. I was surprised to see Mortal Kombat, but the graphics looked grainier than I was used to.

As I looked closely at the title, it read, "Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks." I'm surprised that they even made a Mortal Kombat in 2005. I am curious and slightly excited to see the difference between the 2023 Mortal Kombat and the 2005 Mortal Kombat. I could sense Ivy perking up and also showing some interest.

I look back at Emmett showing excitement while gently pawing at his controller as if to say, What are you waiting for? Hurry up!

Emmett beamed at me before picking up the controller and explaining the rules of the game. I nodded my head along with his explanation as he started the game and then excitedly started to explain his favorite characters.

Soon he started the game, and Ivy and I watched with interest as he destroyed each grainy character after the other before I got bored. There was only so long that I could stand watching someone play a game that I couldn't.

It sucks shifting into an animal sometimes, it's hard to play video games with bear claws.

I wonder why they haven't asked us to shift back yet.

"They most likely don't want to make us uncomfortable or maybe they don't think we can right now."

Hmm, maybe.

"I'm going to take a little nap. Feel free to call my name if you need me or if something interesting happens."

I reassured her that I would, but then I realized that she had quickly fallen asleep.

Dang, she falls asleep fast...

I looked around and noticed Jasper still playing chess.

Hmm, I don't know how to play chess. I wonder if he has any other games?

That is hopefully bear-friendly, of course!

I got up and walked over to him and climbed on the chair across from him. I could sense eyes following me as I sat down. Jasper looked surprised when he glanced up at me, either because he was too focused on his game or he wasn't expecting me to approach him.

"Is there something I can help you with, ma'am?" He said with a Southern accent.

Oh my god! I forgot he was from Texas!

For a second, I thought he was calling me old!

I stared at him for a bit before looking down at his game. Yeah, I have no idea how to play chess. However, I do know how to play checkers!

I wonder if he has it.

Better yet, how do I ask?

Hmm?

Oh!

I look back up at him and then look at his chessboard before pointing at it. He seemed a bit confused before saying.

"Yes, my chessboard?"

I became excited and promptly moved a chess piece, forming a circle with my claw and placing it on one of the squares. I then made a diagonal move on the board.

I hope he understood.

He seemed to stare at my claw for a while before I could see him recognize and realize what I was trying to say. "Checkers? You want to play Checkers with me?" I enthusiastically nodded, relieved that he understood what I was trying to say.

Who knew Jasper would be great at charades? Perhaps it was due to his rank and experience as a major in the army. I saw the corners of his mouth lift as he nodded and quickly returned with a box of Checkers in his hands.

He opened the box, took out all the pieces, and then lifted up the two different colored checkers. I thought he was showing me the different pieces to choose the color I wanted to be. So, I chose red, took it from his hand, and gathered all my pieces. We played four games, each winning two before Bella arrived. She looked straight at me before turning to Rosalie and Emmett.

"Rosalie, Emmett? Do you mind if I speak to the bear alone? I have something I need to discuss with her."

Of course, that didn't sit well with either of them.