Forks, Washington … a small, quant little town that reminded her of one of the quieter areas back home. Daphne had never been in the mortal world without her mother before, she didn't know whether to be excited, overwhelmed, or horrified. She pauses, taking a deep breath of the damp smelling air; everything smells like rain and grass and the forest … it was pleasant, familiar. It helped ground her. She had to prove she could do this, that she could be trusted with this. Her mother was counting on her, her elder brother, Henrick… her numerous siblings.
Her family was meant to be a keeper of the balance — the balance between the natural and the supernatural. The Ordinary and the Extra-Ordinary. The Mortal and the Immortal. It's how it's always been, and it was her time to prove she could follow in her family's footsteps.
She was the youngest, the baby … and while she loved how protective and loving her family truly was, this was her chance for them to see her as an adult; To see her as more than just "Little Daffy" — she snaps her teeth a bit, she truly hated that nickname.
She takes another deep breath, knowing her temper could get a bit testy when she was overwhelmed. She could do this, and she would. This has to be her first step... or so she hoped. There was a chance interfering in this particular event would change everything, a domino effect that would stop them from falling all together -- Henrick doubted it. He warned her it was not as easy to change the future as those who couldn't see it, liked to believe it was. That the future, for all intents and purposes, was as stubborn as a rogue and did not want to be changed.
But Daphne had come prepared. She had done her research, which her brother, Prometheus, her 35th eldest sibling, had said humans referred to as "stalking". Daphne thought that was a bit of a ridiculous notion. She had simply gotten her eldest brother, Henrick -- the oldest of all of her mothers' children -- to look into the family she was sent here to find.
The Cullens... She was aware they had a seer among them. She was also aware her power... or gift as they referred to it, was underwhelming when compared to her own. Or maybe it was overwhelming, having to see every little decision someone makes. Daphne doesn't think she would enjoy seeing things like what suitor her mother would choose that year or what tie Henrick chose before he chose it or what the weather will be like before she can open her eyes and see it herself, every morning. There is a comfort in the little unpredictable things in life. What is the meaning of it, if you can see every detail before it happens?
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of heavy paws colliding with the ground as they ran, patrolled the territory they saw fit to protect. Daphne didn't move from her spot, leaning against a large cedar tree; her fingers absently caressing the rough bark with the fingers on her right hand as the wind blew through her long, flowing, black hair. She loved nature, and nature loved her in return -- seeing this meadow, dead and disturbed, made her heart clench.
The flowers had died, the grass yellow and withered - it appeared more like a wasteland than the beautiful meadow she knew it was meant to be. Rationally, she also knew it was only March. "April showers bring May Flowers" -- March wasn't even considered spring, not truly... but she still couldn't stand to see the place in such disarray. Even the grass, the roots, the flowers and leaves beneath her feet had already begun to bloom -- reinvigorated by her very presence.
She kneeled, her fingers, manicured as always -- "Manicures are a woman's best friend, Daphne, Darling. The world wishes to take your wings? Remind them they forgot your claws." -- sliding along the dry, brittle grass. How it could smell of rainfall and dewdrops while feeling as tough as sandpaper she wasn't quite sure, but perhaps there was a bit of the unnatural hidden among the natural in unpredictable ways.
Nothing visible happened, it was no physical change; no awe-inspiring mist or glow that someone else could see. Powers, and they were powers, no matter what anyone else tried to call them to lessen the extraordinary abilities some possessed, did not work that way. Most power was mental, not physical, and as such while the person possessing it may, from time to time, see something, no one else would. And with time, many were taught to hide what little did show of their abilities, so, typically, unless they were showing off or very young -- powers were a silent gift for only the users' eyes.
As she watched, the meadow flourished. The grass grew anew, becoming a vibrant green, proud and tall, swaying in the wind like the gentle caress of the waves on a beach. The meadow was small, circular, symmetrical in a way that felt wrong, or forced -- like it was created to look just this way, like it was intentional. Trees didn't often hug an area quite so tight, protected so fiercely from the outside world that it almost felt unwelcoming to anyone who may stumble upon it.
There were bunches of flowers scattered across the meadow, no pattern to them, as there should never be unless planted, of every size and color. Everywhere she looked there were smatterings of blue, red, white, violet, pink, and purple flowers -- patches of small yellow buttercups and daffodils shielded under their much taller brethren.
Whether it was natural or simply her influence she would never know, but even a few more trees began to grow; fruit trees this time, apples and sweet cherries, pears, and nectarines. She plucked a cherry off one of the trees, biting into it and savoring the sweetness on her tongue. Her kaleidoscope eyes, ever changing from Blue to Green to Rose to Gold and back, took in every detail. It wasn't like her eyes cycled through the colors. It was dependent on how the light hit them, and even more dependent on those she interacted with. "Beauty was in the eye of the beholder" - her mother enjoyed saying, and what that meant for her family was sometimes her beauty changed to fit the eyes upon her.
She inhaled deeply, her long, black lashes fluttering as she let the tranquility of the reinvigorated meadow settle over her. Nature didn't talk; it didn't possess a language she could transcribe; but it sang. Like the smoothest violin, the gentlest piano, the softest guitar. -- the kind of music that made her bones itch and goosebumps spread along her arms. Like the Tenerife Sea by Ed Sheeran.
Her eyes snapped open when she sensed the scene from her vision about to play out. She could feel the presence of the wolves, not too close but not too far -- hovering, almost. Watched as the human girl stumbled into the meadow, talking to herself -- which was not the concerning part, it was the part where Daphne was half convinced someone was responding -- as if there was anyone in the meadow but herself, Daphne, and the 5 wolves pacing almost restlessly somewhere behind them.
The human, Isabella, was unaware of Daphne - unaware of the wolves, and Daphne is sure Jacob is the one pacing as if he wants to run out and scoop the human into his arms like a small fragile child, as they all watched her curl into a ball on the ground, her face crumbling, as if she had hoped someonewould be waiting for her here. Daphne had a feeling they all knew who she hoped for -- Edward. But Daphne had promised herself she would not even attempt to intervene in the Jacob, Bella, Edward, non-sense and so she didn't scoff though she did roll her eyes.
It wasn't that she had no sympathy for her plight, it was simply the way she was going about it. She's allowed to feel hurt, to feel sad, to feel empty -- but the best way to get back at Edward would have been to get angry, not to break like fragile glass. Especially when all of this suffering ends with nothing more than immediate forgiveness.
She watched as the human girl climbed up on her knees, arms wrapped around herself as if she were split in half and trying to keep her organs inside -- saw her surprise, switch to pain, then fear, and last recognition. Laurent was here.
"Laurent!" The human girl cried out in pleasant surprise-- and Daphne was sure she wasn't the only one who couldn't decide in that moment whether to help her or slap some sense into her. The fact that she hung around several "vegetarian" vampires and lived seemed to have given the poor human an inflated sense of safety, seeing as Laurent's eyes were very clearly red.
The assumption that because he had gone to Denali to be around the Denali sisters and as such must have become a "good" vampire and changed his diet -- was this child not meant to be observant? If Golden eyes meant "Good" and Red eyes meant "Bad" -- why was she smiling as if an old friend had stopped by? Daphne was tempted to turn around, go home, and tell her mother they shouldn't involve themselves in the drama going on in the mortal world -- the temptation was so strong she had to physically root herself to the spot as she watched satisfaction play out so plain to see on the humans' face.
She clearly wasn't the only one torn between exasperation, incredulity, and resignation -- the wolves behind her (she could sense them of course, though they had no idea she could. They were too far for the human or even the "Vampire" to sense, downwind, but Daphne had known they were there since they arrived. Maybe curious about Daphne or perhaps Jacob following his pet human to the same meadow -- they'd assume she was human, and she would let them assume that.)
"Bella?" Laurent was surprised, his voice noted a touch of astonishment, his red eyes widening a little. His reaction is almost amusing, knowing it's likely because he had not expected to get close to her easily... and yet the human had simply walked into a trap she didn't even realize was beneath her feet.
"You remember." Bella smiled, her face actually elated, a sense of relief in the way her shoulders relaxed. Hadn't Laurent called her a "snack"? at one point, and wanted to eat her... and not in the way one should. Did she truly assume a time when he was so clearly outnumbered equated now... when as far as he knew, it was just him and a human that smelt as humans should?
Laurent grinned, his messy black hair blowing in the wind, his unnaturally pale skin giving off a faint glow like a smooth, shiny, opaque rock found along the sand as he stepped closer to her. "I didn't expect to see you here."
"Isn't it the other way around?" The human pointed out, not in the least bit phased when he stopped near 10 paces away. Did she not realize just how quickly he could close that space and sink his teeth into her neck? This is what happens when humans spend too much time around the supernatural, they begin to feel as if nothing can hurt them -- as if a safety net is under them to catch them if they fall ... yet, that safety net was gone and here she was, staring at Laurent as if he was a god among men, almost greedily taking in his features. "I do live here. I thought you'd gone to Alaska?"
"You're right." He nodded, his eyes still locked on her. Her eyes still taking in the beauty of his face with an almost worship, greedy look on her own. "I did go to Alaska. Still, I didn't expect...When I found the Cullen place empty, I thought they'd moved on."
"Oh." She bit her lip, her face crumbling, her eyes almost squeezing shut-- it was a bit amusing to see her reaction, Daphne bit her lip to repress a smile; not because she enjoyed the humans pain but because it was so plain to see, and in just a few moments she would try to lie as if it weren't... she had failed before she even tried. "They did move on." She finally managed to choke out and it did sound as if she were near choking when she said it.
"Hmm." Laurent murmured. "I'm surprised they left you behind, weren't you a sort of pet of theirs?" Daphne had nearly laughed aloud, even as the wolves growled low behind her -- especially when Isabella responded... "Something like that." making the wolves even more unruly, she's half surprised Laurent hasn't heard them yet, but maybe his hearing simply wasn't as good as hers. She referred to herself as a pet? Daphne was no expert on humans but she was sure this one needed help -- and not just because a vampire wanted to eat her, she needed professional help.
"Hmm." Laurent said, thoughtful again.
Daphne saw the exact moment, this supposedly "observant" human realized exactly what sort of trouble she was in. When her eyes widened, when the color drained from her face, when she looked past his superficial beauty and actually looked into his eyes. His blood red eyes. She winced, realizing that he did not have the same golden eyes that all "good" vampires had -- and took an involuntary step back. Laurent's curious but dark red eyes followed the movement. He was thirsty.
"Do they visit often?" His tone was light, curious, but his weight shifted toward her.
Daphne watched as the girl jumped; clearly hearing voices again ... it was so obvious, too obvious -- even as she said, "Now and again." She tried to come off relaxed, calm as she was moments before, but her heart was pounding in her chest, even Daphne could smell the hints of fear coloring her scent. If anything, her reaction was going to make it worse -- many vampires who fed off humans loved the smell and taste of the fear and adrenaline in their blood. "The time seems longer to me, I imagine. You know how they get distracted..." She babbled, visibly clenching her jaw so as not to keep doing so.
"Hmmmm." Laurent said." "The house smelled as if it had been vacant for quite awhile."
She jumped again, a little flinch away from her right ear, -- hearing voices or seeing hallucinations?
"I'll have to mention to Carlisle that you stopped by. He'll be sorry they missed your visit." She paused, deliberately hesitating. "But I probably shouldn't mention it to ... Edward, I suppose." She barely managed to whisper his name, her face crumbling into a grimace, if her facade had been believable before it sure wasn't now. "He has such a temper...well, I'm sure you remember. He's still touchy about the whole James thing." She tried to roll her eyes and wave her hand dismissively, as if it were water under the bridge; but the edge of hysteria in her voice continued to give her away.
"Is he really?" Laurent asked, a touch of amusement in his voice, and obvious skepticism.
"Mmmhmmm." She said short, trying to hide her growing sense of panic as he took a single step forward.
"So how are things working out in Denali? Carlisle said you were staying with Tanya?" She rushed out, her voice too high, stalling.
He paused. "I like Tanya very much." He mused. "Her sister Irina even more... I've never stayed in one place for so long before, and I enjoy the advantages, the novelty of it. But the restrictions are difficult.... I'm surprised that any of them kept it up for long." He smiled, voice lowering as if letting her in on a secret just between them. "Sometimes I cheat."
She started to creep back but her foot froze when his red eyes caught the movement. "Oh." She whispered, unable to speak any louder. "Jasper has problems with that, too."
"Really?" Laurent seemed interested. "Is that why they left?"
"No." She denied. "Jasper is much more careful at home."
"Yes." He agreed,nodding his head as if he understood completely. "I am too." and then he took another step forward, this one deliberate.
"Did Victoria ever find you?" Isabella rushed out, panicked.
Daphne's lips twitched again, the irony of asking about the particular vampire at this moment in time. She couldn't interfere yet, simply had to watch the events play out until the perfect moment but at least it was a bit entertaining.
"Yes." Laurent said slowly, hesitating on his next step. "I actually came here as a favor for her." He sighed, clicking his tongue. "She won't be happy about this."
"About what?" The human asked eagerly, clearly trying to use his distraction somehow; she took a step back as he glared at the trees.Daphne knew he couldn't see her nor the wolves, and Victoria wasn't out there yet -- what was he glaring at? Her step had him looking back, he smiled, and Isabella was momentarily distracted by his beautiful face. He looked like how she imagines Carlisle would look with black hair; like a black haired angel.
"About me killing you," His voice a low, seductive, purr. "She wanted to save that part for herself. She is quite ... put out with you, Bella."
"Me?" She squeaked.
He shook his head and chuckled, "I know it seems a little backwards to me, too. But James was her mate, and your Edward killed him."
Bella flinched at his name, arms wrapping around herself as if a shield.
Laurent continued, oblivious or uncaring. "She thought it more appropriate to kill you than Edward. Fair turnabout -- mate for mate. She asked me to get the lay of the land for her, so to speak. I didn't imagine you would be so easy to get to. So maybe her plan was flawed -- apparently it wouldn't be the revenge she imagined. You must not mean very much to him if he left you here, unprotected."
Another flinch. Laurent frowned. "I suppose she'll be angry all the same."
"Then why not wait for her?" She choked out.
A mischievous grin was her response, "You caught me at a bad time. I didn't come to this place on Victoria's mission -- I was hunting. I'm quite thirsty, and you smell simply mouthwatering."
"He'll know it was you." She whispered. "You won't get away with this."
"And why not?" His smile widened, gazing around the small opening in the trees. "The scent will wash away with the next rain. No one will find your body -- you'll simply go missing, like so many, many other humans. There's no reason for Edward to think of me, if he cares enough to investigate. This is nothing personal, let me assure you. Just thirst."
"Please." She gasped, it was almost enough to have Daphne step in early, but she had to time it just right -- had no choice really, the future was fickle and if she wanted to change it, she had to ensure nothing went wrong. That being said... what were the wolves waiting for? Visual confirmation? They were already here, already listening -- what more did they need to know the human was in trouble?
Laurent shook his head, his face kind. "Look at it this way, Bella. You're very lucky I was the one to find you."
"Am I?" She mouthed, stepping back again -- he followed.
"Yes." He assured. "I'll be very quick. You won't feel a thing, I promise. I'll lie to Victoria about that later, naturally, to placate her." Daphne isn't quite sure he would survive if he had to tell Victoria about Bella's death at his hands, he didn't seem to realize how deranged she had become without James..."But if you knew what she had planned for you, Bella..." He shook his head, slowly, disgust plain on his features. "I swear you'd be thanking me for this."
Bella stared at him in mute horror. She squeezed her eyes shut as Laurent prepared to lunge, whispering "Edward, I love you." -- but he stopped, pausing in his sharp inhale, his head whipping to the left. He began too slowly back away.
"I don't believe it..." He said, his voice low. A huge black shape eased out of the trees, quiet as a shadow, and stalked deliberately toward the vampire. It was enormous, as tall as horse but thicker, much more muscular. The Wolves lips pulled back over its teeth, revealing a line of dagger like incisors. A growl rolled out from between its' teeth, rumbling across the clearing like a prolonged crack of thunder. Two more mammoth wolves prowled silently into the meadow, flanking the first -- and behind them, two more. Forming a V, like geese flying south.
Laurent was backing away, staring at the creatures in pure, wide eyed, horror.
It was quiet like a standoff -- and this was the moment Daphne had been waiting for. She lifted both of her hands and flicked out her fingers -- freezing everything around her. The wolves, the vampire, the human, the leaves stopped flowing in the breeze, the flowing water from the creek not too far stopped, the birds scattering in the trees, froze in mid air -- Nothing was left but pure and complete silence.
Daphne took a moment to revel in it, to let herself feel some sort of relief that so far everything was going according to plan --- She still had much to do, she wasn't finished and there was still no guarantee what effect if any, saving Laurent would have on the future ... but it was a start. And so far, the only start she had.
She carefully stepped around the six-foot-tall wolves, feeling the heat of their bodies even as she kept her distance. They smelled like heat, fire, brimstone -- it tickled her throat and sent a pleasant warmth spreading along her skin. She stopped before the vampire, allowing herself a bit of a shiver at the feeling of the cold permeating from his skin, such vast difference from the heat she felt moments ago.
Like being in the presence of the heat miser and the snow miser -- polar opposites. She inhaled curiously, these vampires smelled like ice, like cold, like the gentle dusting of snow when fall is ending -- like waking up to a white Christmas. Was that what attracted the human so? She shook herself out of her curiosity, her ability to freeze time had a time limit. The longest she had ever gone was 20 minutes, but she knew her mother could freeze time for hours, maybe days -- her power would continue to grow the older she got.
She eyed the vampire, realizing a bit of a flaw in her plan; how to get a frozen vampire the hell out of here? He was, quite literally, a marble statue at the moment -- she could carry him, but it would be ridiculously awkward, and when he woke up, he would still be in fight or flight after seeing the wolves -- so that wasn't an option.
She pursed her lips, knowing that what she did next would likely not be appreciated. It was something they did at home with yeanlings -- a similar equivalent to "newborns". But it was always done with their permission and most often their insistence. It was another way their lives differed -- they never should have, but that's a conversation for a later time.
She places her hand on Laurent's head, her fingers sliding into his fine, silky black hair; closing her eyes as she feels the rush of power flowing through her and wrapping around him, when she opens her eyes again; she has to look down, brushing her hair out of her face when it falls forward.
Laurent was an infant; a baby, she didn't think it smart to give him the ability to walk if he was thirsty -- no need to drag the Volturi in early should she find herself responsible for a toddler Laurent slaughtering all of Forks. He would be an immortal child in their eyes, even if she could reverse it whenever she wanted.
She crouches down, wrapping him inside his own shirt -- she was glad she wouldn't need to worry about a diaper, she hadn't affected his adult mind, only his outward body. She was sure he'd be torn between gratitude, embarrassment, and likely, anger already; a diaper would only make it worse.
She lifted him into her arms, glancing around the meadow. Everything was still frozen, and would be for another 15 minutes, at least. She'd leave them, they'd live.
She adjusted the infant Laurent in her arms, running out of the meadow, gliding over the earth as if her feet barely touched it -- she subtly used another power to shift their scents, not only sending them in an entirely different direction but lessening their strength so they would appear hours or days old and not fresh.
Would this change anything? Would it restore the balance? Prevent everything that was meant to go wrong? Give Daphne a chance to return home?
Daphne hoped so ... but she remembered Henrick's words... The future was fickle and did not like to be changed. She tried to ignore that little voice in her mind; the one telling her that there was a truly simple way to stop everything -- to restore the balance, to prevent disaster. One that would be guaranteed to work, one that would perhaps bring disaster to the Cullen family, themselves -- emotionally and mentally, but would keep the rest of the supernatural world, safe.
Just kill the human.
It wasn't that she was against it, but perhaps it was pride stopping her from doing so -- she didn't want a simple solution! She wanted to prove she could do what her family did -- what her siblings did -- what her mother did... she wanted to prove she could use her powers and intellect to keep the balance safe.
Or maybe it was that niggling little doubt in her mind that said her mother and Henrick gave her this assignment because it would be easy ... because they knew it would be a simple fix and then they'd lavish her in praise, throw her a ball, have their people praise her name ...
But she wanted to earn it. She wanted to be praised because she deserved it. Was this an assignment? Meant to boost her ego and make her feel as if she earned her place? Or was it a test? Would her pride be the catalyst that began the downfall? Should she have just killed the human when she was in front of her?
Daphne truly didn't know... and her power didn't work like Alice's did -- she saw different pathways; sometimes 2 but in this case 3, she knew each and every decision in those 3 paths -- she knew what the end result of each was; but she could not see what would happen should she change decisions -- not unless the ending changed, completely erasing that path and creating a new one.
She entered through the unlocked front door, laying baby Laurent on the end of the couch and running her hand through her hair. She knew before she looked. The 3 pathways remained the same -- the future remained intact. All 3 futures still laid out before her eyes, each as horrifying as the last in different ways. Saving Laurent had changed nothing.