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Doctor Carlisle Cullen (doccullen) wrote in labyrinth_rpg,
@ 2009-04-09 16:17:00

Entry tags:

carlisle cullen, complete, day five, edward cullen, juniper golding

WHO: Carlisle, Edward and Juniper
WHEN: Day 5 around midnight
WHAT: Father-Son reunion
WHERE: B Dorm, just outside #218
RATING: PG/PG-13 at most
STATUS: Complete

Carlisle’s first day in this new land was spent trapped in a library, avoiding the sun. Now, while normally the learned man would have rejoiced at nothing to do with his time but read, he was not happy with the situation he found himself in. Because all he wanted to do, now that he’d learned that his lost son was in this place as well, was to find Edward.

Despite his panic and excitement, Carlisle was a smart man. He first went to the main offices of the dorms and requested Edward’s dorm and room number. When he didn’t find his son there, Carlisle made a quick run in the woods nearby, looking to see if Edward was out hunting. When that was fruitless as well, Carlisle had to do some thinking. He’d spent a great deal of his time in the library perusing the journal he’d been given, and Carlisle had a very good memory.

Edward had apparently found a friend in this place, a human girl that he cared a great deal for, given his protective comments toward her. Perhaps he was with this Juniper Golding. Carlisle didn’t bother attempting to get her room number from the goblins, as he’d had to provide proof of kinship to get Edward’s information, and even then, it had been a fight. So instead, he acted methodically, searching each floor of each dorm building for his son. Of course, he didn’t go knocking on doors, not wanting to bother anyone sleeping, but instead used a far more direct approach.

Walking down the second floor hallway of the B dorm, Carlisle did the same thing that he’d done a dozen times before. If this didn’t work, he didn’t know where he’d look next, but somehow, he couldn’t bring himself to use the journals.

Edward, where are you, son?

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edwcull
2009-04-09 06:24 pm UTC (link)

Edward had returned to Juniper's room after his interesting encounter with Jacob Black and had been more than happy to make himself comfortable with Juniper wrapped in his arms. Tonight he would not be leaving before sunrise. There wasn't a chance he would let the girl he loved be so abused a second time under his watch.

He had planned to stay the night exactly where he was, but when he heard a familiar 'voice' calling to him he all but fell off the bed in surprise. At first he thought that perhaps he was imagining things. That in his worry and grief over losing his family, his constant desire fore his father's company was making him hear things that were not there. He shook it off after a moment and arranged Juniper comfortably on the bed. He could leave her there a moment and so long as he stayed sentry outside the door she would be perfectly safe.

He stepped outside the room and shut the door carefully beind him so as not to wake the sleeping girl before looking around for the source of the mindvoice that had called him. "Carlisle?"

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doccullen
2009-04-09 06:29 pm UTC (link)

Carlisle had gone a few steps past the door that Edward had come out of by the time he heard his son's familiar step in the room beyond. If his heart could have beat, it would have stopped, right then, even before turning around.

"Edward..." he breathed, staring at his son for just a moment before taking the couple of steps to close the distance between father and son, and wrapped his arms around his first child, in every sense of the word.

"I was so worried," he cried, his voice shaking slightly, squeezing Edward tight before holding him at arm's length to get a good look at him. There have been smiles on this face... he thought, with a grin on his own.

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edwcull
2009-04-09 06:39 pm UTC (link)

Edward practically ran down the hall to meet his father and happily went into his arms. Carlisle was so much more than a father figure to him. He was his mentor, his best friend, his conscience and his hope that there was some purpose for their continued exsistance, hope that they weren't damned. He hugged him tightly before stepping away at the same moment, needing to see him to believe that he was really there.

Edward frowned at the tone in the other man's voice and looked somewhat guilty. Carlisle had been worried about him, clearly, and here Edward had been behaving as though things perhaps weren't as bad as all that simply because he had found Juniper. He owed his family much better than that. "I have missed you," he told him looking a bit embarrassed. "Did Alice understand the message that we sent? Did she pass it on? I wasn't sure she'd understand exactly what was happening."

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doccullen
2009-04-09 06:45 pm UTC (link)

"Of course she understood it. Whether or not the rest of us did..." he said with a slight laugh and a roll of his eyes. "All we needed to know was that you were safe, and that's what you got home to us, however you did it," he said with a shake of his head. "Of course that wasn't good enough for Esme, but when is anything but you within reach?" he asked, in far too good of a mood now to scold or anything else. Even if he felt so inclined, which he didn't.

"Stop looking like you've been caught with your hand in the cookie jar," he chuckled, putting Edward's face in his hands and looking at him closely. "You've been happy here, and really, that's all I've ever wanted for you. Come on," he smiled, heading toward the door that Edward had come out of. "You can tell me--" Then he heard the heart beating, and the steady breathing of someone sleeping. So that's the reason for the smiles... he thought, turning to look at Edward with his eyebrow raised.

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edwcull
2009-04-09 06:52 pm UTC (link)

Edward looked a bit sheepish and more than a little embarrassed. He'd never been swayed by a pretty face in over eighty years that he'd spent with Carlisle and now he'd caught him coming out of a woman's room at night. It was a little awkward. "It's all very proper. She . . . well I'll introduce you to Juniper in the morning. You can come in if you like, I doubt we'll wake her. She's very exhausted and she's given blood twice that I know of unwillingly to vampire. Not one of our kind."

That brought a more familiar frown to Edward's face. "Carlisle, this place is very strange. There are people here . . . so many of them seem to be characters from books or movies . . . I don't pretend to understand any of it, but there are others of our kind here who are so very different from us. More dangerous if that is even possible."

Carlisle had mentioned Esme earlier however and Edward's mind flickered back to her with an expression of pain. "Esme . . . she must be in a state. First my disappearance and now yours. She must be panicking by now." He looked at his father with true sympathy. "I'm so sorry."

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doccullen
2009-04-09 08:24 pm UTC (link)

Carlisle let him dance around the girl that clearly made Edward care enough to watch over her while she slept, and then frowned. "Not our kind..." he muttered, shaking his head. He thought to the legends, to the human answers for what they were, and recalled all of the literary and popular culture options for what Edward was speaking of. But it was ridiculous. They were stories, not fact.

"We'd better discuss this inside," he nodded, gesturing for Edward to lead the way. "Don't worry about Esme. We'll get a message to her the same way you did to us, and whenever we get home, we'll be on house arrest for the next decade, but she'll get over it," he promised, patting Edward on the shoulder.

Once they were inside, Carlisle's main concern was primarily for Juniper. He moved to the bed, quickly but silently, and looked down at the little redheaded human for a moment, brushing her hair aside to investigate the bites on her neck. Fangs? he thought, raising an eyebrow at Edward and shaking his head. I've never seen anything like this...What happened to her hand? he asked, and then froze when she shifted in her sleep, in response to his cool touch. A little smile played over her lips and she shifted again, rolling to her other side, her hand going out as if searching for someone that should have been there. Carlisle chuckled quietly and moved away, sitting in a nearby chair. Then he just watched his son, knowing that whatever Edward did would tell him a great deal more than asking.

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edwcull
2009-04-10 04:32 pm UTC (link)

"That's what I thought at first and while I might have said the same thing once, I've seen the evidence though I have yet to actually meet the fiend in question." There was a bit of a bite to Edward's tone as he responded to his father's train of thought. He nodded at the suggestion, however and lead the way inside trying not to think about the look of panicked relief that would cross Esme's face once they finally did return home.

Edward nodded in answer to the question. When he spoke it was quickly and in a tone so quiet it wouldn't wake the sleeping girl though Carlisle would have no problems picking out the words. "Yes, and what's more she tells me his name is Armand. As in Anne Rice? It's ridiculous I know but I've met others from other works of fiction as I've said and they were all very much real so I'm inclined to believe her especially after having seen the evidence." When he asked about her hand Edward made a face and then immediately went to Juniper's side when she started looking for him in her sleep. When he answered it was with a tone of guilt.

"I was supposed to be protecting her but I stepped out to hunt. I didn't realize she wouldn't be safe inside her own room. It was foolish and she was attacked and ended up hitting him." A wry smile crossed his face as he thought about the fact that she'd punched a vampire and he chuckled shaking his head. "She's difficult."

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doccullen
2009-04-10 05:40 pm UTC (link)

Carlisle caught the tone in his son's voice and sighed. Remember who you are, Edward, was his only advice. He didn't like the idea of Edward going up against this vampire for the sake of the girl, but he could also understand Edward's inclination to do so.

His eyebrow jumped up his forehead and he gave an almost silent chuckle. You couldn't possibly be serious-- he started, but from the look on Edward's face, he was nothing but. This whole place is ridiculous he thought with a shake of his head, but he didn't disbelieve his son. More the circumstances they found themselves in.

Carlisle propped his ankle up on his opposite knee and folded his hands in his lap, watching Edward and listening to the story. The girl had stilled the moment she'd found his hand, and Carlisle smiled. Clearly, whatever happened here had been good for the both of them, and that was not something he could argue against. The best ones are, he smiled, thinking of his own love.

Don't feel guilty, Edward. You didn't know, clearly, and if we're going by the mythological laws, she should have been safe in her room. There was no way for you to know, he reminded him. How did you find yourself caretaker of her in the first place? he asked, interested.

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edwcull
2009-04-11 12:19 pm UTC (link)

"Don't misunderstand me. I would prefer to keep things peaceful however from what I know of this vampire I doubt very much that will be possible. I have no desire to fight him but I will do what needs to be done to keep Juniper safe." Edward happened to like the peaceful existence that he had been fortunate enough to live until just recently and despite the strangeness of his new surroundings, he would like to return to his routine as soon as possible.

Edward chuckled at his father's reaction and offered him a small smile. "You don't have to tell me that. I spent the afternoon acquainting myself with Doctor Who," he laughed and shook his head. It was exciting and yet completely bafflingly ridiculous. Interesting though. Definitely interesting.

Hearing the answer and following his train of thought behind it, Edward rolled his eyes. "Esme's about as undifficult as they come. So long as she knows we're all safe and sound and happy she's practically skipping around the house and singing everyday." He laughed thinking of his mother and her typically cheery look at life.

He squirmed a bit at the next question. "I'm not even sure. It all happened very fast. I ran into her after leaving that ridiculous ball, which by the way you should be thankful you missed. She started off telling me what she knew about the place we're in and then ..." Edward looked a touch embarrassed and his eyes flicked down to Juniper guiltily. "And then I sort of attacked her I guess you could say."

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doccullen
2009-04-11 04:10 pm UTC (link)

"Doctor Who?" Carlisle replied, astonished enough to speak aloud, though they were trying to be quiet for Juniper's sake. Granted, he was still silent enough to human ears, but that was beside the point.

Carlisle smiled slightly at the thought of his wife and shook his head a little bit. All women are difficult in their own ways, Edward. Trust me, he internally chuckled. Of course, there were extremes in every case, and from the sound of it, Edward had found himself one of those instances.

Attacked her? he repeated, raising an eyebrow. He knew Edward well enough to know that he didn't mean in the violent sense, but he still felt the need to ask for a bit of clarification. He was curious at this life Edward had formed for himself, after all.

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edwcull
2009-04-11 04:40 pm UTC (link)

"Yes," Edward confirmed somewhat amused that Carlisle had been surprised enough to forget himself. "Doctor Who, complete with the TARDIS, Rose Tyler, and Jack Harkness and apparently Robin Hood and some people from Harry Potter are around somewhere as well. If it hadn't been happening to everyone else I'd think I'd lost my mind."

Edward rolled his eyes. "You have no idea." Difficult was really putting it lightly. Juniper made him feel guilty about feeling guilty about things he should feel horrible about. There was just an air about her that made him want to be happy all the time and it was completely against his nature. He was either in store for a complete attitude adjustment or a lot of bickering.

Edward looked a bit uncomfortable, but tried to think of a way to answer his father directly without being too blunt or too graphic about describing the all encompassing lust which had a tendency to override his self control when Juniper was involved. "Remember my reaction to the Swan girl? Who is here by the way. Of all the torturous things that could have happened if I was to be kidnapped why couldn't she at least have been left behind? Anyway, it was something like that only the urge I felt was less violent and more . . . a need to express . . . physical . . . affection . . . so to speak."

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doccullen
2009-04-11 04:44 pm UTC (link)

Carlisle just stared at him for a moment before deciding that he didn't need to continue to get into that conversation. After all, there was only so much he could take before he cracked, and it had been an odd day to begin with.

Ah, he nodded, looking at his son fondly. You are so lucky that Esme isn't here, he thought with an amused little smile. She'd been so worried about Edward, after all, and to find that he wasn't broken somehow was going to send her over the moon.

There's nothing wrong with that, son, he smiled. As long as you're careful, and of course, respectful to Juniper's wishes - not that I'd think you anything else - I don't see a problem with it. She makes you happy, clearly. Who am I to fault that?

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edwcull
2009-04-11 04:53 pm UTC (link)

Edward gave him a somewhat disparaging look. "I'm fully aware of Esme's concerns and they are of course ridiculous." He shook his head. Of course he had found various women attractive over the years but he'd never met a one of them he felt he could completely or even remotely bond with until now. He'd given up eventually but it wasn't as if he didn't feel the pangs of loneliness. He was just better at hiding his unhappiness than most because he knew that it hurt his mother and that was unforgivable.

"It's Juniper's wishes that are the problem. As much as I would like to believe that someday I might have the control to push our relationship farther I have enough difficulty just kissing her without bruising or breaking her. The thought of what I might do to her in a fit of passion terrifies me so badly I'm almost afraid to touch her at all. Not that any of that matters right now anyway. I've never been a man interested in casual lusts and even if she does strike a certain chord in me there's no reason to get carried away. I still hold the same principles I always have." And those principles would hopefully keep him from snapping any more of Juniper's bras or other clothing. He was a man after all, a rational thinking creature and not an animal or a savage.

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doccullen
2009-04-12 12:13 am UTC (link)

Carlisle was at war with himself. On the one hand, he wanted desperately to encourage Edward, to advise him to take the blessing he'd found in Juniper and run with it. He'd been alone for so long, and Carlisle hated to see his son lonely. But at the same time, how could he discourage caution? The pair were so different, and though Carlisle wanted to believe that anything was possible with the right amount of compassion and understanding, he didn't want to see Edward hurt if it went badly. Finally, he sighed and shook his head.

Keep your concerns in mind, I suppose, but don't deny yourself happiness either, if you've found it in this little girl, he thought, standing to move to his son's side, squeezing his shoulder and looking down at the sleeping human. I know it's soon, Edward, but I see such a change in you... he shook his head and rolled his eyes, internally laughing. What a time to wonder what Alice would say...

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edwcull
2009-04-12 09:19 am UTC (link)

Edward smiled reassuringly at the turmoil running through his father's mind. He understood Carlisle's desire to see him happy, and to see him embrace love as he had ignored it for over eighty years. He did have his concerns and doubts but whatever his feelings and worries he would try. He would do his best to embrace this strange, lovely girl who had found her way into his heart and all the things that she had to offer. That didn't mean he wouldn't choose caution first, but though their relationship might move so slowly as to frustrate Juniper to tears some day, Edward would stay with her until she told him to go away.

"I don't intend to father, for better or for worse I love her already and I would be lying if I said that the relief from the loneliness I've felt for years wasn't staggering. To be without her, I think would be incapacitating." He laughed silently at the thought of Alice who would be practically crawling all over the girl in his arms. "I'm a little afraid of what Alice's reaction might be, actually."

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doccullen
2009-04-12 09:31 am UTC (link)

At Edward's words, Carlisle's smile changed from encouraging to ecstatic. He loved her. And really, that was all that mattered. Carlisle had seen enough in his many years to know that beyond steel or stone or their very selves, love endured and fortified those that embraced it. He squeezed Edward's shoulder again and moved to brush a curl from Juniper's face. You love her, and that makes her family, he told Edward with a soft smile. Finally.

He joined in the quiet laughter and shook his head. She'd love her for your sake, I'm sure, he commented, not needing to see what Edward was thinking to have the same opinion. Alice would be on the girl like Velcro.

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juniper_golding
2009-04-12 09:48 am UTC (link)

Juniper slept next to Edward peacefully as the men spoke, not bothered in the slightest by their words, as her feeble human ears couldn't even hear them. Instead, she dreamed.

Stalks of grass undulated in the breeze, the blanket of green broken up prettily by bright splashes of colour, the same wildflowers that the little girl gathered in her hands. Her dress was plain and dim, recalling the early fifteenth century, and her hair, tucked under a modest cap, bore streaks of auburn in the sun. She stopped her play and froze, looking up to the sky and smiling. The flowers dropped at her feet and she raised her arms to the heavens, tears of joy running down her face...

A battlefield painted with blood. Soldiers dying all around, crying for their mothers and begging God for deliverance. A woman in white armour was at the head of the charge, bearing her banner and urging them all on, for God, and for France...

The church crucifix weaved slightly in her vision, the beginnings of what would be the funeral pyre splintering her skin. A voice very much her own, but somehow separate begged for her executioners to be forgiven, even as the smell of her own burning flesh filled the air. The faces of both the enemies and the friends of the Maid of Lorraine were blocked out by smoke...

Night now, the darkest point before dawn, and she walked into the arms of Death, his pale skin shining even in the moonless dark. His fangs glimmered with blood, even as the vampire prepared to take more. Despite Juniper's brave insistence that she was not afraid, her body began to shake. His fangs pierced her neck...

Juniper's eyes flashed open, and the first thing to become clear was Carlisle's face. She shot into a ball, covering her head, and screamed.

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edwcull
2009-04-12 11:30 am UTC (link)

Edward had been about to reply to Carlisle's thought about Alice when Juniper screamed. He had been completely caught up in the conversation, touched by his father's quick acceptance of the girl he loved as family and so he was surprised by her sudden waking and outburst of terror.

He caught Juniper up in his arms and pressed his cool lips to her temple. "Juniper, love I'm here. You're safe. You're safe with me." He spoke reassuringly and turned her in his arms so that she could see that he was there holding her and that she wasn't in any danger.

He was unsure if she'd woken because of a dream or if they had been louder than they realized and even more uncertain whether the root of her fear was a bad dream or waking to find a strange man leaning over her in her bed. In any case he rubbed her back and cradled her close to his chest so that she would feel safe and taken care of. You're alright, my love. I promise that you're not in any danger.

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doccullen
2009-04-12 12:03 pm UTC (link)

It was pretty hard to startle a vampire, but Juniper had managed to do it to not one, but two of them. Carlisle jumped back about a foot when she screamed, and then gave a fleeting glance to Edward before zipping into the bathroom and out of sight.

I'm just going to stay here until she calms down, he thought to his son, his tone laced with worry and guilt for scaring the poor girl.

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juniper_golding
2009-04-12 12:08 pm UTC (link)

Wrapped up in Edward's arms, Juniper both calmed down and finished waking up. Her eyes were closed and she took in a few deep breaths, listening to both his audible and silent comforts, and after a moment, her shaking stopped. "Just dreaming..." she breathed thankfully against his neck, where she was hiding her face for the time being. "It was Armand...thought..." she shook her head and let out a sigh.

Then Juniper blinked and sat up fully, looking around. "Wait a tick...Did I see your dad?" she asked, looking at Edward with a comically confused expression.

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edwcull
2009-04-12 12:26 pm UTC (link)

Edward chuckled at the sudden mood swing and nodded. "Yes, he just arrived. I invited him in so we could speak and I could still watch over you. I'm sorry if we woke you and even sorrier that you were frightened." He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her lips in comfort. "Carlisle stepped out for a moment, he's even sorrier than I am for scaring you, I think. Are you alright?"

He checked her over a bit and then decided she looked suitably calmed down. She changed moods so quickly he could barely keep up with them. "If you think you're ready I'll ask him back in and introduce you?"

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juniper_golding
2009-04-12 12:31 pm UTC (link)

"You didn't wake me," Juniper assured him, reaching up to cup his cheek as he kissed her, running her fingers along his face, thankful that he was there. "It was the dream, is all. I was fine...dreaming of things long past, but then..." she shook her head and sighed. "I don't like being so afraid of him, when all I want is to be brave."

Juniper bit her lip. This was hardly the way she'd expected to meet her love's father, but seeing as how she'd more than likely scared the piss out of him by screaming her head off, there wasn't a lot more she could do to ruin a first impression. So Juniper nodded and straightened her t-shirt before smoothing her curls as best as she could. "Doctor Cullen?" she called quietly, knowing that, like Edward, he'd be able to hear the smallest whisper.

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doccullen
2009-04-12 12:35 pm UTC (link)

When Juniper called his name, Carlisle came around the corner from the bathroom, his step measured, slow and careful, not wanting to startle her again. "Carlisle, please," he corrected with a small smile, keeping his distance, but smiling at her kindly.

"Are you alright?" he asked, concerned, monitoring her pulse by the sound of her beating heart, and his eyes searching her face for any further signs of stress brought about by his presence. He couldn't help but smile at how clearly comfortable she was around Edward, leaning against him easily, as if he were just as harmless as she was. It was a good thing.

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edwcull
2009-04-12 12:46 pm UTC (link)

Edward watched the two of them interact and wonder if an introduction was even necessary and if he'd seem impolite if he didn't bother. Deciding that he'd been raised better than that he cleared his throat and motioned between the two of them. "You've both met, but I suppose I may as well do this formally. Juniper, this is my father, Carlisle. Carlisle, this is my Juniper." He glanced back and forth between the two of them and shrugged. He wasn't really sure what to say next. He didn't bring people home often if ever and so introductions were not his strong point.

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juniper_golding
2009-04-12 12:50 pm UTC (link)

His Juniper. As independent and modern a woman as Juniper could be at times, she couldn't help but like that quite a bit. Being claimed by Edward was like nothing she'd ever experienced before, and it was wonderful. She pressed her cheek to his shoulder for a second, smiling softly, to show her appreciation for that.

"It's lovely to meet you, Carlisle," she smiled. "I feel as if I know you already," she nodded, and then waved off his worry. "I'm fine, thank you. And I'm sorry for screaming at you like that, I wasn't fully awake, and you startled me," she admitted with a little blush.

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doccullen
2009-04-12 12:56 pm UTC (link)

Carlisle nodded, amused by his son's awkwardness. "Nice to meet you as well, Juniper," he offered, and then with a little look at Edward, moved closer and sat at Juniper's other side. "If you'll just..." he said, reaching out a bit.

He was a doctor to the core, and that wasn't hard to see, so when Juniper moved her hair off of her shoulder, he checked her pulse with a cool touch to her throat, and then looked at the fang marks again, shaking his head. "I'm not surprised that I startled you, with what you've been through. You're a very brave young lady," he praised. Trouble to the core, but she's good for him, Carlisle thought with a little smile, checking on Edward's handiwork in splinting her fingers.

Then he looked at Juniper again and blinked when his eyes met hers. The same colour as Esme's... he thought with a shake of his head and a small look at Edward, which brought about another thought. You look like you've eaten a canary, son. No one's going to bite you, he teased amusedly.

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edwcull
2009-04-12 02:48 pm UTC (link)

Edward shot him a dirty look and rolled his eyes. "I'm fine Carlisle. It's not every day that I bring my girlfriend home to meet my family, and I don't think I ever once considered this exact scenario of introducing her in a parallel world where she woke up screaming in his face." His expression softened and he smiled at Juniper, trying to keep from laughing but being much too amused.

He relaxed a bit though and leaned back against the headboard. "So, so far it's been you, Bella Swan, Jacob Black, and myself from Forks to appear here. I'm not sure whether that's good or bad and if I should be hoping the others arrive or if they stay where they are. Although I'm sure Emmett would be having a field day here." He glanced up at Carlisle and smirked. "Come to think of it I'm sure you will too once you get outside."

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juniper_golding
2009-04-13 12:38 am UTC (link)

Once Carlisle was done poking at her, which really, he was quite good at, and she'd had her fair share of experience with doctors, Juniper shifted back to a prone position, laying her head on Edward's thigh and listening to the men talk. He got pinched, however ineffectively, when he teased her, but she kept quiet otherwise, given that she was still very tired.

Though, she did have a thought with regards to her head laying precariously close to his lap. Is this okay? she thought at Edward, her eyes flicking up to his for a brief second. She hadn't really thought about the fact that she was relatively all over him. After all, she'd grown up in a very physically affectionate household.

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doccullen
2009-04-13 12:53 am UTC (link)

Carlisle laughed and glanced at Juniper as she made herself comfortable, still astonished that she felt so safe around Edward, when most humans were subconsciously (at least) afraid of their kind. He sat in the chair next to the bed again and loosened his tie a bit, getting comfortable. Or at least, putting on the show he'd perfected over the years out of habit.

His eyebrows raised at the list. "Ephraim Black's great-grandson?" he asked in regards to Jacob, and then shook his head. "There are a great many reasons to not like this, Edward, but that boy is just a child. I'm worried about the repercussions when we get home," he admitted, speaking aloud for Juniper's benefit.

He was confused a bit by what Edward said about getting outside. "I was trapped in the library for most of the day today..." he offered, confused.

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edwcull
2009-04-13 09:10 am UTC (link)

Edward glanced down at Juniper with an affectionate smile at her question and moved his finger to her temple where he gently started making a circular massaging motion. You're absolutely fine, he told her silently, glad that his father didn't share his gift. It's not so much the touching that's the problem as when too much comes at me at once. Your scent, your warmth, your taste . . . but this is alright. Are you comfortable? I know I'm not very warm. We could move the pillow?

"I know what you mean. He seemed amiable enough. He doesn't seem to hold the same grudge against us as the rest of his people. He seems to think it's a lot of misguided superstition. He caught me in the sun though and took it well. He seemed more concerned for my health than anything." Edward sighed and knew his father wasn't going to like his casual behavior here, but Edward didn't see any way around it. "You may as well give up the masquerade while we're here. There are too many others here who aren't human. I've met an alien, goblins, there are other vampires who aren't bothering with subtlety . . . I think where we are it is better not to hide than to do so."

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juniper_golding
2009-04-13 09:17 am UTC (link)

Juniper's cheeks went a little pink at Edward's words, and she closed her eyes briefly as he started massaging her temple. I was thinking more along the lines of me having my head in your lap and your father not a meter away, but whatever... she teased with a little twitch of a smile at the corner of her mouth. I'm always too hot. You're perfect, she assured him, curling her arm around his knee and giving him a squeeze.

"So weird..." she muttered with regard to not needing to hide any more, as it worked out for herself as well as the vampires in the room. Then she remembered something and sat up. "I'll take you home," she offered, looking at Carlisle. "Get a message to your wife, so she knows you're alright."

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doccullen
2009-04-13 09:21 am UTC (link)

Carlisle frowned. "Well regardless, we should have a secrecy chat with him before we get home and he runs around telling everyone that we don't exactly blend in," he pointed out, not sure how in the loop Juniper was. "At least he's not like his father. That man's almost as bad as the elders we ran into," he chuckled, shaking his head.

Juniper's offer had Carlisle smiling sadly at her and reaching out to squeeze her hand gently. "There's nothing I'd like more, Juniper," he said warily. "But is it safe? Not for me, mind, as I can probably withstand just about anything...but for you?" he asked, already knowing from the look on her face that she was going to wave off any worries. So instead, he looked to Edward for the answer.

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edwcull
2009-04-13 09:40 am UTC (link)

Edward smiled. It doesn't bother him. I think Carlisle's just as happy as my mother to find that I am whole in my heart and capable of love. You're already family as far as he's concerned. There was a tone of contentment behind that thought and a feeling of warmth. Edward felt more or less complete as he sat here with Juniper so close and his father within arm's reach. He'd been so off kilter earlier, somewhat terrified because his rock was no longer there. Now that Carlisle was here though, Edward was much more calm, much more comfortable.

He laughed and shook his head. "He's a gossip and he has the police chief's ear. If I had slipped and hurt or killed the Swan girl he'd have sent her father straight to our door. Jacob seemed convinced that some kind of elaborate joke was being played on him and next to the goblins I imagine I looked rather common place." He laughed again and looked up at his father with mirth in his eyes. "He actually asked me if the goblins had experimented on me and that's why I looked the way I did." He sobered finally and nodded in agreement. "You're right however, we do need to speak with him. I'm not sure how much to tell him though, but forming a good relationship with him could mean good things for us in future."

He raised an eyebrow at her quick offer, which he'd expected and approved of but not necessarily so soon. "As much as I appreciate the offer, Juniper I think we should probably wait. You just took me home yesterday and you knocked yourself unconscious. I worry about the effect of having one of us in your mind. We're not simple humans, it could be permanently damaging."

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juniper_golding
2009-04-13 09:48 am UTC (link)

Juniper's happiness at that was so extreme that it was wordless, as she'd been so worried that whenever they did get out of this place, Edward's family wouldn't approve, despite what he'd said. So she just smiled at him. I want to kiss you right now, she admitted, letting out a little sigh.

"That's because I'd never been there before," Juniper pointed out. "But now that I know where I'm going, and how it works, it'll be a snap," she promised, waving off Edward's worries. "The more familiar I am with a place, the easier it is," she explained with a one-shouldered shrug and a little smile, feeling very self-confident. "And don't be a prat. Humans aren't simple, and you lot might think and understand a bit faster than most of them, but you're not any faster than me." She reached out and grabbed Carlisle's hand, centering herself, focusing on Alice being able to see her decision.

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doccullen
2009-04-13 09:53 am UTC (link)

"Well that's a valid excuse," Carlisle laughed, shaking his head at the Black boy's assumption. "You're right. Strengthening our relationship with the tribe could never hurt, though we might have to wait for Jacob to be one of the elders before we actually get anywhere with them," he said with a roll of his eyes. Some of those old men were far too stuck in their ways.

He listened to the argument between the pair and sighed when Juniper grabbed his hand. He wanted so desperately to let Esme - and the rest of his family - know that he was alright, but at the same time, he did worry for the girl, particularly after what Edward said. She was so resolute, he didn't know what to do. Even her pulse was slowing in the effort to center herself, almost as if she were asleep. She's going to do it anyway, isn't she? he asked his son, shaking his head.

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edwcull
2009-04-13 10:05 am UTC (link)

Oh ye of little faith, he teased her with a smile before slipping his hand into her hair. Edward hadn't had one single doubt that his family would love her if for no other reason than because he did.

"I'm not being arrogant, Juniper. Our minds are much more complex. You saw a glimpse of what our vision is like, our minds are much more vast and multifaceted than even that. We remember every moment of our eternity. You blacked out after having me in there and I've only been a vampire for eighty-odd years. Carlisle is much older than I. I don't want you hurting yourself." But she was already focused and determined and gathering her will and Edward groaned in frustration. If this went badly he was never letting her do anything again. That was that!

"Yes, she's going to do it anyway," Edward agreed grumbling. "I did mention she was difficult. She didn't even warn you." He sighed and shook his head. "This will be painful for her. Don't fight her or you could break her mind. You won't be able to speak to anyone even though you'll see them but she might be able to get a message across- Juniper I really think you should wait . . ."

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juniper_golding
2009-04-13 10:15 am UTC (link)

Juniper smiled but kept her eyes closed. "Blah blah blah," she muttered to Edward's worries, not paying him any mind. What else good was she if she couldn't even do this? As Edward answered his father's question, so did Juniper, at the exact same second. "Yes, I am. Can I have a bit of hush from you lot, please?" she asked pointedly. "It's less dangerous now, stop worrying," Juniper grumbled, reaching up with her free hand to put it over Edward's mouth for a second before letting go of him. Dangerous or not, she couldn't take both of them, after all.

"Think of home," she said quietly, and then she went.

Or at least, that had been the plan. The minute Juniper's mind moved, it hit a wall with such force that her fingers slipped from Carlisle's and her whole body went head over heels off the other side of the bed, landing in a crumpled little pile on the floor. She was barely breathing, very unconscious, and there were no thoughts running through her head at all.

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doccullen
2009-04-13 10:17 am UTC (link)

Carlisle's eyes bugged. "This is a really bad idea," he started to argue, but then Juniper answered his question that he'd not voiced and he blinked, momentarily distracted. "She can read my mind?" he asked his son, and in that split second of a topic change, Juniper took him home. Or rather, she tried.

He was around the side of the bed in an instant, checking her pulse and making sure nothing was broken. "Juniper! Juniper wake up..." he called, but she still didn't move. "Stubborn isn't the word for this one," he mumbled.

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edwcull
2009-04-13 10:39 am UTC (link)

Edward swore as he dove off the bed after her. "Less dangerous she says . . ." He growled and gently probed her mind, but there were no thoughts. "She's completely unconscious, Carlisle. Let's get her on the bed." As soon as he'd said it he had her in his arms and was transporting her. What on earth she'd been thinking - oh wait, he knew exactly what she'd been thinking and none of it was good. Or sane. At least in his opinion.

"Juniper, love . . ." of course his anger at her was fueled by worry which quickly took over. He placed a cool hand over her forehead as he tried to rouse her both physically and by experimentally poking at her mind - something he'd never tried before. "She's not responding, Carlisle . . ."

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doccullen
2009-04-13 10:43 am UTC (link)

Carlisle moved to sit on Juniper's other side after Edward had her settled on the bed, checking her over, instantly in doctor-mode. Physically, at least, she was alright, though he was going to watch her breathing carefully, as it was far more shallow than he'd like. "She should be in hospital," he grumbled, shaking his head. And from the look around he'd had earlier, there clearly wasn't one.

When Edward couldn't get at her at all, Carlisle frowned. "What happened?" he asked, assuming his son had been watching at least, with his own ability.

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edwcull
2009-04-13 10:52 am UTC (link)

Edward raised his hands, too worried to form words just yet as he was still trying to figure out what exactly he'd 'seen'. "It was like . . . like she hit a wall. Like if you can imagine one of us running at full speed into a wall that couldn't break . . . only she was doing it with her mind." There was more than a casual note of panic in his voice as he looked her over wondering what they could possibly do. They had no hospital facility here, at least not one that he had seen, and he wasn't even certain that if there had been it would have been able to help.

"Even if we had an MRI machine or a CAT scan how do we know the damage isn't more . . . psychic rather than physical? I don't know how to help her . . ." he looked up at Carlisle somewhat desperately. I've just found her, please . . . just let her be okay.

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doccullen
2009-04-13 10:58 am UTC (link)

Carlisle winced. That sounded more than painful for anyone, but to do it with something as fragile as the brain, he didn't know what was going to happen to this girl. For a moment, all he could feel was guilt, as she'd been doing it for him in the first place, and then he reminded himself that guilt wasn't a productive emotion. And if just for Edward's sake, he had to be proactive.

Pulling a little flashlight out of the pocket of his coat, Carlisle gently lifted each of Juniper's eyelids in turn and checked her pupils. They were reactive, at least, so that was a good thing. "Just let her brain heal itself," he said with a little shake of his head, reaching across the girl to squeeze Edward's shoulder.

"Aside from her losing consciousness last time, it worked right? There was no obstruction for you both to get around?" he asked, trying to figure out what had happened. The more he knew, the more likely it would be that he'd be able to help her.

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edwcull
2009-04-13 11:05 am UTC (link)

Edward reached out a hand to his father's shoulder, squeezing it firmly at the first sign of self-blame. He didn't want Carlisle feeling guilty over this, regardless of what happened. Juniper had run full tilt into this on her own against their reservations, warnings and concerns. She was a stubborn human girl and Carlisle had been just as concerned about the process as Edward had been. He wasn't at fault.

Edward nodded at his questions. "So we wait," he looked down at Juniper fretfully. He hated waiting, waiting and not knowing. Who knew if her brain would heal itself, or if perhaps her condition would worsen? Still, panicking wouldn't do anyone any good. The best he could do was trust in Carlisle's judgement and hope for the best. The man had never steered him wrong before.

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