Years in Volterra.
For the first year living in Italy, Carlisle only leaves the east library to feed.
"How have you not read the entire library yet, Carlisle?" Aro chuckles, all but whispering in the wide hall. "Come with me for a walk, won't you?"
Carlisle had only visited a small portion of the Volturi's holdings in the city during his time thus far. Aro's walk takes them nearly the entire circumference of Volterra, wearing heavy ornate cloaks the rare instances they pass outside of the intricate tunnel system underneath the feet of unsuspecting humans.
"You study human physiology and medicine," Aro starts, all factual and careful with Carlisle even when Carlisle has already stiffened against Aro's words in anxiety, "yet you interest yourself not with the study of your own kind. Why is this?"
"I...suppose, that it is because of what we can be." Carlisle stops himself there; so does Aro, appearing confused. "I understand what we can be and of what we are innately capable, Aro. What I would like to establish is...how much more we could be. Does that make sense?"
Aro returns a diffident smile to the explanation. It is enough to soothe Carlisle's nerves about his commentary until they reach the east gate to return to Carlisle's library haven. There are other robes in Carlisle's field of vision then...and humans. Following the servants into the tunnels silently.
Aro pays no mind, but Carlisle knows that Aro sees his attention as being over Aro's shoulder and not on Aro's words.
"You say you know of what you are capable, Carlisle, but you have yet to ever experience it. Our life is not theoretical."
A little petulantly Carlisle retorts, "Neither are theirs."
Carlisle goes back to his library.
Carlisle is refused access to the west library unless he starts appearing in court. He takes advantage of our hospitality without paying due respect to our traditions, Marcus commented acerbically once. Aro looked apologetic about it, but agreed with the determination.
Which is what leads Carlisle to stand to the right of the dais in the main hall in the ruby-red cloak required of him for official events. Carlisle is the only one to appear shocked at the shackled vampire dragged into the chambers by his hair and sent sprawling to his knees in front of Marcus, Caius and Aro.
Please, I didn't do anything wrong; S'il vous plait, j'ai pas fait rien de rien; Per favore, non faccio --
One of the guards that dragged in the prisoner bashes him in the head with a staff and the mental pleading stops. Carlisle is still processing the broadcast -- a talent he had only read about previously -- when two guards start tearing the prisoner limb from limb.
Carlisle can't watch, but he can't leave either.
"How have you not read the entire library yet, Carlisle?" Aro chuckles, all but whispering in the wide hall. "Come with me for a walk, won't you?"
Carlisle had only visited a small portion of the Volturi's holdings in the city during his time thus far. Aro's walk takes them nearly the entire circumference of Volterra, wearing heavy ornate cloaks the rare instances they pass outside of the intricate tunnel system underneath the feet of unsuspecting humans.
"You study human physiology and medicine," Aro starts, all factual and careful with Carlisle even when Carlisle has already stiffened against Aro's words in anxiety, "yet you interest yourself not with the study of your own kind. Why is this?"
"I...suppose, that it is because of what we can be." Carlisle stops himself there; so does Aro, appearing confused. "I understand what we can be and of what we are innately capable, Aro. What I would like to establish is...how much more we could be. Does that make sense?"
Aro returns a diffident smile to the explanation. It is enough to soothe Carlisle's nerves about his commentary until they reach the east gate to return to Carlisle's library haven. There are other robes in Carlisle's field of vision then...and humans. Following the servants into the tunnels silently.
Aro pays no mind, but Carlisle knows that Aro sees his attention as being over Aro's shoulder and not on Aro's words.
"You say you know of what you are capable, Carlisle, but you have yet to ever experience it. Our life is not theoretical."
A little petulantly Carlisle retorts, "Neither are theirs."
Carlisle goes back to his library.
Carlisle is refused access to the west library unless he starts appearing in court. He takes advantage of our hospitality without paying due respect to our traditions, Marcus commented acerbically once. Aro looked apologetic about it, but agreed with the determination.
Which is what leads Carlisle to stand to the right of the dais in the main hall in the ruby-red cloak required of him for official events. Carlisle is the only one to appear shocked at the shackled vampire dragged into the chambers by his hair and sent sprawling to his knees in front of Marcus, Caius and Aro.
Please, I didn't do anything wrong; S'il vous plait, j'ai pas fait rien de rien; Per favore, non faccio --
One of the guards that dragged in the prisoner bashes him in the head with a staff and the mental pleading stops. Carlisle is still processing the broadcast -- a talent he had only read about previously -- when two guards start tearing the prisoner limb from limb.
Carlisle can't watch, but he can't leave either.