we'll show you how to die [carlisle]

[VLADIMIR DACIA]

They hadn't set out at first word, despite the itch Stefan had felt to leave their then-current place of residence. Not that it could really have been called a residence, as they had been relaxing at the top of one of California's giant redwood trees at the time, absently wondering how said trees would look if festively decorated with various Volturi body parts, but still. No. Rather, at first word, they had looked at each other with raised eyebrows only minutes before twin laughter had escaped their throats, filled with mockery.

Even now the thought of Aro trying to throw another of his little balls was enough to make Stefan's mouth curl into the ghost of a smile, his mind temporarily wandering to how funny it would be if the ball turned ugly and the Cullens decided to go on some sort of rampage. But the thought didn't last long, and soon Stefan was back to paying attention.

They couldn't afford to not pay attention, after all. There were little unpleasantries like death that tended to follow when they didn't stay focused.

Besides, Stefan knew that the Cullens would never do that. They were too disgustingly pacifist to even consider the idea of raising a hand against anyone, and that was only proven by the glowing amber of their eyes. Stefan didn't see the appeal. He much preferred the familiar dark burgundy of Vladimir's, speaking of a "carnivorous" lifestyle. Maybe the gold was pretty, but gold always lost its sheen eventually. Stefan had always preferred red and silver; had always preferred the colour of fresh blood as it tumbled from the silver goblet in Vladimir's pale hand, staining the dark stone as the twelve of them laughed at the sight, no cares in the world.

"Stefan."

Stefan inclined his head, his mind shifting quickly and smoothly from the memory to focus on Vladimir, who was staring at him with an expression that would normally be unreadable to others, but which Stefan had no problem deciphering.

"Apologies," Stefan said without missing a beat, noticing that they had stopped, a gentle breeze blowing through the forestry that surrounded Forks, Washington. His mind protested at the thought of coming back here, so soon after they had revealed themselves to the Volturi, but he could not deny that they had things to do. Forks had always had good hunting, as well, and Stefan was never one to pass up a free meal. He liked the scent of blood--human or animal--mingling with the fresh scents of the forest. The combination was simply intoxicating.

"It appears the good doctor is in," Vladimir said simply, his eyes sparking with delight at the thought of paying their dear old friend another visit.

"Two in less than one-hundred years. Carlisle might think we've grown fond of him."

"Shame," Vladimir replied, though there was an undercurrent to the words; an edge to the airy, condescending tone that was Vladimir's constant companion--besides Stefan himself--in all their years of running and hiding, fallen from their golden pedestal above the world.

Without word the two began to move forward, their eyes focused on their target as they started running again, their cloaks swirling around them but never interfering in their movements. Trees passed them by in a blur, and twin smirks appeared on their faces, hair whipping at the speed before then jumped down a steep embarkment and landed with a final thud on the ground across from the quaint little Cullen home they had only seen once before.

"Perhaps we should knock?" Vladimir mused as Stefan snorted, shaking his head as he sped forward to stand on the deck of Carlisle's house, his face looking completely unimpressed as he surveyed the overly peaceful area. It left such a little impact; vampires like Carlisle should be living in more conspicuous dwellings without having to worry about hiding themselves from the weak, pathetic humans.

Only a second later Vladimir joined him, sending him a look lined with the kind of complacent fondness Stefan had always known him for.

"There if no need to knock," Stefan said with a chuckle, "when Carlisle will already know we have arrived."

Vladimir looked briefly wistful, though there was a cruel edge to it. "How awful. Well, I suppose I can stand to wait for a second more."

After all, it wasn't like three seconds was worth anything in the span of a thousand years.

[carlisle cullen]

Carlisle had taken the afternoon of work today, it had been a rather slow day in the hospital thankfully there had not been many too serious injuries the worse he had seen today had to have been a broken wrist that was quickly remedied. When he had returned the house had been empty, he knew Esme and Rosalie where going shopping in Seattle it was possible Alice had joined them, since he knew Emmett and Jasper were out hunting. It was actually quite nice to have the entire house to himself for once, he changed out of his uniform and found his book, this one was brand new an update copy about Modern Medicine, it always fascinated Carlisle how the world had evolved over the years that he had been alive. He was one of the few people that could remember back to when computers did not even exist they were just a hazy idea in the back of someone's mind, however it did make him laugh that with all this new technology they could not spot what was in front for their eyes the supernatural as they called it.

Carlisle was into a very interesting chapter about the development of homeopathic medicine, when he caught a scent in the air. Closing the book and standing up he moved silently through the house identifying the scent it was defiantly a vampire and as they moved closer a small smile crept on to his face. Romanians Vladimir and Stefan most likely, this made Carlisle curious as to why they were around, the last time they had met the two of them and arrived on his doorstep looking for a fight with the Volturi. He understood the previous history they held with the Volturi, in his time with the group they had spoke constantly about their anger at the Romanians. Their presence here interest him, as he moved across to the front door he was surprised to see the two of them discussing on the doorstep, pulling the door open he considered the two of them.

"Vladimir, Stefan what a surprise seeing you again so soon" Twice in less then a century this was most certainly something, the Romanians were known for being an independent and secluded group, but it pleased Carlisle to see them again he had actually enjoyed their company the last time. Stepping back so that they could enter the house he "What brings the two of you to Froks then?" Closing the door behind him he moved through the house back into the living room as he spoke hoping they would follow he did not really want to stand around in the entrance hall, moving his book out of the way he took a seat on the grey sofa gesturing for them to sit in the one opposite.

[STEFAN ANTONESCU]

They sensed Carlisle before they saw him, and the fact that they could detect no others on the property was enough to bring a triumphant smirk to Stefan's face, something he shared with Vladimir before their attention was drawn to the physical arrival of the blonde vampire on the other side of the glass.

Everything about Carlisle served to amuse Stefan in some little way, though there was always a little niggling sense of respect for the well-spoken, gentlemanly vampire, even if the thought of subsiding on mere animal blood was enough to make Stefan's stomach curl in revulsion. After all, Carlisle had stood up to the Volturi more than once and managed to walk away completely unscathed. Even before the Cullens' very public stand against the Volturi, their defiance reeking of the scent that he and Vladimir had been waiting centuries for--the scent of the Volturi's influence finally beginning to wan in the views of the other covens--Carlisle had walked away from the Volturi.

It was interesting to think of this Carlisle now and compare him with the one Stefan and Vladimir had run into for the first time all those centuries ago.

Sensing the curiosity in Carlisle's gaze, Stefan smirked, inclining his head lightly to Vladimir, trusting his companion to speak for the both of them.

"Ah, yes. I'm sure you missed us dearly," Vladimir said, leaning his head back a little, his eyes flickering to hold Stefan's for a moment before snapping back to Carlisle's calm, collected figure. With none of the little distractions of the glass obscuring their vision, they could see him much easier, and though Carlisle was polite as always there was no mistaking the little flicker of confusion this time, though he didn't look off-put by their presence. Stefan chuckled. Sometimes it was good to know that there were some out there still willing to speak with them if need be.

It was such a shame that they couldn't have been there on a pleasure visit.

Taking the first step into the Cullen household, Vladimir a mere few centimetres behind, Stefan glanced around the little establishment. He was surprised that the Cullens had stayed around here, as the Volturi weren't overly fond of vampires staying in one fixed locations, but the idea that the Volturi wouldn't raise a hand against the Cullens for fear of the other covens mobilising against them was enough to bring the earlier smirk back to his face as Vladimir fixed their old acquaintance with a thin smile.

"You, Carlisle," Vladimir said. "We have heard of a most interesting Volturi development."

"Yes. It seems the fool, Aro, is trying to throw another ball," Stefan continued, "and we hear that you are bringing your family."

"Are we wrong?" Vladimir finished, raising an eyebrow.

[carlisle cullen]

As the two of them entered Carlisle continued to consider them, the two of them had not changed at all since when he met them centuries ago, but then again interns of physical appearance neither had he, but he had grown and changed in his personality this he knew these two however reminded him of the same vampires he had once met. It did no surprise Carlisle in the slightest that they had come to talk about the Volturi they were determined it get revenge for the death of their coven in the battles against the Volturi and Carlisle would not judge them based on this, he just wish they knew that it would not give them the satisfaction the thought it would, this he was sure.

The two of them spoke finishing each others sentences a trick that always impressed Carlisle it was as if they had some sort of psychic link so they knew what the other was going to say. The topic of the ball seemed to be on everyone's lips at the moment the idea of going had spread through his family like wild fire creating a rift as it went which only grew as more information about the event emerged. "Yes we recieved the invitation, And well at the moment it seems we are going, in an attempt to keep the peace between us but I don't think it is going to end up that way" A smile crept back on to his face it was true at this rate Rosalie would be storming the place intent on causing trouble and he only hoped Emmett did not follow her actions,

"Will the two of you be attending or did your invitation get .. Lost in the mail" This was Carlisle delicately asking whether Aro had invited them or not, it would not surprise him if they had not been invited there was an ancient grudge between the two of them and just their presence in a room could start a fight with the Volturi, which he had to admit would make the ball more interesting, but may not be the desired effect of the Volturi "There are a lot of questions surrounding this ball though, with everything we of all people have done I'm surprised he invited us unless its for other reasons" Carlisle could not help but nodded I Aro was luring them in like a trap he knew that his old friend was still desperate for the powers of several vampires this could just be a way of drawing the fight to him and putting it on his terms, as it would be easy for them to try recruiting them in Volterra then anywhere else. He looked up at the two of them his gaze flickering between them "So what is your opinion on this ball then?" Carlisle asked curious for their response, if the Romanians had been invited then he knew this was slightly suspicious and they would have to be on guard more than they had originally hoped, maybe he could convince the to of them not to try and start a fight during the party, but he doubted it.

[STEFAN ANTONESCU]

The laughter that escaped the two Romanians at Carlisle's question was quick, but the mockery present in the tone was countered somewhat by the same condescending fondness they let leak into it. They could never truly be fond, not without that mocking edge, but Carlisle was a smart vampire. Somehow they knew he'd get it.

"Oh, no, we received one," Vladimir said dryly, smirking over at Stefan, who chuckled again.

"Along with the personally handwritten note asking that we do not slaughter any of their guard, of course," Stefan added, a complacent smile creeping across his face at the thought of Aro letting them just waltz onto Volturi property, making their happy, murderous way through the castle. "Even added a little 'please' to the end of it. Very polite."

They chuckled, the sound again simultaneous, their voices so similar that even most vampires had trouble telling them apart.

"But really, Carlisle, need you even ask? Aro is not quite so foolish as to invite us. And we would not attend either way," Vladimir said, and though his tone was still coloured with mirth there was a serious note in it. Carefully, Stefan glanced around the Cullen household, his eyes looking for anything out of place. Logically, he knew they were safer in Carlisle's house than they were most everywhere else, but it was a habit that kept them alive.

Even so, Stefan could not help but remember the brief time they had spent with the Cullens those few decades ago, when he and Vladimir had, for the first time in a thousand years, been able to let their guard down more than ever before. They had been safe in the midst of all those stranger vampires, with their powerful gifts, the lot of them sitting around the fire in the dark and laughing as the fire played across everyone's face, illuminating some and hiding others.

A brush of cool skin against the outside of his hand brought Stefan's attention back to Carlisle once more, Vladimir's small action hidden from the vegetarian vampire by the cloaks they wore. Small, but undoubtably effective.

"We are here because of those questions, Carlisle," Stefan said then. "Aro is tricky. We do not doubt that he will use this opportunity to try and recruit more members to swell his disgusting numbers."

"And he will be among friends," Vladimir continued smoothly, not missing a beat. "Many friends."

It wasn't phrased as a warning. There was no, "We worry for you, Carlisle," added into their speech; no "we came here to warn you." But the meaning was clear all the same, further emphasised by the serious glints in twin sets of dark burgundy eyes.

"Not everyone who walks into Volterra walks out alive, Carlisle," Vladimir said, and though his voice was absent, almost airy, as if he couldn't care less whether Carlisle met his end at the hands of the Italian scum, Stefan knew his companion enough to detect the steel edge; the very real fear that the Cullens would not come out alive. Carlisle himself wouldn't be able to hear it, of course--only Stefan knew Vladimir enough to pick up on little nuances like that, and vice-verse--but it was there all the same. And when Stefan spoke next, he knew that Vladimir would be able to hear it in his own voice, too.

"It would be a shame of your own head ended up as a turret decoration, don't you think?"

[carlisle cullen]

Carlisle smiled at Stefan and Vladimir's jokes about the invitation, he is glad that they take it all light heatedly but then again they are use to it since this grudge had been going on for hundreds of years, he pitied the two of them knowing they had been through a lot, but he did not let his concern show. At the mention of a handwritten note asking them not to murder the cards he chuckled along with the two of the Romanians, he got on with the two of them so well despite his friendship with members of the Volturi it was easy to talk to the two of them with all the bad things he had been told over the years about the two Romanians by the Volturi he had not been surprised to find them all incorrect.

Though seriousness quickly retuned to the room at the mention of his questions, he nodded as the spoke about Aro using the ball as an excuse for recruitment this had been weigh down Carlisle's mind, the last thing he wanted to do was walk straight into a trap and lead his family in. Despite their friendship Aro was desperate for Alice, Edward and Bella for their abilities, he could not afford to loose them they were apart of his family and he did not want to condemn them to a life in the Volturi due to something he had done. There talk of how people entered the Volturi and never returned was slightly exaggerated but also true this he knew people did enter and never come out again usually because they had done something to anger the Volturi or break some rule and he had broken several of them. The joke about his head being placed on a spike made him smile, also uncomfortable but he did not let that show Carlisle liked to think that Aro would not behead him and place it on a spike he hoped their old friendship meant more to him, but then again Carlisle had also thought this would keep him from going near his family and he had been mistaken.

"Yes I would prefer not to be beheaded, but I am stuck between a rock and a heard place you see. Aro expects me to attend as we are old friends you see and as if to guarantee our presence he has asked Jasper to help of with the guard for the evening. I understand your concern and I feel it the same, but I don't know what I can do? I understand the risks of attending and not attending, but it is difficult to choose a side" Carlisle was actually glad about their arrival he wanted someone other than Esme to talk about this and give him an opinion on what he could do.

[VLADIMIR DACIA]

Stefan's eyes sought out his companion as Carlisle spoke, carefully regarding his friend with an expression of faint amusement in his eyes as he caught the flickering transitions of Vladimir's facial expressions. While the condescending mask stayed the same, there was a slight narrowness to his eyes that hadn't been there before, and even Stefan's own weren't open as wide as they had been upon entry.

One of the first things they had come to regret was their own tendency to greatly underestimate Aro. Not the Volturi themselves, for they would be mindless puppets without Aro to guide them, but Aro himself. The others leaders weren't even worthy of Stefan's contempt: Marcus was a husk, little more than a shell of a vampire, alive but not living, while Caius was so volatile and blinded by his hate that he would be little more than child's play in a real battle. Stefan smirked at the thought. Caius' insane hatred of was one of the most amusing things, and he would have oh so much fun exploiting that one day, when their revenge finally came to sweet, sweet fruition.

"Ah, yes, old friends," Stefan teased upon hearing that part. He debated blinking pointedly at the blonde vegetarian vampire, but the idea of blinking was so revoltingly human that he decided against it. Instead, he merely tilted his head back a little, mouth opening in a soundless chuckle before he closed it, lips pursing together in a smile not unlike the one a mother would give a particular dense child.

"And why you insist on maintaining such low connections confuses us to this day," Vladimir continued, not bothering to mask the disapproval and disgust that appeared on his face.

Stefan chuckled. "Their heads would look better adorning the wall of my castle than they do attached to their pitiful bodies. See how powdery their skin is? I wonder how many pillows they've worn through."

There was no mocking laughter following this, but small smiles flickered across both their faces before Vladimir continued, "Your shield." He was utterly impartial to the existence of Bella Swan--she was useful, but boring as far as excitement went, and so therefore had no relevance in the opinions of both vampires--and it showed in the dispassionate way in which he mentioned her. "Make her use her gift always."

"How is it difficult to choose a side?" Stefan said then, and he saw the brief flash of surprise in Vladimir's eyes at the way he suddenly changed the topic. He reached out, clandestinely, to flick Vladimir on the finger, and the ashy-haired ancient frowned, but said nothing. "You choose between always having to look over your shoulder and freedom, Carlisle. You know Aro will never leave your family alone now. You are a threat. He plays with friendship now because he knows you are sentimental."

"A fool's emotion, really," Vladimir chimed in with a roll of his eyes, having caught on to where Stefan was going.

"It is only a matter of time before he decides that you are too much of a threat to live," Stefan finished. Vladimir rolled his shoulders in an exaggerated fashion, feigning indifference, before he picked up the conversation again.

"We would be so disappointed if we could not surprise you with a visit every few centuries."

"At one point or another, you will have to fight him again--"

"--and it will be to the death." Vladimir's words rang with a note of finality, and both Romanians moved closer to Carlisle after that, sharing sadistic twin smiles. "You may count on our aid at that time, of course, but the sooner you get over these silly notions of friendship with the Volturi, the better."

"You have passed the point of no return, Carlisle."

[carlisle cullen]

Bella's shield was something Carlisle had not thought about, she was going to be one of their most important assets that and Edward's as well Edward would be able to see if Aro was planning anything through out the night and Bella could defend them all against Chelsea's power. That would be of great importance should anything happen, Carlisle liked to think that nothing would happen, but as the two Romanian vampires continued to talk he could not help but agree with them, maybe it was his sentimentality that was his downfall, Aro knew how to play him due to their friendship and maybe they were right. Aro would not just suddenly loose interest in their family and the abilities they had, there would be a time when he came for them again Carlisle knew of his desperation for Alice's power in particular, but with Bella and Edward's ability being just as individual he had quite an interest in them.

He looked up at the other two about the mention of fighting together, these two had always favoured the side of violence, but in this particular incidence Carlisle had to say what they thought was believable, Aro had done terrible things to his family he had tried to tear them apart and tried to kill them all. These were not actions of a friend, the twins were right about that "Though I hope a time comes where we do not need to fight them, I am glad to have your aid if that time should come" If Aro still wanted to rely on him as a friend then he would have to prove it to him because these Romanians were correct, the decisions of his coven had put them past the point of no return, they had made a quite public humiliation of the Volturi's abilities and Carlisle knew they had not paid the full price for that yet. "I believe you are right, it will be hard to no longer consider Aro a friend, but thinking over what he has done it is the right course of action"

Carlisle had not really considered his coven a threat to the Volturi, but now that Stefan and Vladimir pointed it out he could see their perspective the way that they had managed to draw together such powerful vampires in a short space of time to stand with them, Alice's prediction that turned them away, Bella's shield that rendered most of their abilities useless, he would have to be cautious at this ball more so than he had originally thought he would. "I guess life would be boring if we were not such troublemakers" He joked, it was odd being on the wrong side of the Volturi out of everyone he was usually the boring one to stay on the right side of the law, but it was different being on the other side for once or at least for him it was.

[STEFAN ANTONESCU]

There was an eagerness to be seen in the features of both vampires then, the same kind they had displayed when they had stood on the opposing side of the snowing clearing those five decades ago. It was visible in the slight upturn of Vladimir's mouth, in the way Stefan's eyebrows rose slightly, and in the way their bodies shifted, curving more towards Carlisle with every word he spoke, moving as if they were one single, thinking entity. Of course, these actions were entirely purposeful, as the Romanians were nothing if not in control, but it was a far cry from their usual stance.

Yes, the two of them were pleased, and they weren't even bothering to hide it.

But then again, Stefan thought absently, there was so little to be truly pleased about that it never hurt to show it once in awhile. Of course, it was never without the condescending edge, gained during their omnipresent and all-powerful reign, but he and Vladimir weren't here to make friends. Making friends was for kind-hearted people like Carlisle, and other weaklings. Normally Carlisle himself would be counted among their numbers, but the blonde vampire had proven--to the Romanians, at least--that he was far from weak.

"Of course it is right," Vladimir said volubly, inclining his head slightly as his burgundy eyes glinting with pleasure. Stefan knew at a glance that he was thinking about that day in the clearing as well, when Vladimir had broken his facade, if only for a moment, begging Carlisle to let them just rip the Volturi apart; begging the vegetarian vampire to allow them the vengeance they had been searching for those past fifteen hundred years. Of course, they had been denied, and they consoled themselves with the fact that the Volturi had indeed turned tail and fled like the cowards they were, but thoughts of how close they had been had made the next few days spent running silent ones indeed.

"We have lived too long for boredom," Stefan mused, casting a look over at his companion. "Or perhaps that is just fifteen hundred years of running talking."

"It concerns me, Carlisle, that you had considered Aro a friend up until now," Vladimir added, building off of what Stefan had started, as they always did. "Even when you know how they are."

"You cannot make friends out of everyone," Stefan continued. "Especially not with the Volturi, who sit up in their castle with their white hats, pretending to the whole vampire world that they are good and just and want only the best."

"At least, when we ruled, we were honest with what we were; with what we did; with what we stood for. We were on top of the world, Carlisle. Such was our power," Vladimir said emphatically, partially echoing the words that he had spoken over the small campfire those fifty years ago, to the enraptured and somewhat stunned faces of the other assembled vampires.

"We are older than the Volturi," Stefan stated. "But I suppose we have to thank them for not letting us sit there and petrify like they have. Our skin powders, but not like theirs. Our eyes, too, are clear, without the glassy film present in the eyes of rulers who do nothing but sit there and lie to their people." The smile that spread across his face was off-putting, with no small amounts of menace. "So we beseech you, old friend, to not wander far from your companions."

"Keep your shield working at all times."

"Do not turn your back on the Italian scum. Because the moment you do, they will pounce like cowardly lions."

Vladimir's smile came next, just as disconcerting as Stefan's, though there was a tinge of something Stefan recognised as sadness there, though he knew Carlisle wouldn't know Vladimir well enough to see it for what it was.

"They already burned our castles, Carlisle," the ashy-haired vampire spoke, fixing his eyes intensely on Carlisle's, red against amber. "Do not let them burn yours as well."

[carlisle cullen]

There was an obvious sense of pleasure on the look of the Romanian's as Carlisle spoke about rethinking his friendship with Aro he could see the look on their faces and he had to admit it was peculiar seeing them pleased about something. Still they were right Aro had come to the Cullens looking for a fight a reason to kill and make of with the most powerful, someone like that deserved no friendship from him and Aro would have to work extremely hard to get back the friendship they had once had. "I considered Aro a friend due to our history I guess it takes another persons perspective to see the truth about someone sometimes" He answered to their questions and concerns about how long it had taken for him to view Aro as an enemy, but Carlisle had always considered his friend to be a threat ever since his interest in Edward an Alice's ability unlike the Romanian's he had spent time in the Volturi Coven he knew how Aro acted, how he responded to situations Carlisle knew him better than most people. They continued on to talk about the flaws in the Volturi ones that Carlisle knew where there it was possible one day the Volturi would overstep their authority and try to make slaves of them all, there was no stopping Aro's quest for power if this did happen though Carlisle would again stand against him this he knew.

Vladimir went on to talk about the time back when the Romanian's ruled and Carlisle nodded "I agree with you on the point that Aro is not honest with his intention, nor his actions but don't underestimate Aro, I know you are older, but he is still wise" Carlisle stated knowing that the two of them would most likely laugh at this, but the two Romanians were desperate for revenge they were similar to Aro in that aspect they could be too quick to start a fight or look for a reason to fight similar to what Aro had done to them.

"I am wary of the Volturi, Stefan you don't have to worry, I know I do not belong amongst them and I will not go looking for friendship where there is none" Their advice was valuable to him though, he did not really consider the benefit to them that Bella's shield was to them and how much she could help, he would have to speak to her about that, their note about not turning their backs on the Volturi to this he nodded. With a much serious tone they talked about not letting the Volturi get the better of his family like they had with theirs and it was odd but Carlisle sense a small amount of sentimentally towards his coven from the two Romanian vampires, in their time with them fifty years ago his small family had obviously made some impression on these two and Carlisle was glad to see that. "I won't, I can guarantee you that"

"Can I in tern be assured that the two of you won't I think the term is gate crash, just to cause the Volturi trouble" He had a few worries on his mind and though he doubted the two of them would stoop to the level of gate crashing, Carlisle was sure the thought had probably crossed their mind at least once during the couple of months of hearing about this ball. It would put Carlisle's mind at ease knowing he would not have to try and stop total violence from erupting due to their uninvited presence in addition to this Carlisle himself had grown fond of Stefan and Vladimir after their time with them, he had been slightly put off by their unexpected arrival and their need to fight, but since then he had grown to understand the two vampires.

[VLADIMIR DACIA]

Patronising was the only word to describe the expression that appeared on Stefan's face. It was an expression further echoed on his companion, but where Vladimir's was mixed with that constantly edge of arrogance--still present, even after how far they had fallen, and Stefan had never ceased the faint squirms of admiration for that--Stefan's was just plain amused, which echoed in the upturn of his mouth and further relaxation of his posture. He received a raised eyebrow from Vladimir for that, but he literally just shrugged it off, holding back another chuckle.

It was obvious at a glance that he and Vladimir didn't belong here. There was a disconcerting "homey" feel to the Cullen household, reinforced by warm colours and "natural" decor, designed to give an utterly mundane and welcoming impression to all who visited. And the two Romanians, even shrouded in their black clothes, certainly seemed out of place, even compared to Carlisle himself. Vladimir, while possessing light-coloured hair, could certainly never be mistaken for one of the Cullens, and even if he lost his mind and donned the soft-looking sweaters and cutting edge clothes of the Cullen coven, Stefan knew that Vladimir would still look out of place. As would he. For it wasn't just in the way they looked, it was in the way they stood: even after all these years of running, still the two Romanians stood like the kings they had once been, unbeaten by the Volturi hounding.

The Volturi wouldn't win until they had wiped out every last member of the Romanian coven, and as long as Stefan and Vladimir remained, they never would. That was a source of triumph for the two of them, and it was further proof that the Volturi weren't as omnipresent as they would like to appear.

"Stranges friends," Vladimir commented absently, "the ones that would stab you in the back with no further thought."

"We often called those peasants."

"Plebians," Vladimir agreed with another small smirk. "But that topic bores me." It didn't, not really, but it was Vladimir's way of putting discussions behind him and focusing on new ones. It was an old habit that had not died hard. Carlisle's next comment, however, was enough to bring it back, and the two Romanians shared an amused and knowing glance before turning their heads back to the blonde Cullen.

"Carlisle, you mistake wisdom for cunning," Stefan said, smiling. "Aro is cunning, and he is smart, and we have learned not to underestimate him." Vladimir's face twisted briefly at Stefan's words, and Stefan reached out to curl his fingers into Vladimir's palm instinctively, never taking his eyes from Carlisle. He was sure his subsequent smile confused the other vampire, the one caused by the way Vladimir's fingers tightened briefly over Stefan's hand, but he did not bother to explain. The gesture was so subtle that he doubted Carlisle would have noticed anyway, and it did the trick, Vladimir's face smoothing back into the aloof mask he was so fond of.

He did not like being reminded of how Aro had bested them twice, all due to the fact that they had underestimated him, and grossly so. The first time they could excuse somewhat, for they had never faced anything like Aro's army before, but Stefan knew Vladimir's train of thought; he had them screamed at him at various points when his friend wallowed to long in guilt.

Because they had continued to underestimate Aro, it had cost the life of Vladimir's mate, who otherwise might have been saved. Stefan still grieved for his own--still wished he could see Iuliana's face light up like it used to when she had thought of something amusing--but he had taken comfort in the fact that they really hadn't seen anything like Aro's first army before, and that Iuliana had acted on her own accord, marching against the Volturi founder with all her fire and rage. Stefan wouldn't have been able to stop her, he knew. She had died, horribly so, but she had done so on her own terms.

Vladimir's hadn't. Vladimir's lovely Lenuta, the Egyptian beauty, had headed the frontlines of their second army because Vladimir had asked her to. Because of Vladimir's plan.

And when that plan had failed, and when Stefan had had to hold his companion back to prevent him from rushing towards his mate's anguished screams, he had blamed himself. Stefan had no words to comfort him then, nothing but his presence, for there was nothing he could have said. It had been their fault. They could not deny that.

So Stefan could not fault Vladimir for disliking reminders.

"No, Carlisle," Stefan said, his voice significantly more subdued and quieter than his last words had been. "We underestimated Aro for the last time fifteen hundred years ago." The assurance from Carlisle that he would not actively try to play house with Aro again mollified him somewhat, but Vladimir still looked a bit off-kilter to Stefan's trained eye, and it prompted him to continue the conversation in his companion's stead for awhile. "We will stay away from Volterra, Carlisle. We are not foolish enough to try and 'crash' Aro's little party."

"I have an aversion to mixing with commoners," Vladimir added then. "It is an amusing thought, and I have long pictured the expressions of Aro and his little housekeepers if we were to show up, but we would not risk our lives."

"We know better now," Stefan finished, raising his eyebrows. "Aro will be recruiting as well; there will be many strange gifts that we are not too fond of testing."

[carlisle cullen]

At their description of the Volturi Carlisle smiled, of course they had only experienced the bad of the Volturi which he could not deny did outweigh the good, but for quite a while Volterra had been a home to him when he had nothing for after decades of isolation being accepted by a group of vampires had meant a lot to him. Yes they had all tested him and tried his patience and his ability, but they had treated him well like a part of their group and they would probably have kept him there if they had Chelsea's ability but his will to do good was stronger than anything they could use to tie him down to them.

Carlisle could not deny that they had stabbed him in the back before and probably would do again, but Aro had not regained Carlisle's trust he was aware of his old friends capabilities and is plans on extending the coven. It was something he had always hated about Aro it would be his disregard for not only human life but also other vampires, the way Aro went around salutering for abilities that interested him anger Carlisle more than anything, but this might just be because of his calm and peaceful nature the fact that he always fought against harming others no matter what species they were.

"Do not mistake me for underestimating Aro, I am aware of his actions and how he responds to things I understand that better than most" That was one benefit from the time with them he had been a trusted advisor of Aro, the two had many a long conversation regarding threats to Aro's kingdom, discussing things at great length and Calisle knew he was one not to underestimate. He had to admit it did relax him somewhat that the Romanians agreed not to burst in that was one fight he did not have to worry about breaking up though it did concern him the amount of people that were going to be attending, it would be interesting because the Romanians were not the only vampires to have their quarrels with the volturi and quite a few would use this opportunity to look for flaws in the volturi as well as what other powers they had gained. Recruiting was inevitable that he knew, of course Aro had an anterior motive for this ball it was just whether they could figure it out before he put his plan into action.

"My plan is to try to make peace with the Volturi, I know their interest in Alice and Edward will never really fade, but with the events of fifty years ago I am trying to show that our coven intends to stick to the rules by attending this ball. I know Aro and you view this as a weakness, I want to avoid a fight even thought it still feels like it is inevitable at some point" Carlisle explained to them, it was true even now it felt like their was a chance of an attack the Volturi did not let troublemakers just walk away and his coven had given them enough problems over the years and one day the Volturi would come back and make them pay for the humiliation they had suffered at their expense. When this day came Carlisle hoped they would be ready and that they would have friends who would stand with them again against a common enemy.

[VLADIMIR DACIA]

If it weren't for Stefan, there was no doubt in Vladimir's mind that he would have gone crazy a long, long time ago. It was a miracle as it stood now that he had managed to go on as long as he had--that both of them had managed--where most other vampires who had been mated for less time would have gone crazy and ended their own lives. Their thirst for vengeance, Vladimir knew, was part of it (they would never just lay down and wait for the Volturi to, at long last, finish the very last of the Romanian coven; the two remaining leaders that refused to die and who, for as long as they lived, would make the Volturi think twice before doing something brash lest their castles be burned to the ground like the ones in Dacia had been), but he wasn't foolish enough to dismiss the fact that Stefan's presence was an equal factor, as he was sure his was for his companion.

It had, after all, only been through Stefan's sheer strength that Vladimir was alive at all, after listening to his army die and his mate be made an example of. He knew the Volturi would have liked nothing more had he blindly charged them and ended their pitiful lives right then.

But he had not, and the feeling of Stefan's fingers as they curled into the still palm of Vladimir's hand was a reminder, even as the angry twist of his mouth, the almost-baring of his teeth, relaxed into a caustic smile, designed to get under the skin and aggravate those it was aimed at. Almost absently, he curled his own fingers around Stefan's, putting a little bit of pressure into the gesture before he released them, letting his hand rest more easily by his side as he pretended to ignore the ghostly smile that appeared on Stefan's face as a result. Likely Carlisle would've chalked it up to their glee over the thought of the Volturi falling, and Vladimir knew that neither of them would try to correct the other vampire.

Falling back into the supporting role, Vladimir listened as Stefan took over the speaking, his voice growing low and a bit more urgent as he spoke, serious, as was his wont, as he pushed Carlisle into believing that, please, we wouldn't do something that stupid. The thought almost made Vladimir laugh, knowing that, if Carlisle had been worried that he and Stefan might "gate crash", then the thought would have crossed Aro's mind as well. There was a very small amount of things that gave Vladimir as much pleasure as knowing that the Volturi still considered them threats, in their own little way, still sending their tracking dog Demetri after them on occasion to make sure they never stopped running.

It was unfortunate, that, but he drew pleasure where he could these days.

Vladimir watched, through narrowed eyes, as Carlisle smiled, and though he knew the other vampire hadn't mean anything patronising by it it still set the much older vampire on end. Perhaps Carlisle had seen what he believed to be the "good" side of Aro, but in Vladimir's opinion that side didn't exist. Everything Aro "owned"--his coven, mostly--he only kept until they stopped being useful to him, regardless of how close they had appeared until then, and the only reason Aro had let Carlisle go in the first place was because the Italian scum had likely thought Carlisle an "amusement".

Now Carlisle and his coven were a threat.

"Peace games only last so long," Vladimir drawled in response to Carlisle's statement, his eyes flashing despite the calm arrogance and mockery in his voice.

"When you and Aro have finished pitting your little toy soldiers together in the sand, you will see what we mean."

"We are sure your coven will follow the rules, Carlisle, but that does not mean Aro will follow his own." Vladimir accompanied the statement with another smile, drenched in condescending mockery. Stefan's mouth had pulled into a smile as well, though, like Vladimir's, it was nowhere near kind. It was sad, that they tended to form attachments to those who could be considered naive fools, but though Carlisle's frustrating empathy had often caused the Romanians to have to abandon their quest for vengeance (for a time, and Vladimir could still remember begging Carlisle to let them fight in the snow before Stefan's hands has rested on his arms and held him back, and they had looked at each other before turning and running because what else could they do now?) it was never enough to deter them. There was too much hated, too many other "negative" emotions in the two remaining Romanians for Carlisle's empathy to even begin to touch.

They were alone, after all, save for each other, and, subconsciously, they knew that, even if the Volturi should fall, they always would be.

[carlisle cullen]

Carlisle nodded in response to their statement about peace talks only lasting for so long, this he knew but he still hoped that they could last for as long as possible or at least until he could knock some gentle sense into Aro so that he could see what he planned on doing to his Cullen was futile. Well if he was thinking honestly it would not be futile for Aro because he would take Alice and Edward they were of his highest priority and then there was Bella whether he wanted her ability he did not even know. It seemed their story was already in motion and there was no way for him if Aro wanted vengeance then he would have it because that was Aro's way. The two Romanian vampires went on to talk about how Aro would not follow his own rules, Carlisle knew this already Aro had not followed the rules for along time he had been to busy creating false charges in order to liquidate covens for their talented vampires.

"What would you have me do then? Carlisle asked looking up at them "I know you want revenge against the Volturi for what they did to your covens those years ago, but I do not want to start a war even if it is hanging over us now I will wait for Aro to declare it" he explained "If there is a chance at peace than I will accept it, if not then I shall come to you and I would hope that you would stand with us, but until the point that he declares this I shall hope for peace, even if it may seem foolish to the two of you" To his name Carlisle did not have much, possessions meant nothing to him, all he had was his family and the moral obligation that he felt to do good, to help people and use what he had been given to do the wrong thing, all Carlisle had was his family and this obligations and he would do anything he could to stand by his believes and he hoped the two vampires would respect that even if Aro could not.

Aro had lost Carlisle's true friendship the moment he stepped foot in Forks looking for a fight, he had come here looking for a reason to kill them all and claim his family members for his own, though nobody really knew because Carlisle liked to be seen as impartial and fair to all, Aro was no longer the close and old friend he had once been. He also knew that he would never be able to trust Aro in the same way he once had, he would not confide in him and if he took steps to try and take his family again and a fight was inevitable then he knew they would be standing against each other because the only way Aro would be able to claim his family members would be if Carlisle was dead because whilst he was alive he would stop him.

[STEFAN ANTONESCU]

Stefan watched as Carlisle nodded his head, though he had to resist the urge to curl his lip at what he considered to be a startling complacency on the other vampire's part. Peace only got you so far, in Stefan's opinion, before force became a necessity; before death became the only assurance. It was how he and Vladimir operated, their will to live kept up by the refusal to give Aro any pleasure, because even though they no longer had an army, though they no longer had their coven, they still lived and while they lived they denied Aro the total victory he so craved over his ancient enemies. Even Amun's existence must have been a sore spot to him, as Stefan knew the Egyptian vampire had lived longer than him and Vladimir by nearly a thousand years. They had warred against each other once, the Egyptians and the Romanians, and though Stefan and Vladimir's coven had eventually come out on top, it had not been an easy battle, and they had never destroyed the entirety of the Egyptians.

Aro had. Aro's ruthlessness had extended to the Egyptians after the castles in Dacia had been left burning, the fine tapestries and the bodies of the fallen only serving to fuel the flames. Victory over just their coven hadn't been enough, though, and Aro had turned his army of gifted vampires on the Egyptian coven, wiping them out as they had previous enemies. From the reports they had heard, only Amun had escaped, and Stefan and Vladimir had both smirked in amusement to see the ancient vampire--and their old enemy--being led around by their idealistic elemental boy.

So it was a struggle, it was, to keep the disgust off his face at the continuing talk of peace. It wasn't that he couldn't understand Carlisle's hesitation, but thought he saw its roots, it was still something Stefan disagreed with so heavily that it made him uneasy. Again, he cast a surreptitious glance around Carlisle's home, which was, after many years, once more the base for his rapidly expanding coven. It was also a place Stefan and Vladimir obviously did not belong in, their black clothes, of an older design once one bothered to pay attention, making them stand out against the warm overtures presented by the colour schemes and the soft furniture design. Flicking his eyes from Carlisle to Vladimir, he knew that his fellow coven mate was getting a little antsy in the atmosphere, and that he was also on watch should any of Carlisle's other family members come running through the door.

Carefully, Stefan reached forward to rest a hand on Vladimir's shoulder, like his friend had done to him when they had turned and fled in the snow, after the Volturi had retreated. Even that small act had been hard for them as they knew very well Aro could decide to send someone out after them, but he hadn't, and he and Vladimir had hid themselves once more from anyone who might want to find them, leaving another road block behind them.

That Vladimir didn't shrug the hand off was a good sign, and Stefan let his palm rest on the incline of the smaller man's shoulder for a moment as Vladimir eyed Carlisle, clearly dissatisfied with the vegetarian vampire's answer, though neither of them would push the issue much further with Carlisle so unwilling. Stefan made sure his face was fairly impassive, and every few seconds he cast his eyes towards Vladimir.

"Peace is not in that man's nature," Vladimir said, and Stefan caught the way his companion's voice rushed a little, like it had fifty years ago in the snow. "He is biding his time until he can come and kill you, Carlisle, and for whatever reason we do not care."

"Of course we will stand with you," Stefan interjected, and he felt Vladimir stiffen underneath his hand, though the ashy-haired vampire merely inclined his head in Stefan's direction instead of continuing. "We will stand anywhere against those Italian scum. But Aro is hiding something."

"In all these years, why now does he declare this silly ball?" Vladimir took up the reigns then, his voice full of scathing disdain that he didn't even bother to hide. The sheer disgust when he said the word ball was enough to make Stefan chuckle lowly, a small smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. "It is because he's planning something. More than just recruiting, I wager." Vladimir's stance grew slightly more aggressive, though he didn't move after that. It was awhile before either of them spoke, but when the words came back both Romanians had reached a silent agreement. They would not convince Carlisle, and they had known that even going into this. More than that, they knew Carlisle was aware that Aro was likely planning something, but they had said their piece, and it was all they had intended to do. God forbid Carlisle actually get the impression that they cared, however minutely.

"Is the little hybrid attending too?" Vladimir asked, as both their minds went back to the image of the small girl and her gift, whom Carlisle had called in old favours and rounded up old friends for. They had watched as the other vampires had let her warm hands rest on their skin, projecting thoughts and memories into the heads of others, but they had refused to let her touch them and experience her gift for themselves. They didn't need to believe Carlisle's story to have fought with him. They hadn't cared. They would have fought for Carlisle even if the girl really had been an Immortal Child, simply because it was another chance to get back at the Volturi--to get back at Aro.

The Cullen's shield hadn't been too fond of them after she had caught them regaling her spawn with tales of them pulling the Volturi's eyeballs from their head, of course, but the child herself had seem amused, and Stefan had watched as Vladimir's eyes had lit up at a receptive audience to their punishments to the Volturi, delighting in the way the child had laughed and agreed with them.

"It has been so very long," Stefan said absently. "Surely she is old enough."

"But will her mother let her?" Vladimir purred, and instantly the tension in the two Romanians seemed to diffuse as they let out twin chuckles.