Worth The Risk [ Aro, Maria ]

[volturiareawesome]

Sulpicia had been locked up in the towers for the past week or so, and was becoming bored with it at the moment. It was not interesting to re-read books for her, seeing as she had a perfect memory that made her able to remember word for word if she wanted to recall it. She sighed softly to herself, and tightened her cloak around her as a wind blew in an opened window. It was not like she was cold, though technically she was, it just bothered her to have her clock fluttering about everywhere. Brushing her hair back behind her ears, she left the tower gracefully.

The guard members were smart enough not to ask when Sulpicia was walking the way she was. Her chin was up and her pace was a quick walking speed for a vampire. It was obvious where she was going to any guard member to - to see her mate, Aro. She was usually locked away in the towers most of the time, which could make it rather difficult to see him all the time. She knew how important power was to him, and she let him be happy. After all, in her opinion, if you truly loved someone you let them be happy no matter what it did for you. This was slightly inconvient for her, but she did not complain.

Despite the large size of the castle, that including all of the tunnels and passage ways, it did not take Sulpicia long to find the main chamber where Aro, Cauis, and Marcus where often found. She had walked the path many times before to the chamber, it was certainly not a first for her. She paused a moment to see if she could hear anything in there, and smiled softly to herself when she was able to tell that Aro was in there. She could tell there was someone else in the room, too, though who she was unsure. Deciding on being daring, she opened the door and walked in.

[[Not sure if you two wanted for both of you to already be there. Went on a limb.]]

[Maria Verdugo]

AHHH! When Maria got her small hands on that immortal's neck she was going to do a slight bit more then bite and rip and burn! Once again, Maria's army had failed! This time however, she had one thing in her favor! Her army had been new, and while they had known of her, and loved her, the attacking coven and their army had not known of Maria. The new coven was highly untrained and wild. If Maria's army had been slightly older, just at the point where they could be controlled and still be super strong, then they would not have burned her army down.

However, the dead was done, and with them none the wiser of Maria, she had a way to assure they (Nor anyone close to them) would be trouble for her again . . . .

"Hullo Dearest Aro!" Maria greeted two days later after much travel. The guard had escorted her to the main rooms, and Maria (as bold as you pleased) walked around them and a few steps closer to Aro. She wore a light brown sun dress, and this time she had on high heeled saddles, but they were only for looks. Maria rarely wore shoes. She would not have done it now, except 'When in Rome, do as the Romans and when in Italy obey the Volturi'. If they said, look human and act human in the city, you looked and acted human in the city.

"I thought I would stop by and see you while I was on this site of the globe. I am slightly surprised your even here. When I learned you were I knew I must stop by and see the city everyone speaks of so highly.--" Maria cut off when she heard footsteps approaching the room and ones which sounded more like someone in charge then someone questioning on if they should enter or not. When you lived for power and control, you learned to tell who had it quickly. These steps suggested power and control. The scent however, was unfamiliar.

Maria turned so when the doors opened she was standing there, as if expecting the person to enter. Maria had a smile on her face, just a turn of lips. She didn't speak however, she would wait for the introductions.

[Aro]

Aro was curious as to why Maria was here in Volterra. It had been years since he had made a trip to the South. During most of his trips he happen to come across Maria. Her thoughts, however, were still a mystery. Aro was certain if he was to read them he would have to destroy her. She held many secrets he was certain she had a newborn army at one time or another. That only was enough to have her destroyed. But each time she had news of another newborn army that was not to far off and so he would focus on that rather than if Maria had an army of her own. There had been little news about the South perhaps they were behaving as they should. They could not allow the humans to know of their existence and made certain their rules were followed.

The newborn armies being something they would not allow. To many humans would get far to suspicious if to many of them began to disappear. The exact reason Aro did not want newborn armies. They were completely out of control and if one was not able to control them they were a danger. Newborns were difficult enough, but an entire army. Aro had to train a few newborns before, but for the most part the guard took care of any they may acquire. If they were certain a human will have a talent, a powerful one, then they may change a human. It was very rare. "Maria, my dear, it is wonderful that you have come for a visit." Aro's tone was friendly. He was very curious why she was here. Aro rarely left Volterra he did not know why Maria was surprised he was here. Most of the time he sent the guard to take care of matters. If something seemed of interest to him he may go himself, but for the most part the guard took care o everything. Making sure their existence was kept a secret was of the utmost importance. The guard new this very well.

Aro turned his attention to the door as he quickly picked up his wife's scent. Aro did love his wife and it did make him happy to see her. Even though he wanted power so much more he would always love his wife. She meant much to him and always would. Aro smiled as Sulpicia entered he would always be happy to see her. "Sulpicia." Aro was clearly delighted to see her and hit showed in his tone. It was not completely usual for Sulpicia to come find him. It was usually easy to do he could be found in the main chamber most of the time or with his brothers discussing power. There was always some way to gain power or to appear more powerful. Aro craved power he would never be able to have enough and would always find ways to gain more. Aro turned glanced at Maria is appeared she had turned to look at who was entering as well. Aro still needed to find out why Maria was here and he would find out.

[volturiareawesome]

"Aro," Sulpicia greeted her mate in a warm tone that hardly anyone aside him heard from her. Though the guard knew pretty dang well that it was best not to hold this against it, because she can be very moody if she wanted to be. She flashed her husband a dazzling smile that could convince most people with the right words, but for humans no words where needed at all. That happened with the occasional vampire, too, but they were smart enough to not bother to try to win her over. It's result would not be of the best of their part considering who she was in love with.

After a moment or two, Sulpicia composed her features before her crimson eyes turned back to look at the Mexican woman before Aro. Her gaze was one of disapproval, as it had been for any other person that she had caught in the chamber. Most of the people that she did see where no longer 'with us' for 'certain reasons'. She had no doubts that this women was any better, especially with quite a few guard members in the room. She could feel a small smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth, threatening to reveal itself, though she kept her emotions clear from her face.

Turning back to Aro, Sulpicia spoke. "I was not aware that we had...guests, at the moment." There was hint of amusement at the eighth word of her few spoken words, the smirk once again threatening to reveal itself. She found people who disobeyed those rules amusing at times, but threats all the same to what they had established so long ago after hard work. It was their fault that they had done what they had done, whether they had known or not. It was mere common sense to not prance around shouting about vampires.

[Maria Verdugo]

So this was Aro's wife? Hmmm, how every fun this knowledge was. To be one of the few who have a chance to meet the mate of the leader of their world. Maria smiled brightly at her host and mate as she watched them for a moment, eyes bright red. Maria tucked the knowledge of her sight and smell away. One never knew when you might need such information. "I do not think I have had the pleasure of meeting you." Maria spoke in her accented voice. The slight Spanish accent came out, in her deep voice. Deep for a vampire, it would still sound high to a human.

Maria's voice could be sharp and curl when she wanted it to be, but when she spoke to someone out of her . . . coven then she often spoke in a voice meant to display her as something else. It worked on everyone, even someone like Aro, because Maria had spent her short immortal life (Short compared to present company) perfecting it. "I am Maria, from Texas." She explained, "I have come to visit Aro." And ruin the coven who tired to over take her. "I bring gossip and news from the states."

[Aro]

Aro truly loved Sulpicia and was always happy to see her. It was not unusual to have her come find him on occasion. Even though at times he would rather focus on power. He was power hungry and would do absolutely anything for power. But this was not to say he did not love his wife for he did very much so. Aro easily smiled back at his wife. It would always please him to see her and to simply be near her. She had always fascinated him and still did. Aro kept his attention on his wife for a few moments until she composed her features once more. It was easy to tell Sulpicia's gaze was that of disapproval as she looked over Maria. Aro smiled as his wife proclaimed she was unaware of any 'guest' most were destroyed. Aro was curious if that happen today. Aro was certain if he was to actually read Maria's thoughts she would be destroyed. "Yes, Maria, I believe I have mentioned her a few times. When we have had to handle the Newborn Army situation." Aro had spoken of Maria once or twice he was quiet curious what her thoughts were and if she had any army or not.

Aro turned his eyes back to Maria as she spoke. Aro was intently curious about this news Maria had. Perhaps something of the newborn armies. It seemed they had to on occasion destroy the armies once more. Make absolutely sure they were all destroyed. Yet they still had to destroy them ever so often. If news of newborn armies was indeed what Maria had brought perhaps they would have to keep a closer watch on the South. Make sure that no one was creating armies not allow them to feel at ease. Make them that much aware that the Volturi were watching them and would not hesitate to destroy them. After all they did not give second chances the knew not to create newborn armies yet they still disobeyed this would have to be corrected. It all depended on what news Maria had brought with her.

"Maria, my dear." Aro kept his voice friendly as he always did around others. Aro often seemed enthusiastic and friendly. He was very easily curious about others and wanted to know so much about them. More so about Maria. It seemed when the time for him to read her thoughts came there was a distraction of some kind. Usually she told him news of a newborn army. Or his interest faded he felt to calm to do anything just as that one time when Maria had her friend, Jasper, who had some sort of talent. Aro was still not completely sure what talent he had the last time Aro had been in Texas Maria did not have her friend. He was quiet interested in finding out what talent Jasper did have it seemed to be something with emotions. "Would you care to tell us what news you have brought? I am so very curious." Aro was very curious he wanted to know what she had brought to tell him.

[volturiareawesome]

Sulpicia looked over Maria with critical eyes, it was easy to see that her crimson eyes held disapproval. She was too opinionated for her own good, and willing to admit it. Her lips pursued in thought, but otherwise her face was clear from anything else. Gossip from the states sounded as if she was referring to something that would end up involving the guard or such, which made her wonder briefly whether she was really the bad guy or not, or if she was just a little tattle tale to get others in trouble that would benefit her in some other way.

Ahh, so it was that Maria. Sulpicia did remember him clearly speaking of a Maria that was currently (or at least, had been at the time) involved with Newborn Armies. Which were of course not allowed, as it put the secret of their existence at risk. Which would not be allowed, that was certain. She was as aware of the rules as any other vampire, and she heard of all the destructions going on. Not hearing as if it was gossip amongst the Volturi, but she could literally hear them being destroyed. It was rather loud to vampire ears with their enhanced senses.

"I see. Well don't mind me, please continue." Sulpicia motioned with her hands for them to continue on with whatever they had been doing. It could be rather interesting at some times to see what other vamipres had done wrong, some were rather creative with the ways that ended up being their death. Others were not, they just made it too obvious that they were a vampire and others figured out. Which led to both the humans who had learned and the vampire who had spilled about their existence to be dead.

[Maria Verdugo]

Maria would have no trouble ignoring the other woman, should she want to. She wasn't here for her or chit chat her up, but knew better then to display her emotions so openly. In this world, you never played all your cards, or wore your heart on your sleeve, you showed them only what the expected of you. Maria just inclined her head slightly in an acknowledgment, before turning to face Aro, and giving him a deep sigh.

"I have come with the news of trouble in the south." She shook her head slowly as if in disbelief at the events happening there. "I was in my home town," HER CITY! "-when they attacked. They were very new, breed for the purpose for driving all others out." Maria knew how to keep to the facts, with out giving her self away. "While, I know armies such as these are wrong, I might have just left the city and waited until you came but . . . what was not the only rule broken by them. . . ." She paused, then spoke in a hiss, "They attacked and it was barely sunset! They were traveling in the light!"

Maria did not know if the sun had touched them, they could well have taken the sewers, or traveled some other way into the city, but that was how they had taken her by surprise. They attacked to early for her to be expecting 'callers'.

[Aro]

Aro could see his wife's disapproval as she looked over Maria. Aro could not be certain if he would indeed have to destroy Maria today or not. It depended on what news she brought. Aro was quiet curious in reading her thoughts. Just as he was with any vampire he came across. There was much Aro was certain Maria was hiding from him. He would love to know exactly what Maria had been hiding. Aro was not certain if Maria had an army or not. She seemed to always talk her way out of the situation when he requested to read her thoughts. Aro glanced at Sulpicia as she requested Maria continue. Aro was quiet curious what news Maria had brought. He was quiet certain it had something to do with Newborn Armies. It seemed each time there was a situation with the armies Maria was always there. And her she was telling him about the armies. Aro was curious if she was hiding anything, again, from him.

Aro looked at Maria as she began to explain her reason for being here. So it seemed quiet certain she was here because of a newborn army. This was something they could not allow to happen. Any with a newborn army must be destroyed. There was no other option. Aro had warned them several times to not create newborn armies they should all know they will not allow it. Aro had been unaware there were any armies in the South as of yet. If it had caught to much attention they would have been well aware of it. It would have been only a matter of time before they would have known. Maria telling them was more of a convince than anything. Building an army but have them so out of control to be in the sun was something they could not allow. Exposure was something Aro would never allowed. They would be destroyed without any questions and quickly. They could not allow any armies or anyone to risk exposure there was far to much at risk for this to happen.

Aro would send a few guard to take care of this and make sure to destroy any other armies they found. However, if this was as serious as Maria was informing perhaps it would be best if one of the leaders leave and attend to this personally. Caius may be interested he always enjoyed destroying other armies. But Aro wanted to fix this situation he wanted to make all vampires aware they were not going to allow newborn amries and most certainly not exposure. Keeping their existence of the of the utmost importance. "Maria, my dear, this is quiet serious. You are certain they were around humans during the day? Where the sun could reach them?" Aro questioned wanting to make sure. "My dear, I would like to see this personally if you don't mind. As I've told you as long as you have nothing to hide you should have no problem with this. I want to know so much more information that would be easier to gain by reading your thoughts." Aro took several feet toward Maria. The guard followed ready if Maria tired anything. Aro held out his hand with a friendly expression.

[volturiareawesome]

Sulpicia did not give any other acknowledge meant, even after the slight incline of the head from Maria, other than the piercing look placed upon her face. The look was something that only seemed to cross her face when she was frustrated or angered, which meant that Aro probably rarely saw her face like this unless through someone's thought. That was always plausible. He heard everything that went on, if not literally than through thoughts. She heard most things through her own ears, and what she did know everyone was able to hear. It was hard to keep a secret in a castle full of vampires, that was positive to everyone.

The scowl remained across her pale features, but her eyes softened as Sulpicia's eyes flickered over to listen to her mate speak. She would not speak, this was not something she had to get involved with. Him calling her dear did not bother her at all, she had learned that he called most females dear. She knew not to be jealous after knowing him nearly three millenniums, people tended to know people pretty well after knowing each other so long. Which was something that humans could never do, another reason why they were so much grander than humans. It was a shame that she hadn't realized that immediately early on as a young vampire.

At first Sulpicia thought that Aro had meant he was going to go all the way to the Americas to see this which had saddened her mood slightly. It was so much easier to get sad or bored when he was out of the castle. She couldn't hear his voice which often kept her happy when they were not even together. A small smirk threatened to form when she realized what he had meant, reading her thoughts. It always made life so much easier for him, a simple touch was all that was needed. It seemed like it might be rather interesting if he did indeed read her thoughts.

[Maria Verdugo]

"I have real knowledge of how they traveled out side the walks, as I was not with them, but the sun had only just set when I caught their scent approaching and then it was to late!" Maria watched him almost ignoring the that his wife was near by as he spoke and once again wanted to read her thoughts. Maria had expected this. She knew he would always ask to read her mind and she knew she always had to be ready to make sure he did not.

Maria lifted her hand as if she would before, letting her eyes trail over Aro suggestively. "Perhaps you would allow a woman her scents, Aro dearest? Especially while your wife is not far. What if my thoughts would embarrass me?" Maria let her eyes drift to the ground as if she would be blushing right now if she could. Aro would read the thoughts of his guards, he would she had slept her way though them, and that she was very passionate. "If it was anyone but you Aro, I would do so freely. However, it is you and I would simply die if you knew everything. Then you would fine me boring and never seek to visit me." Maria's eyes trailed back up to his, "I fear it would be the end of our friendship." Because if he ever found out, he'd order her to be killed.

[Aro]

Aro was uncertain with Maria's words. Just because she claimed to have picked up their scent did not mean they had revealed themselves into the sunlight. But even so if it was a newborn army it would be something that had to be destroyed rather they had been in sunlight or not. "My dear if you merely picked up their scent this does not mean they were revealing themselves within the sun. But even so if you are certain this was a newborn army it much be destroyed." Aro would not tolerate newborn armies he wanted nothing more than for them to be destroyed he would not tolerate them. Perhaps Aro would go with the guard this to make sure they were destroyed. The newborn armies were become troublesome and something must be done about this. But they had not brought that attention to the Volturi just yet. Maria was the one explaining all of this to him. It made Aro wonder if she was hiding anything else. If there was something she was not wanting him to know. He knew she had secrets and the last couple of times he had been in Texas destroying newborn armies he did not have the time to seek our her thoughts. But she was in his sister and he had all the time he would want. He would figure out her thoughts and her secrets she had kept from him for so long.

Aro narrowed his eyes slightly at Maria's response. Did Maria really think he cared if her thoughts embarrassed her or not? Or if his wife was present? He knew she was hiding something from him for she always tried to find someway to allow Aro not to read her thoughts. Most of the time he would have to destroy an army that was brought to his attention. For most of the time that he would see Maria it would be in Texas. "It matters not." Aro's voice was calm and calculated. "If you have the information I need to see then why not allow me to read your thoughts? Simply because you will be embarrassed? That is not a good enough reason, Maria." It certainly would not take long to gain the information he wanted a few seconds but if he wanted to find everything out it would take perhaps a bit longer. He would find out if she had an army or not. Or if she was keeping something else from him. Aro would know if she had broken any of the rules. And if she did she would be destroyed. She was probably well aware of this. But why travel to Volterra to speak to him if she had broken the rules?

Aro doubted Maria really consider Aro a 'friend; just as Aro did with Maria. He could seem friendly and call other vampires friends but they would never object. After all he was always looking for ways to gain power and making sure their rules were enforced. But if Maria thought he would think her boring this not be so after all if what she was saying was true she would only be that more useful! "Maria, my dear, certainly we can be friends even after I read your thoughts. Just think of how useful you will be! You allowing me to know exactly what has been going on in the South. It would only make you more of a friend would it not? To tell me when there is a newborn army?" Aro would simply love for Maria to tell him when they were a newborn army perhaps if they knew exactly when their was an army they could take care of such matters that much more quickly. Perhaps in time they would stop all together. That would be most wonderful!