Chapter 31: Talented

[Alphie]

We need to thank Una for helping us out with this chapter on top of her new mod duties!

1.What is your opinion of Tanya’s assessment of the werewolves? Do you feel she is right, that they are no match for the Volturi?

2. We've known that Kate is talented along with Eleazer. What do you think of their talents? Are they what you predicted?

3.Eleazar was part of the Volturi guard – was this a surprise to you? How do you feel and what are your impressions when he
speaks of the guard and his ability to leave it. Why would Aro allow him to leave?

4.What were your reactions and/or thoughts of Bella’s talent? Is it something you predicted?

5.Peter and Charlotte have arrive, what are your feelings regarding their appearance and what are you thoughts of Alice and Jasper at this point?

[Jazzy'sgirl112108]

1.What is your opinion of Tanya’s assessment of the werewolves? Do you feel she is right, that they are no match for the Volturi?
no, i think the wolves would have a chance with the volturi. but, i think her ideas were tiltted after the incident with laurant and all. it might just have been anger.

2. We've known that Kate is talented along with Eleazer. What do you think of their talents? Are they what you predicted?
i was very interested in elazer's talent. he seemed a very wise person to me, so it must have been an influence from his human life. i was amused by kate's. it seemed to fit her personality. eager and ready.

3.Eleazar was part of the Volturi guard – was this a surprise to you? How do you feel and what are your impressions when he
speaks of the guard and his ability to leave it. Why would Aro allow him to leave?
i thought it was intereting that the volturi was a life he would choose to live. i didnt expect him to go that path. there was always something about eleazer and Aro, being the vampire he is, saw it too, and decided to let him go. at least it didnt end up in a fight or anything!

4.What were your reactions and/or thoughts of Bella’s talent? Is it something you predicted?
nothing like i had predicted!! i never had much faith in the "i have super self control" power, it just didnt fit. i think that was a result of self prepping. but, the sheild think was shocking but fitting.

5.Peter and Charlotte have arrive, what are your feelings regarding their appearance and what are you thoughts of Alice and Jasper at this point?
i always wanted to know more about peter and charlotte! after jasper's story in Eclipse, they seemed like an interesitng couple, with their background and all. i found it a bit surpriseing they showed up. maybe i had underestimated the amont of friendship peter and jasper had. i'd like to know more about charlotte.

[Aradia]

1.What is your opinion of Tanya’s assessment of the werewolves? Do you feel she is right, that they are no match for the Volturi?

I just think she doesn't understand them. Just like when Bella thought Laurent would probably destroy the wolves...they just don't understand what the wolves are capable of.

2. We've known that Kate is talented along with Eleazer. What do you think of their talents? Are they what you predicted?

Ummm..not what I excepted but all together it was very cool.

3.Eleazar was part of the Volturi guard – was this a surprise to you? How do you feel and what are your impressions when he speaks of the guard and his ability to leave it. Why would Aro allow him to leave?

It actually was a surprise, I caught no hints in other books to give me clue. I like the fact that he actually picked up on Aro's real motives for aquireing people. I think Aro let him leave because Eleazar was good edition but Aro didn't always need him so I'm sure Aro let him go.

4.What were your reactions and/or thoughts of Bella’s talent? Is it something you predicted?

Not something I predicted, but it works for her. She likes to help protect the ones she loves, when she was human she was to weak to do that, now though she can help protect their minds from danger or just to help Edward stay out of their thoughts.Its good, but I was still hoping for some Bella/Jane kick butt fighting scene!

5.Peter and Charlotte have arrive, what are your feelings regarding their appearance and what are you thoughts of Alice and Jasper at this point?

I like Peter and Charlotte...they seem like compassionate vamps, but they just need to come out of their shell. I knew Alice and Jasper just didn't run away and leave their family hanging, they were doing something. Didn't know what, but they were up to something.

[Hyvanna]

1.What is your opinion of Tanya’s assessment of the werewolves? Do you feel she is right, that they are no match for the Volturi?

Like all first impressions judging before learning about someone/something is never a nice thing to do. Yes and No , yes because the wolves dont know what the Volturi are capable of and No because Tanys doesn't know what the wolves are capable of, she sees them as children an i think she see's them as being valnuble because they can bleed.

2. We've known that Kate is talented along with Eleazer. What do you think of their talents? Are they what you predicted?

I never guessed at Kates or Eleazer's gifts, Kate's would be fun Eleazer's boring prolly a bit madding everywhere he'd go all he could do is think of everyones hidden potencle gifts.

3.Eleazar was part of the Volturi guard – was this a surprise to you? How do you feel and what are your impressions when he
speaks of the guard and his ability to leave it. Why would Aro allow him to leave?

Surprise Aro let him leave without a big sceen

4.What were your reactions and/or thoughts of Bella’s talent? Is it something you predicted?

I just thought her mental block would become stronger an maybe make it where no vampire gifts could harm or help her like Jaspers empathy and Alice seeing her future, didn't predict a fullblown sheild to protect others that was awesome.

5.Peter and Charlotte have arrive, what are your feelings regarding their appearance and what are you thoughts of Alice and Jasper at this point?

I remembered Jaspers story so when Peter an Charlotte showed up the first of the NonVeggie vampires was like OH Heck Renesmee is still part human after all they would eather smell her blood an be thristy or see her face an attack. At this point I still thought Alice -n- Jasper realy left them, I thought it was realy nice they stopped an asked Peter an Charlotte to be a wittness an was hopeing they would maybe find a few more on their run.

[sazykid]

1.What is your opinion of Tanya’s assessment of the werewolves? Do you feel she is right, that they are no match for the Volturi?
She doesn't know what the wolves are capable of doing. However, I don't think they would come out unharmed. When they fought the newborns or even Laurent they were dealing with untalented vampires. A good portion of the Volturi guard have talents and would make it very hard for the wolves to destroy them.

2. We've known that Kate is talented along with Eleazar. What do you think of their talents? Are they what you predicted?
I didn't really guess that they would have any talents at all, so I never predicted what they would be. I thought Kate's talent would be useful if they ended up in a fight. Eleazer had a more unique talent that wouldn't be much help in a fight, but it's interesting nonetheless

3.Eleazar was part of the Volturi guard – was this a surprise to you? How do you feel and what are your impressions when he speaks of the guard and his ability to leave it? Why would Aro allow him to leave?
I guess I was a little surprised that he used to be part of the guard. It just seemed to me that once you were in, you stayed in. I guess I'm not surprised that he spoke respectfully of them. If he had a good experience with the guard and they allowed him to leave then there really isn't a reason to think they would be bad. Aro wouldn't want anyone to think poorly of the ancients or of the guard so he wouldn't want anyone to stay if they really didn't want to. Appearances are very important to him so of course he wanted people to think highly of them, and having vampires who didn't really want to be there wouldn't be good for facades.

4.What were your reactions and/or thoughts of Bella’s talent? Is it something you predicted?
I don't know what I predicted her to be talented at. A shield makes sense though. She is able to block out any mental intrusion so it makes sense.

5.Peter and Charlotte have arrived, what are your feelings regarding their appearance and what are you thoughts of Alice and Jasper at this point?
I never really thought Alice and Jasper would just ditch their family in their time of need. Alice loves Bella and Edward and she wouldn't allow them to go through something like this without her if she could help it. The Cullens needed all the help they could get so sending Peter and Charlotte was helpful. I sort of wish we could have seen more of an interaction between Alice and Jasper and Peter and Charlotte. They were very close with Jasper and so it would have been interesting to see that relationship.

[inhiding]

1.What is your opinion of Tanya’s assessment of the werewolves? Do you feel she is right, that they are no match for the Volturi?

on the one hand, I feel like she's underestimating the werewolves. I think we constantly think of them as a bunch of "kids" especially compared to hundreds of years old vampires. But their evolution was specifically designed to be able to fight vampires. I think of a quote, I can't remember who wrote it. "My strength is the strength of 10 because my heart is pure." This is how I think of the Wolf pack. I always think that people are in power because, bottom line, the people beneath them put them there and let them keep it. I believe this with the volturi. They are the nobility, but there's just a handful of them in relativity. So with the werewolves, I think they stand a chance because they don't fear the Volturi to the same degree that the other vampires do. Of course, this is before we learn exactly who/what talents make up the Volturi army.... do you think all those "talents" work against the wolf pack? I guess we never actually get to see that.

2. We've known that Kate is talented along with Eleazer. What do you think of their talents? Are they what you predicted?

Is there any way to have predicted this? No way. I think they are very convenient and I have to say, sometimes I hate that in writing, when something that should be totally random is actually totally convenient for our main characters! What luck!

3.Eleazar was part of the Volturi guard – was this a surprise to you? How do you feel and what are your impressions when he
speaks of the guard and his ability to leave it. Why would Aro allow him to leave?

Considering the fact that Eleazar was able to determine that Aro was "collecting vampires", I actually think Aro let him go before Eleazar could resent Aro using him for this talent and before Eleazar could call Aro out. I think he let him live and walk away because he couldn't help it as a collector, he would rather see Eleazar out there in the world than dead and wasted. I really think that's the only way he got out of the Volturi mafia!

4.What were your reactions and/or thoughts of Bella’s talent? Is it something you predicted?

The way cool thing is that you can appreciate how this was coming all along, how Bella was designed for this, how her whole fate was going to be extraordinary. I didn't exactly predict this because the first time I was reading this, I was so absorbed I was just letting the story take me along and not assuming anything. Ummm... although the concept is interesting and I'm glad it makes Bella finally powerfully equal to Edward.... it also threw this gorgeous lovely romantic fantasy into a sci-fi realm I wasn't ready for. Later, trying to get her to project it and how it felt like she was stretching an elastic rubber bubble over everyone... yeah, I wasn't feeling that part. I do appreciate how her talent is the opposite of Edward's, and how that's why he couldn't read her mind all along. Remember back in Twilight when she felt that it was a confirmation that something was wrong with her... ha ha, sigh, oh Bella....

5.Peter and Charlotte have arrive, what are your feelings regarding their appearance and what are you thoughts of Alice and Jasper at this point?

No one REALLY thought Alice had deserted us, had we? It assures us that Alice and Jasper are on their own mission and that Alice has a plan and... who bets AGAINST Alice? Not me....

I think something we should comment on in this chapter and the one before it is how, although many Vampires are nomads or keep to covens of 3 or less... there is remarkable loyalty in the ranks. For Peter and Charlotte to come risk all of this for Jasper, who was really there for Alice, is worth noting. Of course, Jasper let the two of them run so perhaps they only feel like they are repaying a life-debt? Same with Tanya? Do you think they are deeply loyal or just trying to repay the Cullens for the newborns/Irina? Personally, I think there is great loyalty among them, perhaps because Carlisle inspires that in his family and those they touch? Perhaps because Carlisle is such a natural leader that he has a devote following without even noticing? When Edward finally realizes that the Volturis may be jealous of Carlisle's coven, perhaps in fact the Volturi are also aware of the loyalty that the Cullens inspire?

[pennybug84]

1.What is your opinion of Tanya’s assessment of the werewolves? Do you feel she is right, that they are no match for the Volturi? I can kind of see how she would say that. The wolves are just able to fight & tear vampires apart. THe Volutri have many memembers with many different talents & abilities.

2. We've known that Kate is talented along with Eleazer. What do you think of their talents? Are they what you predicted? I think they're pretty cool & not what I expected (but most of the time when it comes to talents I never know what to expect!)

3.Eleazar was part of the Volturi guard – was this a surprise to you? How do you feel and what are your impressions when he speaks of the guard and his ability to leave it. Why would Aro allow him to leave? I was a little surprised, I just don't think of the "good" vampires as wanting to live with them & their way of life. I think it was cool that he was able to leave. I'm not sure why Aro would let him, maybe because he only wanted those who wanted to be a part of their group.

4.What were your reactions and/or thoughts of Bella’s talent? Is it something you predicted? I was like Bella and a little disappointed she didn't get a cool physical power. But her talent as a shield makes sense after I thought about it & I think it's a pretty good one.

5.Peter and Charlotte have arrive, what are your feelings regarding their appearance and what are you thoughts of Alice and Jasper at this point? I was kind of surprised to see them come. It was a good sign that Alice & Jasper were doing things to help out.

[misskiley]

1.What is your opinion of Tanya’s assessment of the werewolves? Do you feel she is right, that they are no match for the Volturi?
Yes I do feel she was right, they really aren't a match for the Volturi. If the Cullens and Denali clan are basically defensless,.. the wolves are no match either.

2. We've known that Kate is talented along with Eleazer. What do you think of their talents? Are they what you predicted?
Not what I predicted at all,.. I knew Eleazer had to have some rare gift that could help them,.. but I see now that it was telling Bella what she is capable of,.. and possibly saving her family. Kate's defense is a tiny one but very useful.

3.Eleazar was part of the Volturi guard – was this a surprise to you? How do you feel and what are your impressions when he
speaks of the guard and his ability to leave it. Why would Aro allow him to leave?
Edward said that they don't force people to stay. Maybe it was easy for Eleazar to leave because of Carmen and their love and bond they formed. It was surprising to learn he was on the guard because he seems so different then them. He speaks very very highly of them until he realizes.

4.What were your reactions and/or thoughts of Bella’s talent? Is it something you predicted?
A shield makes sense for what Bella's talent it. I didn't suspect it though,.. I knew it had to be something, just wasn't sure yet. I didn't know there would be a name to it.

5.Peter and Charlotte have arrive, what are your feelings regarding their appearance and what are you thoughts of Alice and Jasper at this point?
I was not expecting Peter and Charlotte to arrive. I knew Jasper had mentioned them previously but didn't really want to sacrafice them. So I realized something must be going on with Alice to send them,.. maybe she has seen more. I never really felt like Alice would abandon Bella and the Cullens,.. but it made me think of New Moon how she wouldn't lose Jasper.

[Gochiruzeru]

1.What is your opinion of Tanya’s assessment of the werewolves? Do you feel she is right, that they are no match for the Volturi?

She just didn't understand. I think the werewolves would be fine against the Volturi.

2. We've known that Kate is talented along with Eleazer. What do you think of their talents? Are they what you predicted?

I thought they had pretty cool powers. I didn't really predict anything, though.

3.Eleazar was part of the Volturi guard – was this a surprise to you? How do you feel and what are your impressions when he speaks of the guard and his ability to leave it. Why would Aro allow him to leave?

I honestly don't know why he would be allowed to leave. It didn't surprise me that he was part of the Volturi guard.

4.What were your reactions and/or thoughts of Bella’s talent? Is it something you predicted?

I already knew what it was, so no surprises there.

5.Peter and Charlotte have arrive, what are your feelings regarding their appearance and what are you thoughts of Alice and Jasper at this point?

I had no opinion on Peter and Charlotte, and I already knew what Alice and Jasper were doing.

[Tornado]

1.What is your opinion of Tanya’s assessment of the werewolves? Do you feel she is right, that they are no match for the Volturi?
I think they could certainly help with the fighters like Felix, but they're not going to do much good against Jane and Alec. But it's the same for the vampires, too. She is being a bit dismissive.

2. We've known that Kate is talented along with Eleazer. What do you think of their talents? Are they what you predicted?
I hadn't formed any opinions on their talents. I didn't think much of Kate's but I like Eleazar's.

3.Eleazar was part of the Volturi guard – was this a surprise to you? How do you feel and what are your impressions when he
speaks of the guard and his ability to leave it. Why would Aro allow him to leave?
I think Aro allowed him to leave because he thought he might need him in the future. It didn't really surprise me that he had been with them, no. I thought his comments about them were interesting.

4.What were your reactions and/or thoughts of Bella’s talent? Is it something you predicted?
I hadn't predicted it, and I thought it was very interesting.

5.Peter and Charlotte have arrive, what are your feelings regarding their appearance and what are you thoughts of Alice and Jasper at this point?
They're clearly up to something. I never thought that they had deserted the others.