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I pride myself on having a mind that could only be called, quick.
When it comes to processing information and drawing logical conclusions, my mind was the one true reliable thing that I could rely on, no matter the situation nor negotiation.
I could always rely on my mind to analyze the information and show me the way to my desired result, which is why I always came out on top.
If anything, this little act of Edward taking the sweet nectar of which I had availed myself from my hands, was, if anything, a simple negotiation.
I convey my points in a reasonable matter, steadily dismantling any argument that he could voice as to why he should have a say in my consumption of that sweet sweet juice and in the end, I get my way in a matter in which everyone can walk away feeling like they were heard...
At least, that is usually what I would do.
However, the abrupt nature by which he snatched my drink, broke my concentration just when I was about to attempt to see if I could manipulate my body, and worst of all, spoke with absolute confidence that he knew what he was talking about, well, it set off something in me that was required every step of the way as I clawed my way from the bottoms of society to the very top.
It set off my pride. A pride built around the trust I had in myself that allowed me to not only never falter, but also walk forward trusting that what I did was correct and dismissing any notion of regret.
It was only then that I noticed that it was the complete opposite of Edward's own mindset.
Where he lacked the ability to trust himself, to love himself, enough to know that he was worthy of all that he had and all that he could obtain. I knew, from a very young age that I was worthy of the life that I envisioned. And it was that sense of pride, of trust, of self-worth, that never once let me falter long enough to fall.
And he had just crossed that pride with his belief that he could take what I had claimed as mine. What I desired. What I needed. And the fact that he spoke with a confidence that comes from one believing themselves to be justified in their actions, just told me definitively that he thought my place was under his wing.
Those thoughts went through my mind as I watched the fear spread across the man-child's face as I allowed Itachi to take the wheel and show him, mentally, exactly why he should not cross my pride.
However, Edward is a special creature.
Simply dunking him in acid or lava or any other physical torture would do very little in way of damaging his confidence. No, the first tenant of negotiation is to tailor the carrot and stick to the individual. Which essentially means knowing what makes people tick.
That is why, instead of immersing Edward in a world of torture like Itachi did whoever that was, I don't remember, I instead immersed him in a different kind of loop. A loop that showed the monster that he believed himself to be in his heart, tearing the flesh off of those bad men over and over after stalking his prey. Just as he once did in his younger years, during his rebellious phase.
It truly was a torture made specifically for him and I knew it would open wounds that he never once actually tried to heal.
Before the cup could fall from his hand as he reveled in his regret, I surprised myself with a feat of athleticism that made no scientific sense by reaching both hands forward and taking the cup in powerful grasp. Straining my non-existent muscles in an attempt to keep the cup secure.
It was a losing battle, so I did the only thing I could do.
I let it fall. Only for it to drop a few inches before Carlisle had it in his hands and was placing it back in mine.
All it took was conveying my emotion to the room as the cup left my hand for them to act.
It truly is odd.
The more I use this ability to reach out to others with my mind, the more I learn just how different this skill truly is.
At one point, I had theorized that I had, as my original talent, a mix of telepathy and shielding, from both Bella and Edward. And I'm beginning to believe I was correct. Only, instead of using one or the other independently, it's likely that I had been using them both at the same time. The shield's ability to interact with the outside world and telepathy to put that connection to action using my thoughts. Whether that be to convey emotion, thoughts, or my latest use, which was isolating Edward's mind in a sphere that was filled with only what I wanted him to experience.
A very convenient ability.
"What's happening to him?" Carlisle asked, as he looked at the grimacing Edward with concern.
Some would feel the need to lie.
However, this is a good opportunity to let the world know a little more about my beliefs on matters that are for me and me alone to decide.
'I showed him how I felt about his action. He seemed to forget for a moment that I know everything that he has ever known. That includes his thoughts on me and the fact that he attempted to erase me from the world.' Carlisle looked worried at that.
'However, I do not blame him for this. His fear has ruled his life for so long that the idea that he could bring about a positive impact to anyone or anything is almost absent from his mind. He has never faced his fear and relied on self-loathing as an excuse to not grow as a person. So, I am giving him the opportunity.'
You know, speaking like that is getting very annoying, very quickly.
Originally, the idea of an all-knowing baby was appealing and funny, but mostly necessary. However, at no point did I realize how exhausting it would be to do with what was essentially a body ruled by its development. My brain is not yet wired for maturity. I can feel emotions, sentiment, fatigue attempting to influence my actions.
Why else would I react so spontaneously to what, in actuality, is a very small slight from what I view as a man-child.
Without my ability to improvise and pull bullshit out of the air and make it sound like it was all keikaku, I would have probably found myself hesitating or apologizing when confronted with Carlisle's questioning and concern.
However, making mistakes sound like they are well thought out decisions is business-man 101. Purely elementary.
Now, my knee-jerk reaction will result in killing multiple birds with one stone.
First, it will more than likely show Edward his place.
Second, it will show my ability to reason to a very reasonable individual (carlisle).
Third, it will garner a healthy dose of fear or respect. Either one is fine.
Fourth, it will firmly establish that I do not need others to make decisions for me.
Fifth, and last, while I did make up my reasoning on the spot, the reason I used that argument was because, it was completely accurate. The boy needs to grow. After all, Bella would have never found herself in any of that mess with Jacob if he was not pussy-footing around like a scared little boy. As I have said and will continue to say, give your balls a tug, shit-licker. Passivity is for piss-ants.
Who knows, perhaps one day, he could grow into a competent ally that can be used as a spear. Instead of what he has been and continued to be, which is something more akin to a shield that used his ability to know the thoughts of their enemies so they can try and figure out their next move, instead of the lethal advantage that it truly provided in so so many ways.
I mean, not once did I ever see him attempt to go on the offensive, allowing his adversary to fall right into a trap or even a punch, since he knew what they were going to do before they did it.
That whole confrontation after the baseball game with Bella having to go on the run was one of the worst cases of bitch-assery that I have ever witnessed. He knew his enemies thoughts and had ample opportunity to order the attack while he either took the girl to safety, if he felt he couldn't leave her side or joined the fight directing his allies actions so they could attack their outnumbered enemies with his instructions on what they were going to do. But instead, all he did was hiss, watch, and then run away, letting them leave, in order to come up with a plan.
Pitiful and deplorable (in keegan key's voice).
The boy needed some sharpening and unnamed baby knew he could get it done.
And if he failed...it would just be so. Regret is for quitters.