UB Extras - Chapter 15

Thought you'd like a visual for the plane discussion.  :)

So, Jasper is openly admitting his attraction for Bella.  Not that he ever hid it, of course.  But he's realizing it's more than just a passing fancy.

Now, many of you want Marcus to just tell Jasper that Bella is his mate.  But I decided against this option.  Yes, he gave Bella a 'push', but she is less likely, especially with everything happening to her, to figure out where his talk was coming from.  I.e. she's not as likely to go to the 'Jasper's my mate' idea immediately.  Jasper definitely would.  He is not stupid.  In fact, he's a brilliant man and knows Marcus' power.  If Marcus had tried the same with Jasper, it would have been obvious and Marcus knows that.  

Besides, Marcus wants them to come to the conclusion on their own.  Remember this part from Chapter 4 Confrontations:

I knew she was my mate, having seen the fine threads that bound us and, of course, I had enjoyed her company these last weeks. But knowing it is not the same as feeling it - and by the Gods, did I feel it now. That vibrant, beautiful woman had stolen her way into my heart and soul in a way I never would have imagined, and there was nothing I would not do to keep her there.

There is knowing and then there is knowing.  Marcus wants them to figure it out on their own so there is no doubt.  There won't be that 'does s/he love me because of me or because of the mating bond' crap.  Remember, Marcus is an old hand at this stuff too.

Bella may take a little more time.  She is just coming to terms with the idea of life as a vampire and now has Charlie's death dumped on her.  There is a lot on her plate right now, but she will get through it and Jasper is helping with that.  Besides, she was headed in the right direction from the beginning, thanks to the hotness that is Jasper Whitlock.  So don't worry.  *winks*

We'll be meeting the Cullens in the next few chapters.  I can't wait to see what y'all think of some of those scenes!  *snickers*

Music

Not sure if anyone cares, but in case anyone is wondering...

What do I listen to when I write?

Well, sometimes I prefer to write in silence, but that isn't always an option.  Sometimes there is a TV or other music on in another part of the house that can distract me, so I often put on music of my own.

Lately, before I start writing, I listen to Train’s Soul Sister.  It’s a fairly upbeat song and it just speaks to me for my Jasper and Bella for some reason.  It zens me into the place I need to be to write this story.  Don’t be surprised when this song comes up later in the fic…*grins*

Once I actually get writing, I listen to mostly instrumental music that won’t distract my word flow.  At times it will be Adam Hurst, who is an amazing cello player and does a lot of the classical stuff. 

The only thing I’ve listened to that has a lot of lyrics is BarlowGirl.  I love their tone and beat, but I’ve stopped listening to them so much because I get distracted by the songs.  I always want to sing along to them.  *laughs*

But mostly, almost always lately, I listen to Apocalyptica.  There are lyrics, but they don’t distract me as much as I’d think.  They are a group of cello players who play the harder rock (metal) music like Metallica and Rammstein.  I’m not a huge fan of that genre, but the way they do it is just amazing. 

Maybe I have a thing for cello players, but then again, considering how hot they look when they play…*fans self*  You can see why I chose two of them to be Volturi Kings.  Perttu Kivilaakso is the one with long straight black hair (though he went back to his natural dark blonde recently).  He makes me think of a dark Marcus and has inspired another story that’s been brewing in my mind.  The other, Eicca Toppinen, is the one with long, blonde hair with the dark look and personifies Caius for me.  

Anyway, I was introduced to their music early last year and have been a fan ever since.  It’s just amazing and I listen to it a lot, not just to write.

Well, I hope you enjoyed that.  I just felt like sharing.  *grins*

Ciao!

UB Extras - Chapter 12

The ‘blank slate’ vampire description is in homage to mama4dukes’ Life Happens, So Just Roll with It.  It’s a great story!  Truly funny shit.  Here is the link to the story as well as a link to my rec for it on our blog.

Story link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6394455/1/Life_Happens_So_Just_Roll_With_It

Rec link: http://wordybitches.com/?p=1421

UB Extras - Chapter 10

I always imagined Marcus as not only a patron of the arts, but an artist himself.  His apathy for all but his loss would cause him to be severely introverted and art would give him an outlet for expressing himself.  As you would imagine, much of his art in some way, either directly or indirectly, relates to Didyme.  In this instance, I imagine him recreating her with plaster and stone - perhaps a simple, innocuous memory from their past - her quiet happiness and serenity plain for all to see.

And then there is Aro.  The older brother pining for his lost sister.  Perhaps he blames himself or their ambitions for her death?  We'll never know.  But I think he would miss her quite a bit - not as much as Marcus, of course, but enough that she is often in his thoughts.  

In this chapter, Aro learns more about Bella, most notably her history and her rapt interest in his sister.  He was interested enough in her at first - as a friend to his brother, mate to one of his most loyal guard, and her power.  But now he is starting to enjoy her company for Bella herself.  At least, I hope it comes across that way.

UB Extras - Chapter 8

Books can be such an inspiration for any writer.  In this case, I quoted an amazing author, Sherrilyn Kenyon.  It's a term one of her main characters, Acheron, says often throughout her Dark Hunter series.

Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

How utterly true is this statement?  Acheron is a god among men and so incredibly full of wisdom that you are taken aback.  Perhaps due to the fact that he looks like an 18 year old goth kid.  *snorts*  Still, this quote was so fitting for the scene that I had to use it.

Besides, maybe I can get some of you to check out this amazing author's books in the interim, because they are my absolute favorites and I have never read any story more complex and intriguing while giving me healthy doses of my favorite things - vampires, werewolves, mythology, demons, history, mystery, and seriously fuckhot men!

Check out her site here.

UB Extras - Chapter 7

Here is the video for "Cake or Death".  The whole show is crazy funny, but this is just 6 minutes of it.  It leads into the cake or death bit at the end and makes more sense if you watch it all.  But if you are impatient, you could skip to about 4:45 and just listen to the last bit.  Hope you enjoy!

UB Extras - Chapter 3

Well, lots of people asked about Sera and if she'd end up with a vampire.  I guess this chapter kind of answers that, huh?  Much of this chapter is focused on Sera and Marcus and the beginning of their relationship.  You may see their POV time to time in this fic, but they are NOT the focus of the entire story.  Much of their interaction will be seen through either Bella or Jasper's POV now.

Some may wonder why Sera with Marcus?  Well, I've always loved him.  He's always seemed so sad and troubled, apathetic.  And when I decided to make Sera into a more important role in my fic, she just seemed like the perfect mate for him.  If I do my job right, you will see how she brings him into the world of the living, rather than just existing.  In return, he will keep her from going too wild and rein her in when needs be.  They just screamed perfection for each other and I had to make them mates.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

UB Extras - Chapter 2

Sera's present from Bella

 

Bella's present from Marcus

 

The Volturi Crest pendant

There are a bunch of links for Volterra on the sidebar.  Please check them out.

You may also like to check out the profiles for Marcus, Felix and Demetri.

UB Extras - Chapter 1

Michelangelo's David

(replica that stands in original placement in the Piazza della Signoria)

Please check out the link for the Florence website on the sidebar.  It is truly amazing and has a lot of pictures, videos, panoramic camera views, all kinds of things!

You may also like to check out the profiles for Sera, Kelli and Hailey.

UB Extras - Prologue

"Didyme"

Link for "Didyme" is also on the blog's Links sidebar.

Also on the Links sidebar, you will also find links to Medieaval Baebes and some information on studying abroad at NYU in Florence.

You may also want to check out Bella's profile.