****Castle Wyvern
Goliath stood with a stoic discipline, yet a small gale of apprehension twisted at his insides as he awaited the Chinese Clan representatives.
The elevator doors to the Great Hall finally opened to reveal Owen Burnett escorting two gargoyles, who appeared to be an interesting contrast to one another.
Goliath had been unsure of what to expect, though he was certain he was not expecting this.
The two gargoyles were an elder a rookery generation older then Hudson, the equivalent of a human in their seventies, and a younger one who had to be Angela's age, yet while the young female resembled the more common humanoid gargoyles such as Goliath, the elder looked more like a traditional Chinese dragon.
He was only a head shorter than Goliath, yet he had to support himself with a carved bamboo cane because of his great age. His color was a faded shade of red with a slight tint of grey, he had grey white hair, and his eyes were a reptilian gold with a wolf's soul. His head was very wolf-like with horse ears, a boar-like snout with rat tail feelers like a long mustache, and a pair of Oryx horns curved and twisted upon his head to fork into two branches at the top. His talons were like those of a bird of prey such as an eagle or hawk, while his wings were still bat like yet lacked any digits while eight ribs went through the membranes of each wing like a window blind, and his tail ended in a fin like fan with five delicate ribs. The elder wore a black robe with gold trimmings and sacred Chinese symbols, over what may be a long and lanky figure, yet he carried himself with dignity and radiated with strength of wisdom.
The younger female was only slightly shorter with a petite figure, and would have easily been related to members of Goliath's clan if not for a few small differences. Her coloring was a shade of jade green lighter than Sata's coloring, and her prominent beak was far shorter than Brooklyn's, and her hang glider type wings had only one talon. Her horns were shorter and more goat like, though closer to her head and split at the end the then slightly curve up, and they were a darker shade of green, more twisted like a spiral and framed back her glossy shoulder length black hair. She wore a blush pink tunic that clashed with her light jade coloring.
"Goliath," Owen began in his usual wooden monotone, "May I present Li Shen and Kwan Yin of the Chinese Clan."
The new gargoyles gave formal bows at their introduction, which he then returned with great dignity.
"I welcome you to my clan's home," Goliath said with sincerity, taking great care to keep any apprehension from his voice, "and we are greatly honored to have you as our guests."
"Your hospitality is most appreciated, Manhattan Clan leader," the elder, Li Shen, said with a husky voice, surprising Goliath a bit that he spoke such fluent English.
"If you will excuse me," Owen proclaim as he left to tend to his other duties.
"If you so wish, Elder," Goliath said, "I can show you to my clan's wing of the castle where you and Kwan Yin may rest from your long journey."
"Thank you, that will be most welcome," Li Shen said, "But, please forgive my bluntness, clan leader, I am most eager to get down to business. May we go some place and speak in private?"
Goliath gestured for the new gargoyles to follow him, Li Shen followed at a steady pace with his bamboo cane clicking lightly with every other step, and young Kwan Yin followed her elder at a pace behind with a demur grace.
They soon arrived in the Manhattan Clan's wing of the castle to find a single human female waiting on Hudson's chair, who quickly stood as the Chinese Clan members entered.
Although Elisa stood with her usual confidence, Goliath could see the same apprehension he shared in her eyes. Elisa saw the two new gargoyles eye her carefully, though their facial expressions remained neutral much like Mei Hsing's had.
"Ah, I take it this is the human female chosen to be your mate," Li Shen said, Elisa clearly noticing that there was no tone of contempt in his voice when he said the word _human_, but rather merely as an observation.
"Yes, Elder," Goliath said with a bit of defensiveness leaking into his voice, "Li Shen, may I introduce my lifemate and my clan's closest human friend, Elisa Maza."
Elisa gave her best formal bow, which, a bit surprisingly to her, the two new gargoyles returned with great dignified courtesy.
The four of the then took seats facing each other from across a small coffee table as Li Shen then began to say,
"I am certain you must be wondering as to why we have come, so I will get straight to the point. It has recently come to my attention about the confusion and controversy surrounding recent events. It all begins with the sudden unprovoked attack of magical beings of the spirit world, and destroying many warriors from my clan, then comes the appearance of new gargoyles from a far off land to lend aid to my recently devastated clan which has remained isolated for many years. It then leads to an invitation to a gathering with other gargoyles and proposes an alliance with other clans and in turn the human race. Rumor then tells that the council leader has chosen to take a human as his mate instead of a proper female as he should, so Mei Hsing took it upon herself to present him with a proper mate with the strong claim of having the support of the council. Now rumor tells otherwise, that my clan's own leader, Mei Hsing, never had any such support as so told by one called Kai, the Japanese Clan leader."
Goliath and Elisa listened carefully as Li Shen spoke, though there was no accusation or contempt in his voice, merely facts as he understood them, though his careful wording and logic kept the mismatched couple a bit on edge.
Goliath partially wondered if that was why the dragon-like Chinese elder was actually here for, that Mei Hsing had actually sent someone older and wiser from her clan for him to listen to and the younger female beside Li Shen will be his new proposed mate.
This thought quickly passed as Li Shen concluded, "If this rumor is true, among others, it calls Mei Hsing's leadership qualities and integrity into question. If a terrible misunderstanding is to be avoided, I have come to resolve such matters and simply wish to hear your side of the story."
Goliath and Elisa remained silent a moment or so longer than necessary with frowns upon their faces until Goliath began to calmly say, "Those last rumors you have heard are in a sense true, Elder. I myself spoke with several clan leaders about the issue in my attempt to find a healer, and none of them have reason to lie to me."
Li Shen gently stroked one of his feelers as a neutral yet thoughtful look graced his dragon-like features.
"I myself spoke with this Kai only briefly, and I am inclined to agree with you. Tell me of how Mei Hsing tried to pair you off with another female, one who was already infatuated with you I understand."
The creases upon the brawny lavender male's face deepened a bit as he continued to frown, frustration welling a bit within him at having to once again defend his right of choice and love for a human female. Yet with a disciplined patience he told the Chinese elder of Mei Hsing's actions at their commitment ceremony, which then lead to Goliath's realization that she presented him with no proof of her claims other than her word.
Li Shen once again gently stroked his feeler as though deep in thought, then politely asked Goliath to tell his part of the story of what happened at the council meeting and why he propose allying with humanity. This lead to a long conversation that involved much talk of the Unseelie War nearly a year and a half ago and some explanations about more of the Manhattan Clan's background.
Li Shen listened with quiet patience, and did not pass harsh judgment but only asked occasional questions so as to understand things a bit more clearly and even respected their choice to not answer some questions they felt were too personal.
However, they did explain the twisted reasoning behind the Unseelie War and the prophesized downfall of Madoc Morfryn.
"And this Madoc Morfryn no doubt interpreted this 'union' to be about the two of you?" Li Shen politely inquired, to which they nodded.
The faded red Chinese elder momentarily placed both hands upon his bamboo cane as he then rose from his seat, gesturing to Elisa as he gently said, "Please, come closer, Ms. Maza, I wish to have a closer look at you."
Elisa stood with her usual confidence and determination, any apprehension she may have felt at that moment she was able to keep from her body language as she stepped closer to Li Shen.
While once again stroking one of his rat tail-like feelers, the elder gargoyle walked around Elisa with a strong presence as he eyed her up and down with the grace of a hawk circling for prey. However, where Mei Hsing had eyed Elisa as though she were an insignificant ant that was beneath her attention, Li Shen seemed to look at her as though trying to look beyond her physical appearance and into her soul. Though he circled her like a predator, there was no hunger in his golden wolf eyes, only observation.
As Li Shen finally faced her again he closed his eyes and gently waved a hand in front of her as though feeling her aura. He again stroked his feeler as he made a low hum, he then simply asked Elisa,
"Though you are human, Ms. Maza, do you understand the sacrifices that come with being a clan leader's mate?"
"I do," she said with calm determination, "As a police officer I have to make sacrifices every day to ensure that people in this city, especially my clan, are safe and happy because they can't always defend themselves. Now that we're lifemates I know that we will have to make more sacrifices, but we will face them together because we are one, now and forever. I will stand by Goliath to my dying breath."
Li Shen momentarily stoked his chin with his talon tips as he contemplated what Elisa said, a small smile then graced his dragon-like features.
"Yes, her chi is strong," he quietly said as he retook his seat near the jade green female, whom Elisa noticed had quietly been eyeing her not with contempt, but with curiosity.
Elisa also took her seat next to Goliath as he gently embraced her with one brawny arm.
"I am beginning to understand why a gargoyle chose a human for a lifemate," Li Shen said, "Despite her appearance; she has a gargoyle's spirit. You are indeed a bit of a controversy, Goliath, but you have a good soul and that is all that matters. This mateship is also most unusual, but it's not my place to judge."
Goliath just remained momentarily silent.
"What were the consequences claimed to be if you and Ms. Maza became lifemates?" Li Shen patiently asked.
"That all in my clan will be banished from attending any future council meetings," Goliath said with obvious resentment in his voice.
"Ay ya," the Chinese elder sighed with a shake of his head, "It's as I feared."
A moment of awkward silence fell between them before Li Shen continued,
"You must understand, Mei Hsing has always been very stubborn and set in her ways, believing she knew what was best for everyone even to the point of never considering the possible consequences of her actions, which has unfortunately led her to becoming very arrogant. Something I had hoped she had out grown, but current events have proven this to be false. Especially with her limited experience with the outside world and other clan leaders, she shows great discourtesy with forgetting that while a clan leader has a great responsibility of leading a clan, it is not her place to determine the affairs of another clan and insult its clan leader by trying to usurp their authority. Also she forgets there is no commanding the affairs of the heart, especially among other clan leaders. Why she has determined this to be her choice, I cannot say at this moment, but I assure you I will soon enough.
"She also still believes isolation is the only way for our clan to survive, a belief shared by many elders in my clan, but I am not one of them. Many seem to have forgotten that before the coming of the Communists and before the human Councilman Mao came to power, many clans in China coexisted with humans peacefully for many centuries. Unfortunately, the Cultural Revolution sought to destroy all that and more, placing countless innocent gargoyles in the middle. My clan and any other survivors were forced deeper into hiding within our mountainous home of Xanadu."
Elisa suppressed a bit of a laugh as Goliath said, "Mei Hsing told of the same events at the council, clearly justifying it for her clan's continued isolation and her xenophobia towards humanity."
"Indeed," Li Shen said with a nod, "Which brings us as to why I am truly here. While my clan may not yet be ready to establish new relations with the human race, which will happen but in its own time, creating alliances with other clans may be essential, beginning with the proposed exchange of clan members. Though most in my clan prefer to have things remain as they are, recent events have made the younger generation more inquisitive about the outside world. Also, I fear my clan is too close to the dangers of inbreeding, especially for the guardian beasts we breed, more so now that our numbers have dwindled with the attack by these Unseelie creatures. That's why I came to not only avoid a confrontational misunderstanding, but to apologize for Mei Hsing's actions and offer young Kwan Yin here as your clan's temporary healer in the name of friendship."
Goliath and Elisa looked at the young beaked female, who had remained silent the whole time, next to Li Shen. She merely gave a nod of acknowledgement, but Elisa could see a twinkle of anticipation or excitement in the light jade green female's dark eyes, even though her expression remained neutral.
Goliath momentarily raised an eye ridge as he said, "That's very generous of you, Elder, but I had hoped for an older healer with a bit more experience."
"I assure you, clan leader," Li Shen said with a bit of a smile, "though Kwan Yin is quite young and only having recently completed her apprenticeship, her healing skills are very exceptional. And with her age and what she can learn from the outside world, a younger perception may just be what my clan needs to give it a fresh perspective."
"I believe I understand your wisdom, Elder. However, there is one requirement I must be certain of. My clan's ally, David Xanatos, is also searching for a doctor, a _human_ healer, for my clan as well in hopes of a better understanding between humans and gargoyles. Kwan Yin, as well as being a healer for my clan, will you be willing to work alongside a human doctor?"
"Yes," Kwan Yin said as she looked at Goliath straight in the eye, "The human world has much to offer and I want to learn all I can."
"Your eagerness and enthusiasm are admirable," Goliath gently rumbled, "But my clan's way of life is going to be very different from your clan's customs."
"Any discomforts I may experience is irrelevant, all that matters is the bringing of peace to body and soul, as well as the clan. I am here to learn, and I know I must adapt. I would have been a fool to come and not know this. I am ready to accept you as my leader and will honor your authority, and I humbly await your decision for acceptance as your clan healer or to be turned away."
"You know what, Big Guy?" Elisa spoke up, "I like her, and for now she may be the best one qualified for the job. I say we give Kwan Yin a chance."
Smiles were exchanged between the four of them as Kwan Yin whispered a thank you.
The next moment, as though on cue, Owen entered pushing a cart in front of himself full of traditional Chinese food and an expensive tea set used for a traditional Chinese welcoming tea ceremony, all the while doing it with his ever stiff wooden countenance and not saying a word.
As Owen began to get everything prepared, Li Shen commented, "A most unusual human."
"Trust me, you don't know the half of it," Elisa mumbled, Li Shen just raised a brow ridge.
"I am most curious about one thing," Li Shen said, "Aside from the most observable reason, why is your clan suddenly in need of a healer?"
Goliath and Elisa looked at each other in silence, Elisa then said before she allowed herself to hesitate, "I'm pregnant."
A twinkle of comprehension momentarily flashed in Li Shen's eyes.
"Interesting," he said as he again stroked a feeler, "Most interesting."