It took another three days for the negotiations to conclude, with occasional breaks to run patrols.
Unbeknownst to the Manhattan Clan, a certain billionaire had managed to get extra communication equipment to the London, Ishimuran and Guatemalan clans. With their newly acquired satellite phones, souped up computers, video transmitting cameras and solar chargers to power and charge both, they were able to add their voices to the conversations.
All in all, it had gone quite a bit smoother than everyone had expected. Luckily, the Gargoyle code didn't have many differences across both time and the world location, so coming up with an overall Code went smoothly.
There was a small hiccup when Demona's name had come up, as she was the main first contact the clans had when the idea had been proposed. The Manhattan clan showed great restraint when acknowledging her part in it, but as she was not currently associated with any particular clan, it was a subject that would need a whole other conversation for a later date. Individual Gargoyles who were not part of a clan would not be excluded as far as representation, but those individuals would need to identify themselves so that they could be eased into the Council.
So far, Demona was the only solo Gargoyle that was known about, and her current whereabouts were unknown at that time. The Manhattan Clan was tasked with trying to reach her, although the other clans would do so if one of them met with her first.
Needless to say, the Manhattan clan was less than thrilled at this idea, but they knew that an effort would have to be made to hold up their end.
Elisa had been there for most of the meetings, at all of the clans' insistence, even having Liam with them as much as possible. Liam was doted on by his new "aunties and uncles", and was treated like one of the clan. He was entertained by their stories of Gargoyle lore and tales of where they were all from.
Skyler even got to sit in on some of it, but by mutual agreement, both she and Brooklyn had opted to keep their relationship to themselves. Elisa and Goliath's relationship was one thing, and had miraculously not been as big of a roadblock as they had all feared. Brooklyn and Skyler didn't want to rock the boat by revealing that there were actually two human and Gargoyle couples.
-{- -{- -{- -{- -{- -{-
The final night of the negotiations arrived, but Elisa was unable to be there for the last night since she'd been cleared to go back to work.
The talks had concluded early that final evening, and it was with some surprise that they had asked to go with the clan on their patrols.
Elisa and Matt, unaware of that decision, had gone to the scene of an active robbery in progress... only to find three black-clad individuals tied up and waiting for them in the alley behind the jewelry store. Once the would-be thieves had been hauled into the back of the responding officer's cruisers, Elisa and Matt had taken the statements and encouraged the employees to close early for the night.
Once the employees had left, Elisa and Matt went to the alley to "check things out". All three foreign ambassadors and Goliath were in the alley waiting for them.
Elisa introduced Matt, who greeted them all with handshakes and a smile while Elisa thanked them all for their help.
"Ach," Lachlan said, rotating his shoulders with a wide grin, "Tha' was fun, me girl."
"Yes," Chun-Hei said with an answering smile. "I had forgotten how good it felt to have a protectorate to defend."
"I see why you chose to stay here," Xuilan said.
"It's our job to protect the good people here," Elisa said with a smile. "There are bad people, sure, but there are plenty of good people too."
Goliath ran a gentle hand over her hair, letting his hand end at her lower back. "They wanted to get out and stretch their wings for the night before returning home tomorrow."
Elisa smiled up at him before turning her gaze to the others. "Enjoy your night. If I'm not able to get back to the castle before sunrise, it was a pleasure to meet you."
"And you as well," Xuilan smiled a secretive smile and bowed, "Hope Bringer."
Elisa's jaw dropped. "I'm sorry, what?"
"It's because of the legend, My Love," Goliath whispered to her.
Elisa jerked back to look at him. "Seriously?"
Xuilan blinked wide innocent eyes at Elisa. "Your mate assured me that you would prefer that over, 'Bride of the Soul Sworn Heart'."
"Uh, yeah," Elisa said slowly. "I guess Hope Bringer is fine. The other one's a real mouth full."
Elisa was saved when their radios fired up with information on another call.
"I hate to break this up," Matt called, already turning towards the mouth of the alley, "But we've got to go."
Elisa gave Goliath a quick kiss on the cheek, and waved to the others as she ran to join her partner.
"Come on, Hope Bringer," Matt taunted, dangling her keys from his hand. "Time to go fight some crime."
Elisa grabbed her keys with an eye roll. "How much is it going to take for you to not torment me with that name?"
"More than you've got," Matt said, looking smug.
"Thought so," Elisa muttered, turning the key in the ignition. Before shifting her car into gear, she looked into the sky, catching four shadows passing in front of the moon.
Goliath and the foreign ambassadors were still up there, ready to swoop in and help if needed.
Maybe being known as "Hope Bringer" wasn't a bad thing, Elisa mused. Not if it was able to connect them all.
