Elisa and Goliath left Fox, now fully awake, sitting on the small porch with Bolin for company. An offer had been extended for Fox to join the clan by the fire, but Fox only declined and opted to stay near the clinic.
Together, with Koa following behind, Elisa and Goliath made their way to the clan as they sat around the fire.
As they got closer, they were able to hear hushed voices. Despite the volume, it was obviously a disagreement, and it made Elisa hesitate. "Maybe we should wait until they're done talking."
Goliath nodded his agreement, and they stood together out of the way.
Talia stood abruptly, hands on her hips. "Tau," she snapped, "Approve or not, they are our guests. Their child was attacked by one of our own, and I will not have them insulted on top of it."
Koa, having heard the exchange, hurried around the couple and to the group. He said something in the language that reflected the humans, that caused heads to turn in Elisa and Goliath's direction.
Goliath, sensing the tension in the air, hurried to sidestep and placed himself in front of his mate.
Talia snapped something in that odd language, and Tau, the elder healer, pushed to his feet and stormed off.
Talia sighed, closing her eyes as if she were praying for patience. Once her eyes opened, she sought Goliath's gaze. "I would humbly apologize once more for any mistreatment that you and your family have experienced."
Goliath nodded jerkily. His family had been through enough in his opinion, and he was not going to put them in a position to be the target to more.
"Tau is an elder," Talia hurried to explain. "We have all heard of the legend, though it has been some time since it was spoken of in something other than a fanciful story. I am not sure how he thought such a child would be brought into the world without a human or a fae involved, but…"
"He does not approve of my mate," Goliath almost growled.
"He is old and set in his ways," Talia argued back. "I am younger, and even for myself, it is… odd."
Elisa put her hand against his back, feeling the taught muscles there. "Goliath," she said, "I am going to go back and sit with Fox. You go ahead, talk with the clan. It will be easier without me here, at least for now. You can come get me later if…"
Even as she trailed off, Elisa felt as those muscles beneath her hand went tight, then relaxed just a bit.
He turned his head, just enough to be able to see her, then gave her a nod.
Elisa gave him what she had hoped was an encouraging smile, then turned to return to the clinic building.
Fox was sitting on the steps, her head still bandaged, but she was awake and finally free from the IV lines.
Bolin stood nearby, leaning against the building behind Fox and all but disappearing into the deep shadows thrown around from the bright moon and the still burning council fire. He had a bland, bored expression on his face, but Elisa knew from experience that was far from the case. If she asked, she knew that he would be able to tell her where everyone was, how many there were, and where he thought the greatest threat would come from.
He stood upright at Elisa's approach and hurrying to join her a few feet from where Fox sat. "What has happened?" he asked softly.
"Oh, you know," Elisa said, shrugging and trying to appear unconcerned in case someone was watching. "Human mated with a gargoyle drama. They… not all, but definitely a majority," Elisa jerked her head to where the rest of the clan sat, "don't seem to approve, so my staying there would have probably caused more problems than it would solve."
Bolin straightened his shoulders. "Perhaps I should join Goliath."
Elisa nodded. "They would be more open with the two of you there."
Bolin nodded once, then turned and made the short trek to the fire where the other gargoyles had gathered.
With a sigh, Elisa stepped up onto the small porch.
"Hey," Elisa greeted, sitting on the step beside Fox.
"Hey, yourself," Fox replied, looking confused. "Shouldn't you be over there, introducing yourself and getting to know the clan?"
"Yeah," Elisa said on a sigh. "There seems to be a bit of animosity there. No, that's not fair," she decided, running a hand through her hair. "Not animosity, or at least not openly. Just…discomfort."
"The whole 'human mated with a gargoyle' thing?" Fox asked, a knowing look in her eyes.
"Yeah," Elisa leaned forward and propped her elbows on her knees as she looked across the way to where Goliath sat with the clan.
"They've been isolated here a long time," Fox pointed out.
Elisa nodded. "They're like the Ishimura clan in Japan. They have a relationship with the humans here, have treaties and agreements with them for survival and protection, but an actual relationship with one…" Elisa shrugged.
"Don't let it get to you," Fox said tiredly.
"I'm trying not to," Elisa said, as she began searching the area. "Would you look at that," Elisa marveled, catching sight of her kids.
Fox turned her head and caught sight of them, surrounded by both gargoyle and human children ranging in age from toddler to teen.
Liam was being pulled into a ball game with an American soccer ball, with no discernable rules that Elisa could see. Just a group of boys being boys.
Meanwhile, Nayeli was sitting in a circle with a group of females, a small owl on her shoulder and holding a large lizard on her lap. So far, they had done her hair into an intricate style that Elisa had no hope of duplicating, complete with feathers and other decoration, and were now using pots of special paints to decorate her face with white dots and red lines.
Fox began to laugh at the sight, and Elisa joined in.
"Well, there's a picture," Fox said.
"Definitely something they'll remember," Elisa agreed.