Egor hurried down the stone hall, eager to find his clan-sister. It was one of the few times that Egor had seen Ebony this angry. True she argued often with practically everyone, indeed, Ebony relished in defying anyone's authority, especially Goliath's… But this… This was entirely different. Ebony was hurting, hurting more then even Egor could ever understand. Despite all their years of friendship and loyalty, Egor knew he would never completely understand Ebony. And why should he? She was a crossbreed, one who was still trying to make sense of what she was, what she was capable of…
Shaking his head and hurried down the cobblestone steps that led to the lower levels of the castle, Egor following his nose until it led him to one of Ebony's favorite places in the entire castle; the castle atrium, which was one of Xanatos's most recent additions. Seated at the foot of an apple tree, the spring time sensation not matching the cold weather outside it's glass walls, Ebony had her face hidden behind her raised knees, sobs racking her back, her wings draped over her head like a shroud. Egor sighed, feeling such tender pity for the demon gargoyle he had known for so long. It was going to take some convincing to lift her spirits. "Ebony?" Egor called gently, stepping forward. "Are you alright?"
"No, I'm not. I thought it was obvious." Came a meek answer somewhere underneath those wings.
Egor smiled despite himself. Ebony, no matter what, was always Ebony. Seating himself next to her and carefully reaching out to caress Ebony's bowed head, running his fingers through her deep black hair, marveling at how fluid it felt. "Yea… I'm guessing that has been a rather um, emotional moment for you…"
"That's an understatement." Ebony sniffed and finally raised her head to meet his gaze, her eyes swollen and red from crying. She rubbed the tears away and laid her head on Egor's quarterback shoulder. "I'm guessing Goliath wants me back up there to apologize, right?" she asked mournfully.
Egor, startled that she would think that at such a time, blinked and shook his head. "No, at least not yet. I'm guessing he's going to let you do it on your own time…" Egor answered, silently praying it was true. Goliath seemed to understand as much. Egor mentally made it a point to have a talk with his clan-leader later. Egor breathed in and put him arm around her shoulders, drawing her closer, halfway embracing her and gently kissed her on the head, her hair smelling faintly of Herbal Essences. "But you can worry about that later. Right now you should be thinking about what you're going to do, right?"
Ebony nodded slowly, her face suddenly filled with tension. "I know… but what can I do Egor? What? I never thought this would happen! I don't want her here! I don't want a sister!" Ebony snorted. "She's probably just going to be like Oberon, a arrogant, self-absorbed bitch!"
Egor grinned. "Careful. He might have heard that."
Ebony snorted again and looked up towards the gray, cloudy sky, snow dancing in cadence against the glass, as though expecting to see the great Fairy King to appear. "I don't care he if does! It's his fault all of this happened! Why can't he just leave me alone!"
Egor rubbed Ebony on the shoulders. "Come on Ebbs. I don't think he's doing this to get back at you! I think he's more pissed at you're mom… He's just doing this to get back at her…"
But why?!" Ebony yelled, the anger and resentment back in her voice. "What did my mother do to make him so angry with her?!"
Egor sighed and looked up to the sky as well, a faraway look in his eyes, his voice careful. "I can't honestly answer that, but I can think of three people who can." Seeing Ebony glare at him in answer Egor stared back sternly. "She's is your sister, Ebony. And she does know a lot more about Avalon and your mother then you ever could. Maybe you should try talking to her… She didn't seem that bad… in fact I think you kinda scared her!"
Ebony snarled to herself, her eyes now on the ground, her talons flexing, digging into the ground. After several moments of stony silence Ebony finally looked up, resentful resignation obvious on her face. "Maybe you right… but I still don't like it…"
Egor hugged Ebony again, refreshed by her stubbornness. "I never expected otherwise Ebony." Getting to his feet Egor offered a hand to Ebony, grinning. "Come one, let's go listen to their story. You don't have to say anything to them, just listen."
Ebony stared at her clan-friend's hand for a long time, her thoughts tumbling through her head like a nonstop wave. Then, finally, she grabbed it and stood up.
----------------------------------------------------
"Long ago, in the era humans would have called the Iron Age, Avalon suffered a grave catastrophe. A great battle had ensued on Avalon's shores, it's combatants, draining nearly all it's magical energy." Juno explained slowly, carefully, as she and the others were seated in the large living room, everyone clutching cups of herbal tea, cups which were soon forgotten. Everyone was there, except for Ebony and Egor, their faces filled with barely restrained curiosity. Juno paused to glance at Pan, remembering… they had both taken place in that great battle… so long ago… Clearing her throat and taking a sip from her teacup, Juno continued.
"It had been a great battle, indeed many of our number had died! So Oberon decided that we had to abandon Avalon to the mists and give her a chance to heal. And so we left, all of us, to live in the mortal world of humans, some hiding away to lick our wounds, others taking the form of mortals, while even other's, like myself and Pan here, pretended to play the parts of human deities, instantly bringing human adoration and reverence…" Juno paused, smiling slightly in memory of the countless prostrating humans bowing at her feet, offering sacrifices… So long ago…
"Anyway, immediately after the battle Ebony's mother, who at the time was called Neolanna, decided to first escape to ancient Ireland, which at the time was largely unpopulated by humans. There she came across a clan of gargoyles, the same clan of gargoyles your Ebony and Egor derive from. As you humans say, an opportunity presented itself. Neolanna, taking the illusionary form of a gargoyle, took her place in the clan, instantly gaining their protection. And there she lived for years, helping the clan survive the curse of the Banshee by persuading them to aid the Irish hero Cuchulian." Juno explained, this bit of information drawing startled looks from Angela, Goliath and Elisa.
Juno took another sip of tea, her eyes vacant. "During her stay there Neolanna foolishly ignored one of Oberon's decrees by mating with one of their number, a gargoyle male who eventually became the clan's leader. And to make matters worse Neolanna discovered that somehow her mate had succeeded in breeding with her! And thus Ebony was born."
Brooklyn raised a hand, seated next to Angela. "Why didn't Ebony's clan realize that Ebony's mother was different when they saw Ebony? There must have been indication…" But Brooklyn fell silent, seeing Juno shake her head.
"Although many of us are unclear on how it happened or how exactly Neolanna pulled it off, but Ebony was born the same way any other gargoyle would be, from an egg. I suppose this had to do with Neo's method of disguise. When she disguised herself, Neolanna basically made her physical appearance the same as that of a gargoyle, all the way down to the biology. But whatever shape a Fay may take, a Fay is still a Fay. So when Ebony was born she was, in a way, as much a gargoyle as any of you… physically… it's just that she has an unusual ability to control very potent magic, which she somehow generates."
-----------------------------------------------------
Ebony listened, hidden away in the hall, her skin matching the dark gray of the shadows. Braced against the stone wall with her arms crossed, Ebony glowered, glancing at Egor who stood next to her, also listening. Egor, his face blank, said nothing, indeed fascinated by Juno's story thus far. Ebony grimaced and forced herself to look away, returning her attention to Juno's story.
----------------------------------------------------
Lex sat back, so far finding himself blown away by Juno's story. It raised so many questions. Like did any Fays hide in Scotland? Did Demona ever come in contact with one during her long, immortal life? Shaking his head Lexington squirmed, and breathed in… instantly catching the scent of Ebony and Egor, nearby. Turning his head Lex caught a sight of them in the hall, the two almost impossible to see in the shadows. When his gaze met Ebony's, Lex quickly looked away, blushing. She had a right to listen. Not saying anything to the others, Lex grunted to himself and looked back to Juno, wondering to himself what Ebony must be feeling right now and hoping she would be able to cope.
-------------------------------------------------
Hemera had noticed Lex fleeting look towards the hall, her eyes darting in the direction he had glanced, her eyes landing on Ebony's nearly hidden form. Hemera felt a pang of pity echo through her, wishing she could go to her and comfort her, reassure her, knowing that would be impossible. Ebony had made it very clear that she wanted nothing to do with Hemera. Her face clouding with remorse, Hemera turned away to listen respectfully to Juno's story, a story she knew far to well.
"Shortly after Ebony's birth, Oberon somehow got a wind of what was going on. Not only enraged that Neolanna would, excuse the expression, stoop so low as to mate with a gargoyle and breed with him, but also fearful of what could happen. So, he ordered Neolanna to terminate her hatchling and leave the clan. But Neo ignored Oberon and left her child in the care of her adoptive clan, fleeing to the south east, hoping Oberon would never discover that the child he had ordered to die in reality lived."
"For a while, Neolanna roamed the human lands alone, in the guise of an elderly human female, until she reached Ancient Rome, where she found some refuge with her sister, a Fay who was once called Hera, but was renamed Juno by the changing tides of time. In other words, myself."
Everyone gasped and stared at Juno, the meaning of those words slowly sinking in. "That means," Brooklyn said, his voice cracking. "That your Ebony's aunt… right?"
Juno nodded calmly, putting her teacup down. "That is correct."
Hidden away in her corner, Ebony stared at this human female, once again shocked. Egor blinked and glanced at Ebony, hoping she wouldn't erupt with rage like before, but was somewhat surprised to see Ebony merely grimace, her eyes filled with barely repressed fury and confusion, saying nothing.
Juno cleared her throat before she continued. "While in my care, Neo had a brief liaison with another Fay, a Fay called Zeus, who later become my husband. Through their brief union they produced a Fay child who was named Hemera, daughter of the dawn. Fearful for what an already sour Oberon may do, she placed the child Fay into my care. It wasn't until many years later that Hemera's true origins became clear. So Neo found herself once again flung into the human world. This time she headed further south to a region called Egypt. There she became the goddess Isis you all have heard off."
Broadway shook his head, also astounded. "Well, I guess that answers a lot of Ebony's questions but none of our own. Why would Oberon want to boot three Fays out of Avalon and turn them mortal? And why was Hemera turned into a gargoyle, while you two are human. It doesn't make any sense…"
Pan sighed and glanced at Hemera, also wondering that question. Why was she turned into a gargoyle? Still unaccustomed to seeing the once pale and stately Hemera shimmer with fairy beauty, Pan looked away. How odd she seemed now, with that tail, those horns, those wings… Pan cleared his throat, forcing himself to ignore it. "I'm guessing that if transformed into a gargoyle, Hemera would find a mortal's life harder to withstand. Or perhaps, remembering his debt to Goliath, who had aided him return to his throne, Oberon decided to turn Hemera into a gargoyle knowing how impoverished your clan is of breeding females."
Broadway blushed at this, and Pan noticed with some amusement so did Hemera. Was it actually possible that Hemera found that young, chubby male gargoyle attractive?! The idea of it was absolutely preposterous! But then Hemera WAS a gargoyle now… "And as for us, well Oberon had always known how we felt towards human, our beliefs of humans only purpose to serve the Fays most likely present an amusing punishment for the both of us…"
All were silent at this for several moments. Then, after nearly two full minutes of thoughtful silence, Goliath finally cleared his throat and leaned forward. "Well, considering your case, I have decided that you can stay here… that is, if you don't mind Xanatos?"
The billionaire shrugged and waved a hand, his earlier aggression long forgotten. "Of course, it would be an honor."
----------------------------------------------------------
Shaking his head and hurried down the cobblestone steps that led to the lower levels of the castle, Egor following his nose until it led him to one of Ebony's favorite places in the entire castle; the castle atrium, which was one of Xanatos's most recent additions. Seated at the foot of an apple tree, the spring time sensation not matching the cold weather outside it's glass walls, Ebony had her face hidden behind her raised knees, sobs racking her back, her wings draped over her head like a shroud. Egor sighed, feeling such tender pity for the demon gargoyle he had known for so long. It was going to take some convincing to lift her spirits. "Ebony?" Egor called gently, stepping forward. "Are you alright?"
"No, I'm not. I thought it was obvious." Came a meek answer somewhere underneath those wings.
Egor smiled despite himself. Ebony, no matter what, was always Ebony. Seating himself next to her and carefully reaching out to caress Ebony's bowed head, running his fingers through her deep black hair, marveling at how fluid it felt. "Yea… I'm guessing that has been a rather um, emotional moment for you…"
"That's an understatement." Ebony sniffed and finally raised her head to meet his gaze, her eyes swollen and red from crying. She rubbed the tears away and laid her head on Egor's quarterback shoulder. "I'm guessing Goliath wants me back up there to apologize, right?" she asked mournfully.
Egor, startled that she would think that at such a time, blinked and shook his head. "No, at least not yet. I'm guessing he's going to let you do it on your own time…" Egor answered, silently praying it was true. Goliath seemed to understand as much. Egor mentally made it a point to have a talk with his clan-leader later. Egor breathed in and put him arm around her shoulders, drawing her closer, halfway embracing her and gently kissed her on the head, her hair smelling faintly of Herbal Essences. "But you can worry about that later. Right now you should be thinking about what you're going to do, right?"
Ebony nodded slowly, her face suddenly filled with tension. "I know… but what can I do Egor? What? I never thought this would happen! I don't want her here! I don't want a sister!" Ebony snorted. "She's probably just going to be like Oberon, a arrogant, self-absorbed bitch!"
Egor grinned. "Careful. He might have heard that."
Ebony snorted again and looked up towards the gray, cloudy sky, snow dancing in cadence against the glass, as though expecting to see the great Fairy King to appear. "I don't care he if does! It's his fault all of this happened! Why can't he just leave me alone!"
Egor rubbed Ebony on the shoulders. "Come on Ebbs. I don't think he's doing this to get back at you! I think he's more pissed at you're mom… He's just doing this to get back at her…"
But why?!" Ebony yelled, the anger and resentment back in her voice. "What did my mother do to make him so angry with her?!"
Egor sighed and looked up to the sky as well, a faraway look in his eyes, his voice careful. "I can't honestly answer that, but I can think of three people who can." Seeing Ebony glare at him in answer Egor stared back sternly. "She's is your sister, Ebony. And she does know a lot more about Avalon and your mother then you ever could. Maybe you should try talking to her… She didn't seem that bad… in fact I think you kinda scared her!"
Ebony snarled to herself, her eyes now on the ground, her talons flexing, digging into the ground. After several moments of stony silence Ebony finally looked up, resentful resignation obvious on her face. "Maybe you right… but I still don't like it…"
Egor hugged Ebony again, refreshed by her stubbornness. "I never expected otherwise Ebony." Getting to his feet Egor offered a hand to Ebony, grinning. "Come one, let's go listen to their story. You don't have to say anything to them, just listen."
Ebony stared at her clan-friend's hand for a long time, her thoughts tumbling through her head like a nonstop wave. Then, finally, she grabbed it and stood up.
----------------------------------------------------
"Long ago, in the era humans would have called the Iron Age, Avalon suffered a grave catastrophe. A great battle had ensued on Avalon's shores, it's combatants, draining nearly all it's magical energy." Juno explained slowly, carefully, as she and the others were seated in the large living room, everyone clutching cups of herbal tea, cups which were soon forgotten. Everyone was there, except for Ebony and Egor, their faces filled with barely restrained curiosity. Juno paused to glance at Pan, remembering… they had both taken place in that great battle… so long ago… Clearing her throat and taking a sip from her teacup, Juno continued.
"It had been a great battle, indeed many of our number had died! So Oberon decided that we had to abandon Avalon to the mists and give her a chance to heal. And so we left, all of us, to live in the mortal world of humans, some hiding away to lick our wounds, others taking the form of mortals, while even other's, like myself and Pan here, pretended to play the parts of human deities, instantly bringing human adoration and reverence…" Juno paused, smiling slightly in memory of the countless prostrating humans bowing at her feet, offering sacrifices… So long ago…
"Anyway, immediately after the battle Ebony's mother, who at the time was called Neolanna, decided to first escape to ancient Ireland, which at the time was largely unpopulated by humans. There she came across a clan of gargoyles, the same clan of gargoyles your Ebony and Egor derive from. As you humans say, an opportunity presented itself. Neolanna, taking the illusionary form of a gargoyle, took her place in the clan, instantly gaining their protection. And there she lived for years, helping the clan survive the curse of the Banshee by persuading them to aid the Irish hero Cuchulian." Juno explained, this bit of information drawing startled looks from Angela, Goliath and Elisa.
Juno took another sip of tea, her eyes vacant. "During her stay there Neolanna foolishly ignored one of Oberon's decrees by mating with one of their number, a gargoyle male who eventually became the clan's leader. And to make matters worse Neolanna discovered that somehow her mate had succeeded in breeding with her! And thus Ebony was born."
Brooklyn raised a hand, seated next to Angela. "Why didn't Ebony's clan realize that Ebony's mother was different when they saw Ebony? There must have been indication…" But Brooklyn fell silent, seeing Juno shake her head.
"Although many of us are unclear on how it happened or how exactly Neolanna pulled it off, but Ebony was born the same way any other gargoyle would be, from an egg. I suppose this had to do with Neo's method of disguise. When she disguised herself, Neolanna basically made her physical appearance the same as that of a gargoyle, all the way down to the biology. But whatever shape a Fay may take, a Fay is still a Fay. So when Ebony was born she was, in a way, as much a gargoyle as any of you… physically… it's just that she has an unusual ability to control very potent magic, which she somehow generates."
-----------------------------------------------------
Ebony listened, hidden away in the hall, her skin matching the dark gray of the shadows. Braced against the stone wall with her arms crossed, Ebony glowered, glancing at Egor who stood next to her, also listening. Egor, his face blank, said nothing, indeed fascinated by Juno's story thus far. Ebony grimaced and forced herself to look away, returning her attention to Juno's story.
----------------------------------------------------
Lex sat back, so far finding himself blown away by Juno's story. It raised so many questions. Like did any Fays hide in Scotland? Did Demona ever come in contact with one during her long, immortal life? Shaking his head Lexington squirmed, and breathed in… instantly catching the scent of Ebony and Egor, nearby. Turning his head Lex caught a sight of them in the hall, the two almost impossible to see in the shadows. When his gaze met Ebony's, Lex quickly looked away, blushing. She had a right to listen. Not saying anything to the others, Lex grunted to himself and looked back to Juno, wondering to himself what Ebony must be feeling right now and hoping she would be able to cope.
-------------------------------------------------
Hemera had noticed Lex fleeting look towards the hall, her eyes darting in the direction he had glanced, her eyes landing on Ebony's nearly hidden form. Hemera felt a pang of pity echo through her, wishing she could go to her and comfort her, reassure her, knowing that would be impossible. Ebony had made it very clear that she wanted nothing to do with Hemera. Her face clouding with remorse, Hemera turned away to listen respectfully to Juno's story, a story she knew far to well.
"Shortly after Ebony's birth, Oberon somehow got a wind of what was going on. Not only enraged that Neolanna would, excuse the expression, stoop so low as to mate with a gargoyle and breed with him, but also fearful of what could happen. So, he ordered Neolanna to terminate her hatchling and leave the clan. But Neo ignored Oberon and left her child in the care of her adoptive clan, fleeing to the south east, hoping Oberon would never discover that the child he had ordered to die in reality lived."
"For a while, Neolanna roamed the human lands alone, in the guise of an elderly human female, until she reached Ancient Rome, where she found some refuge with her sister, a Fay who was once called Hera, but was renamed Juno by the changing tides of time. In other words, myself."
Everyone gasped and stared at Juno, the meaning of those words slowly sinking in. "That means," Brooklyn said, his voice cracking. "That your Ebony's aunt… right?"
Juno nodded calmly, putting her teacup down. "That is correct."
Hidden away in her corner, Ebony stared at this human female, once again shocked. Egor blinked and glanced at Ebony, hoping she wouldn't erupt with rage like before, but was somewhat surprised to see Ebony merely grimace, her eyes filled with barely repressed fury and confusion, saying nothing.
Juno cleared her throat before she continued. "While in my care, Neo had a brief liaison with another Fay, a Fay called Zeus, who later become my husband. Through their brief union they produced a Fay child who was named Hemera, daughter of the dawn. Fearful for what an already sour Oberon may do, she placed the child Fay into my care. It wasn't until many years later that Hemera's true origins became clear. So Neo found herself once again flung into the human world. This time she headed further south to a region called Egypt. There she became the goddess Isis you all have heard off."
Broadway shook his head, also astounded. "Well, I guess that answers a lot of Ebony's questions but none of our own. Why would Oberon want to boot three Fays out of Avalon and turn them mortal? And why was Hemera turned into a gargoyle, while you two are human. It doesn't make any sense…"
Pan sighed and glanced at Hemera, also wondering that question. Why was she turned into a gargoyle? Still unaccustomed to seeing the once pale and stately Hemera shimmer with fairy beauty, Pan looked away. How odd she seemed now, with that tail, those horns, those wings… Pan cleared his throat, forcing himself to ignore it. "I'm guessing that if transformed into a gargoyle, Hemera would find a mortal's life harder to withstand. Or perhaps, remembering his debt to Goliath, who had aided him return to his throne, Oberon decided to turn Hemera into a gargoyle knowing how impoverished your clan is of breeding females."
Broadway blushed at this, and Pan noticed with some amusement so did Hemera. Was it actually possible that Hemera found that young, chubby male gargoyle attractive?! The idea of it was absolutely preposterous! But then Hemera WAS a gargoyle now… "And as for us, well Oberon had always known how we felt towards human, our beliefs of humans only purpose to serve the Fays most likely present an amusing punishment for the both of us…"
All were silent at this for several moments. Then, after nearly two full minutes of thoughtful silence, Goliath finally cleared his throat and leaned forward. "Well, considering your case, I have decided that you can stay here… that is, if you don't mind Xanatos?"
The billionaire shrugged and waved a hand, his earlier aggression long forgotten. "Of course, it would be an honor."
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