A bonnie moonlit lark
By Trynia Merin
Part 2
Angry tears crept over Ray's vision, and she yanked off the glasses, throwing them at the wall. Anger filled her and she beat the unyielding stone wall, wanting to rip and strangle him as her eyes flared red. That Brooklyn, although he was being a massive major jerk was right curse him.
"Some gargoyle I make," she mumbled. Had he done it to be deliberately malicious for her rejecting his advances, or was it a simple error in protocol since he was a new second in command? No doubt others were coming after her because she heard footsteps. Angrily she climbed into the window, and considered climbing out on the wall. Couldn't she cry in peace? The last thing she needed was someone to see her tears and think she was being a prima donna.
"Lass, are ye here?" came Hudson's voice.
"Go away, I don't want you to see me like this," she pleaded, cursing that he seemed to be able to tell where she would be."
"Ray, tis time fer patrol… I saw ye this way…" came his insistent call. "Show yerself if ye please… I mean t' have words wi' ye."
"Leave me alone," she mumbled. "Please…"
He rounded the corner as she started to climb out the window to the ledge, and she heard him say, "Lass, isn't the best way out of here…"
"Any way out as long as it's on patrol," she mumbled. "Does it matter?"
"It could, depending on the circumstances," he said. "Are ye goin' t sit there all night and stare at the city from Wyvern?"
"Please Hudson, don't hang around here on my account. You'd be better off taking Bronx to help you patrol instead of me. I'll just slow you down…"
"What sort of talk is that? Brooklyn's orders were to…"
"Fine, whatever… he knows best. He's a real gargoyle…" she said sullenly.
"And what mean ye by that guff?" he asked, folding his arms across his chest as he stood there. "I've never heard such rubbish in me life. If it's yer race ye'd be doubting yer as much gargoyle as any of the rest of us…"
"Hudson just go away… leave me alone… I don't want to talk about this," she choked.
"And how do ye presume t' stop me from not doing so? Yer a member of this clan, and as such yer one of us. And that means that when one of us has a problem, we turn t' the others for aid."
Ray leapt down from the windowsill, and walked past Hudson, sighing deeply. "I guess you're not going to leave it alone huh?"
"I'll stand here as long as it takes for ye to stop this black mood and speak to me about what's REALLY troubling you," Hudson said simply. "Unless you'd prefer your own company. If that be the case, then I'll trouble ye no more. But it will still vex you nonetheless."
"I'm supposed to be a warrior of the Clan, Hudson. I can't afford to look like a big crybaby in front of him…"
"And who says ye are?" Hudson asked, folding his arms across his chest and leaning against the wall to listen to her. She kept her eyes towards the floor, not meeting his gaze as she took another deep breath.
"When it comes to giving orders to me, I'm 500 years old. I'm feeling like a hatchling who doesn't know what they're doing, and he knows it. I do my damnedest to contribute, but if I have my own ideas… I know I have to work hard, and I don't WANT to be treated specially. I hate him for pushing my buttons Rassilon curse him! He's doing it on purpose just to get me to work harder. So how can he have the GALL to say in front of everyone that I get no special treatment when he's been trying to get me to date him? How can he use my personal business and past over my head just to push me like that! I'm beyond such juvenile games!"
"The mantle of leadership's still new round about his shoulders. 'Tis nothing personal, though it may sound like it…" Hudson said as he caught hold of her shoulder as she turned away.
"I'm supposed to be strong, and mature about this… and I just want to choke him… I know it's hard, but…"
"Give yerself a break, as they say," Hudson said kindly as he urged her to step down, reaching his hand out. "Now won't ye come back in and we'll start our patrol for the night…"
"Fine, better than sitting out here crying my eyes out," she muttered and took his hand. He helped her down and she turned away, wings caped around as she walked before him. Still she didn't' want him to see her tears, because she didn't want some pity of any sort. But her feet felt like leaden weights and Hudson's claws setting on her shoulders made her steely reserve melt.
"Why don't ye turn around and look at me when I'm speaking to ye lass? Is something the matter? Are ye ill? Ye've been so silent the last few nights... I was beginning to wonder…" Hudson got out, and ray turned around, brushing tears out of her eyes as he held out his arms to her. Against her sense of pride and fear she went to him, and let herself cry on his shoulder.
"I should be able to do this… I didn't realize…"
"There nau, dinna take on so… ye shuildnae shut us out… especially not me, we could always speak of matters before," Hudson's soft voice came, and she didn't care if it was out of romantic attraction, friendship or clan loyalty that he was doing this. It felt so good to be held, and he pulled her close in his arms to stroke her back and her hair gently.
"I thought you were mad with me, avoiding me… I was just giving you space…"
"Eh, what's that?" he asked. "I thought ye were angry wi' me, lass… avoiding me at all costs… have I done something t' make ye cross? If I did so, 'twas only my warrior's nature…"
"No I mean yes, I mean… heck…"
"Ye've not have sought my advice nor company as of late?" he asked, genuinely concerned. "Or do ye favor another… for if that be so, please tell me now…"
"Hudson am I supposed to favor another? I thought you maybe didn't want… I mean maybe I've been avoiding you because I'm confused. I mean, what IS the gargoyle custom about this?"
"Perhaps yer anger towards Brooklyn may be signs of something deeper? How is it ye feel around him?"
"He drives me crazy. I never know what he wants from me. One moment we're just having a good time like I'm one of the guys, and it's fine. The next, he's hitting on me, when he wants to give me help, and I don't know what to think. And then if I turn him down because he's driving me nuts, he sulks and ends up ignoring me completely as if I'm beneath his contempt. I'm not stupid and I don't need him trying to 'trick' me into being with him in a romantic way. He should just come right out and say what he wants… if he wants to spend time with Delilah I don't care."
"And are ye at fault for his bad behavior? I think not," Hudson shook his head.
"I know you're going to probably tell me it's cause he's not seen a whole lot of female gargoyles, and he's probably 'sampling the merchandise'. I don't mind flirting, and I don't mind him flirting or being with Delilah over me. But he's getting downright insulting at times."
"And do ye wish to be with him in that way?" Hudson asked.
"Not really. Not when it should be clear that I'm not seriously interested in taking things any further. . I like him, but I don't even know if I do in THAT way… not when… not when I'm interested in someone else and it's PAINFULLY obvious."
"Have ye told him this lass?" Hudson asked, with an undecipherable expression troubling him. Was he angry with her, for allowing this to happen? Was she supposed to know another bit of gargoyle social lore? Was she missing some custom that hadn't crossed her mind?"
"I don't wish to hurt or insult him," she mumbled.
"Not if ye dinna wish his favors," Hudson said honestly.
Ray blinked and shook her head in confusion, "I thought it was a custom for a gargoyle male to have the chance to announce his intentions to all eligible females…"
Relief came over Hudson's face, and he gave a wry smile. "Shame on me for forgetting to tell ye that ye can say no to any male who's seeking ye. Unless ye'd rather another pursue ye. I am a bit advanced in years, but all males that aren't pairbonded are eligible… fer the pursuing… I'm past the time of mourning and it's nae uncommon for a gargoyle to take another mate if his has perished…"
"So… you're not mad at me… and I thought you were, and you were thinking I was interested in another male?" she asked with a dazed look. "And you really weren't angry with me, you thought I was deliberately avoiding you… I was thinking maybe since it's only so soon after I changed… and um… we had um…"
"Best to put the past behind us, lass," he said as he fingered her soft hair and pushed it out of her face. "And start anew. Yer a gargoyle now, and that's what I'd be thinking."
"Is that why Brooklyn assigned us to work together?" she asked. "Some sort of gargoyle fix me up?"
"Call it what ye will, I'm not objecting t' the assignment … and another custom is for a leader to see how potential mates will patrol together."
"It's not considered a distraction for a mate to go on a patrol with another, is it?" she asked.
"Goliath and his angel love did many a time," Hudson said. "Whilst I was Leader. Brooklyn was doing what came naturally."
"There's a lot of things I have to get used to," she whispered. "You'd think after 500 years of observing alien civilizations I'd know how to adapt to yours…"
"It would please me greatly t' make ye feel as welcome as ye wish. Because of my intentions," he answered.
As she felt his arms holding her even tighter, she felt his tail slipping around her leg to intertwine with hers. He brushed her browridge gently against his, and she felt herself wondering why she'd been so silly to doubt that there was indeed something between them, and it was partly her fault for not showing interest.
"Now that's a lot clearer than this running around," Ray said with a smile. "No hassles, no misunderstandings."
"Aye, fer all of us," he answered. Ray felt shy for a moment, and then lay her head on his shoulder. She was surprised and yet not to feel his wings open and fold around both of them, and that assured her of the intimacy of his hug. Only gargoyles of interest beyond friendship did this, or to comfort the young when they were sad.
"There you are… Brooklyn's been wondering if you're ever gonna…" panted Lex as he rounded the corner. "Whoops, sorry…"
"Don't ye have some lessons t' show the wee bairn, lad?" Hudson asked gruffly, not releasing his grasp on Ray. Lexington backed away with an apologetic grimace.
"Sorry… uh Ray… uh… Brooklyn wanted… never mind…"
"He'll tell us to our faces then, if it be so urgent. T'were about t' be leaving anyways," Hudson said as he released Ray and took her hand to lead her after him past Lexington. The smaller gargoyle shook his head and let slip a grin. Brooklyn was going to have more than he ever bargained for in this Cavorting.
"There you are Ray," said Brooklyn as she strode out, walking close to Hudson. "Get moving. Night's not getting any shorter… Angela and Broadway've already started… I wanted to make sure that…"
"We were about to leave anyway," Hudson said pointedly as he leapt up on the nearest crennelation, and Ray hopped up next to him. "Anything else ye neglected t' mention, lad?"
"Nothing, just to remind you that even though we know you're going on your Thursday haunt, don't forget to keep your eyes pealed for Q men…" Brooklyn answered, not bothering to question Hudson's curtness.
"I thank ye lad. Anything else?"
"Make sure you stay with Hudson, Ray," said Brooklyn. "No fancy stuff, no fighting, just report back on whatever you see. And if you get caught before dawn, make sure you have a safe place to sleep…"
"Yes Brooklyn," Ray said with a nod. "I'll stick close to him, you don't have to worry about that… you be careful with Delilah…"
"Sure thing. You too," Brooklyn said with a nod as he turned to Delilah, and all four gargoyles leapt off, one after the other. He had said those reminders for her benefit, and she for one was glad she was the second to leap, followed by Brooklyn, and then Delilah.
In broad circles they passed around the castle, and then spiraled down towards the city. Hudson kept an easy pace while Brooklyn streaked past, with Delilah easily keeping up with him. Ray struggled to keep her wings extended, and not stiffen up. Hudson saw both distant figures circlign back, and the sound of laughter as they crossed within inches.
Another swoosh slashed past the duo as they saw Brooklyn catch hold of Delilah. They twisted and turned, his hands on her hips before he released her. Then they spiraled out of view to break apart as they winged out over the city that was his namesake. "Show off," Ray mumbled. "Figures a cloned gargoyle who's only two years old flies better than me."
"Relax yer wings and let the wind take ye," Hudson interrupted. "Dinnae try t' be fancy. Just watch and do what ye see me do… try t' follow in my path… fer now…"
"How do you know which current to take?" Ray asked, as an updraft thrust up between them.
"Tis instinct, but for ye, feel the winds on yer face, and the temperature," Hudson said as if were the simplest thing. "And just glide!"
"Yikes!" she shrieked as she hit a cold pocket of air, and failed to compensate as she pitched forwards. Hudson drifted after her and caught hold of her arm gently to guide her.
"I'm right here lass, no need t' fear," he said reassuringly. "Just let yerself be carried along wi' the winds, and move your cheek t' the direction y' wish t' go… if ye wish to go straight keep yer head up and yer body like this. If ye wish t' swoop, keep your head doon, and angle y' wings like this…"
"That's too easy," Ray laughed.
"If ye be thinking about it too much, tis far harder," Hudson laughed. "Tis a gargoyle's love t' glide as free and fast as the wind… and use it as an ally…"
"Hey, wait for me!" Ray shouted as he outstripped her and she followed after him in a fear that she'd be left behind. Then she realized he banked towards a nearby skyscraper with a narrow ledge around it. The Trump Tower, with a flat roof in amber and gold siding. Ray gasped at the currents, circling around after Hudson who shouted to her.
"Let's bide here a time t' get our bearings… I'll land first, ye follow…"
"Now wait I…" she gasped as she saw the angle of his wings and his body posture, pulling the webs in slightly to drop. His tail conterbalanced as he landed on both powerful legs, his wings tilting up for a mere minute before folding behind him. Ray memorized the series of movements, copying them all till she sailed over him, and instead of dropping, a gust of wind almost blew her away.
Hudson's hand reached out and grabbed her vest, pulling her down towards him before she was swept off the top. "Fold yer wings… and let go…" he said with a laugh, and she did so, collapsing close agianst him.
"This is going to be a long night," she muttered.
"All the better fr' the pair o' us, I'd be thinking," Hudson said, with a mischevious look. He pulled her towards him in a firm hug brushing his browridge against hers. Fealizing that they were indeed alone, Ray folded her wings around him stiffly. He nodded to encourage her, folding his own wings overtop in that double embrace they shared before, locking them together.
"This must be where we were before… we were interrupted," she chuckled awkwardly, loving the sensation of his body pressed to hers.
"That was the idea, lass," Hudson murmured. She kissed his shoulder and let him rock her, and then felt his claw lift her chin as he held her out so he could look in her face. Their tails intertwined more intimately, and she felt his hand grip hers and lifted her other hand to rest on his cheek An awkward and clumsy kiss touched her lips for a second and his whiskers tickled her cheeks. In all ways but this he knew what he was doing. Ray sensed he wouldn't try this with anyone but someone with whom he wanted to share a relationship resembling Goliath and Elisa's.
Ray dropped her astonishment and leaned up to accept his kiss. She felt him pull back and caress her cheek, a question in his eyes, as there were no spoken words between them. Even after they parted, his face held an obvious question. "Did I fail t' do it right lass? After all tis a human custom… but one that seems best for such circumstances."
"Absolutely," she nodded, hugging him tightly. Ray leaned close and kissed him back, wanting to deepen it, but realizing that he seemed awkward and unsure. So she simply kept it a lip touch for just a few seconds He wanted her that was clear, and yet why had she doubted it? Yet why was she holding back her impulse to leap on him and kiss him hard and deeply as if he were a human? Somehow it seemed more appropriate to savor getting used to him. After all gargoyles didn't kiss as humans did, and maybe he'd think she missed her former life if she made the kiss too human. Absurd though it was, he was more of a traditional sort. Besides there might be something as equally intimate and just as rewarding that he be able to show her.
"Now, shall we patrol, before we're underfoot of the others?" Hudson suggested as he closed his hand around hers, and stepped back. His wings released her from their embrace, and she blushed at the implication of what he'd just said.