Upon awakening, Goliath had a moment of disorientation. He was used to waking in the open air, with a stretch and a roar that would rise into the air and herald the rising of the clan for the night.
Waking in the cave, surrounded by the Red Rock clan, the roars echoed endlessly, ringing throughout the caverns and tunnels was almost deafening to ears that were not used to it.
Goliath glanced at Bolin, and found that he seemed to be having a similar reaction.
The Australian clan turned and filed out silently, and Goliath motioned for Bolin to do the same. Bringing up the rear, as was his habit with his own clan, he exited the cave into the clear night air.
Heat still clung in the air, a holdover from what must have been a blisteringly hot day. With the sun down, Goliath felt that the air held a promise of cooling off, and he was grateful.
Not for himself, but for his mate who had been enduring the temperatures all day.
"You should go," Talia said briskly. "Check on your… mate. And your family. My clan would like some time to discuss amongst ourselves. We have been given a great deal to think of, and little time to discuss the matter."
Goliath nodded. "We will go, ensure the well being of those who came with us. When you have need for us," Goliath said, pointing to the base of the rock where the fire had burned the night before. "We will be there."
Talia nodded, and as the Manhattan clan soared to the ground below, the Red Rock clan climbed to the top for privacy.
On the way down, Bolin looked to Goliath. "Do you think that they will join with us?" he asked.
"I do not know," Goliath said thoughtfully. "They have a lot to discuss."
He looked down at the village below, as more and more humans and gargoyle youth who were too young for the politics and discussions with the clan began to gather below.
He watched as Nayeli broke into a run towards a female gargoyle who had a small group of animals at her side.
Liam was nearby, kicking a ball around and joking with the males around his age, as the younger ones sat down to watch.
And he saw Elisa. She walked through the door of the cabin, her hair still slightly mussed, clothing a little worse for the wear as if she'd slept fully clothed all day.
And she probably had, he mused, coming in to land a few feet away from his mate and catching her tired smile. She had let her guard down enough to rest once and someone had gotten to their children. As such, she had either sat awake all day or had dozed lightly enough to jump at every odd noise.
He had seen her do both often enough, and had witnessed the aftermath if she had stayed awake during the day, so that he could recognize the signs.
"Elisa," he said softly, gathering her to his side. "You need rest."
Elisa sighed. "I will."
Goliath led her to the hammocks, gently easing her into one. "Now," he all but demanded, and caught the flash of irritation in her eyes.
"I will," she said again, pushing up to a seated position by turning sideways. She was still reclined, able to touch the ground with her feet, but she was not going to sleep now.
Goliath sighed. He knew better than to argue with her, but damned if he didn't wish she was less stubborn sometimes.
"Very well," he sighed. "Talia has asked for some time to discuss the idea of joining the council with her clan. She will give us an answer soon."
"Do you think they will join?" Elisa asked, frowning a little.
"Perhaps," Goliath conceded, "but they have much to talk about."
Elisa nodded. She was still afraid that her mere presence there had done more damage than good, but she couldn't undo it now. If it hadn't been for the crash, they would have been able to play it off as just being a friend and an ally, as they had many times before.
The crash, the injuries and the overall anxiety over the situation had changed things, Elisa knew. On top of that, they were finding it harder and harder to keep Nayeli's parentage a secret without flat out lying or denying.
Elisa used a foot and gave the hammock a gentle push, rocking herself gently.
"We're fine, Big Guy," Elisa said, reaching for his hand. "Go. Be ready for when the Australian clan wants to talk. The kids and I are fine."
Goliath gave her hand a gentle squeeze, scanned the area once more to assess for danger out of habit, and then turned to return to the appointed meeting place.
Bolin was already there, aiding the humans in hauling the large timbers that would be used for the night's fire.
Goliath had been told that, in this area of the desert, it was as much for protection and safety as for heat.
Goliath joined them, and within a short time, the orange flames shot upwards, devouring the dry wood and seeming to reach for the sky to touch the stars.
They didn't have long to wait, as only a few minutes after the fire caught hold, THE Red Rock clan began descending from the top.
Faces carefully schooled into bland expressions, Goliath was unable to even guess at how the decision had gone.
Finally, Koa and then Talia landed.
The two leaders stopped only long enough to make sure that the eldest clan members were seated comfortably before turning to walk towards the two foreign gargoyles.
"Goliath," Talia began. "You have given us much to think about, and your time here grows short. We did not want to send you back home without an answer. We appreciated the work that you and your clan have put forth in gathering representatives from each clan to sit on your council, but we do not believe that, at this time, it would be beneficial to us to do so. We are comfortable here, we have arrangements with the humans here, and as you have seen with Auton, the modern outside world does not blend well with our ways."
Goliath nodded. He had suspected as much, but it was still a disappointment.
There was a deliberate throat clearing from behind her, and Talini closed her eyes and sighed. "Elder Nurrin would like to request that your family be able to return whenever you wish," she opened her eyes and gave him a brief smile. "Your Nayeli has made an impression on Nurrin, and she hopes to keep the lines of communication open. It is our hope that we would be able to keep your communication device in case it is ever needed."
"Of course," Goliath said. "It was our intention to leave the device with you in case you have need of help, no matter how your decision went for the council."
There was another clearing of a throat, and Goliath grinned. "It will be open and available for non-emergencies as well." He glanced over Talia's shoulder to where Nurrin sat. "I know that Nayeli would greatly enjoy being able to speak with you again."
That seemed to pacify the elder, and she visibly relaxed.
"Thank you," Talia said quietly.
"Now that that has been completed," Koa announced, "We would be grateful if you would join us on our patrols this evening."
"We would be honored," Bolin said.
