With a roar and the sounded of stone skin shattering Hudson woke up for the evening. Looking around as usual then in surprise. He turned to see Brooklyn watching him from the couch reading a book. Brooklyn set the book down and pushed a quilt off his lap. While he was sleeping at some point Cora had come down and checked on him. And covered him up to keep him warm. She hadn't woken him up on purpose. But later Brooklyn had awoken to the smell of food cooking. Cora could put Broadway to shame with her cooking. She had told him that being able to use magic helped.
"Soooo" Cora called from the other room. "I take it you are well rested?"
"Aye lassie" Hudson called back somewhat sheepishly.
"Where might the rest of the clan's have gotten to?" he asked.
"The clan headed back to the castle during the day. The Macnameras are most off doing things. Bronx and I stayed here with you. We are gonna head home now" Brooklyn told him.
"I made food, feel free. Bronx has had his fill" Cora called.
Hudson and Brooklyn looked back and forth at each other. Brooklyn scrambling up and following Hudson into the kitchen. A veritable mess had ensued and Bronx was very happily lazing on the floor at Cora's feet.
"What did you feed him?" Brooklyn asked aghast.
"Ham and eggs" Cora replied. Nonplussed as she had her back to them.
Hudson gave Bronx a push with one foot. Bronx groaned and rolled slightly.
"Get up you lazy pig" Brooklyn told him in disgust.
"Just how much did you feed him Lassie?" Hudson asked.
Quietly Cora turned and looked down.
"Hmm, How many hams is too many? I thought you guys ate a lot?" Cora asked frowning down at him.
Brooklyn just stopped and stared at her.
"What?" She asked.
Brooklyn rubbed his face with his claws. Once again it felt normal and he was relieved.
"Goliath wants us back at the castle." He said turning to Hudson.
"I might see you both then later. Puck and Fox both asked me to stop by." Cora told them. Gathering her things she seemed like she wasn't so sure about that.
"Well lassie why don't we take ye back with us. Tis a long drive for a human. Or a walk if you were figuring on going that way" Hudson said smoothly. He didn't catch Cora's cringe right away.
"I prefer to go out and about on my on, Patrick sending someone for me is... Well just him being Patrick" Cora tried to gently explain.
Brooklyn tensed as he saw Cora cringe. She didn't want to come out and mention any of the mate hunting shenangains that Patrick put her through. Nor... oh great. Is she worrying that Hudson would respond to her in the same way that he does with physical contact.
Hudson had stepped forward to put a hand on her shoulder. And she recoiled back as if he had the plague. Holding her hands up in front of her.
"Stop!" Cora said quickly and loudly.
All three of them stood there in the kitchen in an awkward triangle not sure of what to say to them. With a sigh Cora walked the long way around the center island table. Hoping up she leaned over and very gently reached out and poked the edge of Hudsons wing. His eyes going white and he startled. Gasping and stepping back away from her.
"Och what was that Lassie?" He asked. Then turning he looked at Brooklyn who now had his arms wrapped over his chest.
"I can't turn my powers off completely. Ever. So I tend to avoid touching anyone who isn't a family member and totally immune." Cora told him. Her face red from embarrassment.
"So how has the lad taken ye out on a glide before?" Hudson asked confused.
"She insults me constantly, is rude and pisses me off on purpose. It puts a damper on that to put it mildly" Brooklyn responded rolling his eyes. Though it made Cora smile.
A series of text message beeps rang out then. Brooklyn and Cora sighing each before stopping to answer them. Even Hudsons beeped and went off once.
"It's not an emergency. But Goliath is asking when we will be back at the castle. And apparently Fox is very insistent that Cora talks to her for a moment" Brooklyn told them. "Yours?" he asked Cora.
"That and Patrick wants to know where the hell the boys have gotten to. Apparently my three and several Harker younglings didn't go home to castle Harker this morning." Cora said in amusement.
"Are they out with their friends" Brooklyn asked laughing.
"Yes. And I sure as hell am not telling Patrick or Johnathan's mother that." Pausing she sighed. "If you don't mind I'll take that ride into Manhatten. I'm not in the mood for Patrick's complaining. I need to go get warmer clothes. Either feed Bronx the rest or eat breakfast Hudson" she called.
Cora walked out of the kitchen and headed elsewhere in the lodge. Brooklyn watching her go.
"Is there a reason she won't tell their leaders where the younglings have gotten to?" Hudson asked. Trying the food and surprising himself that he liked it.
"Yes. In their culture the younglings courtship and dating is private. The elders are not suppose to ask and the younger ones don't tell them until they are ready to take a mate. Cora happens to know that several of the younglings are dating and she won't tell any of the other elders. That being said Patrick and some of the other clan leaders are breaking their own rules pushing Cora to find a mate. That is what causes a lot of tension between her and Patrick." Brooklyn told him. Brooklyn said the last part very evenly. Not wanting to express what he thought of that.
Hudson made a face. Gargoyles never pushed for the females to find a mate. Even if they had very few members like the Manhatten clan. It was considered extremely distasteful and dishonorable. Then groaning and rubbing a claw over his face.
"Is that why Patrick has?..." Hudson asked before getting cut off by Brooklyn.
"Yes." Brooklyn said more curtly than he intended. Then adding "Neither if us appreciated it. But we get along well enough if we ignore everyone else."
Cora came back into the kitchen then. Brooklyn and Hudson stopping talking to look at her. Bronx whined happily. Groaning and lolling about on the floor. Cora had Winter boots, sweaters and a coat. With winter gloves on. She pulled the strings of the of the hood taunt. Laughing.
"Look I'm Kenny" She laughed.
Hudson did not understand the pop culture joke. Brooklyn did and snorted. Him and his brothers watched a lot of tv over the winters. But not necessarily the same tv that Hudson and Goliath would watch.
"Alright lets go. Can you take Bronx home Hudson. I suspect he weighs a good bit more than when he got here." Brooklyn said. Subtly chastising Cora for overfeeding Bronx and Bronx for letting her.
They headed outside to one of the high decks off the lodge. And Hudson picked Bronx up with a grunt. Cora looking embarrassed as Brooklyn held a claw out to her. She took it and let him pick her up. Brooklyn and Hudson leaping off and gliding off into the direction of the castle.
"I think I'd rather have you carry me like a baby" Cora told him over the wind. Brooklyn looked annoyed but it made Hudson laugh.
They made it to the city quickly. It was faster taking a flight than trying to drive. The lodge in the pine barrons was not a terribly long way when you could fly. Nor was it all that far from the Merrows homes near the shore. They dropped down onto the roof of one of the buildings near by. After quickly looking around to make sure they were not followed Cora pointed at a very plain looking spot on the brickwork of the wall. Gesturing that was the portal. Neither Brooklyn nor Hudson was enthused with the idea of going through. Rolling her eyes Cora grabbed Brooklyn by the claw dragging him. And instantly, like walking through a door way they were on on of the very top ramparts of the castle. Hudson followed dragging Bronx's reluctant weight with him. Dropping down into one of the courtyards Bronx trotted off in the direction of the main rooms of the castle. Hudson following shaking his head.
"Come on, I'll show you where Fox and Puck are" Brooklyn told her.
"I know where their rooms are" Cora said smoothly. Evident in her voice that she was holding something back.
He had forgotten that Cora was all over the castle with Puck yesterday during the day. Looking quickly to see that none of his clan was looking he pulled her quickly into an alcove out of sight.
"Listen, I know we didn't talk much last night, or this morning because it was weird with Hudson there. But can we...?" Brooklyn paused.
He didn't know what to say or how. And they were interrupted by someone calling for each of them. Brooklyn looked exasperated. While Cora downright snarled at the intrusion. Cora followed the voice inside with quick steps that he could tell meant she was perturbed. While Brooklyn followed the sound of Goliaths voice outside.
Cora followed the hallways and corridors into the inner parts of the castle to the Xanatoses living quarters. She could feel Fox inside, along with Xanatos, Elisa and another. Knocking she let herself in. Inside Fox was lieing down and the extra person in the room, a male appeared to be a dr.
"So, What's up?" Cora asked in a slightly cheery voice. Even though she could tell exactly what was going on.
"After this morning when you got home and your clan members, Antoni and Gio said you could sense how a person, or gargoyle was doing via their lifeforce. We were wondering if you wouldn't mind checking on Fox and the baby?" Xanatos asked lightly. His calm voice came across evenly. But it was very very hard to hide feelings and emotions from a witch like Cora.
Walking the room and first pausing to check the labwork and vital stats the dr had out.
"I don't see what this girl is going to do to help Mrs Xanatos with her preeclampsion" The Dr started out saying. Only for Cora to cut him off.
"Slightly elevated blood pressure with the absence of protein in the urine or swelling in the extremity's does not automatically mean preeclamsia." Cora said with a not so subtle roll of her eyes.
Walking to take a seat next to Fox she very cautiously reached a hand out, pausing to look back and forth at Fox and Xanatos. Gently poking her hand, making Fox gasp in surprise. Then putting her hand on Fox's abdomen.
"Shocking I know." Cora laughed. "Dr... whatever his name is, is correct in being cautious about your blood pressure. But Currently both you and... the baby are fine. You simply need rest and to not be quite so stressed. And yes I know. You have plenty to be stressed about. How are you doing? No fainting. No weird...umm outbursts?" Cora asked.
Fox laughed, picking up on Cora not wanting to out her as a magical being.
"No none of that. But Dr Corvo knows who and what I am. And that we live in a castle full of gargoyles." Fox told her.
Cora looked at Dr Corvo closely. Bringing her chin up and eyeing him.
"Again, What good is this girl going to do..." He tried saying before Cora stood up and turned to him. She didn't audibly snarl. But the effect was there.
"I completed medical school and business school via correspondence before you could climb on a big yellow bus without help. And beyond that I am a Witch with more magic in one little finger than you are ever going to see in your whole life. So I am more qualified than you to ask questions" Cora snipped at him. Before turning to Fox again.
"You have got less than a week till you deliver. However it might help if you could reduce your stress level and blow off some steam magically. It would help you sleep better." Cora said much more gently to her.
"I have only used magic once. In an emergency" Fox told her slowly.
"You could go your whole life and never use it. Magic takes practice and concentration. Here" Cora said pulling a small rock out of her pocket.
With a look of concentration and focus she made the little rock glow briefly for a second. Then handed it to Fox.
"You try" She smiled.
"Really?" Fox asked.
"It may take a multitude of tries, but yes eventually you'll figure it out. I am honestly surprised that you haven't been taught more" Cora answered. She had referenced Puck without referencing Puck Fox noted.
Cora and Fox talked a bit more. Elisa listening and asking questions occasionally as did David. Dr Corvo listening intently. Cora apparently knew a whole lot about magical based beings and pregnancy. When Elisa asked how Cora softly explained that in bigger clans it was far easier to find members that liked and did jobs well. In her and Patrick's case they had to do everything with just the two of them till the boys grew up. And that usually the elders and leaders of clans were a wealth of information and knowledge base for the younglings. Cora having learned from her mother and aunts because it was deeply culturally expected of her as a potential leader. Little did they know at Coras young age she would be and them gone.
"Well I need to go find Alex's tutor and ask him what he wanted" Cora said.
"Are you going to be in the area in the next few days?" Fox asked.
Cora smiled kindly. She knew that Fox was worried and stressed.
"Of course, if I am not at castle Wyvern I'll be at one of my homes in the area. A very short drive away" Cora replied.
Dr Corvo had more questions for Fox and David. Cora this time more politely letting herself out of the way. She walked out to one of the areas overlooking a garden. In it she and Puck had arranged more playground equipment for Alex as a surprise.
"That was sweet of you both" Elisa told her as they watched Puck and Lexington playing with Alex.
"It was a little bit sweet. A little bit so we could try and teach Alex a few things magically in the guise of fun and games. Come and watch. You might want to try the same spell sometime" Cora said.
Hopping down the steps a few at a time and then jumping off and landing slowly Cora caught up to them first. Elisa shaking her head at the idea of her doing magic.
"Ok, want to go play the jump and land game Alex?" She asked. Holding her arms out for him.
Alex squealed and ran to her. New games and playmates were right up the two pushing three year olds ally. Cora jumped up onto the trampoline with ease. Obvious enough she was more agile than the average human. She spoke quietly to Alex with a serious face. Then getting him to recite the words of the spell back to her.
"Cadere lentamente" Alex said puzzling over the words. Cora nodding in approval.
Taking him in her arms she bounced a few times enticing giggles. Then holding her spare hand to the back of his head she bounced once, then again far higher. With the help of the trampolinethey were at least thirty feet straight up. But instead of going back down as quickly as they went up they seemed to slow down in mid fall. While at the bottom Cora landing as softly as a ballet dancer without the slightest bounce back on the trampoline. Alex shrieked in glee and wanted her to do it again.
"Hold on, now you are gonna try making us drop slowly ok?" Cora said setting him to his feet in front of her and taking both his small hands.
They bounced a tiny bit. Alex trying to concentrate and land as softly as Cora had. On the third or forth try he managed to get them both to bounce and land slowly. His eyes lighting up with delight. Cora laughed and then let him bounce on his own. Walking to the edge and sitting down on the edge of the trampoline. Xanatos had come out into the garden and was watching.
"Ok Alex. Now very carefully I want you to jump and have Daddy catch you ok" Cora instructed. Getting off the side and standing between them both to catch Alex if his magic went ary.
Alex took another big bounce off the trampoline this time and slowly fell in an arch into his fathers arms. Landing as easily as if it was a few inches. Not several feet away and off the ground.
"Well that's something new" Puck said smirking.
"That took me forever to get right you know." Cora said. With a trace of a grimace.
More of the Gargoyles were watching Alex bounce around and land in amusement. Now bouncing from adult to adult. It was to the gargoyles a little reminiscent of how a hatchling would start taking off and gliding from taller and taller perches.
"Now if you could use a spell to give the little guy wings that would be perfect" Lexington called out laughing as Alex climbed up a few steps to jump down to him.
"There is. But I am not even going to try teaching him that till he is a little older. And then I can only show him how to manifest them. Not how to use them" Cora said with a huff.
"You can give yourself wings? And yet you throw a fit over me taking you places?" Brooklyn broke in saying.
"I figured out the spell in adulthood. I can manifest them. I never ever learned how to use them. Magic takes practice and concentration. So does gliding or flying. I wasn't born with the ability or instinct. So I get flustered. Wings go poof and I fall from way higher up" Cora replied indignantly before adding "The slow down the fall spell I figured out after that."
"I know exactly what you mean" Elisa told her. Putting an arm around Goliath as they watched Alex still playing.
"And how badly did you hurt yourself doing that?" Brooklyn asked. His voice harsh and unapproving.
"Broke both my legs in several places. And a few bones in my back and two ribs. Had to call Patrick to come get me. He was not pleased." Cora replied flippantly.
Hudson, Goliath and Elisa looked at her like she was crazy for saying it so lightly. Even though she looked like she was up and moving around just fine. Brooklyn merely grunted at her. Now he could guess where some of the scars on her legs had come from. He wouldn't say anything now. But he would later.
"Puck and I were hoping that teaching Alex magic like that when he is younger would work better. And has the chance to have some of the gargoyles teach him how to fly. He could protect himself better. Not fall off a building" Cora said. Smirking at Elisa at the end teasing her a little bit.
Elisa could blush at least if Goliath couldn't. Puck had apparently filled Cora in very well on the clan's current and past history.
"Well its not totally late I am going to go call my younglings to see what the are up to and head home for the night." Cora said to those closer to her.
"I thought you were going to stay close by?" Elisa asked.
"I am. I plan on staying at one of my local homes. Not going the whole way back to the lodge. The boys are hanging out with their friends and cousins so they don't need me right now anyways" Cora replied.
"Then perhaps one of the others could take you there. It's not too early for them to go out and come back on Patrol" Goliath told her.
Hudson shaking his head no at Goliath before he caught himself made Cora snort in laughter. Goliath looking at Hudson strangely.
"It's no problem. I make most people uncomfortable" Cora laughed as she walked backwards towards one of the hidden portals and vanished through.
"Ugh maybe one of the Lads wouldn't mind" Hudson started out saying as he ran a claw through his white hair.
"Right..." Brooklyn said drawling the word out. "I will but only if Hudson explains himself." The look of mirth on his face was priceless.
Hudson growled lightly at him. It wasn't often that one of the young ones got away with teasing him.
"You sure you don't want to go after her. I mean, you're single. She's single" Brooklyn said as he backed in the direction of the portal.
Elisa and Goliath looked at Brooklyn in confusion while Hudson growled at him for real this time.
"I'm going, I'm going" Brooklyn said vanishing as he hit the brick wall.
"What was that about?" Goliath demanded.
"The lassie apparently canna ere turn off her magical powers. And they are wayn worse if you touch her. Rathen just being by her side" Hudson said, his tone somehow both grouchy and embarrassed at the same time.
"And?!" Goliath asked. Not understanding what Hudson was trying to say.
"Ach, Ask your own lassie if you canna figure it out" Hudson said grunting as he walked off.
Elisa laughing as they watched Hudson go inside.
Brooklyn didn't hear whatever Elisa said to Goliath as he hurried through the portal and looked around for Cora. To his great relief she had paused to call the rest of her clan on the phone. Hanging up she turned to see him watching her. She wasn't startled so he presumed that she knew he would come after her.
"I really don't need a ride home. I can either walk or take a taxi" Cora said smirking softly.
"I wanted to take you home" Brooklyn told her. Making Cora raise an eyebrow at him in question.
"I did't mean like that" He said quickly. Now that he thought about it he did. But that was a different matter.
"I had planned on taking a nice walk home and getting food. Then going to my favorite house and relaxing for the rest of the evening and enjoying the peace and quiet. Patrick went the whole way back to the lodge and then castle Harker looking for the boys. I am so not getting sucked into looking for them. I know exactly where they are. They are fine. They need to enjoy their last few times of freedoms and no assumed responsibility." She told Brooklyn.
"Because after your clan gathering they are considered adults?" Brooklyn guessed.
"Yes and not just because they are getting married, but because they are of age finally." Cora replied. This time holding her arms out in a gesture that said thank god for that.
"So why don't I take you for a glide. Grab food and take you home then" Brooklyn asked. Trying to keep his voice smooth and even. But his heart beating a little faster. Watching her face go bright red before she questioned him in turn.
"Is that how your clan does their...courtship?" Cora asked. Her face still red. Brooklyn could hear her heart beat in her chest from across the roof.
""Ah. Traditionally no" Brooklyn answered. His tail and wings twitched nervously. If he had kept on living a thousand years ago he would have roughhoused with his brothers and sisters. Shown off flying and fighting. Taken flights and went gliding. He vaguely remembered the Gargoyle now known as Coldstone bringing his mate flowers.
"Ours we tend to meet other witch's when we go out with our cousins and siblings. Going to festivals and parties. Mostly group dating until later." Her face changed to a slight grimace.
They stood watching each other uncomfortably. Before Cora shook her head.
"Are we being silly? I mean we have already been a little bit closer than group dates with our cousins" Cora said.
Dragging a claw through his long silver hair he laughed a bit in agreement. Deciding quickly that he rather have her yell at him later Brooklyn reached out and pulled her into his arms. He could feel her heart beat through her chest into his own. He smoothed a claw down the back of her hair and settled it on her waist. Finding that when she wasn't dangerously injured her powers were far easier to ignore. Not that it felt any less seductive to take her in his arms. But easier to get rational thoughts through his head and not want to tear her clothing off her on the rooftop.
"Should we, uh go? In case any of the rest of your clans decides to join us?" Cora asked him softly. He could feel the vibrations of her voice as much as hear hear speak.
"You don't want them to know? Why?" Brooklyn asked. Worried that she didn't even want his clan to think of them going out on so little as a date together.
"Not at all. I would really not like to have everyone else butting in and providing their two cents to this" Cora said tapping his chest very gently. "Until we figure it out for ourselves. I want for us to be able to decide all on our own how we feel about each other and not feel uncomfortable, or rushed. Or worst forced."
Brooklyn wrapped his arms around her tighter at her last words. Deciding then and there that he wouldn't let that happen to her. Even if the rest of his clan knew every detail of what they got up to. And noting that selfishly he would like to keep her to himself with some privacy for them in case they ended up following through on their hormones and feelings. That would so not be ok back at the castle with everyone else around.
With that he scooped her up under her legs. Cora wrapping one arm around the back of his neck and shoulders. The other on his chest. Brooklyn specifically not looking down at her face now so close to hers. If they wanted off this rooftop he had better not. The smell of her skin and its warmth was distracting so close. And he had to shake his head to clear it before he jumped. Unfurling his wings and took off.