A new buzzing from somewhere in the room distracted Brooklyn. Raising his head up from Cora and growling he looked around for what the noise was. Cora sat up underneath him and rolled over onto her stomach to reach for it. Brooklyn stopping her with another growl and sliding her back under him along the wood floor.
"Oh let off, I have to answer my phone" She admonished him. Her voice amused however.
"Call them back later" He growled.
"It is later. In fact it is much later. You were just going to drop me off remember. Your clan has to be wondering where the hell you have gotten to" Cora said.
Squirming away from Brooklyn Cora snagged her destroyed clothing and phone and scampered out of the living room. Holding her clothing in front and behind her to cover herself.
"Kind of pointless to do that you know" Brooklyn called after her.
From somewhere else in the house he heard her start a shower and shutter around.
"A gentleman wouldn't have mentioned that" She called.
"I am not a man" Brooklyn retorted. Then more quietly he mused to himself that he wasn't really gentle either. He was going to have to work on that around Cora. Eyeing the floor and the destroyed couch he quickly grabbed his belt and garments and drug them on.
Before he could do anything else Cora softly padded into the living room again. Hair wet and clothes changed. Holding her hands up beside her head she muttered some spell and dried it instantly. Then looking at her phone.
"There are a few messages from my clan. The younglings are currently out with some of their friends again but plan on going to the Harkers at some point this week. The messages from your clan at first were just Elisa and Fox asking me some questions. Then Goliath asking via Elisa where you are. Then it looks like Goliath typing himself... he looks frustrated when hes trying to type doesn't he?" Cora asked.
"He gets mad and types too fast" Brooklyn muttered.
"Do you get no freedom or free time. Its not even been all night yet?" Cora asked. Frowning as she kept checking through her phone.
"Less than then others. I have much more responsibility's than they do." he answered her.
"Goliath tends to take advantage that you are the only unattached and single one in the clan, other than your Hudson. And you tend to throw more responsibilities at yourself because you're lonely and bored." Cora said.
Brooklyn growled at her softly and reached a wing out and wrapped it around her, pulling her close to him and putting his arms around her. Setting his chin on top of her head because she was so small.
"Are you going to head back or call him first" she asked.
Grunting he held her tightly debating on what he should do. Either way Goliath is going to be annoyed with him.
"Why don't you call, or use my computer to video call him and tell him about the books I showed you. I need time to copy them and I need to go to the Harkers later this week to ask about copying some more of their for your clan. I can meet up with my younglings and get the copies their "Friends" offered to make up for you" Cora suggested.
"That would probably assuage some of his anger. Goliath does prefer books as his method of learning verses the internet." Brooklyn agreed.
"You need a shower before you call him or head home" Cora told him. Blushing and trying to pull back away from him.
"Why?" he asked.
"Because your hairs a mess and you smell like me that's why. Unless you really want to let your whole clan, sans the humans know you were sleeping with me. Well its not like the gargoyles wouldn't tell the rest of them in an instant." Cora replied. Reaching up and tucking a few strands of hair behind his pointed ears.
"Cora. How in the hell do you think I am going to fit in a human sized shower?" Brooklyn asked. Rolling his eyes above her.
She snorted and grabbed his claw. "Shower or I do that cleaning spell again. And I'm already tired and would rather save my energy for other things." Cora told him.
"What other thing?" Brooklyn asked suggestively. Running his other claw down her back and over the side of her hip.
"Haha. So funny. Alright hold on." With a snap of her fingers he felt a strange metallic zip go up his spine. Yipping in surprise he gave her a odd look.
"Hey, you could have taken a shower. But no" Cora laughed.
Settling in on the unbroken end of the couch Cora settled in and drew her legs up and under her. Putting the old leather padded book by her side and opening up her computer. After a few minutes of typing she looked up over her shoulder at Brooklyn. Opening the screen up Lexington was on the other end at first.
"So just to be forewarned Goliath is in a pissy mood. So ya know" Lexington started out saying. Goliath coming into view behind him with a look. "Ok I'll just step out of here" Lexington said again almost to himself.
Goliath started with a big breath of air. The last few days were stressful and disruptive. He wanted nothing more than to get back to normal. Well. As normal as things would ever be again with the whole clan turning human during the day. That time with Elisa... Well any time with her he did not regret. But getting to see and do day time things with her was beyond his dreams.
Cora and Brooklyn said nothing. Cora holding up the opened book she had by her side. Specifically opened to a highly detailed and decorated page with fine drawings of a northern clan of gargoyles. Cora looking hopeful and Brooklyn looking extraordinarily smug.
"What... is that?" Goliath asked warily. Stepping closer to the screen. Cora in turn holding the book open more closely so he could see it.
"The Macnameras, Befanas and Harkers have books about Gargoyles. Its some interesting reading." Brooklyn answered. Still looking more smug than he aught to.
"We have no history that was recorded that way. I wonder if the other clans we have met on our Avalon journey keep records like that" Goliath mused.
Lexington poked into the corner of the screen. His mouth gaping open in shock and wonder.
"I've never seen Gargoyles like that" he said in amazement.
"That actually was what Brooklyn and I were reading about. To me your clan look much more similar to Gargoyles from France than northern Scotland or even Ireland like Patrick and Colin. Though I am very sure their mother was from France. I was wondering if Hudson could remember any details or stories about your clan moving around before you settled there" Cora asked. Her voice questioning and curious.
"I will have to ask him. Is it possible for me to read that book?" Goliath asked her. Education through books was a prized pass time to him.
"I was planning on copying this one for you. I have other books on different regional clans and books on some other kinds of witches that you may find interesting. Though most are not here and some I would have to go borrow a few copies from my Harker cousins. I had planned on going to see them later this week with my clans younglings anyways." She replied.
"I would be extremely grateful for that. Is it possible for me to meet these other Gargoloyes then?" Goliath asked.
"Yes... well the Harkers are for the most part like Johnathan, So are more human looking. But because its not Patrick and I's immediate clan I need to ask first before I take any of you to one of their homes. So permission aside they would love to meet you. They, well the younglings have already been texting Patrick about inviting your clan hunting" She explained.
"For the hunters and that Orfeo I assume?" Goliath questioned. His face growing fleetingly angry. Patrick had more fully informed him about the Orfeo and hunters. And their predatory behavior was enough to irritate any gargoyles instinct to protect.
"Yes that, because aside from the Merrow you are now the closest other clan to mine and the Harkers. At least on the east coast. But before a clan gathering the Harkers usually have a clan meeting at castle Harker. And its honestly an excuse to see family and go run around in the woods. And eat food." Cora said rolling her eyes at Brooklyn who had to suppress a snort at that.
"Patrick had extended the invitation to my clan for both the Harkers on their behalf and to the clan gathering. I was going to discuss it with my second in command. But he has been absent for most of the evening." Goliath stated. With the express understanding that Brooklyn should have been home already.
"I know I know. I got caught up" Brooklyn retorted. Cora wiggling the book in self explanation.
"Very well. Brooklyn I will see you shortly. And Cordelia Elisa and Fox had both expressed interest in speaking to you" Goliath said.
"Yes I had planned on coming over to speak to them both tomorrow evening early before meeting up with the rest of my family" She told him.
Cora and Lexington hung up the video call then. Cora putting the computer down along with the book and turning and leaning over the couch to look up at Brooklyn.
"Why don't you come back with me now then" He asked.
"Because I, just like you, need to get some sleep. And it is going to look either weird or extremely obvious to the rest of your clan if I come back with you now and sleep with you" She replied. Using her hands to make air quotes over the word sleep.
"I don't like the idea of you staying here unprotected at all. But I could just come back for you tomorrow night." Brooklyn said gruffly.
"I'll be back over before sundown. You'll still be human then remember. And you have to actually go to sleep like a human or you will end up going to stone just like Hudson did by accident" Cora told him.
Brooklyn thought with a start that he did not like that at fucking all.
"How in the hell can I protect you, or anyone else as a human" He said aghast.
"You'll learn just like my kind does. And really how is it any worse than turning to stone and not being able to do anything. Or risk being smashed like the rest of my family?" she said. Her face going even paler than its usual tone.
She stood up and went to walk around the couch. But Brooklyn quickly grabbing her and pulling her in tight.
"Please don't do anything stupid while I'm not here" He asked.
"I'm going to sleep, alone. What kind of stupid can I get up to?" She said rolling her eyes and sighing.
"Then at last weight till dark so I can come over and get you" Brooklyn said.
"I will be fine. Go home before you get yelled at." Cora said laughing and pushing him in the direction of the door. Trying to push him as he was impossible for her to move.
"And won't you be getting yelled at for not going back to the lodge?" He asked capeing his wings to walk out the door as she walked beside him.
"No, because Patrick technically can't make me do anything. Its... complicated. And I don't feel like taking the time to explain and having you get stuck out in day light." she said.
With that Brooklyn left. Stopping to turn back and watch her. Watch her roll her eyes at him. With a snort he walked out past the ward. Seeing it vanish before his eyes. He looked carefully at the woods around him. Noting the exact location in the forest so he would be able to find his way back here again without her help. Not sure if he could get past the ward on his own. But at least sure that he could get to where it was again. It was a faster flight home than he would have thought. Even with him stopping to make sure he was not being followed to or from Cora's or the castle. He landed at one of the office buildings and carefully made his way through the portal. Ending up on one of the upper ramparts. Seeing Goliath, Hudson and Broadway waiting for him down below. He glided down quickly and landed easily. Capeing his wings around himself in the cold air and walked up to him.
"Aye laddie, we were expecting you back to the castle later." Hudson said.
"It's not to far from here. I just got caught up reading" Brooklyn answered. Feeling guilty for telling a half truth as such. Goliath nodding in agreement. Thinking nothing of it. He could get caught up reading all night down in the library as well.
"You could have just brought Cordeila and the book back to the castle. I would have gladly staying up during the day to pull an all nigher as Elisa would say" Goliath said. Smiling as he thought of his mate.
"Ahhh. She said emphatically no to that one" Brooklyn told him. Thinking to himself that for now while him and Cora were, whatever they decided, better that he not try and sleep under the same roof as her with a whole bunch of his family around. His body flushing hot at the thought. Thank god he couldn't turn any more red or blush like a human.
"Very well, She must not want to spend so much more time away from her own clan. It is getting late. Or early I should say. I am off to find Elisa for the day. Xanatos has ensured that we all have rooms to sleep in. The other young ones have already picked out theirs. You and Hudson both can go pick out yours as well. The more human custom though it seems to work out well." Goliath ordered before going to find Elisa.
"Is it weird?" He asked His brother.
"Aye Laddie. It tis. I Already miss turning to stone during the day" Hudson told him.
"Nah its great. And Angie doesn't seem to mind when we can..." Broadway started off saying.
"Nope going to stop you right there, I do not need to hear that." Brooklyn said quickly. Which made Broadway laugh.
"Well at least I'm not the one staying out all night reading books and totally ignoring a pretty woman, even if Katsumi says shes hella scary" Broadway laughed.
Hudson reached out and put a claw on Brooklyn's shoulder before he even started to snarl. Which he did, eyes lighting up. Insulting Cora for being different was no better than the humans insulting their own kind. And He was about to rip Broad way a new one. Literally or figuratively he didn't care how first.
"That's enough. Off to bed with you. Tis not necessary to rub tin that the lad dona have his own mate yet. Nor den that he likes to read and find out more about our own kin." Hudson drawled out. Sending Broadway out of sight. Hands up apologetically.
Brooklyn sighed, thinking it was probably for the best right now that they assume he was still hung up on Angela and sore about it. That gave him and Cora time to court? More like date each other like humans. Heading to the last unoccupied room in the tower he walked past where the other young ones with mates presumably had rooms to sleep in. And upon hearing someone laugh inside walked quickly past. Deciding that he would much rather be farther away from the others and not have to hear... whatever they were doing during the day when they should be sleeping. Pushing in the wooden door he kicked it shut behind himself making a face. It looked like any other bedroom that humans had. At least this room had a small balcony that he could fly to and from if he didn't want to have to walk down the hallway past the others.
Walking across and sitting down on the bed it squished deeply under his weight. Snorting he thought if Broadway tries to go to sleep before dawn he was going to break things. Just sitting and waiting was annoying. He thought back to staying over at the Macnamars lodge. He had ended up exhausted and falling asleep on the couch beside Husdon's stone form. Cora had checked on him at some point and draped a quilt over him while he slept. He should have woken up to that. Well its not like he would have anyways if he was stone. But he was going to have to train himself to get use to things as a human. Then thinking that Cora had been kind to him, protected him even when he wouldn't have known it. That made him frown. It was weird to be the one that needed protected.
Seeing the rays of the sun peak through the window glass he watched his skin fade to pale and his wings and claws disappear. But He also noticed that he didn't seem to sink any less into the soft bed. That combined with Cora and Colin starring at him oddly for standing on broken glass at the beach house made him think that the spell to make them walk around as humans was only skin deep or so. Frigging weird magic indeed. Leaning back on the bed he looked around. Wondering how humans did this and just fell asleep. He might ask Cora in the evening when he got her alone again. Sighing as he thought how difficult that was going to be if Elisa and Fox both wanted to talk to her. With that he closed his eyes and tried sleeping before opening them in disgust. This is a pain in the ass he thought.