The three walked down the castle corridors. Cool and slightly damp and quiet. Turning into the library they walked in, talking about mild inconsequential things. Not one of them actually looking ahead until noise brought all three to attention. Cora's eyes flashing dark.
"What the hell are the four of you doing? I told you to go keep watch" Brooklyn growled at the four younger gargoyles of his clan.
Caught off guard they looked over to Brooklyn in surprise and a touch of annoyance on Katsumi's face.
"Ugh we thought that everything was fine here so we decided to come read for a bit" Broadway told him sheepishly.
"You decided? And what part of go take watch that's an order don't you understand?" Brooklyn snapped at him.
"Is it really a huge deal? I mean Cora looks just fine now." Katsumi asked. Looking like she wanted to roll her eyes.
"I am only fine because I wasn't hungry so I healed just like you do in the sun. If I was starving I'd be dead." Cora told her deadpanned.
"So eat a burger?" Katsumi replied laughing. This time actually rolling her eyes.
Snarling low Cora let her eyes flash black and the smudges of it trailed down her face. With out forcing her eyes back to normal she snapped at her.
"Not that kind of starving." Cora said. Then forcefully making her eyes go back to hazel. The green shining particularly brightly.
"Super creepy you know that?" Katsumi retorted.
"So says the gargoyle whose eyes glow red. And likes to instigate a succubus for shits and giggles. Like that's gonna end well historically" Cora said with a snort. Earning herself a grin from Katsumi.
"Lovely" Brooklyn snapped. "Now the four of you get the hell outside and keep watch. I am meeting Colin with Cora and Hudson. Goliath and Xantose were meeting some of clan Harkers elders at their Lodge."
"Castle." Cora supplied. Brooklyn turning to look at her in confusion. "Clan Harker is umm... larger than your or my clans. They can't use a little lodge as the head of home."
"I wouldn't mind getting to see another castle. Is it like other ones in scotland?" Hudson asked.
"Closest I could guess is dunstanburg in england just bigger and busier." Cora replied. Looking at her phone in annoyance. "Colin is here. Alone. He took one of the portals in and is down in the main hall waiting with Goliath and Xanatos."
"The four of you go keep watch now. I'll be back with Goliath then" Brooklyn snapped at them.
Turning to walk down to the main hall Brooklyn caped his wings in annoyance. Evident in the measure of his gait as he walked. Cora and Hudson slightly behind him. The later sighing.
"Those four are still young Laddie. It will take them time to grow up and do as they should all the time. I remember you weren't that far gone from acting the same way" Hudson said to him.
"They are grown and have their own mates. You'd think that they would have a ounce of self preservation for themselves. The Xanatos's have two barins. You'd think that the four of them would start acting like adults with them around." Brooklyn grunted.
Whatever Hudson was going to say in reply was halted by Goliath and Xanatos noticing them walking in the room. Colin with them and he looked pissed. His wings flaired and feathers standing up on end. Cora tensed as she walked in and Colin went straight to her. Ignoring Brooklyn and Hudson entering the room.
"What the fuck happened?" Colin said snarling. Glancing back at Goliath, who in turn looked annoyed. Colin and him must have had words.
"Minor altercation. Foxes dr was being employed by hunters. I suspected something was off with him. When I went to go have a word with Corvo his driver freaked out a bit." Cora told him smoothly.
"And this one here said you were horrible injured" Colin said, gesturing with a toss of his head at Brooklyn. Worry evident.
"Hardly" Cora replied before softly adding "dov'e Gisle?"
"Con i suoi cugini e il mio agli" He answered.
Cora raised an eyebrow at that. Before the next clan gathering she surely wasn't going to out her clans younglings to the elders of either clan.
"They are hanging out in the woods with Jonathan and Marie and hunting" Colin added. Stopping himself when he realized he said more than he should have. Marie was very likely Jonathan's girlfriend that Cora hadn't met yet.
"Va bene Colin. Lo so e di certo non diro nulla. Proprio come ti preoccperia dei tuoi affart e non dirai nulla." Cora said.
"Are you serious?" Colin snapped. Glancing up at Brooklyn and Goliath before looking back down at Cora.
"Haven't decided anything yet. But maybe. Don't get your dam feathers any more ruffled" Cora said.
"Is there a problem?" Xanatos asked.
"No, No there is not" Cora told him. Colin looked like he would like to say more but didn't.
The group headed out. Taking one of the portals, then to another rooftop. Then taking one of Xanatoses helicopters.
"I know we are heading west? How far? Xanatos called to Cora.
Reaching foreword she quickly typed some coordinates into the guidance system. It was about a 30 min flight from the castle. Brooklyn knew she had said that her clan, the Harkers and the Merrows were the closet local clans of witches. He wondered just how they had never managed to run into them before.
Touching down in a clearing in the woods. Xanatos turned the helicopter off and then got out. The Gargoyles stretching their wings after sitting uncomfortably cramped in the back. Cora had seemed amused at least. The whole woodland seemed quiet, peaceful. But no human habitation for miles.
"Wait a second. Clarissa and Rodger are going to be waiting for us." Cora said.
With that a shimmer to their right broke the stillness. Too close for Hudson's comfort and he was about to draw his sword. And Clarissa and Rodger because visible and solid. Brooklyn could tell they were Jonathan's parents in a instant. He picked up his mothers forest green hair and his fathers tall lean body build. Both having the traditional freckles of their clan. They looked like physical adults. But trying to guess age was impossible. They could be so little as 18 or 19 years older than Jonathan and Cora. Or perhaps Patrick's age. Or decades older.
"Lovely to see you Cordelia. This is the Manhattan clan? The ones that Pucks wards belong to?" Clarissa asked. She addressed Cora as the leader of the entire group. Instead of any of the others. Rodger stood tall and imposing beside Clarissa. Watching and wary. Armed as Hudson always was. But with a modern rifle in addition to a sword and what looked like knives as well. They didn't seem to be lackadaisical at all when it came to safety. Particularly when they didn't have fangs, claws or even fire balls to defend themselves.
Goliath glanced at Brooklyn. Who gave him a subtle nod. He had explained some of the other clans cultural differences. In action it felt normal and not as weird as they may have thought.
"Yes, Mr Xanatos is Foxes husband and father of the children. And as now they are defiantly needing to find another doctor or two for her and the new baby. I was also going to grab them a few copies of books out of the library. As well as... get a little introduction to another clan. Other than my small one if they choose to come along to the clan gathering. That way it is a little less overwhelming." Cora answered politely.
"Overwhelming?" Goliath questioned.
"A gargoyle clan usually numbers in the hundreds at most before they would split, yes? Well especially now after what happened to my family clans, they no longer split. And most of us can have a lot more children than a gargoyle clan can. It would be best if they showed you what I mean" Cora told him.
With that Clarissa waved her hand and opened a small spot in a invisible shield. Brooklyn and Goliath having to crouch to get threw. Brooklyn pulling his wings and tails in tightly. He sure as hell didn't want to see how the shield felt in case it was anything like his Cora's magic. Goliath and Hudson following suit.
When they walked through the shield they did not immediately walk into the castle. Instead on a smaller side path that lead to the main road in. The main road bustled with activity in an out. Some with people and a lot of vehicle traffic. The group stopped to watched and in some of the group gawk at the massive size of the castle. Set up onto a hill it was enormous. The main keep alone could house several of castle wyvern inside it. Then the outer ringed walls, battlements and courtyards housed what in reality was a small city. With protective walls going out further around it that held pastures and livestock. Then even farther a deep woodland that stretched as far as could be see by eye. An endless sea of green turning colors to autumn. A truck pulled through the shield behind them and rolled bouncing on the gravel past them. This one covered in bits of snow. The driver and passenger waving and then seeing who it was slamming on the breaks and offering Clarrisa and Rodger a ride. Who waved them on with a laugh.
"This is beyond what we were expecting" Xanatos stated. His face schooled in tone. But his eyes betraying what he thought as it scanned over and over the massive keep in front of them.
"Cora... I know you said that your family's clan was bigger than yours or mine. This is..." Brooklyn tried to put into words.
"Cordeila and Patricks clans each had this many at one time. Cordeila's probably far more. Clans shift, they change. We learned to survive. We learned from our mistakes" Clarissa said. Putting a hand on Cora's shoulder. Who sighed quietly, looked her aunt up and down quickly then before relaxing. "After clan Befana and Macnamra were each decimated Cordeila brought the younglings here until we found Patrick wounded. They stayed here for a while.. till just after Colin hatched. It gave us time to put up new shields and enchantments on the lodge and a few other places."
Rodger grunted and turned. Clarissa following and reaching and taking Rodgers free arm. When she turned it was enough to see her changing shape. Pregnant but early on. They must be somewhat younger than he though Brooklyn mused.
"Lets head in and see if we can't have you meet and pick out a few new physicians to see if Fox likes them. And the books for the gargoyles. I had my younger son go through the library today with my mother to make sure we found all the relevant ones and had them copied." Clarissa said smoothly. Rodger smiled at that.
"You are also seeing so many Harkers because it is kind of like..." Cora paused, "Homecoming weekend. The week before the clan gathering the Harkers all come together for a hunt for the younglings and those coming of age. Years ago most of clan Befana and Macnamara came too. All our friends and family"
"That was a hell of a hunt back then" Rodger grunted. A tinge of amusement making him crack a smile.
Following Clarissa and Rodger the group walked along. Getting closer to the castle faster then humans usually move. Xanantos noticed first and Cora quietly whispered it was enchanted. Brooklyn wasn't just looking around at the castle and the mass of Harkers. But at Cora. She seemed far more relaxed. Colin throwing an arm around her shoulders and whispering something that made her laugh and push him.
"How does such a large clan function? And live together long term even in such a huge place as this?" Goliath asked.
"My mother and father lead, Rodger and I are the seconds. Jonathan is the third and if he takes a mate that will be his partner. The magic takes the witches wants, capability's and abilities into account and in large clans there is a large choice of future leaders. We delegate. Different clan members take different jobs. Most live here. But those that don't live in groups both nearby and around the world. After getting an education and becoming adults younglings can decide if they want to work in having an active leadership and protective role. Or a job that is more passive and makes them happy. We have more than enough members to function, so if a few wild spirits decide running off and living in the woods is there thing they can do that." Clarissa explained.
Hudson and Goliath looked back and forth at each other. To Xanatos that seemed a logical and reasonable course of action. Not too far from how a company is run. And he had experience with that. But to the gargoyles it was on a scale that they had never experienced before. In the past Clans typically split when there were a few hundred or so. It was hard to support so many in one single area. And occasionally the second and his mate would take a group and start a new clan. Though that hadn't happened even Hudsons long life time as clan wyvern was just too small. As they made their way quickly into the castle the gargoyles noticed while everyone was respectful and even welcoming that no one was over surprised or startled at their appearance. Even tiny children would smile, wave or ignore them in their scampering about.
"They have seen plenty of me and my brother, You guys aren't exactly scary. We are all mixed remember. And how many of Clan Harker even has humans or witchs from other clans as mates. You guys are just as welcomed as any of them" Colin spoke. He picked up on the looks too.
"Even a thousand years ago when we walked among humans we didn't experience that laddie" Hudson replied. Jumping a little when a younger Harker became visible with a shimmer and dart across the castle hall in front of them yelling to a sibling somewhere.
"Speaking of younglings, where have mine gotten to Aunt Clarrisa? They were going to meet Colin and I and some of their other cousins before tonight's wild hunt." Cora asked.
"I am fairly sure they took off with Jonathan and left for the woods at least an hour ago" Rodger grunted.
Colin frowned and Cora merely rubbed her eyes with her hand.
"Cora dear, you are young enough that you should be out hunting too. Why don't you take Colin and go find them. Or find a buck first." Clarissa said sweetly. Cora looked like she wanted to hiss at her and held it in.
"Hunt?" Goliath asked interjecting.
"Oh all the younger clan members go out and go hunting for stags and boar in the woods. Its a pre clan gathering tradition that every youngling coming to adulthood goes" Roger explained.
"All two hundred and ninety five of them. Plus younger siblings and older ones" Clarissa said smiling. That even made Xanatos raise and eyebrow. That was a lot of younglings.
Brooklyn got the hint at what Cora's aunt was saying. And barely kept in his growl. It was a subtle jab at Cora that she needed to go find a mate.
"Come on, We can find then faster if I take you" Colin told them quickly. Before Cora was able to say anything he scooped her up and opening his wings crouched and then took off straight upward through the open courtyard. Something a gargoyle without feathered wings could never do.
"Will you look at that" Hudson wondered. Apparently having feathered wings and tail had its advantages.
Watching them zoom off quickly Brooklyn wasn't expecting them to leave before him and his clan did. And stepped forward and leaned over the tall rampart to watch them soar off to the woods. Cora was just seriously hurt and barely healed. She couldn't be going out and running wild in the woods. Goliath thank god mistook his apprehension for Cora and anger at her aunt for something else.
"If you desire to go hunt with the others go ahead. I only wish your brothers could go with you. We rarely leave the city as it is" Goliath told him.
Taken aback Brooklyn didn't want to say what he was really thinking and feeling. Considering Cora and himself hadn't told anyone anything he wasn't sure if he should. But the idea of getting to chase Cora around the woods again was both appealing and panic inducing to put it mildly.
"I came with the three of you, I am your second I should see you both home safely." Brooklyn answered.
"I think the three of us could get home fine. Go hunt and then come back. And in case any of these physicians are not coming back to castle wyvern immediately then you could escort them when they are ready." Xanatos added.
"Is it an order?" Brooklyn asked dryly. Referencing all the times recently Goliath had asked him to go patrol, or take Cora home or bring her back for various reasons. And Brooklyn being pissed about it at that point. Sassing Goliath in front of some other clan leaders was not making Goliath thrilled and with that and a laugh Brooklyn launched himself onto the stone work. Climbing up and then soaring off after Colin and Cora.
Looking around he could see that Colin hadn't gone all that far. It looked like he was bringing Cora back in fact. Even at a distance Brooklyn could see her gesturing for Colin to land in the woods and set her down. Following them down he landed in the woods below the castle far out of site of anyone up above. Colin and Cora stood arguing with each other.
"Where are your brothers then? I'd like to get the chance to go hunt with you and all your friends before the clan gathering" Cora snapped.
"I don't know, out hunting with the rest. I really thought you'd like to get away from Aunt Clarissa and her bullshit." Colin snapped back. Unintentionally looming over Cora because of their sharp contrast in height.
Growling Brooklyn shoved Colin away from her. Not hard. But enough that he skidded back. Throwing up dirt and pine needles.
"What the hell are you doing? Colin is just being a pain in the ass" Cora told Brooklyn rolling her eyes at what she perceived to be foolishness.
Brooklyn and Colin had both stopped and stared at each other hard. At that moment Brooklyn knew that Colin knew there was absolutely something in between himself and Cora. Brooklyn was protecting her like she was his mate and Colin was putting her in danger. Cora picked up on the tension up and put a hand on Brooklyn's chest and then held her other hand out like she was going to hold them apart.
"Crap no, don't you two frigging dare start something" Cora said uneasily.
"Why would I start anything with him" Brooklyn said snapping more at Colin than Cora. Pulling her a few steps back and then leaving his claws around her waist when he pulled her to his side.
"Because I'm staring at the guy who is apparently sleeping with Cora, the head of my clan, basically my mother." Colin snarled at him adding in an eyeroll for good measure.
"If I am or am not that is absolutely none of your business. But at any rate why wouldn't you be happy for me. I am thrilled that you met Gisle." Cora told Colin stubbornly.
"I plan on marrying Gisle. What the hell does he plan on doing with you when hes done with you and goes back to his own clan?" Colin argued back.
Cora didn't get a chance to reply. In a flurry of movement the two aggressive young males were fighting, snarling and growling at each other. One bowled the other into a tree, knocking it down with a terrific crash.
"Will you both knock it off" Cora ground out. Following after them. Movement to her right made her pause and turn. Gisle had been waiting for them during the hunt and the commotion drew her right in.
"Do I want to ask why?" Gisle asked dryly. Her wings raising and lowering in a slight movement in question.
Cora waited before answering. They were fighting and it was turning into more than just sparing or roughhousing. On hearing one of them snarl and yip in pain she rolled her eyes in frustration. Hands up she gestured to Gisle.
"The spell words are sollevare e lanciare" Cora told her.
Holding her hands out and extending them to some soft and sloppy clumps of earth and pine needles that had been torn up by the fighting males. Together the two witches magically lifted the torn up earth and heaved it directly at Brooklyn and Colin. The dirt slap in the face made both males pause for a second. With a second spell each witch used it to pull a male to them and pounce to hold them still.
"What the fuck Cora?" Colin managed to sputter. Holding his arm and left shoulder slightly.
Brooklyn just snarled viciously in response more than willing to start fighting again. Trying to roll Cora off himself.
"Oh no, you are staying right here" She snapped shoving him back down.
He didn't like that in the least bit. And whipped his tail up and around her waist. Jumping to his feet and front claws while still holding Cora with his tail.
"I really hate that you know" She said pulling. Eyes going dark with the excretion.
"I really hate him insulting you so we are even" He managed to grunt in response.
"I was insulting you not her" Colin snapped back. Turning to look at them while Gisle had bandaged his arm magically.
"Is his arm alright?" Cora asked Gisle softly. Eyes going back hazel as she peered over at them from around Brooklyn's shoulder.
"Yes, He'll be just fine. I don't think he will even turn to stone in the morning its so light" Gisle answered.
"Aren't you worried about me?" Brooklyn grunted while still holding her tight.
"You won, you're bigger than him, you're much older than him and I can heal you in an instant. Of course I am more worried about him. You can take care of yourself" She replied.
Brooklyn looked extremely smug at that.
"Don't look at him like that. He's just concerned" Cora said, before rolling her head over to look at Colin "And even if we were just having a fling its not disallowed. You know that. I know the gargoyle clans are different in that... but we aren't just gargoyles are we?"
"No Cora" Colin answered somewhat sheepishly.
"Why don't we go hunt and find all your brothers and sisters?" Cora added with a smile.
Gisle lit up at that. And not just her face but her gold toned wings and hair too. Cora had correctly assumed and as she had hoped that Gisle, Ciara and Sile would be joining the smaller clan. Grabbing Colin and flitting off into the forest floor. A exasperated Colin following with a shrug.
"What was that?" Brooklyn asked. "Because all the sudden shes real cool and not mad that we just got into a pissing match." Brushing dirt off himself and then shaking hard to try and get some pine needles out of his hair.
"Its complicated. But you didn't really hurt each other. And to be honest Colin shouldn't have said what he said." Cora said with a huff.
"He insinuated that I was going to sleep with you and ditch you like some common liquor wench." Brooklyn grunted capeing his wings around his shoulders and standing up straight.
"And just how many liquor wenches have you slept with?" Cora asked accusingly. Putting her hands on her hips.
"What? No. I haven't. Cora thats not what I meant" Brooklyn said quickly.
Laughing she said, "I know, I was teasing you. But I get it. Your kind doesn't have casual flings... they are looked down on? And Its just another thing that we are gonna have to learn to understand."
Grabbing him by the claw she pulled him along. The forest floor was smooth and covered in pine needles and slight leaf litter. Aside from the occasional crunch of crisping leaves and the sounds of their own breathing they couldn't hear anything else. Brooklyn mentioned that to Cora. Even Gisle and Colin couldn't be heard ahead of them.
"I think they took off flying. The grounds around castle Harker are huge. Its miles and miles in here. And they are all either chasing after wild game, eating and playing around some bonfires deep in the foods or sleeping with probably mates." She explained.
Thinking about what Cora had said about learning to understand each others cultural differences made him wince. Especially when he thought about what she just said about hating when he grabbed her with his tail. And then further thinking about all the times they had been together sexually. Some of the things they did and the way he touched her would really not go over well with a female gargoyle. Feeling hot and embarrassed... and then embarrassed more when Cora turned to look at him. Able to sense his change in mood and feelings as he had thought about them being together.
"What?" She asked puzzled.
"Do you really hate it when I touch you with my tail" He blurted out. Worried at what her reaction is going to be.
"That? No that's not what I meant just then. I meant I hated you holding me back. Not that there is something wrong with your tail. It's super different that you can use it like an arm. But I think all different gargoyle clans are different biologically featured." Cora replied.
"Ok."Brooklyn answered with a huff. Thinking on what else he should probably talk about. They had kept walking and he didn't know if he could keep a straight face and not just want to sink int o the ground and die of embarrassment if they were stopped and facing each other.
"Is there anything else body wise you are uncomfortable with?" He asked tensely and softly. Looking at her out of the side of his eyes trying to gauge her reaction.
"No, why are you asking? She said. Before grinding to a halt and turning to him. "I'm not doing something wrong? Oh god I haven't hurt you some how when we are... when I?" Now Coras turn to look flustered. And she blushed bright red in obvious embarrassment.
"Cora no. That's not what I am talk about. How on earth could you hurt me? All of you is soft and squishy" Brooklyn said quickly.
"Squishy?" Cora said. Clearly not amused.
"You don't have claws, or fangs. I do. That's what I am trying to ask. Do they bother you?" Brooklyn stammered out.
"No...? Why?" She replied. Clearly confused. "You are a gargoyle like half my family. I don't have wings claws or fangs like a incubus because I am a female. We are just different that way. But that is what my own kind look like. Why on earth would your appearance bother me?"
With a grunt and a half growl to himself he knew he was going to have to explain some things that he had only had explained to himself once. And he hadn't figured on ever explaining in his lifetime if he didn't have to.
"Female gargoyles really do not like being touched with claws. Or pre mated pair sex. Like at all. And I should have talked to you about that kind of stuff before we..." Brooklyn trailed off. Not able to look her straight in the face.
"Angela an Kastumi have their mates touch them all the time. The are always hugging and touching. So I don't understand the problem?" Cora said wrinkling her nose.
Jesus Christ he was going to have to come out and say it. And he really thought if he could possibly die of embarrassment he would right now.
"Female gargoyles do not like being touching intimately with claws. Just like males gargoyles do not like oral sex." Brooklyn grunted. Wished that this instant the sun would come out and he would turn to stone and not have to continue this conversation.
"I don't understand" Cora said. Looking at him like he grew an extra set of horns or a new tail overnight.
Huffing he reached his arm out and drug his claws down the bark of a very old oak tree. Drawing deep gashes in the wood. Before giving the tree a slash with the same claw and tearing a good size chunk out of it. Cora's eyes going large with finally understanding what he was getting at.
"Brooklyn. I have softer skin than you do, everywhere. Not just there." Cora said her face going pink again. "And if you wanted to yes you could seriously hurt me. But you haven't. Not once. And we have been having sex all over the place and trust me I am more than ok with everything we have been doing. But I really do wish you had told me about the no oral sex thing. I would have made sure we don't do that."
"No, its not like that. I mean for a female its just fine. Males just would rather avoid it done on themselves" Brooklyn said. Glad that he still had his wings caped around himself. Because talking about such intimate sexual things with Cora alone in the woods was not exactly calming his libido.
"Why, how is that fair?" She asked.
"Who wants a mouthful of fangs around their?!..." Brooklyn couldn't even finish the sentence.
"Brooklyn. I don't have fangs. Or sharp teeth. Or the jaw strength to even remotely bite into gargoyle skin." Cora told him dead panned and as bluntly as possibly. Watching the metaphorical wheels turn in his head as he processed what she just said. Then bursting into laughter at the apparent face he was making.
"It is not funny! Stop laughing" Brooklyn told her. Not amused at her breaking out and laughing.
"It is super funny. Come on now. Learn to relax, at least around me." Cora tried to sooth him and reaching for him.
Brooklyn grunted. Still embarrassed and held her at arms length.
"Its just about as funny as you trying to hide the fact that now you are ridiculously turned on." Cora teased him.
"How can you even..." Brooklyn stuttered. Forgetting for a moment who and what Cora was. And that she didn't need to get that close and see or physically touch him to know.
Laughing again Cora backed out of his arms with a devilish look on her face.
"Get back here Cora and know it off" Brooklyn said in frustration. Both physical and mental.
"Catch me and make me" Cora whispered. Before turning and bolting off into the woods. Looking over her shoulder to see when he started chasing her.
Brooklyn's train of rational thought went out the window with that. And he gave her a few hundred feet of head start before he took off after her.