Chapter Three- Getting Acquainted

Amy flipped on her bedroom light and sat at her desk that faced her window. The meeting was productive and she looked forward to the next meeting that had been scheduled for next week. Meetings had to be random and held in various spots so as not to be targeted by biased people or worse, The Quarrymen.

There would be talk of a scouting party at the next meeting and Amy planned to be on that party. She wondered if Brooke would like to join her. He was certainly passionate about gargoyles; not many young people were. She knew she found someone special. The fact that his family was pro-gargoyle most likely shaped his views.

I've learned quite a bit from our conversation today. He is so sweet and charming. I think I'm falling for him. I was certainly attracted when I saw him at the rally. I wonder if he feels the same way.

Brooklyn kept to the castle in the days leading up to the meeting. There were enough things for him to explore and learn about being human. H also wanted to spend time with the clan and so spent his mornings asleep. Some of those dreams were about Amy.

He came to the conclusion that he was falling for her after his second dream about her. He learned a bit about her and hoped to learn more like favorite color, hobbies, and activities, for a start. I better think of answers to those questions, too. She'll likely ask the same questions after I ask her.

"Brooke, hi!" Amy greeted as Brooklyn came through the door. She was wearing jeans and a green shirt that accented her hair perfectly. "I hadn't seen you since last week," she said as he sat down.

"Spending time with my family, that's all."

"Oh, sure. I understand. By the way, that shirt looks great on you."

"Thanks. Red's my favorite color."

Amy giggled. "Interesting. Green's my favorite color."

Brooklyn chuckled. "That is interesting."

"That does bring other questions I wanted to ask."

"Ask away."

"What do you like to do?"

"Well, I like motorcycles and hope to buy one and get my license for it. I also like to read, watch TV, and support gargoyles. What about you?"

"Well, read and watch TV, too. Plus, go to nightclubs to dance. "I'm looking for a car to buy and, of course, I support gargoyles."

"We seem to have a lot in common."

"We sure do. There's something else I want to tell you: I think I'm falling for you. I felt attracted when I first saw you."

Brooklyn was surprised, but quickly recovered and smiled. "That's great because I feel the exact same way."

At that moment, the meeting was called to order. He paid attention to the scout party plans, but found it a little hard because he kept coming back to what Amy said. She thinks she's falling for me. She hardly knows me and she definitely doesn't know I'm a gargoyle, but she likes me. I like her too and I want to have an open and honest relationship, but I find it hard to do. I'll wait a little longer before I ask a hypothetical question about how she would feel if I was a gargoyle.

Brooklyn stood on the tallest tower staring at Goliath's stone back. He wanted to pass on information of the scouting party as soon as possible. He saw this as an opportunity to befriend more humans and he didn't want the chance to slip by. He stepped up to the edge and looked down at the others. It still felt strange to be awake while the clan slept even though it's been several days. He heard footsteps and turned to see Elisa. He went over to her as she cleared the stairs.

"Hi, Brooklyn. What brings you up here?"

"I was at a P.I.T. meeting and they made a plan to have a scouting party in a couple of nights to meet some of the clan. I want to tell Goliath as soon as he wakes up."

Elisa nodded with a small smile. "Sounds like a good idea." The two stood in silence as the sun started to go down and then Elisa asked, "Does it hurt?"

"Every time, but I think it's worth it."

"Considering you seem happy every time I see you, I believe it."

The sky darkened and Brooklyn doubled over as he started to change. Elisa watched him; she had seen Demona become human and she had been in pain, but she never saw her become a gargoyle. She was seeing Brooklyn do so and felt bad that it hurt, but she knew he considered the pain worth the happiness he gained. He stretched and roared at the same time as the clan before Goliath turned around and smiled at his reception.

"Elisa," he said, giving the detective a hug.

"Hi, Big Guy." She returned the gesture before adding, "Brooklyn has some interesting news to share with you."

"Oh?" He turned to his second.

"I was at a meeting today and they put together a scouting party to meet some of the clan two nights from now."

Goliath was inwardly pleased by the news. He would have to consider this carefully. "What would you suggest, Brooklyn?"

Brooklyn was momentarily surprised at being asked for his opinion, but recovered. He was the second-in-command, after all. It was only natural that Goliath would ask for his input. "I think you send only two to make contact. I'll provide the location once you've decided."

Goliath nodded. He had been thinking the same exact idea. "Agreed. I'm guessing you're not one of the two."

"You're right."

"I'll give you and the clan my decision tomorrow night."

"Brooklyn!" called Broadway from below. "Xanatos is gonna order pizza! You better get down here or you're not gonna have a choice of toppings!"

Brooklyn grinned as he glided down to his clan. "Hey, you know me. I prefer pepperoni and sausage, but I eat just about anything except anchovies and black olives."

"Well, let's tell Xanatos," Lexington said, leading the way into the castle.

Brooklyn was told the next night that Angela and Lexington would meet the party. Brooklyn inwardly approved. Angela had been raised by humans and was quite friendly and Lexington was just as friendly. He, in turn, provided the location as promised. As they talked, Brooklyn felt as if Goliath was speaking a bit more formally to him…or maybe it was his imagination. But, what if it wasn't? Was Goliath acting and speaking differently to him because of Puck's gift?

"Brooklyn!"

The red-skinned gargoyle startled as he turned to the doorway of where he used to sleep in stone. "Oh, hi Matt."

"Elisa told me you're human during the day. What do you think?"

"It's cool. Some of the novelty's worn off, but I still love it."

"I'm also told that you possibly found a girlfriend."

"Yeah." Brooklyn's face softened. "Her name's Amy and she likes a lot of the same things I do. We're both attracted to one another."

"That's great. So, why are you out here looking, I don't know, sad?"

"I don't know if I'm imagining it or not, but I feel that Goliath is speaking or acting differently toward me because I become human instead of turning to stone."

"You think so?"

Brooklyn sighed. "Like I said, I don't know if it's true or not."

"It is, a little," came Goliath's voice a second before he alighted on the tower. "I apologize. It was strange to hear what you're doing while we sleep. I am pleased that you are happy."

"It's just as strange for me to see everyone asleep while I'm awake."

Goliath laughed slightly. "I promise not to make you feel as though I'm treating you differently. You're actually able to tell us what goes on while we sleep and it's appreciated. The scouting party, for instance. We would never have known about it without you."

Amy kept glancing up every now and then, listening for the sound of wings. She, Mary, and Dave were the three members who formed the scouting party, believing that a small number would not scare off meeting gargoyles. Mary and Dave came because they had met a female gargoyle the night the Quarrymen attacked their first meeting and they hoped to see her again. Her appearance at their hospital room had strengthened their resolve to support gargoyles.

There was a whoosh and two gargoyles suddenly landed in the alley. All three humans backed up slightly before recovering from their surprise. "You!" Mary exclaimed in delight. "We met before. I'm Mary." She held out her hand.

"Pleasure to meet you again," Angela said, taking the proffered hand. "I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself last time. I'm Angela."

"And I'm Lexington. The small gargoyle extended his hand.

Amy shook it. "I'm Amy. It's a pleasure, Lexington."

"Please, call me Lex." Her name's Amy, he thought. I wonder if she's the same Amy Brooklyn's fallen for. He set that thought aside as he moved forward to meet Mary and Dave.

All in all, the meeting was positive and productive. Questions were asked and answered by both sides and Angela promised them a meeting with Goliath tomorrow night at the same spot before she and Lexington climbed up the building and glided away. Amy, Mary, and Dave exchanged delighted looks. Their first night of scouting and they succeeded!

"How did it go?" Goliath asked as Angela and Lexington landed, the rest of the clan behind their leader.

"It was wonderful, Father. There were three and two were ones I visited in the hospital."

"And the other one was really nice," Lexington added. "She said her name was Amy." He looked at his rookery brother. "Could she be the Amy you told us about?"

"If she's got green eyes and jet-black hair."

"Yup. That's the one."

Brooklyn nodded. "I thought she might be on the party, but I didn't want to say anything in case I was wrong."

"She's very pretty, Brooklyn. I think you're lucky," Angela said before turning back to Goliath. "And I told them you would meet with them tomorrow in the same place."

"Very well, but you'll come with me, Angela."

"Okay. I would like to see them again."