Prologue - Introductions

September 7th, 1992

Liam was walking with his parents, leading them to Into the Mystic.

After his injuries were healed up, he kept coming back to the shop and hanging out with the Gargoyles there.

He really considered them his friends and ones that he felt like he could trust with anything he told them. He especially grew really close with Griff. It wasn't just because he saved him that night, but because he was just the coolest person he had ever met, human or Gargoyle. So far, Liam knew that Griff had a fondness for action and adventure films, being a real swashbuckler, and wished that he saw more of the world.

Both Leo and Una were pleasant in their own ways. Una reminded Liam so much of his own mother, being a kind and caring soul and Leo was like the cool uncle that let you do things that your parents wouldn't for whatever reason.

A few days ago, he let slip Griff's name when talking with his parents, talking about his new friends and they asked to meet Griff especially. He brought this up with the three Gargoyles, who after being assured that his parents wouldn't freak out, decided it was time for him to introduce his parents to them.

So that was why tonight, he led them to the store.

His father was a striking man in his mid forties with short brown hair and blue eyes along with his sharp blazer. His mother was strikingly beautiful with her long blonde hair shimmering from the streetlamps and her green eyes.

"Should we be warned beforehand about these friends of yours?" Andrew asked his son as they saw Into the Mystic ahead of them.

"Let's just say that they're… unique individuals. Just try not to freak out too much." Liam replied calmly.

"And why would we freak out too much?" Zoe asked, sounding anxious.

"Because they're not normal people." Liam told her as they finally reached the shop.

"What kind of a shop is this?" Andrew asked when Liam reached for the door handle.

"One that sells magical items. It's been around since before the Tudor dynasty." Liam replied before he opened the door and led his parents inside.

Liam grinned as he saw Griff by the counter, wearing robes that covered most of his body and to make it seemed like he's wearing some kind of costume.

"Hi, Griff." He greeted the Gargoyle, who looked and smiled.

"Hi, Liam, I see you've finally brought them here." Griff replied, noticing Liam's parents, who looked around the shop first before they laid eyes on Griff, their eyes widening upon seeing Griff's face.

"Uh… Liam… why is your friend in a costume?" Andrew asked, making his son and Griff share knowing smirks on their faces.

"Why don't you show them?" Liam asked Griff, who nodded with a playful twinkle in his eyes.

His parents were confused until Griff took his robes off, unveiling the rest of his Gargoyle form, even stepping from behind the counter to spread his wings open.

Both Andrew and Zoe gasped in shock as they took in Griff's appearance, clearly trying to find seams, zippers and stitches to prove that Griff was just a human wearing the most elaborate costume, but as they realised that there was no evidence that it was a costume, they gasped in shock and awe.

"What are you?" Zoe asked, walking up to Griff and running her fingers over his feathered wings.

"I'm a Gargoyle, Mrs Gardner. And my duty is to protect my home alongside my clan." Griff replied to her, doing his best to be courteous, even bowing to her and Andrew.

"And you're named Griff because of your resemblance to the gryphon of mythology?" Andrew asked, having noticed the lion-like tail that swished behind Griff.

"Exactly, Mr Gardner." Griff nodded as he folded his wing around him. "Of course, I'm not the only one here, so why don't I bring you to meet Leo and Una and we can discuss some more over a cup of tea?"

"Yes, please, our son has spoken highly of the tea here." Zoe pointed out.

And so, with Liam putting up the closed sign on the door for privacy, he and Griff led Liam's parents upstairs where they met with both Leo and Una, who were sitting on two of the chairs around the coffee table and both Andrew and Zoe were amazed by their appearance.

"Wow…." Zoe said, her eyes lingering on Una in particular.

"Greetings. It's nice to finally meet you two." Una said, getting up and shaking hands with Liam's parents.

"You're absolutely beautiful." Zoe said timidly, making Una visibly blush.

"Why, thank you." Una said, Leo watching with some amusement. Andrew cleared his throat.

"Don't worry, dear, I'm aware she's already taken." Zoe said, looking over at Leo, who now wrapped an arm around Una. Both Griff and Liam looked at each other before rolling their eyes.

After the introductions, everyone gathered together and had their tea as they talked, mainly Liam's parents learning about Gargoyles and in exchange going over what archaeological discoveries they have made.

They also revealed how after Liam graduated college, earlier than normal because of his top grades, they were spending a year long holiday that started on the first of September.

Through this conversation, both Liam and Griff realised that they both had a common obsession with everything related to King Arthur.

Everyone talked all the way into the night until Liam and his parents decided to leave to go to sleep since it was currently midnight.

As they walked out of the door, Griff held Liam back for a quick word.

"See you the following night?" He asked.

"Definitely. We can talk about King Arthur non stop if you want." Liam winked and said his goodbyes to the Gargoyles and joined up with his parents.

"So… what did you think of them?" He asked.

"I must say, never would I have imagined meeting actual living Gargoyles. But I really happen to like them." Andrew said with a grin.

"Indeed. Una was such a lovely soul." Zoe nodded in agreement.

"And it's clear why you and Griff get on so well." Andrew pointed out to his son.

"Well, he is cool. Plus he has the most stylish mohawk I've ever seen." Liam replied, unaware that his parents were looking at each other with knowing looks.

All Liam knew was that with his parents now knowing of the Gargoyles, his time with them from now on will be easier to manage.

Short chapter, but it's main purpose was to have Liam's parents meet the Griff, Leo and Una, since Liam's were bound to learn of the existence of Gargoyles. Plus, they'll be recurring characters throughout the story.