#🌔Mark of the Wyvern AU

[honey-minded-hivemind]

How are the gargoyles reacting when they first find out about Dragon and that they are lost clan? And how do they feel about Brooklyn being buddies with them?

How does Brooklyn feel when he finds out about Dragon being his...sibling, I guess? Cause he likes them sure, but he's not dumb. He knows there is a wall there. They like him and enjoy his company, but they hide a lot from him and for good reason. Do the reasons no longer matter now that they are family in his eyes, or is he still conflicted on what is going to happen to the kind human who rescued him out of the water, simply because it was the right thing to do?

Goliath, watching Reader and Brooklyn hang out from far away: I don't trust them.

Goliath, seeing Reader glare at someone: Omg, that's my child. I didn't trust my child. What is wrong with me?

Okay, good questions!

One, when they find out Reader (Dragon) is lost clan, they're now trying to get them to join but aren't taking no for an answer. They feel they should have realized sooner.

They react to Brooklyn amd Reader being buddies with suspicion, as it seems odd a human would save one of their's... But then again, this human also goes out of their way to spend time with Brooklyn, and don't bother asking him questions about the clan, if anything, theu avoid those questions... They'd much rather ask his favorite color, or how high he can climb, or if he wants to see a few statues in the park... So they begrudgingly will have them watch out for them... Except seeing such a small human, a young one too, on their own... It doesn't sit right with them... Were they abandoned? Or cast out? Is anyone looking out for them? Hmmmm... They'll need to keep a closer eye on them then... Perhaps Elisa or Matt or Xanatos or Fox can talk with them, find out what's going on...

Brooklyn finds it a bit spooky, or world-shaking, that Dragon, his odd friend, is also one of his lost hatchmates from a thousand years ago, the one that was murdered... On the one hand, that's spooky and scary and feels too close to the Magus and magic for comfort... On the other hand, they're someone he used to know and love, so that means they aren't lost forever, he can see them again, they're back! ... But on the third hand, what about, well, Dragon? They're their own person or gargoyle or whatever they are now, and he loves them too. He doesn't want them to stop being Dragon, but he also wonders if they'd remember him or their other brothers or Goliath and Hudson amd Demona... He feels it's like with Elisa amd Xanatos and Fox and Matt, right? Sure, they're human NOW, but they used to be gargoyles, they just have those memories buried... So nothing has to be given up or sacrificed to have both, right? All in all, he feels very confused and worries if there's any right choice for this matter...

Of course he knows he and Dragon aren't completely honest with each other. They avoid talking about where they live or their families or what goes on when they aren't seeing each other and playing around or trying to find new places to hang out and look for stuff. He knows they fear the others, and that there's a slight fear of him... but he feels the same towards them. So it's fair, right? It isn't healthy exactly to worry so much about what could hurt them or come after the both of them... but they tend to push that aside and try to do something fun. Climbing brick walls or old statues, see who can find a hidden item the fastest, challenge each other to hide and seek, and every now and again go fishing... So no, maybe they're not completely honest... but for what it's worth, he likes them, and they like him. They're both trying, and that's all they can do. He appreciates they don't talk about him to other humans much... but he can't help but tell Goliath and the others about them. He worries about them, especially since while sure, it's fun to have someone who isn't afraid to wrestle or jump from heights or climb things, that isn't normal human behavior, is it? And where do they go when he leaves? Are they safe? Are they warm? Are they eating? So he found it best to voice those concerns to the others... He just hopes it doesn't come back to bite him...

Goliath and the others grow just a bit fonder each time they hear a new escapade that Brooklyn and his odd human friend went on, and start to grow worried themselves. Perhaps they need to finally step in... Make themselves known... Or at least offer shelter if they're in need of it...

What they don't expect is to smell the scent of clan on them, or how their glare and their laugh sound like Goliath's... or how small they are, compared to the world around them...

[honey-minded-hivemind]

Here's the color I mixed for Dragon's past life's skin tone. (Strangely, not the weirdest sentence I have typed.) At first I did it on my phone but I did it a second time on my computer so I can color pick the characters exactly and get the best mix of Goliath, Elisa, and Demona.

Those poor three, imagine seeing your child horrifically murdered in cold blood, only to see them again centuries later. But its not them. Their skin is so soft and different and they have no wings, their teeth are dull and they don't have claws. They have bruises from reckless risks and lack of sleep and their clothes are old and unwashed. (Dragon is STINKY. Someone bathe this child!)

But it is also them. They have the same hair and the same eyes that glare just like their father. They have the same sense of caring and leadership for their group as they used to have in the medical wing. They have that same overly strong sense of right and wrong from one mother and the willingness to break rules to do what they believe is right from the other.

Also, If our reincarnated humans eventually get gargoyle forms, Dragon probably gets one too. But what if they never get wings, just stups on their back where their wings were cut off in a previous life?

That, is perfect. Perfect! (It looks a bit like a dusty or dusky rose or lavender, like you'd see it in old tapestries or preserved flowers or in carved stone) (It's gorgeous)

The three parents are a storm of emotions. There's relief, that their child is back. There's worry, wondering where they've been, how they've been treated, and why they're on their own. There's determination, to have them back. And there's guilt, that they weren't able to save them the first time...

But one of their missing young is back, and it seems they're getting close to one of their brothers again. So maybe it won't be so hard to convince them to come out of the shadows, to come and see them...

They do know the child needs a bath, new clothing, and a warm place to rest. The cold is starting to set in, and soon it won't be safe to be out without the needed warmth of jackets and thick cloaks and sweaters...

They aren't sure what to think when Brooklyn comes home one night, nervous, wanting to tell them something but hesitating. They're gentle, not pressuring him to tell them, but let him know they won't be mad or upset. That he can tell them when he's ready. And he does, on the verge of tears, tell them what's bothering him:

That Dragon is sick, and they aren't getting better. It started out with sneezing a little, maybe a cough, but as the nights wore on, they started getting feverish, talking about things that don't make sense, and they shiver like they're freezing, but their body feels hot like fire. This night was the last straw, because now they're barely awake, and he doesn't think they'll be okay if they don't get help.

He's crying by the end, because he hates that his friend could potentially be dying or very ill, he's upset he broke their trust and told his caretakers/parents about them, and he's so, so sick.with worry. Demona is quick to tell him he did the right thing telling them, that he shouldn't feel.so ashamed, that because he did tell them, they can help Dragon. Elisa agrees, and says they can get Drahon medicine, and they'll likely be better in a few weeks, and that they'll be happy to know he cares about them. Goliath is scooping him into a hug, stroking his hair and letting his son/young one get it all out. Hudson is offering words of comfort, Xanatos is already getting a medical bed set up and llgettinh Owen to find different antibiotics and medicines, and Matt is on the case to try and figure out where Dragon stays hidden...

And Brooklyn doesn't want to, but... he decides to tell them he knows where they are. They need to get them back here as soon as possible, and it won't do to not tell his caretakers at this point...

Reader, known as Dragon, has been having nightmares, hallucinations, dreams of things they don't understand. Of being able to soar from wall to wall, of feasts and a castle, of many more beings with wings and tails and many colors, and always the same ending, of running, running, running, from a man with a sharp blade, only to be caught, their wings lopped off, and tossed from the high wall, down, down, down, to the broken, scorched earth below... and then darkness...

[honey-minded-hivemind]

With Little Dragon trying to care for everyone but also still having such a strong sense of right and wrong, they remind me of Goliath.

It would be funny if they had some features of our favorite giant but it's all subtle. They have the same hard glare and on the rare occasions the young gargoyle can get them to smile, it looks exactly like their leader. They enjoy similar foods and maybe wear a little cloak thingy that looks remarkably like Goliath's wings when folded up.

Brooklyn, holding up Dragon simba-style: Look! Baby Goliath!

Dragon: PUT ME DOWN DANG IT!

Dragon (a.k.a. Reader), does take some traits from Goliath, mainly his glare, wearing a little cloak that they use as a hood, a cape, and a blanket, and their strong sense of right and wrong, regardless of what side they're on. (Reader is also good at climbing. Scarily so for a human) (it concerns everyone)

Yes, good eye! The gargoyles they saved was Brooklyn! (He believes he is their best friend, they do sh*t together like scale walls, toss rocks into a pond, and play games of hide and seek). Brooklyn didn't want to betray their trust, but he was worried about them. He doesn't want to bring them home against their will, but... the adults talk him into it, claiming Reader needs their help, they don't know what's good for them, and that Reader is clan, so they belong with them in the end.

Reader does not trust Elisa, Matt, or Xanatos approaching them. They hide in the nearest shadows or hole or crack to avoid being seen or talking to them. Elisa is worried, Matt is confused, and Xanatos finds this amusing.

Demona is with the clan here in this au, so she's here. (Thailog ends up being a young gargoyle, and not an adult) (Macbeth ends up being an ally to the clan)

Reader ends up giving small treasures to Brooklyn, such as different coins, small bits of jewelry like an earring or a pendant, and the random rock or stone.

Bonus (crack idea, not canon moment):

Xanatos: Whatcha got there?

Brooklyn, holding Reader: A smoothie

Reader: Put me down!

(Yee! @sugar-soda I love this au! Do you like it?)

[honey-minded-hivemind]

Dark Gargoyles AU Reader (nicknamed Dragon) ends up starting to fall ill. It's one of the reasons they end up meeting the adult platonic yanderes, as their friend isn't able to help them, they aren't sure how to cure them, and they're scared Reader could die, especially once they start running a dangerously high fever.

Before that, though, Reader is trying to avoid the adult platonic yanderes, who had discovered they were a reincarnated member of their clan, and have to break the news to the rest of their clan...

It's a bit of a shock, but eventually, it's decided that one of them has to try and keep an eye on Dragin when they can, and try to convince them to come with them...

Because if they can't...

They'll have to do it the hard way...

( @sugar-soda )

[honey-minded-hivemind]

@sugar-soda You're gonna love this: I'm about to explain the Dark Gargoyles AU!

Okay, let's set the background first: After the Wyvern Clan Massacre and sacking of the castle, and after the gargoyles were turned to stone except Goliath, after Goliath saves the princess, the Magus, as an apology and per Goliath's request, turns him to stone as well, but not before casting a spell so that when Goliath and his remaining clan awake above the clouds, the rest of their clan, who died, will be back as well... The Magus afterwards also makes sure there's a spell set in place to help the clan and any if their allies find their reincarnated clan members...

Cue a thousand years later...

Xanatos has the castle moved to his building, the gargoyles awaken, and surprise, they're all a bit vengeful/distrusting of humanity. But then the fight happens, and surprise surprise, Elisa rescues them, and oh, she's one of their reincarnated clan members. So is Xanatos. And a deal is kinda struck/made: to find their missing members, rebuild their clan, and maybe have Manhattan as their new territory to control...

Well, it goes about as well as one can expect. Most of the human population flees the first day, but those left behind or unable to leave flee underground. The likes of Tony Drakon and people like Fang aren't as evil as they were, having to step up and help others and growing as people, and other characters are bit more villainous or morally gray, such as Matt Bluestone (also a reincarnated clan member).

Reader is a younger teen who's been helping the hidden group under the city, scavenging for medicine and non-perishable food, and bringing news of the weather, what Xanatos is up to, and if anyone is too close to their hideout. Reader's usually on their own, not wanting to live underground most of the time, but also wary enough to sleep during the day, and stay awake at night. They do what they can to stave off boredom, climbing brick walls, finding new hidey holes all over the city and parks, sometimes swimming or staying by the water...

Then one night, as they're by the water, one of the smaller gargoyles falls in, and Reader jumps in, barely getting them both onto the bank. Reader is hacking up lungfuls of water, and the gargoyles they rescued is trying to get over the shock that someone, a human who isn't one of their's, just rescued him. And he decides this person he now owes a debt, but... Reader won't give their name. They can't say why they saved him, or where they go, but they say he can call them a nickname, or make up a name for them...

Then Reader leaves, disappearing into the fog...

This gargoyles now decides to keep finding Reader and tries to be friends with them. And so far, he notices they squirrel things away, they collect blankets and jars and bottles, they like to hide in dark places and sleep curled up amongst their blankets and books, and acts kinda like the dragons his clan was supposed to be related to. So, he decides the perfect name for them is Dragon, because they act like a little dragon.

Reader slowly becomes friends with him, but is secretive on where they go, and warns the others that they did rescue a gargoyle, but comes up with the excuse that if they'd let him die, the adults would have surely killed them in retaliation, or worked harder to find their hidden group...

The young gargoyle, in the meantime, really doesn't like his friend Dragon being so lonely. They have no clan it seems, they constantly talk about doing questionable things with no one there to catch them if they fall or get hurt, they sometimes have a cough or bruises or cuts, and they dodge the question of if they have somewhere to go once Winter fully sets in. He doesn't like it. They're too small, they're sickly at times, and they have no one in their corner if things go wrong. So, reluctantly, he decides to tell Goliath and Demona and Elisa and Xanatos...

Now the adults are worried, and suspicious. Is Dragon really to be trusted? They saved one of their own, without thought of payment, so they aren't cruel. But they also aren't entirely honest. It's best if they try to spy their son/young one's odd friend...

And they're quite... young. They don't seem to be healthy. They jump at the sound of a clattering rock, and avoid lights and the people of the city. Even when Elisa tries to approach them, they grow scared, anxious. It's like approaching a hatchling, one who's been on their own for too long...

And their scent... they can smell the same scent on them that clings to Elisa and Xanatos and Matt... the scent of clan...

It seems they'll need to step in soon...

[honey-minded-hivemind]

Weeeeeeiiiiirrrddd. I was JUST re-reading your Gargoyles au too!

I imagine Dragon scavenges for food, medicine, building supplies, basically anything useful. They probably got a bag or something that they always have with them that they use to carry this stuff. Brooklyn looked inside once and was worried about how little food they had. (There is more at the human base, but he doesn't know that.)

When Reader is with the humans, they help with building a greenhouse and caring for the plants. The faster they are self-sustaining, the better. They even got a little irrigation system set up. It's not the prettiest thing in the world, but it works. If Brooklyn could see them, he would think it's kinda funny to see rough and tough Dragon caring for a tomato plant, but he would probably join in for funsies. (Hudson too. He looks like he has a green thumb.)

If they aren’t doing that, they could be teaching defensive maneuvers to the other humans. How to run, hide, or fight against someone who could do them harm. Dragon always got a baseball bat with them just in case, even if they haven't used it yet. They know they can't fight the gargoyles, but anyone else is likely getting clocked right across the jaw with it.

Despite their friendship with Brooklyn, they won't tell them where the humans are hiding, or any of the gargoyles. No matter what Elisa or Desmona says or how Goliath glares at them, these people depend on them to stay safe. ( Which makes them so much like Goliath, the glare they give Brooklyn when he first asks about the humans looks waaaaay too familar for him NOT to say something to the clan leader.) When they get sick, either they are away from the other humans and suffering on their own (sad) or they are with the humans, who sadly don't have the medicine Dragon needs, and Brooklyn tracks them down by scent and spies on them (eventually scary when the clan goes to collect Reader).

Unrelated note, I don't remember if we ever established what Dragon wears, but I keep imagining a red letterman jacket that has an embroidered dragon on the back. I just think it would look cool and pop against all the cool tones of everything else (and hides Dragons blood when they are injured, not that they will tell anyone that, but the gargoyles can smell it.) (And the rest of Dragon, no spare water=no baths. They were the cleanest they had been in MONTHS when they jumped in the river to save Brooklyn.)

You read my mind, Sugar ♡^♡!!!!

Yes, Dragon scavenges for whatever the underground human compound needs. Things like building tools, fabric and blankets, any medicine they can find (or steal), scrap metal or wood, pans and pots, knives and ammo, even water bottles and whatever non-perishable food they can get their hands on. Brooklyn finds it strange they look for what amounts to very little, random objects, but he helps when it's clear it means a lot to Dragon (Reader).

Reader has a role in the Underground Council, along with Tony Drakon, Fang, and a few other characters who have had to step up to defend the few people left, who rely on them for everything... Reader collects any seeds and seed packets they find for the Underground's garden and greenhouse, and help train others on how to hide and how to fight in a desperate situation. Fang teaches defense and how to spy, as well as how to hunt any animals and fish they find. Tony Drakon is in charge of rationing, putting groups together, and keeping stock of what they have, and what they need.

There are at least six or seven members of the Underground Council, who amount to those who take care of the things that need to get done, and who have enough authority that others will listen. Reader is in charge of scavenging and evasive maneuvers, Fang is in charge of defense and guarding thr entrance and exits, Tony is in charge of rations and putting groups together, and other roles include watcher over ammo and weapons, caretaker of the greenhouse and gardens + water, keeper of blankets, sheets, pillows, and in charge of insulation, and the doctor...

Brooklyn finds it uncanny how Dragon (Reader) looks like Goliath when they glare or laugh or sulk. He honestly wonders what that's about. But in the end, he's happy to have a friend, even if they won't tell him where they hide or go when he's not around, or why they collect such odd supplies... Yet he'll help. If they need blankets, he'll grab some from thr castle or Xanatos' supply closet. They need weird, hard to open foods? Okay, nothing raiding the kitchen won't fix. They need some medicine? Hmmm... okay, okay, but who's sick?

As for how Dragon (Reader) looks, oooo, a jacket with a dragon on it? Haha, cool! What else would they wear? Boots, or tennis shoes, or sandals? Would they wear any jewelry? Do they have ling, short, or medium hair? Is it curly, or straight, or fluffy, or messy? I imagine Dragon (Reader) has at least one of those talon rings, where you slip it on, but it has a sharp talon at the edge, helpful for digging, opening or cutting locks and fabric, and perfect for defense (it can gouge out an eye)... What do you think, Sugar? And please, send in any asks for this au that you have! I'd be happy to discuss it with you!

[honey-minded-hivemind]

Okay, so, I might either reboot this au or tweak it a little. @sugar-soda, if you would like, I wouldn't mind discussing ideas with you! I don't know if all of the teens should be gargoyles, or I should keep my original idea where only a few are. I'm keeping the reincarnation thing, because I love that idea. And Charles and Erik are the power couple who take the places of Xanatos, Fox, and Owen/Puck...

Have a great day, folks, and stay safe!!!

For the X-Men/Gargoyles AU (where the X-Men are set in a Gargoyles-esque universe, but they take the place of those characters), I think I've figured out the new dynamics. This is different from the Gargoyles series, because trying to fit a few X-Men into one character's place was very difficult. So what did I do? Changed it around a bit.

Let's look at it this way:

Logan/Wolverine and Ororo/Storm take the place of Goliath, being a couple or good friends, while Victor/Sabretooth and Raven/Mystique take the place of Demona. So each pair is a friend to the other or a sibling, but aren't romantic. So, Logan and Victor are brothers, Ororo and Raven are sisters, but Logan and Ororo are really good friends or mates, and Victor and Raven are really good friends or mates. Take your pick.

Xavier becomes David Xanatos, and Magneto becomes a mix of Owen Burnett/Puck and Fox, and surprise, they're reincarnated gargoyles this go (which wasn't in the show, but this is my au, so it goes).They're like a cool, mysterious older couple, who always seem to know something Reader doesn't (they know a lot of things they don't, but they'll reveal everything in due time...) (Victor and Raven know, too, and it's the one reason they haven't tried to kill Reader... with the information they have, why would they?)

Hank/Beast takes the place of Hudson, Gambit takes the place of Brooklyn, Kurt takes the place of Broadway, Evan takes the place of Lexington... Bronx, I'm not sure if any of the X-Men had a pet (I'm using X-Men Evolution for this, by the way), so I guess I can add an extra teen... so let's go with... Kitty (why not?).

Reader takes a new role, which is... different to Elisa's. They do some detective work, possibly, but as a teen, maybe. Or maybe they're an assistant to Xavier. They could just be some random person who happened to stumble into all of this. But they take the main character role, I guess, who isn't a gargoyle (they were one in a past life, though, so do with that what you will)

Scott and Jean take the place of Matt Bluestone as well as Coldstone and Coldfire. They're Reader's older friends, (and are the reincarnated spirits of two of the long dead gargoyles from the Wyvern Clan Massacre). Rogue is also their friend, and is like a mix of Morgan the cop, the chief of police, and Elisa's family... (maybe she is related to Reader? maybe not? and she is Kurt's long dead sister reincarnated... so that makes her Raven's daughter, but a human in this new life).

Lance, Todd/Toad, Fred, Pietro, and Wanda are here, too. They might be a version of the Pack (a kid/teen version), they could be a gang similar to one in the series, maybe they're just also random people dragged into this mess. They are there, and that's that.

Now, I say this would have it's own 🌕Longest Night❄ AU, which would be where the adult gargoyles (the reincarnated ones too) are affected by a magical artifact, during the long nights of Winter, and go about surprise adopting (kidnapping) their reincarnated kids... And their gargoyle kids are affected too, but are in a hatchling/younger state of mind. So they aren't going to be much help to Reader or the others. Let's just hope the long nights ahead don't last... And if they do, how do they stop them?

(Ask any questions you want about this au, I'm working on it right now, the Haunted Mansion AU on a break while I work out the main au branch...)

[honey-minded-hivemind]

Yeep, Reader (Dragon) is a mini Goliath, even as a human! (They're tiny though) (And they're perfect size for hugging and cuddling!)

With Little Dragon trying to care for everyone but also still having such a strong sense of right and wrong, they remind me of Goliath.

It would be funny if they had some features of our favorite giant but it's all subtle. They have the same hard glare and on the rare occasions the young gargoyle can get them to smile, it looks exactly like their leader. They enjoy similar foods and maybe wear a little cloak thingy that looks remarkably like Goliath's wings when folded up.

Brooklyn, holding up Dragon simba-style: Look! Baby Goliath!

Dragon: PUT ME DOWN DANG IT!

Dragon (a.k.a. Reader), does take some traits from Goliath, mainly his glare, wearing a little cloak that they use as a hood, a cape, and a blanket, and their strong sense of right and wrong, regardless of what side they're on. (Reader is also good at climbing. Scarily so for a human) (it concerns everyone)

Yes, good eye! The gargoyles they saved was Brooklyn! (He believes he is their best friend, they do sh*t together like scale walls, toss rocks into a pond, and play games of hide and seek). Brooklyn didn't want to betray their trust, but he was worried about them. He doesn't want to bring them home against their will, but... the adults talk him into it, claiming Reader needs their help, they don't know what's good for them, and that Reader is clan, so they belong with them in the end.

Reader does not trust Elisa, Matt, or Xanatos approaching them. They hide in the nearest shadows or hole or crack to avoid being seen or talking to them. Elisa is worried, Matt is confused, and Xanatos finds this amusing.

Demona is with the clan here in this au, so she's here. (Thailog ends up being a young gargoyle, and not an adult) (Macbeth ends up being an ally to the clan)

Reader ends up giving small treasures to Brooklyn, such as different coins, small bits of jewelry like an earring or a pendant, and the random rock or stone.

Bonus (crack idea, not canon moment):

Xanatos: Whatcha got there?

Brooklyn, holding Reader: A smoothie

Reader: Put me down!

(Yee! @sugar-soda I love this au! Do you like it?)

[honey-minded-hivemind]

Hey, @sugar-soda, guess what I re-read~! I kinda want to re-do it, just a little, to make it flow a bit better, and discuss a bit of what Dragon (Reader) does to help thr underground humans, as well as add some darker points to the takeover and the reincarnated... Ye, or no?

@sugar-soda You're gonna love this: I'm about to explain the Dark Gargoyles AU!

Okay, let's set the background first: After the Wyvern Clan Massacre and sacking of the castle, and after the gargoyles were turned to stone except Goliath, after Goliath saves the princess, the Magus, as an apology and per Goliath's request, turns him to stone as well, but not before casting a spell so that when Goliath and his remaining clan awake above the clouds, the rest of their clan, who died, will be back as well... The Magus afterwards also makes sure there's a spell set in place to help the clan and any if their allies find their reincarnated clan members...

Cue a thousand years later...

Xanatos has the castle moved to his building, the gargoyles awaken, and surprise, they're all a bit vengeful/distrusting of humanity. But then the fight happens, and surprise surprise, Elisa rescues them, and oh, she's one of their reincarnated clan members. So is Xanatos. And a deal is kinda struck/made: to find their missing members, rebuild their clan, and maybe have Manhattan as their new territory to control...

Well, it goes about as well as one can expect. Most of the human population flees the first day, but those left behind or unable to leave flee underground. The likes of Tony Drakon and people like Fang aren't as evil as they were, having to step up and help others and growing as people, and other characters are bit more villainous or morally gray, such as Matt Bluestone (also a reincarnated clan member).

Reader is a younger teen who's been helping the hidden group under the city, scavenging for medicine and non-perishable food, and bringing news of the weather, what Xanatos is up to, and if anyone is too close to their hideout. Reader's usually on their own, not wanting to live underground most of the time, but also wary enough to sleep during the day, and stay awake at night. They do what they can to stave off boredom, climbing brick walls, finding new hidey holes all over the city and parks, sometimes swimming or staying by the water...

Then one night, as they're by the water, one of the smaller gargoyles falls in, and Reader jumps in, barely getting them both onto the bank. Reader is hacking up lungfuls of water, and the gargoyles they rescued is trying to get over the shock that someone, a human who isn't one of their's, just rescued him. And he decides this person he now owes a debt, but... Reader won't give their name. They can't say why they saved him, or where they go, but they say he can call them a nickname, or make up a name for them...

Then Reader leaves, disappearing into the fog...

This gargoyles now decides to keep finding Reader and tries to be friends with them. And so far, he notices they squirrel things away, they collect blankets and jars and bottles, they like to hide in dark places and sleep curled up amongst their blankets and books, and acts kinda like the dragons his clan was supposed to be related to. So, he decides the perfect name for them is Dragon, because they act like a little dragon.

Reader slowly becomes friends with him, but is secretive on where they go, and warns the others that they did rescue a gargoyle, but comes up with the excuse that if they'd let him die, the adults would have surely killed them in retaliation, or worked harder to find their hidden group...

The young gargoyle, in the meantime, really doesn't like his friend Dragon being so lonely. They have no clan it seems, they constantly talk about doing questionable things with no one there to catch them if they fall or get hurt, they sometimes have a cough or bruises or cuts, and they dodge the question of if they have somewhere to go once Winter fully sets in. He doesn't like it. They're too small, they're sickly at times, and they have no one in their corner if things go wrong. So, reluctantly, he decides to tell Goliath and Demona and Elisa and Xanatos...

Now the adults are worried, and suspicious. Is Dragon really to be trusted? They saved one of their own, without thought of payment, so they aren't cruel. But they also aren't entirely honest. It's best if they try to spy their son/young one's odd friend...

And they're quite... young. They don't seem to be healthy. They jump at the sound of a clattering rock, and avoid lights and the people of the city. Even when Elisa tries to approach them, they grow scared, anxious. It's like approaching a hatchling, one who's been on their own for too long...

And their scent... they can smell the same scent on them that clings to Elisa and Xanatos and Matt... the scent of clan...

It seems they'll need to step in soon...