012 [Action]

[ny_nightguard]

[Goliath has a lot to digest since Brooklyn's arrival, bringing with him the devastating news that the Manhattan clan disappeared in the global expansion of the Mist. For so long, Goliath has been going about his business on the assumption that the rest of the clan were fine as usual, and to know now that they are not, and have not been, has

Comments

[Action]

[newyorkbynight]

[It seemed like a bad dream. She had been delighted to see Brooklyn again, but that euphoria had swiftly been replaced by a cold and impossible sort of grief.

They had no way of knowing what had happened to the rest of the clan. Perhaps they were trapped in their own personal nightmares, suffering just like she had. Perhaps they had forgotten who they were and where they belonged. If she thought about it for too long, she'd break down again. She'd shed all of the tears that she had to shed before sunset.

Pale and drawn from a lack of sleep, but furiously determined despite all that, Elisa made her way up to the library roof. It was the natural place to start looking for Goliath and, sure enough, there he was.]

We'll find them. We'll get them back.

[She didn't know how, not yet, but she knew that. She refused to consider anything else.]

[ny_nightguard]

[Thank goodness for Elisa, whom he wanted to see soon after he'd had his chance to think through all the implications of Brooklyn's news. Better, now that she's here, to see her sooner. He takes her in his arms and holds her close.]

I know.

[That they have each other to search with gives him faith that they can.]

[newyorkbynight]

[She held him tight, comforted by the fact that he really was still there and taking a moment to compose herself before replying.]

I didn't think it'd hurt to remind you.

[And she needed to remind herself, of course.]

[ny_nightguard]

Thank you.

[It's such a small thing to say, and it never quite feels like enough. But he would have to speak for a long time, to list each of the reasons he is grateful for her, and for now, he settles for holding her closer, taking comfort in having her safe in his arms, when so many of the rest of his loved ones are so far away, and not safe at all.]

This would be much more difficult without you.

[newyorkbynight]

[Small, perhaps, but they were very good at communicating vast and complicated emotions with few words. She knew what he meant. She didn't need anything else.]

Then it's a good job you'll never have to deal with it without me, isn't it?

[ny_nightguard]

Elisa -

[There is so much contained in that simple exchange. Goliath smiles for the first time since receiving this awful news, resting his hand alongside Elisa's face to look at her.

She is pale and drawn, and his response is concern.] What about your human family? Your brother - do you know for certain they're still safe?

[newyorkbynight]

Not any more. [It was a difficult thing to admit, but she couldn't lie to Goliath.] I thought they were all safe, but ...

[She shook her head, then stopped.]

With the Mist out there, none of us are safe. All we can do is keep fighting.

[ny_nightguard]

[The Mazas too? This night keeps getting worse.]

Elisa.

[He puts his arms around her again, stroking her hair and recalling his own anguish the first time he lost a family.]

I will always fight with you. We'll search for them together.

[newyorkbynight]

[Elisa was currently tired and anxious and, consequently, she was very glad to simply be held by the gargoyle that she loved. She felt safe in his arms and, these days, that was a rare feeling indeed.]

We're going to need a lot more information before we can do anything. I wouldn't know where to start looking.

[ny_nightguard]

We have already begun. A lead will become clear, with time.

[He's back to where he had been the day the Mist overtook the world, when Elisa was all that was left of the clan he cared for more than anything else in the world.

No - Brooklyn has returned to them, so even now, their situation is not so terrible as that. But again, nothing comforts him like having her to hold, safe and near, where he can protect her.]

Brooklyn returned to us. It's only a matter of time before the rest of the clan and your family does the same, or we are summoned to find them.

[newyorkbynight]

They might be out there, working together to try and find us.

[There were far too many maybes and uncertainties for them to make something even approaching an accurate guess. At the moment, all they can really do is hope.]

[ny_nightguard]

Wherever they are, they're as determined as we are to find each other.

[He caresses her face, considering her pallor, the dark circles under her eyes. She looks as though she has been crying. She has most certainly been falling back on her human ability not to sleep if she chooses not to.

None of this she would want him to point out, not even to say how it touches him, knowing that every sacrifice she makes is for the good of the people they protect together, that she cares for his family as much as he cares in turn for hers.]

Let me take you to your home. I want to be alone with you.

[newyorkbynight]

[It was a small but significant comfort and enough to provoke a tired smile from Elisa.]

Home is wherever you are. [Her reminder was gentle and entirely honest. She had believed that for a long time, but it was truer than ever now.] But we can go back to my room?

[ny_nightguard]

[Home is wherever you are.

There are things she says, occasionally, that manage to comfort him completely. Which, at a time like this, is a wonder and a gift.]

I would like that.

[He picks her up and spreads his wings to test the wind. The summer breeze is just enough to glide on.]

[newyorkbynight]

[She put her arm around Goliath's neck, settling against his chest as she had so many times before. For a brief moment, they were safe. No matter what happened, they would be together.]

Let's go.

[ny_nightguard]

[Oh the simple pleasure of flying with his love. It never gets old.

Goliath makes the journey quickly, helping her through the window and then around to the door to her apartment, a journey that gives Elisa enough time to unlock it for him.

It would be nice to pass the evening in the pleasure of her company alone, but unfortunately, they do have some very serious matters to discuss, regarding the safety of the campus. Goliath is grim and serious again when he walks through Elisa's door.]