Lone Clone
By Princess Alexandria
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Prompt: Catfight: section 15
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I felt like my heart was going to hammer out of my chest I was so nervous. A glide into the city never filled me with so much dread, but I just took a deep breath and started to gain altitude as I approached the Eyrie building and that castle that looked so ridiculous on top of a skyscraper.
As I landed in the courtyard I noticed that Fox was there alongside a man I’d seen a picture of. The gargoyles were coming outside to greet me as well and I felt almost trapped, surrounded, even as I tried to smile as if I was happy to be there. “Hello, I’m David Xanatos. I just had to meet you.” The human male spoke and I saw him studying me with a small smirk to his lips. I wasn’t finding myself too happy to meet him. “I was disappointed to miss your visit last night.”
“Nice to meet you.” I nodded, making no effort to shake hands. I turned my eyes to Fox and noticed Alexander wasn’t with her this time. Fox was dressed more casually tonight. “Momma.” I teased her just a little and nodded toward her with a smirk of my own. I like that she doesn’t pale or seem upset, she just nods back with a small grin.
“Baby.” Fox replies. I can see Goliath is fidgeting and looking a little ill at our small game. He didn’t ever have to worry I’d play this with him, I thought with a little disgust.
“How have you been surviving all this time?” David spoke and I felt like cringing. I saw the clan all seem to perk up a little as if interested in the answer.
“I managed.” I muttered, but it was clear that wasn’t enough to keep the trust. “I lived out of trash cans for the most part, but I’ve found someone who lets me stay with her now and she feeds me.” I admitted and saw a few disgusted and pitying looks. I turned to talk to Fox, who looked concerned. I like that she seemed concerned. “It’s much better now. I’m safe during the day too.”
“Who do you stay with?” Goliath spoke and I did my best to not grimace at the sound of his voice. It really was unfortunate for him that he seemed so like Thailog.
“A friend.” I turned to look at him, I sort of had to. It was the polite thing to do. “Look,” I spoke more softly, noticing Angela next to him and I found it easier to talk in her direction then, I focused on her out of the corner of my eye rather than Goliath’s uncomfortable expression. “I’ve had it a little rough and I’m not going to share my safe place with anyone, not yet. I want it to stay my safe place. I don’t have anywhere else.”
“If you ever need another safe place,” Fox started to speak and I took a step closer to her. She smiled at me and I ignored how Goliath fidgeted so obviously at her words. “I know I didn’t create you, but I feel partly responsible.”
“You’re a good donor.” I spoke softly, “I don’t think anyone else would care.” I knew all the gargoyles and that human detective that wasn’t here tonight didn’t feel that way or their clones wouldn’t be underground. “But I’m fine.” I told her gently, I felt no urge to burn my bridge with her. It was a shame that what I was here to do would probably burn that bridge anyhow, even though I didn’t want to.
“Where we’re going is a safe place too.” Goliath spoke. “The other clones live in the Labyrinth, and that’s where we have Demona imprisoned.” I heard he was trying to make it sound like an offer, but it took all I had to not growl at him. Gargoyles didn’t belong underground, I wanted to scream it, but I just clenched my jaw and did my best to not respond.
My eyes glowed red, but I suspect they thought it was Demona’s name that caused that. I didn’t correct that idea.
I didn’t like how David stared at me, he seemed intrigued and I didn’t think that was a good thing. “Can we go?” I finally asked anyone who was listening. I wasn’t here for a visit, I had a mission.
“I could have our doctors look at your genetics as well.” David offered. “I’m not sure Demona will be much help for you.” I froze for a moment, unsure how to deny this offer and not look suspicious.
When I didn’t offer to hand over my blood right away it was Fox that spoke. “Not everyone is comfortable handing over their genetic material David. Look what happened to mine.” There was a hint of a snap in her voice and I looked at her quickly. “Not that you aren’t lovely Lilith, but I really should have known if I was going to have another child.” Her voice was soft enough that I didn’t feel rejected. I just nodded. Apparently Fox knew more about how her DNA was taken than most of the donors, and it backfired on her.
“A clone of a clone would be weakened, the genetic material would break down and make it prone to all sorts of nasty deaths.” I informed them, because I knew this, but it really wasn’t all that important. It was just something to say. I remembered my cover story, but apparently no one else did, because I was still here and not in front of Demona. “Genetic manipulation is dangerous, there are so many mistakes that could be made, but what I’m afraid of is that the anomalies I’ve found in my own genetics aren’t an accident.” I took a shaky breath. “I’m afraid that what I don’t know about genetics is what will kill me. I have abnormalties.”
“Well, there may be another reason for that.” Fox spoke a little slower. “My own genetics are rather unique.”
“I’ve noticed.” I told her, and I wanted to ask about it, but not here with everyone. “And I’ve got some of those unique genetics too, even though the Doctor was careful about what I inherited from you, he apparently couldn’t sift it all out.” I stared at her a moment and she looked a little tired suddenly, so that reinforced the idea of not asking now. “So the Labyrinth is where?” I glanced around to the clan, but my eyes returned to stare into Fox’s, hoping she saw that I did want to ask her more, but later. Her nod made me feel like she understood and she’d give me my answers. I really lucked out with this donor, I could have had someone like that detective, and I doubt that one would give me nearly as much as Fox is giving me. I gave Fox a small smile before turning to follow the clan into the air.
I did my best to remember every landmark, ever turn, so that
I could find this place myself if I needed to, but once we landed on the ground
I noticed the Detective with a flashlight in her hand near a large drain
pipe. It sickened me to see this
concrete proof we were going underground.
I landed near Elisa along with the others.
“My brother is a mutate.” Elisa told me. “He’s in charge of the mutates and the clones, and also helps out the homeless of the city.” The word Mutate filled my mind and I almost stumbled a little with the program releasing more than just what a mutate was, I had the science behind some of what was done to these people. Their genetics were more complicated than mine, I knew that without even seeing any of it.
We started to follow Elisa into the darkness and I began to worry that I’d discover a previously unknown tendency toward claustrophobia. While I felt uncomfortable with the small tunnel that would make it nearly impossible to glide at all, I was still able to walk and function, but I didn’t like the feeling the place gave me. It took some self control to not turn and yell at Goliath about where he’d put the others. It made me sick, I actually felt ill, as I considered what my life might have been if I’d been with the other clones. I loved being in the air, and this place would kill me slowly. I couldn’t even see the sky from here. I felt a nervousness and fear that somehow I’d be stuck here, that I was being led here and I’d be left. It made me work even harder to try and remember the turns we took in the underground maze.
I noticed the light as we turned another corner, but it was just reflecting off of a wall. I took a deep breath and continued to follow quietly. Sure some others tried to talk to me, but I was too busy making sure I could find my way out to respond. They’d stopped talking at me after a few turns.
I stared around with wide eyes at the large well lit area we’d walked into once we turned the corner. I could see cat like gargoyles, that I knew weren’t really gargoyles. The mutates, just three of them were busy, but the dark one looked up at us. “Elisa.” He spoke and then his eyes moved to look at me. I noticed his eyes widen a little, and then narrow, before he just took a step closer. “Yet more of Dr. Severius’ work I see.”
“I actually think of myself as a person, but you can think of yourself as a creation if you like.” I growled out before I could stop myself. I was so tired of being considered less then others by these people, but I cringed inside once I’d spoken. It would have been smarter to just take it.
The dark male paused and stared at me a moment, before his shoulders seemed to relax. “Fair enough, I actually think of myself as Talon.” It seemed like his attitude changed, and I allowed my own body to relax even if I still wasn’t happy.
“I’m Lilith.” I said it for what felt like the millionth time.
“You should meet the other clones.” Talon smiled just a little. He turned to talk louder at the other mutates. “Claw, could you go get the clones?”
“Oh hey, while we’re here I should check out the phone
lines.”
“I’ll go with you.” Broadway spoke up and I just tilted my head and watched those two start off in a direction that apparently held what they were after.
“I should really talk to you about how you’re managing to
deal with holding Demona.” Goliath addressed Talon and I turned my eyes
to look at Elisa. I definitely had the
feeling that gargoyles were fleeing the area because the clones would be coming
in. Elisa seemed to look around at the
others, and I noticed that Brooklyn was talking with Maggie and Bronx and
“I guess I really am the lucky one.” I spoke quietly, thinking I was talking to myself, but Elisa looked at me. I took a deep breath. “My donor actually can stand to be near me. This is sad, really sad, that gargoyles run away like this so they don’t have to talk to a clone.” Elisa’s jaw tensed and I could feel she was mad, but she didn’t say anything. I felt like hurting someone for this, but I just did my best to file it under another reason why my clan leader was better than anyone in this clan. “Fox really is special.” I spoke again, but it was my own not so hidden barb. “She never ran away.”
“Maybe they thought you’d like to meet your clan in
private.” Elisa spoke up, in a poor
defense. I didn’t believe that, but it
was a nice idea. Somehow I don’t think
Elisa believed it either, because I thought I saw her glare at Goliath’s back
when I started to look away from her.
She at least stuck around. I
watched Maggie lead
I heard the footsteps and turned to stare in that direction. I felt nervous about meeting my clan. I knew little about them, and they probably never knew I existed. I was here for Demona, but I felt like I just needed to do this for me too. I felt like these were my clan, even though I never met them, I felt connected to people I’d never met.
Talon started to move closer to me and I found myself wringing my hands as I watched the shadow on the wall grow. I stared with wide eyes as a few large males stepped into the room. I could see who they were clones of, but they were changed. I know I wasn’t a direct clone, that I’d been altered a lot, but I had they would be like their donors but just a different color. Two more males stepped into the room, and then I saw the white hair of the only other female clone. Like me, she really took after her human donor.
All the gargoyles were looking at me and I smiled just a
little, feeling awkward and excited.
Talon turned to the clones and spoke, “This here is
Talon smiled at the others and turned to me for a moment. “Guys, this is Lilith.”
“Hello Lilith.” The males spoke almost all at once, and the words were a little stilted. I froze for a moment, my heart sinking, and I stared into various eyes again. That bastard! My fists clenched as I suddenly realized why it all felt wrong.
The gentle touch on my wing had me looking to my left and Elisa gave me a concerned look for a moment, but then tilted her head to the clones. I turned to look at them. “Hello.” I spoke a little hesitantly, praying I was wrong.
“You’re pretty.”
“Well, Delilah is pretty too.” I spoke slower, and wondered at why I did that. Would speaking slower make it easier for the cloned males? I gave Delilah a small smile, hoping to draw her out and see if she was spared the hobbling to their mental abilities the males suffered from.
Her expression was a shock and I just stared as she seemed to go blank, no expression at all, but then it started to scare me. Delilah growled and her eyes started to glow as she stared at me. I could tell she had just accessed some of her programming, but I’d never seen anyone else do that.
I sucked in a breath in shock as I saw her leap at me talons out. “What?” Was all I got out before I felt the ground as I slammed into it.
“Unnatural freak, you won’t convert me.” Delilah hissed at me and her hand was around my throat. I clawed up at her and managed to get the arm, drawing blood as I struggled stop her from cutting off my air. I kicked up and when there was a moment to move I started to try and roll away. “Perverted. Females need males, unnatural freak, I’m not like you and I won’t let you try and convert me.” Delilah hissed at me and I could hear some yelling, but I was too busy avoiding a kick to my face. I twisted my body and whipped my tail out, knocking her down, but she’d managed to kick me in the chest. I was grateful for the break as she struggled to stand up and I rolled further away and stood up, staring at her.
What had Thailog done to her? Why? He thought I was dead, so why did she look like she’d been programmed to beat the shit out of me?
“Delilah!” A male yelled, but I just braced myself for a real battle. I’d let her get the upper hand in my shock but I could see she was about to lung at me again. I brought up my talons and my tail lashed behind me violently as I crouched down a little.
The bright light and her scream and then her falling was a surprise. “Why?” I turned to yell at Talon, angry he’d hurt her, upset that I hadn’t, and just about ready to cry. This was my clan, and apparently it wasn’t. I turned to stare at the males, and they were stunned looking. I looked at Delilah, stared at her, as she lay unconscious. “He programmed her to hate me.” I whispered as I felt a hand move to rest on my wing. I turned a little to see Delilah’s face on a human and I stared at her. “I cared about her, she was my clan.” I whispered. “She was my replacement.” I admitted and looked away. My voice was bitter. “I guess he wanted to be sure that Delilah wouldn’t turn out gay too.” She tried to gay bash me, because I said she was pretty. I figure that out, that was the trigger. I didn’t think she was too pretty anymore.
I turned and walked toward the tunnel we’d come into this place in, just so I could wipe at my tears. I felt the sting of some cuts and bruises. My body was shaky, and I wrapped my arms around myself. It hurt. It hurt a hell of a lot, but physically I wasn’t too damaged. I’d stopped her from clawing me.
“I’m so sorry about that.”
Talon spoke up and I had to turn and look at him. I wiped at my face to cover my tears before I
turned. Talon turned to
“She just attacked Lilith for no reason.” Goliath was staring at Delilah.
“Yes, a catfight.”
“Shut up.” I snapped
at the male clone and turned to stare at Delilah, who was now hanging
unconscious from
I’d been worried about her, about them all really, but mostly about her and this was what I got? I spoke one more parting shot. “She’s nothing but a puppet if she lets her programming control her like that. Does she spread her legs on all male commands or just her ‘Masters’?” I growled and turned away, upset with myself as well. The fight was over, but I felt like I still needed to fight.
“Lilith, are you okay?” Elisa spoke gently and I grimaced and looked at her.
“Where is Demona?” I just wanted to get this over with and get out. I came here for a reason, and that was all that mattered now.
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Prompt: Kakistocracy (Government by the least qualified or most unprincipled citizens.) – section 16
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I noticed that the Detective was quiet as we walked down yet another tunnel, but I didn’t look back at her or Goliath, I just stared ahead at Talon. Talon was the one in charge of keeping my clan leader locked up, but Goliath was the one responsible for capturing her. I was sandwiched between people who thought nothing of breaking the law when it suited them, and I couldn’t say anything. One thing I did know, that cop was not doing her job.
“I was wondering if I should press charges against Delilah.” I muttered loud enough for all to hear. “Hate crimes are crimes too.” My voice was bitter.
“So you really are gay?” Goliath spoke up and I turned to glare at him.
“Even if I weren’t, I hear attacking someone because you think they are gay is just as illegal.” I turned my eyes to the cop, who looked a little pained at my line of discussion. “Or we could just lock her up next to Demona?” I offered it like I genuinely thought it was a good idea.
“I know what she did was unjustified, but you must understand what Thailog did to them.” Goliath started with the excuses and I just turned to continue walking with Talon, which forced him to turn and start walking too.
“I know far better than you what was done to us.” I spoke wearily as I followed. I didn’t bother looking at who I was talking to. “The Programming is insidious, and more of it appears at the slightest trigger. I know it wasn’t her fault, but who is going to explain to her that I’m not evil just because I didn’t want to sleep with Thailog?”
“I will.” Talon responded and I looked up from watching my feet to see him glancing back at me. “This type of thing won’t be tolerated here. Many of our homeless are gay and now that she’s revealed this ugly side of her programming I can’t trust her around them.”
I really didn’t know what to say to that honest answer to my own frustrated anger. He actually said the right thing. I sighed heavily and followed him into another large room. I found the sound of an irritating male voice grating, and we were moving toward it.
“I swear Fang, if you don’t shut up for at least ten minutes I will find a way to get out of here, but I’ll stay long enough to kill you before I leave.” Demona’s voice was cold and I felt like my heart was clamped at this proof I’d found her. I stopped walking for a moment and the only reason I even noticed it was that Goliath touched me and I turned to see a concerned look on his face. That made me walk faster to get away from him.
The clear wall between me and the male apparently known as Fang was a very good thing. I noticed his hungry look and I felt dirty just having his eyes on me. “Oh look, more eye candy.” He spoke and Talon seemed to glare at him, but he was walking past that cell so I followed.
Fang was continuing to talk, but I blocked it out as I found myself standing in front of Demona’s cell. She looked up from some magazine she was looking at and I noticed her eyes widen. “Hello.”
“Lilith.” Demona spoke quickly and then glanced at Talon and her eyes narrowed as she looked at Goliath.
My eyes were glancing at the strange cage, before I stared into her eyes again. Now that I was here, with an unwanted audience, I wasn’t sure what to say so she’d understand why I was here.
“I thought you’d like a visitor.” Talon spoke, but it wasn’t too friendly as he talked to Demona. “Lilith came to ask you questions about the cloning process and what you and Thailog did to the clones DNA. I suggest you answer all her questions.” That last line seemed like a threat.
I glanced over at Goliath, who stared into the cell sadly and shook his head. “Hello Demona.”
Demona’s eyes moved from me to him and I could see her school her face to not show any shock. “Goliath, you liking the role of judge and jury?”
“We’ve had this discussion before.” He spoke firmly and I felt my eye twitch in anger.
“Look, you guys can talk later can’t you? I have a time limit on my grievance you know.” I hinted to my death as I glared at the large male gargoyle. He looked a little guilty and then nodded at me. “You can just yell if you need help.” He told me and then shared a look with Elisa.
It took a moment, before just the annoying voice of Fang filled the room and I worried about him overhearing us. I moved closer to the cage and glanced at it again. “Hey, you didn’t come home.” I spoke very softly and watched Demona stand up and move closer to me as well.
“What are you doing here?” Demona’s voice was a little harsher, but her eyes made me think she wasn’t too mad.
“I was worried about you. I told them I needed to find you, but I had to tell them a lie. If I had explained that they’d stolen my clan leader, along with all of the rest of my clan, and I wanted her back I didn’t think they’d be too receptive.” I told her quickly and noticed her eyes soften just a little.
“Clan leader huh?” Demona smiled just a little and I blushed at being teased at a time like this. I’d never outright said I was her clan before.
My blush faded as I looked at the very well built cell and frowned. I moved to stare at the wall the cell door apparently was hinged on. “This cell is far too high tech for this place.” I complained as I studied it. With my programming I could figure out three potential ways to disable it, but they all required tools I didn’t have. “I’d need a few things to unlock it.”
“And then what? Did you bring a gun?” Demona asked and I felt a wave of shame.
“I don’t know where you keep them, if you have them in the house and I can’t exactly shop during the day like you can.” I admitted. I looked at the floor of her cell. “And while I now know what I need to break you out of this, I don’t have it. I don’t even know how to buy it.”
“Do you know where what you need is? Can you steal it?” Demona asked and I felt a little foolish as I realized stealing was a possibility I hadn’t even considered. For her I could do that. It wasn’t like I hadn’t occasionally stolen the food if it was easy to get to, this was just a bit more. Sure it would take breaking into a place, but if I moved fast I could pull this off. Hell, once Demona was out I could send cash to cover what I took if it bothered me too much. I just nodded in response and then glanced off toward the direction the others had gone. “My weapons at home are in the basement. The code is AHB986.” Demona told me quickly and I did my best to memorize it. I knew about the basement but I’ve never been in there.
“So now I have to interrogate you about a health problem I hopefully don’t really have.” I told her what my cover here was just as quietly as we’d been talking before. “I may have lied about my age, so it was believable that you’d be there when I was made.”
“You’re hardly the first female to lie about her age.” Demona sounded amused and I looked at her to see a small smirk. I also noticed she seemed to be more relaxed. I felt like maybe she trusted me to handle this, and I wasn’t sure why she would. This was well out of my realm of experience, but for her I’d do my very best to get her out of here.
“Okay.” I spoke softly and then just nodded as my voice rose a little. “I know you were around when they did this to me if you didn’t order it yourself. This is sick.”
Demona rested a hand on the partition and I moved mine to where it almost looked like we could touch as she gave me a sympathetic look. She knew this was my fear, why I worked so hard on learning more about genetics. “It isn’t like I bother with the details, those were Dr. Sevarius job, that’s why I paid him.”
Fang at least needed to overhear part of this, but Demona’s voice dropped. “I thought he’d completely cheated me once I saw the clones, but I think I got my money’s worth with you even if I didn’t know you were created.” I took a deep breath as her words wrapped around me. I pressed my hand harder against the door, wishing I could hug her, because I really needed to after her words, even though I never had before. “Sure he talked about failsafes.” Demona’s voice was at a normal speaking voice, perhaps a little louder as she continued for me since I found myself unable to think of words.
My claws tried to gain a grip in the door, but I barely managed to scratch it. “Those failsafes could cost me my life. I need more details, I need to know where to look. Anything, any hint.” I told her and my voice cracked. I wish someone could give me that hint or reassure me that I was just fine.
“Look, I don’t know very much.” Demona was still acting, but it was a softer expression on her face and her voice was almost sincere. “I heard Thailog and the good Doctor talking at times, but I was busy with other things. If I could tell you I would. There aren’t enough gargoyles, the humans saw to that.” Demona’s voice dropped to a whisper. “I wish I could ease your mind.”
“I don’t want to die, I’ve just started to live.” I told her and my eyes were watery. I had to look away, because I was barely acting anymore.
“You won’t.” Demona growled very quietly and I looked at her through my watery eyes. “I won’t let you. If you really think there is a danger I’ll put every scientist I have on it.” It was an oath, and I stared at her in shock. She’d do that for me.
“I don’t know, but I’m afraid.” I admitted it to her.
“Get Xanatos to research on the other clones. If something was done it would have been done on all of you. I won’t have access to them, but what they find in the others could help us with you. If I need to stay locked up long enough for them to start looking I’ll stay.” Demona was talking quietly again and we left the acting alone. Demona told me, her eyes starting to blaze red. “If that doctor betrayed me in yet another way I want to stop him before it hurts you, even if it does mean getting Xanatos to do some of the work for us.” I rested my forehead on the door between us and sighed heavily. I was here for her, and yet even imprisoned my clan leader was working to protect me. I found it hard to speak for a while as I let the warm feeling override me.
“You never told me they weren’t completed.” I spoke quietly again. Someone had best not be watching us, because this was hardly subtle what we were doing. “The males.” My words trailed off.
“I know. I didn’t want to upset you, and I thought you wouldn’t see them before I did say something.” Demona tilted her head. “Someone is coming back.” Demona glanced at the space she was in. “If you can’t get all you need before you see me again, bring me something to read will you? I find it hard to care about human fashion and that is all the magazines they’ve given me.” I stared a moment, wondering where she thought I’d find all these new magazines. I wasn’t able to walk into the store and I had no money. I sighed as I added that to my must steal list. I hope I had a tendency toward theft in my programming.
I turned as Talon and Elisa stepped around Fang’s cell. “This is going to take more time than I thought.” I told them with a fake heavy sigh.
“Is she not cooperating?” Talon seemed to become menacing and I felt a wave of fear that he’d try and make Demona talk.
“She’s not a geneticist.” I spoke a little coldly as I walked away from Demona’s cell, because I didn’t want to talk about her like this within sight of her, even if she could hear me still. “I need to see if she heard anything that could hint to what I need to know. She could very well know what I want and not realize it.” Talon seemed to calm down a little and I made sure my shoulders slumped in semi-defeat. My inspiration was that I had to get Demona out and I couldn’t, I had plenty of disappointment related to that.
It felt wrong to not go say goodbye to Demona at least as I left, but I did. I didn’t trust myself to not show how much leaving her there hurt if I tried it, and we had an audience. My heart felt like it was weighed down and weak as I walked through the tunnels with Talon and Elisa. “Goliath said he’d lead you back to the castle.”
“I could find my own way.” I almost wanted to say I wasn’t going back, but I needed to ask Xanatos for a favor. I considered that a moment and decided I’d just ask Fox instead. Fox would help me with testing the other clones. “It isn’t like it’s hidden, it’s the tallest building here.”
Elisa grinned a little. “Look, I think he really just wants to talk to you.”
I sighed heavily and was quiet for a few steps. “I need to come back tomorrow to talk with Demona again. I know the way now, and I can see the clan doesn’t like seeing my kind. They don’t need to take me.”
Elisa stopped walking and grabbed my arm, making me stop too. I turned to see a concerned look in her eyes. “Lilith.” Elisa spoke one word and seemed to be thinking hard about the rest. I could tell she was looking for reassurance and an excuse for the clans behavior, but she wasn’t finding any. “They just need to adjust.”
“And how is hiding us away so they don’t have to look at us
helping them adjust?” My eyes glared
red. “Gargoyles
underground, that’s what’s unnatural, not me. We have these wings for a reason, who would
shove us underground so they don’t have to be bothered with us?” My voice cracked and her face looked
stricken. I was starting to feel I could
say this without risking it all, and I still did care about the other clones,
even though they weren’t what I had hoped.
“The clan glides every night, but when was the last time
“No ones ever complained.” Elisa spoke, sounding a little horrified.
“You think their programming lets them?” I turned to stare at her. “Surely you’ve noticed that the males aren’t quite right, and Delilah is, well, you saw.”
“Why aren’t you like them?” Elisa asked and I flinched.
“Because I was first.” I took a deep shaky breath. “And when I was smart enough and able to reject Thailog’s offer to be his sex slave he must have realized that the programming needed to be adjusted. They’re like that because I wasn’t. If I’d just accepted…” My words trailed off.
“You can’t blame yourself for that!” Elisa spoke up and seemed to demand my attention. I looked at her. “Thailog was a real piece of work and there is no way that he didn’t consider this before you were created.”
“He did want to make sure everyone understood he was in charge and they were just there for his pleasure.” I muttered. “He had to be the evilest and most selfish gargoyle to ever exist, so of course he thought he should be in charge.” Thinking of what life would be like in a clan run by him made me shudder. Elisa’s hand petted my arm before moving away from me. “He ruined them so no one would challenge him, so he’d be default clan leader. He has no principles, no ability to care about others.”
“And your programming still allows you to see that.” Elisa stopped my rant. “The others can’t quite yet. That’s why they are here, where it would be harder for him to come. Demona says she’s killed him, but we’ve thought he was dead before and he came back. I know you aren’t happy with what they have, but we did it to protect them too.”
I just stared at her. The idea that he was still out there was going to give me nightmares, even through my stone sleep. That was great, just what I needed, to think he was around while I was busy dealing with all of this. I wasn’t going to let the others become a part of his Kakistocracy. Demona had principles and she cared. Even having never met her I knew she’d be a better clan leader than Thailog, back when I was merely days old I knew this. I could see we were being led by the least principled creature I was likely to ever meet, I knew that. If he came back, I’d help Demona kill him for real and I wouldn’t relax until I burned his body myself.
“There you are.” Goliath’s voice made me shudder, because I was still deep in thought about his clone. Elisa’s eyes seemed to see everything and I looked away from her.
“I need to see Fox now.” I told him briefly and stepped around the human detective to start for what tunnel I remembered lead outside.
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Prompt: Trust – section 17
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I felt the awkwardness like a heavy fog that we were gliding through, sticking coldly to my skin. I was silent, because I really couldn’t think of anything nice I wanted to say to the male gliding beside me.
“Lilith.” His deep voice finally spoke and I sighed quietly as I glanced over at him. “I know we haven’t really talked.” It took a lot of effort to not roll my eyes. Of course we didn’t talk, he made my skin crawl and he looked like I might be doing that to him as well. I liked keeping my distance from him, and his insistence on showing me back to the castle wasn’t welcome. I didn’t want to know him. Now I couldn’t figure out how to say that and not be rude, so I just nodded. “It’s a little jarring to find out someone has made a clone of you, and I am sorry. I did try harder with Thailog, and it’s really not fair to you that I haven’t tried harder with you because he turned into such a disappointment.”
Oh no, I thought with dread, realizing he was trying to create a ‘moment’ between us. “Look, it’s okay. I consider Fox my donor, you’re off the hook. I don’t expect big commitments or emotions here. I just needed you to show me to Demona, that’s all.” I told him. “I don’t need anything from you.” I stressed those words. I really didn’t want anything either. I knew it wasn’t all that fair, I was just as guilty of judging him by Thailog as he apparently was with me, but all my grievances with him were really based on him. It was just the skin crawling that wasn’t something he earned, my distrust and disgust with his actions were all earned.
I knew he wasn’t evil, I felt a strong desire to believe he was, but I could tell it wasn’t true. He was just in my way, and he was blinded when it came to us clones, but he was probably a good male. How great for him, it still didn’t change the fact that I didn’t want any connection to him. “I was going to suggest you join the Labyrinth clan, but I can see that wouldn’t work for you. Even if Delilah hadn’t been so aggressive, you don’t really fit with them.” He spoke on and I just climbed up in the air, with him keeping pace with me. “Fox’s suggestion that you live at the castle might be a good one.” He spoke and I found my head turning to the side quickly to stare at him in a bit of shock. “Yes I know neither of us would be comfortable at first, but I think we’d adjust.”
“I’m fine where I am.” I told him and could see the doubtful look on his face.
“I know there is little chance of you finding a mate with our clan, but we have connections with other clans. Angela is clearly not a lesbian.” Goliath sighed. “Our clan rarely turns out gay gargoyles. Once we thought one of my rookery sisters might have that tendency, years ago, but she apparently wasn’t. I believe the elders were rather relieved when she and I started seeing each other, since her life in the clan would have been rather lonely without other lesbian gargoyles around.”
I turned to stare at the buildings under us as I let those words travel over me. Something about them bothered me, aside from the lonely aspect. “I thought you were Demona’s mate before the spell that froze you in stone.” I asked, almost afraid, and a bit hopeful as well.
“I was.” I felt a small thrill as I suspected Demona wasn’t as straight as that clan thought either. I felt a wave of giddy making hope. “Demona was a late bloomer in her attraction to males, but she was. Other than that I only heard stories of an ancestor that was gay and had long since crossed over before I was hatched. We don’t hold to the human’s prejudice, but we do regret the hatching of a gay or lesbian gargoyle simply because the chances of more than one in a clutch is unlikely.”
“So Delilah’s attitude isn’t a gargoyle one.” I muttered as we leveled out our climbing, seeing the castle in the distance even with us.
“No, sadly that was a very human hatred she was programmed with.” Goliath spoke and it felt a bit nice to hear, but I was still stuck on the questions I desperately wanted to ask about Demona but didn’t dare. “In this modern world perhaps it may come down to you mating with a human. I hear it is much more prevalent in their race, even if they express so much hatred toward homosexuals.” I must have made a face, because he sounded a little defensive. “Some humans are noble and good. If you get over their lack of wings and tail they can be attractive in their own right.”
“Maybe some day I’ll be that desperate.” I muttered. I was starting to feel hope that I wouldn’t have to sink to that, what with the questions about Demona’s sexuality not being answered to my satisfaction yet. But if Demona wasn’t interested I figured I’d be starting to pay more attention to the humans. If Goliath could do it I’m sure I could too, but I’d prefer to not have to. I liked the idea of gliding along side a lover, or being wrapped up in their winged embrace. Humans just couldn’t do that. Not to mention I’d have to be so very careful not to break them.
Still, lonely is lonely and I would bet a human female would learn my anatomy rather easily. They were trainable I’m sure, if they didn’t run screaming.
“Consider the offer. If you join our clan I will do what I can to find out more about the clans I know exist to see if there is someone out there for you. Any clan would be willing to give up their lesbian sister if she could find a mate.” He spoke and I just grimaced. A mail order bride, why didn’t that make me feel like I’d find true love? I’d be settling for whoever was gay too.
I’d rather find someone I was attracted to for real, someone I respected. That mental image came with blue skin in my mind and I sighed heavily as we moved to land on the castle’s courtyard. Once I got Demona out of this mess maybe I’d ask about her younger days and if she really had any inclination to do more than tease me. I wondered if I said the word Bisexual to Goliath if he’d even know what that was. Perhaps Demona was bisexual.
Once we had stone under our feet he turned to me fully. “I know you have trouble trusting me because Thailog planned to use you so horribly, but while you do make me uncomfortable, I do want what’s best for you. I want what’s best for all of my clan.” I felt a small sick feeling when he held his hand out to shake. I did it, but his calling me clan just made me feel guilty. He was offering too much trust to me, and I knew I wasn’t worthy of it. I was spending all my time trying to thwart him in his underground prison efforts. I didn’t like shaking his hand while I knew I was preparing to stab him in the back. He’d regret this night sometime soon. It was a shame, he was making pretty offers I might have jumped at before I found Demona.
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Prompt: Weakness – section 18
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Fox was waiting for me. I could see her red hair as I landed. I nodded politely at Goliath and then started to walk towards my female donor. “Lilith, did you get your answers?” Fox spoke and I grimaced at the lie I was telling. Fox misinterpreted it. “I see. Well, anything we can do to help, we will. David and I can have access to the best scientists in the world in a matter of days.”
I felt like a worm, and the shame hurt in my chest. I stopped in front of her and just stared at her a moment as I tried to think. “Maybe they could check the others? Just to make sure they’re okay?” This was what I was here for, but Fox’s offering before I asked really impressed me. If I really were desperate like this, well, Fox seemed like I could count on her.
“I believe that can be arranged.” Fox smiled just a little, but her eyes were concerned.
“Thanks.” I muttered and glanced to the side to see Goliath giving us one last look before going inside. “I should probably go.” I muttered, thinking of all the stealing I had to plan.
“I really wanted to talk to you first.” Fox spoke a little faster. I looked back at her. “There are things I think you should be aware of about what you might have inherited from me. I sure wish my mother had told me.” The last sentence was too quiet for a human to hear so I didn’t respond to it and let her know I got the hint she wasn’t happy with her mother. “I’m not completely human.” Fox spoke and I felt my jaw open just a little as I stared. “I’m half of what is known as the Fey. I just found out shortly after Alexander was born, and my son has magical powers.” Fox stared at me and I had wide eyes. Magic? I knew it was real, and had heard about the Fey, but this was the mystery in my DNA. This was the odd connections that couldn’t be explained by the Doctor that made me. While I had no significant amount of human in me, because of the sifting he’d done with my genes as I was created, he wasn’t able to filter out the Fey in me. I stood still and blinked stupidly as I considered that.
I had no idea what it meant to have that rogue DNA, but my half brother of sorts could do magic, that was interesting. I was created a scientist, but I sure wouldn’t turn down the possibility of magic also. “Magic isn’t as easy as it seems. I’m a full half Fey and I can’t do any unless the situation is really stressful.” Fox spoke a bit more softly. “Alexander showed promise very young, obviously. There is a chance you won’t have any powers Lilith, I just can’t tell either way.”
“Okay.” I sighed and shelved the magic idea and my fascination with the idea for now.
“Your grandmother is the Queen of the Fey.” Fox told me and I found myself blinking stupidly again. What was the right response to information like that? I found that there wasn’t one so I just stared at Fox until she grinned just a little. “Speechless?” She teased.
“This is just a lot to take in.” I muttered and turned to stare at the starry
sky. This far above
“Everyone here is aware of my dual heritage. They learned when I did. They are already aware that you may have inherited more than your looks from me.” Fox had a dark look in her eyes for a moment. I didn’t really care for that, but I was a little used to being the last to know about me, who I was. I was programmed and there were people out there that knew more about what all I knew than I did. Being the last to know wasn’t new to me, but it did irritate me. “Also, the clan and I have a rather tense relationship. I hope it doesn’t color their impression of you, but it may. I’m sorry.” Fox spoke softly and I turned to face her, concerned.
“I’m fortunate, very fortunate to have a connection to you. I see how the others react with their clones and you don’t do that.” I spoke firmly. Of all the people here, it was Fox I would miss when my betrayal was realized. Maybe she’d been right, and I was a momma’s girl. “I know you were on the wrong side of the law.” I spoke more quietly of my programmed knowledge. “And the wrong side of the clan. I really don’t care. I don’t think I’d care if you still were, except to worry about you getting hurt.” I barely knew her, but I felt a strong connection. I felt a little foolish for such a strong display when we weren’t very close yet, but Fox smiled and it seemed I hadn’t done something too strange.
It took just a moment to realize that I had a weakness now, and it was Fox. I had plans, schemes to create and hatch, and I was finding myself balancing along a fine line in this battle, a line between my clan leader and my female donor. I didn’t want to disappoint either one of them. It was an impossible situation, and I sighed heavily again while looking out over the city. I had to just enjoy this while it lasted, because I had responsibilities that didn’t include this place. “I need to head home.” I spoke quietly, but in reality I needed to case out a few potential shops that may have what I need, and if I was lucky steal and hide a few things.
I was going to have to risk doing my day’s sleep in the city again, so that I could use that time I’d normally travel back to Demona’s home and back for other things without making the clan suspicious. My stomach clenched at the necessity and a bit of fear. Even Demona wouldn’t approve of this, but I needed her back before I got too comfortable around here.