Cecil was confused. Fairy was more along the lines of a spoken tongue, whereas griffon was more beastial. How were the two similar? Not that it mattered. Whoever Chartora was, she wa doing something no one else had been able to do since… Gahara was chuckling. ”Eat that pathetic, sorry sack of confusion? I’d rather be unable to regurgitate pellets for days than eat him!” The fairy looked back at the griffon and sighed.

Once upon a time, he’d have laughed and poked fun at the joke. She was right though, his father was mad. His rule was harsh, his fury cruel. There was little thought behind anything that did not deal with Jade. Cecil watched Chartora pace by the fire, and wanted to reach out to her. It was obvious that somehow his role had reversed. In the misery of loss, he had not realized that he now held the destruction of his life in his hand, and it was now his turn to help someone who was just as broken as he was recovering from.

Before he could help her, he had to heal himself first though. What had he gotten himself into? Slowly, he sat down nearby, also staring into the fire. ”There is no apology needed” Cecil’s head hurt trying to sort through his own thoughts. He blinked and slid his gaze over to the possible savior. Chartora was quite pretty, and their similar pasts had nothing to do with it. ”This may just be the booze talking, but you’re actually quite hot.” There was that confident streak, the drive that had all but got lost in Nelanna’s presence.

She sat staring at the fire in confusion her mind whirling. She tried to calm herself and hold onto one thought any thought but something about him made that impossible. Was because they had dealt with similar abuse at the hands of a parent? Probably. Maybe. Shit she was on the verge of hyperventilating then she felt the soft push in her mind.

”This may just be the booze talking, but you’re actually quite hot.”

What the everloving fuck? That was enough to get her mind settled down and focused on one thing. He only thought she was attractive due to the ridiculously large amount of alcohol in his system?

She saw red. She knew her eyes were flashing with hellfire and didn't care. Here was yet another person that could only find her attractive because he was basically made of alcohol at this point? Her wings flared out behind her as she rose angrily to her feet. She wasn't breathing fire, yet, but she could see smoke and ash with every exhalation. She started to take a step towards the drunken fool then thought better if it. She didn't want to kill him with fire, yet. Explanations first.

“So I am only attractive when you have consumed a continent’s worth of booze? Is that what hug earlier was about? Do I look so desperate to you that I would sleep with anyone that gave me slightest bit of attention? You can find your own place to sleep tonight, might I suggest somewhere near the lake I mentioned earlier.”

She had to find somewhere to calm down before she set the whole forest on fire. Somewhere hopefully away from the asshole sitting near her. There were sparks starting to be mixed in her breathing which told her time to go skyward where breathing fire won't kill trees… or drunken louts that didn't know how to talk to a lady. One great flap of her wings and she was shooting into the sky.

Fire burned in her eyes. Everything about her screamed a fury he had known once. Despite the dull warning bell at the back of his mind, Cecil remained motionless, expressionless. He allowed her to rant, and made no attempt to stop her from flying off. "So, you're just going to let her go?"

'Do what you will, but Jade understands.' Silence descended over the odd pair. After a minute or two, Cecil pushed himself up and made his way toward the mentioned lake. Damn his father and the curse! The curse brought Nelanna to him. His father took her away. Through pain and grief, he had been given a fresh chance.

And he already fucked that up. After taking a proper bath, the fairy began to pace up and down the shore. Any attempt to patch things up hinged on Chartora calming down. Cecil felt an urge to break down and purge pent up emotions, but fought against it. Eventually he sat under a tree and dozed off.

Meanwhile, the griffon meticulously counted off the minutes. Most humanoids were fickle creatures, their emotions often run rampant. When what seemed a suitable amount of time in silence passed, Gahara called out to the woman. "Chartora? Would you honor me with thine presence that we may speak?"

Shit. Shit. Shit. She knew better then to lose her temper. Everytime she did something caught fire. Last time it was her useless brother, so no harm done. This time it could have been, Cecil and that was unacceptable. He probably hated her now for reminding him of the past. Sigh.

She was drifting lazily on updrafts barely using her wings when she heard a splash from the direction of the lake. Hmmm from the sound of things he had decided to go ahead and take that bath. Should she go make sure he didn't miss a spot? Maybe assist him? She was already flying in that direction before she realized she had even changed direction.

What was going on with her? She wasn't usually this mercurial. She usually kept a tighter hold on her emotions then this. She had to. She knew what she was capable of. Why was he tearing through all of her defenses like so much paper?

She reached over the clearing in time to see him settle himself down against a tree and fall asleep, damn he was clothed already. She continued to circle the clearing taking advantage of the chance to observe Cecil without restraint. The more she observed him the more she found to like. He wasn't overly masculine like her brother, no, there was something delicate, almost feminine about him as he sleep. She again sighed to herself hoping her fit of temper hadn't completely ruined things with him.

She was on her fourth circle of ogling him when she heard Gahara politely request her presence to speak. Damnation did the griffon know what she was doing from the air? Now she felt a mild embarrassment by her actions but when else would she have another such chance?

She flew towards where the griffon stood watch and landed delicately in front of him her head lowered.

“I'm here.” Casting a look towards Cecil she sighed. “How bad have I fucked things up with him? And with you? Would it help to say I'm sorry and I'm not even sure why I got so angry?”

Gahara was a patient creature. He used the time between request and her approach to put his thoughts in order. When she did, the griffin took in all of the details, the way her head was lowered, the sidelong glance toward the trees that hid Cecil. Was that a regretful tone? Nevertheless, he stood and gave her a humbling bow.

”My gratitude, Chartora. Allow me to start by saying no apology necessary and things are not… fucked up… with me. Nor with Cecil.” Gahara resettled himself as he struggled with his thoughts. There was much to share with her, but would Cecil appreciate his meddling? ”It is in my opinion that you both need each other. I have spent enough time with humanoids to see men turn down a woman time and time again, but bed her after drinking enough alcohol. Cecil is not like the typical man.”

The griffin looked towards the location of the slumbering fae. ”He worries he’s fucked things up with you, unable to curb his drunk tongue. Cecil is not known for subtlety, for he has always been bold enough to chase his carnal desires. With you, he was being genuine, trying to be a friend. Nelanna wasn’t just any friend. She changed him, and he’s still trying to learn if it was for better or worse, now that she is gone.”

She listened to the griffin. Hearing not just his words but listening to the meaning behind the words. If what he was saying was the truth then there was the possibility Cecil found her as attractive as she found him. That opened up a world of possibilities but she needed a little clarification from the griffin. Glancing towards the sleeping form her eyes softened as she looked at him.

“I have a few questions about the pictures he showed me earlier if you would be willing to answer them. In the pictures I noticed Cecil’s form change from female to male to neither. Does he have a preference? I don't care either way but after my fit of temper I would rather not add insult to the list of things I have done wrong.”

Tearing her eyes away from Cecil she looked at Gahara. She mentally went over what she had just said and flushed at her unaccustomed honesty. One would think in 1500 years she would had plenty of relationships but no everything that was happening was new to her. One night stands she had loads of experience in but to have someone actually care about her and find her attractive was both thrilling and slightly scary.

“It would seem I have taken a liking to him and I don't know what to do about it. This is all uncharted territory for me. The fact I may still have a chance makes me happier than I can recall being in a long long time. I thank you for that.”

She found her eyes again drifting towards the sleeping figure as she waited hopefully for Gahara to answer her questions. She knew she shouldn't stare but she couldn't seem to help herself.

For a long moment, the griffin sat in silence. He weighed the answers against the personal questions. When it seemed that Gahara would not answer, he began to speak. "Cecil was born Jade, a female. Due to being hunted by his father after he ran away, he learned how to hide his form, change his face, his name. For so long he done this that he had forgotten his birth name, birth gender, even what he used to look like."

Silence descended between them as he contemplated his next words. "He was planning on making this form be permanent, going so far that he procured a gender changing potion. Cecil is also quite new at forming relationships. His whole life has been spent in brothels, always on the move, never staying in one place long. I had been waiting for him to change for a long time, waiting until I could become his familiar." 

Gahara stretched his neck, gently pressing his beak against Chartora if she would allow. "From the brief time I've known you, Chartora, I can say I like you. Give Cecil a chance. When he is sober, he's so much more. Beware though. He is still grieving the death of what was possibly his first real love. You may find him more cautious to open up and allow you close, should you choose to follow that path."

She rested her head on Gahara enjoying the long forgotten feeling of companionship. Processing his words this time was a bit harder for her. She well understood the need to keep moving and hiding from a parent that refused to leave you alone. Her mother was prone to either show up or send her minions to try to kill her and her brother at any point in time. Did she dare risk anything with Cecil when the threat of her mother was so great?

Running her fingers through the feathers along Gahara’s side she softly whispered to herself.

“What am I supposed to do here? Whatever his form I find myself drawn to him and that scares me. I worry for his safety if he is with me. And yet… and yet… dare I try to be happy?”

Turning her head again she looked again at his sleeping form. She thought over the few interactions they had had as she observed him without restraint. Coming to a conclusion she eased away from Gahara.

“Thank you for your counsel this evening. His form truly does not matter to me as long as it pleases him. I only hope I live up to any expectations you may have of me. If you'll excuse me for just a moment I must rinse my mouth as brimstone does not leave a very pleasant after taste in one's mouth.”

She walked slowly to the lake hoping she was making the right decision and after rinsing her mouth thoroughly she could stall no more. She turned and walked to the sleeping figure and hoping not to wake him eased him to lie down more fully. She lay down next to him curled into him and used her wings to cover them both. She cradled him in her arms and with a soft contented sigh fell asleep hoping the new day would bring to fruition the new possibilities the had just begun.

Gahara, while he had thoroughly enjoyed her fingers in his feathers, remained silent. This was her choice, and he refused to influence it. Caution and advice, yes, but never assist with the decisions of the heart. He gave a bow and watched her stride over to the lake. Chartora gently moved him, and curled up with him. With an inward smile, Gahara stood, spread his wings, and took flight. Maybe he could find something more to eat?

---

At some point in the night, Cecil had entwined himself with the demonic angel, holding her close as they slumbered. He felt warm, surrounded by a softness he couldn't name. For the first time in forever, he felt at peace, for there was another being in his arms. The fae nuzzled closer to the warm body. Since he lost his voice, this was the first person he had slept next to. It was a feeling he had missed.

Cecil would have been content to stay in her arms all day, just cuddling, and spooning. Nothing else, just sitting there, holding her. But a scent finally filtered through his slowly awakening mind. Her scent was smokey, with a hint of something sweet. Taken by surprise, Cecil opened his eyes to see that it was Chartora. At some point in the night, she had come up to him, and laid down next to him. To see that she had forgiven him for saying something stupid was enough.

Yet, he had the opportunity to see her at her most vulnerable. No defenses were up, just peaceful slumber. With a smile, Cecil reached up and tucked stray hairs behind her ear. He leaned in, so that his lips would brush against her ear as he spoke, his hand now idly caressing her arm with slow, gentle motions. ”I take it back. You’re not hot, Chartora. You’re drop dead gorgeous.” The words were spoken in fairy, and his whispered voice was husky despite months of disuse.

Her arm was being caressed. Lovingly stroked with gentle motions. Her wings unconsciously ruffled with the pleasure of it. She moaned half-asleep and snuggled closer to Cecil. Then she felt his lips lightly brush her ear as he whispered to her in fairy.

”I take it back. You’re not hot, Chartora. You’re drop dead gorgeous.”

That brought her fully awake as nothing else could have. Her eyes flew open and she found herself staring into bright blue glittering eyes. Her breath caught and she found herself mesmerized. Who knew underneath all that filth and smell the was this amazingly beautiful creature?

Her hand reached up of its volition to caress his smooth check enjoying the coolness of his skin under her palm. She ran her hand down along the side of his neck feeling the soft tenderness of his skin watching as his eyes slightly darkened. Taking her hand away she started to speak and found she had to clear her throat a couple of times first.

“Good morning beautiful. Did you sleep well?”

She realized they were still loosely cocooned in her wings but she found herself reluctant to let him completely free from them this morning as if the very act would somehow break a spell. Thinking this she drew her wings around them tighter from where he had slightly pulled away and brought him back closer to her. Nuzzling into his neck she drew deep of his scent now that he was clean and she was more awake. Her deep inhalation brought a woodsy aroma to her making her think of forests and trees. Mmmm yummy. She took another deep breath of him then reluctantly released him to give him a chance to answer her questions.