ℨ𝔞𝔫𝔡𝔢𝔯 (stoneclaw) wrote in summerview, @ 2019-02-21 00:54:00 |
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Entry tags: | complete, zander brutus, zcallum casca |
what's gonna be left of the world if you're not in it?
Since landing in Summerview he had only met one other supernatural, a pretty blonde by the name of Breanna, and she it would seem had issues of her own. He had yet to find a creature who did not. To try and settle his restlessness Callum had taken to the air, spreading his wings, and just letting all thoughts of the world below him fall away.
Of course what he hadn’t expected to see was what looked like a stone figure perched atop a roof of a home. A stone figure that bore a striking resemblance to a family member he had been certain had been lost. It couldn’t be, that was impossible, surely? Regardless of his cynicism Callum circled back around and landed light and sure footed atop the roof in question and took a few short strides to where the figure rested.
It was- It couldn’t be.
“...Zander?” He queried, well aware that whilst his cousin could not respond he could see and hear him. “Is that really you?”
The sun would soon be going down and Zander had actually still been sleeping. He’d worked a long night at The Long Way down, and then had to patrol the bridge. Of course he didn’t mind the work. He was built and bred for it. Especially when there were odd occurances happening. He was on the lookout now more than ever, keeping suspicion on anything and everyone that could or could not enter Summerview.
But when a voice called to him that was not Nerissa nor anyone else of this town he awoke, consciousness falling into the statue and his great large eyes coming to life, dimly.
He knew that voice. Unable to fully animate at his best, but all the same, he slowly, slyly as Gargoyles did--as if in a few short blinks that no one other than a supernatural may see. The Stone figure that was in fact Zander could hardly believe he was looking upon his cousin. Callum. The large eyes of his lion-shaped head glistened ever so lightly. That damn sun was--but wait. How was Callum walking in the sun?
It was Zander, but it couldn’t be. He’d been so certain that he’d lost his cousin the same way he had the rest of his family. For so long all he’d known was grief, pain, anger and an overwhelming desire for vengeance that he didn’t know how to handle the softer emotion of relief that washed over him as familiar eyes blinked at him. Sometimes Callum wondered if there was a way back from that event because he wasn’t the same as he had been back then, he was darker and angrier, so very angry.
“I’ll stay right here,” he assured Zander. “The sun should be setting soon and then we can- we can catch up.”
He knew his being there during the day would raise questions but he’d handle those as best as he could when the time came.
His family. More of his family was alive, and could stone shed a tear, it would have. The sun couldn’t set soon enough but as soon as it was far enough in the distance the feline/dragonesque figure grew to life and shifted and stretched.
Zander snuffed at Callum, yes, it was his cousin. There were more. He wasn’t the only one…
Though he was loathe to leave if but a moment for decency (not that gargoyles cared but they were out in public for a moment--Zander hopped down from the roof and thugged his way through ‘Rissa’s cottage to resume a human form and pull on some jeans, a shirt. Like a bull in a china store, he’d broken something else, an end table? Sorry love. He’d fix that..
And up he leapt to the roof again, reaching out once more as he had with his brother, touching Callum to see if he were real before gripping his cousin’s clothing tightly and pulling him in for a very rough hug. He didn’t know if he had anymore tears to cry by now, but his eyes were wet and red. “You made it...I’m so glad to see you.” He knew he shouldn’t have fled so quickly in fear of the others coming back after he’d destroyed so many of them. He should have tried to track scents. But the air...was so full of death.
Releasing Callum so he could breathe he could gaze at him once more, another hand dropped to the oddity on his finger. “You walk in the sun….how is that?”
Callum turned his head as he heard the sound of Zander landing on the roof, the pair of them not at all put off by the height or the strange placement of their reunion, but then they were Gargoyles. Heights and strange places were commonplace in their world. It didn’t really feel real, this moment that was, until Zander’s hands were gripping at his clothing and he was being pulled into a very familiar bear hug of a hug that immediately brought back a rush of memory and the associated emotions. He was swallowing hard, working his throat muscles, in a vain attempt at not completely falling apart but it was a struggle.
“Right back at you,” he managed hoarsely as he didn’t really let go of his cousin even as he leaned back. It was reassuring, to feel him warm and solid under his hands, reassured Callum that this wasn’t just some figment. When Zander touched his ring and asked about the daylight Callum found himself clearing his throat. “I uh found somebody with magic to help me.”
The expression that ran across Zander’s face was one of confusion, but not disbelief. Not only had his brother been resurrected with magic, but now his cousin had obtained some sort to walk in the sun. Magic was a recurring theme here. He wasn’t sure if he should be wary, but given Callum’s demeanor while answering his question, it made Zander suspicious.
“So did Grayson.” He said simply under his breath, icy blue eyes gazing over his cousin once more to really make sure all was the same as far as he could tell.
Though he couldn’t. Callum didn’t smell different as Grayson did. Magic was still a bit of an anomaly to him. This was something to consider, much as he was happy to have his family. “So you escaped. Where have you traveled? I tried to look for anyone after I...took care of them. I’m sorry I missed your scent.”
“Wait, what?” Callum asked, genuinely taken aback by the revelation that not only Zander was alive but Grayson was as well. It was honestly more than he could have hoped for though admittedly a part of him ached for his nearest and dearest especially if Grayson had managed to be resurrected. Why only him and nobody else? Not that Callum spoke that question aloud but rather kept that close to his chest.
“It took me a while to leave Oxford after what happened but once I did I travelled around the UK until I heard word of Summerview.” He’d lost track of a lot of time as he’d been so lost in grief that the days had blurred together until Callum had no idea what day of the week it was.
He shook his head and squeezed Zander’s shoulder. “Water under the bridge, it was a horrible time.”
Zander could only give a weak smile in return. Yes, Grayson was back, pieced together from blood, earth, and his remains. While he didn’’t necessarily trust the means of whom had put him back together...Zander would take his brother. And any of his family. “You know Gray...apparently, he’d made a friend of one of the students. A witch. She’s helped him thus far and he’s been searching for me but has a debt to the clan in the city for a month.” He all but growled.
It was easy to lose track of time. Zander had as well. Once the grief had really taken over he was fairly numb and just let the day to day happen. He had Nerissa now, things were a little different, but it would never be the same. “Was it a witch, then? That granted you the power?”
No. That was the honest answer to Zander’s question. Callum however had a questionable relationship with the truth these days. It wasn’t that he wanted to lie to Zander but at the same time the particulars of his deal weren’t exactly something to be proud of. He hadn’t been thinking straight, been fixated on never being in a vulnerable position again, and hadn’t cared about the consequences. At the time it definitely hadn’t seemed the most important.
“Something like that,” was what Callum replied with. “It’s hard to explain.”
Callum shook his head. “But enough about me, I want to know about you.”
Zander’s frown deepened as he watched the emotions flash over his cousin’s face. As if he were ashamed or afraid to speak, which made him even more uneasy. Why dodge the question? They were family. It only made him think that Callum was in trouble.
It was only common courtesy not to press him further on the subject. But they were family. And by all matters perhaps the last of their family. Up until now Zander thought he was all that was left. He would do whatever it would cost to keep Gray and Callum alive and safe.
“I ran for a bit,” He said as he resigned, swallowing and folding his arms. “When I couldn’t find anyone I made the trek across the ocean in hopes the issues weren’t a prominent here. The gargoyles in the city seem to have escaped it, but are still foolish enough to stay their post. I’ve just been here...adapting. As much as one could expect.”
Callum knew Zander well enough to know the lengths the other would go for family which was why he chose not to go into too much detail. It was his hole that he had dug and he’d be damned if he let Zander fall in trying to rescue him from it. He was a big boy after all, he’d handle it without involving his cousin in his mess.
“And how is that going?” He asked, genuinely curious about how Zander had been doing.
“Lost and lonely. Quite pitiful, to tell you the truth..” Was that truly their home anymore or just a grave sight of betrayal? Inside, he didn’t feel as though he really had a home anymore. That had been stripped of them all.
A way of life and family. Starting all over. And quite frankly, lonely, until Grayson and Callum had arrived. Even with Nerissa there had been a void missing.
“And you? Do you plan on staying?”
Callum could relate to those feelings. He had been all of those things and angry. So angry. The rage in him is was vivid and visceral, so raw he could have sworn he was bleeding from the inside out.
“Same,” he affirmed with a nod of his head. He hated himself a little because he should have been happy for Zander due to the fact he had Grayson back but he was jealous. Envious even. His closest family was gone, no chance of coming back and he knew his cousins were there for him but it wasn’t the same.
Not that he voiced this of course. Some things were better played safe and close to your chest. “I hadn’t but now that I know you and Grayson are here I have even more reason to stay.”
Zander did realize his fortune in having his own brother brought back to life. Their parents had not been so lucky like other clan members, but all the same to him, Callum may as well have been a brother. Clan was family, relatives or not. He knew it wouldn’t be the same but he would do his best to keep their bond strong, and keep them together. After everything that happened, they certainly deserved that, didn’t they?
“I don’t want to pressure you, obviously things are...different now, but,” he sighed, not really wanting to finish or go into detail with that sentence. All they had known for years was gone in minutes.
This new world was another journey. However each of them wanted to take it. But Zander felt no closer to anyone else than his own, it was in his blood. “I’m willing to stick together if you decide as such. Obviously, I’d love nothing more, but again. I’m here for whatever you need. Always. No matter what you decide.”