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by Jade Griffin

1-16-99 to 5-25-01

Gliding tonight brought no thrill, as Jade Griffin's mind was elsewhere. The 'cyberverse'. She still mourned its passing, thought two months had gone by. Almost three… The magic/technology-created place had become a large part of her life. With it suddenly gone, the hollowness returned. She felt aloneness creep up on her, like it had tonight. She had to leave, go out high into the sky and try not to let it drag her down. But here she was thinking about it again.

That first night, she'd gone to see Malcom and the Lady, and confirmed that the 'cyberverse' was, indeed, gone. The following three were spent keeping Malcom and his daughter, Meisá, company until the Lady Epona returned from her trip. Jade Griffin continued to visit, almost nightly. It wasn't right, though. The couple never said or otherwise implied that she was coming over too often but she knew they needed time away from her. She wasn't part of the family, and she didn't live there. Plus, they were expecting their second child any night now. She told them last night that she'd be gone for a few. They reminded her not to go far, because there was no easy way to reach her and she was expected at the hatching.

Which brought up another thing. Comp. He hadn't been seen or heard since the 'cyberverse' was destroyed. Malcom, the Lady, and Jade Griffin were beginning to worry. Where was he? When would he return? He, too, was expected at the hatching. The fey viewed the Lady as kin and promised to be there, so why hadn't he come by to say he was all right?

Jade Griffin sighed, veering toward the other half of her protectorate, Susan City. She hadn't received word of the hatching beginning halfway into the night and so left on her rounds. For gargoyles, the eggs never began hatching this late, and the Lady was half-gargoyle.

Her patrol was almost pointless. The city was very quiet.

A familiar smell caught her attention and she saw she was above the chocolate factory. Maybe… Maybe the Chocolate Man was awake. The dark green female gargoyle dove, to check at a window.

At his apartment, above the factory, there was no light on. Well, it was close to 4am. Most humans didn't stay awake or get up this late/early.

The light suddenly came on at the window where she looked in and she saw the Chocolate Man staring out at her.

As she well knew, he was not like most humans. He waved the gargoyle in and opened the window.

"Hello…" greeted the surprised human once she was inside. "I… wasn't expecting you for another week."

"I know…" Jade Griffin paused. The human did not seem himself. "Is something wrong?"

His eyes met hers but soon looked away. "I… have received some bad news. Yesterday."

"Yes?" What could it be? She knew little about this human's private life but she'd never seen him so… distant.

"It appears there's been a death in the family, a cousin of mine. I've just received word that he's been dead for the past thirty-seven years. Had a little trouble tracking me down… It's understandable but… We weren't that close. I just wish I'd been told sooner."

"How did he die?"

"Old age, I suppose. He's quite a bit older than me. The letter didn't say. There aren't many of my family left but I'd thought maybe Cynthia would have been found and told sooner. But then why wouldn't she tell me?" He sighed heavily and flopped into a chair, obviously disturbed enough to babble in front of her. The Chocolate Man never babbled, except to keep her away from knowing things about his past.

"Forgive me, but for not being close to this cousin, you're very troubled by something."

"Yes. I am. The letter wasn't sent by the county, state, or other official function. I don't know who sent it." The troubled man picked up a plain envelope and handed it to the gargoyle.

Jade Griffin read the typed letter silently.

And that was it. No header, no footer, not even signed or dated. She flipped the envelope over and saw that the address to here did not include a name. It was a well-kept secret of the Chocolate Man even she couldn't get from him. But this letter… Everything typed, and it sounded like it was written by a child! The postmark indicated Florida as the origin. It was dated 1988, November 3^rd. Jade Griffin looked back at the Chocolate Man.

"Interesting, eh? The problem is, he never had any children; none that I knew of. I just don't understand!"

She nodded. "What do you plan to do?"

"Well… Go to Florida, I suppose. To sort this out."

"I could take this to Malcom. Have him see what he can find."

"No, no." he answered a little too quickly. "That's all right. This is family business. And your friend Malcom is expecting a new edition to his family, so you tell me, so leave him be."

This was something new. So, he didn't want an FBI check on his family? Hm… The gargoyle grew curious to his past. "When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow, maybe."

"Will you wait a few days? I'd like to go with you."

"Do you think I'll be needing a bodyguard?" The short human quirked a half-smile up at her.

She shrugged, not wishing to answer that she was very curious about the whole deal. Who was this Edward and why wasn't the body taken care of in a normal human fashion? Very curious.

"I don't know…" When she rose her brow ridges at him, he hastily added, "It's not that I don't trust you…"

Boy, was he being shady! What was the big secret about his name? She'd finally gotten Malcom's first name a while back. Now to discover the Chocolate Man's. "Do I have to insist on going? If something happened to you, where would I go for my chocolate supply?" she grinned.

He sighed again, knowing when he was losing a tug-of-war. "Alright. I will leave in three days. If I don't see you before then, I'm going alone."

"I'll agree to that." Her grin widened as she headed for the window. "I gotta go. The sun'll be up in a little while. See you in three days!"

The Chocolate Man waved at her exit, still seated at the table. He picked up the letter again and sighed.

Jade Griffin had just prepared her 'breakfast' next night when a green flash announced someone's arrival. She turned and set eyes on someone who had been gone, missing, for several months.

"I hope you're ready 'cause the kid's about to break shell!" Comp said with a huge grin as he hovered in the middle of her sitting room.

"And where have you been?"

"Talking with Dad about interfering in mortal lives." The fey rolled his eyes.

"Is that what happened to the 'cyberverse'?"

"Mostly… C'mon! The kid's not gonna wait on us!"

"Okay, but who was that female-"

Comp blinked them both away before Jade Griffin could finish.

They appeared just outside the open Rookery archway. Malcom and the Lady Epona waved them in and all attention was focused on the cavorting egg.

Jade Griffin took a seat on the ground beside Meisá, their first child. Excited over the prospect of finally seeing her new sibling, Meisá couldn't sit still and said things occasionally in her excited little voice.

"How long?"

"A half-hour." the Lady answered Jade Griffin's query, her hands enwrapped in her human husband's. Malcom was grinning in his own anxious expectation. Even the Lady was fidgeting.

If it had begun a half-hour ago, it should be soon. Jade Griffin thought, getting caught up in the thrill of another hatching.

A loud crack split the silence, and the shell. Slowly, a fissure grew width-wise. Another 'pop' issued from the end of the odd-colored egg and pieces fell away, pushed out by a little, powder-blue, gargoyle-like foot.

Both parents inhaled their surprise at the first glimpse of their new child. Meisá said something that made them laugh.

"What did she say?" asked Jade Griffin, who didn't understand the ki-lin language.

"She said, 'It's blue!'." Malcom chuckled.

The width-wise cracks widened further but still did not release the occupant, who kicked with the free leg, breaking more shell at the end until the second identical leg was free. The egg shuddered once again.

"Is it…normal… to take this long for a hatching?" Malcom asked his Lady in the quiet.

"I don't know. Every egg is different, and ours is most unusual."

The egg rocked fiercely, beginning to roll. The Lady placed a gentle hand on the shell to steady it.

"It is fighting hard to get out." she spoke, the starts of worry in her soft voice. There was always the possibility of complications, because of the mix of the parents' backgrounds. She looked to Malcom, then Jade Griffin. The dark green gargoyle had seen many more eggs hatch than anyone else present.

"Should we help it?" Malcom looked from his Lady to Jade Griffin.

"I don't know. I've been told that some do require assistance. It's rare but it happens. Too thick of an egg, the hatchling not strong enough, or some other reason. It's hard to tell sometimes. I'm sorry." The gargoyle shrugged apologetically at her inability to answer.

The little legs went back inside the egg and, as Jade Griffin saw, the little thing placed them on the inner shell and pushed with a vengeance! The width-wise crack nearly encircled the egg now but the next break of shell was at the foot end where the baby was pushing. Vainly, it tried to gain another place to push. No tail could be seen but a little wing tip was visible. The poor little thing continued kicking at air.

The gathered shifted anxiously.

"That kid has got some spirit!" Comp said, hanging about in the air.

"Yeah, but maybe we should help it." Malcom looked once more to his wife.

The egg ceased to move.

The Lady, her hand still on the shell, looked worriedly at Malcom.

"Yeah." Jade Griffin agreed.

Malcom stepped up, squatting down by the egg. He placed his hands on the shell and glanced at the gargoyle for approval. She nodded.

The human gently inserted his fingers in the width-wise crack encircling the egg and pulled ever so slowly. As hard as the egg was, the child inside had pushed its strength to the max. Malcom's hands separated the two large pieces easily, revealing a curious little creature inside.

All gathered around and looked in to see the baby, lying on its stomach. It did, indeed, have two little wings, and two gargoyle legs, but the head and hands were all human. The ten tiny fingers were even flesh-colored most of the way! Blonde hair generously covered the head and a short, purple-green horn was centered in its forehead. And the first thing it did upon being freed was to cough and sputter, take in a big breath of air, and yell like there was no tomorrow!

Frightened by the loud noise, Meisá disappeared with a squeal.

The Lady, now with two children to deal with, had a moment of indecision.

The noise hurt Jade Griffin's ears, as well. "I'll go get her." she offered and left as Malcom was picking up the new baby.

From experience, the gargoyle knew the ki-lin centauroid girl had 'ported into her parents' room. Because no rooms here had doors, she peeked in before entering.

The poor child was crying, she was so frightened! Jade Griffin walked around the bed and kneeled before her, taking the gray-furry body in her arms.

"It's okay." she comforted, knowing that Meisá understood her words perfectly. But the dark green gargoyle was surprised at the strength of the child's reaction. "Nothing's wrong. Crying is what babies do. Even you cried a little bit."

The child sniffed and said something. The gargoyle was able to understand because she used hand motions.

Jade Griffin chuckled. "Yeah. The baby was very loud. But it'd been in that egg a while and wanted out. But, listen… See? Everything's quiet now… Are you ready to see if you have a brother or a sister?"

The child queried something that Jade Griffin didn't understand, and in a rare moment of affection, brought the gargoyle's face lower with her little furry hands so their cheeks could touch-- a ki-lin gesture of assurance and acceptance.

Touched by such a gesture, Jade Griffin almost started to cry herself! Getting close to the very shy and easily startled Meisá was not easy.

In return, the dark green gargoyle hugged her again, smiling in her joy. "Oh, you are too sweet! Thank you."

She was able to coax the child into returning to the Rookery with her and they saw that the baby was silent as it suckled its mother's breast. The Lady and Malcom were aglow with joy and Comp hovered nearby.

Seeing their approach, Malcom said, "It's a boy!"

"Male, my love." his wife corrected lightly.

"Yeah," the human said absently, gazing down at his son. "He's… he's just amazing!"

As Meisá clip-clopped closer to mother and new brother, Jade Griffin waved to the family. "I'll see you later." Leaving them alone with the new baby was considerate and she wouldn't be anything less. But…

"Comp? I need to speak with you." And she pinned him with a gaze that said 'if you don't, I'm gonna come looking for you and you won't like that'.

He zipped out of the Rookery ahead of her.

"My, look at the time! I'd best be off!"

Before the fey could blink away, she grabbed his tunic.

"Oh, no you don't. I need to ask you a few things."

He huffed and perched himself stationary in the air. "Very well. What is it you wish to ask?"

"Who was that female gargoyle with you in the 'cyberverse'?"

"Which female?" he asked casually. "I have so many hanging around me nowadays."

"The one that was with you when the 'cyberverse' was destroyed. The one you called 'Gee'."

"The 'cyberverse' wasn't really destroyed, you know. It was-"

"Comp…" she warned, her black-tipped talons tapping on her crossed arms.

The fey finally met her gaze and she saw on his face a sombering seriousness that didn't seem to fit his tricksterness. It certainly was a shock to Jade Griffin.

"That's ''G', and you'll have to discuss it with her because I'm sure you two will one day meet." The uncharacteristic seriousness melted away and the old Comp grinned. "Now, if you will excuse me, I have a lot of rebuilding to do."

Without another word, he was gone.

"Are you sure about this?" Jade Griffin queried with obvious doubt, following the Chocolate Man cautiously up the stairs to enter the aircraft.

"Yes." He assured her for the hundredth time. "I told you I arranged everything. There won’t be a problem."

The gargoyle wasn’t sure what exactly he’d arranged but going on a plane full of humans, as a certified passenger and not in the cargo, wasn’t what she’d planned on when insisting on accompanying him to Florida.

As they entered, she steeled herself for no less than screams of terror. But she was met with not even a glance. There were only two other passengers. Neither the man in the back nor the woman near the front even looked up.

"I don’t understand… Aren’t planes usually full?"

"You didn’t believe me, did you?" He looked over at her. "Well, I suppose it’s understandable. Let’s just say that many people know… of me. And this isn’t your average aircraft, or passenger list."

The gargoyle passed him an odd look but he didn’t see, busy stowing his carry-on and taking a seat.

"You can sit wherever you like. I’d imagine you’d like a window seat."

"No. I don’t care much for airplanes."

"Really?" He was genuinely surprised. "I love flying."

Jade Griffin took an isle seat one back from the Chocolate Man, glancing uneasily at the human five rows down on the other side of the isle. "I’ll have to take you up one of these nights." she said for way of conversation.

"Really?"

She could hear something in his voice and looked to clarify. Yes. He had taken her comment as an offer and was most excited. She considered it truthfully. "…I suppose… Sure."

His eyes shined at the prospect.

The woman three seats in front of them got up and walked passed. Her eyes couldn’t’ve missed the dark green gargoyle against the tan seats… So why didn’t she react?

"What about them?" she asked the Chocolate Man quietly.

"Them? Oh, they’re just business people like myself. That was Fae Rayley, accountant for Surmise Industries. And him, in the back? Richardo Faerano. Ah, and here is our stuardess."

A woman in a uniform entered their section and smiled pleasantly when she spotted the new passengers.

"Well; haven’t seen you for a while." the dark-haired attendant addressed the Chocolate Man with a smile.

"Haven’t had the need, Beatrice." he replied amiably.

Indeed, the woman’s nametag read ‘Beatrice Faerchild’.

The woman continued down the rows with no more than a wink to Jade Griffin, leaving the gargoyle staring after her. The first woman—Fae Rayley—returned to her seat without a look at anyone.

"They aren’t exactly what they appear." The Chocolate Man added on a whisper.

And then it clicked. It was a clear giveaway. Especially the names. Who were they fooling? She grinned at their blatant impudence. ‘Fae’. Fey. "But why fly when they can magic about?" she asked him in a hushed voice.

"They do work for humans. Can’t be disappearing."

The stuardess returned and the captain, whom she was discreetly informed was human, said that they’d be taking off shortly. After some instruction on safety and emergency procedures—which comforted Jade Griffin none—the plane started on its non-stop flight to Florida.

As had been discussed, the stone sleeping Jade Griffin was carefully transported to the motor lodge where reservations had been made. The Chocolate Man slept to wait for night, and Jade Griffin’s awakening.

Except he slept right through it, and the gargoyle was accidentally allowed to see something very curious.

She’d given up the notion that this human was actually a fey in disguise, for various reasons. Well, whatever the guy was, he was weird.

She hadn’t seen him pack, or how much, because she’d met him on the runway. That little bag on the floor was all he’d brought? Well, it did hold the two hammocks.

Like in his bedroom—which she’d seen only once—there were two hammocks, hung up larger below a smaller. The bed in the motel was untouched and the larger hammock was filled. With the Chocolate Man. In his day clothes.

How exactly did he get up and into that thing? the gargoyle puzzled. It hung nearly the height of the small man. Just more questions. Maybe she could coax a few tidbits of information from her increasingly fascinating business associate on this trip.

In the mood to have some fun with him, she held her tail tuft above his nose, touching just lightly. She wiggled it back and forth. He immediately batted at the thing and rolled on his side, where his face was pressed against the mesh and squished into little diamonds. She couldn’t help her giggle, it was too funny!

That he heard and immediately opened his eyes to see the grinning gargoyle. He sat up quickly, just missing the small hammock above him.

"Ehh…. Good evening, Jade Griffin." he said before swinging down from the hammock, totally in control of the act.

"And a good evening to you!" She wasn’t gonna let him off easy, though. "So, what’ with the hammocks?"

"Eh.. I sleep better in a hammock. Beds are too flat."

"So you need two?" she pestered, still grinning.

He stretched. "Yes. I hate jet lag. Be glad you don’t have to experience that part of air travel. I have a map for you to look at."

His quick breeze of talking well away from the original topic really surprised her. He didn’t want to discuss himself and had tactfully steered them onto business. The gargoyle relented. Very well.

She followed him to a table and perused the map. "Okay. What’s the plan?"

The human pointed to a remote area. "This is where we’re going. I’m not sure exactly what to expect. I haven’t been here in over forty years."

"What was your cousin’s name?"

He glanced over at her. It was a nicely inserted question but he knew she was after clues to his own name. But there were no clues here. "Vincent. I’ll be taking a taxi over. I believe this town is now suburbia enough to have at least one." He grabbed up the telephone book and flipped through. "Yes."

"And I’ll follow?" she guessed.

He nodded and proceeded to dial on the phone.

She was on the roof of the low motor lodge when the taxi pulled up and so got a more-than-needed view of what the Chocolate Man meant by 'suburbia’. Look-alike houses I n geometric rows or courts on perfectly symmetrical streets. Colored in various pastels, with each a similar car in a similar driveway by a similar yard-—The look affected Jade Griffin more than she would have thought. It was ugly. And it made her shudder. Would the area around her protectorate—her home—one day look like this? Her usual mediocre attitude toward humans lowered upon seeing such a sight.

But the taxi she followed left the ugly habitations and entered upon a dark road…, where it stopped. The Chocolate Man got out, paid the cab driver, and the vehicle left. Staring about, then up, the Chocolate Man spotted her. He gestured up the black path.

Indeed, it was dark, mysterious, and forbidding. But then she saw their destination. It… It was a castle! Sort of. A black-bar gate, broken open, led up to a truly beautiful garden of animal-shaped hedges, and then to the front door. Dark as it was, in complete contrast with the town, Jade Griffin found it beautiful. Just needed a little work. But someone must live here, or work, for the bushes to be kept so lovely.

The Chocolate Man stepped up to the doors and knocked loudly. Circling above, Jade Griffin spied a section of roof caved in at an attic. With no answer after several minutes, she dove—thinking to enter and let him in.

As soon as her feet touched down on the wooden floor, the gargoyle noticed an oddity. A half-carved block of ice sat to one side, and there were a few small paper adornments here and—

A sound cut into her discovery. A sharp sound! She turned aside to face what may come.

Out of the shadows stepped a human man in a strange, black outfit. And in his hands were sharp blades! She took a step back from the slowly advancing human. The blades in his hands moved, like scissor blades. He walked in small, unsure steps, almost like a child. His black, curly-mat hair fell over a face that was young and pale—haunted. But his eyes… The innocence of a hundred five-year-olds all asking the question ‘Why?’ dwelt there. She blinked that away quickly, not to be fooled. He could still be dangerous, despite his child-like resemblance.

Truly, he approached with all the mannerisms and hesitant curiousness of a child. But he was getting too close with his wide eyes and sharp blades.

"Stay back." she warned. "I don’t wish to hurt you."

The bizarre human paused. Was there any surprise on his face at all from seeing a gargoyle? Jade Griffin looked hard, past the blinding innocence. Yes. It was there.

Quick footsteps were heard and the young human turned to look while the dark green gargoyle kept her eyes on him.

The Chocolate Man came bounding up the stairs.

"Jade Griffin, it’s all right!" he exclaimed, out of breath, and as his eyes fully took in the stranger, his breath left again. He stood there a good minute staring the young man over.

It was the pale human that spoke first, his voice soft, almost shy. "You’re from the picture." he addressed the Chocolate Man.

"Uh… Yes." He regained his composure, glancing at the wary Jade Griffin before stepping further into the attic. "You’re… Edward?"

A little smile adorned the somewhat scarred, pale face.

"The cab driver," the Chocolate Man said as an aside to Jade Griffin. "told me of someone who lived here once who had scissors for hands, but that he’d died several years ago in an accident."

Edward, for the Chocolate Man was not secretive about what he said, looked to the ground upon hearing.

She hadn’t realized… Those were his hands! But… How…? She sighed. This was gonna be a long night. Oh yeah. The Chocolate Man, wearing his ‘inquisitive’ face, moved closer to Edward.

"I received your letter just the other day, about my cousin’s death. It came as quite a surprise. And so were you. You say you’re his son?"

"He’s my father." Edward replied quietly. "What’s your name?"

Jade Griffin almost believed he’d tell the kid…

"People call me the Chocolate Man. Will you show me where Vincent, your father, is?"

Edward glanced from the little man to Jade Griffin and back before starting out and down the stairs.

Jade Griffin followed last. Something about Edward was really putting her on edge and she couldn’t figure out what, or why. And that irritated her even more. So she was keeping her distance.

To the topiary gardens outside is where Edward led them. He stopped beside a bed of colorful flowers and turned to the Chocolate Man before pointing a shear blade into the foliage.

"Then he really is with the flowers." Jade Griffin commented. She glanced at Edward and saw that he was watching her with those wide child eyes…

It stirred, almost leaped inside her, and she knew immediately why Edward put her on edge. Her child side. There was something about him… and she was pretty close to having to let it out.

Jade Griffin quickly turned her back on the young man, closed her eyes and tried clearing her thoughts away. Bury it! Why does innocence attract it so??

The Chocolate Man, inspecting the flowerbed, did not see, so Edward asked her, "Am I frightening?"

His simple question, laced with sadness, pushed it.

"I- Igotta go!" The gargoyle started at a run back into the mansion.

This the Chocolate Man did not miss, nor Edward’s downcast face.

"No, she doesn’t find you frightening…" he explained, trying to rationalize the gargoyle’s abrupt flight. She hadn’t been relaxed ever since running into the boy but… Boy… But he wasn’t a boy. Couldn’t be. And yet, that is exactly how he seemed to think. Like a child! And so, he realized what must have occurred in Jade Griffin. "She… eh…" Would she get mad if Edward was told? If she did, she might pursue his true name with a vengeance. Not good, because you couldn’t stop a determined gargoyle. "I’ll go talk to her."

He left the garden, and a confused and sad Edward, to locate the dark green gargoyle.

She was pacing the upstairs railing, eyes closed. He went up but didn’t want to touch her to get her attention. He’d never seen her like this and didn’t know if she would lash out.

"Jade Griffin?" he called quietly.

"What’s the square root of eleven?" was her immediate query. She continued to pace, eyes-closed.

"Uh… Th- Three, point three—"

"What’s the square of twenty?" she interrupted, halting.

"Four times ten to the second power." He answered quicker, realizing what she was doing. Mathematics was a great distraction, but Jade Griffin professed a poor ability in it. He, on the other hand…

"Two times twenty-seven?"

"Fifty-four."

The dark green gargoyle opened her eyes slowly.

"Better?" he asked lightly.

She nodded, frowning.

She’d made her decision. Part of it was because she’d already been spotted. But even though her counterpart in this time didn’t realize who she’d seen, ‘G knew Jade Griffin would figure it out, or go looking for her! And that wouldn’t do. No fun.

Still, she sighed as she soared above Jade Griffin’s secluded California home. She was gonna miss the secret—having it, and being it.

‘G landed inside the cave-like entrance to her dimensional counterpart’s home and creeped silently in. She could hear movement within and, at the end of the hall, peered in to see it was the four cats playing. Two had Jade Griffin’s paintbrush and batted it around. That, and it looked like they’d gotten into some of her food. Plus the light was out.

‘G huffed. She’d finally decided to let Jade Griffin see her and the dimensional twin wasn’t home! She turned to leave when a familiar green flash stopped her. Comp appeared and lit the large room.

"I’ve been looking for you." he said.

"And I was looking for Jade Griffin."

"Well, well!" The fey zipped closer, surprised. "Finally going to kill the mystery?"

‘G shrugged. "Not right now, it seems. Where do you think she went without having you or Malcom watch the cats?"

"She wouldn’t’ve asked Malcom because he’s at home with the Lady and a new baby. As for where she is, I don’t think someone wanted me to know." His eyes narrowed. "Ol’ Brightness told me, though. She said Jade Griffin and the Chocolate Man went to Florida ala ‘Special Airlines’. Something about the Chocolate Man’s family." Comp was miffed that Jade Griffin hadn’t said anything to him, but he had made himself scarce recently…

"Jade Griffin asked about you the other day." he went on. "Wanted to know who ‘that female gargoyle’ was with me whom I called ‘G."

‘G eyed him, cautious. "Wha’d you say?"

"I told her she’d have to discuss it with you! Don’t worry. I gave my word that I’d never tell her."

‘G gave him a smile at the reminder. "Thanks."

They looked about the place in silence.

"You really were going to tell her?" Comp asked.

"Yep." She didn’t feel much like discussing it and so walked over to the cats to rescue Jade Griffin’s paintbrush. Comp took the hint and produced a string with which to dangle for the cats. ‘G took a seat to watch their antics, in no hurry at all, since she was already here and Jade Griffin was on the other side of the U.S.

"Where is he?" Jade Griffin asked, staring blankly ahead as she kept her mind similar to help contain and calm the child side.

"In the garden."

The dark green gargoyle looked down at the Chocolate Man. "…I don’t think I’ll be able to keep it in for the duration of this trip." She sighed heavily. "If I’d known that, I’d never have come." She turned away, walked into the dark shadows of a wall corner, and slumped onto the ground.

The Chocolate Man eyed her and gave a light sigh of his own. "You know, I don’t believe anything would happen if you did let her out." He proposed.

"No."

"Why?"

"I… I don’t want her to get hurt again, in any way."

"But this is probably the safest place for her to be. There’s no one here but myself and Edward, and he’s only a child himself. You do realize that, don’t you?"

She nodded that admittance. "But this is still a strange place with nothing familiar but you. I don’t even know if she’ll remember you! And if she gets too confused or frightened, I can’t talk to her. I may not even be heard anyway. I didn’t want this to happen again, but it’s not about what I want anymore…" She knew, when she had to use math to calm the awakening child, that she’d have to release it here. And for that reason she’d been fighting it. Release the vulnerable child side here, in this strange place, with strangers? She hated the idea, but she no longer had the choice.

"Watch her." was all she said before giving in to the child side.

After the quick transformation, the child Jade Griffin blinked, rose, looked about, and frowned. She stepped away from the little human man watching her.

"Hello." he said to her, smiling. "Do you remember me?"

The child’s frown deepened, thinking. "No…" But he seemed familiar, and… Her keen sense of smell detected a very familiar scent from him. "Sort of… You make chocolate?"

His smile spread, encouraging. "That’s right. People call me the Chocolate Man."

"Yeah…" She gave a little smile of her own, remembering him now. He let her stay in his home once, and gave her soup and let her wash alla mud off from she was running from the dog when she was lost that night the sky was exploding. But this wasn’t his home. She looked about again, confused. "Where am I?"

"A secret place. A mansion owned by my family. You’re safe here."

The child took to cautious inspections, wandering a little. The place was like a castle! "How’d I get here?"

"By plane."

"A plane?" she eyed him, doubtful. "I’ve never even seen a plane! I woulda remembered that."

Hm… Touché. "How do you usually get places?"

"I walk, or run." The child spied some books in a dusty, near-empty shelf and went to inspect them.

The Chocolate Man watched her with open curiosity, having previously only spent a small time with this fascinating young person. And that was several years ago! She was absolutely independent of the adult Jade Griffin, seeming to have nothing to do with her beyond appearance. And he didn’t know what Jade Griffin had been afraid of. The child seemed to be perfectly adjusted to her current surroundings. She even recognized him. He—

"Why are there dead human pictures in this book?" she asked in mild disgust, turning a large book to him, which displayed detailed illustrations. "They’re all cut open…"

Anatomy and Physiology of the Human Body, most likely. "Eh… That’s a science book. It’s an examination of our insides."

She closed the book, wrinkled her nose, and put it back. The child side pulled out a smaller, pretty-bound book and turned it over in her hands. It had a one-word name, but as she couldn’t read well, she turned it to him and asked, "What’s this say?"

The Chocolate Man blinked upon seeing the title, his whole countenance frozen. The fear gripped him. No. He dare not utter the name. He hurried to the shelf and took the book from her, replacing it as high as he could reach. "…That’s a boring book. Let me pick one…" Hopefully, she wouldn’t get it again. He had to remember that everything the child side experienced, Jade Griffin did, as well. She had no doubt seen the look on his face. Perhaps not that well, given the poor lighting. Perhaps the child’s eyes were not even on him long enough for that moment…? It couldn’t have been helped. He just didn’t think he could control himself around that all too real tale.

And, thankfully, she was distracted by watching him search through the books. Time enough to collect himself.

"…Well… There’s nothing but science books here. I’m sorry."

"That’s okay. I don’t wanna stay inside anyway. Is it safe? To go out?"

"Yes… But—"

She’d already started downstairs.

"Wait!"

Before he could dash after her, the child stopped, frozen halfway down, but not because of his call. She backed up and retreated by all fours bounding up the stairs and the Chocolate Man could see Edward approaching slowly. The odd ‘boy’’s eyes were wide and stayed on the gargoyle child as he climbed the stairs.

Jade Griffin’s child side tried to hide behind him. She whispered on a squeak, "There’s a human down there! He saw me!"

"I know. It’s all right. You’re not the first gargoyle he’s seen."

Although he did act as though that were the case. Edward stopped as close as politeness allowed and peered over the short Chocolate Man’s head to look at the little gargoyle. He saw the wariness and what he interpreted as fear in the little one’s solid watch of him, and so backed off in melancholy.

"He’s got knives!" the child warned the Chocolate Man as he stepped toward the pale human.

"No. He doesn’t have hands." he corrected quietly. Edward looked so dejected… "He’s not going to hurt us. I’m… I’m sort of his cousin."

She came out from behind him, eyeing the other with speculative interest. "Really? He doesn’t look like you at all!"

He chuckled at her comment. If only she knew what he’d heard from the cab driver! Vincent had been dabbling in the old family tradition, but Edward was anything but a monster. Perhaps all it really took was reason with moderations of science and passion… No. Leave it be. He still had this situation to resolve.

"What’s his name?" she whispered.

"You can ask him if you like."

"Wha-What’s your name?" the child asked, half shy-half cautious.

His face drew delight from her query as he looked down at the gargoyle child. "Edward."

"Why don’t you have hands? Did somebody cut them off?"

Surprise marked his innocent features. "No."

Jade Griffin sidestepped closer and so engaged the stranger in conversation.

The Chocolate Man listened with great interest. Vincent had been tampering with forbidden family secrets but this… In creating Edward… No. How could he possibly compare the boy to such unspeakable—No. Whatever Vincent’s methods, no madness dwelled here. He didn’t dare think on it further, he decided, contenting himself with simply listening to the two discover each other.

Edward blinked at her question. "Yes." He turned about and headed down the stairs. The child side followed and so did the Chocolate Man.

The young man led them outside, into the garden and to a fruit tree.

"Apples!" the child exclaimed, jogging forward. She turned to Edward. "Can I?"

He nodded, wearing a shy smile for creating such happiness.

As the tree was too tall, the little gargoyle climbed up and picked three apples, tossing one down to the waiting Chocolate Man and the second to Edward. The strange boy made no attempt to catch it. Apple in mouth, the child jumped down, little white wings slowing her descent. The Chocolate Man noted Edward’s silent interest in the act.

He also bent down to pick up the other apple and held it out for the boy. Edward hesitated but then opened a scissored hand. The short human showed no reserve in placing the apple in his palm. The Chocolate Man did not miss the look of hope blossoming on Edward’s face. Yes. Rejection had haunted this soul for a long time, from what he had heard from the cab driver.

"I guess I better eat quick. Sun’ll come soon." the little Jade Griffin announced, biting off a large chunk. She frowned at a sudden thought and looked about. "How long’ll I be here?"

"Oh… not long. You’ll be home again before you know it. Edward, do you see many people come up here?"

"No."

"So it’ll be all right for you to be out here during the day, Jade Griffin. We’ll watch out for you, won’t we, Edward."

He nodded, then looked down at the child side. "You’re going to sleep?"

"Ah-huh. But why don’t humans come up here? You don’t have any friends?"

Ah. She’d touched the sore spot. Edward looked to the ground. The Chocolate Man waited expectantly for the answer.

"People are afraid of me."

"But why? You’re a human aren’t you?"

The boy said nothing as dawn began.

"Well, I like you. See ya, Edward!" The sun rose and froze her slightly posed body, a smile on her face.

The boy stepped closer, having not expected such a transformation. "She turned to stone?"

"Yes. That’s how a gargoyle sleeps. Edward? Would you mind my asking a few questions?"

"No?"

Cousin proceeded to ask how Father died, how self came into being, when this occurred, and confirmed events of hear-say related to Cousin by someone called a ‘cab driver’. Cousin was neither alarmed nor cautious of self. This was curious. Self wished to ask but fear stopped. The moment was so rare. Someone to talk to, unafraid. Would it end so quickly? Regret, from self. Aloneness… Cousin had a place, elsewhere, like the lords and ladies of history and story. Father….. If Cousin were a visiting lord, it would make self country kin. Or perhaps peasantry… How did Cousin view self? Not with fear. Not with condescending ways. A younger equal. Self fancied he a distant schoolboy, and Cousin visiting at a break. Yes. All questions were answered with modest eagerness.

During one question, for seemingly no reason, a little smile lit Edward’s face. The Chocolate Man barely paused, but wondered what the boy was thinking.

He’d learned much in the little time getting answers from Edward. In fact, he felt a little guilty. Here was someone—perhaps even considerable as true family—who he could- No, must tell what he knew. It could protect the boy greatly. He didn’t want the family curse on Edward. The boy must be warned.

He regarded the young man a moment, his face shrouding over with the grey mood. "Edward, do you want to know how Vincent was able to create you? Because in that tale, I would reveal such pain and utter anguish as one can barely imagine. It’s a hard truth but it must be told. Are you ready to hear it?"

Eyes rounded by surprise and curiosity at the Chocolate man’s seriousness, Edward nodded.

Jade Griffin burst forth with the child’s roar, which awakened the Chocolate Man snoozing steps away. Always a bit wary when awakening in the child form, the adult gargoyle looked about before forcing back her normal body.

The short human gave her a welcoming smile.

"Everything okay?" she asked him.

"Yes. All very well and quiet."

She couldn’t see Edward anywhere. "Where is he?"

"Inside. Sleeping, I think."

Her eyes followed up to the attic and saw the young man watching them. "Hm. Think again."

Chocolate Man matched her gaze and saw the odd person pull away and recede into the shadows from which he spied. "He’s a very lonely individual, Jade Griffin. He finds you to be more like him than anyone else he’s ever met. Does his curiosity bother you?"

She looked away from the attic, speaking a partial lie. "No."

He, of course, knew otherwise. A raise of brows told her such. The dark green gargoyle glanced at him, then away. "No, in that it’s only for concern for my child side and… and that he knows my biggest weakness. I’ve explained this all before." She spread her arms and sighed.

He nodded. "The more who know your weaknesses, the greater those weaknesses become. Remember who you’re talking to." he grinned.

The gargoyle stretched slightly and headed for the apple tree again. "Does he know, all of it?"

The Chocolate Man followed. "I didn’t explain, but he didn’t ask, either."

She plucked three juicy-looking fruits, tossed one to the short human, and headed in to find Edward.

Didn’t hafta look far. He sat in the attic. Watching for her?…

Jade Griffin walked over and handed him an apple, biting into her own. "To answer your question, no. I’m not afraid of you. Not because of that," She pointed to his ‘hands’. "and not because you’re human."

Edward blinked his surprise. "Human?"

"Sure. You are, aren’t’cha? And as a gargoyle, I can’t let a think like last night go. Not without saying thank you."

He frowned, puzzled. "Thank me?"

"Yeah. For… For being a good person. I can understand too well what people may have said or done to you in the past, because of what I am. I’ve been through it, too. But I wanted to say thank you, because living with all that hasn’t made you change. That’s all." She paused, then quietly made her exit down the stairs.

Edward watched her go, completely amazed.

Self was human to that person. And… and not changed? If in being called human, she meant self was human by having compassion and humanity and room for error, then it was true that his life down below had not altered this as a whole. But… But if this defined humanity, did not that also make her human? If a thing such as self was human, surely that which she labeled as gargoyle and herself could be human.

Thus bolstered by her comments and praise, Edward followed after to be with the other two ‘humans’.

He was about to bring up the time when Edward joined them. The Chocolate Man monitored his approach.

"I’m glad you’ve joined us. I was just about to say our flight leaves in two hours. The next one leaves in two days."

"You’re leaving?"

He knew the boy would be sad but there was no way he could stay away for any length of time. And too incredibly dangerous for them both to take Edward with him. To keep regular visits; even a correspondence… His life—who he was—forbid it. A great unfortunate circumstance but the Chocolate Man knew there could be no other alternative. Not for one of his family. "I’m afraid so."

Jade Griffin kept silent.

Edward’s disappointment faded a little too rapidly in her opinion. He nodded, as if understanding the Chocolate Man perfectly.

"I know you’ve managed on your own for a long time, but will our arrival change that? We tried to be inconspicuous in our business but the cab driver kept asking what business I had here. Don’t worry about our exit. Jade Griffin can’t afford to be seen by humans, and I plan on telling the cabbie all about the fantastic topiary and gothic air I managed to catch on film," He tapped his coat pocket. "As well as the old caretaker who denies any knowledge of this Edward Scissorhands fellow." He grinned and winked.

"Thank you." And without warning, the boy backed away. "Good-bye,… Cousin."

The Chocolate Man nodded his own farewell and Edward retreated indoors.

Jade Griffin stared on, surprised at the young man’s departure. "He really does understand, doesn’t he."

"Yes, he does." The Chocolate Man glanced up at her. "Shall we go?"

The female gargoyle nodded.

And compared to all that had occurred, their trip home was incredibly uneventful.

END