(no subject)

[call_me_snake]

After this thread which is yet to be finished.

Snake had dropped Selina off with her portion of the booty. He was still running high from deception, theft and a daring escape. His dress blues were a bit dirty but he still wore them. The beret however had been tossed on the passenger seat letting his hair out. He hated the feeling of shoving it under a hat. He also had a pile of shit he was keeping along with several items he thought Mab might want and the bracer. She had sent the wrong person out to steal only one thing. Snake and Selina were the kind that would take anything that was interesting and not nailed down. It did provide several things he assumed would make good Christmas gifts.

Laughing to himself as he drove to Mab's, which always seemed disconcerting as there was a point where things got eerie along the way, Snake felt good. When he arrived he shouldered a small bag which had both ends covered in mesh and the briefcase that he had stolen while inside the facility. Within it were the two bracers and another item that he wanted to ask about. He headed for the war room. it was easy to find by going against the stream of running messengers. Snake frowned some when he finally saw Mab. She looked exhausted.

I got your shit and a couple other things.

Comments

[mabofwinterdark.livejournal.com]

Someone had had the presence of mind to dig up some of Mab's old maternity clothing, so at least she wasn't working in sweats anymore. The white gauze dress was almost as comfortable and at least more comforting to those looking for her to be a rock. A dress wasn't enough to make up for days of mental and emotional exhaustion. Both Bobbys she knew had decided to spend the last two days making it more complicated and draining. Will and the ever building anger were the only things keeping her going. It shows in the lines of her face and even in the bare feet she wore, but here eyes where still bright and sharp. As long as the mind was at the helm, the body would have no choice to go along for the ride.

Tired though she may be, she manages to smile when she sees Snake thread his way through the crowds. Military men and uniforms had always been a favorite of hers, and it suited Snake, especially with his hair down. A rouge with a sense of honor. And, of course, he still spoke like himself. "Hopefully you were able to have a little fun along the way." Like her eyes, her voice is still strong, still hers.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

We emptied the place of anything small enough to carry.

Snake grinned trying to raise her spirits with his own cockiness. He placed the case on the table and opened it. Both bracers were there along with a ring that someone who didn't know, someone like Snake, might easily believe belong with the pair for the craftsmanship and moonstones.

Brought you some extras. The ring and these. He stroked the bag he still had on his shoulder. He was careful with it in a way that wasn't natural almost as if the bag was alive.

[mabofwinterdark.livejournal.com]

"I would expect nothing less for a man of such renown. The ring is quiet beautiful." A magpie, as proven by a jewelry collection that could fund half the world for a few months, she can't help but pick it up and study it. "It might even be faerie work. Beautiful."

But her attention is drawn back to the bag. The way he handles it is enough to draw her attention from the ring, which has already been slipped onto a finger. "And what do you have there?" It was too clear from the way he held the bag that there was something special in it. It was enough to bring some of the old life to her features.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

And an accomplice with more of a reputation than me. Snake smiled thinking about how much fun Selina had had. What I thought when I saw it.

Snake set the bag gingerly on the table. I couldn't leave these.

Snake unzipped the bag and a downy eagle head popped out followed by claws before it tumbled out on to the table revealing the mottled rear of a lion cub with downy wings. Snake smiled and reached in pulling the other, smaller one out.

Got no idea where the hell they got these. Snake looked down at what he could only assume were baby griffins then up at her with a lost though curious look.

[mabofwinterdark.livejournal.com]

"Really, Snake, you do know the most interesting people." Her smile widens, sure that whatever had happened would be talked about for years in that facility.

Her eyes widen as she watches two cubs emerge. "Griffins, so young. I have not seen them in the past fifty years." She reaches to the one on the table without fear, scratching the hollow between its wings. Her voice is sing song and soothing. "Royal guardians. Loved by the Greek sun. Symbol of Irish monogamy. Representative of those caught between two very different forces. I have missed seeing your kind fly."

Shaking her head slightly she looks back up at Snake. "I am glad you rescued them, they would have never allowed to be what they should be in that facility."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

Would you expect anything else? Snake grinned.

He watched her with the cubs. I'm going to assume that means you got an idea how to take care of them.

Snake busied himself scratching the chin of the smaller one. Nothing with wings should be caged. I also know what my government does to people. I can only imagine what they'd do to them.

[mabofwinterdark.livejournal.com]

She winks back. "Of course not. You know me after all."

"More than an idea. And even if I didn't, I know many who do." She carefully picks up the larger one, careful of the special joints and musculature even as she brings it close to look it over.

"The same thing they do to Fae they capture." Settling the cub in the crook of her arm, she looks him in the eyes. "Torture all the information they can get out of them alive and then kill them to dissect and experiment. Here, they will always be able to fly."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

I do.

I figured as much. Snake smiled watching hos she picked them up carefully. He'd been wary at first though he knew a bit about wing joints, his daughter had them.

Snake met her gaze. What they've already done to me. He knew too much about experimentation. The idea of them being free though brought the smile back.

You'll have to keep me up on how they do. Can't say I know damn it about griffins though they do like closed spaces to sleep it seems.

[mabofwinterdark.livejournal.com]

Such an interesting mixture. Fortunate for them, unlike hippogriffs, both halves enjoy meat fully. They never get the same kind of indigestion, fortunately for all involved. But you throw horses into anything, and you hurt their ability to eat.Shop talk, in a way. Something pleasant to focus on for a time.

Yes. What they do too to many. What these two will never have to experience.

I'll be glad to. They will be by my side, to grow into what they should be without fear. Closed spaces makes sense, cuddling next to their mother with her wings wrapped around them.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

Always thought Hippogriffs were descended from the Thracian horses. Snake furrowed his brow unsure if that was the right term for the Greek meat eating horses.

How long will it take them to mature? Snake chuckled. In the suit coat is where they spent part of the drive. Even puppies like closed in. Most babies probably.

[mabofwinterdark.livejournal.com]

She nodded in gentle concession. Some lines. But just as many are the offspring of a griffin and a horse. Or the offspring of those individuals. The oddities of such things.

Mentally, three to five years, depending on whether the bird or the lion is more dominant and let's see, she gently shifts the larger cub, she will be on the quicker end, females are about a year faster than males. Physically, assuming they follow the typical pattern, they should reach most of their adult size within the year. They will want to stay near 'mom' as much as possible for at least the first two years.

They'll be able to hide under the covers until Bobby comes back and displaces them into a basket by the bed. They'll probably have an oversized hound joining them.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

Snake shook his head really not wanting to imagine any of that.

Snake listened though carefully. Similar to a dog then? What is adult size?

Snake was curious. Life had made him that way because he never knew or questioned the use of information later on.

Sounds like my house. Dogs, wife, kids, all wanting to sleep in my bed.

[mabofwinterdark.livejournal.com]

They tend to take a little longer than dogs. They've be rather large, again, though, I don't know the lines so I can't be sure.

The dog prefers to sleep with her boy, but when he's not around, I'm a decent substitute.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

Snake nodded taking in everything she said. Then smiled.

I tend to be a substitute for a pillow, a bed, the couch and the crib these days when I got enough time to ne at home that long. Though I'm not complaining.

[mabofwinterdark.livejournal.com]

It's a good place to be. *slight smile* I tend to be the stuffed animal of the family. Too rounded to be slept on, but comfortable for them to lean on.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

Snake chuckled. I can see that. Bria used to use me as a belly prop so she could get comfortable.

[mabofwinterdark.livejournal.com]

Too much belly already. Looks down at what halfway through a through triplets has done. But he's a good back rest, given that sleeping on my back feels like being crushed.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

Snake smiled for once seeing someone pregnant. It didn't haunt him so much now. I was told if it's more than one again I get my ass kicked.

[mabofwinterdark.livejournal.com]

*laughs* I can't imagine why she'd say that... Personally I blame the triplets on Bobby saying he'd have three with me while I was under the influence of supernatural fertility treatment.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

The first ones weren't my fault as much as I wish they were. Snake laughed. Good thing for Bria that wasn't how ours worked.

[mabofwinterdark.livejournal.com]

The first ones will be your fault for the rest of their lives. *chuckles* Be perpetually pregnant, would she?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

Her first weren't but won't know the difference. Snake laughed. Not sure any woman can do ten at once.

[mabofwinterdark.livejournal.com]

Taking them in and adopting them makes them your fault in every way that matters. *laughs* Oh my, very good it didn't go like that.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

I know. Sometimes hard thinking like that. Probably because of my parents. Snake shrugged and chuckled. She wasn't too happy about the one at a time idea either but I'm working on it.

[mabofwinterdark.livejournal.com]

I imagine it will get easier with time. *smiles* Seems to me if she's agreeing to that many, multiples might be better.