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THE GRYPHON COMPLEX. Chapter 4: J'adore mi amour.

It was too warm and comfortable to wake up right away. The bed was soft, and warm, and feathery, and.... Feathery? Oh. Feathery.

Opening my eyes to the glare from the sunlight spilling over the distant mountains, I brought a hand up to my pounding head, after carefully disengaging my arm from the sleeping gryphon wrapped around me. Squinting at the particularly obnoxious morning, which clearly had little care for the difficulty my vision was having focussing on it, I glanced around the veranda, before my eyes fixated on the person sitting quietly nearby on the large outdoor sofa, coffee in one hand, and a lit cigarette in the other.

Uh oh.

On my stirring, K turned towards me and, noticing my return to consciousness, let out a broad grin, before reaching onto the table and picking up another mug of coffee that he held towards me enticingly.

"Someone had a really interesting night, I see" he said quietly, his irritating smirk becoming even more broad, if possible. I groaned slightly, head throbbing, before being drawn closer into the warm arms of the gryphon, who muttered something unintelligible in his sleep.

"Yeah, well..." I started helplessly, leaning back into the enveloping arms, and his laugh became louder, causing Pyre to stir fitfully from his sleep. Opening an eye, he stared at the source of his rude awakening, his grip tightening around me nervously to the point of discomfort, before he became aware of my squirming, and relaxed.

I cocked my head up at him, a gentle smile spreading across my face. "Morning, beautiful" I said to him, and he smiled briefly down at me, nuzzling my neck gently. I chuckled, before raising a hand to stroke his feathery neck. "Don't mind K. He's just jealous, since I scored with the hot, sexy guy last night, and he slept alone as usual!"

K snorted, leaning down to grab my discarded clothes and tossing them at my face. Reaching an arm out from the covering warmth of Pyre's wing, I snagged them as they flew past, before grabbing my underpants and throwing them back at him. He ducked, and they sailed over the veranda railing to drop into the greenery below. Moving quickly, he looked over the edge, spying them perched precariously on top of the bushes beneath. Falling back on the couch to laugh hysterically at the sight, I joined him in his mirth, with the gryphon chuckling behind me.

K pointed at me, tears running freely down his face. "You'd better make sure you retrieve those before my parents come home! If they see them there, they'll pop a nut! Then what'll they think of me?"

Grinning broadly, I said "Well, probably what everyone else does. You're a pervert!"

He glared at myself and the gryphon in mock shock. "You can talk, furry boy!" he shot back, and we both dissolved into laughter again.

After we finally collected ourselves, I regretfully made my escape from Pyre's side, shivering slightly as I stood naked on the veranda. I heard the gryphon groan as he got up behind me, so I slipped on my shirt and pants, abstaining from any attempt to retrieve my lost underwear for the moment. Reaching across the table for our coffees, I passed one to Pyre, before sitting on the couch next to K, the gryphon dropping to my side.

"So, what's the plan for today, gents?" I said, enjoying the rich dark brew warming my stomach pleasantly.

K took another drag on his cigarette, before pursing his lips to jet the smoke from the veranda.

"Well, we need to start thinking about what we're going to have to do to get this one back home" he said, waving smoke towards the gryphon, who nodded in agreement.

"Hmm", I said, resting my head against the couch cushioning behind me. "We're going to need more equipment than we'll be able to source from the corner store out here in the back woods. Prof wants me there at 9am tomorrow. How about we give him a call, and get him out here for a face to face instead?"

Pyre looked at me nervously, before nodding again. "Not much else we can really do, is there?" he said, before opening his beak wide and pouring half of the steaming liquid down his throat.

"Not really. He has the equipment; you have the know-how, right?"

"Yeah, but I'm not sure what I'll be able to use. Sounds like this world is a little primitive"

"True", I said, before grinning at him, "But at least it's a start"

____________________

After we cleaned up, I took a shower (the gryphon declined to join me, stating wet feathers and fur were a bitch to get dry in cold weather) before locating my cell phone in the living room, where K had started a roaring fire to warm up the place. Resting back against Pyre, who'd curled up in front of the fireplace reading a magazine he'd plucked from a pile stacked precariously on the mantle, I searched through my address book for the Professor's number. Drawing a deep breath, I collected my thoughts and connected the call.

The line answered on the third ring.

"Hello. James Seeley"

"Hey Professor. It's David"

"David! How are you feeling? Not reneging on our meeting tomorrow, are you?"

"Umm, yeah. About that, Professor. I... Uh... We really need to discuss a few things about yesterday ASAP..."

There was a brief pause from the other end, before the professor continued.

"I see. So, do you want to meet me at the office later this morning?"

"Well, it's a bit complicated. I'm staying at a friend's place at the moment, and it's going to be difficult to find an opportunity to escape for a while. It's a bit out of the way, but would there be any chance of you coming out here? I know it's a hassle, but it's really rather important I talk to you"

The pause was longer this time, followed by a sigh from the other end.

"OK, David. That will be fine. SMS me the details, and I'll head out there after lunch."

"Thanks, Professor! See you when you get here."

As I went to end the call, I heard him say quietly down the line "David? Is it about the thing I showed you yesterday?"

Shit. Oh well. We either trust him now, or never.

"Something like that, Sir."

He paused again, before ending the call with "No problems then. See you around 3pm"

The line went dead, and I rested the phone against my lips in thought, before looking up at the gryphon who had been watching me intently.

I gave him a shrug. "Well, the wheels are in motion, Pyre. We'll just have to see where they take us"

He nodded, before returning to his reading, and I rested back against him, settling into a light doze as I toasted my feet in the warmth from the fire.

_______________________________________

A little later, K snuck out to the local market for some supplies, returning just after noon. We fixed ourselves something to eat, before spending the remaining time after lunch relaxing. K, whose nervous pacing began to grate on both our nerves, thought to put on some music. Choosing a Metallica track, the bass booming through the house, before the gryphon, ears flat against his skull in annoyance, told him to turn the shit off, before he ate the CD.

Apologising profusely, he changed the album to some Pink Floyd instead. With "Wish you were here" echoing throughout the room, he pulled another joint from his pocket, waggling it at us questioningly.

Pyre shook his head, and I agreed, saying "I think we need all our wits about us this arvo, mate". He returned it to his pocket in disappointment, before sorting through the stack of magazines Pyre had found, looking for something interesting to fill in the time.

Once Pyre had finished reading his copy of "Fishing and boating monthly", we sat and discussed how we'd approach the afternoon's meeting. Eventually, we decided just to put everything on the line. He was going to either help us, or not. There wasn't an awful lot we could do about it either way.

Pyre got up and went out the back garden to relieve himself. Given his size and configuration, using the porcelain toilet in the bathroom wasn't exactly an option, so he chose to simply go "au naturale" in the garden. K poured himself a generous serve of scotch from his father's bar, looking at me to see if I wanted one.

"Does a gryphon shit in the woods?" I said, before we both broke into hysterical laughter. Handing me another glass, we sat together companionably, waiting for the gryphon's return.

K coughed, looking at me askance. "So, about last night? Umm, going to tell me about it?"

I looked at him, before blushing furiously. I'd known him for over 25 years, since we were kids in junior grade. We'd always shared everything with each other. Hell, for a time there a few years back, we'd even been more than friends, until with mutual agreement we ended that relationship amicably. We were just too much alike for comfort.

He grinned at my discomfort. "Well, well. And you think I'M the closet furry!"

I shook my head, before returning his stare with a guilty grin of my own.

"You ARE a closet furry, Mr "Hammerfist Wolfmaster"!"

He chuckled, absently swirling the ice around in his glass. "Well, that was then, and that was just role playing. Pyre isn't, is he?"

I looked at him again, before sighing deeply, leaning forward to warm my hands in front of the fire. "Hell, I dunno. He's... well, he's... Shit, he makes me feel better than anyone ever has." I looked at him with an evil smirk. "Even you", I said, and he punched my shoulder in mock retaliation.

"One night and you're in love, or something?" he joked, before raising an eyebrow at my silence.

"Oh no! You're not serious!" he asked incredulously, before leaning closer to stare into my face. "Jesus, dude! Well, well. Big D finally met his match. So, what happens if we manage to send him home?"

A sharp pang shot through me and I grimaced, looking down at my drink in thought. "Shit, I dunno. Honestly? Perhaps.... perhaps he'll take me with him?"

He stared at me candidly for a moment, before turning away away. Suddenly, he spun back, gazing at me almost desperately.

"Would you take me with you too? If you go?" he asked, with pleading eyes.

Shit! I thought. "What about your folks?" I asked him, and he shook his head. "Hey, they're great, and I love them, but... look at me! My life is a fucking waste here. Perhaps it'll be different there?"

I nodded, before hearing the gryphon make his way through the rear of the house. "We'll come to that hurdle when we get to it, K. Nothing's set in stone yet" and he smiled, before reaching over to give me a hug around the shoulders with his free arm.

Pyre, entering the room, gave me a questioning glance, and I smiled back, before beckoning him over and reaching up to grasp his beak gently, dragging his head down to plant a kiss on his forehead. "It's OK. I know who has the cutest arse". He snorted, before resting back on his haunches with a smirk, looking pleased at himself.

A smirk which dropped like a suitcase when the door bell sounded, announcing the professors arrival.

The three of us froze before, with an exaggerated groan, K climbed to his feet and left the room to let the man in. Pyre gave me an unfathomable look, so I reached across to scratch his neck gently. He relaxed into my touch, while we waited for K to return.

I bent down to whisper into the gryphon's ear "You do realise you're going to totally freak the guy out, don't you? I've been waiting to see him go mental for months, the big nerd!" and he sniggered, nuzzling my cheek affectionately.

Just as the professor walked into the room.

Giving the affectionate gryphon a final quick caress, I got to my feet, as Pyre sat back, eyeing the man who we'd hope would help him.

A man who's face had turned a pasty white, before he staggered back to lean heavily against the door frame in shock.

Thinking he might collapse right there, I ran to his side, grabbing his arm firmly and guiding him to an armchair, which he dropped into with relief, eyes never leaving the gryphon sitting before him. K helpfully passed him a drink, which he stared at for a second without recognition, before downing it in one shot, handing the empty glass back with a shaking hand.

"Another, please" he spoke hoarsely, and K returned to the bar with a chuckle.

I coughed, drawing his eyes from the creature before him, and broke the silence. "Umm, Professor Seeley, this is Pyre. Pyre, Professor Seeley" I said lamely, while the gryphon shot me a grin. "Pyre had a bit of a run in with your equipment yesterday, and... well... he needs our help"

Seeley returned his gaze to the gryphon, who had become a bit nervous under his unrelenting stare. I coughed again, and the professor snapped out from his bemusement, reaching for the second drink K had brought him.

"Oh, and this is Kaynard. He's a friend of mine." K wiggled his fingers in a friendly manner at the professor, who gave him a quick look, before returning to his thoughtful examination of the gryphon.

Excellent. He didn't die of fright. That's one to us, I thought dryly.

The professor reached into his coat, removing the long feather he'd shown me the evening prior. "I think this belongs to you" he said, voice jagged, passing the feather over with a shaking hand. Pyre accepted the offering solemnly.

That's when K laughed, breaking the silence.

"HA! HAHAHA! Damn, you lot look fucking funny!' he chorkled, before he broke off his mirth, wilting under the glare from both the gryphon and human.

Rubbing his neck nervously under their combined glare, he continued "Umm, perhaps some sandwiches are in order then", before hurrying out the door towards the kitchen.

At least the interruption had broke the ice between them. His palms pressed together before bringing them to his lips, the Professor became thoughtful again, turning to me for an explanation. "I think you'd better start from the beginning, David" and I sighed in relief, hoping the worst was over.

We spent the next hour providing him with a detailed account on the events that had occurred following the lab disaster (minus certain personal matters, of course). Pyre filled in anything missing from my explanation with his own embellishments; the Professor injecting the odd question to complete his understanding.

Once we finished, he swirled his scotch absently, the ice having melted long since, and became pensive. "So, what do you want from me, David? Obviously you didn't just bring me all the way out here just to meet your new, feathery friend."

Pyre gave me a quick glance, before responding. "David thinks you're the only one who can get me home. He doesn't have access to the type of technology I'd need, and says you do. He also said you're hitting a brick wall with your current research. If you're willing to help me out, I'm prepared to share all my knowledge on the subject with you. Not trying to sound conceited, but with my help, you'll be able to finish your research successfully. I guarantee it"

The Professor looked at him intently for a moment, before leaning forward and staring into his eyes. "You can make this work?" he asked.

Pyre gave a wry chuckle, sitting back and stretching. "I got here, didn't I?"

Considering the reply, Seeley smiled suddenly, before he reached across the table to grasp the gryphons outstretched hand firmly. "You have a deal, gryphon. Obviously we need to do this in secret, so with your friend's agreement, we'll work out of here." K, who had slipped back in with refreshments during the discussion, returned a ready smile and brief nod in response.

Getting to his feet, the Professor stretched briefly, giving me a quick smile "OK, David. You've certainly made my day interesting. Consider yourself on paid vacation till this is over. I'll clear your "leave" with the bean counters in the morning, and we'll continue this discussion tomorrow when I return, shall we?"

Nodding politely to K and Pyre, he moved to leave, so I escorted him to the front door, where he paused briefly before giving me a searching look. "David, you understand if this gets out, you and your friend there are going to be in a lot of hot water?"

I nodded grimly, and he clapped my shoulder in sudden support. "You have my promise David, I'll do my best to help your friend out. This is between us, alright? So, get a good night's sleep, as tomorrow is going to be a long one!"

He turned back to the entrance, leaning a hand heavily on the door frame. "Oh, and thank you." he said quietly. "You've reignited my hope in a way I hadn't believed possible. It's been hard the last year, as you know. I had almost given up on it. So, thanks" he said, before stepping quietly into the early evening chill, heading down the gravel path towards his vehicle.

Leaning on the door frame myself, I watched his car retreat down the driveway. I'd made the right decision, I thought. This is going to work out well, after all.

Had I known then what I know now, perhaps I wouldn't have been as complacent.

___________________________

Returning to the pair waiting expectantly in the lounge, I gave a brief "thumbs up" before crashing onto the couch again.

"That was exhausting!" I groaned, receiving a nod from both the human and gryphon. Pyre had been absently smoothing his lost feather between his claws, clearly distracted. He stared up at me for a moment, meeting my eyes briefly, before dropping his gaze back to the feather.

Without warning, he stood up, slipped the feather into his beak and swiftly moved onto the patio. K looked at me in confusion as we watched him him leap over the veranda railing, spread wings slowing his descent into the garden beneath.

Concerned, I hurried to the rail, catching a glimpse of the gryphon's retreating outline heading towards the centre of the garden. Looking to K, I received a puzzled shrug in reply, as he had no clearer idea of what was wrong than I did.

"I'd better go find him", I said. K slipped back into the kitchen, returning with an emergency flashlight which he checked over, before passing it to me wordlessly.

I took the stairs to the lower level, using the laundry door to make my way out into the darkness. When I found my way beneath the veranda above, the wet trail of the gryphon's claws were still visible in the evening dew. It headed deeper into the night so, flicking on the light, I began follwing him through the underbrush.

It wasn't long before I entered the clearing in the centre of the garden, where the gryphon had taken shelter beneath a large timber gazebo, sitting silently while staring into the starry night sky.

"Hey", I said, moving quietly up beside him, and he looked at me for a brief moment, before returning his attention to the feather he'd taken with him.

I reached out, caressing his crest, running my fingers through his mane to his shoulder. He let out a deep sigh, dropping his head low, ears flattening against his skull.

I sat down against him, leaning against his forearm. "So, what's wrong?"

Sighing again, he lifted the plume up into the moonlight, spinning it idly between his claws, the reflected light shimmering faintly on the gossamer strands.

"On my world, a feather is more than just a part of oneself. It's considered the fabric that binds us to the land and the sky. Our lore states that a feather lost is a loved one lost, and gaining it back brings them home to us."

He averted his gaze again, before continuing. "It's also a sign of love and commitment. When we choose a mate, we exchange a feather as a symbol of our bonding. Having that human return this feather today was... discomforting."

I nodded, and he looked at me sombrely, his superior night vision clearly picking up my features in the dim moonlight

Turning back to the feather held idly in his hands, he drew a deep breath, before presenting it to me, slipping it between my numb fingers and closing them around it gently.

Lost for words, I stared at it for a moment, before lowering it to my lap. Slipping a hand into my rear pocket, I removed my pen knife from its hidden pouch, opening the blade within. Reaching behind my neck, I carefully cut free a stray lock of my hair, returning the knife to my pocket once I was done. Passing the strand to the anxious gryphon, he took it from my fingers with a shaking paw, closing his claws around it carefully, before wrapping his arms around me, drawing me against him.

It was a long time before we returned to the house that evening.

Neither of us wanted to.

But when we did, we did so together.

Continued in Chapter 5: Affirmation.