Daughter of Medusa

26

She marched back to the courtyard where they've been gathered

She stood in the center and cleared her throat: Listen her boys. You can stop your silly competitions. I am not a prize to be won, to breed you strong little baby gargoyles. I am a woman with my own mind. If I ever intend to marry, it is going to be when I choose to a man of my own choosing and it would not be necessarily a gargoyle

They started to protest: She glared at them and they quieted

A girl protested: What, you think you're better than us just because you have your father's trait and we don't! The nerve you have, every single one of us dreams of marrying a strong gargoyle

Avery sighed: That is not the point! That's your choice, not mine. If I ever want to marry, I want to marry a man of my choosing, even if he's weaker than gargoyles. Who knows, it could be a human even, who cares?! As long as I love the guy I wouldn't care what species he is

Chris: That's not done, gargoyles marry within eachother

She looked at him scornfully: And what am I then, my mother wasn't a gargoyle, nor human

Chris: You were an exception.. But you will marry one of us, specifically me

Avery: I'll not marry any of you. I already have someone I like, and he's not here

Chris shrugged: It doesn't matter if we like eachother or not, only what is good for the society, and that's producing strong offspring. I am one of the strongest here

Avery crossed her arms: Let's have a match. If I kick your scrawny butt you'll have to drop this

Chris: And if I win, you'll be my betrothed

She snorted disdainfully: Not a chance. I will consider you, but nothing more. I will not be forced to marry against my will, no matter what

Chris: We'll see about that

James: Aren't you going to put a stop to this?

Don crossed his arms, grinning: I don't know. It might be fun. I'd really love it if she handed his ass to him

Mark: And it's an opportunity to see how strong she is. I don't want to pass it up

James Shook his head and sighed

A gargoyle name Nick stood between Avery and Chris: Fight fair, he turned to Avery, that means no petrification, my dear

She nodded

Nick: Ready.. GO!

They both morphed and launched at eachother

For a while there, Avery had to dodge incessantly. Chris was fast, she had difficulty getting her bearings

Eventually she remembered Archer's training and was able to collect herself

She was determined to win, it showed in the way she fought

She gave it her all, and in spite of the difference in gender, her strength almost matched his

Her gorgon genes helped a little, and her training with Archer a lot

Chris was taken aback for a bit and she seized her chance, striking with all her might

She was able to beat him to the ground, and the other boys announced her the winner

Chris seethed, he bared his teeth

Avery was panting

Don and and Mark stood between them, shaking their heads

Mark: Let it go, Chris. She won

He was going to protest, but Gavin's voice cut him off: What is going on here?

Chris: Nothing, he glared then retreated

Gavin: Don?

Don was grinning: Your daughter announced she'll only marry a man of her choosing, regardless of strength and species, Chris was incensed, she challenged him and won

The corners of Gavin's mouth twitched, but he schooled his features: Their fight wasn't necessary. He turned towards all the young ones assembled: You should all know, we do not marry women against their well. If you want to convince one of these lovely ladies to marry you, gesturing at the girls within the crowd, you court them, woo them, gently

He finished his small speech and retreated

Mark offered Avery his hand, she took it and stood up, still winded: Thanks for your help, both of you, buy it wasn't necessary

Alec shook his head: Ave..

She hmphed

Mark raised a brow, Don laughed

A girl with lovely chestnut locks approached them: That was impressive

She had a warm smile, it reminded Avery of her two friends, Dryden and Lily

Don: Avery, this is Felicity, my fiance

Avery: Your fiance, huh? I knew there was a reason I liked you

He laughed, and Felicity smiled

Avery: It's very nice to meet you

Felicity: Likewise. What you did ensured at least half the girls here won't hate you. They were fearing you'd snatch their men

Avery scoffed: Then what about that girl?

Felicity: Oh, Karen, don't worry about her, she's always like that

Mark: You mentioned you liked a guy that's not here

Avery nodded

Mark's eyes gleamed: Do you love him, or only like him

She blushed ever so slightly: I don't think I'm in love with him, but I do like him a lot

He grinned: Still, means there's a chance for us after all

He winked and walked away

Avery only blinked