Involuntary

Chapter One

Modern Day

"What should we do?" Ann asked Elric as they both walked Dmitrei in his typical daily activity. "He's been like this for days."

Elric folded his arms over his chest and stared at the human version of the gargoyle he had most admired, back in their day. Some said Dmitrei was stupid for allowing himself to become interested in helping humans while the others had been more interested in pillaging. Elric, on the other hand, always thought it denoted an inner strength--to go his own way--if nothing else. Even if Elric had once thought humans weren't worth the trouble of saving. Now, however, with his arm around his human mate, happily adjusting to his new place in the new world, he knew better, and that made him respect the other gargoyle even more.

The problem, was at some point in the last century, Dmitrei changed.

Where once he had been compassionate, sharing long nights arguing with Elric over the issues with humans, everything had turned upside down sometime before they had gone into their deep sleep. The Dmitrei Elric saw before him was nothing like the man he had known. Cold. Closed off. Handsome, as all gargoyles were. Tall and strong, with no doubt some of his considerable powers, even with the collar around his neck, insurance humanity was safe from his full powers. Aside from his outer appearance--his blond hair, astonishing eyes that contained every shade of blue, his large build--nothing else was the same.

"D, you have to get out," Elric said kicking the back of Dmitrei's chair to get the other man's attention. Dmitrei had taken to sitting in a large, wingback chair facing the window. "The Oracle sent you out here for me to help you, and I am not going to just let you mope."

"That is not your choice to make, is it?" Dmitrei said in a low voice.

"You need to get out and meet humans. It's not good for you to be alone."

"Humans suck," Dmitrei muttered without looking at them.

"Hey," Ann protested.

Dmitrei shrugged, "Sorry."

Elric and Ann shared a concerned glance, unsure what to do. They heard a quiet mew and Peony walked between their legs over to their house guest. Ann was about to stop her, but Elric held out a hand for her to wait. They watched as the little black kitten walked over to sit in front of Dmitrei and look up at him with one curious yellow eye. Peony was an irresistible ball of fluff as far as Elric was concerned. No one could say no to her. Yet, as Peony put up a paw and Dmitrei made no response, Elric wondered what was really wrong with his friend if he could ignore such a cute kitten.

Peony's power finally won out. Dmitrei slowly patted his leg signaling for the cat to hop up, which she did, purring loudly. Elric smiled as he felt the energy in the room soften slightly. He could see Dmitrei's hand moving gently over the kitten's back making it arch, then over her face and ears. Peony rolled onto her side, marking Dmitrei with her cheeks and curling up into a comfy ball.

Elric heard a sigh from Dmitrei's direction. An idea struck him. He walked forward, leaning on the windowsill and facing Dmitrei, who paid him no attention, "Why don't we go to the shelter? Get your own?"

Dmitrei lifted Peony by the scruff, "One like this?"

"Yes," Elric said. "Put her down."

Dmitrei did gently and Peony snuggled in again. "She likes you," Ann told him.

Dmitrei shrugged, but as unaffected as he tried to be, Elric could tell the idea intrigued him. If he wasn't going out into the world and he insisted on staying alone, perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to get him a furry companion. Perhaps even melt his icy heart a little.