Written by: Rodlox
 

Note: I'm using both data from the series, as well as what fanfic I've read, for this.  any ommissions are entirely my own. ~~~~ Scene:  Manhattan, New York, USA:  The contestants in the swimsuit competition step out from behind the curtain, one by one.  Their suits range from skimpy two-pieces to gracefull  one-pieces.  They cover the chest, the hips, and the wings.  As the judges deliberate - "Wait" you're saying.  "Wings?  Why are wings under a bathing suit?" It's a good question.  And one that gives a sour answer; sour because to learn why wings might be covered, we must remind ourselves what wings are . . . An old riddle asks "What is the largest organ in the human body?"The answer - "Skin." Now we have a new question: "What are the three largest organs of a gargoyle?" The answer, in my opinion:  "Skin, wings, tail."   Although some of them might add 'and beak.'  :) In a number of flying species, wings are used for courtship.  This can range from bright colours, to intricate dances and waves; ostriches do this as  well.  Birds and bats alike use their wings for more than just flying -- for example, wings can be used for hunting and scooping up prey, as a blanket for the young, and even a way to decieve enemies [the kildeer does this, pretending to be injured]. If modern flying animals can do this, argue paleontologists, so too could pterosaurs, which could in all likelyhood, also see colour. We don't know in canon how gargoyles see at night  --  if it's a form of built-in night vision goggles, or ultraviolet/infrared, achromatic, or some  other means  --  but surely it would affect them in ways we can only dream of.   Perhaps this is why all the gargoyles I can remember  are one-colour over their entire body  [even Leo and Una adhere to that]. Could we not envision that, as the breeding season approaches, the wings begin to change colour?   Even if nothing more than one spot on each wing -- how many reasons would something of gargoyle size require 'eyespots'?   Perhaps to provide contrasts - a silver dot on an otherwise dark wing - to attract a mate. Note that, while a few writers have given gargoyles a special reaction to being rubbed between the wings, the topic of the wings themselves has been untouched.  Even the tail gets more attention - figuratively and literally - than their fellow appendages. Why is this?   Do people despair of finding a fabric that is both comfortable *and* does not interfere with the gliding-flight of gargoyles? I admit, this is a hurdle; one I myself could not cross.  I hope it is not a hurdle to many for much longer. In ending, I leave you with something that I would have sent here, had I been able to complete it.  From Angela's perspective, this is what inspired  this sorta-essay: _~~~ I swoop down and land on the roof of this elderly warehouse.  As I had approached it, there hadn't been any lights on, no cars or trucks outside,  no activity beyond a few pigeons fluttering about. A perfect place for me to hide and wait it out. My wings are already paling.  Yesterday evening, I spied a silver streak on one wing; a small one, barely noticable, but still. That was when I ran - glided - away from home, away from my clan._ ~~~ and remember: these are only ideas.  thoughts, not commands. ~~~~ The End