canon: the infernal devices | A RE-READ IS IN ORDER

[galahads]

You're aware, I hope, that Jessamine and Magnus aren't the two I'd choose to have as company in a perilous land full of waifs and strays? Your whims and your fancies and your everything else-s are exactly that: yours. Marvelling at a weather phenomenon that occurs nightly until dawn, daily with rain and often without in the fair city of London is not, as you seem to believe, delightful or fascinating. Even, I should add, if it makes me sprout wings in place of arms, or imagine I'm led on the bank of the Thames when I'm not, or even if it perpetrates the most dastardly of deeds and prevents me from stumbling home.

Not even then shall I wish to stray from dirty streets and dirtier water to express my gratitude to Jessamine that of everyone in the world, I am glad that it is with her I have found myself, for there are none better to fight alongside. I hear lying is exceptionally bad for the soul, and I feel as if I should take care of what is left of mine.

—Not to mention that I can imagine myself sprouting wings on the bank of the Thames and stumble home in mist if I so desire in London, so doing any of it elsewhere has not even the slightest appeal.

On the other hand, I'm aware that you'll do as you wish regardless, for cruelty is as natural to you as preoccupation is to Henry.

Comments

[halfthelady]

Well at least we agree on one point. It was bad enough sharing a space with you in London without any say in the matter.

I would still look better than you, William.

[galahads]

We could test that, if you wanted — shave off your hair, parade you down Oxford Street and see if you receive more or less propositions than I do. I'd quite happily bet on myself, if you're curious.

[halfthelady]

I don't need to have my knowledge tested and while you may find it appropriate to bet on such ridiculous things, a lady doesn't gamble.

[A pause.]

And if you come near my hair it will be something you will sorely regret.

[galahads]

[ s h r u g. ]

Shall I ask what it is you find it appropriate to bet on then? Or simply point out that I can't seem to recall the last time the words 'lady', 'at the mercy of' and 'Silent Brothers' were used in the same sentence? Whichever you'd prefer, I suppose.

[ beat. ]

Hearing your wails of desperation and screams of anger would be punishment enough; I'm not sure my ears could take it.

[halfthelady]

[Her face darkens considerably and she almost spits out that it was a different situation at the time but she holds her tongue. A bright smile is slapped onto her face instead.]

And how are dear Tessa and Jem? Has she figured out her ridiculous feelings for either of you yet or is she still floundering?

I hear I can make recordings of them here. Perhaps I'll make a tape as a welcome gift for you.

[galahads]

[ and he tenses for a moment, distaste and dislike flickering across his features for a moment, although it's directed more at her smile and tone than her words. ]

Very happy, as it happens. They're engaged.

[halfthelady]

How scandalous - a Downwolder and a Shadowhunter marrying each other. My congratulations to the happy couple then.

[Her smile dims ever so slightly because it's only a blatant reminder of how her romance had been nothing more than a lie. Despite that, his reaction doesn't go unnoticed.]

You'll be the best man then? I doubt Jem wouldn't have it any other way.

[galahads]

And what was your marriage? A Shadowhunter — by all accounts — and a murderer. [ he doesn't answer the question, however; he assumes it's what jem intends, but he can't help but think that, with his own feelings in mind, it would be both something of a mockery and a hideous cliché. he eyes jessamine out of the corners of his eyes, lips twitching upwards into a small smirk. ] Charlotte and Henry are expecting.

[halfthelady]

[And that jab at her deceased former love - that's enough to draw a reaction.] Nathanial was liar and pried upon my emotions. [She fails to mention that she was just as much of an idiot for believing him.] I don't have to justify my actions to anyone least of all you.

Are they finally having children of their own? [There may be some hurt in her voice but it's gone the instant it appears. They're not her parents so why should she care?] I hope the babe won't be blessed with Henry's odd eccentricities. Henry is a walking fire hazard by himself as it is.

[galahads]

I don't care for any justification you might think of. [ it's true, for all that it matters; jessamine had her reasons for her actions, and if she could live with them, that was the beginning and end of it. the point was that she had no right to comment on the scandal of anyone else's relationship, least of all jem's. ] Fortunately— [ pointed glance. ] Personalities aren't hereditary.

[halfthelady]

Thank goodness for that. Can you imagine if you ever had children and they had your personality?

Obviously that would be the biggest single tragedy; may the Angel never allow that to occur.

[galahads]

[ there had been a moment, in between the realisation that the curse hadn't been true and it had all been nonsense, just before the realisation that that didn't change how he'd acted, how he'd sought so desperately to push everyone that cared about him away, where he'd wondered, briefly, whether he would have a family.

(he'd never so much as entertained the thought before.)

but then there had been tessa, and jem, and tessa and jem, together, not separate, and he'd realised that perhaps wonderings were better left alone.

so he laughs. ]

I believe I'll mark this day in the calendar, and perhaps I'll write to Charlotte announcing the advent of a momentous occasion: for once — although not the only time, for we've already shared our distaste over the plans of simple mundanes — William Herondale and Jessamine Lovelace agree.

[ pause, and he continues, tone a deliberate mix between contemplative and dismissive: ] Or perhaps not. I fear the revelation may send Charlotte into shock, and that would hardly be good for the baby.

[halfthelady]

I'm positive the world is ending, William. I'm rather disappointed that I have to spend it with you though.

[She smiles a little bit at what he says but only a bit. She's never truly smiled at Will, not even when they were children. They've shared the occasional and rare laugh of course, but they had always gone right back to bickering. Getting along wasn't in their nature.]

Oh, Angel, don't do that to her. I may not be on the best terms with her but you can't do that to the child. Even if you could write her, I don't think the letter would even get to her.

[galahads]

And I with you, though you should count your lucky stars: there are countless women who would desire nothing more than to spend the last few minutes of the world existing in my company. [ sideways glance, and the corners of his lips twitch briefly. ] Although they'd be fairly disappointed if we were only to talk, I suspect.

What a disheartening end to the world this shall prove to be.

[halfthelady]

Oh, lucky me.

[The look on her face says otherwise.]

Don't even pretend that you would ever consider doing anything but throw insults and bicker with me. It may be the end of the world but that would never change.

[galahads]

[ a brief look of disgust. ]

Not even I would do that to my dignity, whatever of it I have left.

[halfthelady]

[Have one right back.]

You never had much dignity to begin with.

[galahads]

I'm fairly certain I just said as much.

[halfthelady]

You implied that you ever had dignity to begin with which clearly isn't the case.

[galahads]

I had some. [ INDIGNANT. ]

[halfthelady]

Really? Because I do believe you lost whatever little you were born with when Henry made you wear that shirt that was made for girls because he convinced it was for boys when we were younger.

[Don't pretend it didn't happen. That shopping trip is forever burned into Jessamine's mind and it will never go away.]

[galahads]

[ w o w, jessamine, wow. ]

And yet I still managed to make it look good.

[halfthelady]

[problem? /trollface]

That's most likely your dignity trying to make yourself feel better about the whole ordeal.

[galahads]

Ah, the dignity I don't have, you mean?

[halfthelady]

Wounded pride then which you certainly have an abundance of.