![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
voice testing;
I suppose there isn't proper etiquette for situations such as these, is there? I've no qualms regarding your whims so long as your expectations are kept quite low. You must understand that I —
[ he interrupts himself and hesitates, considering his words with the utmost caution. what follows isn't entirely what he would like to say, nor is it what he means at the core. but his tone is kind, if nothing else. ]
There is very little I could offer in the way of entertainment if I haven't my violin, you see. If I am not careful, its strings will strain and snap. It's such a short lived engagement despite its appeal. I implore you to consider this carefully. Once you have given it proper thought, we can certainly revisit it.
[ he interrupts himself and hesitates, considering his words with the utmost caution. what follows isn't entirely what he would like to say, nor is it what he means at the core. but his tone is kind, if nothing else. ]
There is very little I could offer in the way of entertainment if I haven't my violin, you see. If I am not careful, its strings will strain and snap. It's such a short lived engagement despite its appeal. I implore you to consider this carefully. Once you have given it proper thought, we can certainly revisit it.
no subject
no subject
no subject
None whatsoever. First I was sent to a dream world and now I'm in a place that is a very poor imitation of London.
no subject
You've been quite busy, but surely there is something that pleases you in this poor imitation of London.
no subject
The list of good things is very, very short. [But she's made friends, Jem! Honest to god friends!]
no subject
Yet, a list does exist. Would you care to tell me of it? [ shock and awe! though, jem would be happy to hear it. she deserves friends. ]
no subject
It would bore you.
no subject
Truly? Perspective often plays a part. [ but his tone suggests he won't push her if she doesn't want to speak of it. ]
no subject
She squishes them down though and waits a beat before speaking.]
I've met people who are agreeable. [She hesitates.] I enjoy their company and they enjoy mine (apparently).
no subject
I'm glad to hear of it, Jessie. I can see no viable reason they wouldn't find enjoyment in your company. [ he's aware the statement may overstep, but it's true in all accounts. though she can be caustic, he knows her too well to be entirely fooled by it. ]
no subject
Still, she's not used to kindness from Shadowhunters. All she ever got was contempt and disapproval. She sniffs slightly, a hint of her old self shining through.]
Yes, well that could very well be debated among the Nephilim community. William would protest it profusely as well.
no subject
Will would protest it solely for your reaction. He may not be the best example.
no subject
[It goes unspoken that even if the dismissal of Will is gone from the equation, the rest of the Shadowhunter world remains.]
no subject
They've little idea of you, Jessamine. They see only what they have heard and poor news spreads far more quickly than good. For all intents and purposes, they've only a shallow view of you and do not truly know you.
no subject
And everyone in the Institute does? [The question is laced with venom and hurt even though she knows he's only trying to be kind-hearted Jem.]
no subject
As well as you've allowed us and likely more than you realize. [ if her venom bothers him, he doesn't let it show and he keeps his tone gentle. ]
no subject
Do tell, James. Because if I remember the last nine years of my life clearly, which I do, then I don't recall ever allowing any of that.
no subject
that she's turned to using his full name instead of "jem" doesn't go unnoticed. he can feel the start of a frown tugging the corner of his lips, but he suppress it by pursing them for the moment. ]
Would you rather we held the same opinion of you as the rest of the Nephilim community? [ the interest is there, but his tone has taken a firmer turn. he doesn't want to be unkind to her or tread on still raw wounds, but walking on eggshells is a dangerous thing. ]
no subject
The wounds are still fresh and she's still not quite ready to admit that she was in the wrong. That most of what happened wouldn't have happened if she hadn't acted as she did.
A sneer disfigures her pretty face.]
Don't you? There's nothing to hold you back from doing so. After all, why stand behind a girl that doesn't want any of that lifestyle? [Her voice cracks slightly.] None of you understand.
no subject
however, jessamine doesn't need pity. the reaction would only further embitter her and he has a feeling his words are doing that already despite his good intentions. ]
If I were to tell you I do, it would be a lie. I will not lie to you, Jessie. [ though his composure remains somewhat stiff, he exhales and his expression softens just a bit. ] Each of us makes our own choices and we alone are responsible for them. That does not, however, mean that those who care for us cannot help us.
no subject
Why not just take the thing with you?
no subject
Such a delicate instrument isn't suited for the grief it might weather in some of these places. Though, I hesitate to think of being without it.
no subject
Well. Maybe. Assuming steel plates wouldn't change the sound or something.
no subject
[ a pause and he chuckles. ] Harming someone with it would be a bit startling.
no subject
They'd never see you coming. It's foolproof.
no subject
Trust in musicians would be all but lost.
no subject
Not all musicians. Maybe the violinists, but I'm pretty sure I've never met one before you anyway. And you look totally shady. [she grins. She's kidding, Jem. You look like a sweetheart.]
no subject
It would be a shame, strictly speaking. Beautiful music does not often come with a promise of injury. [ he lets out an almost surprised laugh. he likes you already, isabelle. ] Is it my hair? Or perhaps my complexion? Oh, it must be.
no subject
Yeah, maybe you're right. Stick with the actual weapons for that. [good, because she likes him. He's entertaining.]
No one that pale could ever be trustworthy.
no subject
It would spare ears if I did, I'm certain. The noise it would make upon impact might be cringe worthy. [ not that jem really wants to find out. even the thought of destroying something as precious as a violin makes him frown... despite having come close before.
but he smiles a little and chuckles, composure still that of a gentleman. ] Then I will have to do my best to dispel such notions.
no subject
Ooh. You're right. Though no worse than someone who couldn't play the thing to begin with, I think. I mean, some people really suck at that.
[she grins at him.] I bet you will.
no subject
Ah, and their suffering would be short in length unlike it would be if they were to suffer through a poorly played sonata. Perhaps it is a mercy. Though, I cannot claim to be as merciful as I play nightly in the Institute.
[ and then he colors, having forgotten his manners. ] My apologies. I should have introduced myself earlier in our conversation. My name is James Carstairs, but you're welcome to call me Jem, if you'd like. May I ask yours?
no subject
And then, if they complain? That's when you can start in on the bludgeoning.
[she laughs, grinning a little.] Isabelle Lightwood. You can call me Izzy, if I'm going to be calling you Jem. Nice nickname, by the way.
no subject
Perhaps I ought to find solace in a brass instrument instead of a wooden one. It may prove much more useful for bludgeoning.
[ o h, so she's a lightwood. there's surprise written clearly across his features before it smooths into its previously friendly expression. it isn't a bad thing, but he wasn't expecting it. ] Izzy, then. And my thanks, yours is quite nice as well; very unique.
Forgive me if I overstep, but are you from the New York Institute? [ it's really the only american institute that comes to mind immediately, though his guess is tentative. ]
no subject
Ooh, you're right. They're a lot sturdier, too.
[she tips her head to one side at that expression. Even if it leaves pretty quickly, and he's back to his friendly self.] Only if you're not named Isabelle. Otherwise, I think it's pretty common. [but she beams all the same.]
Yep. My family runs it.
no subject
no subject