[ He has to halt further questions in his throat. She takes her coat off and then pulls out some sort of strange wand. Not familiar with her equipment, it only confuses him more, but he obeys her. He rocks back on his heels, folding his arms and waiting expectantly.
They unfold when the wand lights up, and he looks like he's going to reach for her before she vanishes.
Just vanishes.
His eyes tick quickly from side to side, as if she's just stepped out of view. But she hadn't. Impossible though it is, he knows what he saw, and what he saw was her disappearing.
When people say impossible, they usually mean improbable.
It's a glamour. [ Her voice comes directly from where she'd been, a smug kind of fondness around her words. ] You can break it, you just have to concentrate. Look for where I was. Look at the space around me. If you look hard enough you see what's supposed to be there.
[ And she knows he'll manage it. When he finally sees her, he'll see her properly. The black of an open eye on the back of her hand, the angel mark on her neck. She's tired of hiding it anyway. ]
[ His eyes flash to the space where her voice had come from, but still he sees nothing.
She's there, though. He knows she is. He takes a breath, and carefully reaches out to where her face had been before. His eyes are intent, watching that space even though he can feel how natural it would be to look away.
His hand connects with something uncertain - her hair, the edge of her ear. He adjusts and finds her cheek, cupping it, and he focuses on what he knows should be there. What he can feel is there.
And then suddenly she is, she's flaring to life in front of him. There's marks on her that weren't before, but it's her. She's there. He lets out a breath that's halfway to a laugh, and drops his hand to her shoulder which he squeezes. ]
Saints, Clary. That's more than a little impressive.
It is. [ She forgets to be angry at him then, because he looks impressed and for the first time since she got here she feels like she's done something right. ]
It's called a rune. They're shapes that unlock certain powers I guess? Something that's in my blood. That one helps me hide from Mundanes, or from demons. I've been using a weaker one since I got here. So I could hide them.
[ He gestures to the mark on her neck. The rune. It's strange, like some cross between a tattoo and a brand. He doesn't completely know what to think about it.
Mostly, though, he looks pleased. There's a glint in his eyes, an excitement and maybe a pride, too. ]
You've been holding out. Not just on me, but on all of them. On everyone. You can do far more than you've shown.
[ She shrugs her shoulders, looks a little uncomfortable for a half a second before she replies. ] I've only known about this for a few months. I've not been trained. I guess I just thought I wouldn't be doing any good.
[ She once blew a ship apart and almost drowned everyone she cared about. She doesn't want to risk that kind of thing here. ] I don't really know my own power or how to use it. And the people who could teach me aren't here. [ Lifting her chin. ] I guess it's just up to me to teach myself now.
[ He looks at her, thoughtful. Unfortunately, if she's looking to him for words of caution, she might want to rethink who's mentoring her. He doesn't think anything is ever achieved without a little risk. ]
You have a power I don't fully understand. I'd wager no one here does, except for yourself.
[ Still, he taps a beat out on his own arm for a moment, and then ventures: ]
Have you talked to anyone about it? Anyone with power. There may be techniques you can learn, ways of finding it within yourself and harnessing it.
You think I understand it? [ She snorts a little. ] Every Shadowhunter I've met wants me to just go home and forget about it. To them, I'm still a Mundane, I'm still normal. I didn't grow up like them. They're trained from birth and I'm sixteen and from Brooklyn. I know how to use pepper spray, that's it.
[ But she listens, and then she nods. ] I've met her. She's great. You think I should talk to her? Could she help me?
[ It's not often that he even talks about it. Alina herself is far more forthcoming about her abilities, but Sturmhond can't quite let go of that need for secrecy all the time.
In this case, though, the similarities are so obvious. Coming to powers late on, when they should have been trained from childhood. Not knowing their own strength. Having impressive ability but not knowing where to direct it, all these things they have in common. He knows it wouldn't be the same as talking to another Shadowhunter, but there'd be a common ground. Perhaps that's better than nothing. ]
I think she might understand what it's like to have more power than you know what to do with. Perhaps she could help you find the focus you need.
I can train you in swords, in guns, in knives, in any weapon you like. But I'm no Grisha, and she is. In fact she's the best of them.
[ And that's the closest he's come to talking about what the Sun Summoner means to him, to anyone from Ravka. ]
[ She watches him as he speaks and feels a flood of warmth inside of her chest. He's a good person, he's kind but he's also strong and she feels safe when she talks to him, like whatever direction she needs to go in he'll be there to direct it. It's surprising, really. She never imagined he'd be someone she'd want to be friends with. But then again, people always surprise her.
She lifts a hand and knocks it lightly against his arm this time. ] I'll talk to her. Thanks.
[ Tilting her head to the side. ] How old are you?
[ That's a shift. He looks surprised, and then laughs. A simple enough question, but then he struggles with straight answers at the best of times. He rolls a shoulder. ]
Young enough to enjoy my youth, and old enough to lament the time I waste.
Just trying to get to know you, I guess. [ She lifts her shoulders, lets them drop again. ]
I mean I tend to forget you always answer a question with another question because you're a jerk. I'll go back to making elaborate stories up about you in my head. [ Lifting her eyebrows. ] So you're eighty-five, you just have really good moisturiser.
[ Now he laughs. She reminds him of Alina all over again. She’s perceptive, and blunt. The bluntness is charming, in a way, because she’s right. It’s not really natural for him to give anyone a straight answer. Force of habit. He looks at her for a moment, a smile threatening. ]
I do have excellent moisturiser. A shame I can’t get my hands on it here. Six months will pass and my good looks will have faded to dust. It’s lucky you like me for my personality.
[ A beat, then, and the smile gets easier. More natural, slightly crooked. Not so cocky. ]
I’m twenty-two. Now don’t pull your punches. Is that younger than you thought?
As long as your ass doesn't sag. [ It's bold and her grin is really impish but her shrug is easy. ] That's all I'm really here for.
[ Tilting her head to the side then. ] You're a baby. You seem so much older. Did you run away from home as a kid or something? Because life experience man, you exude it.
[ Actually, she's more or less right. He couldn't wait to get out of the palace. He'd run to the infantry, and when his service was done, went to study ships, and weapons. For seven years he'd been away from home, and he'd been back less than one before he had to flee again. Funny how things work out.
You're implying I need to be old to know what I'm doing. You'd be surprised what you can get done with enough nerve, Clary.
And since you mentioned it, nothing whatsoever will sag. I'm noticeably pert, in fact.
[ He gives her a little grin. Really, Clary. He never lacks for self-confidence. It's a gift. ]
So where do you get nerve then? Because I checked, we don't have Amazon.com here and I'm all out.
[ But still, his latter statement startles laughter out of her, the kind of free and careless giggling she hasn't had in such a long time. ] The men and women of the CDC thank the heavens for such mercies, honestly.
You get nerve through taking calculated risks, and seeing them come off. It's all in the experience, really. Once you've had a few successes you start learning what works and what doesn't. You can't be afraid to try, or nothing would ever get done.
[ Actually, that's more or less why he's done everything that he's done. He just wouldn't be beaten down when others were too afraid. Or when they were held back by someone else's rules. That's why he makes his own.
Laughter is good, though. That helps. Never be too serious. It takes all the fun out of life, and besides which nothing will annoy your enemies is much as laughing at them.
[ He pats her shoulder, confident in his ability to teach her that even if she lacks the confidence to do it. They'll get there. It's a matter of when, not if. ]
You can't expect to do everything perfectly the first time around. That's the point of practice. Give yourself time. You won't regret it.
I need a nap. [ She heaves a sigh and glares at him again but this time there's no edge to it. ] You've aged me like seventy years, you asshole.
[ TARGETING AN INSTRUCTOR. HONESTLY. ] You're training me after though. I'm not going into this half-assed. We're both on the line and I will take you down with me. [ No she won't, considering how against hurting other people she is. But it's a friendly threat either way. ]
Find me a jacuzzi then. [ It's half muttered under her breath like she doesn't mean him to hear it. But her expression is only slightly irritated, like clouds on a sunny day and it's easy to see the fondness shine through. ]
Try to keep yourself under control until we meet again, okay? Otherwise my nerves will be shot before the competition even takes place.
[ His eyebrow flicks up as he smirks at her. Glancing down, he brushes an invisible fleck of something off the shoulder of his coat. ]
I'm quite certain you'll be fine.
Though if you're so determined to worry yourself, I suppose it's all right. Almost nothing you worry about ever comes true. [ A smile. ] That can only help matters.
[ She reaches out and flicks him in the shoulder. ] Uh huh. Well one day my worry is going to save our asses and I hope you literally get down on your knees to be for forgiveness because I keep telling you.
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They unfold when the wand lights up, and he looks like he's going to reach for her before she vanishes.
Just vanishes.
His eyes tick quickly from side to side, as if she's just stepped out of view. But she hadn't. Impossible though it is, he knows what he saw, and what he saw was her disappearing.
When people say impossible, they usually mean improbable.
Tentatively: ]
Clary?
Where are you, what did you do?
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[ And she knows he'll manage it. When he finally sees her, he'll see her properly. The black of an open eye on the back of her hand, the angel mark on her neck. She's tired of hiding it anyway. ]
C'mon.
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She's there, though. He knows she is. He takes a breath, and carefully reaches out to where her face had been before. His eyes are intent, watching that space even though he can feel how natural it would be to look away.
His hand connects with something uncertain - her hair, the edge of her ear. He adjusts and finds her cheek, cupping it, and he focuses on what he knows should be there. What he can feel is there.
And then suddenly she is, she's flaring to life in front of him. There's marks on her that weren't before, but it's her. She's there. He lets out a breath that's halfway to a laugh, and drops his hand to her shoulder which he squeezes. ]
Saints, Clary. That's more than a little impressive.
That's Shadowhunter power?
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It's called a rune. They're shapes that unlock certain powers I guess? Something that's in my blood. That one helps me hide from Mundanes, or from demons. I've been using a weaker one since I got here. So I could hide them.
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[ He gestures to the mark on her neck. The rune. It's strange, like some cross between a tattoo and a brand. He doesn't completely know what to think about it.
Mostly, though, he looks pleased. There's a glint in his eyes, an excitement and maybe a pride, too. ]
You've been holding out. Not just on me, but on all of them. On everyone. You can do far more than you've shown.
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[ She once blew a ship apart and almost drowned everyone she cared about. She doesn't want to risk that kind of thing here. ] I don't really know my own power or how to use it. And the people who could teach me aren't here. [ Lifting her chin. ] I guess it's just up to me to teach myself now.
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You have a power I don't fully understand. I'd wager no one here does, except for yourself.
[ Still, he taps a beat out on his own arm for a moment, and then ventures: ]
Have you talked to anyone about it? Anyone with power. There may be techniques you can learn, ways of finding it within yourself and harnessing it.
You know Alina, don't you?
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[ But she listens, and then she nods. ] I've met her. She's great. You think I should talk to her? Could she help me?
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[ It's not often that he even talks about it. Alina herself is far more forthcoming about her abilities, but Sturmhond can't quite let go of that need for secrecy all the time.
In this case, though, the similarities are so obvious. Coming to powers late on, when they should have been trained from childhood. Not knowing their own strength. Having impressive ability but not knowing where to direct it, all these things they have in common. He knows it wouldn't be the same as talking to another Shadowhunter, but there'd be a common ground. Perhaps that's better than nothing. ]
I think she might understand what it's like to have more power than you know what to do with. Perhaps she could help you find the focus you need.
I can train you in swords, in guns, in knives, in any weapon you like. But I'm no Grisha, and she is. In fact she's the best of them.
[ And that's the closest he's come to talking about what the Sun Summoner means to him, to anyone from Ravka. ]
Try her. Maybe she could.
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She lifts a hand and knocks it lightly against his arm this time. ] I'll talk to her. Thanks.
[ Tilting her head to the side. ] How old are you?
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Young enough to enjoy my youth, and old enough to lament the time I waste.
Why do you ask?
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I mean I tend to forget you always answer a question with another question because you're a jerk. I'll go back to making elaborate stories up about you in my head. [ Lifting her eyebrows. ] So you're eighty-five, you just have really good moisturiser.
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I do have excellent moisturiser. A shame I can’t get my hands on it here. Six months will pass and my good looks will have faded to dust. It’s lucky you like me for my personality.
[ A beat, then, and the smile gets easier. More natural, slightly crooked. Not so cocky. ]
I’m twenty-two. Now don’t pull your punches. Is that younger than you thought?
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[ Tilting her head to the side then. ] You're a baby. You seem so much older. Did you run away from home as a kid or something? Because life experience man, you exude it.
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You're implying I need to be old to know what I'm doing. You'd be surprised what you can get done with enough nerve, Clary.
And since you mentioned it, nothing whatsoever will sag. I'm noticeably pert, in fact.
[ He gives her a little grin. Really, Clary. He never lacks for self-confidence. It's a gift. ]
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[ But still, his latter statement startles laughter out of her, the kind of free and careless giggling she hasn't had in such a long time. ] The men and women of the CDC thank the heavens for such mercies, honestly.
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[ Actually, that's more or less why he's done everything that he's done. He just wouldn't be beaten down when others were too afraid. Or when they were held back by someone else's rules. That's why he makes his own.
Laughter is good, though. That helps. Never be too serious. It takes all the fun out of life, and besides which nothing will annoy your enemies is much as laughing at them.
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[ But she's not saying she won't, which is the point now. She knows she has to fight back. She just needs to figure out her way to do it. ]
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[ He pats her shoulder, confident in his ability to teach her that even if she lacks the confidence to do it. They'll get there. It's a matter of when, not if. ]
You can't expect to do everything perfectly the first time around. That's the point of practice. Give yourself time. You won't regret it.
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[ TARGETING AN INSTRUCTOR. HONESTLY. ] You're training me after though. I'm not going into this half-assed. We're both on the line and I will take you down with me. [ No she won't, considering how against hurting other people she is. But it's a friendly threat either way. ]
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[ Seriously, you're going to be sick of him. He'll end up reminding you that he's doing this because you asked for it. ]
Though I do play to win, and I'll make sure that you do.
Now try not to worry. Stress will throw your aim off, I want you relaxed.
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Try to keep yourself under control until we meet again, okay? Otherwise my nerves will be shot before the competition even takes place.
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I'm quite certain you'll be fine.
Though if you're so determined to worry yourself, I suppose it's all right. Almost nothing you worry about ever comes true. [ A smile. ] That can only help matters.
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Saints, Clary. I never kneel in these clothes. The wrinkles aren't worth it.
[ He smooths his shoulder out again, deliberately. ]
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