We are dust and shadows

Together In London | Genevieve & Marcus

marcus-lightwood-blog

At Genevieve’s response, Marcus nodded with a small smile. Just the thought of living in Paris brought a smile to the young Shadowhunter’s face. Not only would he be close to his parabatai, but also be where Genevieve was. The only thing he had to do was win her heart before it was too late. Before some other suitor came by and whisked her away. “Perhaps I’ll go to the Paris Institute when I turn eighteen. I know my father went to the Madrid Institute many years ago.” He replied with a shrug. He would have to discuss it with mother and father later, in a couple years. Hopefully Gen would still be around in the Highsmith family by then. “Yes, of course I can. I think father said we would be going to Chiswick to visit before we go back to Alicante.” He responded.

It was true what Genevieve said; the two younger twin sisters seemed to enjoy each other’s company wherever they were. In a sense, it was like Will and himself. Marcus regarded the two twins with love and smile as if they were his own sisters. Younger sisters he wouldn’t have. “Hmm? Younger siblings?” He questioned. Caught up in his own thoughts on how to let the older Highsmith of his feelings, and if this moment was even the right time, he just paid enough attention to hear her question. “Well, it would be nice to have younger siblings. But Anna and Elodie are like younger siblings to me.” He responded.

"Alicante… Training…" The young blond Shadowhunter trailed off with a sigh. Of course, she would ask about his training; he was merely a young fifteen year old Shadowhunter boy, who was her brother’s parabatai. He would never be able to win her heart if she continued to look at him like this. “Alicante’s fine and so is training. It’s different without Will there, but still fine.” He replied with a shrug. “How is everything in Paris?”

#para: marcus #togetherinlondon

"Will will be glad to hear that." the fair-haired Shadowhunter said, the sides of her lips tugged upwards in a smile as she regarded Marcus. He was family to her; one of her closest friends. She did not have a connection with him like Will did, but Genevieve cared for Marcus and she, too, would be pleased to see more of him in Paris. Not to mention Will would be over the moon with excitement if that did happen. Although there was still a long ways to go before Marcus's eighteenth year.

She, on the other hand, was already eighteen and had not visited other Institutes. She had discussed it with her mother and father but in the end, Genevieve decided that she did not want to be any place else except home. She could never leave her family behind. She wanted to continue being William's training partner, and help her father and mother with matters concerning the Paris Institute, and watch her two little sisters grow up. Besides, the Highsmith family traveled together. The trips to Alicante, the South of France, and London was more than enough for Gen.

"Oh, Paris is fine. Lovely as it always is. I've noticed that every year the number of tourists increase, but I suppose that was to be expected, especially after the construction of the La Tour Eiffel was completed. How incredible that it has been almost ten years since the completion of the tower and yet, more and more people come from everywhere to see it." Genevieve's blue eyes darkened as she continued to speak. "And, of course, there are demon attacks. But we all manage to take care of it before the demons could harm the Mundanes."

It does, it seems like yesterday we were all playing together running around in the garden. Of course and please say hello to yours for me. Ah father is currently working on a new invention, a device that processes information on demons so not only will sensor detect demons, but also identify them. Sometimes, although mother usually tells us to stop, she knows how important family is and so often we enjoy training together. Were you ever like that with Will? I will have to look for them, i did enjoy helping looking after them when they were younger, they are so much fun. {smiles}

Yes, it does. [she smiles] I remember you being much shorter than you are now. Then again, it has been a while. And of course. Your hellos will reach my mother and father. Oh he is? That's wonderful! His inventions have been a great help to the Nephilim, and I am certain this new one will be the same. It would be very convenient to know what demon you'll have to face before it is right in front of you.

Do you and Charles train together a lot? Do you mean did I tease Will a lot when we were younger? I did, yes. But not a lot. I suppose I was never really good at it. [she chuckles] Although we did train a lot together. We still do. He is great sparring partner and, unlike most of the others in Paris, he has not given up on training with me.

Anna and Elodie are with mother right now. Ah, yes. I remember you three running around in the Institute, with the twins squealing in delight.

Thank you {stands a little taller} I am much more grown up than last time we visited you. {smiles back} That is very good to hear. I was thinking the same, it is not often we all get to meet up together, it was a very nice surprise. I am well thank you, and mother and father are as happy as always, when my father is paying attention, {grins} and Charles is as always, fun when he is not teasing. How is Paris? And how are the twins, they must be about five now?

That you are. [she smiles] Time flies so quickly, doesn't it? Oh that is good to know. Please extend my hellos to your mother and father. Has Mr. Branwell invented anything new? The device that detects demonic activity he made has been very helpful to me. Does Charles tease you a lot then? [she chuckles] Oh, Paris is as lovely as ever. And yes, the twins are five now. They would be excited to see you, I'm sure. They're very excited to be back in London. It has been a year since we last came.

Gen hello {grins} Well it has been a few years since i was last here, i guess i was still a kid back then. How are you and your family?

I suppose I am just very surprised to see you. I almost did not recognize you. You're turning into quite the young man now. [she smiles] Oh I am well, thank you very much for asking. So is my family. How wonderful that we all decided to visit London at the same time. And you? How are you and your family?

I see we picked a good time to come back to London, it seems we get to say hello to everyone!

Matthew? Is that you? By the Angel-- how much you've grown!

xsophie-collinsx

Good old rainy London. I guess I shouldn’t have got so used to Alicante’s sunlight.

Mrs. Lightwood! Good to see you. [she smiles] How wonderful that we are all visiting at the same time. How are you, Mrs. Lightwood?

#chat: sophie

owain--herondale-blog

That’s understandable. And my training is… fine, I guess. It’s okay. I hope to get better, is all. Why?

Ah, yes, exactly — lazy.

Curious, 'sall. [she smiles] So how are your sisters, Owain? And your mother and father?

#chat: owain

What's your most favorite part of your body? What's your most favorite part of your personality?

Oh, what a question, Genevieve thought. “I like the color of my eyes very much. They are like my mother’s, and her blue eyes have always looked beautiful to me. As for my personality.. I do not know, to be completely honest with you.”

Together In London | Genevieve & Marcus

marcus-lightwood-blog

Marcus knew what Genevieve felt for him; he was the same age as her younger brother, surely it wasn’t the same thing he felt for her. To her, it was merely platonic. Yet, the more Marcus saw her and talked to her, the more beautiful she looked and the more her voice sounded melodious. Her blue eyes were so mesmerising, as were her blonde hair and he wanted to run his fingers through it, but knew that he couldn’t. She didn’t know of his affections for her. The small, high-pitched voice of Anna caused Marcus to break free from his thoughts and he formed a smile. “That’s good. I’m glad you enjoyed the carriage ride.” He responded as Anna looked at her twin sister and giggled. The two younger children enjoyed playing in the gardens, which meant he and Genevieve had the time to talk to one another.

Letting go of Anna’s hand, Marcus watched as the two girls walked past them, looking at the array of flowers in different colours. “We were walking around the Institute, and Will started talking to Gwen when he saw her. So then, I simply continued walking around and that was when I crossed paths with you.” The younger Shadowhunter explained as he followed her to the stone bench. The bench was small, just big enough for two people, but the two of them would be sitting pretty close to one another. Taking a small breath, he sat down next to her and turned his head to face her when she asked him a question. He could feel his heart beat beating slightly faster, and hoped that his complexion was normal.

"Yes, uncle Gabriel and aunt Cecily. They live in the Lightwood manor in Chiswick. We, on the other hand, are staying in the London Institute. We might pay them a visit before we leave, however." He responded.

The young blond Shadowhunter didn’t know what to say to Gen, he was just trying hard to ignore the beat of his heart and formed the next question from the top of his head. “It looks as if Anna and Elodie are enjoying the gardens very much. Remind me, is the garden in the Paris Institute different from the one here?”

#para: marcus #para: together in london #togetherinlondon

"Oh wonderful!" Genevieve said happily, smiling at her brother's parabatai. "I'm sure Will will be thrilled. You know he wishes for you to live in Paris with us, right, so that you two can be together always." The concept of having a parabatai has always intrigued Genevieve. Because trust did not come easily to the fair-haired Shadowhunter, there was never anyone who she even considered asking to be her parabatai. She was perfectly capable of fighting on her own, after all. Still, it must be nice having someone who knew exactly how your are feeling, or thinking. "Will you send my hellos to your aunt and uncle, then? I believe it has been many years since we last saw them..."

The sound of her younger sister calling her name caught her attention, and Genevieve turned her head to find Elodie standing a few feet away, a butterfly on her hand. "Look, Gen! Isn't it beautiful?" said Elodie, and hurried over to where Anna was standing to show her twin sister the insect. "They are enjoying, aren't they? I suppose it does not matter where you put those two; they always seem to have so much fun." There was love in her eyes as she regarded her younger sisters. If Genevieve was anything, it was family-oriented. Her family was everything to her, and she thanked the Angel for blessing her with such wonderful siblings and kind and patient parents. There wasn't anything she would not do for them, and she knew that they all felt the same. "Would you ever like to have younger siblings, Marcus?" Genevieve asked as she watched her sisters disappear behind a bush.

At Marcus's inquiry, Genevieve cast her gaze on the young male Nephilim. "Oh, it's not at all different. Actually," Genevieve looked around once more. "the two look very much the same. Perhaps it is colder here than in Paris.. But enough about Paris." Her attention was on Marcus once more and she angled her body so she could face him properly. "How is Alicante? How is your training there?"

What do you think about your brother's parabatai?

"Oh, I think Marcus is a wonderful person. He is very kind, very compassionate. I can see that he cares for my brother, and for that I am thankful. I could not ask for a better swordbrother for William. He is a good son from what I can see whenever he is with his parents, and a good brother to Emmeline as well. I consider him as one of my closest and dearest friends."

Oh, don't worry little one. I mean no harm. Go on, answer...

Again with the ‘little’? “I suppose.. Well, my brother holds a very special place in my heart. And while my father is no longer a boy but a man, he, too, holds a place in my heart.”

Tell me, little Shadowhunter; is there any boy who holds that precious heart of yours?

Little? Genevieve tried not to scowl at the word. “It is rather improper to ask a lady such a question, don’t you think?”

Home Away From Home | Genevieve & Will

willhighsmith-blog

Will let out yet another sigh, thankful that she had once again not seen through his terrible mask. Or perhaps Genevieve was simply used to him reacting this way whenever her name was brought up in conversation by now and she saw nothing out of the ordinary by it. Either way, he decided that it would be best to simply tell her — after all, he had kept it for himself for nearly two years, not even his parents knew. If there was anyone he wanted to let in on his secret it was her. Genevieve was, in all honesty, the only person he trusted to keep it. He made a promise to himself to tell her later.

"Of course they would," Will said with a bright smile as he took Anna’s hand and pulled her up into his arms. "And it is probably in mint condition as well, seeing as I find it hard to believe that anyone else would be as fascinated by it." His little sister rested her head on his shoulder as they left Genevieve’s room, her tiny fingers brushing through his thick dark hair as they moved along. "Oh, and Marcus is here, too!" Will’s face lit up slightly at his own mention of his parabatai, inevitably delighted over the fact. “Have you run into Emmeline yet?”

#para: home away from home #para: will #homeawayfromhome

"It was a lovely mace." Genevieve remarked as they stepped out of the bedroom and into the halls of the London Institute. Although she had grown up in Paris, Genevieve was born in London and had stayed there until her father was given the position of head of the Paris Institute. Most of her first memories involved the London Institute, and she was glad that the city, the Institute, and the people remained a big part of her life growing up. London was one of her homes and the Herondales and the Penhallows were her extended family. "We have one back in Paris, actually. Speaking of home, how is that Wayland girl, Will? She looked awfully upset when Papa informed them that we'd be leaving town for a little while.." Genevieve turned her head to look at her brother with raised eyebrows. She wondered if Will had finally noticed that the girl was attracted to him. It reminded Genevieve of a story her mother once told her-- about a Wayland girl stealing her father's clothes off of clotheslines. That story would never fail to amuse her, and it seemed that the Wayland woman's attraction to a Highsmith man--or boy seeing as she would always think of her little brother as a boy even if he was already a grown man-- was passed down to the next generation.

She smiled as she watched her brother talk about his parabatai. It had only been a few years since Will became parabatai with Marcus Lightwood, but the two had been friends since childhood. Will would always light up whenever his parabatai was around, or mentioned, and having not seen each other for about a month, Genevieve could only imagine how excited her brother was to know that his blood brother was around. "Oh, yes! And Marcus as well." she replied. "It's a pleasant surprise, isn't it, that they're here the same time we are. I'm sure you must be excited to have Marcus around."

Together In London | Genevieve & Marcus

marcus-lightwood-blog

It was a couple hours before dinner would be served; however, Marcus donned a light blue dress shirt (x) and black trousers, a rather formal-looking wear. He wanted to look as presentable as possible; he was meeting Genevieve Highsmith, and help her look after her younger sisters. Though, it was only a brief conversation earlier but to the young blond Shadowhunter, the conversation was rather pleasing. Every single time he was around Genevieve, he could feel his heart beating slightly faster than the norm, but put up a facade, as he had for the past year or so.

Yet, when Genevieve had stated that she had to go back to looking after her younger sisters, Marcus leaped at the chance and offered to help. Not only was this to get closer to her but also to see her younger sisters, Anna and Elodie. The Highsmiths and the Lightwoods were close families, especially Genevieve with Emmeline and Will with Marcus. The young blond Shadowhunter had seen the younger twins the last time the Highsmiths had come to Alicante, but that was a few months ago.

A jacket draped over his arm. Marcus made his way towards the gardens, where he agreed to meet the three Highsmith ladies. Just about when he almost caught up with the three, who were a few metres in front of him, a young blonde girl, who he knew was Anna, let go of her sister’s hand and came skipping towards him, yelling his name and wrapped her small arms around one of his legs. A smile broke out on Marcus’ face as he bent down to reach Anna’s eye level. “Good afternoon, Anna. How are you today?” He questioned. “Hola, Elodie.” Marcus responded, greeting her in Spanish, something his father, Gideon Lightwood had taught both him and his sister. Standing up, and holding on to Anna’s hand, Marcus looked into her deep blue eyes that were so mesmerising and smiled. “Of course, I meant it. Why wouldn’t I want to spend the afternoon with three lovely Highsmith ladies?”

#para: marcus #para: together in london #togetherinlondon

Genevieve regarded Marcus with fondness. She had watched the male Shadowhunter grow up alongside her brother and she would always care for him. She had been one of the most excited people when Marcus and Will decided to become parabatai. The two boys had become the best of friends over the years, after all, and if there was anyone she would trust with her brother's life besides herself and her parents, it would be Marcus. The young man was responsible and dedicated, and Genevieve knew that Marcus would protect Will with his life, even without the oath. She trusted him, just as much as Will did, and was glad to have ran into him in London. "Very well, thank you!" Anna replied in her little voice, holding on to Marcus's hand with both of her small ones. "The carriage ride was fun. It was like.. like an aventure!" Anna grinned at her twin sister and the two giggled. A soft chuckle escaped Genevieve's lips and the four of them entered the garden of the London Institute, the cool London breeze brushing their skin as soon as they were out.

"Well," Genevieve let go of Elodie's hand and the two girls began walking around the garden, admiring the colors of the flowers as they walked past them. The garden at the Paris Institute was just as grand as the one in London, and the twins enjoyed playing there as well. Genevieve would never get tired of watching her little sisters run around and play. Their innocence and laughter always warmed her heart. "I figured you had other things to do with your time.. And, you know, with William here, I thought you two would walk about the city and wreak havoc somewhere." The sides of the fair-haired Shadowhunter's lips tugged upwards in an amused smile. Her brother was no troublemaker and Marcus wasn't one as well, but the two just seemed to be always more energetic when the other was around.

The two walked towards a stone bench and it was Genevieve who sat first, scooting over to the side to make space for Marcus to sit on. "So will you and your family be staying in the Institute while you are here? I know you have an uncle who lives here, right? Or I could be wrong..."

owain--herondale-blog

You’re also no fun to tease, Miss Highsmith. But I’m glad you can see that, atleast. [grins]

If they’re boys, then why would you begin it by saying they’re men? They’re probably lazy.

[she smiles] That is good. I do not like to be teased very much, anyways. How can I not? I am Nephilim, after all. So how is your training, Owain? Are you enjoying it?

I realized after the words left my lips that men who enjoy making crowns of flowers more than their training do not sound like men at all.

#chat: owain

owain--herondale-blog

You’re so technical, Genevieve. But as I told Gwenny earlier, Silent Brothers have that vague air of being absolutely terrifying, and vampires are… well, you know. Nephilim are best, after all, but I shall remain immature forever.

[scrunches nose] No, for I am a man, and also that flower crowns require me to sit long enough to make them. Maybe they shall teach themselves.