Fighting a Timeless War

Tessa Gray, always 19 years old. And now, returned to my New York to work with the warlocks and Shadowhunters for this damned war.

[iamdimitrihighsmith]

Dimitri sang to himself as he lined empty bottles along the table edge. “Ten green bottles sitting on the wall” His voice bouncing off the kitchen walls, tapping the bottles with each word until inevitably one fell to the ground with with a smash. “Whoops”

[thewarlocktessagray-blog]

Tessa had been answering through the hallway, when she heard a crash from inside a room. She moved to the door, and asked urgently, "Is everything alright?"

[thewarlocktessagray-blog]

Startled

Tessa gasped aloud, not expecting her heart to jump. A young man stood next to Magnus Bane, laughing at a comment made. His hair was black as the night, but his eyes were startlingly blue. As he laughed, he managed to catch her eye. There was nothing in his passing gaze to suggest familiarity, but she still felt her heart flutter.

Will.

Without her realizing, she had taken several steps forward, wide eyed and breathless. It was him. It was William. He was standing there, bright as he was when she met him. But, he was slightly taller. And modern. Two details she put aside.

“Tessa,” came a voice before her. Her vision focused, and Magnus looked at her, slightly alarmed. He wore his finest violet, silk tailcoat, and black trousers, hair in spikes. His concern was not unfamiliar to her. But, he put his hand on her shoulder carefully. “It isn’t him, Tess.”

“It is,” she replied mechanically. He was right there, no longer smiling, but looking curiously at her. Again, without recognition. The look stabbed through her like a dagger. He didn’t know her. Not at all. But, it was her William. “Magnus, it’s him. He’s right there!” A desperation seeped into her voice, and an involuntary pull took her. She took another step further, but Magnus held her steady.

He shook his head, looking at her sadly. “That is Alec Lightwood. A relative of Gabriel and Cecily, if I’m not entirely mistaken.”

Carefully, she relaxed, and frowned. “But, he-”

“Yes,” he answered, stepping to her. “I know.”

Tessa hadn’t realized she was crying. The years with the Spiral Labyrinth had made her numb to her past. She had watched her family grow and die. But now, with the spitting image of her William Herondale staring back at her, unable to really see her, she crumpled against the other warlock. He only held her, and kept his hand on her hair in a comforting way as she cried for her long lost love.   

[thewarlocktessagray-blog]

The Night of Celebration

Theresa Gray fiddled nervously with the green satin fabric of her gown, looking in the mirror to check her appearance. It was midday, and she was due to leave for Jocelyn Fairchild’s wedding any moment now. Still, she seemed unsure of herself, worried that she would be out of place. She bit her lip, and tugged at the bodice of the 19′th century gown.

“Jem, I don’t think I can do this,” she said, looking to the side at a young man in the armchair beside her. His silver eyes were on her intently, like he didn’t want to miss a single bit of her ever again. He stood up, the dark suit fitting his slight build expertly, and ran a hand through his black hair.

“Tessa, you married Will Herondale, and successfully raised his children and grandchildren.” Jem came up next to her, and put his hand gently on hers at her side. She turned to face him, and was immediately calm. He smiled, and used his other hand to tuck a stray brown curl behind her ear. “I think you can handle a wedding.”

Reluctantly, she grinned, and rested her cheek on his hand. After going a century without him, all she wanted to do was melt into his arms, and never leave. He was a little younger in appearance, but the same age over all, both of them having lived well beyond their physical age. Her hand came up from his, and rested on the large jade pendant, under her angel. She had come to touch the stone as a way to comfort herself. “I didn’t raise Stephen,” she replied. “Although, the way he chose to lead his life, I know I should have.”

Jem shook his head, taking his hand away from her face. “Those were his own choices. You couldn’t keep him from making them.” Tessa just rolled her eyes, and went back to face the mirror, polling at the dress again. He only chuckled, and stood beside her. “You look beautiful.”

“I haven’t worn this gown since the Christmas party of 1912,” she replied anxiously. “It’s too dated for this event...”

“It’s not,” he said reassuringly. “It’s perfect. A brilliant choice for a brilliant event.” A thoughtful look came over him. “Wasn’t that the Christmas party where James got into a fight with Gabriel’s son, and ended up with a broken nose?”

Tessa laughed, and nodded. “And Will publicly grounded him, but afterwords, gave him a high five, and asked me to bake a chocolate cake for his son’s valiant effort.” The smile on her face lit up the whole room, and Jem couldn’t help but smile, too. Remembering his long since passed parabati was something he rarely did in the Silent City. But now, with his Tessa beside him again, they both talked about him often. She turned back to him, looking carefully into his eyes.

“I finally get to really see Jonathan Herondale. My great grandson. The parabati of Alec Lightwood, and the boyfriend of Clary Fairchild.” She paused, and chuckled. “I never thought I would say those names in a sentence like that, together.”

Jem stared back fondly, giving her a grin that could melt her heart.

“And yet, the world feels more at peace than ever.”

[thewarlocktessagray-blog]

Tessa only smiled more, running a hand through her brown hair. “He can be quite the handful. Next time I see him, I need to hug him.” At her next comment, Tessa shrugged. “We were such trouble makers in the 1890’s. I was new to the Shadow World, and headstrong. William was excited to do things his way. And Jem never left our side.”

[clarissaxromanoff]

Clarissa listened almost curiously, she never really understood why people got so attached to others. The emotion behind it all always seemed, burdensome. “I know, I heard all about your fantastical tale,” Clarissa chuckled with amusement, “What did become of Jem?”

[thewarlocktessagray-blog]

At her question, Tess frowned, looking down at her lap. “It’s quite a story, actually.” Biting her lip, she kept speaking to her lap, reluctantly. “He was dying. A poison that could never be cured. We were to be married, but he became too ill, and almost died. Then, he became a Silent Brother, kind of.” Her hands had begun to shake a little, but she kept on. “He was weaker than the others, but he was alive. We met once a year, both immortal. It was against the rules, but rules are meant to be broken.” At this, she smiled, looking back at Clarissa. “Jace Herondale saved him on accident, with Heavenly Fire. He was a Shadowhunter again. My Jem.”

[faerieben-deactivated20160318]

Ben looked down at the wilted, brown flower, saddened by its undernourishment. He placed two fingers around the petals and watched as they turned into a vibrant pink again. The boy smiled to himself, glad he could help the poor flower.

Ben had arrived at the Institute only an hour earlier, but didn’t make much of an entrance. Instead, he found his room, set down his stuff, and searched for the notorious New York Institute greenhouse. Upon finding it, he was upset that no one was taking care of it. Many of the plants were dead and if not, then they were close enough to dead. Remembering that he was finally allowed to use his powers, he begun healing each of the plants.

Startled back into reality, Ben heard a brush of leaves behind him. He quickly turned around to find a stranger. For a second, he thought he would be punished for using his ability, but then remembered where he was. The boy opened his mouth to speak, but then quickly closed it, deciding not to speak first.

[thewarlocktessagray-blog]

If Tessa hadn’t been roaming the greenhouse of the Institute, she would have just been holed up reading about the world. She rarely ventured there, loving her concealed view from windows and stories. Most of her wardrobe were scattered pieces from her life, nothing too current. Only a few things screamed 21st century. Her hand went to a scarf wrapped around her neck, and she bent down in her brown tights and deep blue skirt to look at a few flowers that braved the air.

There was nothing like the plants in the Greenhouse. Most of their herbs were indoor plants, or plants that only truly grew in Idris. So, as she moved forward through the trees, she was startled to find one of the Fae looking at a sad looking  plant in front of him.

She managed make enough noise to startle him. As he turned to her, she flushed. “I’m so sorry to interrupt.”

[thewarlocktessagray-blog]

“Good man,” she replied, getting up once more to look over the shelves. “And, if you do lose it,” she added, joking a little, “at least try to distress another copy to make it look like you didn’t.” She flashed a wink at him.

[darcourtxastier]

“I’ll make sure that I put this somewhere safe while I read it, that way I won’t have to distress another copy,” he laughed, shrugging his shoulders, “It’s in safe hands.”

[thewarlocktessagray-blog]

"I trust you with it," she replied, grabbing another dusty book without looking at the title. She returned to her chair, and glanced up at him, her gray eyes inquisitive. "So. What is a clever, handsome vampire doing around all of these Shadowhunters?"

[thewarlocktessagray-blog]

Tessa let out a short laugh, smiling brightly. “That was a shock. The Herondales never took much stock in the rules. With William and I as two of his ancestors, it’s a miracle the Clave puts up with him at all.” Still grinning, though with a hint of sadness, she stared at her hands. “The things we did to anger the Clave are endless.”

[clarissaxromanoff]

“Its a miracle that we all put up with him really,” Clarissa chuckled, taking a deep breath from the cigarette in her hand. Noticing the look on Tessa’s face, Clarissa had to suppress a sigh. “Most of us here have all done something to anger the Clave, some things worse than others.”

[thewarlocktessagray-blog]

Tessa only smiled more, running a hand through her brown hair. "He can be quite the handful. Next time I see him, I need to hug him." At her next comment, Tessa shrugged. "We were such trouble makers in the 1890's. I was new to the Shadow World, and headstrong. William was excited to do things his way. And Jem never left our side."

[thewarlocktessagray-blog]

“I think it’s easier that I don’t have an emotional tie with someone I turn into,” she replied. “When it’s someone I care about, I have more difficulty concentrating.”

[daniraine-shadowworld-deactivat]

“Huh, I hadn’t thought about it that way,” she hummed, lying back and staring at the ceiling as she thought about it. “It makes sense though but it still has to be little awkward when it’s a stranger.”

[thewarlocktessagray-blog]

Thinking for a moment, she said, "I can show you if you want." She looked at Dani carefully, seeing if she would be afraid. "If not you, I can pull from people I have already changed to. Interested?"

[thewarlocktessagray-blog]

“Sure!” she said happily, reaching it out to him. “There’s bound to be another copy lying around. Just, don’t lose it. It holds personal meaning.” The warming was serious, but she said it with a smile.

[darcourtxastier]

“I promise to make sure that it gets back to you,” Matt said with a smile, carefully taking the book from her.  He took a long look at the book, examining it with interest before looking back at the warlock, “I pinky swear to take care of this book and get it back to you.”

[thewarlocktessagray-blog]

"Good man," she replied, getting up once more to look over the shelves. "And, if you do lose it," she added, joking a little, "at least try to distress another copy to make it look like you didn't." She flashed a wink at him.

[thewarlocktessagray-blog]

“Magnus has a mild side,” she replied fondly. “When he fell in love with one of the Lightwood boys, his shell softened. Together we helped with the war that made names for Jonathan and Clarrisa Herondale.” Tessa then chuckled. “Jace is more like William than he will ever know.”

[clarissaxromanoff]

“Oh I heard about that, I preferred to stay out of the last war – stay a neutral party until I could. They did certainly make a name for themselves during that war. After all, look at Jace now. Consul of the Clave, that is very prestigious,” Clarissa agreed, lighting the cigarette with a snap of her fingers. “You would know.”

[thewarlocktessagray-blog]

Tessa let out a short laugh, smiling brightly. "That was a shock. The Herondales never took much stock in the rules. With William and I as two of his ancestors, it's a miracle the Clave puts up with him at all." Still grinning, though with a hint of sadness, she stared at her hands. "The things we did to anger the Clave are endless."

[thewarlocktessagray-blog]

“Most people do.” Looking to her hands at the tattered book, she bit her lip, and help it up. “Would you like to read it? I stashed it here in the 20’s.”

[darcourtxastier]

“Hmm, maybe … I’m not sure whether I want to dive back into Dickens, it’s been a while. I’ll give it a go if you don’t mind lending me the copy?” Matt asked with a shrug. 

[thewarlocktessagray-blog]

"Sure!" she said happily, reaching it out to him. "There's bound to be another copy lying around. Just, don't lose it. It holds personal meaning." The warming was serious, but she said it with a smile.

[thewarlocktessagray-blog]

Tessa shrugged. “A bit of both, actually.” She was looking at her hands, teaching the lines on them as if she’d never seem them before. “When I connect with their thoughts, they speak to me, so I can use their voice, and how they walk. It’s incredibly intimate.”

[daniraine-shadowworld-deactivat]

“I can’t decide whether it would be interesting or really weird to feel like,” Dani said, narrow her eyes as she thought about. “Intimate with someone’s thoughts, it sounds strange. I’m mean, is it comfortable having that intimacy with someone, especially if you don’t know them?”

[thewarlocktessagray-blog]

"I think it's easier that I don't have an emotional tie with someone I turn into," she replied. "When it's someone I care about, I have more difficulty concentrating."

[thewarlocktessagray-blog]

“Well,” she said, looking more confidently at the woman. “They have an incredible poker face. Other than that, they keep to their work. I was in and out, also helping Magnus Bane here and there.”

[clarissaxromanoff]

“I can imagine that they do. I have never understood why people seek out a monastic life? It seems so dull to me,” she chuckled, procuring a cigarette from thin air for herself. “That is interesting. Magnus isn’t usually one to ask for help.”

[thewarlocktessagray-blog]

“Magnus has a mild side,” she replied fondly. “When he fell in love with one of the Lightwood boys, his shell softened. Together we helped with the war that made names for Jonathan and Clarrisa Herondale.” Tessa then chuckled. “Jace is more like William than he will ever know.”

[thewarlocktessagray-blog]

“Smaller spells,” she replied. “Healing and whatnot. I worked with the Iron Sisters for a while, building the protective wards.” She tucked a stand of hair behind her ear. “I know it sounds silly, but if we are going to be at war, someone needs to be able to help the wounded.”

[clarissaxromanoff]

“Smaller spells, no wonder you fell asleep,” Clarissa scoffed leaning back in her chair. “It’s not silly, quite practical really. I heard about that, what was it like working with the Iron Sisters?”

[thewarlocktessagray-blog]

"Well," she said, looking more confidently at the woman. "They have an incredible poker face. Other than that, they keep to their work. I was in and out, also helping Magnus Bane here and there."

[thewarlocktessagray-blog]

Tessa hadn’t been looking where she was going, with a book taking up all of her attention. As she glanced toward the corridor, she gasped, and threw a hand over her mouth. “Oh!” She dropped her hand, and tried to hold back a giggle. “I’m not sure if anything I have will fit you…”

[georgexlovelace-blog]

“A blanket maybe? Anything I can wrap around myself to stop people from staring really,” he said with a smile, seeing she was trying not to laugh. “Take pity on me won’t you?”

[thewarlocktessagray-blog]

"Yes! A blanket. I have one." Her face was a little red. Tessa didn't usually see men without clothes, unless it had been Will or Jem. It made her a bit nervous. "My room is just down the corridor."

[thewarlocktessagray-blog]

Tessa watched the books whiz across the room, and crossed her legs, now fully awake. “Very well, thank you. I was in the middle of a spellbook I found when my body gave in to the battle of sleep.”

[clarissaxromanoff]

“Dull read then, remind me never to read it,” Clarissa commented with a slight grimace before pulling out a cigarette. Taking a seat in the armchair across from Tessa and tilting her head. “What were you looking for in the spellbook?”

[thewarlocktessagray-blog]

"Smaller spells," she replied. "Healing and whatnot. I worked with the Iron Sisters for a while, building the protective wards." She tucked a stand of hair behind her ear. "I know it sounds silly, but if we are going to be at war, someone needs to be able to help the wounded."

[thewarlocktessagray-blog]

“I get almost a chill, and then a stream of consciousness. I have to have an object with personal meaning to whom I change to.” As she spoke, Tessa realized that she hadn’t changed in ages. It was almost a natural feeling after so many years.

[daniraine-shadowworld-deactivat]

“So you do feel like that person or do you feel like yourself but in another person’s body?” Dani asked curiously, now giving the warlock her full attention. 

[thewarlocktessagray-blog]

Tessa shrugged. "A bit of both, actually." She was looking at her hands, teaching the lines on them as if she'd never seem them before. "When I connect with their thoughts, they speak to me, so I can use their voice, and how they walk. It's incredibly intimate."