cuddletalk | | video 01

( the worst of the blizzard has come and gone, but cadelle is still blanketed in thick, white sheets of snow. it'll take more than a few nights before it fades away, so stocking up on things warmer than her everyday wardrobe of tank tops and yoga pants seems like a good use of her free afternoon.

that is, until kimberly happens to spot a familiar looking face perusing the racks of one of her favorite shops. )

The black-on-black's the next rack over, fyi.

[Izzy wasn't opposed to color, so much as black really was the uniform. And she made it look good so it wasn't exactly a hardship. She glances up at her fellow shopper briefly, but continues perusing the creams and pinks. Pink is a no, but the cream... maybe a scarf...]

Thanks, but I have plenty of that.

Yeah, Clary clued me in on that pretty quick.

( it's just a casual name drop. if it's the same isabelle lightwood as before — and, admittedly, kimberly really hopes it's not — the reference won't be that surprising. she and clary practically go hand and hand here, what with the whole living together arrangement they've got going on. but if it's not the same isabelle... well, she supposes that'll get the girl's attention. )

Listen, I know the store pretty well, if you need a hand finding anything. Most of the good stuff's tucked in weird spots — I think the girl at the counter tries to hide it for herself...

[That does get her attention. And then some.]

Clary? [It's not a common name, especially one that would know her... which just brings more questions. And then she's grinning.]

Clary's here? I wasn't sure I'd know anyone. [Her focus narrows then, still friendly, but assessing.] How do you know her?

[Her eyes widen at the offer of help, and the explanation. How devious. She can appreciate that.] I was looking for gloves, scarves... and something warmer and maybe furry. It's colder than I thought it would be.

Yeah, Clary's here.

( oh, thank god. and this one's friendly, to boot. kimberly breathes a soft exhale of relief, and fishes out her phone — a quick flick through a few pictures, and when she lands on one of the exterior of the barbie house, she holds it out for the other girl to review. clary's unmistakable red hair is in the frame, her body sprawled out atop a hammock slung between two trees back when the weather was warmer. )

She's my roommate. She's... actually, she's probably taking a nap, but we can swing by if you want to say hi. After we find you something warm. ( attention rediverted; kimberly turns towards a rack behind her. hidden on the floor beneath a particularly ugly looking grey coat is a collection of scarves and mittens in all colors of the rainbow. she claims a rose gold colored pair for herself, and then gestures for izzy to follow her over. ) Like any of these?

[Isabelle takes it all in, the house, her friend in the hammock, the happiness radiating from every pore of it all. The house definitely screams Clary, and Izzy can't help shaking her head as she grins. If anyone deserved a break it was-- well, all of them, frankly, but no small measure Clary.]

I'd like that.

[But Clary's taking a nap and Izzy's no good to anyone if she freezes to death in her first few days there, so it's back to shopping. One of Izzy's most formidable skills just might be shopping sprees, not that she's one to brag too much about it. This girl definitely has a head start on her, though. Which brings her to introductions.]

What's your name? [Asked casually enough as she browses the newly revealed scarves and selects a shiny gold, a bright red, a cobalt blue just in case. And a pair of black leather gloves. Some things are just classic. She can't help but laugh, though.] These are perfect. I never would have touched that coat.

It's Kimberly.

( i already know yours gets swallowed down under a grin — it's probably obvious, anyway, that kimberly knows who she is. namedropping a friend tends to clue people in on that sort of thing relatively quickly. but if the other girl feels so inclined to introduce herself, she won't argue the point.

as for the coat itself, the response is quick: ) Yeah, it's pretty gross. But I don't know, this shop... ( she shakes her head, cropped locks swinging as she does ) I swear, I feel like I'm on a treasure hunt sometimes when I come in here. Half the racks are garbage.

( as she pulls herself to her feet, kimberly scans the room. there's a soft pink puffer vest on a mannequin that she's been eyeing for a few days now; might as well bite the bullet and get it while she's here. )

Did you need anything else, or just the gloves?

It's nice to meet you, Kimberly.

[Normally Isabelle would introduce herself, but it seemed redundant by now, she'd been recognized from the start. It makes her wonder for just a breath what kind of impression she's left on this city already.]

You find the best things that way. [she agrees, nodding. Shopping is an adventure all its own, it's more fun when you have to work for the best finds. It means no one else has.

At Kimberly's prompting she gives the rest of the store another look, pivoting in place just to see if it's possible her true quarry is hidden under another hideous decoy. It doesn't seem likely, so she holds up the scarves and gloves with a grin.]

I think I'm set here.

The check out's over there. ( a vague gesture towards the back of the shop, where a sullen looking teenager sits hunched over a glass-fronted counter, too busy flipping through the pages of a glossy fashion magazine to even notice the patrons standing around. ) I'll meet you.

( first things first, she wants that vest, even if it means clambering over a half-dressed mannequin or two to get to it. once acquired, it doesn't take long for either girl to hand over requisite payment for goods, and it takes even less to get out of the small shop once the former is taken care of.

when they're finally out on sidewalk again, kimberly clips the attached tag with her teeth, pocketing the discarded paper; once clear, the newly purchased vest is slipped on over her striped shirt. )

I have to make a stop at the Garage before I head home, but I can give you a ride over if you wanted to come with.

[Izzy gives another small smile and heads for the checkout, recognizing a dismissal when she gets one, but can't help glancing back to see what Kimberly's after. She stifles her laugh with her hand as Kimberly fights her way through the displays, and is immediately distracted by her phone receiving a video call, and of course it's Clary, whose ears must have been burning by now. She talks with her friend on the way to the checkout, the process goes quickly enough, for all of the bored teenager's sullenness, at least she can do her job. She waits off to the side, chatting with Clary until Kimberly is ready to leave with her vest. It suits her, Isabelle thinks.]

Actually, Clary just called and she's coming to me. [She gestures with the device in emphasis, and her smile is definitely brighter than it's been all that afternoon.]

But it sounds like we'll see each other again soon. Hit me up if you're shopping any other treasure hunts?

[Oh, really? Well, this is a delight, and he looks appropriately delighted.]

Who doesn't want to go shopping? Do you know, we've never done that? How is that possible?

Clearly there were forces outside our control.

[She's grinning widely, it's hard not to be happy to see Magnus, no matter how long it hasn't been.]

So are you joining me or are you phoning in your expertise?

Obviously I'm only calling you here so you can tell me where you're starting your search. It's so good to see you, but I'd much rather see you in person and give you my opinions on everything you try on.

[As he's talking, he's also texting her a list of the boutiques he's uncovered so far.]

It's good to see you, too, Magnus.

[She checks the list quickly as she laughs, buildings and storefronts a blur behind her thanks to a rune activation or two until she arrives at the first one his list, and she tells him so.]

Ready when you are.

Cheating!

[As if Magnus isn't cheating by simply magicking himself a coat out of nothingness and isn't equally cheating by conjuring a portal to the alley next to that particular store, which he steps through and only then pointedly ends the video call.]

Hello, beautiful, what a surprise to see you here.

[Isabelle raises an eyebrow at him just before he cuts the call.

She's still grinning when he appears, and is probably one of few people who would never ask why he bothers shopping when he can simply create whatever he wants to wear. It's all about the experience.]

Is it? [she asks, genuine but not unfriendly. It seems like just about everyone else beat her here.]

I feel like I'm late to the party.

Isabelle Lightwood, you and I both know you could only ever be fashionably late to any party.

[But he does know that Jace and Clary and Alec had been here longer, and from what he understands, Isabelle had already been here, but she'd gone home, and this one has no memory of that. That isn't going to be easy. He has some experience in covering his ass when someone recognizes him from times long past, but that isn't the same at all.

So the only thing to do is to distract. He offers her an arm.]

These boutiques are not going to shop themselves, and we have a long day ahead of us.

[She flips her hair behind her dramatically, her expression playfully false modesty, agreeing with his point entirely. As if she'd ever arrive any other way. She hooks her arm through his automatically, thankful that even with everything that's been going on, they're still on good terms. Magnus might spend more time with her brother than any of them, obviously, but Isabelle has been fond beyond belief from the moment she met him. She hopes things are better here, for them. For everyone.]

You're right, they should be grateful I showed up at all. [Still amused, still playful and light, and she leans into Magnus for a moment.] How long have you been here?

[It seems like a safe enough question as the walk arm in arm into the first boutique and Isabelle finds herself surrounded in texture and glitter and jewel tones. How very Magnus.]

[Of course jewel tones and brocades and sparkle, he's only going to show her the best of the best, and if anyone would have an appreciation for such things, it would be Isabelle.]

Since November, just in time for all the holiday festivities. [He sweeps up to a mannequin and assesses it, then turns to the racks and pages through impatiently until he finds that jacket, then pulls it out and holds it up to Isabelle.] Clary and her roommate had a holiday party, which I decorated. And then I fixed the gingerbread monstrosity they were calling a drink.

[He shudders at the memory, then holds the jacket up to himself for her opinion. It's too boxy for Isabelle, but what does she think for him?]

[Magnus almost blends in here, she thinks for only as long as it takes the man in question to swish around a mannequin and she has to grin to herself. Magnus will never blend in, he can only enhance, or be enhanced by, his surroundings. It's an effortless affectation she hopes to emulate someday. As it stands, she'll settle for standing out.]

Perfect timing. [Izzy agrees, on his behalf. Party season.] ...who drinks gingerbread? [She definitely looks appropriately horrified.

She's just barely cocked her head to the side to assess the jacket he's held up when he pulls it back and holds it up to himself and she nods approvingly.] Much better. [She's then distracted by a ruby red blazer with matching (faux) fur lapels and collar and she beelines for it, shedding her current jacket and sliding the blazer on almost in the same motion, before spinning in place and putting her hands on her hips.]

Obviously not with this sweater, but I think I like it. [She all but dives into a nearby rack full of shimmery sweaters to find a better one.] How do you like it here? [She asks him after another moment, her pointed eye contact revealing the question isn't exactly casual, though perhaps it's more because she trusts his judgment on mysterious places claiming to grant wishes more than anything else.]

No one drank gingerbread until I rescued it. [Magnus has already been through this store, although there's always the possibility of finding something new, but it's much more fun to seat himself in the plush chair at the side of the rack and watch Isabelle work.

It's just good to see her. It's so rare he gets a chance to see her when it isn't on business.] You can pull it off. Is there something black and glittery in there?

[He asks the question because it gives him a minute to think about his answer.] I think I like it here. I wasn't certain at first, and it still feels strange that I've gone this long without something wandering along to end the world, and it seems too good to be true, which... [An eloquent shrug, they've both had dealings with Seelies and know what a too-good-to-be-true offer looks like.]

[Isabelle still looks unconvinced that a gingerbread drink could be rescued. Some things are difficult to separate texture from flavor, even if it's all in your head. But she digs through the rack at the suggestion of black and glittery, raising an eyebrow in Magnus's general direction, but grinning nonetheless. She holds up a drapey, liquid kind of shimmery camisole. That might do and she holds it up for Magnus's approval even as she listens.]

I'm sure someone will turn up to cause trouble. [She shrugs, matter-of-fact about it.]

I don't care what they say, a place like this has to be a magnet for trouble, or there's no balance.

[Not that she wishes any trouble on Cadelle, not that she wakes each morning still expecting missions and demons and enemies, not that she trains even harder than she ever has, some mornings, just because it feels wrong not to. Of course not. But nothing good lasts forever, in her experience, and it's better to expect it than be surprised when it happens.]

Bored already?

[She tosses him a glittery scarf, gold with mirror-like sequins, purely for show and absolutely gaudy, just because it happened to be in her hand.]

Izzy!

( Okay, someone has definitely been napping. Clary's sitting up in bed, her hair a birds nest of red piled on top of her head. Simba, the grumpy ginger cat monstrosity currently beside her, looks less than impressed by the commotion. He'd been sleeping. Now his pillow is too excited for rest.

Clary can't stop smiling, shifting so she can stabilise her phone and focus better on Isabelle, blinking sleep out of her eyes. )

You're back, oh my god. ( Affectionately. ) And you're already shopping. I knew I should have camped out in a store to wait for you.

Good afternoon, sleepyhead.

[Izzy's grinning ear to ear, would have been anyway, but Clary's just extra adorable like this. Fortunately, it's not news to her now that she's apparently been here before.]

I forgot to pack a coat. [She sounds almost defensive, but Clary should know better by now. Izzy would never turn down the opportunity to go shopping somewhere new.]

I... don't remember being here before. [She adds, a little awkwardly. Hopefully that does all the explaining for her.]

Oh! That's okay. Sometimes it happens around here. It just means that I get to introduce you to everyone. Maybe I'll throw a party. I've got mad skills now.

( She's just so excited. She can't stop smiling. )

I'm getting dressed. ( Flinging the covers back. ) I'll come get you. You had an apartment before, but I'm pretty sure Kimberly'll be fine if you want to stay with us until you get to know your way around.

( Witness the whirlwind as she crashes around her room. ) Alec's here. And Jace. They're going to be so happy to see you. Not as happy as me though, I've been stuck with the boys for too long.

[Izzy tries to keep her laughter to something polite, her mouth hidden behind her hand, but the giggles still escape.]

So you moved into a pink house to escape them. I don't blame you.

[Oh yes, Kimberly showed her a picture and the entire place does scream CLARY. Which brings her to her next point, which she tries to slide more delicately into...]

I can't wait to see it. I do like the apartment they've given me, it's a little sterile, but with time... [She grins a mischievous thing. She's never actually had a place of her own, and the apartments feel enough like the Institute, like home, while still being different enough, she's not in a hurry to leave yet. Though she completely understands how Clary would need something else entirely.]

How long have you been here?

It didn't even work! Alec's here all the time trying to steal my cat. ( Technically it's Jace's cat, but whatever. Clary looks after Simba the most, therefore she is best and most important of parents. ) Are you going to decorate? Can I help?

( She doesn't really need to do much more than pull her jeans on, so she puts her phone on her desk and shouts a muffled hang on. Izzy can probably hear her moving around, and when she's next on screen she's thrown a hoodie over her sleep sweater and shoved her feet into shoes. )

Five months. ( Wait. ) Actually, Iz -- what's the last thing you remember from back home? That's important. Time space continuum or whatever.

[Izzy giggles at the image of her brother trying to steal Clary's cat on a regular basis. There's definitely some kind of magic in the air here.]

Yes, of course! [She answers, both to the decorating and Clary's help, as if Clary even had to ask.] Your artist's eye is absolutely indispensable.

[Clary's next question brings her up short, however, though maybe it shouldn't, all things considered, if Clary's been here for five months... She smiles at Clary's attempt to make a joke of it, however, even if that worries her more than it might otherwise.]

The very last thing I remember is a party at the Hunter's Moon after... everything. [She can play the vague game, too, Time Space Continuum, indeed.]

Oh.

( She doesn't remember a party. She probably would. It makes Clary's steps falter a second before she's moving again, barging out of the Barbie house like a woman on a mission. )

So the last thing I can remember is you finding me and Jace in Idris. When we went to Brocelind Forest? But Alec's from later. I think he's probably from the same point as you, except he won't give me details.

( She kind of wants to ask Izzy about Simon, or more specifically ClaryandSimon. It's been on her mind since she came here, since she and Jace discussed their feelings. She's felt guilty, and she's not sure which is worse - loving Jace when she should be with Simon, or loving Jace and thinking of Simon.

Plastering a bright smile on her face. ) You'll have to catch me up on the gossip. Your brother sucks at that bit.

Oh.

[It's Izzy's turn to falter a bit. So much has happened since then. So much, and not all of it good, but... mostly good. Her expression shutters to something much more neutral for a moment, but she can't help cracking a grin again at the mention of Alec being terrible at gossip. It's true, and not just because he doesn't seem to pay any attention to it. You'd think he'd be more up on it, all things considered... though he probably blocks it out for self preservation.]

A lot has happened since then for me. [She finally says, smiling apologetically.] We should probably talk about it in person. We can trade gossip, I don't know anyone here yet and I'm willing to bet you know everyone. [Her grin definitely says it's a compliment.]

( Time fuckery is definitely the worst. Thankfully she feels less wrongfooted when it's Izzy. They're friends, and Clary wouldn't trust anyone more than the girl on the other end of the screen. They'll be able to work out the kinks. )

Maybe a little true. Not everyone because that would be weird. But most people. A priest came to my Christmas party. ( She offers that information up like she knows it's awkward and hilarious. ) He was definitely out of place. Plus he ignored the dress code. I have pictures of Jace with a dinosaur holiday sweater on, just for you.

( Alec cheated, boo, hiss. )

A priest.

[She laughs, though, shaking her head, and rolls her eyes long and hard at the mention of Jace. In a dinosaur sweater. Oh, this she has to see.]

Send that to me immediately.

[Alec only makes an idiot of himself accidentally, and purposefully wearing a holiday sweater might have counted as a little too intentional for him. One of his more annoying faults.]

( Isabelle gets a few pictures. The first is of Jace in his dinosaur sweater. The second is Alec with antlers on, holding a giant orange cat and scowling in her direction. There's a post-it with a bauble drawn on attached to his chest, like Clary knew he wouldn't play by the rules. The last is a selfie of Clary and Magnus. Both have unicorns on theirs, but Magnus' unicorn definitely has a penis. There's that. )

It sucks that you missed it, but we could always have a costume party some time. Make a theme. Hassle people.

( Clary's hurrying down the street now, uncaring whether or not she knocks into people as she does so. )

You'll make friends in no time anyway, so I'll have to vet them.

[Izzy nearly chokes on her laughter.]

I'm so sorry I missed it. [Sincerely.]

Seems I've already made a few. [Just a few. She hasn't been trying too hard, and yet, it hasn't really been difficult to find and meet new people here, amidst the familiar faces. Some seem to have vanished on her, already, too, but there's no shortage of attractive people here, if a little people-watching I anything to judge by.]

But of course they'll have to pass your test.

[She's outside the store now, keeping an eye out for a ginger comet.]

( Hopefully Izzy's feeling steady on her feet, because between one moment and the next she'll find herself with an armful of redheaded happiness. Clary throws her arms around the other girl's neck, pulling her into a tight hug. )

I'm so glad you're back.

( Because despite everything that's happened to them recently, Isabelle is one of her best friends. Maybe even her best friend. And she'd felt strange and bereft without her. )

I missed you.

Two minutes here and you're already hitting the town. [ alec's smiling as he says it, shaking his head. if it were anyone else, he wouldn't even bother to listen. shopping has never been his thing, but with izzy here ... he'd listen to her talk about paint drying and still find it fascinating. ]

I still can't believe you had time to pack.

[Well if it isn't her very favorite fashion disaster... well, still her favorite, but less of a disaster these days. She'll never give up attempting to take him shopping with her. Never. Even if she seems to settle for frequently buying him things that would look fantastic on him.]

Of course, should I wait for it to come to me? [She's grinning right back at him.]

I asked. I'm not surprised you didn't. [It's entirely too affectionate.]

Does this mean you're coming with me? [Much, much too hopeful, definitely playing her cards too quickly, but the payoff would be worth the risk.]

[ wow, so harsh. leather on leather is in. ]

[ alec looks visibly pained, and he isn't so sure if it's on purpose. shopping with izzy is great when it involves a bow, quiver, and some arrows. when it comes to shoes ... count him out. he's fine with the same boots he wears over and over and over again. ] Don't you have shopping ... [ he has no idea what to call them, so after a moment of hesitation and clearly painful thinking: ] friends?

[ immediately, he knows he's doomed. ]

[She at least has the grace to curb her victorious smile into something openly affectionate instead of the obnoxious, bright grin that's probably still shining in her eyes. It's not that she finds his pain delightful (only a little bit) but that she might have the rare opportunity to share something she loves with someone she loves. She might even try a little harder to make it enjoyable for him. Maybe.]

No, I don't. [A faux pout if ever there was one and it only lasts for a blink.]

Please, Alec?

[ he sighs, completed with a roll of his neck. izzy should know by the sight of him looking and acting exasperated is a sign that he's breaking. ]

Fine.

[ he looks at her hard, as if his pointed look would somehow intimidate her. ] But I'm not spending all day comparing the heel of a shoe with another heel of a shoe.

I know, I'm not really used to this either. I'm from Texas.

I'm loving the snow here but I was definitely unprepared. It doesn't snow quite this much in New York.

Oh yeah, I've spent some time in New York too. But this is...excessive.

I can't wait for Spring already and I've barely been here, but at least the fashion is on point.

Spring should be nice, yeah. I'm not that used to cold.

| video 01 | un: izzy

action.

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Video~

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Real Life~

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( VIDEO. un: clarifying. )

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VIDEO. UN: LIGHTGRIP | because we can't have too many threads

absolutely never too many

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text; un: clairebear

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