tampered | Look at this photograph

Look at this photograph

When; Wednesday, April 24
Rating; PG - Warnings for blood
Characters; Jem Carstairs & Clary Fary
Summary; Jem finds one of Clary's photographs and she learns a secret in return
Log;

The coloured picture that plaster itself against his window is enough to make Jem rise from his bed. He recognises the two people in the picture - Jace and Clary. He moves to put it into his pocket to return to them later, that is until he sees the angel they are crouching beside. Jem's intake of breath ends in a cough.

The photo was something that wants to discuss with her. While he had an idea of how to call out to someone with the device, he wasn't exactly skilled at making sure he reached the right person. 'It is better to do it in person,' he thinks.

It is half an hour before Jem manages to stir himself and go out the door. His skin in paler than it had been and he's added extra layers despite the spring temperatures. He leans heavily on his cane on the way but quickly straightens as he knocks on her door.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"He really does. Though I think he hides it, reading isn't cool."

Jem tilts his head on one side. "Times have changed a great deal. Will was at liberty to mock those who were not well read."

"Jace pretty much mocks everyone for whatever reason he can come up with."

Pulling her legs up to her chest and resting her chin on her knees. "I thought it was a Shadowhunter thing but you're not cruel at all."

"Will does the same thing," Jem says and adds more gently, "It isn't cruelty Clary. They would have no capacity for love if they did it out of spite. They do it to protect themselves and the people around them."

"Huh. Maybe you're my kindred spirit."

Because she's thought the same thing about Jace before. Shaking it off, she smiles again, "You said something about a picture?"

Jem smiles at the idea, Clary had a sweet nature.

He leans forward and offers the picture to her. "Here. I must admit I am curious to hear the story behind it."

Her hands still against the picture, the colour draining out of her face. The angel blurs out mostly everything but her fingers trace the blur of Jace's body on the sand. She sees herself and she thinks of how scared she had been, how desperate.

"Ithuriel."

A pause, a hum, "I ... don't really know how to explain it."

Jem touches a hand to her shoulder. "I am sorry," he says softly, "I didn't mean to cause you distress."

Like every Shadowhunter, he knew the legend. Jem knew Will would have tried to act on it and grant Jem his health if there had been a chance to find the mirror.

"It is not easy to believe this is real."

She offers him a tiny smile.

"Unfortunately it is. All of them are. Valentine was trying to find them and use them for his nefarious scheming."

"There is always someone who will try to corrupt what is good and beatiful." He remembers this quote from a book, Will had read to him, during a time he couldn't rise from his bed.

For a moment his heart hammers. What if he asked Clary how to find them and he found a way to carry the knowledge home? He could use one wish, to put an end to Mortmain and save his family.

The thought died with a cough that splatters blood onto his hand. It was a pointless wish.

"Oh."

That is panic in Clary's voice, worry as she reaches to the coffee table and grabs the box of tissues. "Here. Oh god, are you okay?"

Jem is incapable of answering her for a moment as his thin hands grasp the tissue and he continues to cough. The coughs have been getting worse since their trip on the ship and his supply of the Yin Fen has run out.

"It will pass," he murmurs, unaware of how much time passes before he finds his voice again.

"What's wrong? Do you need me to fetch you a doctor or something?"

She hovers beside him, worry etched into her face, a hand on his shoulder.

"A doctor can't help." A shiver runs through Jem's body, he's so cold. He has to survive; he cannot take the risk he will show up dead at home. "I ...need something to take the edge off it."

He has no idea that he will sound like a drug additct. "Are there any opium dens here?"

"I ...," She frowns. Of course drugs were kind of more accessible back in his dead and she knows people who take them even now. But an opium den?

"I don't know, maybe in the Underground? They have all sorts down there but there are monsters --."

He's a Shadowhunter, "We could check down there."

Monsters. Jem can only hope that demons form part of this particular set. He looks up quickly when Clary says 'we'.

"Thank you for your offer. I can't ask you to come with me," he says gently. "Clary, I would never wish for you to see one of these places. I can make it there on my own."

"No way, you're coughing blood, I'm coming with you."

She gives him a look that really doesn't allow room for arguments, already rising, "I won't come in if we find the den, if that makes you feel better, but you're not going to the underground alone."

Jem stifles a protest and rises too. "I am not sure which I find worse, taking you into a den with me, or leaving you on the street alone."

He leans heavily on his cane. "I know you are worrying but I do not cough u blood all the time."

"You're not going to stop me coming with you."

With her arms crossed over her chest, she frowns. Clary's not exactly formidable. Jace laughs at her too often for that to sink in. But she won't let him go alone. "I'll just follow you and then I might get lost so you're going to have to take me with you."

Take that.

Jem odes not find her formidable, he recognises a stubborn determination in her eyes. He has no doubt she would do exactly as she said.

"Let me put me some runes on you before we go." At least they would afford her some protection from whatever they might meet.

He takes his stele out, "Please."

She sits again, holds out her arm for him. Clary's not stupid, any form of protection is better than not at all. At least if he marks her she can go with him.

"Okay, that's totally cool."

The first rune Jem sketches on her arm is strenth and he adds the one for speed, to defend her.

He repeats the marks on his arm. "There," he says with a smile and offers her his arm. "I would have glamoured us but I do not know if we will be trading with downworlders or mundanes."

"I don't think it matters much in the City."

She grins though, and bends down to pick a box from under the coffee table. Since the ghouls curse they've been keeping weapons there. A dagger gets placed into her boot and she straightens up.

"C'mon, let's explore the underground."

Jem notes her action with approval. Still, he thinks Clary should be further armed in the future. "There are daggers small enough to place into a purse."

He shuts his eyes briefly to rally his energy and leads the way out. Once they are on the street, he offers her his arm.

"I don't carry a purse," she offers up with a small amused laugh. Once they're outside she takes his arm, utterly charmed.

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