"Izzy are you sure it's this much of an occasion?" Clary asked for the third time as she stared at the apparel that her friend had dressed her in. She stood in front of a large floor length mirror in Izzy's room – wearing a very very formal dress. It was deep green but seemed to turn a lighter shade when light hit it – it was corseted and strapless. The skirt flowed out from her hips right to the floor. Isabelle was fiddling with something at the back of the dress and muttering under her breath.
"Are you serious? It's the anniversary Clary! You are a hero and heroes never look over dressed." She replied making Clary squeak when she pulled the corset even tighter.
"There – perfect!" She sighed stepping back and admiring her work.
"I'm I not supposed to breath." Clary asked – biting back a growl when she tried to raise her eyebrow but the stupid thing didn't go up.
"Don't be silly – of course not. What's the point in a loose dress?" Isabelle replied flicking her hair and looking over Clary again.
"You could be wrong you know – you have been before." Clary warned as she ran her hand down the skirt of the dress – it was very nice. She knew she was going to be over dressed – she just knew it.
"When have I ever been wrong?" Izzy replied in an appalled voice. Clary turned from the mirror then and gave Isabelle the "you know when" look. Her friend's cockiness instantly disappeared.
"Well yes there was that one time – but it helped you and Jace hit fourth base." She grinned with her cocky attitude fully back in business.
"He's Jace –fourth base is a certainty. I was talking about the earlier events of that evening before that incident." Clary retorted remembering the earlier events of that night when Izzy had volunteered her as bait. Dressing her up in skin tight leather and other provocative items of clothing. When she entered Pandemonium she was cornered by almost every demon in the place! Although she did let out a small smile at the events that had concluded the night – it was a good night.
"Don't dwell in the past." Isabelle almost growled as she grabbed Clary's arm and dragged her towards her vanity. It was covered in makeup, Clary sighed as she knew what was coming. Izzy began her endless routine on plucking, dabbing and rubbing on Clary's face. Clary wondered how she got herself into these situations; well she hadn't actually gotten herself into this one. She was just casually talking to Jace over a cup of coffee – well there was a bit of flirting and teasing as usual, so basically just normal. Izzy had run into the room and questioned her like a member of the SA.
"Clarissa Fray! Do you know what day it is?!" She exclaimed – looking very scary.
"Not really, I just got up. Let me finish my coffee and I'll tell you." She replied casually as Jace chuckled.
"Oh no you don't! It's the anniversary party in less than 9 hours and your sitting in your Jim jams!" Isabelle screeched, her anger becoming more apparent on her face.
"Anniversary?" Clary questioned still half asleep – she hadn't finished her coffee yet.
"Yes babe you know – evil father trying to kill everyone, angle rising from the lake and slaying him." Jace nodded as he patted Clary's leg. Oh – that anniversary. She instantly groaned – she knew it was dress up time. Jace laughed at the expression on her face.
"Oh please Izzy not today, I still haven't gotten over the last time." Clary almost whined and Isabelle rolled her eyes.
"Come on." She sighed grabbing Clary's arm and all but dragging her from the room. She sighed now at the memory – she didn't even get her coffee. She wanted to kill Jace – what happened to "I will protect you"; he was getting a smack for this.
"Done!" Isabelle chimed from behind her - Clary instantly stood and walked to the full length mirror again, she was well trained. When she took in her appearance she had to admit – Izzy was a miracle worker. Her makeup was smoky and mysterious and her dress made her eyes the most dominant part of her body – they burned like emerald flames. Speaking of flames – her red hair was its usual tangle of curls flowing down her back. She looked like the 17 year old she was and the dress even gave her a small cleavage – in Izzy's words it was perfect.
"Now sit on the bed and wait while I get ready – you should find a pair of silver heals under there that will fit." Isabelle thrilled before grabbing a silver dress of the bed and making for the bathroom.
"Thank you." Clary whispered as she took in her appearance she knew Izzy heard her – her familiar laugh sounded from the on suite. Clary looked down at the shimmering dress as she made for the bed, rummaging underneath for the shoes. She sighed when she found them and gingerly put them on – she couldn't resist the urge to flex her foot. She felt all feminine. She looked up as she heard the bathroom door close; izzy was standing in front of her looking like a catwalk model. Her black hair flowed freely down her back as her dress was skin tight and came to her knees. It was also corseted and strapless – on her feet she wore black heals, completing the assemble.
"Wow – Iz you look great." Clary smiled.
"Thank you but I doubt anyone's going to notice me tonight." Isabelle smiled and Clary shook her head.
"Are you ready for this?" Izzy questioned as she helped Clary of the bed with her hand.
"No." Clary laughed and Isabelle joined in as she knelt down to fix Clary's skirt.
"Relax will you, it's a party. Plus I promise you will not be over dressed – wait till Jace sees you." She laughed, standing up again to see a blushing Clary, this only heightened her amusement.
"So, are we ready?" She smiled and Clary just nodded as both girls made for the door.
The boy's were waiting in the library Simon, Alec, Magnus and Jace all stood around the room looking bored.
"Talk about a millennium." Magnus sighed as he sat looking frustrated.
"Says the warlock who ran back twice to change his shoes." Alec smiled and Magnus shook his head.
"You wouldn't want me not looking my best now would you?" Magnus asked rhetorically and Alec laughed.
"No but you could have sped it up – I nearly grew a beard waiting." Alec stated simply as he moved to sit next to his boyfriend.
"Hmm you might suit a beard – Jace what do you think?" Magnus asked as he held Alec's chin and examined it.
"Please do not involve me in your fantasies." Jace smiled as he pinched the bridge of his nose. The lifeless banter continued then but suddenly ceased when they heard the girls footsteps.
"Finally." Simon muttered. The girls entered then Isabelle first as she instantly flittered to Simon's side. Clary entered a little bit more cautiously – mainly because she was trying not to step on her skirt. Jace's face lit up instantly when he saw her. She hesitantly looked at him, feeling a bit embarrassed at what she was wearing. Especially since Jace was wearing a white shirt and jeans – although his jacket did look slightly formal. He came to stand at her side then and seized her hand.
"Is all this for me." He smiled wickedly and she blushed.
"No" She smiled leaning in to kiss him but stopped millimetres away.
"This is." She smiled as she brought her hand in contact with the back of his head.
"Ow, what was that for?" He protested seeming slightly amused.
"Protect me my ass! Do you know how long I was standing in front of that mirror?!" She argued, her hands coming to rest on her hips as she tried but failed to raise her eyebrow.
"But you do look nice." He almost purred as his hands came to her waist and he pulled her in for a kiss. She stopped protesting when their lips met as her hands greedily made for his hair. She was lost in the feel of Jace's lips on hers when she heard it.
"Eh hem – If you too need a room, go ahead." Simon stated making Clary almost jump from the embrace and her cheeks flame bright red. She had completely forgotten the rest of their party. Her eyes fixed on the floor as she fiddled with the skirt of her gown.
"If you're done we need a portal." Alec smiled. Clary's head shot up then - Oh. She quickly ruffled up her skirt to her secret thigh sheath as pulled out her stele.
"Anything else hidden up there?" Jace questioned in her ear from behind her, his hands resting on her hips.
"Hmm, it's none of your business." She replied in an innocent tone making him snort.
"I'll find it later." He whispered, his hot breath tickling her neck. She shrugged from his hold and walked toward the large, bare wall of the library with a smile on her lips. She laughed as she passed Simon; he had a confused look on his face as he whispered to Isabelle.
"I thought Clary wasn't the thigh sheath kind of girl?" He whispered making Clary chuckle.
"Well she has been fraternizing with Jace for a year." Isabelle replied with her own laugh. Clary quickly scribbled down the rune on the wall and returned her stele to its sheath.
"Ready?" She turned to ask the group as the portal materialised and she stepped through.