Hi everyone! So, I've been following the Infernal devices stories on here for a while, and I figured it was time for me to chip in. I wasn't planning on putting Victoria in every scene, just where I thought she might fit in.Let me know what you think!
Disclaimer: All characters (except Victoria) and plot lines belong to Cassandra Clare!
Victoria was in the training room, clambering up and down the ropes. She was so bored. It would have been more interesting morning to go with Will and Henry to the brothel to investigate into the murder of that poor mundane girl. She hadn't been feeling well in the morning, but now that it was nearly lunch time, Victoria's stomachache had nearly disappeared, and she clearly needed something to do. She heard a carriage pull up in front of the Institute. Grinning, she scrambled to the window to see Henry and Will climbing out, unharmed. However, they were carrying an unconscious girl between the two them, who had a small cut on her forehead. Curious, Victoria raced down to the main doors of the Institute just as Henry, Will and the girl came in. Charlotte arrived moments before her, and had her hands over her mouth. "Henry, what happened?" It was Will who responded. "This is Theresa Gray. She was held captive in the brothel and is in need of the Silent Brothers. And a bath, I don't think the girl knows the importance of cleanliness." Victoria rolled her eyes at Will before she turned to Charlotte. "She looks to be about my size. I'll come back with Sophie and some of my things." Charlotte nodded and replied "Thank you, Tori. We'll be setting her in the room across from Jem's, it is nearest." Victoria nodded before she raced to the kitchen to fetch Sophie and explain the situation to her.
Sophie, who was always prompt, accompanied Victoria to her room to get some clothes. Victoria's room was an absolute mess. Sophie sighed as she entered the room. "Miss Victoria, would it really be such a bother to put away your shoes? And would it really be advised to keep so many bits of charcoal on your vanity?" Victoria turned to her and grinned. "My dearest Sophie, why do you think I requested such dark furniture for my room? I prefer the mess; I find it easier to organize my possessions in such a manner." She walked over to the open wardrobe, and wrestled out a midnight blue and bright red dress for the girl. She held up a dress in each hand. "Do you think these will do, Sophie? Or should I replace the red with a green one instead?" Sophie observed the dresses, and replied "These should do, Miss. Fetch two of your nightgowns and we shall be on our way." Victoria did as she was told, and made her way out of the room, Sophie close at her heals.
Victoria was slumped over in an armchair near the girl's bedside. She had been asleep all day, and Charlotte was outside the door, talking to Brother Enoch. Earlier, after leaving the clothes in the girl's room, Victoria had joined Charlotte, Will and Henry after she had tossed her spare clothes in Miss Gray's room as they went over the events of the day and more importantly, Tessa. After hours of painstaking discussion, Victoria was finally grateful to be sitting down. She stretched her long legs in front of her and crossed them at the ankle and kept her arms crossed under her chest. She was in a gear chemise, a black jacket that stretched to her wrists and ended at the waist, gear trousers and flat boots that stopped below the knee. Charlotte and Brother Enoch made their way back into the room just as the girl was stirring out of her reverie. Tessa opened her eyes to find herself staring as Victoria's face, whose eyebrows had crept up her forehead. "Well, it seems our Sleeping Beauty has risen." Tessa turned around to find Charlotte and Brother Enoch standing on the other side of her bed. It was the sight of Brother Enoch that startled Tessa into full awareness, and she began screaming, scrambling out of bed and dashing towards to the door. Victoria came up behind her and pulled her away from the door. "Do you know how hard it was for Will and Henry to carry you up here? All their work would've gone in vain if you escape now." "Tori, let the poor girl be. As if she hasn't been frightened enough already" said Charlotte. Victoria let go of Tessa, who had stopped trying to get out Victoria's grasp and was still. "If Will was here, he would have hit her over the head or locked the door to keep her from escaping." Victoria said curtly. "That may be true, but if Jem was here, he probably would've spoken to Ms. Gray instead of reaching for her" replied Charlotte. Tessa stared at the three of them.
She looked at Charlotte, who had an air of authority behind her even with her small stature. She dressed simply in a beige dress and was seated at the small table in Tessa's room. It was Victoria who really captured her attention though. This girl, who was slightly taller than she was, was dressed in black boy's clothes with trousers. Tessa found it odd that the girl wore them with a chemise and a jacket though. "Miss Gray, please do take a seat. We wish to speak to you." called Charlotte. Tessa turned to face her. Victoria observed this girl while she went to go take a seat with Charlotte at the table. Tessa was pretty tall, she was nearly Tori's height. She had gray eyes and long brown hair. She moved in a confident manner, not letting on any sign of nervousness or anxiety. Victoria remained by the door, leaning against the wall, examining her nail beds. There was a moment of silence, and then Tessa piped up "What kind of a monster is he? And do not tell that there are no monsters on this earth, because I know that they are real. I have seen them myself." "I would not convince you otherwise Miss Gray" replied Charlotte. She spoke quietly to Brother Enoch, and he covered his face with his hood, much to the relief of Tessa and Victoria. Victoria stepped aside to let him exit the room. " my name is Charlotte Branwell, but please, do call me Charlotte, we Shadowhunters are not so formal with each other as the mundanes. Near the door is Victoria Montclaire." Tori's head snapped up at the mention of her name. "Please, call me either Victoria or Tori, whichever you prefer. However, don't make the mistake of calling me Miss Montclaire." Tessa nodded in understanding, trying out the names. "Victoria and Charlotte." Victoria gave her a reassuring smile. Tessa gave her a weak one in return before Charlotte spoke again, explaining to Tessa about Shadowhunters and their world, the Downworld and the Accords. Tessa was naturally a curious girl, asking many questions, including ones about her talents and arrival in London.
Charlotte was just about to launch into explanation of how warlocks come to be when the door creaked open, revealing Sophie and a tea tray. Victoria brightened up, seeing her enter. "Sophie! Thank God you are here. I am famished in the most unladylike manner." Victoria said as she picked up two biscuits from the tray and stuffed them into her mouth. " Is dinner nearly ready, Sophie?" she asked. "Agatha is setting the last of the dishes. I suggest you hurry if you would like any of the roast potatoes." "thank you, Sophie." Before Victoria left, she turned her head and called into the room, "Charlotte and Miss Gray, perhaps you should come down to dinner before Will eats all the potatoes." And with that, she closed the door.
Tessa was puzzled by the lackadaisical manner of this girl and more importantly, her correspondences with Sophie. Tessa had never read about a mistress who was kind and cordial with her servant. But even Charlotte was shaking her head as she said "What ever will I do with her? Anyways, it is nearly seven o'clock. Miss Gray, you must be hungry, and with dinner, you will get an opportunity to meet the rest of us. Sophie, do help her into one of the dresses. I will meet you both down in the dining room, there is some work I must attend to." With a slight nod, Charlotte let herself out of the room, leaving Sophie to prepare Tessa for the next eventful encounter of the day.
Let me know what you guys think! I'll try to update soon. You'll find out more about Victoria's past and her relationships with the otheme members of the Institute in the next 2-3 chapters.