So here's another chapter, like I said. Please do review and rate guys, it would be super helpful. Also, I need help coming up with a new title. I hate the one I have but I've hit a roadblock. Also, I apologize for the mechanical errors in the last chapter. I wrote the story late and I didn't see all the mistakes until after I'd posted it.
Disclaimer: All characters and plot lines belong to Cassie Clare. Except for Victoria, she's mine. =)
Victoria was seated at the dining table, next to Will and across from Jessamine. Victoria had debated coming to dinner in her gear, but decided against it and put on a dress. She struggled a bit with the corset and layers of skirts but in the end, she managed it. Why can't I wear trousers and shirts like the boys? It would be much less of a hassle she thought. The minute she had entered, Will had berated her with questions of Tessa and her condition. After Victoria assured him that she was in good health, and would be arriving to dinner shortly, he relaxed, and sat back in his chair. At precisely that moment, Tessa arrived, followed by Charlotte. "Will" called Charlotte. "I presume you remember Miss Gray?" Will stared at Tessa for a moment before replying with a grin. "My memory of her is most vivid indeed." Tessa flushed slightly. Charlotte turned to her and said "You know Victoria, seeing as you just met her and this is- do look up Jessie- Miss Jessamine Lovelace." Jessamine, bothered by little, cast up a cursory glance at Tessa, who gave her greetings to Tori and Jessie. Tori smiled back at her, while Jessie murmured a response. Will turned to Charlotte and asked "Charlotte, where is Henry, your benighted husband? And where is Jem?" "Henry will be arriving shortly; Thomas went to fetch him. As for Jem, he is ill. He's having one of his days."
At that moment, Sophie, Agatha and Thomas bustled in with platters of food that they set on the table. Everyone began eating fervently; it had been a long day. Henry arrived shortly after, his sleeve ablaze. Will tossed a vase full of water at him to set out the fire. Victoria glanced at Tessa to see how she was faring. Normally, dinner wasn't so eventful, but Tessa had arrived on an unusually strange night. Finally, when tea and cake was set, Jessamine began to berate Tessa with questions about her talent. Tessa, who politely handled most of Jessie's questions, finally decided that she should perhaps show her ability to the others. Henry piped up "Is there something that you require. Such as a spirit lamp, or..." "Henry, this is not a seance" replied Charlotte. "Actually, there is something that I do require" said stood up and turned to Victoria. "Could I have something of your's please?" Victoria raised an eyebrow at her before she unclasped the fleur-de-lis necklace that she was wearing. "Be careful, this was Maman's." Tessa nodded, and closed her hand gently around the and the others watched with awe as Tessa's form rippled into Victoria's. Everyone looked at her with shock and surprise. It was finally Victoria who spoke. "Oh dear, why has no one told me that my ears are far too small?"
After Tessa divested herself of the change, she handed the necklace back to Victoria, and was berated with even more questions about her ability by the others. The discussion finally ended with Tessa asking about the search for her brother and Charlotte reassuring her that they would begin tomorrow.
The meal ended not long after that. Victoria made her way back to her room. She dressed into nightclothes and sat on the bench by the window. Watching as the moon rose above London, she held the fleur-de-lis necklace in her fingers, tossing it over and over. It was one of the few things that she had as remembrance from her mother. Like most of the others in the Institute, Victoria was an orphan, save Will. She had grown up in a seaside manor in Brittany, France. Victoria had been immersed with the Shadowhunter life since she was a little girl, but unfortunately, it was that life that took her parents away from her. She had come to the London Institute shortly after. She had been the first to arrive, with Jessie arriving one month later, Will four months after her and finally Jem, who arrived six months after Will. It had been a while since someone new had come to the Institute, and although Tessa may not be a permanent residence of the Institute, Victoria was glad for some other female company her age. Tessa seemed annoyed by Jessie's frivolousness, which could only work in Victoria's favor. Smiling slightly, Victoria set the necklace on her vanity, and extinguished the candles in her room before she crawled into her bed, sleeping the sleep of the exhausted.