April 1996
Noah POV
Noah frowns. Consul Cartblossom is walking through the institute's hallways. It's a surprising sight. He hasn't heard of him arriving and he should have heard something. So, it makes no sense for him to be here. It especially makes no sense for consul Cartblossom to seek him out. It's becoming apparent the closer consul Cartblossom gets to him.
"Noah Riverchild?"
"Yes, Consul Cartblossom. How can I help you?"
"You can help me by joining me for my upcoming meeting. I need to have some serious words with one of your peers."
"With whom? If I may ask?"
"Someone I've heard you've had your own problems with."
Noah nods as his eyes widen and dread fills him. He has an idea who Consul Cartblossom is talking about. And he won't be happy if his suspicion proves to be right. He's only gotten a bit closer with Dean since the previous month's events. It's a progress he doesn't want to destroy. If his suspicion is right then there's a real chance he'll destroy it. Besides, it's not as if he wants to be close friends with him. He just wants to further their cordial behavior. And now? It may all be risked.
Noah bites his lips and looks to the side. A painting of two shadowhunters forming a parabatai bond catches his eye. Those two will fight for each other. Till death. His eyes widen. Maybe the progress won't be destroyed. But only if he defends Dean. He clenches his hand. If he does this it will bring him into inevitable conflict with Consul Cartblossom. He's not sure if it's something he wants. Well, the future will tell him what the best course of action is. What the most logical option is, he means. Consul Cartblossom's actions certainly don't seem logical to him.
As he knows, he can't ignore Consul Cartblossom, he meekly follows him. They make their way through the hallways as the dread grows steadily stronger in him. He knows where they're going based on the hallway they walk through. He doesn't like it. His prediction seems to be coming true. Then they turn a corner into an area he hasn't been in often. More like never. All he knows is it's the area where all the offices are located. He frowns, not understanding why they're going there. Dean's not here, right?
Soon, they near a door. Consul Cartblossom walks into the room without even bothering to knock. He shakes his head. Of course, Consul Cartblossom can do this. Who's he kidding? He shakes his head and also enters the room. Light strikes his eyes. He clenches them close for a moment before looking around. They're in some sort of office. He's not sure which or who it belongs to. Not as if it matters. In the room stands an unknown shadowhunter. He frowns, wondering where he came from. But the stranger's not alone. Dean's also in the room looking incredibly uncomfortable. He moves his head away when their eyes meet. It prevents him from seeing Dean's eyes widen. He only sees the aftermath of it; Dean's eyebrows move onto a calm expression. He doesn't believe it to be true but is unable to focus on it as Consul Cartblossom moves on Dean.
"Good day, Dean. There's something we need to talk about."
"Yeah, alright. Does Noah need to be here for this?"
"As he has tried to ensure you follow the rules before I deem it important for him to be here."
"How do you know about that?"
"Oh, I have my sources."
Dean turns his eyes to him and glares daggers at him. If looks could kill, he would be dead. He bites his lips and looks away. He's not even responsible for their Consul knowing about this. So who has shared? And with what purpose? He's got no idea.
"But to the matter of why I'm here. I've heard you've been writing letters."
"Yead, and what's wrong with that?"
"Oh, writing letters is not bad if it's a member of our community. But your recipient wasn't one of us. So you shouldn't have been writing to him."
"I can write to whoever I want. Whether they're a member of this community or not. You've got nothing to say about it."
"Oh, but I have. As you're now a member of our society, you're not allowed to write to your family."
Noah hears Dean arguing with Consul Cartblossom but doesn't listen to it. Something else is on his mind. It's more important right now; the statement. A Consul doesn't have the authority to dictate to whom one can write. Nor do they have the right to know what's being written about. Only parents can dictate it for their children within bounds. And even they should respect the privacy of their children. This is a gross violation of Dean's privacy.
He frowns. He doesn't understand why he's doing this. It serves no logical purpose he knows of. It's almost as if he's trying to control Dean. But again, why? What will he gain from this he doesn't know. A shout breaks his contemplation. Dean's trying to leave. Consul Cartblossom is preventing it by standing in front of him. And also by physically preventing him from leaving. He meets Dean's eyes. There's a request for help visible in them. Most likely reluctantly as they're not close. He bites his lips. What should he do? Dean's voice breaks through his contemplation.
"You're not stopping me."
"Oh, but I am stopping you. If you don't stop you won't like your life here. And think about your chances then."
"I'd take those chances. Anytime."
"You're place is now here with us. Not with them."
Their arguing continues. He doesn't hear Consul Cartblossom's next exact words but gets the gist of their meaning. Dean's not to reunite with his family. Consul Cartblossom's clearly discouraging Dean. Again, for what purpose? And why? Well, it's a question he can answer; the danger of one of them living among mundanes while also hunting as a shadowhunter. If they don't hunt then it's not a real problem. It's just he knows what Dean will do.
So what shall he do now? Stay silent or help Dean? He's not sure. All the possible outcomes go through his mind. Consul Cartblossom turning on him. Being sent out of the room. Being ignored. And a million more. Still, he wonders if it will be so bad if he attracts attention to himself. It will allow Dean to leave and he can handle whatever Consul Cartblossom will do. Yet, some part of him hesitates for some reason he can't place. He bites his lip and clenches his hands. He tries to force himself to react but fails.
His eyes widen. He knows why he's hesitating; he's not sure how to explain himself. Especially, what to even begin to say. It's something he's never experienced before. Thus it leaves him confused. His mind moves through how to explain it.
Once he's got a clear idea of what to say and how to another potential problem reaches his mind; Dean dismissing or attacking him. It doesn't take him long to realize it's the main reason why he's hesitating. Not what he thought just. A shout reaches his ears. He looks up. Dean and Consul Cartblossom are in a heavy fight with Consul Cartblossom sprouting futile arguments. They seem to him more like threats than anything else. And more importantly entirely wrong.
"Consul Cartblossom, what you're saying is completely wrong. Dean can make his own choices for his life amongst us. You don't have the authority to tell him what to do. The only one who can - for now - is inquisitor Imogen Herondale."
He looks around, nervously trying to catch Dean's eyes. At first without success. Then he catches Dean's eyes. There's some confusion there. The frowning eyebrows tell him this. As well as the tilted head. He tries to smile calmly but smiles nervously. Dean relaxes a bit, nods, and smiles at him. His shoulders relax finally. Only then does he look back at Consul Cartblossom. Consul Cartblossom's lips are tin and his eyes are narrowed. A look of pure rage is visible in his eyes.
"You! You…you've got no right to speak to me like that."
"All Noah did was speak more respectfully to you than I would have done had I been in his position."
"You! Be quiet. I'll deal with you later. But as for you…"
He lifts an eyebrow and waits for Consul Cartblossom to continue. One thing Consul Cartblossom doesn't know just yet is that with this all his reluctance has left him. He's made the right choice.
"You don't know what's necessary for our community. I'm the only one who's ensuring that Dean's presence won't endanger us."
"And from what I've heard so far you want him to stay with us while you could also exile him. As if anyone outside the shadow world will believe him."
"His family might. Or maybe not. I don't care. He's not to expose us to the world."
"And as I said before; what's the danger? And you don't even know what he's been doing, right?"
"I've heard more than enough."
"I think I'll know more than you do. Do you want to hear my opinion?"
"Now, why would I want your opinion?"
"Why else did you drag me along then if not for me to voice my opinion?"
"For support, why else."
"You don't need to have support. You clearly could handle it on your own."
Consul Cartblossom glowers at him. His lips inch upwards into a very mean smile. He glances at Dean who shares his look. Dean shakes his head but then nods.
"In my opinion, you could have informed Inquisitor Herondale who could have handled it on her own. Or you could have informed my parents who also could have handled it. At least, with those options, you wouldn't have made such a scene out of it. Who knows what rumors will spread now?"
"Rumors which will work to my benefit."
"I doubt it. I'm certain even now people are listening in the neighboring rooms or at the door. They'll know how unreasonable you've been. That will be the rumors that will be spread."
He tilts his head to the door as he locks eyes with Dean. He doesn't wait for an answer from either but just turns around. He hurries to the door and opens it. As if to corroborate his words, he hears yelping as people hurry away. He slips through it with Dean dead on his heels. Consul Cartblossom can be heard screaming in the background. He turns towards Dean who's looking at him uncertainly. He smiles at Dean and knows there's something else he needs to do.
"I'm sorry for how I treated you before. I was wrong to do so. If you ever need help with anything seek me out."
"Why now?"
"Why am I now apologizing? Well, because it's the right thing to do. You've proven to do your duty and as I said there's not much of a danger in you contacting your family. Or at least trying to."
"In contrary to what you said before?"
"Yes."
Isobel POV
"Hey, Isobel!"
"Hey, Lilly. What's up?"
"Did you hear that Consul Cartblossom's leaving?"
"No, I didn't. When does he leave?"
"Soon. Last I heard, he's heading towards the door."
"Mhh, thanks for telling me, Lilly. I…uhm…need to go."
She doesn't look at her classmate. All she does is storm away. She's got something to do as she hinted. And before she does, she needs to form a few plans. Like how she'll handle Consul Cartblossom without getting in trouble herself. And how to keep him away from Dean. The first is easier than the second. She already has some ideas about what she'll say to him. She'll call him out on his bullshit. And tell him to never threaten Dean or another friend of hers again. She also knows a few things he doesn't know she knows and won't like her knowing about at all. Besides, she'll figure out the rest once she acts.
But for the second, it's a different matter. She is unsure what would be the best thing to do. She could use her knowledge about his actions. Yet, it will show too much. She's also good at making weapons. It's something which can help her. It's just she doesn't want everything she created to be known. Or, her last option, she could threaten him by informing her grandfather. Noah sure as hell hasn't told him about the threat made to him. It's something which will anger her grandfather greatly. She nods to herself. Yes, she'll use it. Everyone knows how close she's to her grandfather. They won't be surprised if she speaks to him about it. And more importantly, she can live with being known with the resulting reputation.
"Consul Cartblossom!"
"Yes, and you are?"
"Isobel Riverchild, there's something I need to talk to you about."
"And that is? I don't have a lot of time."
"It won't take long."
"Alright, tell me."
"I heard what you said to Dean and frankly are you out of your mind?"
"I'm not sure what you mean?"
"You know full well what I mean. How dare you threaten him. He hasn't done anything to you. He's been a faithful member ever since he arrived here."
"And what do you call him trying to send a message to his family?"
"Something natural. He's missing them. Everyone would."
"He shouldn't do it regardless."
"And it still doesn't give you the right to treat him like that."
"What will you do about it, little girl?"
"You want to know?"
Consul Cartblossom gives her such an annoying smile she has to bite back a growl. She narrows her eyes and clenches her fists. He doesn't know what he'll be facing. She feels her smile becoming extremely tight. Let's play this game.
"I know what you've been doing."
"I'm sure you don't know."
"Wanna bet?"
She hasn't said the words just yet. She wants him to sweat for a while as he wonders what she knows. And also she wants to see how he will respond. He looks at her with narrowed eyes. A loose smile is on her face while her eyebrows are raised.
"You'd better keep your mouth shut about it. Otherwise, you won't like the consequences."
"I will but on one condition."
"And that is?"
"For you to leave Dean alone."
"And if I won't?"
"Then I'll make sure your dirty secret will be shared. With my grandfather."
Consul Cartblossom moves forward and grabs her arms. She moves back and feels her back straightening.
"You don't know anything of importance that Benjamin will be interested in."
"Are you sure?"
Consul Cartblossom's eyes narrow. There's some hesitation in his eyes. She lifts an eyebrow while a smug smile grows on her face.
"I know you've been harassing boys and doing a lot more. You're willing to risk it."
"Extortion won't help you, little girl."
"Oh, who says I'm extorting you? All I'm saying is the truth and I'm just giving you a warning. You've been harassing boys and separating them from their sweethearts. I don't know why yet but I'll know soon. Just wait for it."
Consul Cartblossom's eyes widen. She sees the fear in them. It tells her enough.
"I'll leave that boy alone if you promise to never speak of it to anyone."
She smugly stares at him. His eyes narrow into slits.
"I promise."
As she says this, she knows she might break this promise at one time. For example, if her family or Dean needs to know about it for one reason or another. Consul Cartblossom nods, turns around, and storms out of the institute. She watches him go. All the while, her thoughts turn back to her earlier one. She's unsure why she put Dean in the same spot as her family. It makes, in hindsight, as less sense as when she was defending him. With how Noah acted before, it was normal to do so. And besides, she was also Dean's mentor so she should help him. Dean's held his promise. But not with regards to Consul Cartblossom.
She frowns as her mind moves back to all her earlier interactions with Dean. In the beginning, everything was fine but later…it's an entirely different story. She knows what she physically felt. She just doesn't understand where those feelings came from. She's never felt anything like it. So what is it? As she thinks about it, words from a friend echo in her ears.
"You know feeling in love is strange. You like a person and quickly become embarrassed or excited in their presence. It's as if your feelings are all over the place."
Is this what she felt? Truly? By all means, it resembles her feelings exactly. Almost to the T. Her face heats up just by thinking about it. She shakes her head. She can't be in love with Dean. Well, Dean's not so much the problems as the timing. She is preparing herself to become an Iron Sister. And now? She's got to figure out what's more important to her. Her love for Dean or her dream. A few ideas cross her mind; she can accept them and act on them, she can ignore them, or she can dismiss them. As she knows she's in love with Dean, she'll have to accept it. Consequences be dammed. Ignoring or dismissing them won't work for her.
Imogen POV
"Immy!"
Imogen looks up from reading her letters. Ben stands before her with a curious expression. It's something between happiness and embarrassment. She frowns. Where does this come from?
"Yes, Ben. What's got you so worked up?"
"Have you heard about it?"
"Heard about what?"
"About what Dean's done this time."
"No, I haven't. What's this about?"
She feels shivers running over her back. She's not sure she even wants to know what he's done. Yet, Ben looks at her so insistently. She knows she'll hear about it whether she likes it or not.
"You don't receive any letters from him?"
"Of course, I receive letters. I also sent them. What do you think of me?"
"Then he hasn't told you and you…"
"No, I don't use my letters to interrogate him!"
"I was sure you'd want to know what he's been doing."
"Of course, as much as he's willing to share. Which has been a lot about his training and your granddaughter. Though that's what I'm able to read between the lines."
"Yeah, they're quite close."
"I gathered as much. But that's not what you're referring to?"
"No, it's not. There hasn't been anything else you've been able to read between the lines."
"No. Ben, stop skirting around the issue. What's this you're talking about?"
"Have you heard about Cartblossom's visit?"
"Yes, what's that got to do with it?"
She clenches her fists. The longer it takes for Ben to finally share why he's here, the more frustrated she becomes. There's something he's not telling and she wants to know what it is. She narrows her eyes to Ben who doesn't seem to be impressed. Still, he hasn't answered as if he's waiting for something. She slams her hand on the desk.
"Everything! It's got everything to do with it."
"Yeah, elaborate."
"Dean tried to contact his family. As in tried and failed. Nevertheless, it somehow got to Cartblossom who decided it was his right to berate Dean and threaten him. Something which didn't sit right with my grandchildren. They both made him regret it."
"That's good to know…"
She frowns and looks at the desk. Why hasn't she heard about Dean's attempt to contact his family? Or about his troubles. She thought he was getting along with the others. She's never heard about it. It makes no sense to her. And Cartblossom, where did he get the idea to interfere in what's one of her matters? She should have been informed and allowed to deal with it. This is just… she takes a deep breath as she feels her heart beating loudly in her chest
"..my, Immy? Immy? Everything's alright?"
"Yes, why do you ask?"
"You seemed troubled for some reason."
"It's nothing."
"If you say so."
She bites her lips. Ben's tone makes one thing clear to her; he doesn't believe her. And he's right. Something's bothering her but she's unsure what it is. Ben looks at her questionably. She shakes her head.
"Wanna talk about it?"
"About what?"
"What's been bothering you."
"Nothing as I said before."
"I don't believe you. Come one, Immy, talk to me. Maybe I can help you."
"How would you be able to help me?"
"By giving you advice."
She narrows her eyes. Either he's honest or trying to stick his nose into things which don't concern him. Ben looks at her calmly. Too calmly. Her eyes narrow more. It's becoming clear he won't give up. So she's got two choices; misdirect him or be honest with him. She's not sure which one is better. Both have their drawbacks and will annoy Ben in the end.
"Immy?"
She sighs.
"I truly thought Dean would confide in me. He was talking a bit about himself when he was here. I'd hoped that spending time at an institute would ensure he would confide in me more."
"Mhh, so you'd hoped to get close to him. Why?"
"To ensure he will integrate completely in our society and for him to have someone to turn to in case of problems."
"Only for him? I know you've been missing having family around."
"Only for…uhm…him."
Her eyes widen. She knows she sounds unsure. She feels like it. Nevertheless, she can't give Ben the answer he seeks. So he's got to wait or leave. She looks deeply into his eyes waiting for his response.
"Immy?"
She shakes her head. Been sighs.
"Well, if you don't have the answer then I'll leave. You know where to find me. And do come find me once you've figured it out."
"We'll see if I'll seek you out then."
Ben stares at her. She meets his stare head-on. She's got to fight to keep a smile off her face. A fight Ben seems to be losing if the slowly growing smile is anything to go by. Ben shakes his head. She watches him while waiting for his next move. Been turns around and leaves the room. The door closes softly behind him.
She leans back on his chair. Her thoughts can finally turn to whatever is on her mind; her confusion about Dean's lack of communication with her. She's unsure why it even bothers her. She's his guardian and nothing more. He's no more to her than her charge. Or is he? She frowns. She's unsure where this thought comes from. And again why it bothers her. She needs to figure out what Dean means to her.
He's someone for her to care for. Someone who will need her support to prosper in this world. Who needs her guidance? She closes her eyes as she imagines all the care she gave and will give Dean. It's just like with her son. Her eyes shoot open wide. Like Stefan? But that will mean…it can't be. She shakes her head. She's imagining things for sure. It is too absurd to be true in any way. But the longer it stays in her mind, the more she begins to believe it to be true. Dean could be her chance; her chance at having a family once more. If he wants to be and if she accepts the loss of her family.