Draco left shortly after, and darkness was plaguing the twilight sky. Pink clouds etched shapes in the melting sunlight. They looked like whales….

I might as well head off to Magnus's now. He prefers to meet by moonlight anyway, especially in undesirable matters. The dank smell of oncoming casserole filled the air. There'll probably be a storm tonight, green beans and cheese if I'm not mistaken.

I tapped lightly on the wooden door emblazoned with twinkling pink gems. Gingerly, I stepped in.

"Die potato!"

A shriek escaped my throat, "Alec! What was that for?" He was lounging on a plush sofa holding a Wii-mote in a gun holster. He certainly did look pleased with himself.

"We were expecting the pizza guy. But we always welcome marshmallows," he grinned.

"Where's Magnus? I need to talk to him."

"What about?"

"Well, um….."

"It's not that stupid wizard. Is it?! Gracious, Clary! Just because Jace is hunting leprechauns in Mexico doesn't mean he doesn't exist!"

"Just tell me where that sparkly brat is, and keep your nose out of my business!"

"Fine," Alec said icily. "He's in the bath." After a short pause he added, "But you can go in there. It's not a typical….um..." He trailed off.

Reluctantly I cracked the bathroom door, "Sweetums? Is that you?"

"No, it's, uh, Clary"

"Well, by all means come in, come in! You're letting the heat out!"

The scent hit me before the image did. The strong fragrance of enhanced roses mixed with other flowers and sugary oils choked the freshness from the air. And there were the familiar green cat eyes glimmering out of a body bedecked in rose petals and pearls. Drops of silvery light danced on and around his eyes. He appeared to have no clothes on his shoulders or upper chest, but the rest of his body was submerged in a bathtub brimming with… marshmallow peeps. Bunnies and chicks in yellow, blue, pink and purple were piled in a porcelain claw-foot bathtub, while some others were animated, even wearing traditional maid outfits, serving Magnus grapes, chocolate, wine, and what appeared to be the tears of narwhals (makes quite an elixir, I hear).

Around the tub and on the floor heavily scented candles spilled reddish light onto the walls. The shiny tiles were also littered with rose petals and unmoving peeps. Magnus grabbed a particularly succulent-looking chick and popped it into his mouth.

He abruptly coughed, "Sorry. Too soon, is it?"

"Well wrapping my head around how I'm a marshmallow is weird, but thinking about cannibalism on an Easter-snac -treat level is beyond me."

"Hmm. Well, is there a reason you interrupt my ritual?"

"Ritual? Well—ah, never mind. I—I need some sprinkles," I said as firmly as I could.

"What, you want me to go back to Pride Rock? Maybe return Zues's lightning bold while I'm at it, hmm?" he said accusingly.

"No. I," my voice faltered, "I didn't know it would matter that much."

"Well I suppose you want the rainbow kind, too."

"Well, yeah," the awkwardness in the air was as thick as the impenetrable stench. "Look, I need them to exchange for my—for help. Yeah."

"I guess I could spare a few, but," his stare was maniacal, "there is one thing I require." He replied to my blank stare with, "Matilda is my toaster. Take her with you. And may the whales be ever in your favor."

"How did you—?"

"Ap bab! No more questions! Be gone with you! Alec will lead you to the colored drops of treasure! Treat them as you would treat angel blood or a well made cheese sandwich. And may Matilda bestow upon you the greatest gift of all."