Chapter: Belle

Belle awoke slowly, her head aching. Her big green eyes fluttered open, taking in the setting around her- white bed, white walls, even the sky outside was a pale gray. She looked down to see that someone had bathed her and put her in pajamas, white, of course. In fact, only one thing broke the monotonous scene. A boy was slumped by her bed, wearing the black clothing of Shadowhunters. Good thing, too- his coloring was so light he might have blended in otherwise. His skin was as pale as hers, and his short hair was a strange, light silvery color. He was not the one, then, the one that carried her into the Institute- that one had black hair, and perhaps a slightly darker skin tone. His head was in his hand, his elbow propped up on his knee. After staring for a moment, Belle decided she really ought to stand up, walk a little. Her injuries appeared healed, and she knew it was no good to stay in bed too long. She tested her weight- seems okay. Until, that is, she really stood up, which was when her legs slipped out under her. Seems they couldn't bear even her light weight.

The crash woke the boy, who was kneeling at her side in a matter of seconds. "God, I'm so sorry I wasn't awake when you woke. Long night, I guess. Can you stand up?" He had a pleasant, light voice that failed to conceal the concern he seemed to feel. She looked up into his eyes for the first time and was shocked to see that they were the same light silver as his hair. He must have seen her face, for he smiled and extended one slender hand, scarred from old runes, to help her up. When she was safely back in bed, she had to ask. "So… who found me and how? How long have I been here, asleep? And are all my injuries healed?"

The boy held up his hand, as if to stop her from asking questions, and smiled again. "Okay, okay, give me a chance to answer. I found you, when I went outside to go for a short walk before dinner. You've been asleep, or unconscious, since then. That is, yesterday. You've only been out for, maybe… ten hours? And yes, your injuries are healed, though the one in your leg was pretty bad. You'll want to wait awhile before trying to stand up again. Do you want some breakfast?" Belle nodded yes, and the boy turned to leave before spinning back around.

"Wait a minute! I haven't even told you my name yet! So sorry, don't know how it could have slipped my mind. I'm-"

Belle finished for him. "-James Carstairs."

He looked surprised that she knew his name. "You can call me Jem, most everyone does. But… how do you know me?"

"I've heard stories of you in… it doesn't matter. They say the silver haired, silver-eyed Mr. Carstairs is to be treated with respect. They say his frail exterior does not detract from his swiftness, strength and agility. They tell tales of his warm spirit, nobility, and compassion. They say he fights with all the ethereal presence of a ghost, but carries the Angel's Marks. He is called Foreigner, though he has lived here some six or seven years. He is rarely without his counterpart and brother-in-arms, Will Herondale. They say he even has the ability to curb young Mr. Herondale's sharp tongue once in a while." Belle finished with a mysterious smile. She loved doing this to people, tell stories about them to them, just to see the looks on their faces.

Jem looked even more shocked at how much she knew about him, when he didn't know anything about her. Which reminded him…

"That was very impressive. You know me far better than I, you. What's your name?"

"I am Belle. Belle Renault," which was when the door slammed open.

"By the Angel," the slim dark boy in the same Shadowhunter clothes as Jem said loudly. "It's hotter than ninth circle of Hell in here."

Jem rolled his eyes. "Nice, just burst in on a sickroom and complain about something. Sometimes I don't know what's wrong with you."

Belle sighed. "Oh, don't mind me, just over here getting over almost dying." The two boys looked over at her, Jem looking slightly guilty, the other boy looking surprised to see her. "And not that it matters," she continued in lofty tones, "but the ninth circle of Hell was cold." She was met by a nod from a Jem, but a blank face from his friend. She sighed again and explained. "In Dante's Inferno, Hell was cold and covered in ice." She muttered something about the stupidity of boys in general (at which Jem yelped in protest), and about the stupidity of this boy in particular. Jem looked over at the boy next to him, who had a furious expression and had opened his mouth to say something in reply.

Something told Jem that this would be a good time to break the ice between these two. "Belle, this is-" he began, though he was cut off once again.

"You're Will Herondale," Belle finished.

Will's face softened a tad. He seemed pleased that she knew who he was. "I am pretty famous, aren't I," he remarked, not asking but telling.

Belle rolled her eyes. "Only in Downworld," she retorted.

Will arched an eyebrow. "Am I really?"

Belle began her tale with a kind of joyful malice toward the dark haired Shadowhunter boy. "Everyone knows of the blue eyed Mr. Herondale. He thinks his good looks and scalding wit mean he doesn't have to care, about anything. He hides his troubled past from everyone, even from himself. They say he hates everyone, and would rather spend time with a deck of cards, a bottle of gin, and a few women of loose morals than with his fellow Shadowhunters. Excepting, of course, his parabatai, Mr. Carstairs here. They say it is truly frightening to watch him fight. He flies in from nowhere, wielding his seraph blades and looking like nothing less than an avenging angel. They also say he has a peculiar affinity for biting vampires, simply because they do not expect it."

Jem was shaking with silent laughter, tears running down his pale cheeks, while Will stood there, not moving, unsure of what to say. "You… you…" he stuttered, which in itself was rare for Will, who always had a sarcastic comment ready.

Belle smiled none too kindly. "What's the matter, angel boy, cat got your tongue?" Will turned and stalked off, leaving with a flush in his cheeks. Belle called out again. "This was just getting interesting! Where are you going?" Just before the door slammed shut, she heard him answer her question. "I'm going to think of a good comeback!"