"Honestly Horace it isn't that hard to find a costume in the city" Aline lectured with a sigh, as Horace Greenshade walked towards them dressed in normal clothes: "let me guess; you're meant to be a pre-transformation werewolf? Like no one's tried that before".
"Actually" replied Horace, "I'm a Warlock whose mark is in a concealed location, if you'd like to assist me with showing it to you-"
"You're disgusting"; Horace laughed at the remark and ran on ahead of them to the house, "why are all boys disgusting? I don't even know why I waste my time with them" she said to Clary with an apologetic look towards Jon.
"Why am I stuck in this offensive Dracula costume when people like Horace Greenshade can get away without wearing a costume?"
"Because this is more fun" Clary answered, "if actual Downworlders invaded the party they'd mistake us for their brethren whereas those without costumes would either be killed or taken captive"
"Yes because the city is full of murderous Downworlders who love costume parties"
"Well if demons can get through-"
"Not this again!"
"Fine! Let's just get to the party".
The Penhallows' house was as beautiful as ever, and tonight was decorated with lavish banners depicting majestic faeries in flight or fully-transformed werewolves leaping through the air. Every year the Clave would frown and disapprove of Aline throwing parties with such outrageous themes like Downworlders, but when she's related to the Consul there isn't really room for complaint. Besides thought Jon, they'll still go all out to make sure their darling children have more expensive costumes than anyone else's darling children. The inside of the house was equally enthralling; guests who had arrived early were milling about between buffet tables and sound speakers with multi-coloured lights shining down on them and specially made smoke/mist swirling around their feet.
"Helen!" Aline beamed at the sight of a pale girl in a blonde wig wearing a fat suit; the girl ran (more like waddled) over to them and started to hug each of them, Aline the longest.
"Guess who I am!" she demanded, but with the friendly voice she used with everyone, "Okay okay never mind I'll tell you. I'm Camille Belcourt of course!" Clary and Jon gave each other a quizzical look before turning back to Helen, both of them trying not to laugh.
"Camille Belcourt isn't fat" Clary said.
"Of course she is!"
"There aren't any fat vampires. Fat vampires would be like outcasts and Camille Belcourt isn't fat; who in the world would think she's fat?!" Jon argued.
"Oh, well I'm still a vampire. Like you! We match!"
"Wonderful"
"Helen can I talk to you for a moment? You know, erm, in my room?" Aline asked with a suspicious look at Clary and Jon.
"Oh, sure" Helen replied with a giggle. The two girls ran eagerly towards the stairs faster than anyone in either a Seelie gown or a fat suit could ever run.
"What was all that about Clary?"
"No idea; they're probably talking about boyfriends or something".
"Do either of them have boyfriends?"
"No. Funny".
Jon and Clary tried their best to mingle with the other party guests; it was still half an hour before it officially began so there weren't many people there yet and no music was playing from the sound speakers. Amelia Crossheart was wearing a brown swimsuit with an attachable tail, high-heeled shoes and a headband with furry ears on them in an attempt to look like a sexually inviting werewolf. Cecil Wolfstorm was wearing a blue star-print Merlin robe in an attempt to pass himself off as a Warlock in front of Jocasta Trueblood (who everyone knew he was obsessed with) who was dressed as a very convincing pixie; she had even used make-up to turn her skin green. As soon as Jon saw Clary looking at Jocasta he knew what she was planning but was too late to stop it.
"Is it true?" she was asking Jocasta.
"Is what true?"
"About the Lightwoods?"
"I knew I shouldn't have told anyone. All I know is that they came into the city at night and were permitted by the Consul to spend a few days here; I don't know why they came or why they're being welcomed and I don't know for sure if the younger Lightwoods are coming tonight so don't ask".
"You're more attractive as a Downworlder Jocasta. Just something to bare in mind" Clary said before storming off towards the buffet tables "Oooo noodles!"
"We're going to be late" Will said, annoyed.
"Which means that when we do arrive our untimely arrival will be noticed by everyone and so will give them a chance to see my glorious form before I disappear into the crowd" was Jace's response to this.
The real reason they were late was that they had to escort Ella home twice after she had followed them, claiming that she didn't need a costume as she could just say she was a vampire's human subjugate. After finally getting her home twice (where she promised to tell Lucie that they'd both punched an Iron Sister in the face) they were setting off for the Penhallows' house ten minutes after it started. They couldn't walk side by side due to the fact that Jace's golden angel wings took up half the street and he said he wouldn't retract them because it made him look less majestic, so Will was walking behind already in a foul mood.
"What exactly are you going to do if (1) the Lightwoods actually show up, (2) you can identify them in the crowd and (3) they don't punch you in the face for arrogantly approaching them?"
"(1) They'll show up because they'll have heard that I'll be there and no one can resist an audience with Jace Herondale, (2) my famousness and popularity means they'll find me before I find them and (3) haven't we already discussed how intimidating the fabulous costume is? They wouldn't punch an angel"
"I just think you're going to start a fight that doesn't need to be started"
"That's what I do"
"Excuse me?" asked a stranger who in the midst of their argument had appeared in front of them. He was dressed like a werewolf, but underneath the furry hood it was clear that his hair was black and that his eyes were very dark. He spoke with a hint of a French accent, "could you please direct me to the Penhallows' house? I'm late for the party"
"So are we, you can come with us" Will said politely.
"Hang on" Jace argued, "what's your name werewolf? Because my brother here would never let me forget the embarrassment or irony if I arrived to a party with the same person I came to interrogate and seeing as I've never seen you in the city before that ironic situation is extremely possible".
"My apologies. I'm Sebastian; the Penhallows are relatives of mine and I arrived in Idris just an hour ago, which is why I'm a stranger to the city".
"Fair enough, let's get to this party then".
"Will it at least be civilised? My aunt Elodie said that if the party is too wild I'm to set off back to Paris immediately. She can be very protective; you'd think I'm at risk of being murdered in an alley by a psychopath the way she worries".