Claire here!
Boo, no more Madi and Meliorn!
Oh well, she can do better, right?
Also, thanks for the positive feedback guys! I know you all love Madi, so putting up with me is awesome of you.
~ THEMESONGS ~
I Don't Know What I Can Save You From ~ The Kings of Convenience
Be Calm ~ Fun
.C.I.W.
6. Finding a Place
Madi had been kind of moody since she'd come back from whatever business she had to attend to, coming storming back into the Institute while I was getting acquainted with the Lightwoods.
That had been yesterday, and I was currently seated comfortably in the library with a book, a plate of untouched food next to me on the armrest. Izzy was kind enough to cook me lunch, but after dinner last night I wasn't going near anything she made. I had always thought they were overreacting in the books for comedy's sake, but she actually was terrible.
I heard footsteps suddenly storm into the library, but didn't look fast enough. Madi was already yanking the book out of my hands, tossing it over her shoulder onto the floor.
"Come on, Rookie, we're going training." She said (just as abruptly).
I narrowed my eyes at her, and didn't get up. "I was reading that."
"You can read after you learn how to punch." She took hold of my wrist and hauled me off the chair. "Judging by the weakness I felt yesterday, I'd say you need it."
"I was kicking your ass and you know it!" I protested. She scoffed and rolled her eyes.
"You had the upper hand for about two seconds, and that's only because you took me by surprise. Jace and Clary are training in the park, so we're joining them. The last thing I want is for you to get killed in a dimension that's not your own. You'll be unless until you get some actual skills. Go borrow some shorts from Izzy or something and let's go. We're already late."
.C.I.W.
We arrived in Central Park. Madi seemed to know where we needed to go to find the characters we were seeking. She must really be good with book descriptions, because after about ten minutes we came upon Clary and Jace- kissing. Clary was practically on top of Jace, on a blanket like they were picnicking instead of training. I hung back a bit, not wanting to interrupt, but Madi strode forward with her arms out in a sweeping gesture.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I must of mistook training session for make out session!" She shouted, stopping right next to the blanket. The couple broke apart instantly, Clary blushing and brushing some of her hair back over her shoulder.
"Madi, seriously? Second time in two days. Just let me kiss my girlfriend." Jace groaned, gently pushing Clary off of himself and getting up. "I guess we better actually train now. I'll lead the way."
He picked up the blanket and Clary snatched up her sketching supplies. Jace gestured for us to follow, and we walked deeper into the park. The people slowly emptied as we went farther and farther, until we reached a clearing. Jace positioned himself and Clary, hooking her arms up around his neck. To be honest, it looked like they were going to pick up where they left off.
"Hey," Madi snapped her fingers in front of my face. "Getting punched by you is like getting punched by a butterfly. You can reread their make out scenes later. Pay attention."
She grabbed my fist and jerked it up. I grimaced at her harshness. "Now," she said, "show me your fist."
When I did, Madi's eyes widened in alarm. This led to a long (really long) lecture about the importance of a proper punch. Like where to put my thumbs, how to position the fist, how to strike, and so on.
She started talking about sparring, I really wasn't paying attention. I was much more focused on the person that had just entered the scene.
She was beautiful, and emanated power. It was just how I imagined the Queen of the Fairy –
Pow!
"Ow!" I yelped, pain radiating from the side of my face. I held it and glared at Madi, who suddenly looked incredibly guilty.
"Weren't you listening?" She demanded. "I thought you were –"
"My, my. Six months and already at each other's throats…" The Fairy Queen mused, gazing at Clary and Jace in their fighting stance. Her eyes abruptly shifted the Madi. "How quickly mortal love fades."
Madi's eyes narrowed and her fists clenched at her sides. "I believe that's none of your business."
"My business is that of my court. Meliorn is of my court."
"Stalking him, are we?" She demanded cockily. But was I the only one that could see the something else sparking behind her gaze? "I don't think you need to be monitoring every one of his movements. Wouldn't that get a little uncomfortable?"
"If it threatens the safety of my people, it is of my concern, mortal."
"Ooh, mortal. Was that supposed to be a threat? Crack shot, milady, I'm really scared now."
Madi and the Queen had moved closer during this conversation, almost face to face now. I stood in between their line of sight, eyes flicking back and forth between the two. Evidently, they had problems with each other. Of course, no one had bothered to tell me what it was.
No one told me anything.
"In fact, maybe you should be a little grateful – seeing how this mortal saved the asses of your court –"
"Enough!" The Queen snapped, breaking Madi off mid-sentence. She looked ready to kill. "I will not tolerate such rudeness. I came here with news for the Nephilim." She directed her next words at Jace. "Another one of your kind has been killed. In the park. We have the body. That is all."
She began to fade into the trees. Jace pulled away from Clary, scrambling to grab his things.
"Where are you going?" Clary asked, looking hurt.
"To get Maryse – she should know about this. I'll see you later." He kissed her hurriedly on the head, and bounded through the trees.
I looked at Madi. "What the hell was that –?"
Without a word, Madi tore after Jace. Oh, goody. Alone. Again.
Clary sighed, bending down to gather her pencils and things again. I saw her wipe a hand over her eyes quickly. The poor girl, she had no idea what was going on with Jace. It was probably killing her inside. She stood back up and looked at me.
"Do you know how to get back to the Institute, or do you need help with directions?"
"If you just tell me the address I'll be fine, thanks." I said, shrugging. New York streets were easy, they were all numbers.
She opened her mouth to tell me the address, but she was cut off by her phone ringing.
"Hey Simon." She said, voice falsely cheerful as she picked up the phone. A second later, her face fell again. "Oh Simon, I'm so sorry… Where are you? Okay, hold on, I'll be right there." She hung up the phone. "Listen, I've got to go and take care of something with Simon, he's at one of his friends' houses, and –"
"He got kicked out of his house." I said. I hadn't met Simon yet, but I knew that this was the book where his mom found out he was a vampire. Clary's eyes widened.
"How did you know that?"
"Intuition." I said, waving a hand. "I'll come with you."
.C.I.W.
Clary and I got to Eric's garage right in time to hear Kyle offer to let Simon live with him.
"Simon, you know you can always live with us!" Clary protested, going right to Simon's side. They started a whispered argument, Clary pleading and insisting that he was more than welcome with Luke, that he hardly knew Kyle, he could be a serial killer, et cetera. I sized up Kyle while that was going on. He towered over me, but at the same time looked like the friendliest guy in the world. Not to mention super attractive.
"So, dude, are you going to take my offer?" Kyle asked after letting Clary and Simon have a moment to do their thing.
"I don't know…" Simon hesitated, Clary clinging to his arm protectively.
"He'd love to." I interjected. This made Clary glare at me, but I didn't care. The book must go on.
.C.I.W.
Gosh, everyone, I'm so sorry this took me so long! Thanks for your patience, I really appreciate it. I had exams last week and everything got really crazy. But it's summer for me now, so updates will come like lightning! Lightning, I say!
And now it's Madi back to do the ShoutOuts.
ShoutOuts ~
BloodRaven: Thanks! And sorry for making you cry about Madi and Meliorn. It'll work out though!
Nyx's Pinky Girl: Haha, how did I know someone would throw a pitchfork or two? And yes, I really wanted people to see both sides because they both really are right. In fact, Meliorn even has a better argument than Madi in some cases.
SoccerGirl4Life30: So true! I agree with you completely. I don't think Madi will ever be good at anything emotional, though haha.
AnimeVamp1997: Don't cry! Please don't! And don't blame poor Mellie (lol nicknames rock), he's just doing what he thinks is best. It will all work out! I promise!
BookNinja15: Yes… but it'll be all right (as I've been saying before with these two). Ha! I just understood your quote! I'm sorry, I don't mean to! It's for the good of the plot, though! And that makes me really happy that you love it. Thanks, Fluffy!