A/N: Ahh~~ it's been a while! I'm sorry! Moving house and setting up at this one has taken any energy or free time that is left from me for ages. But I've been meaning to post something for a while. Sorry it's only short! I wrote half yesterday and half tonight, so I'm hoping it's okay!

~~ Kellan ~~

After a rather long etiquette lesson - one which Kellan had always found rather stiff and daunting - one of Kellan's designated advisors led him through the corridors in the underground of the Seelie. It was a section that Kellan hadn't been to before, and he glanced into the rooms which were open in curiosity.

"We seek to show you bit by bit all that the Seelie has to offer," his advisor said, her brown wings dark in the dim light of the corridor, the golden tinge hidden. "It is not all work and no play."

"Oh?" Kellan remarked, after contemplating her words. "I would not say I have not had any fun in the Seelie so far. So I can hardly complain."

She merely glanced at him sidelong, and he couldn't help but think that there was a hint of concealed amusement at the corner of her lips. It only made him wonder what they had in store for him.

Stopping at one of the open doorways, she gestured for him to walk inside, keeping a step behind him.

It was something that Kellan had not expected, and his gaze skirted over the room, his cheeks reddening. There were faeries in varying states of undress, different groups tangled together. Others lounged on the cushions and watched. From what he could tell, most were pure from the wings he spotted, and he recognised a few from the Court.

He could almost feel his advisor studying him from the side before she spoke again, her voice remaining lowered. "The Seelie sees pleasure as something to celebrate, not something to hide behind closed doors," she said, slowly. "You are welcome to join in."

Kellan cleared his throat, a little lost for words in his embarrassment. While he would have preferred to avert his gaze, it felt hard to when he was aware of the eyes on him. "I-... think I'm fine-..." he started, before two faerie girls approached him, both taking one of his arms.

"You're such a handsome prince," the first girl with orange wings said, her hand gliding along his chest.

"Your hair is just like the Queen's," the other one giggled, curling a finger in his hair. He wondered whether they found the hint of his Shadowhunter features exotic or peculiar. Perhaps if they saw the Runes and the scars on his body, then they would be more disgusted.

Kellan inhaled, trying to find something to say. Before he could however, the girl with orange wings rested her fingers under his chin, turning his face towards her with a practiced ease and kissing him. He kissed her back, briefly, before pulling back. While they were pretty and he did crave closeness, it did not feel the same with someone he hardly knew. His lips did not tingle the way they had when he'd kissed Ethos and neither did he feel the same butterflies in his chest. "I'm-... sorry," he stammered. "I don't feel well today," he said as an excuse, gently extracting his arms. Fingers uncurled from his hair and he inhaled, taking a small step back.

"That's a shame," the other girl said, pouting slightly. "You should come back another time, then."

"I'll keep that in mind," Kellan said, inclining his head. "You should go and enjoy yourselves."

Once they moved to re-join some of the others, Kellan exhaled in relief.

"You are not in the mood?" his advisor gathered after observing. "If you have preferences for something in particular, you can always say. We like to cater to any taste."

"It's not that," Kellan said, looking away. "Like you said, I'm probably just not in the mood." While he hated to lie, it felt impossible to try and explain the truth.

How could he explain the fact that he sought to have some kind of connection? That it was not the same unless he loved the person? He was also not game to say that he had never advanced further than a kiss before. Perhaps he would sound like some kind of prude to them, even if he did not consider himself to be one. Of course he wanted all those things sometime.

"Of course. Then we can head back to your quarters if you would like," his advisor responded. "…Unless you would like to watch?"

Shaking his head, Kellan stepped out towards the hallway. "I wouldn't mind a rest at my quarters. I'll head back now."

"As you wish," she replied, moving to lead him back towards a more familiar corridor.

He kept his silence, his cheeks finally cooling. Perhaps he would get a reputation for not participating if he continued to decline, but in any case, he could not bring himself to.

~~ Savannah ~~

Savannah had been summoned for another family dinner, and she had never dreaded one so much. She knew she could always make up some excuse as to why she couldn't make it. However, while she was many things, she was certainly not a coward. Besides, it would reflect even more poorly on her, as they would all know the reason why. She had failed in the one high Clave job that she had to brag about and there was no suitable way to explain it. It could not be explained.

Sometimes she brought her boyfriend – fiancée, she corrected herself - Jesse, along with her to the family dinners. Only on certain occasions when her family wanted to ask for things or to help advance their own connections – something which the Consul's son could come in handy with – and of course he wanted to help his fiancée's family. Sometimes, she just found it more fun to have someone along with her. But usually, it was for more serious talk and family business, so she went alone. This was certainly one of those times.

Making it to her family's house in Alicante, she knocked on the door. It was a bit of an agonising wait as she stilled her expression to keep it calm and unflappable. It was important that she didn't show any hint of embarrassment.

"Hey, little sis. Glad you could make it," came a familiar voice from behind her, and she turned around slowly. Her brother was neatly presented as always, and it looked like he'd just recently cut his dark hair.

"I wouldn't miss it," Savannah replied, giving her brother a brief nod in greeting. "And I knew you wouldn't either," she remarked. As if he would want to miss the downfall of his sister.

"Of course not. It's rare I get a chance to leave my work," Nathan replied, before straightening when their mother answered the door.

Her mother eyed her for a moment, before beckoning her inside. "Savannah, we have a bit to talk about. Come in."

As Savannah slipped inside, she heard her brother give something to her mother. "Oh Nathan, you shouldn't have. Come in, come in," she said, and Savannah resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Her brother always liked to bring back some kind of souvenir from his Institute. A brag, no doubt.

She scanned the room, frowning slightly when she only saw three table settings. "Is Dad…"

"Your father was called away on last minute Clave business, even if he wanted to make it tonight," her mother explained before she could ask. It was nothing unexpected – often her parents were needed urgently. Savannah couldn't help but be a little glad that she didn't have to face both of her parents at once.

"It's fine. I know he has important things to deal with," she said, sitting down at her usual seat. It always felt like a formal dining experience, with her and her brother sitting on one side, and their parents on the other. A light meal was already on the table – a salad with some protein, and she picked up her cutlery once her brother and mother were settled. Deciding to start with some small talk to help her warm up, and perhaps to stall the more dreaded conversation, Savannah took a bite of her carrot. "So, Nathan. How is that girlfriend of yours going?" she asked, in a languid fashion. "What's her name again?" she added on the end, pretending not to remember.

"Tiffany," he replied, throwing her a look. "You might remember meeting her at the Academy."

"Ah, yes that's right," she responded, with a flick of her hand. "I'll remember next time."

"She's fine, thanks for asking," Nathan said, hiding any annoyance that he might have felt. "In fact, I'll probably bring her to our next dinner. Then you can talk with her yourself."

"Oh, that would be lovely. I can embarrass you with some tales from when you were younger."

He looked about to utter a retort, before her mother gave them both a look. "We don't have time to waste. You know there's a more pressing matter at the moment."

"Yes. Savannah losing her job. It's a bad look for us," Nathan was unafraid to add, and Savannah narrowed her eyes.

"Firstly, it's just suspended, not gone," she stated, although he still looked unconvinced. "And I'll get it back."

Her mother had other ideas. "Even if you can't get the same position, then get a different one. And quickly – so people don't ask questions. It doesn't matter as long as it's a good one. It's safer if it's a job removed from the fae, anyway. Our family does not need any questions in that area. The more removed we are, the better." Savannah knew she was referring to their ancient family history. It was annoying that it affected her now. She had liked her job, after all. It had been hers alone, and something she had achieved herself that her brother hadn't. It had been based on skill and nothing else.

"Besides, I was allowed to put someone up for the job from my Institute," Nathan of course couldn't help but interject. "So, we'll have someone loyal to the family in that position already. You may as well delve into something else."

"I'm aware of that. I'm working on it," Savannah said, keeping her expression collected. "Next time I'll have something further to report to you on the matter."

"You should use your fiancée," her mother advised. "You may as well use your connections to get you another place. I'm sure Jia would be able to have some sway."

"Like I said, I'm working on it," she repeated, raising her chin. "I'll get something suitable. I'm sure of that. It's a minor inconvenience, and I'll deal with that Shadowhunter who got in my way."

"It's good that he reached out to me to pick someone," Nathan remarked, "Otherwise we might have thought he had something… deeper against our family."

"In any case, we do not like our business meddled with," her mother said, pausing briefly to take a sip of her water. "You need to keep a careful eye on him."

"Of course," Savannah said, pushing some hair over her shoulder. "He won't get in the way again."

"I should hope not," her mother said, and Savannah could still feel her gaze on her, as if silently assessing her. "If there's any more trouble, I want to hear about it."

"I know," she acknowledged with a brief nod. "I'll be sure to inform you of my new position, as well."

Relieved when the conversation finally moved away from her and on to her brother and his recent changes at his Institute, she sat back and listened. She was still annoyed to be in this situation in the first place, and her hatred directed towards Isaac was still strong.

While it was an annoyance, it would not stop her, she reminded herself. She was much too skilled to let something like that get in her way for long.