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(dinner with a warlock)
AS CHARLOOTTE, TESSA AND I TRAIPSED down to the Institutes dining room- Brother Enoch refusing Charlotte's polite offer of dinner in favour of returning to the Silent City- I kept spotting Tessa fiddling with the bosom of her dress every few seconds.
Charlotte and I had put her in one of Jessamine's old frocks. It was a monstrosity of scarlet silk and black lace. It was the only one we could find that a) fit Tessa (she was a good two sizes above Jessamine's miniscule waist) and b) Jessamine wouldn't mind being borrowed. I didn't believe I'd ever seen Jessie even wear the thing.
Tessa had emptied her recount of events just as she'd promised and believe me I had a lot to say to Charlotte about prying into the poor girls business. I entirely understood why she did so, yet it still irked me. Why didn't some people simply accept the fact that not everyone wanted to share each intricate aspect of their lives.
''Oh Tessa do stop fussing'' I snapped when the girl had reached for her bosom once again. Tessa looked mortified. ''I- well... it's just it's so tight.''
I forced down a rather risque comment. Will would've had a fit.
''I'll have Sophie lay you out one of mine.'' I said. ''After all, from what I'd been told, Tessa had absolutely no clue what she was and had been to Hell and back this past month. It was the least I could do.''
Charlotte shot me a confused yet approving look. I wasn't one to be gracious. Her gaze held a note of motherly pride.
As we walked into the massive dining room my stomach grumbled terribly as I resumed my usual seat next to Will. Immense gasoliers hung from the rooms arching ceiling, washing the space in a warm, buttery glow.
The table I sat at was hewn from dark oak and positioned in the middle of the room. It could easily house twenty more guests. One of the Institute's requirements was that it had too be able to house multiple parties of Shadowhunter's at one time
Opposite Will and I sat Jessamine. Her slender figure was cinched into a shimmering teal gown and her flawless features were highlighted by a light French powder- one I undoubtedly suspected she'd stolen from my room upon a whim.
''Jessie'' I greeted as Charlotte and Tessa took the empty seats either side of Jessamine. It really was terribly unfair how Jessamine looked pretty in every light, whether it be dawn noon or evening, the girl always looked the picture of perfection.
Oddly enough Jessamine wasn't beautiful like I was. She was exceptionally pretty instead, with prim pink lips and aristocratically held shoulders. Every inch of her seemed pinched and prodded into place.
