FROM THE SHADOWS

[07] FINDING MAGNUS

Most people would be surprised to find that Mabel, the girl who often got into trouble for fighting and worked at a repair shop, like dressing up. She wasn't sure what it was about going all out and dressing to the nines that appealed to her so much, but she liked it. She and Evie could spend hours together getting ready for whatever party they were going to, much to Liam's amusement. To be fair, Liam just changed his shirt, if that, and called it a day so it was no wonder that he didn't get it.

Izzy was one of those people who did get it. She liked trying on different outfits and judging which looked the best. Which is how Mabel and Izzy ended up in the latter's bedroom together, giving each other a runway show of potential outfits for the rave they were attending that night. Mabel was on her sixth outfit which she'd picked from Izzy's closet and stepped out from behind the screen, walking from one end of the room to the other with exaggerated confidence. Izzy squealed when she saw her.

"This one! This is it! You look stunning," she said resolutely. A smirk then made its way to her lips. "My brothers won't know what hit them when they see you in that. They might even lock you up in the Institute so no one can ogle you." Izzy wiggled her eyebrows at her.

Mabel snorted, "I'd like to see them try." She then looked back down at the dress she was wearing. It was a reddish-brown leather dress that barely reached her mid-thigh with cut-outs at her sides. Its thin straps holding it up and a V-shaped neckline that showed just enough cleavage. She ran her hands down it, distinctly aware of how short it was. "You really think this one's it?"

Izzy raised a disbelieving eyebrow and stood up from the bed. She walked over and grabbed onto Mabel's shoulders, turning her to face the mirror so she could see herself. Mabel had to admit, the colour really suited her. "Aside from the fact that this dress fits you like a glove and the colour is perfect on you, have you seen the curves you're showing off? You look jaw dropping hot, Mabes."

With a smile tugging at her lips, Mabel turned away from the mirror and gave Izzy a side hug. "Thank you." Her eyes trailed over the ridiculous pink glitter dress Izzy was wearing, which had had both of them in stitches a couple of minutes ago, and she hummed, "But now onto your dress because I will be the one locking you up if you leave in that monstrosity."

Izzy barked a laugh and picked up one of the other dresses she'd laid out, "Alright, alright, I'm changing."

. . . . .

Once they'd picked out the dress Izzy would wear, Mabel had done her make-up at Izzy's vanity. She obviously couldn't borrow Izzy's foundation or anything like it since it they had entirely different complexions, but she could borrow her eyeshadow and whatnot. Mabel had done a smokey eye with colours that matched her dress and had even attempted some eyeliner. It was pretty good but considering they'd be meeting Magnus that night, she was definitely asking him to share his secrets. If the circumstance allowed it, of course. She'd finished with a bold lip and then left the room just as Clary entered. Izzy had given her strict orders to make sure neither of her brothers would be wearing a basic black shirt, so Mabel had set out to do just that.

After checking their rooms, which Izzy had pointed out for her, and not finding them, Mabel searched the rest of the Institute. She didn't find them in Ops or the training rooms, but she heard Jace's voice and walked on a bit until she reached the weapons room.

"... and I know it's a mission, but we're allowed to have some fun, don't you think? It's been a while since we've gone out."

The two were standing in front of a table with weapons, their backs to the door. Jace had his hand on Alec's lower back and Alec seemed to relax under the touch. Mabel leant against the doorframe, watching the two of them with a smile on her face. She was also pleasantly surprised to find neither of them wearing black like Izzy had feared. Jace was wearing a dark red button-up and Alec a dark blue one. The colours suited them.