[Video] UN: angelus mortis

[wayfaring_stranger]

[ Jace has been here a few days, hiding out in his new apartment or stealthily moving around town to learn his new surroundings and the people who live here. He's learned quite a few things without ever having spoken to anyone. But the announcement of recent events makes it difficult to stand back and observe. ]

Anyone who knows how to fight should be working together. Anyone with information needs to start sharing what they know. The library won't let us take books out of the building, but I know a few people have been reading and taking notes. If you're looking to stop these demons meet me at Starbucks tomorrow morning, as soon as the sun rises, bring everything you have. Information, weapons, breakfast.

[ He holds up a set of keys. ]

I'll make the coffee.

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Private Video: UN: Sagittarius

[angelic_archer]

[For a few seconds, all Alec can do is stare before muttering a soft 'Jace?' before he starts to notice subtle differences between his parabatai and this being. The similarities are enough to cause him to be less secretive than he normally would be, trying to see if this 'angel' knows anything about Shadowhunters.]

If they're demons, they don't match anything in the Codex.

Shadowhunters smell good!

[wayfaring_stranger]

[ There is a slight shift in Jace's expression, wary curiosity mixed with surprised familiarity and homesickness. The face is familiar to him, but not the voice. So is the word codex.

A Shadowhunter. ]

But this isn't the Shadow world is it? I still think it's some sort of demon or twisted soul. The statues changing could be how these things are created.

You can't smell him through video

[angelic_archer]

Are you certain there isn't a Shadow world here?

[This isn't the first time Alec's visited an alternate reality so he's not going to automatically dismiss the possibility that there's a Shadow world here like there is in his New York.]

Demons aren't created from statues. That sounds more like magic or spells gone wrong.

But I know how good Shadowhunters smell!

[wayfaring_stranger]

I'm certain it's not anything like the Shadow world back home.

[ Jace leans closer to the camera as if that would help him see the Shadowhunter better in the small frame of the video. ]

Werewolves and Vampires aren't demons, but they are created from demons. Originally.

It's still weird, Jace

[angelic_archer]

Being different doesn't mean that a variation of it doesn't exist.

[He'd seen one that was barely recognizable as the Shadow world, but it still had traits that made it close to the Shadow world.

Rolling his eyes, he gave the being a 'really?' look.]

I've had lessons on werewolves and vampires since I learned to read. And you forgot to include warlocks in the 'from demonic origins' category.

*sniiiiiiiiffffs*

[wayfaring_stranger]

And Warlocks.

[ So sassy! Jace can't help smiling. This is a Shadowhunter he can't wait to meet in person. ]

Warlocks are useful, powerful, smart. Werewolves can still move among humans and behave normally in broad daylight, have jobs, but they're not human enough. Vampires just like to eat, can't be seen in the daylight, and have no heartbeat, essentially monsters and are useless to the Clave. But my point was I think the Statues are people who slowly turn into the Unseen.

[angelic_archer]

[The smile is met with a scowl. He's relieved someone is from a world similar to his, but the prejudices hit too close to home.]

Thank you for the recap of Basic Shadowhunting, but the Clave views vampires better than that. [Not by much, but they do acknowledge that vampires have uses.] They have uses, just not ones that the Clave likes to advertise. [Just like gay Shadowhunters have uses, when it suits them.]

From what I've seen, that could be true. The question is how did it happen?

[wayfaring_stranger]

[ Oooh! That scowl could be deadly if it wasn't so damn sexy. Which Jace admits silently to himself is a little weird because this Shadowhunter reminds him of his father.

He's also not going to argue over the Clave. ]

And we both know how much the Clave loves to keep their secrets. Don't we?

[ Jace considered the question for a moment. ]

I don't know. Demon pox?

[angelic_archer]

And how much they love someone who doesn't fit their ideals.

[Yes, it's a sensitive subject no matter how much they tolerate him as a 'hero'. He doubts that they'd be as tolerant if he wasn't Jace's parabatai.

He rolls his eyes again at the mention of demon pox.]

Demon pox doesn't turn people into statues. Even if it did, I haven't noticed any demons on my patrols.

[wayfaring_stranger]

[ Jace's expression softens. He understands that tone, that look, the emotions behind the words. The Clave will hurt their precious Shadowhunters if they don't follow the rules. ]

The Law is hard, but it is the Law.

[ The words are spoken with a heavy sadness he can't completely hide. But he quickly focuses on the only thing that matters now. Patrols. ]

How long have you been here? Do you patrol alone?

[angelic_archer]

[The sympathy is unexpected, causing Alec's expression to shift to something younger, more vulnerable than before. It quickly turns to something stubborn as he forces himself not to say something very Jace-like about the Law.]

Someday the Law might change.

[Magnus, Simon, and the other Downworlders he'd met had given him the start of an idea, but it would take time. Once he's back home, he might be able to make himself heard by those who don't believe in the Clave's ideals.]

I arrived a few days ago. I've been going out alone. As far as I know, I'm the only Shadowhunter here.

[wayfaring_stranger]

Not soon enough for some.

[ It's been a long time since he's allowed himself to think too deeply on the past so he clings to the thought of being useful in this strange place. ]

You're the first I've met, but I've only been here a few days myself. I could help. I know how fight. With or without weapons.

[angelic_archer]

Change takes time.

[And he's here instead of back home, something that will frustrate him later when he doesn't have a monster to stop.]

From the sounds of it, I'm not the first you've met.

[Despite the being's similarities to Jace, Alec is still suspicious. He can almost hear his friends' comments about that particular trait in the back of his head, but this time he thinks it's justified. He's somewhere new and he has no idea who this being is.]

How do I know that you really do know how to fight? Or that you don't have some vendetta against Shadowhunters?

[Or against Alec himself. He isn't exactly the most popular Shadowhunter after his actions in the Seelie Queen's court.]

[wayfaring_stranger]

I'm familiar with Shadowhunters.

[ There's a secret behind those blue eyes that he's not sharing because as much as he misses being a Shadowhunter he also doesn't trust them the way he once did. But this Shadowhunter is right. Change takes time and seems willing to be the one to make the changes himself. ]

I could prove it to you if given the chance. But that would take a little bit of trust from us both.

[angelic_archer]

[The scowl doesn't ease for a few minutes as he considers how to deal with the situation. He's sure that he can handle one Downworlder, but it feels weird to not have Jace or Izzy there as backup. His expression wavers at the thought of his family.

He reminds himself that he can take care of himself and he needs to trust Downworlders or he'll be just as bad as his ancestors. He can be cautious and still attempt to trust a stranger.]

How do you want to prove yourself?

[wayfaring_stranger]

[ Jace's smirk is playful and just a little bit dangerous. ]

Spar with me. No weapons, hand to hand, and you get to use your stele if you think you'll need it.

[angelic_archer]

[The smirk is so Jace-like that he almost gives in, but he can't help thinking of Camille.]

The last time I sparred with a vampire, I ended up a snack.