CC: INBOX.

[distractly]

isabelle lightwood: inbox.
texts, voice, prompts. +overflow

Comments

[recoined]

text. friday afternoon.

first order of business: beach party. next friday.
your attendance is required
and clary and i will not accept no for an answer

second: did you pack a bathing suit?

[distractly]

If Clary truly doubts I would ever forget something as essential as a suit, I may have to reconsider how close we've become.

Now, the real question is what kind of beach party are we talking? Gals out suns out, or will there be dogs accompanying? ( it's a bit harsh of a generalization, she realizes; it's mostly a taunt. )

[recoined]

to be fair, the suit question's all me
considering i did forget to pack one

and i'm pretty sure the party's not clothing optional
not that i think the host would complain a whole lot either way
or that it'd be that much of a tragedy if you went topless anyway

text |

[creatio]

if i buy you dinner will you come furniture shopping with me tomorrow?
i need a sensible person's insight.

[distractly]

Since when do I need to be bribed to go shopping?
Food, yes. But we can go halfsies on that. You'll need your energy.

[creatio]

oh wait, i'd forgotten who i was talking to.
i take it back! i like having soles on my feet!!

( No, she doesn't want to go it alone. )

action;

[killertrack]

[ The next couple of hours after his talk with Isabelle are a little bit of a rush. He goes through the car to make sure it's spotless - not that he likes it when it's anything but, already, but he puts in extra effort anyway.

Seriously, he's never allowing anyone to eat in his car, ever again.

Then, it's off to the store for some nice wine and a large, cozy blanket, that he puts in the back of the car along with a couple bags of emergency chips. Goes home, showers, doesn't exactly dress up but puts in some effort, grabs his necessary iPods and a couple of jumpers, and then he's off and on his way.

Apparently, picking up girls that are way out of his league is becoming a habit of his, and he's not about to start complaining. Johnny Cash is singing about everywhere he's been as Baby waits, car parked just in front of Isabelle's building, fingers tapping rhythm on the steering wheel. Despite the late hour, he's still wearing sunglasses - the sun won't set for another hour or so, after all.

He's ready to show Isabelle the best evening he can. ]

[distractly]

( upon coming to cadelle, the last thing she'd expected was to be warmed into the idea of what could rightfully be considered a date. there was a part of her arguing it went against priority, that she wasn't here to get close to another who would only, at some time's length, be taken from her. but there's a swell that's taken to her chest, the slightest uptick of an otherwise steady heart as it nears eight.

there's a citrus glow left beaming through the apartment, telltale signs of a sun ablaze ready to fall asunder in wake of the night to come, and it's just as she's ensuring she has everything she'll need that phone buzzes atop her nightstand, alerting her that he's waiting.

digits smooth over the slight crop of her shirt, settling for something a bit more casual-- which he doesn't need to know is incredibly difficult to achieve given her wardrobe. she'll take that as an excuse to find somewhere within the city to splurge, thank you. phone is tucked into a small bag, and it's only another moment before she's slipping from the entry doors, catching sight of the romance artist himself waiting for her in what was truly too picturesque a scene.

single edge of her lips rises upward, nearing the driver's side where she leans in to casually rest forearm against the sill, tilting her head with playful glint hidden in honeyed hues. ) Convenient timing, I was just in need for a ride.

text;

[obdurates]

How are you holding up?
Feels weird to be away from the institute. Away from Valentine.

[distractly]

I'm trying.

( really, it's the only response she knows to offer, the only one with any bit of truth. if it were anyone else reaching out, maybe she'd pretty up a reply, but it's jace. they deserve more than that from one another. )

It feels weird to be away from everything. I keep trying to remind myself why I'm here, you know? But it's difficult, especially when so many others seemed to have lost sight of it. That or they're better at hiding it than I am.

text |

[creatio]

wok and roll.
6pm.
you're meeting me for dinner.

( Strangely enough, she is very much like Jace in just assuming things. But she doesn't it nicely. Hopefully. She just wants to see Izzy, hang out with her, talk some. )

Re: text |

[distractly]

It's about time someone took me on a sushi date.

( don't worry, clary. she admires your blooming tenacity. )

Tell me it's good news and not the opposite. I could use some good news.

action-ish

[killertrack]

[ It feels like a labor of love; and in a way, it is. Baby stays late at B-Sides, after the store is closed, to use the equipment there; recording on cassette gives the sound a grittier quality, like little imprints of emotions throughout the music.

And it reminds him of home. It's another part of why it matters, to him, something else he's giving Isabelle.

He records the songs carefully, using several tapes as he starts over when the flow isn't right, when he suddenly thinks of a new song to add, that needs to be added earlier on in the mix. He doesn't want any overlaps, so he goes for clean tapes every time he messes up. And when it's done, he spends some time copying the tracklist carefully, decorating the front of the sleeve with silly doodles like most of his mixes have, the title, a simple Songs For Isabelle, Vol. 1, front and center.

He puts the cassette, a beaten up Walkman complete with their little headphones and the note he's penned to go alongside the mixtape, into a large envelope, when he's done, leaving it against Isabelle's apartment door, without knocking or making a sound; he's even walked there to avoid detection.

When Isabelle gets the package, she can listen to the playlist while reading his words: ]

John Cusack's character in High Fidelity said, "To me, making a tape is like writing a letter - there's a lot of erasing and rethinking and starting again." Just so you know, this comes to you so late because I've been starting again, over and over. I hope you enjoy.

1. Song For Isabelle - Pierce The Veil
I'm guiding your chin to my lips / Using only my fingertips / All we have are parking lots and nowhere to go, if you love me / Then show me more
It seems self-explanatory, that I would open this with a song including your name. Not a love song; but burdens are of all sorts.

2. This Magic Moment - Lou Reed
You took me by surprise / I knew that you felt it too / I could see it by the look in your eyes / Sweeter than wine / Softer than a summer's night
That first date, the way you looked, while looking at a sunset. It’s engraved in my memories.

3. Just Hold On, We’re Going Home - Drake
I got my eyes on you / You're everything that I see / I want your hot love and emotion endlessly / I can't get over you / You left your mark on me
Because you did, you left your mark on me, from that first date onwards.

4. Use Somebody - Kings Of Leon
Off in the night, while you live it up, I'm off to sleep / Waging wars to shape the poet and the beat / I hope it's gonna make you notice / I hope it's gonna make you notice / Someone like me
We’ve danced to this song, it felt true to how I feel about you then, and still does now.

5. Try A Little Tenderness - Otis Redding
You know she's waiting / Just anticipating / For things that she'll never, never, never, never possess, yeah yeah / But while she's there waiting, without them / Try a little tenderness (that's all you gotta do)
When we first talked, I quoted this song. It felt to me like you could do with someone that was willing to show you some tenderness, and I still want to be that guy.

6. Everybody Here Wants You - Jeff Buckley
I know everybody here wants you / I know everybody here thinks he needs you / I'll be waiting right here just to show you / How our love will blow it all away
Again, it feels self-explanatory. And true.

7. Moondance - Van Morrison
And I'm trying to please to the calling / Of your heart-strings that play soft and low / And all the night's magic seems to whisper and hush / And all the soft moonlight seems to shine in your blush
Van Morrison is one of my favorite artists. He can convey so much in music that stays upbeat and fun. And, as it is, I just want one more moondance with you.

8. Your Hand In Mine - Explosions In The Sky
Back home, I’ve found peace in Explosions In The Sky. Hopefully, you will too. This song, despite not having any lyrics, manage to depict a beautiful love story, that swells through to the end.

9. Echo - Incubus
There's something about the look in your eyes / Something I noticed when the light was just right / It reminded me twice that I was alive / And it reminded me that you're so worth the fight
You make me feel alive, and you make me believe.

10. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
there ain't no mountain high enough / Ain't no valley low enough / Ain't no river wide enough / To keep me from getting to you babe
Wherever and whenever you need me.

11. Changed By You - Between The Trees
Cause I am changed by you / The more I get to know you / The more I want you close to me / And I'll take care of you / Please just say you'll let me
A summary of everything I’ve been feeling. It’s a corny song I’ll admit, but it fits the purpose..

12. I Love Playin’ With Fire - The Runaways
Actin' tough with looks that kill / You got me goin' and I can't stand still / My arms are dyin' to hold you tight / Well you're my little dark dynamite you know / I love playin' with fire
I see your softness, and your kindness. But I know you’re a lot more than that, and I see the fire, too.

13. Something About Us - Daft Punk
It might not be the right time / I might not be the right one / But there's something about us I want to say / Cause there's something between us anyway
I don’t think there’s any point in denying that I’m terribly attracted to you; I’ve told you so already. This song speaks for it.

14. Lovin’ You - Minnie Riperton
Loving you is easy cause you're beautiful / Making love with you is all I want to do / Loving you is more than just a dream come true / And everything I do, is out of loving you
Call it wishful thinking, to end.

Yours,
Baby.

PS: the Walkman is a loaner, bring it back to B-Sides one of these days ;).

pt. 1

[distractly]

( it isn't what she's expecting when she finds the soft orange of the package resting against her door, sweat dried upon her temples where tiny black strands stick in place. after letting herself in, water bottle and keys are set atop the small end table she's set beside the door, locking it blindly as she turns the envelope twice over, stalking into the darkened entry of her apartment with a wondrous heart.

the idea of a shower is temptingly disrupted, routing toward her bedroom once she's slid out of her sneakers, tossed aside the baggy crop of a black zip up hoodie that'd held in her warmth from the impending fall beginning to kiss cadelle's air. a gentle tear along the folded-over seam, sitting at the foot of her mattress with one of the dimmer lights within her bedroom turned on, and that's when she sees it. songs for isabelle, vol. 1 scripted in a distinguishable hand, and there's a flush that swells ardently to her cheeks, along twin columns of her neck, brushed across the entirety of her chest.

it's almost a daze, what she has with baby, constantly warring with the ever-growing fear of what might happen when they're intended to leave, when wishes are fulfilled and the real world beckons once more. she doesn't just want him to be a piece of cadelle, part of her life here and nowhere else, but such thoughts are pressed aside in favor of the casette player now held in opposite hand.

what holds her attention, then, is the note affixed to the tape, providing a track list along with a scrawl of his own personal commentary. a rich thud takes to the organ in her chest. there's nothing she wants more than to slip those earbuds into place and fall into the rhythmic admittance of what he's composed just for her, a means of conveying everything he felt, thought when he was with her- though she's able to will herself into a piping shower and silken sleepwear, slipping limbs into the chill of her sheets.

now it's nothing but her, his company by form of a mixtape, and she inserts side 'A' with his note set atop her lap and hits play, relaxing into the plush of her pillow. )

pt. 2, action.

[distractly]

( there's no telling how many times she'd listened to the tape, some of the songs making snickers arise from her lips in a bubbly melody, while others she let take her under, following alongside his notes for the first playthrough and letting his words sink beneath her skin after that. the everlasting chirp of the cicadas and breeze let through the sheer curtains of her windows, the rustling of trees just outdoors all silenced to the 14-track world he's created, all in sake of her. at some point, she falls under the cadence of a just-as-sweet sleep, the chirping in background to rippertone's soothing, high coos the last to be heard.

and then static, silence. the end of a tape. and it's with only him in mind that she wakes the next morning.

'p.s., the walkman is a loaner. bring it back to b-sides one of these days.' equipped with a winky face and all. maybe she's meant to come later, wait a few more days, though even if she doesn't have the intention of returning the player just yet, it'd be cruel both to herself and him to delay any longer. the only thing she knows to do is see him. she opts for something comfortable, sweater providing just enough warmth for a late september, and when she slips beneath the dull ding of b-sides, it isn't difficult for eyes to find him. )

Text; randomly

[killertrack]

Been listening to Liszt all day and it keeps on reminding of you:

Sharp
Smart
Beautiful

[distractly]

You're getting better and better at these romantics, Baby.
And here I thought you'd topped it all.

Can't sleep?

text; pre-festival; afternoon

[killertrack]

would you like to go on a walk with myself, and an elderly dog in need of a home?

[distractly]

It would certainly be my own loss to deny such an invitation.

Are you saying you adopted a dog, Baby?

‣ cont. action ( risers )

[distractly]

from tdm.

( that sense of debt is something izzy would instantly seek to hush should she know they occupied even a facet of his thoughts; she was nothing if not proud of her brother for the part he's played in the institute. she knew responsibility, duty often came with making decisions that others couldn't. it was a harsh burden to carry, and one she doesn't want to weigh him here, even if there had been times when it seemed head of the institute took place of her brother.

and so maybe it's good, after all, that she'd come. that he was with her— a fresh grounds to reconcile all they've been through, to properly bury their wrongs and find some way to make themselves anew. she gives him a look as he pries a little at her bag, shrugging around his opposite side with it still slung over her shoulder as she steps out into the crisp eve of cadelle's autumnal sunset. )

I haven't tried much yet. We could try Blaze? I've heard the pizza is the best around. ( not that it could likely compare to brooklyns. ) Or tacos. Are we feeling tacos?

[risers]

[ alec's answer is very simple: he'll have whatever izzy's feeling. if he says so, he suspects izzy may start poking him for an explanation as to why he's suddenly less opinionated. even in the cities around the world magnus had taken him to, he'd always had some opinion — he wanted to ride a gondola, he wanted to go for a tandem bike ride just to see how well magnus steered, he wanted frog's legs, chicken wings, a whole freaking buffet — despite never having been there. "i don't know this place" is an excuse that would work well with anyone who isn't his sister. ]

[ with the strap of her bag now around his shoulder, alec feels as though he's secured himself a distraction — and he's finally feeling useful in a city he's already feeling useless within. following her, he says, ] I can go for some pizza, with garlic bread. [ if the garlic bread's shit, they're leaving. ]

[ playing pretend, he grabs the strap of her bag as though she's rolled stones inside of it. ] What the hell do you have in this thing?

text;

[obdurates]

how much convincing will take on my part for you to be in on my plan?
the plan being we ambush alec at his place tonight and make him get us dinner

[distractly]

Given that the plan involves Alec and food, I think you know your chances.

( translation: when are we meeting? )

snapchat lol lol lol

[perro]

( midnight gym sessions? apparently not just good for distracting one's self and getting ripped.

enjoy a a snap, courtesy of señor ramirez, once he's sure the men's locker room at sucker punch is otherwise empty.

lessons learned: 1. self-timers are shitty and way too difficult when trying to get back to your spot in time to get a full-body pic. 2. girls have way prettier asses than he does. 3. rene ramirez will not hold back when it comes to busting on a pretty girl, like he's a kindergartener who shows affection through tugging pigtails and kicking mud at someone in the playground.

oh, and 4. he definitely screenshotted isabelle's snap a long, long time ago, obviously so he could reference what it said in a time like this one. obviously. )

[distractly]

( she's spent more than a few nights in cadelle within that same gym, however it'd never crossed her mind to use it as a stage for such a risque photoshoot. it's exactly the sort of thing isabelle would expect from him, though, coming through on snapchat as such a late hour, which makes it all the more amusing. so sue her if she replays the snap; he'll get notified for it, but she has far more reasons to view it once over than he would have her own.

give her a few minutes, ramirez. she's kind of torn between pressing fingers to her lips to refrain the snickers from bubbling free and figuring out exactly the proper way to respond, if there is one. ) I'm not seeing any lace, hermoso.

I'm not quite sure I'm so sold without it.