epidemiology | OPEN | left behind folks

CHARACTERS: Magnus Bane + OPEN; Magnus Bane + Alec Lightwood;
DATE: During the week of the storm
WARNINGS: bodies, blood, gore. Also some gay, probably
SUMMARY: Feel free to rescue him from being mugged? Or just commiserate with him over his stolen fish. Also, investigating bodies and stuff.

i. open → seashells by the seashore

[ This is not the worst month he's ever had, but it comes damn close. A part of him just wants to hole up somewhere until all of this goes away, except he's never been good at that. He needs a distraction. He needs something to take his mind off the fact that his magic, which has been a part of him since he was born, has all but fizzled out.

So here he is, at the shoreline where the man on the network had said he'd found bodies. He isn't wrong: there they are, lined up on the beach. Ugh. It's not pretty.

And nearby the shore, a figure. They don't look deer-shaped, so he really hopes it's just another stranded islander investigating like he is and not a Nalawi looking to slice him open, too. ]

Anything interesting or just the same old sacrifices?

ii. open → tiny angry deer folk

[ It's entirely possible it was not a good idea to go wandering in the dark when he doesn't have his magic to protect him. It is entirely possible he should have stayed indoors and avoided this whole mess. It's spiraling out of control faster than the thing with the Mortal Cup had, which is saying something.

So yes. It was an awful idea. Look, he was bored and hungry, there's nothing to drink here, and he's miserable. What was the worse that could happen, really?

Apparently, having a Nalawi that barely comes up to his shoulder assault him for his fish. Magnus sputters and lets it go, because he knows exactly how useful he is without his magic and it is the sum of less than zero. He hates his life. ]

Hey! Really?

iii. closed → slow motion run towards each other

[ Magnus is pacing, up and down along the walls and walls of murals, twisting his ring around his finger until his skin goes numb. He's clearly irritating the Nawali in here. He doesn't care. He knows they don't deserve any of this, but neither does he and the remnants of his sympathies have been chipped into oblivion along with his nail polish.

He doesn't even know why he's anxious. Alec's here. That's good, in a way, but the last time they saw each other, it'd been...complicated and as much as he missed the Shadowhunter, it didn't mean he wanted their reunion to be here. Alec should be back home, protecting Clary, finding his parabatai. It's bad enough Magnus is stuck here unable to help, but now the Institute is down yet another one.

Mostly, he's just not sure how Alexander will really respond to him despite their conversation over the network. He hates being so uncertain. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Alec is still, a finger running over the string of his bow, waiting to be told that it wasn't necessary. He hadn't wanted to imply he was... defenseless, but he knew how much Magnus used his magic. He knew he wasn't the only one was affected by it.

His nod was solemn, but he didn't answer. There were more and more, and this was a bigger problem than just trying to convince them to get off an island. From one island to another, just to get their bellies slit like fish.

His gaze shot back down. The same kind of warmth he'd felt after his wedding swelled in his face.] And after, too. If you want. [His smile was small, but there.] Though you won't need any help then.

[As soon as it came, the quirk in his lips was gone again.] Did you feel anything from them? I don't know how much I can feel, but... they just felt like bodies to me. Not magic.

[ However small, Magnus is glad to see a smile on Alec, though it vanishes too soon. So does his own. He twirls his ring absently, tracing the grooves in the thick silver band. ]

I didn't feel anything, either, though frankly, I couldn't tell you how much that has to do with my magic. Or the lack thereof.

[ Usually, he uses magic to sense magic. His warlocks have always been interconnected with him; now it's just gone, no matter how hard he tries to reach for it. ]

At least you still have my bow and quiver. [ He plucks Alec's bowstring wryly. That felt a long time ago somehow, though he knew it wasn't. Especially not for him. ]

[He sighs. He doesn't mean to be wound so tightly, but -- who the hell would blame him? He knows this isn't a matter of mundanes trying their first hand at sacrificing to some minor demon for fun or profit. This isn't something he can just go look up in the Codex. Sacrificial magic is serious. It's one step above true black magic, and... and he doesn't have much experience with it.

This is something they usually let Downworlder scouts handle.]

Yours? [He blinks back to the present. The string vibrates against him, making the hair stick up at the back of his head.] Right.

[The only thing left he'd had in payment.] I'd give it to you if I thought you could use it.

[Was that... teasing? Nope. No way.]

[ That is teasing. It makes Magnus's eyes widen just a hint in surprise. Something like delight stirs inside him; it's stupid, he knows, but their conversations have always been so serious, so fraught with tension. Even the night Alec had stayed over, Alec's mind had lingered on his parents and the Institute.

He wants to see Alec lighter again, that's all, the way he was during that short time after the wedding, all smiles and bright eyes. It hadn't lasted nearly long enough. ]

Oh, you keep it. But you know, if we find the time, [ his voice drops half an octave, a silky purr, ] I would be glad to learn how to use your bow.

[There might have been the smallest smile on Alec's face right before it vanished in surprise. Oh. Angel. He'd dug his own grave here. That was exactly what he'd asked for and --

It was different. Now. Between them. He wasn't ignoring him, looking away from him at his flirtations. He was.

Hell, he had no idea what he was doing.]

Yours. Your bow. Um. [He hastily pawed at his bracelet which, to his ever-thankful mind, immediately powered up so he could focus all of his attention on the network.] We should see if --

[Anything's changed. He stiffened, cursing under his breath. The hint of ease in him went up in smoke, his muscles stiff, his stance straighter.] Magnus, look. Something's happening. [Alec looked up at him, and his gaze was serious. He knew he didn't have magic now, but if he thought he knew Magnus at all...] Do you want to go?

[ His grin grows ever more coy as he watches Alec fuss with his device, looking anywhere but at Magnus's face. When Alec's brow furrows, though, so does Magnus's. ]

What is it? [ Magnus lifts up a bit on his toes to peer over Alec's shoulder. There's not much to read, as it turns out. The message is cryptic at best and, actually, just downright useless.

But he already knows he isn't going to stay here. It's all of their problem now. If nothing else, he's determined to get his damn magic back. (The thought of being without it for good is not one he's entertaining.)

He nods. ] We should lend a hand. Come on.

[He lowers the holo a little, his frown not lightening up. It looked like this mission was only going to keep getting worse, and now Alec was even more convinced no one knew what the hell they were doing.

He sighed.]

I'm right behind you. [The holo fizzled out. Maybe, if they could figure out where to go, they'd actually be able to help.

No thanks, once again, to ALASTAIR.]

OPEN | left behind folks

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