Leo Aarons

“Well I’m hardly innocent, though I am curious to know what these things you’re referring to are.” Eliza couldn’t help but disagree with the other, she could never put herself in Jaces’ shoes but she could imagine how hard this was on him. “He thought that man was his father, someone who emotionally manipulated him as a young child, he continued to do that to him since his return. I think when you’re in that situation you feel helpless, trying to prove to people that you’re not the same as the blood you supposedly come from, trying to be brave when you’re breaking and trying to do your best despite what people think. If I’ve learned anything lately it’s that Jace Herondale is one of the strongest people that I’ve met. And when you’re dealing with someone like Valentine, nothing is ever easy. Even if you think it was.”

Leo hummed at that, calling the bartender over to get himself another drink. “I don’t really have many run ins with him. When I do he’s not the most friendly of people.” The Shadowhunter often seemed to go out of his way to be rude actually. At least that was often how it felt. “I’m sure he is to you.”

“You really think of me as innocent? There are clearly a lot of things you don’t know about me as well then.” Eliza retorted, a small smile on her face as she sipped at her drink. “I agree, but I just hope the war that seems to be ongoing between the downworld and the shadowhunters doesn’t become worse because of this, it wasn’t anyone’s fault apart from Valentine and I know that this can’t be easy on Jace, but he did have intent on sacrificing himself to save everyone and yet some people see him to blame.”

“To a certain extent. With some things.” Because doing a job like hers could hardly make you completely innocent with all the things you had to see in the world. Eliza still had a sweetness to her though that was unusual. “I think from the perspective of most, he allowed himself to be too easily fooled and manipulated by Valentine. After everything that man has done, did anyone actually believe it would be that easy?”

“And are these things that I would want to know or are they too scandalous for my ears?” She continued to tease the other, but she did have to admit there was an air of intrigue around the male, not a lot known about him other then the minimal the Institute had. Though she tended not to read through peoples files unless they were a person of interest. Eliza placed her drink on the counter and tilted her head slightly as she replied to the other, “We lost many people, good people- we also lost a lot of Downworlders because of his doing. We still don’t know where the Mortal Cup is- the fight isn’t over with him. So no, I wouldn’t say it was anticlimactic.” 

“I’d say there is a little of both.” He told her with a grin. “You’re definitely too innocent to hear some of them.” Leo continued, giving her a bit of a grin though it faded a little as they spoke of the effects that the soul sword had on their world. “Yes... Well it’s something that I think we all show concern for and nothing is going to be settled until everything is sorted and kept safe.”

“He’s modest, who knew.” Eliza teased, a playful glint in her eyes as she took a sip from the glass of wine that still sat mostly full on the counter in front of her. “Trust me it’s a hunt we’ve been wanting to see the end of for quite some time, though most are still a little tense after the incident with the sword. I think they just need to remember that even with victories comes loss.” They had been at war with Valentine after all. “I guess we should.”

“The things you don’t know about me Eliza...” Because there was a long list of course but then he shared very little with most people. If anyone was asked he doubted they could give more than three to five facts about him. “Do you think it’s a little... Anticlimactic though? I’m a little worried the sentiments ‘calm before the storm’ could possibly apply here.” But then maybe his gut was wrong on this occasion. 

Eliza couldn’t help but roll her eyes at the others comment, giving him a pointed look as she spoke, “And do you just expect every girl you come across to flatter you?” Eliza shrugged, because she assumed it was the glass of wine she had been drinking and just being around downworlders. She enjoyed being out on missions as of late, it kept her mind busy and stopped it from wandering to Beau. “Valentine is in the hands of the Clave. I feel that warrants us to relax at least a little bit.”

“Not every girl.” Leo responded, knowing the kind of reaction it would get out of Eliza but he enjoyed toying with her and part of him felt like she enjoyed the teasing too. “It’s about time really.” Though that wasn’t aimed at them so much as the fact he had managed to stay out of everyones grasp for so long. “I suppose we should toast to that.”

“I don’t expect you to keep tabs on him, I just thought he might show up eventually..” she explained, frowning deeply at his next words as she remembered that being here was probably a terrible idea. Her father had done this, and even if she knew she wasn’t affiliated with him in any way, the rest of the world still very much seemed to believe she was on his side. “I know it doesn’t change anything. But I am so sorry for what that monster did..”

“Good because that really isn’t my kind of deal.” Leo didn’t waste his time with things like that and if Luke wanted him to know, he’d tell him, just like he would. At the others apology, Leo gave a shrug. “You didn’t do it so don’t apologise. Just work on trying to fix it. I think we can all agree that the one thing that is important right now is making sure he is taken down. Everything else is just background noise.”

“Now don’t go flattering yourself thinking that I’ve got a special look just for you, it’s one I use on many people when I think people are being big headed and can’t handle the truth as well as others.” She teased, because she had a feeling the other jumping in, getting hurt when she was more then capable of handling the situation wounded him slightly. Even if it was just his pride. “This is the most relaxed I’ve been in many weeks, so I say it’s an improvement.”

“I need to flatter myself since you aren’t going to do it for me.” He answered back with a smirk on his lips, giving the girl a little bit of a nudge. Considering how they had started off, the woman was growing on him. He enjoyed Eliza’s company and having her there. “Oh? What’s made you so relaxed? It seems like most people are feeling the opposite.”

“For Luke? And maybe the company if you have any good news. It’s all bleak lately…” she frowned slightly, petite hands circling around the warm cup of coffee. 

“You make the mistake of thinking I’m someone who pays attention to him; I’m really not.” Leo said simply, figuring the fact he was sat in the corner was a good indication that he pretty much stayed out of things but listened out for what was going on. “The company? Now that is a surprise but unfortunately as I am sure you know, there is no good news recently. That was put paid to when a good percentage of the downworlders were fried.”

“You’re a Downworlder, I think all of them would say the same about us Shadowhunters.” She smirked, knowing that wasn’t the case but it seemed to be the stick that came across when talking about the supposed rivalry between the species. “I’ve only told you that once and that time you really were in the way, any other time I’m okay with company. After all it’s not very often that I get the chance to sit and somewhat relax when on a mission.”

“Probably.” He conceded because he had yet to hear a downworlder who didn’t have an opinion on Shadowhunters. In actual fact, he was probably one of the ones who could deal with them a little better. “I think you’ve given a look to suggest it on many occasions. Or at least one that is specifically saved for me. It’s quite impressive.” He told her with a smirk on his lips. “I doubt you have a chance to sit and relax even when not on a mission.”

“Not all the time” she smirked gently. “Circle Members, some betrayed him before - what’s to say they wouldn’t a second time?”

An eyebrow quirked and for a minute there was silence. “I hope you realize how pathetic that idea is.” 

“Panicking is as effective at taking Valentine down as a defenceless mundane is. Why stress when you can just put all of that energy into coming up with a plan?”

“Do you like pointing out the obvious all the time?” Leo commented drolly, rolling his eyes a little at her comment. “Alright, since you appear to have all the answers, what would your plan be exactly?”

“Considering I just got here, that’s not shocking” Athena shrugged, meaning the city itself rather than where they were in that exact moment. “Relax, I was just taking a walk”

“Relaxing is somewhat difficult these days don’t you think. Regardless of where you have come from I am sure you have heard about the goings on recently.” Leo told the woman simply.

“You’re right, I think it might and it’s far too soon for me to die.” She teased the other, a small smile on her lips as she looked at the other, “You’re tolerable, some days. Others, it’s a give or take situation.” Eliza looked at the other puzzled for a moment before responding to the others words, “You wouldn’t be getting in the way, if anything you’d help when it comes to staying undercover and unseen to those who I’m trying to catch.”

Leo chuckled and rolled his eyes at the woman, picking up his drink to sip on it. “I think our feelings are pretty mutual in that respect then. Sometimes you can be a real pain in the ass.” Still, he patted the chair next to him. “Normally you would tell me that I am. Is it any wonder that I can’t figure out where abouts I stand with you?”

Eliza glared at the other and shook her head, “You know I think I want to take back what I said, I’d rather be alone then to be teased mercilessly by the likes of you.” She told the other, though her tone was playful and not at all serious, which was a change compared to how she usually was. “Demon business, tracked them to here, they’re making some rather dangerous dealings with downworlders. Have to catch them off guard and take care of them quickly before it gets too messy.”

“You know, I think it would kill you to admit you actually like me.” Leo commented with a chuckle as he hummed at her explanation. “Ah, I see. Well I wouldn’t want to get in your way.” He could remember how that had gone down last time he had gotten himself caught up in her business. All his best intentions had ended up with one pissy Shadowhunter and he just couldn’t be bothered dealing with that.