Ninja (MAGNIA)
Ok, so this here is the one fic you want to read. I don’t care if you don’t read that really long leaving fic thing that was happening, but this, this you should read.
Involving Magnus @magnus-havilliard, who is Winter’s brother and Rp’d by her. So thanks for that.
That’s all the info I’ll give you before the fic starts, but remember it’s Magnia. Ok Have fun, and happy reading!
“I think you just fell for me.” My heart is beating out of my chest, as I revel in the fact that I’m not splattered on the ground. Of course, of all the times for my rope to snap, it would be when I was leaving. It’s possible that my insistence that my ropes never snap, when I was talking to Ashton was a little premature. It’s not like I knew this would happen.
If I’d planned my rope snapping, I would have prepared better. Had someone lined up to catch me when I fell. Although it seems despite my lack of planning someone did catch me. But my god, if he (and I know it’s a he because of his voice) hadn’t been here. I could have died. Died.
I don’t, I don’t want to die. That’s the complete opposite of why I jumped in the first place. I jump because it makes me feel alive, I suppose from now on I’ll always be a little more aware of the possibility of death looming just around the corner.
I open my eyes, which I’d squeezed closed as soon as I heard the rope snap, blinking a couple of times in the bright light. I adjust my position so that I can see the guy who caught me. And catch myself blinking a couple more times more, not because of the bright light anymore though. I catch myself, and roll my eyes at him, already smiling.
“Oh… you do realise that’s just about the worst line ever don’t you.” Seriously. If he’s going to start pulling out the stupid lines at least make them original or something. Although, in this case… No. Don’t go there Cillia. You’re still in shock from the whole falling thing you did not just nearly think that.
“Uhh… Pretty sure it was great.” Well actually… No. No, no no. The stupid line does not become any less stupid just because it was situationally appropriate. No.
“Well in this case it’s weirdly accurate, so I’ll give you that.” What. Why the hell did I just admit to that. I feel like blaming the fact that I’m probably still in shock from the fall. Make that definitely still in shock. Yes, that’s the only reason I’m even considering appreciating the stupid ass line.
He nods solemnly, as if accepting a prize or award. Which I suppose he is, since I just handed him victory. I can’t believe I actually said that. I mean, it was bad enough that I was even thinking it. But actually saying it out loud? I blame nearly falling to my death.
“Should I put you down now?” He asks me. I should say yes, and continue on my way. But… I don’t know if I could stand right now, I’m shaking a bit from the whole near death experience thing that I’ve got going on over here. Although if I let myself admit it, I’m making excuses.
“If you want,” I say with a shrug, “I don’t mind.” What I really mean is, no don’t put me down, because if you put me down then I have to actually leave, and I don’t want to. Not yet, and especially not now.
“I think I’ll keep carrying you, then I’ll be able to tell people ‘I lift’ without lying.” If you classify ‘lifting’ as carrying a girl who you caught falling from a roof. Well that sounds more impressive than lifting actually. He must have been close by when I screamed.
Or he might not have been that close, I can only assume that my scream was pretty loud. Loud enough that I’m surprised no one else has come running yet. Maybe they’re all inside. That would save me the embarrassment at least.
“Which implies that you’ve been lying to everyone up to this point.” I shoot back. Although, not that I’m paying attention to his arms or anything, but… Well I’m not the lightest person, not saying I’m heavy either, but he’s holding me without much effort, so he isn’t some weakling.
“I don’t lie. You lie.” I lie? I shoot him an indignant glare. How dare he accuse me of lying about anything. He doesn’t know me, he doesn’t know what I do and don’t tell people. He doesn’t know anything. Anything. Except, it seems, how to get to me.
“And what makes you say that, you know nothing about me.” One of my pet peeves, when people judge you based off your looks. He probably assumes I’m a lying, gossipy little so and so because I’m blonde or something. Don’t think I didn’t notice him narrowing his eyes at my head before. He was either suspicious of my hair or my face, but my face is angelic, so it was probably my hair.
“How would you know that. I could be your stalker.” As if I wouldn’t know If someone was stalking me. Especially him. I would have noticed.
“Well in that case, what’s my name?” I ask, “If you ate my stalker you’d know.” I finish with a smirk. Hoping that he’ll ask my name, and thus return the favour. I don’t want to keep referring to him as ‘him’ in my head, it annoys me.
“Crazy, blonde ninjas don’t have names.” Excuse me, crazy, blonde ninjas do too have names. And now I sound like a seven year old. I’ve bagged out Ashton enough times about his childish tendencies that I know I can’t get away with showing them myself.
Wait, did he say ninja? Ninja? I’m insulted.
“You think I’m a ‘crazy, blonde ninja? You definitely aren’t my stalker in that case.” Crazy I can deal with, because it’s true. Same with blonde, I might not like the way people stereotype me because of my blonde hair, but I know what I am.
But ninja? Did he not see me falling from the roof screaming. If I was a ninja I would have been calm, collected, and saved myself with a grappling hook that I pulled from my thigh holster or something. Note to self: buy a grappling hook. And a thigh holster.
“Why’s that?” he asks. Is he blind, did he not see me. But when I look at his face, he’s looking me with an expression that hovers somewhere between a grin and a smirk.
“I may be a crazy blonde, but I’m certainly not a ninja.” I grumble. Now that I’ve seen his expression I know he’s poking fun at me, and I don’t like it. Only certain pre-approved people are allowed to poke fun at me, and ‘whatever-his-name-is’ isn’t one of them.
“Yeah, I can tell. Pretty sure that’s how we ended up in this situation in the first place.” Damn rope, why did it have to snap. Although honestly I didn’t check it again this morning. After all, all the ropes were fine when we went on that expedition at 1am.
Gracey probably spent the whole time sawing through her rope with the edge of a tile or something though, she was pretty drunk. And knowing my luck, that’s the rope I picked this morning. Good plan, blame Gracey. Or Yanely. Or Winter. Actually no, not Winter. She wouldn’t do that. Probably.
“It is.” I say with a sigh, rolling my eyes at him. “And you still don’t know who I am. I don’t believe your stalker story.” I add, bringing us back to the topic at hand. Well more to the point, to the direction I want the conversation to head in. I want to know who he is, but I can’t just ask him outright.
I need to find the right moment, an opportunity. Or I need him to just offer me the information without having to ask. Usually I’d just ask anyway, or move on and do some investigation later. But I seem to have learnt something from my lessons in the palace, even if it is just social etiquette.
Although, god knows why I care about that now. When this whole conversation is throwing general social etiquette out the window. I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to flirt with a guy while he’s carrying you in his arms without knowing who he is.
Wait, did I say flirt. I meant… No, I know exactly what I’m doing, and it isn’t simply making friendly conversation. Might as well admit it.
“Alright, then who are you?” He asks. You can’t just… Has he never heard of tact, subtlety. Anything other than just asking? Even pre-selection Cillia wouldn’t have just… asked. Although that probably has more to do with her lack of interest, rather than her etiquette or social skills.
“You can’t just ask a girl who she is like that!” I exclaim, which defiantly breaks all the decorum rules I know. But, we already established that this whole conversation is outside the realm of ‘casual polite conversation’, so breaking the rules is bothering me less and less. “But I’m Cillia.” I tack on.
“Yes I can.” He says with a smile that to me screams, ‘I can because I just did’. Cocky little thing he is. Kinda like me. “And Cillia you say? I was told not to speak to you.” Who would have… Why would someone… Probably Alize. She probably saw him heading outside, and remembering what I’d said about midday, made sure that he wouldn’t talk to me. I wonder what it is to her? Maybe she likes him.
“By who?” I ask, ready to have my suspicions confirmed. Or refuted I suppose.
“Winter. You know her?” Winter? What now. Why would Winter care if he spoke to me or not. Unless…
“Yeah, I’m friends with her. Wait, how do you know her?” If he’s who I think he is, then this day just got a whole lot more interesting. A whole lot.
“I stalk her too.” He replies without hesitation. But I purse my lips, glaring at him and tired of his games. He sighs and relents, “Just kidding. I’m her brother.” Her brother. Damn, I don’t remember her ever mentioning his name. The rest of her siblings, she’s mentioned by name, but I honestly don’t think she’s mentioned her brothers name.
“In that case I’m not supposed to talk to you either. She told me she hopes we never meet…” I reply, trailing off. I watch him for a reaction, and he clenches his jaw, shaking his head a little. I can almost hear him mentally cursing his meddling sister.
“Then we should definitely talk.” he replies, obviously leaning, as I am, to the inclination of, ‘to hell with Winter and her meddling, I can make my own decisions’. Well, that’s my current personal opinion at least.
“That’s what we’re doing right now isn’t it?” I ask with a smirk.
“If you consider mouth movements talking.” Of course I consider mouth movements talking. Along with gestures, facial expressions, the creepy thing some people do when they talk with their eyes. The normal things.
“I don’t know what else you’d consider talking, so yes I do.”
“Mouth movements could mean more than just talking.” Nope. Not happening buddy. If that’s what you were even implying. If not then forget I even thought that. I raise an eyebrow at him.
“The only mouth movements I’m interested in are talking ones.” I reply. It’s Winter’s brother who she told me not to talk to. I feel like I need some sort of permission to even talk to him, let alone whatever he’s implying.
“Big heartbreak recently?” Just because a girl doesn’t want to kiss you means that she must be heartbroken. Stuck up prick. Maybe it’s because, I don’t know, I’ve only known you for a few minutes and I know next to nothing about you.
“Not really. It’s a long and somewhat complicated story. Well not really all that long or complicated, thinking about it.” I reply. I’m not heartbroken, no. I’ve just been recently eliminated from the Selection, and should theoretically be leaving the palace grounds right about now.
“Go on then.” I sigh and look down at my hands, which are sitting still in my lap. This is the kind of time that I’d usually be fiddling with them, but I’ve been keeping them very still.
Because well my hands are kind near this guys chest, and I don’t want to accidentally bump them into his chest, because he’d totally make a joke that I was feeling him up and I don’t need that in my life.
“I got friend zoned by the prince. If you want the short version.” And the only version. That’s really all there is to it, isn’t there. Nothing shockingly dramatic, nothing altogether unexpected.
“Isn’t there more princes you can get. Because it seems as though if one prince doesn’t like you, the other will.” He says, a trace amount of bitterness, or annoyance in his voice. Does he, no he can’t. Not like Winter would have told him. Still, i adjust myself in his arms, leaning up to whisper in his ear.
“Between you and me the other prince is very much taken.” I say, moving quickly back to my original position. I’m not telling him anything specifically, just, making something clear, and if he happens to know, I’m sure he’ll mention.
“So I’ve noticed.” he replies, that same tone from before still evident in his voice. I feel like he knows, he has to know. It’s… there in his eyes or something. Maybe it’s just a feeling. But he knows. I’m sure of it.
“Stalking your sister were you?” I ask, taking a risk. He winces, confirming my suspicions that he does in fact, know.
“Yes. I secretly live in the palace as a stable boy named Pedro, a maid named Tammy, or a plant named Jim.” I wrinkle my nose in confusion. I had a maid called Tammy. Does he, know that, or did he just pick a name out of the air and that happened to be it.
“Oh, so that’s why my maid Tammy was never around! Things make a lot more sense now.” I joke, with a laugh. Although, it is true that Tammy was the most scarce of my maids. I don’t think she actually liked me all that much.
“Plot twist,” he says, “Tammy had a dick.” From my spot in his arms, I start kicking my legs a little, starting to get antsy from lack of movement. Although I quickly stop when I realise that the action is sending my skirt sliding down my legs, and that it’s now resting at mid thigh length, rather than at my knees.
“Oh?” I say, feigning surprise, “You have one of those?” I wince a little, so much for polite conversation, before remembering that polite conversation doesn’t matter. I am no longer a lady of Ashton’s Selection, so being a lady doesn’t matter. It also means that this… whatever this is, is allowed.
Which I’m rather glad of, personally.
He looks at me blankly, tilting his head to the side,
“No. Lost it in ‘Nam.” I want to laugh at her dramatic theatrics, but his expression is so serious that I take it as a challenge, and keep my own face blank too.
“Well that’s unfortunate.” I sigh dramatically. He gazes off into the distance, which reminds me of my gazing into the city thing.
Which reminds me that I decided last night it was utter crap. Although… It was dark last night, and more than half of us had completed some alcohol consumption that night. So maybe it’s not as bad as it seems.
“Never did get Billy back.” He says heavily, piling on the theatrics. I see a small smile tug at the corners of his most, but he smooths it over into an expression of solemnity before turning back to me.
“If you named it Billy,” I say with a smirk, “can I safely assume that it is not also your name.” I have found my opportunity. Just in time too, because I want his name goddamn it. I’m sick of referring to him as simply him.
“First of all, you’re disgusting. Billy was my old war buddy.” he says, making an overdramatic attempt at flipping his hair. Which really doesn’t work for him, not enough hair for them theatrics.
“You people.” he grumbles under his breath, You people? What other people is he complaining about? Who are they?
“And no, I’m not Billy.” He adds. Not Billy. Good. Billy is a weird name. Not that I’m against the name Billy, it just… Isn’t my favourite name in the world.
“Then who are you?” I ask, my curiosity overcoming the part of my brain which still screams at me for asking his name directly. Apparently pre-selection Cillia still exists when she wants to.
“The one for you.” He answers with a wink. Goddamn. Why did I have to ask like that. I could have easily asked what his name was. But no. I sigh, although I’m unsure if it’s directed at myself, or at him.
“I was actually asking for your name, not this low quality flirting.” I feel a slight thrill at calling it out for what it is. Even though I’m not part of the competition it still seems exciting, forbidden. Maybe because I’m still on palace grounds.
“Low quality flirting? Girl, it’s premium.” He replies, playing on being offended. Or at least I think he’s joking.
“Hardly.” I snort, laughing a little. Note to self: never admit that you actually kind of like the low quality flirting. Never. On pain of death.
“You’re rude. And I’m Magnus.” Finally. Magnus. Magnus. I approve. Not that my approval of his name matters. But… it’s nice. And reminds me of something. Ah, of course.
“Magnus… your name reminds me of those ice-creams, Magnums I think they’re called.” I don’t know, I think that’s what their called. I hardly ever eat ice-cream, so I wouldn’t know.
“Makes sense, I’m tasty.” He immediately cringes at his own words. “Sorry about that.” At least he recognises that it’s bad.
“If you don’t stop I’ll have to leave. I don’t put up with flirting this bad.” I reply.
“You can’t leave. I’m carrying you.” He spins around quickly, and I squeal, wrapping his arms around his neck. “I control your movements.” He adds. Wait was that like a move or something. Because if so that was smooth.
So he can be smooth if he wants to.
“I’m a ninja, I’m sure I could work out a way to get out of your arms if I wanted to.”
“I thought you said you weren’t a ninja. Just a pretty blonde.” Wait, pretty? I blush a little.
“Pretty? I thought you said I was a crazy blonde.” I reply with a smirk.
“Uh-um… That’s what I said.” He replied awkwardly. It totally isn’t. I tilt my head to the size, gazing at him.
“I don’t think you did. And I’m usually a ninja, just not today, apparently luck was not on my side and my rope snapped.”
“Well I guess luck was on my side. Winky winky.” Winky. Winky. Ew.
I wriggle in his arms, more theatrics than actually trying to get away.
“Did you just say winky winky because if you did I’m leaving right now.” I exclaim.
“No” He replies, tightening his arms around me. He doesn’t want me to leave. Cute. “I said pinky pinky, you’re hearing things.”
“And why would you say pinky pinky?” I ask, giving him a weird look.
“Don’t question me, you pr-uh-crazy person” He winces a little.
“What was that? I think you were about to call me pretty.” I grin. I kinda like it… Actually he needs a new word, Ashton called me pretty.
“I wouldn’t blame you if you were, I am pretty.” I say, flipping my hair. Magnus smiles.
“But you’re blonde. You can’t trust blondes.” Stupid blonde stereotypes. Maybe I should dye my hair purple, there probably aren’t any stereotypes against people with purple hair.
“Well I’m not completely blonde right now.” I reply, grabbing a piece of my hair and inspecting it. “See?” I flick him in the face with the end of my hair. “So you can trust me a little bit.”
“Hardly. They say red heard are from hell.” He seems pleased with himself. But… I’m sure a lot of people think I’m from hell, even without the whole red hair thing.
“So mostly untrustworthy, and a little bit from hell? Sounds about right.” I say with a nod. He grins.
“Glad you agree. Shall we move from this area? Wouldn’t want to be pelted by any more ninjas.” Excuse me Magnus Havilliard, I am the only ninja here.
“Technically, I should move from the palace grounds in general, I was supposed to be leaving before I fell.” I say with a sigh.
“You were actually eliminated.” He questions. Wait, this whole conversation he thought I was still competing. Treason.
What’s with this family and their treasonous relationships.
“I don’t think you should leave just yet. Set something on fire first.” Why does everyone keep suggesting destruction. I’m not… actually that upset, I don’t need to destroy things. I raise my eyebrows.
“Set something on fire? How about fireworks, I managed to source some of those.” Magnus purses his lips an nods thoughtfully.
“Close enough. You’re not staying for the family ball?” He asks. It’s almost as if… he wants me to say I’m staying.
“I’m not part of this anymore. My family aren’t here, and I’m not supposed to be either.” I explain, shaking my head.
“You should disguise yourself as Jim the plant.”
“Jim the plant has no reason to attend the family ball.” I retort. I want to see how much he actually wants me to say.
“Jim can be a decoration.”
“I would have so much fun, hanging out in a corner dressed in your smelly old plant disguise.” I reply. Sarcasm.
“Excuse you, It’s not smelly. But maybe I could bring you as my plus one.” He asks, biting his lip. Cute. He’s actually like inviting me. As his date.
“I somehow don’t think the family ball calls for bringing a plus one.” I reply, pursing my lips. I… want to. But… I don’t know.
“Well why not. I mean if the prince friend zoned you, then he’ll be okay with his friend coming.” His friend who was supposed to leave days ago?
“I suppose… I do random things without permission all the time so this would be pretty tame.” I reply with a smile. Maybe… I’ll think about it. Well there’s really nothing to think about, but you’ve gotta keep guys on their toes.
“Well if you decide to go. Come find me.” He sys, finally putting me dow. I miss the warmth of his arms as soon as he does. “Until we meet again ninja.”
“Alright, Goodbye.” I smile. He shakes my hand formally before walking off. Still smiling, I think for a second before following him back toward the palace. Looks like I have to find a place to stay until the ball.
