When You First Meet
Jiang Kai | Kai Kalama
Reader rushed around the room with the other designers, placing the models clothes in their respective dressing rooms as they prepared for them to arrive. They hadn't yet been informed of their models so the room was filled with a nervous energy.
"So, who do ya think you're gonna get?" Alyssa asked, wiggling her brows teasingly.
"How am I supposed to know?" Reader retorted, bumping their hips together. Alyssa looked around conspiratorially, leaning in closer as Reader continued organizing her models chosen clothes.
"Well, from what I've heard–"
"Overheard, you mean."
"Hush. From what I've heard one of the ninja are coming to model for the company, to help raise money for that Charity you like so much."
"The Charity for Rebuilding?"
"Yeah, that one."
Before Reader could ask if she'd heard anything else they were called together.
"Alright! Listen up! Here is the list of designers and who your model is," Directin Lin announced, holding up said sheet. Alyssa leanes forward eagerly as Reader snickered at her friends eagerness. As the youngest designers it was doubtful either of them would get the higher ranking models.
Everyone surged forward to look at the paper but Alyssa and Reader held back for a moment. They both noticed how people kept glaring back at them for some reason but . . .
Shrugging it off they finally got a chance to see the list. And right beside Readers name was Kai Kalama, the Fire Ninja.
Freezing, both her and Alyssa just stared at the name. "I knew I had an effect on the ladies, but I never realized just how bad it was."
Whirling around they found Kai standing behind behind them with a smug look. And that was all it took for Reader to know how the rest of the day was going to go.
The entire session was filled with flirts and compliments that made her cheeks darken even when they didn't give him an actual response. Kai was not one to give up, but they liked his charm and hoped she'd get to see him model again.
Zane Julien
Reader sat in the shade of one of the large trees of the park, leaning back against its trunk as she sketched a rough outline of the beautiful fountain just across the way. Humming to herself she finished up for the day before carefully putting her sketchbook in her bag.
Done for the day, Reader wondered if they should have brought the car since she needed to go grocery shopping soon. As her mind wandered, she did not realize someone was heading right for her until she was slammed into and her bag ripped from her hands.
"Hey!" Reader shrieked, stumbling for a second before taking off after him. "Get back here!"
The man outpaced her but she didn't stop, her sketchbook was far too expensive for her to stop. Ice suddenly formed on the grass, and the man lost his balance tripping over his own feet and faceplanting into the ground, much to Reader's delight and shock.
Stopping before the ice, she doubled over as a stitch tugged painfully at her ribs. Another man, her age wearing a sweatervest surprisingly, came and retrieved her bag to hand to her.
"Are you alright, miss?"
"Umm, yes, thank you . . ." Reader trailed off, unsure of his name. She recognized him as one of the ninja but she'd never had any reason to remember their names.
"Zane, the White Ninja."
"Oh, well then thank you, Mr. White Ninja," Reader thanked, swinging her bag up onto her shoulder.
"I shall take him into custody and inform the police of his attempted crime. I do not believe it shall require your attention," Zane stated, turning to do so. "I hope the rest of your day is well."
"Uhh, yeah, I hope you have a good day as well," Reader said, taking a step away as Zane went to sling the man over his shoulder.
'Damn, love to watch 'em walk away,' Reader thought, before shaking her head. 'Oh my dragon, what am I thinking? That is so rude of me!'
Reader rushed away before she could become even more mortified by her thoughts, quietly hoping to see the very handsome man again one day.
Cole Brookstone
Reader smiled at the group who had just walked into their store, nodding for Miya to take their orders. The new hire gave them an anxious look, but they were not deterred. The best way to learn was through experience and this was a good start for her.
"Hello, welcome to Fairy Tale's Cakes and Stories, how can I help you?" Miya chirped, smiling through her nerves.
The group of teens was a little rowdy, but they didn't cause any trouble even when they spoke over each other, causing Miya to falter. Once she had finished up their order, the group of seven dispersed and Miya hurried back over to Reader's side.
"How did I do?"
"Really well, Miya. By next week you should be able to man the register without any issue, I just want to make sure you know how to handle any problematic customers," Reader stated, having seen Miya's face drop a little.
"Okay, thank you for this!"
"Of course. Now, why don't you go clean up some of the tables, I'll take the register till you're done."
A customer had walked in while they spoke, a young man on his own who was eagerly looking at the cake display case.
"Hello, welcome to Fairy Tale's Cakes and Stories, how can I help you?"
"Oh, uhh, what's in the Grimm Cake?"
"Its a milk chocolate base, dark chocolate glaze, orange zest buttercream, and a book made of chocolate and filled with orange cream," Reader explained, watching as the man practically salivated at the thought.
"I'll take a whole one!"
"A whole cake?" Reader asked, surprised. Most people only wanted a slice.
"Yes, please!"
"Coming right up."
When he was still there, over an hour later, Miya wondered over to Readers side.
"Is he going to sit there and eat an entire cake?"
"If thats what he wants to do," Reader answered, focused on the grocery list they were working out. The man came up to the counter where Reader was working so they paused in their writing, offering a smile. "How can I help you?"
"I just wanted to come up and say that that was really good! I don't think I've ever had a cake so good! I'll definitely be coming back!" Waving, the man headed back out the door with a bounce in his step.
"Holy shit," Miya whispered, jaw on the floor.
"Miya," Reader warned.
"Did you not recognize him? That was Cole, the Earth Ninja. One of the saviors of Ninjago."
Reader paused in their writing. They had not recognized Cole but they knew of him and his team.
"So, I just had one of the ninja in my shop?"
"Yes!"
"Huh."
They hoped he visited again, and not just because a ninja buying their cakes would boost business.
Jay Walker
Reader was heavily focused on the project Nya had shared with her, working to rebuild this engine piece for one of the ninja's vehicles. She heard Aaron talking to someone, leading them through the garage, but she ignored them for the moment.
"And this is Reader, I believe she was the one you were looking for?" Aaron asked, stopping just before her station, making her pause.
"Yep, thank you!"
Nodding, Aaron left, leaving Reader and the strange man alone. "So, is there something you need me specifically for?"
"Oh, uh, well, heh, Nya actually sent me," He said, smiling awkwardly.
"Nya did? So then you're one of the ninja," Reader realized. He lit up, striking a pose.
"The Lightning Ninja, at your service!" Jay announced proudly, making Reader giggle though she tried to hide it.
"Well then Mr. Lightning Ninja, what did Ninja send you up here for?"
"Oh, she wanted me to check up on the engine for Lloyd's new bike."
"Oh, yeah. I told I'd probably have it done by today, but I ended up having to help with some rich guys car." Reader shook her head at the memory of the rich asshole.
"She said she gave you free reign?"
"Yep. All she wanted was a fast engine for a bike, my specialty." Reader winked making Jay giggle as he went a little red. A good hour passed with them discussing the different engine choices and Jay happily lending a hand.
When he left, Reader couldn't help but miss his presence already. Very few people shared her passion, work ethic, and sense of humor, so Jay was, in her mind, a godsend. She hoped he'd come back one day so they could continue their converaation.
Lloyd Garmadon
Reader was hiding behind one of the numerous sheleves of comics as they put the comics back in their place. She'd noticed Ryker walking in the door and had hurried away to stock the sholves with the new comics.
For the past two weeks Ryker had been stalking them at her job, waiting for her to get off with the excuse that he wanted to walk them home. It was creepy and gross, and Reader wanted nothing to do with him.
"Hey Reader," Ryker said, having found them while they sorted through the massive amount of Starfarers comics to place on the shelves.
"Ryker, I'm working."
"I just wanted to say hi. You've been ignoring me, and leaving at different times. I haven't been able to walk you home," Ryker complained, his greasy voice sending shivers down her spine.
"I don't need you to walk me home, I'm just fine on my own," Reader snapped, feeling a bit like a chihuahua barking at a rottweiler.
"Oh come on, Reader." Ryker stepped closer, boxing them in, and making her heart rate pick up. "Just give me a chance. Just one date."
"I already told you, no. I'm not going on a date with you," Reader said, trying to sound stronger than she felt.
Rykers face twisted into something ugly, hand reaching out to grab them by the waist. "Really, is that really how you're going to be? A nice guys asks you out and you're gonna be a bitch!"
"Hey!" Someone grabbed Rykers wrist, the one attached to the hand squeezing Readers hip uncomfortably tight, and easily pulled him off. Now, Ryker isn't a small man, nearly 5'11 and 200lbs but the one who'd tugged him off was easily the same height but seemingly thinner. "When someone tells you to back off, you back off."
"Who the fuck are you?!" Ryker demanded, trying to tug his wrist away.
"Lloyd Garmadon, the Green Ninja."
Reader couldn't help the hot flush that spread across her face at the realization of who this was. While her personal favorite ninja had always been Jay, she liked his jokes and attitude, she did admire the Green Ninja. Ryker, on the other hand, seemed to lose all his coloring.
"That-why-what?! Why would a ninja give two shits about some ugly bitch?!"
Reader immediatley lashed out, slapping Ryker with an open palm. She felt a bit more confident with the Green Ninja right there, because what could Ryker do to them with him here. "Don't you ever call me a bitch again!"
Lloyd was a little startled, but he forced himself to not smile at the red mark slreading across his face. "Beat it. If I see you hanging around again, I'll knock you on your ass."
Snarling, Ryker retreated, a coward down to his bones.
"Thank you, for the rescue."
"Oh uh, it was no problem. Always happy to help a pretty girl in need of help." Lloyd froze, mortified by what had just slipped from his mouth. "Oh, FSM! I'm so sorry, that was–"
Reader giggled, holding a hand over their mouth to hide her smile. "No, no. It's ok. A compliment from the powerful Green Ninja. Lucky me."
A shout from the door had Lloyd wincing.
"Sorry, um, my team needs me . . ."
Smiling, Reader stepped forward to press a kiss to his cheek. "Well then you best get going, my hero." Giggling to themself, Reader sauntered away with the box of comics in hand.
Lloyd watched them walk away, bright red, jaw nearly on the floor.
Morro
Reader trembled violently as she and the other workers were lined up in front of the customer by the robber. He had barged in less than five minutes ago, an hour before they opened, barking out orders as he aimed a gun at them, with four others coming in behind him.
While Jason, the baker, might have had a chance at fighting one of them off, the rest of the morning crew couldn't. Reader could feel the tears pooling in her eyes before there was the loud crash of glass shattering as three of the ninja dove inside.
The Black, Blue, and Red ninja had broken through the front window and were taking out the first three robbers while the other two robbers reached out for hostages. Reader cried out as she was violently grabbed by her hair, just like Anya was. Both girls cried out, trying to pull away until the cold steel was pressed against their jaws.
"Please, please," Anya begged, tears pouring down her face as she sobbed. She had only been hired a week ago as a cashier, and now she was being held hostage by robbers.
Two figures came out from the shadows, the Green and Grey ninja.
"Hey, let's talk this out," Green began, holding out his hands, palm up. "You don't have to do this. Just let the girls go, and put the guns down."
"Why the hell would I listen to you!" The robber holding Reader shouted, yanking violently and ripping out some of her hair, making her shriek in pain.
"Let us go!" Anya screamed, and in a moment of brilliant, stupid bravery, she slammed a heel down on her robbers foot, and an elbow into his nose.
"Hey, wait!" Green shouted, lurching forward as Grey tensed.
"You little bitch!!" A gunshot rang out and blood splattered across Readers face, making her scream in terror.
Green lunged for the killer as Grey went for Reader. In a practiced move, he seperated them knocking the gun from the robbers hand before kicking him into one of the other ninja grasp.
Reader collapsed, no longer held up by her hair, and too afraid to stay standing. While she hadn't known Anya very well, the girl had been friendly and Reader had hoped they could be good friends but now . . . Anya would never experience anything ever again.
Sobbing into her hands, she didn't notice when the Grey ninja crouched down at her side awkwardly. "Hey, are you injured?" His voice was gruff, sharp, but Reader didn't seem to hear him, too shocked to take anything in.
Scowling behind the mask, Grey leaned forward. "Hey." Without raising his voice he managed to grab her attention. "Are you injured?"
Reader gasped for breath, scrubbing her tears away as she tried to focus. "My-uhm, my scalp. It hurts."
"Okay. Any other pain?"
"N-no."
Nodding, Grey reached out and easily lifted her to feet, startling her. Unable to stand she just collapsed against him, making him go stiff. "The-the ambulance is gonna be here in a minute to get you taken care of, alright."
"Okay." Reader was thankful when Grey didn't move, simply keeping his hands on her shoulders so she didn't slump back down to the floor. "Thank you. For saving me."
"Its what ninja do."
Once the ambulance arrived, Reader was escorted by the Grey ninja to be checked out. Tugging off his mask, he spoke in low tones to the EMT, before helping get Reader onto the ambulance.
As she was laying back on the bed, a small part of her hoped to see the nice ninja again one day. Even if she didn't know his name.
A/n: Can you tell who my favorite charactors are?
