This was getting long and my challenge will probably be longer, so I just decided to write it later. Sorry for typos. @cillia-elizabeth-rountree helped with dialogue. #Magnia5ever #Windy5ever (sorry had to do that) ---------------------------------------- “You're joking right?” I looked at Cillia in shock, blinking a couple of times quickly. She bit her lip. She was probably pretty upset about this right now. “Nope, I just found out... you're the first person I've told,” she replied softly Despite the situation, I couldn't help but feel glad to be the first one to know. I saw Cillia as my best friend and I'd hoped she saw me the same way. “But... But... Why,” I exclaimed, jumping out of my chair. I began to pace the room. Cillia just stood still, surrounded by the whirlwind that was me.. “I... I don't know.” “THAT ASSHAT!” I don't even know where that came from. I had no right to be upset with Ashton. This was his chance to find love, but I guess I was just upset someone I was close to had to leave. “I guess... but honestly I've kind of been expecting it for a while,” she shrugged. “A vibe? You don't know the real reason?” “Nope. I have no clue.” “You should ask him,” I exclaimed. Cillia deserved to know the reason- whatever it may be. Sighing, she sank into the chair I had recently vacated. Cillia dropped her head into her hands. “I don't know.... it seems kinda weird to just go and ask.” Her voice was muffled by her hands. I walked towards her and pulled Cillia’s hands from her face, forcing her to look me in the eyes. “You've already been eliminated. What do you have to lose,” I shrug. Cillia pulled her wrists from my grip, and tilted her head back, leaning it against the back of the chair. “Respect? I don't know,” Cilia said. I laughed. “It's Ashton Schreave. There's no need for that.” “Yeah I guess.” She seems to ponder this for a moment. “I should just go ask shouldn't I.” “Yes. Yes, you should.” I grabbed her by the wrists again, pulling her up and off the chair into a standing position. “Ok, I will. I'll come find you later and tell you what he says…,” she replied, pulling away and walking to the door. “Any Cilly,” I add, just as her hand is reaching for the doorknob. She paused, turning around to meet my eyes from across the room. “Yeah,” she questioned. I shuffled my feet a little, fiddling with my hands. “Don't be so quick to leave. Stay in touch. We love you,” I smile. It was true. I'd miss her terribly when she left, we'd grown close, and it would honestly suck to see her go. “Of course! See you later, ok,” she exclaimed. She tossed me a smile, before heading back towards the door. “Ok,” I replied. That was the bad part of staying here forever- I'd have to watch the people I love, leave. ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ My maids were just finishing up my makeup before a loud knock sounded at the door. Whoever the knocker was, they were frantic. Starra, my maid rise from her position to answer the door. She immediately curtsied at the sight of Cody. He merely gave her a worried glance. “Um, all of you are excused,” I said to my maids. They nodded and walked out the door, Lillia winking at me before shutting it. Cody watched profusely till the door was officially closed. When it was, he whipped his head to me. “WINTER! I have terrible news,” he exclaimed. I furrowed my brows. “Okay…” “Your family is coming!” He took a deep breath as if that information had practically drained his life force. I smiled brightly. “Really? But how is that bad,” I questioned. Cody looked at me as if I was crazy. “Your family is coming. Your parents are coming. Your father is coming!” I laughed at the pure terror on his face. Cody was terrified to meet my parents, my father specifically. I'll admit, it was cute. “Winter! This is serious! Your father is going to beat me to a bloody pulp,” he paced. “I've seen the movies. I know what happens to the boyfriend when the family disapproves. I'm too young to die,” he whimpered. I stared at him with my jaw dropped. He could be dramatic, but I'd never seen this before. “Aww, Cody. Who doesn't love princes,” I teased. He gave me a flat look. “If this is a reference to my brother, I'll leave you.” I erupted into laughter. I tried to keep myself upright, but eventually failed and fell onto the bed. Cody kept the dull expression on his face before he began to chuckle lightly. He sighed and plopped down on the bed, beside me. “You won't leave me,” I said poking him on the nose. “You love me.” Cody rolled his eyes playfully and pretended to flip his hair. “Unfortunately.” ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ “Winnie,” exclaimed my twin sister, Summer, as she tackled me into a big hug. “Hey, Sam,” I laughed. I didn't realize how much I truly missed my family until I finally saw them again. They each have me a hug one by one. “How've you been, kid,” my brother Magnus asked. “Just fine,” I shrugged. He smiled. “Where's Yanely? She still hot?” “Would you leave the poor girl alone. You have no chance,” scolded Amber- my sister and Yanely's oldest friend. Caroline laughed. “I think he knows.” “But whatever happened to Gemma,” questioned my oldest sister, Charolette. “Who's Gemma,” I asked. “The girl that rejected our poor little Magnus,” Holly smirked. Magnus scowled at us. He was clearly unamused. We all laughed. I really missed my family, I just didn't realize how much. “Speak of the devil,” said Amber. She walked past me and pulled Yanely into a hug. Yanely smiled, something I hadn't seen for a while. They had a silent conversation before deciding to excuse themselves. As they made their way to the grand door, I noticed Cody leaning on the wall next to it. When he caught my gaze he smiled nervously as he assessed the people around me. He tapped the side of his nose twice. It was a signal whenever he wanted to meet up or talk, since we couldn't flat out ask. I mirrored his movements, agreeing to meet. “Um, would any of you like to go on a walk with me,” I asked. This would give me an opportunity to see Cody. “Actually, dear, we're going to go unpack,” my mother answered. “But when you get back, I want to hear all about your relationship with Prince Ashton. You must be madly in love already!” I chuckled nervously. “I don't know about that but…” “Oh, but Winnie, you need to marry him. Then I can marry his brother and it'd be so cute,” Summer squealed. I cringed away from her. “No.” “Wha-” “No.” She gave me a strange look. “I think Caroline, Charlotte and I are just going to get something to eat.” I nodded. “Alright, so I guess it's just me and Mags then.” Magnus smiled. “Let's go then,” he pushed me forward lightly. “You can't stand in the same place for too long, or else ninjas will fall from the sky and drop kick you.” I stared at him for a minute. “Gosh, I hope you never meet Cillia.” ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ Magnus and I continued to stroll along before I spotted Cody. “Hey, I have to go do something. I'll be back.” “Um, okay. What do you have to do?” I wracked my head for any explanation. “I need to er-uh… Um I need to… Water my shoes.” I cringed at my lame excuse. I couldn't have been any more transparent. “Water your shoes,” he parroted. “Uh yeah, it's a necessity. So I have to go…” I turned on my heel and walked towards Cody. I wasn't willing to put myself through any more embarassment. ❄️ Magnus’ POV ❄️ I watched as my youngest sister walked away. Watering shoes, yeah that's a thing. Catch the sarcasm. Don't think I didn't see that blonde boy over by the tree. I wasn't completely oblivious to my surroundings. And it seemed that they weren't very good at discretion. I needed to find a way to fuck that kid up without being executed. I was a big brother after all. It was practically in the rule book for them to beat the shit out of guys with things for their sisters. Ugh, blondes. You can't trust them. ❄️ Winter’s POV ❄ “Cody,” I called. Right then, an arm snuck around my waist. “Hello, dear.” I smiled at him. “You wanted to talk.” Cody’s smile dropped as he acquired a nervous look. “I wanted to discuss the parental situation.” I pursed my lips. “Okay, go ahead.” Cody nodded. “Well I know I have to meet them. It's the right thing to do… But I need to know how that would work. I can't very well go up to your family and say ‘Oh, hello. I'm Cody and I'm in a secret relationship with your daughter, one that could get her killed. How are you?’,” Cody mocked. “Yeah, that probably wouldn't work.” Cody sighed and ran a hand though his hair. “Any ideas,” he asked hopefully. “Just stand by me and meet my family. It'll be just like when we were only friends.” He gave me a flat look. He does that a lot. “Yes, but I had thing for you then too.” “Doesn't matter. Just get my parents to like you without acting as my… Boyfriend?” Cody shrugged. “I think I can do that.” I smiled. “Good.” I got up on the tip of my toes and kissed Cody. “Wouldn't want you dying prematurely,” I teased. “Fight me,” he exclaimed, defensively. ❄️ Magnus’ POV ❄️ I had never stopped walking the unfamiliar path of the palace grounds. I was serious when I spoke to Winter about the falling ninjas. You never know. I was simply looking up at different parts of the palace, when I noticed something on the wall. It was- someone? hanging out of a window. I'm pretty sure it was a girl. I craned my neck to see if she was simply scaling the wall like a total badass or if she had a rope so she wouldn't die. When I saw that she did have one, I decided that I wasn't needed. She was probably one of those goddamn air ninjas. I TOLD YOU, WINTER! I continued to walk before I heard a loud snap and a scream. The next thing I knew, there was a pretty blonde girl with red tips. We stared at each other in shock. “I think you just fell for me,” I said, like an idiot. There goes my dignity. She blinked at me. “Oh.... You do realize that's just about the worst line ever don't you?” I pursed my lips. Sure it was dumb, but it was amazingly timed. “Uh... Pretty sure it was great.” “Well in this case it's weirdly accurate, so I'll give you that,” she shrugged. I nodded. Oh, good, she agrees. It'd be hard not to. I'm kind of a big deal… Not to brag or anything. “Should I put you down now,” I asked, realizing she was still in my arms. “If you want. I don't mind.” I thought for a moment. “I think I'll keep carrying you, then I'll be able to tell people 'I lift' without lying.” She raised an eyebrow. “Which implies that you've been lying to everyone up to this point.” I shook my head. “I don't lie. You lie.” Wow, I'm petty. I didn't even know this girl, what was I talking about. “And what makes you say that? You know nothing about me.” Quite true, my blonde little ninja. “How would you know that? I could be your stalker,” I reasoned. “Well in that case, what's my name? If you are my stalker you'd know,” she said matter-of-factly. Damn, she's good. It's probably a bit sad I didn't know the names of all the Selected by now, assuming she is one. “Crazy, blonde ninjas don't have names.” She gave me a questioning look. “You think I'm a 'crazy blonde ninja'?” I nodded. “You definitely aren't my stalker in that case.” I tilted my head to the side. “Why’s that?” “I may be a crazy blonde, but I'm certainly not a ninja.” I snorted. “Yeah, I can tell. Pretty sure that's how we ended up in this situation in the first place,” I said as I nodded to the position we were in. I was still carrying her. She smiled a bit. “It is. And you still don't know who I am. I don't believe the stalker story.” I looked at her flatly. “Alright, then who are you?” She looked offended. Good. “You can't just ask a girl who she is like that! But I'm Cillia.” Cillia? They one Winter hoped I wouldn't meet? Hmm. Fate, you crazy bastard. “Yes I can. And Cillia you say? I was told not to speak to you.” “By who,” Cillia questioned. “Winter. You know her?” “Yeah, I'm friends with her,” she nodded. “Wait how do you know her?” Oh, honey. Poor girl doesn't know who I am. Shame. “I stalk her too.” Cillia pursed her lips. She seemed to be silently telling me that she wasn't having any of my shit- to put it delicately. I rolled my eyes. “Just kidding. I'm her brother.” “In that case I'm not supposed to talk to you either. She told me she hopes we never meet…,” she trailed. Okay, Winter. What the fuck, man. Rude as hell, honestly. “Then we should definitely talk.” Screw you, Winter. “That's what we're doing right now isn't it,” Cillia smirked. Okay. Screw you, too and your smart ass comments. Oh wait, since when am I thinking about screwing. Shit. FUCK YOU, CILLIA! Oh wait I'm thinking about fucking now too. Just stop, Magnus. Don't think. I shrugged. “If you consider mouth movements talking.” “I don't know what else you'd consider talking, so yes I do,” she said. “Mouth movements could mean more than just talking,” I retorted, smiling devilishly at her. Now, I was just messing around. She raised her brows again. “The only mouth movements I'm interested in are talking ones.” “Big heartbreak recently,” I teased. Her face fell. “Not really... it's a long and somewhat complicated story.” One I really want to hear. “Well not really that long or complicated thinking about it.” “Go on then.” Do tell. Fill me in, blondie. Cillia played with her hair a bit. “I got friend zoned by the prince, if you want the short version.” “Isn't there more princes you can get. Because it seems as though if one prince doesn't like you, the other will. *cough*Cody Schreave*cough* I was going to fuck that kid up. Cillia laughed a bit, before leaning up to my ear and whispering. “Between you and me the other prince is very much taken.” “So I've noticed,” I grumbled. “Stalking your sister, were you?” Oh, so she knows. Not shocking, I guess. I've only been at the palace for an hour or two and I've already noticed. “Yes. I secretly live in the palace as a stable boy named Pedro, a maid named Tammy, or a plant named Jim,” I nodded. Cillia chuckled. “Oh so that's why my maid Tammy was never around! Things make a lot more sense now.” Well, I did not realize Tammy was real… “Plot twist: Tammy had a dick,” I laughed- rather loudly, in fact. “Oh? You have one of those?” Cillia roles her lips into her mouth, containing a laugh and smile. I looked at her, expressionless. “No. Lost it in 'Nam.” Holy cow, I'm hilarious. She narrowed her eyes at me. “Lost it in 'Nam.” No shit. It's a joke but- whatever, you get it. (Fourth wall break. You're welcome) I nodded in agreement and looked off into the distance. “Never did get Billy back.” I pretended to wipe a tear away. “If you named it Billy, can I safely assume that it is not also your name?” Why the hell would I name my dick, Billy? Oh, I never told her my name. Eh. I hear girls like a bit of mystery. “First of all, you're disgusting. Billy was my old war buddy,” I said, pretending to flip my hair. “You people,” I grumbled. “And no, I'm not Billy.” She sighed. “Then who are you?” “The one for you,” I winked. Oh, wow. I seriously need to be punched in face. She sighed once more. “I was actually asking for your name, not this low quality flirting.” Well damn, Cillia. Think you could do better? I may be cheesy, but I own it. “Low quality flirting? Girl, it's premium,” I snapped my fingers. Kill me. I'm horrible. “Hardly,” Cillia snorted. “You're rude. And I'm Magnus,” I grinned. She smiled. “Magnus... your name reminds me of those icecreams, Magnums, I think they're called.” “Makes sense. I'm tasty.” I immediately cringed at my own words. That was probably the worst one, yet. “Sorry about that,” I apologized. “If you don't stop I'll have to leave, I don't put up with flirting this bad.” RUDE. But I'd try to stop. I didn't want her to leave. I'd grown attached in these last five minutes. “You can't leave. I'm carrying you.” I twirled around with her in my arms. “See, I control your movements.” “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,” I smirked. “Pretty? I thought you said I was a crazy blonde,” she, now, smirked. Shit. “Uh-um... That's what I said,” I said awkwardly as I tried to convince her of what I said- or didn't say. She tilted her head to the side a bit. “I don't think you did. And I'm usually a ninja, just not today, apparently luck wasn't on my side and my rope snapped.” “Well I guess luck was on my side. Winky winky.” I can't help myself. “Did you just say winky winky because if you did I'm leaving right now,” she said as she tried to get out of my arms. That was when my panicky and defensive mode kicked in. “No.” I pulled her close to me- probably too close. “I said pinky pinky, you're just hearing things,” I smiled sheepishly. She looked as me as if I was completely insane. “And why would you say pinky pinky?” “Don't question me, you pr-uh-crazy person,” I winced at me words. So smooth. “What was that? I think you were about to call me pretty,” she grinned. “No I wasn't.” “I wouldn't blame you if you were, I am pretty,” she flipped her hair. I couldn't help but smile. “But you're blonde. You can't trust blondes.” I stand by that. “Well I'm not completely blonde right now.” Cillia grabbed the end of her hair and showed me the red tips. “See?” She flicked me in the face with her hair. Delightful, young lad. “So you can trust me a little bit,” she added. “Hardly. They say red heads are from hell.” Nice come back, Mags. *self five* “So I'm mostly untrustworthy, and a little bit from hell? Sounds about right,” she nodded. I grinned. “Glad you agree. Shall we move from this area? Wouldn't want to be pelted by anymore ninjas.” She gave me a weird look, but shrugged it off. “Technically, I should move from the palace grounds in general, I was supposed to be leaving before I fell.” “You were actually eliminated?” “Yep.” Oh, so she was one of the Selected. “I don't think you should leave just yet.” I didn't want her to go for some reason. I liked talking to her. “Set something on fire first.” She raised her brows. “Set something on fire? How about fireworks, I managed to score some of those.” I pursed my lips and nodded. “Close enough.” Want tying to keep the conversation going , I added, “you're not staying for the family ball?” “I'm not part of this anymore. My family aren't here, and I'm not supposed to be either,” she explained, shaking her head. “You should disguise yourself as Jim the plant.” “Jim the plant has no reason to attend the family ball,” she retorted. Come on, Cillia. Work with me here. “Jim can be a decoration.” “I would have so much fun, hanging out in a corner dressed in your smelly old plant disguise,” she said sarcastically. “Excuse you, it is not smelly.” She rolled her eyes. I bit my lip. “But maybe I could take you as my plus one?” She pursed her lips. “I somehow don't think the family ball calls for bringing a plus one.” “Well, why not? I mean if the prince friend zoned you, then he'll be okay with his friend coming.” “I suppose... I do random things without permission all the time so this would be pretty tame,” she sighed. Now I really just want to know what she does. Hanging out of windows must be one of them. “Well if you decide to go. Come find me,” I said as I put her down. “Until we meet again, Ninja.” I shook her hand mock-formally. “Alright. Good bye,” she smiled. Maybe there's one blonde I can trust. I do have a blonde sister, but she's rude. So, no. Can't trust her.
