"Ryan! Hurry up if you want to see a magic trick!" My grandfather called from out on the front porch.
"I'm coming grandpa! Hold on!" I rushed down the stairs.
"Ryan! Don't go too fast down the stairs or else you'll fall-" My mom's voice cut off as I slipped and rolled down the stairs and my back met the wall.
"Ow~." I rolled on to my side. I looked up to see my mom.
"I warned you didn't I?" She picked me up.
"Yeah." Rubbed my sore back as I went out the front door to see my grandpa sitting in his rocking chair.
"Fall down the stair again huh?" He cracked a wrinkly grin.
"Yeah." I repeated myself, dejectedly.
"Want to see that magic trick now?" I instantly cheered up at the thought of seeing another of grandpa's magic tricks. I got into a chair as grandpa got up and sat across from me on the other side of the table.
Grandpa pulled out a deck of cards and placed it on the table. He pretended to pull up his sleeves even though he was wearing a T-shirt.
He picked up the deck and began to shuffle it. He did so all with a smile on his face. Once he stopped shuffling it, he fanned the cards out. "Pick a card." He simply stated. I reached out and slowly picked out a card and looked at it. While I looked at my card grandpa split the rest of the deck into three. "Now show me it." I turned the card and showed it to him. "Ah, the ace of spades. Now place it back, anywhere." I took the ace and laid it down with the others. "Okay then, I'll just give the cards a cut." He said as he split the deck of cards in half and proceeded to expertly shuffle the deck. "So now you're card is somewhere inside this deck." I nodded my head. "I'm just going to make some more piles." He began flipping the cards face-up one by one. I watch as I saw the ace of spades pass by in a flash. grandpa continued until the entire 52 cards were split into five different piles. He then picked the cards back up into a single deck again. "Now then," He split the deck and showed me a card. "This is your card." I looked at the five of clubs sadly.
"No."
"Oh. Well it doesn't matter," He put the two halves together again. "Cause this deck is now set to spell out your card. It was the king of hearts, right?" He started to place a card as he spelled out king of hearts. "K-I-N-G-"
"Grandpa! My card was the ace of spades remember?" I corrected his mistake.
"Was it?" Grandpa made a questioning look. "Well I must be getting old then." He replaced the cards on top of the deck. "Let's just restart then shall we?" He started to place the cards down again. "Wait a minute, I'm missing a card." He looked at me. "Ah, there it is." He pointed at me. More specifically the left side of my face. I curiously reach up to my ear and felt a card sitting snugly on my ear.
"How did you do that?" I held the ace of spades up and looked it up and down. My grandpa just gave me his iconic wrinkly grin.
"Magic." He waved his hands and wiggled all his fingers. "There's a little in each of us." He poked me in the center of my chest. I felt a heating sensation run through my chest, up my arm and into my hand. I saw an orange sparkle at the end of my finger. Before I knew it the top corner of the ace in my hand burst into flames. I quickly dropped the card and it landed on the table.
"Wha- What just happened?!" I started to panic. "Mo-" I was about to yell if it weren't for my grandpa covering my mouth with his hand and shushing me quiet.
"Now calm down Ryan. It's alright. Everything is okay." He let go of me. I glanced at the tiny pile of ash that used to be a card slowly disappearing in the breeze. "Now listen closely and listen well okay?" I nodded. "You mustn't show or tell anyone about what just happened. Okay?" I nodded.
"But what was that? Why did the card get caught on fire?" I spewed out questions.
"Hush!" I stopped talking. "There is something special about our family. Your mother doesn't know it, but I do. I can't tell you all the answers, but I can tell you this." He pointed at what was left of the ace card. "What you just did there was real magic. No effects, no tricks, real magic, Ryan."
I just stared silently as my mind processed this outrageous information. But the evidence was there. What else would that orange light and the card suddenly bursting into flames be? I didn't know what else to do so I just did as my grandfather said. I would hide it.
"Grandpa, Ryan. Dinner's ready!" I heard my mom call from inside the house."
"Okay." Grandpa replied and looked me in the eyes, then smiled and ruffled my dark brown hair. "Let's go in and eat shall we?" He stood up and opened the front door.
"M'kay!" I ran inside and into the kitchen.
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"And that's my story to you." I leaned back in my chair and looked at the confused face of the interviewer across the table. "My grandpa is mostly what got me so invested in magic."
"Pardon me," The woman collected herself. "Is that your way of saying that it is because of your dead grandfather's influence that got you to become a magician?"
"MMMmmm, if you want to take it like that." I started to balance the chair on its two back legs. "Then sure." The lady just looked at me with half-lidded eyes then wrote something down in her notebook. "Do you have anymore questions?" I put the chair onto four legs and leaned forward onto the table with my fingers intertwined.
"Yes, actually, there's been a rumor that you have been having sexual relations with-" Her baseless question was interrupted by Janna knocking and opening the door. "Ronan, it's almost time for the show." She emotionlessly ordered. "This interview is over."
"Wow, really?" I looked at my wrist to look at the time on the watch.
"Hey!" The interviewer woman exclaimed, looking at her empty wrist. "That's my watch."
"Oh~, so that's why. I thought something was off." I gave her a friendly smile. "Here." I grabbed the watch between my index and my thumb and flung it off towards the woman. The watch instantly slowed and began floating towards her arm and attached itself to her wrist. "Well, got to go." I walked to the open door where Janna was patiently waiting.
"But how-"
"No. You already know." I turned around and as Janna, rudely closed the door I stuck out my index fiinger and a small orange flame sprouted at the end. "Magic."
"Must you always be so showy and dramatic for everything you do Ryan?" Janna sighed as she checked her Ipad.
"I'm an entertainer right? Then I got to entertain my audience." I walked beside her through the backstage as she lead me to the stage. "So how many people here tonight?"
"Sold out once again." She tapped the screen of her tablet. "After this you have an autograph signing."
"Awesome. Then after that we can head back to the hotel right?" We reached the backstage area and I prepared for my entrance onto the stage. "Well then, its a good night to make some magic." I looked to Janna as she gave me the green light. "Right Grandpa?"
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"Wooooo." I swung open the door and dragged myself to the closest cushioned couch as Janna walked in with her eyes still on her tablet. " Home at last."
"So, on with business." She proceeded to walk through the room and down the hall.
"Oh come on Janna. We just got back from shows across the country." I moaned in mock agony. "I just want to rest." I stuffed my face into a pillow. My phone rang and I reluctantly grabbed it and hit the speaker phone option. "'Ello."
"Come to the office." I heard Janna's voice.
"Ughh, why. Don't tell me you got a surprise for me."
"Just get your magic ass over here already." I grinned.
"There's the Janna I met from college." I heard an exhausted sigh as Janna hung up the phone. I lifted myself up to a sitting position and sighed. I got up and stretched my arms as I turned down the hall. Walking down the carpeted hallway I looked at the various plaques and pictures I had. There was a plaque for Entertainer of the Year. I had beaten even the Four Horsemen; that was the real accomplishment. Though I can't say if I did it fairly.
I knew, from a very young age, that I had real magic. Not just some parlor tricks or slight-of-hands. Real magic. Like the stuff on Harry Potter. Actually, it's not like Harry Potter. More along the line of "I can summon fire from my hands" rather than a swish and flick of a wand and saying the magic words. Honestly comparing it to that, how I use magic is way cooler.
Anyway, I'm not entirely sure that the Four Horsemen would have real magic or are just really really good at what they do. The way they present their shows are spectacular and quite original. I really liked their last show with "stealing a bunch of bank money". I bet that angered a few people.
I saw my office's door open and peered in to find Janna at my computer. My office was quite the sight ,being that I live in a penthouse. My office had what usual offices did, a desk, comfy couches, a coffee table, and a great view of the city through windows that took up an entire wall. I walked in and walked over to my desk. As I approached Janna moved to the side as she left my computer at my email. "I've gotten rid of most of the junk mail for you. There's an email from the Four Horsemen inviting you to their next show. They are stating that it's their big finale."
"Sweet, are we able to make time for it?" I began scrolling through my now filtered email. While skimming through I noticed one that looked different than the rest. "Hmm?" I read the title aloud. "Government Notice. " The time stamp said I had received it while I was across the country. "Janna you know what this is?" She leaned over as I clicked open the email.
"Ah, you don't have to worry about that. I talked to them about moving the appointment back until you had returned. It's scheduled for tomorrow." She tapped her tablet and another window opened on my computer screen showing my monthly planner." I've scheduled it for next Monday."
"Alright," There goes my morning of watching TV, "so what's a government official want with me?"
"Do you remember the interview where you gave the story about your grandfather?" Janna strided over to a couch and sat down.
"Which one?" With Janna no longer watching my computer screen I opened my browser and decided to check out what's new on Youtube.
"The one where he told you not to tell any one about you having 'real magic'?"
"Ah, that woman. She had a very nice watch for a new caster. But why would that bring any commotion? It's not like they'll actually believe me." I scrolled through what Youtube would think I'd like to watch next and spotted a video titled: Ronan's Magic Proven Real?
"Rumors have been going on and theories that you actually do have real magic."
"Yeah," and you know it's true." I showed this off by quickly levitating a ball-point pen in the air and flying it around.
"Yes, I do. However the repercussions of a person with the power of psychokinesis, teleportation, and especially pyrokinesis are immense. And it seems to have finally attracted the attention of some people in government."
"Then we'll just bluff." I was watching the video of a man showing one of my acts and explaining how m magic tricks could not have been faked; muted of course. It was very obvious that he was biased towards me and had even said that this was a video in response to another video critiquing how my magic was fake. Though since my magic was in fact real, There was a bit more facts and footage supporting the side of real magic. "I'll just show them the tools of my trade. Like the lighter in the sleeve or just simple misdirection and glass wires. It's not like this is the first time we've had to-"
I paused as the intercom on my desk alerted me to beeped. As I was about to talk to whoever it was Janna stopped me. "I'll handle it," and forwarded it to her earpiece. "Hello? No this is Ronan's Manager. No ma'am, you need to have an appointment. Ma'am, ma'am. Alright I'll be right there."
"Who is it?" I was now twirling the pen with my fingers.
"Just a visitor, I'll tell them they need to make an appointment." She got up and left the room. I decided to play with some cards so I pulled open a drawer and took out a deck of cards. I began shuffling the cards each time getting more and more complex. I had gotten to the point where I was flipping the cards between my hands. However a sudden wind came out of nowhere and blew the cards all over my desk and some on the floor. I looked behind me and all around. Where had that breeze come from?
"Hmm, weird." I sat up and began collecting the cards. Then I noticed how the cards on the desk were all face-down, except for the four ace cards. I reached out and picked up the closest one. The ace of spades. While staring at the card my thoughts were interrupted by shout out in the living room and a lot of stomping. Before I could even stand up I could see four military-equiped men barge into my office guns aimed at me. Instinctively, slowly, raised my hands in the air.
A woman, whom from how she was dressed and how she walked in with two more armed men, was their higher up. She wore an armor vest just like the rest of the men but dress for more agility rather than protection. The only weapon she had on her from what I could see was a pistol at her hip. "Close those hands Ronan. Wouldn't want you using any 'magic'." She said with quite a commanding voice. "Apprehend him." She ordered. Two of the men cautiously approached me with handcuffs. "Make sure his hand are where we can see them."
With their guns pointed at me, the two men moved my hands together and handcuffed me. "So care to tell me why I'm being arrested ma'am?" I asked as the two men stood next to me; most likely ready to subdue me if I struggle.
"There has been evidence as well as numerous accusations to your possession of 'real magic'. Thus in response you are to be questioned. Then a verdict will be given to you." Most likely they wanted to investigate my powers; the origins and implications. Wait is Janna alright?
"What of my manager?"
"She is being brought in to questioning as well. As your manager, if you are guilty to having magic then she is most likely an accomplice." She surprisingly answered my question. This however did not make anything easier.
"Fine, let's get going then. It won't get me anything good by struggling." I beamed a friendly smile. However as I was expecting to be escorted out of the office, the two men next to me grab my arms. The two men whispered at the same time. Both of their voices layered with another.
"Oh I beg to differ, Mr. Ace. You should struggle." As they finished saying this they both lifted me and flung me backwards.
Everything moved as if in slow-motion as I saw the professional face of the woman break. My back breaking through the glass windows. The cold air outside surrounded me as I caught a glance of one the men's face. He had a bold red pupil and solid yellow corneas.
The moment passed and before I could even think about his eyes i was falling through the air with my hands cuffed. "Shit, shit, shit." I struggled with my hands to get free, but they were tightly clamped. I'm a magician, not an escape artist. I can't even teleport out of these cuffs. Soon enough a mischievous laughter seeming to come from everywhere around me.
"Having a relaxing time?" The voice said seemingly amused.
"The fuck?!"
"Seems you need help. Allow me to provide you with a soft landing." My mind was still spinning from being thrown out of the window. But I was able to glance down at my destination only to see a portal just rip into existence, as if someone just used their hand and tore into the air.
I saw an unrealistically clear sky through the portal. Odd considering that it was currently in the middle of the night. I couldn't stop myself as I fell through the portal and into the clear sky. Instantly i noticed the temperature difference as it changed from chilling cold to warm summer day. The next thing I noticed, was that I was slowing down. I looked back to the portal and the side of the hotel as it closed by itself, revealing the forest behind it. The portal had spit me out upwards. "Well shit." I stated with a sigh as gravity began working again.
On the way towards the ground however I noticed some very solid clouds. How do I know? I hit a few on the way. I would fall on them and they would seem to pop slowing my descent. That however was not enough as I reached the treeline at a relatively fast speed. Enough to break some branches and hurt like hell. Since I had just gotten back from across the country, I was still in a button-down shirt with a plain t-shirt underneath, black slacks, and dress shoes. Well, no dress shoes anymore. kicked those off as soon as I got home. But I guess that didn't matter now that the branches probably tore through both my shirts.
Soon enough I landed on... something. I had had my eyes closed and was turned back-to-ground through the treeline, so I don't know what I had landed on. It did provide a softer landing than the trees did.
"Oooowww." I groaned from the ache all over my body.
"Will you GET OFF OF TRIXIE?!" A feminine voice below me yelled at me and shoved me. My hands were still handcuffed together in front of me, thus I ended up face to dirt on the ground as the sound of the woman I had landed on got up. I stretched my neck up to see the woman.
"Sorry," I saw a blue horse in a star filled cap pick up a witch hat, ",madam, blue... horse thing?" She seemed to turn her attention to me from her hat as I spoke.
"WHORSE? How DARE you address Trixie Lulamoon in such a way." She placed her hat on her head and struck a pose. After staying in that pose for quite some time, almost a minute it felt like, she took a good look at me and smirked. "You, you're just like that other monkey." My vision started to blur as the rest of the pain started to register. I felt my whole body be rolled over onto my back. "Though you seem to be male. Unlike her's." I felt my entire body suddenly lifted into the air, causing pain to burst throughout my body. "No matter. Now that I have you, Trixie is no longer second to that mare!" The blue horse huffed as I started to black out.