Well, after migraine city the last three days, I finally got some stuff written.

Hope you like it!


Chapter 16: Afraid

After hitting the solid, stone ground for what had to be the hundredth time by this point, Ciara lamented the lack of mats that she'd always seen in movies when it came to training. Unfortunately for her, Asgard lacked sucked things.

"Perhaps..." she looked up as Fandral offered her his hand. "That fantastical speed of yours is a detriment here?" he suggested. Ciara bristled, offended by the suggestion, and stood, ignoring his hand. She was growing more and more frustrated as the training session went on.

"My speed isn't fantastical," she muttered, and was irritated when he just smiled in response. "I think I liked it better when you didn't talk to me," Ciara told him, which only made the charming Asgardian laugh.

"Perhaps, but here we are," Fandral replied, still cheerful. Ciara groaned, and pushed away the strands of her silver hair, which had fallen from the ponytail she'd tied it up in. "I digress. Your speed, it seems to be working against you here," he commented.

"Because you Asgardians are built like brick walls," Ciara shot back, and sighed heavily. She didn't want to be there, making a fool of herself trying to land a blow on her opponent.

When Thor had returned to the Throne Room with Ciara, the Norns were already gone, leaving Odin to decide how to treat Ciara. After a long silence with Ciara growing bored and almost welcoming him to try throwing her into a cell again, he decided to pardon her 'crime' and let her remain free in the palace, under the condition that she train with Thor and his companions.

It seemed Odin was taking her role as Guardian a lot more seriously than she was.

Ciara rubbed her elbow, already seeing the faint marks of bruises starting to appear. She looked up at Fandral, trying not to take her frustration out on the man who was trying to help her. He was the first to volunteer to help train her, all while Sif and Ciara glared at each other, ready to fight for real. Even now, Ciara couldn't stand the woman. "Look, I'm not as strong as you guys. I was always weaker than most people I fought on Earth. Using my speed to fight gave me the force I needed to do damage," she explained. Fandral nodded, thoughtful.

"Well, you don't have much in the way of muscle," he commented, and Ciara blushed, embarrassed at his scrutinising comment.

"You try having a metabolism that's as fast as mine and keep muscle when you're on the run," she complained.

"Thor was right, you're better suited for fighting smart," Fandral said, more to himself than Ciara. She rolled her eyes. Even she could have told him that. She remembered the one time she'd snapped and punched Thor. He'd barely even felt it.

"Stupid Asgardians…" Ciara grumbled under her breath.

"We'll try you with some weapons for now," Fandral turned and walked over to the wall of training weapons. Ciara trailed after him reluctantly, still complaining to herself as they walked past the few others there. It was a colder day, and the only ones training claimed this was why they wanted to train indoors.

Ciara had a suspicion they were just there for the show. They wanted to see her making a fool of herself.

A loud curse escaped her as Fandral dropped a sword into her hands, and the weight of it almost forced her to the ground. It landed on the ground with a loud clatter, and Ciara looked up at the man with an almost betrayed look.

"My apologies," Fandral tried to hide his laugh behind his hand. "Perhaps something a little smaller," he lifted the sword and turned to find something else, but stilled as he heard laughter nearby.

"I don't know what he expects of the mortal, look at her," one guard was saying to the others, not bothering to lower his voice. "She wouldn't even be worth sticking at the front lines to slow our enemies down," his words made the others laugh more, and Fandral sighed, turning back to Ciara. As expected, her expression was stormy.

"Try these," he offered her a handaxe.

"No," Ciara denied, her frustration finally spilling over. "I'm done. I knew this would be a waste of time," she shook her head, mad that she was letting them get to her.

"Ciara," Fandral blocked her way, and was a little surprised when she didn't use her speed to just move around him. The laughter continued, and Ciara snapped. She started to run, becoming a blur to the Asgardian, but instead of moving around him, she barreled straight into him. While not enough strength to do any real damage, the force made him have to take a step back. What he didn't expect, was for Ciara to already be behind him, stooped low in a crouch.

The laughter stopped abruptly as Fandral toppled to the ground with a cry. Ciara straightened up, ignoring the dull pain from him falling over her, and fixed her tunic.

"I told you I was done," she said, and with that, turned to walk towards the entrance without so much as a glance towards the people watching her.

Ciara stopped, unable to stop her frustrated groan, as Sif walked in. The powerful woman looked down at her, eyebrows arched, and then over at Fandral. She then sighed.

"Why is it always so easy for a woman to get you on your back?" she asked him. Fandral shot a cheeky smile back.

"Usually it's the other way around," he retorted. Sif rolled her eyes, before returning her attention to Ciara.

"The Allfather's instructions were for you to learn how to fight from us. I may think it's a waste of time, but orders are orders," she told Ciara. She saw the frustration in the speedster's eyes, and looked over at Fandral again. Subtly, he indicated to the guards nearby, and Sif couldn't help but soften very slightly. While she didn't like their charge any more than Ciara cared for Sif, she could relate to being made fun of for wanting to be more than a simpering maiden.

"Sorry, but your orders aren't my problem," Ciara answered simply. "I know how to handle myself in a fight," she said, but Sif didn't budge.

"Then prove it," Sif challenged her. Ciara's eyes widened. "Fight me, and see how well you handle yourself," she said. Normally she valued having a cooler head than this, but she was tired of Ciara's attitude. She wanted to teach the young woman a lesson, especially after she'd been allowed to remain in the palace indefinitely. If she'd had her way, she would have thrown her in the dungeons and forgotten all about her. After all, she'd sided with Loki. She wasn't to be trusted.

"Fine," Ciara's head rose, and Sif saw the pride she saw in so many others.

"This'll be good," Sif rolled her eyes when she heard the guards mutter. It didn't feel like it had been so long ago that they'd been laughing at her challenging others.

Ciara was tempted just to outspeed the Asgardian woman. But if she just used her super speed to get away from her, she'd have to answer to Odin. Or worse, he'd make Thor give her a 'talking to'. Odin she was happy to ignore, but Thor acted like a wounded puppy when she tried to ignore him.

"How are we doing this?" Ciara asked, facing the woman. Sif looked thoughtful for a moment, before lifting her double-edged spear.

"What's going on?" Thor asked as he walked in with Volstagg.

"Ah, you know. Training," Fandral said, trying to sound cheerful, but he couldn't hide his worry completely. Thor looked from Sif's annoyed look, to Ciara's stubborn glare, and sighed.

"Oh no," he muttered.

"Pick your weapon," Sif instructed.

"I'm good," Ciara said tonelessly.

"This mortal has a death wish," one of the guards laughed. They'd long since abandoned the pretence of training, and were watching eagerly. Thor took a step forward, ready to stop them, but Volstagg stopped him.

"I believe at least one of them would happily turn their wrath upon you, if you step in," he warned.

"Last chance to pick," Sif told Ciara, who shrugged.

"No thanks," she answered. Sif didn't wait after that, instead rushing at Ciara and swinging her spear. Ciara dodged it easily, but was almost caught by Sif's follow up kick, and she dropped to the ground to avoid it. She rolled along to avoid the spearhead, and cursed inwardly. Sif wasn't holding back. She cursed her own stubborn nature, and her strong dislike of the woman.

'Dammit, I really didn't want to have to do this,' she complained to herself, but knew it was her own fault. Ciara knew that as things were, Sif was a much stronger fighter and even with enhanced speed, Ciara wouldn't have a chance at beating her. At least, not without the element of surprise.

Using her superspeed, Ciara got to her feet and braced herself, waiting for Sif to jab at her with her spear. This time, she angled her body to the side, and moved her hands in a way that she hadn't in a long time.

Everyone in the room was taken by surprise, including Sif, when orange light manifested as solid matter between Ciara's hands, blocking the spear and showering them with sparks. She didn't wait for Sif's surprise to fade, twisting and almost yanking the spear from her hands. As Sif was pulled forwards, Ciara moved around her, and swung down hard as the orange magic appeared as discs by her hands. The spear was sliced in half, and as it clattered to the ground, Sif whirled around and stilled, looking down at the glowing disc that was now inches from her neck.

Everyone was quiet as Ciara straightened up, breathing heavily as her fingers tingled, unused to such magic after so long. Sif stared at her as the magic vanished, unable to find the words as Ciara looked up at her, defiant, before turning on her heel and striding out.

"Did...did you know she could do that?" Volstagg asked Thor slowly, turning to the prince to see that he looked as baffled as he felt.

"Great, just great," Ciara complained to herself as she took a seat on the steps of a side entrance, sulking. She shook her hands out, trying to stop the sensation. "She's gonna know. She always does. And she's gonna be so damn smug," she complained aloud.

"You really are full of surprises," she stopped her complaining, and looked up as Thor found her easily. "I was unaware that Earth had...witches?" he tried, a little uncertain.

"Sorcerers," Ciara corrected. "And I'm not one," she added, confusing the man beside her.

"But you just-"

"It's a parlour trick I picked up after I got my cloak," Ciara told him, resigned. She knew she had no choice but to explain. Not only had Thor and his friends seen, but the guards had as well. She'd already seen firsthand how quickly gossip spread on Asgard - it was as fast as on Earth. Soon Odin would hear as well. "There's this...order, I guess. They learn magic, and their leader, she offered for me to learn as well," she said, thinking about when she'd stumbled across the New York Sanctum.

"But you didn't stay," Thor said, already knowing the answer.

"Course not. They have all these lofty, noble goals," Ciara snorted. "I was still pretty young when I found them, and I wasn't interested in some purpose like that. But the little I did learn kinda stuck with me, I guess," she shrugged.

"Well, it certainly took Lady Sif by surprise," Thor chuckled, and Ciara went red.

"She's gonna be pissed I broke her spear," she muttered, but wasn't the least bit remorseful.

"An easy fix, I'm sure. Especially with so clean a cut," Thor dismissed it with a wave of his hand. He then sobered, remembering the real reason that he had come to find her. "Ciara, part of the agreement to allow you to remain free to be a Guardian-"

"I don't want to be a Guardian."

"Was to train with us to learn how to protect yourself," Thor continued, somewhat uneasily. Ciara gave a frustrated huff, rubbing her face.

"I am still an intruder on your planet, Thor. I still helped Loki before. Nothing has changed, and I don't get why you are suddenly all about helping me embrace a destiny I never asked for," she stood up, turning to face Thor. "The only one treating me like nothing is different is Sif. And trust me, we're never gonna get along," Ciara snorted.

"Why does it matter so much that we remember that?" Thor's question took Ciara by surprise. "You seem so determined to remain the way you are, to stay the same and keep everyone at arm's length," he accused, standing as Ciara's expression turned defiant.

"I know who I am. And it's not this person you all seem convinced I am," she replied, but he remembered the last time he'd seen her look at him that way. When he'd spoken of her past from the file that he'd read. He was getting under her skin. He chuckled, not missing the way it made her fists clench.

"I see now. You're scared," her eyes widened at his words. "You're scared to find a place to belong," Thor accused.

"I thought that your past had hardened your heart, made you unwilling to change and let people in. I was mistaken. It's not that your heart has been hardened, but rather you're too afraid to be anything other than a menace in fear that you'll be hurt again," the gentle but harsh words returned to Ciara's memory, made louder by the use of her magic reminding her of her time with the Ancient One.

Taking a deep breath, Ciara watched Thor's victorious look. She then rolled her eyes, but couldn't lose her defiant look.

"Well, that's a really boring way to see it," she told him, but this only served to confirm Thor's suspicions. She was scared. And though he felt somewhat victorious to have managed to break through her facade, he felt sad that she was so stubborn on the matter.

Despite her actions, he still wanted to count her as a friend. She'd helped protect his friends against the Defender, and he knew she could be a good friend. If she just started to let people in and stopped dwelling on the past. But Thor was determined, and he would get her to lower her shields eventually.

Ciara rubbed her arm; fingertips digging into one of the bruises coming into view. "Well, as thrilling as this is, I'm going for a bath," she declared. There was a gust of wind that blew Thor's hair from his face, and Ciara was gone. He chuckled.

"You know, her stubbornness reminds me of someone else I know," Sif walked into view as Thor stood.

"Oh? And who would that be?" he asked, feigning ignorance. Sif just rolled her eyes.

"While I do fail to see just why you're determined to earn the friendship of someone who doesn't want to trust anyone, I do believe that you're starting to make leeway," she told him, and this time Thor's innocent confusion was real. "The very fact that you convinced her to train in the first place tells me that she's not as rigid as she seems. However…"

"How did I know that was coming?" Thor chuckled.

"However," Sif shot him a stern look, always far more serious than him. "If you're so determined to have the girl take this seriously, you're going to have to be...delicate," she warned.

"I'm very delicate," Thor protested, and Sif resisted a loud groan.

"A touch more delicate, then," she told, trying and failing to stop herself smiling in exasperation. "If she's going to train, make sure there isn't a jeering crowd. And...as much as I would enjoy teaching her a lesson, I feel I would only hinder your goal," Sif said, and Thor blinked, surprised.

"Why, Lady Sif, it's almost as if you care," he teased, and winced when she punched his arm. He smiled at her, even while rubbing the aching spot. "Thank you, for your counsel, as always," Thor said, much more serious. Sif smiled back.

"Of course. Even if I think she should have been put in a cell from the moment she arrived on Asgard," she told him simply, and with that she bowed slightly to the prince, and walked away. Thor hummed to himself as he considered Sif's words.


"You're scared. You're scared to find a place to belong," Thor's words echoed in Ciara's head long after she'd left him and returned to her room. Astrid had fussed over her, having heard all about the events of the training session, including the part where Ciara had used magic to beat Sif.

"As usual, the speed that gossip travels around this place is terrifying," Ciara told her as Astrid shoved a salve at her to help with the bruising. She'd offered to rub it in herself, but Ciara refused, determined to keep some level of independence even in the cage they called Asgard's palace.

"It travels faster than even you," Astrid replied, smiling with amusement as she insisted on cleaning the small cuts at least. Ciara let her, knowing that she'd never hear the end of it if she didn't. She hadn't meant to, but she'd grown to like the Asgardian who was her handmaiden, and Astrid had become just as fond of her. The two shared stories, as Astrid was fascinated by what went on in Midgard, and Ciara liked listening to the secrets and gossip that only servants could learn. "So you truly know magic?" Astrid asked, looking amazed.

"A little," Ciara shrugged. "Nothing impressive," she denied.

"It was impressive enough to defeat Lady Sif. It's rare to see her lose a bout," Astrid replied as she moved the clothes that Ciara had changed out of.

"I only won because I caught her off guard. It's an ace in the hole, and not a good one. I wasn't even sure it would work. I haven't practiced in years," Ciara refused to accept praise, even if the petty side of her did enjoy the stunned look on Sif's face.

"Then you must be rather good at it," Astrid insisted, not understanding why Ciara would be so humble over such a thing. "Magic is common knowledge here, but few are truly gifted. Queen Frigga is one, and…" Astrid trailed off, looking a little worried. Ciara knew that look. She always looked concerned when Loki was brought up.

"While I don't mind being compared to the Queen, it's another thing to compare me to Loki," Ciara shrugged, making light of it. She knew that the younger prince was almost a taboo subject, but she didn't care.

"Well, you do share his penchant for mischief and deception," Astrid dared to tease, and Ciara smirked.

"Please, he wishes he was as good as me," she said, making Astrid laugh.

"Well, I had best see these cleaned. If you require anything more-"

"I can get it myself," Ciara told her. The words had become almost like a mantra for both. Astrid was always willing to help her, and Ciara always refused. She was just a stray, completely out of her depth in a place not suited for her. "Thanks Astrid," she smiled, trying to block out Thor's words. Astrid nodded, collecting the clothes, and slipped out.

As soon as the door shut, Ciara took a deep breath and slumped to the ground in a very undignified fashion. She crossed her legs, resting her hands on her ankles. "Shut up," she muttered to the voice that repeated Thor's words, and closed her eyes. "Okay…" she whispered, taking another breath. "Clear my mind and focus," Ciara told herself. A moment later, the tugging sensation in her stomach appeared, and Ciara stumbled, suddenly on her feet and almost falling into the bath.

Giddy all of a sudden, Ciara giggled, looking around the bathroom that was connected to her personal quarters. Using her new power filled her with energy, and she was hit with an impulse to run to burn it up, but resisted. She was slowly getting used to the sensations that came with using the power of the Space Stone, which she had been testing over the last few days.

Ciara had told everyone, including herself, that she didn't care about being a Guardian, and that the entire thing was a waste of time. But that hadn't stopped her from starting to learn her new powers. After all, the first time they'd kicked in, she'd landed herself in a cell with Loki. She didn't want to wind up somewhere else entirely with no way to escape.

Satisfied with her attempt, which had landed her almost exactly where she'd wanted, Ciara turned to leave. As she reached the door, she paused, and instead pressed her hand to the cold stone of the wall. She grinned, letting the energy of her teleportation fuel her, and her hand began to blur. A moment later, her hand passed through the solid stone, and the rest of her followed, allowing her to step through the wall and back into her room.

"You're scared to find a place to belong," the words continued to echo in the back of Ciara's mind even now, and she shook her head.

"I can't wait to get off this planet," Ciara muttered, trying not to think about what would happen after she returned to Earth. She had no doubt that SHIELD was still desperately hunting for her, and that wasn't going to change anytime soon. She kept her resolve, ready to leave as soon as the Bifrost was repaired. Even if it meant returning to a life far less comfortable.


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