The Doctor is in. Enter at your own risk

Rocket sized the man up, the sparks on his hands seemed to be his weapons. This concerned him slightly until he noticed that his stance appeared to be preparing a defense of counter attack rather than being an immediate threat. His words further drove the point home of being a protector.

He folded his arms in front of him, not wanting to send any sign of reaching for any weapons of his own to the unknown man. “My purpose in the city is getting away from a band of Z’Nox pirates, my purpose on this planet is getting off this friggin’ planet!” He realized of course that by entering the city he had all but ruined any chance of leaving the planet. Though he didn’t concern himself with Terra often, much of the galaxy had heard of the black hole that had engulfed a city. Everything that goes in, doesn’t come out. “It’s a multi step plan!”

During his tenure with the guardians he had fought a space monster, space pirates, a space cough (that passed in a week), and even a planet. Rocket did not have a desire to add a wizard to that list. Not with the precious cargo strapped to his belt at least.

“And watch who you point those sparkle fingers at pal! I fought to defend this place at Wakanda just like everyone else,” he pointed his tiny finger angrily at the ground before waving his hand dismissively. “Ask the- the one armed guy, or Thor.” Rockets forte had never been defusing situations, often times he deferred it to others around him. Unfortunately there was nobody around and name dropping was his best option.

Rocket tapped at the communicator on his wrist before speaking into it. “Quill? Can you hear me? I swear if you’re ignoring me again I’ll smash EVERYTHING THAT IS DEAR TO YOU!” It was not much of a surprise to him that the communications seemed inoperable. His fist briefly clenched in irritation before realizing the spectical that the crashing ships had brought. A small sigh escaped his chest he suppressed his anger beneath the surface.

@makesmestrange

Stephen knew what his duties were when it came to protecting this planet and reality.  Though he could have been more diplomatic he wanted to make it clear that Earth was defended even from technologically advanced aliens.  Mostly that was the Avengers job, but if it needed to overlap a bit he was fine with that.

The alien’s initial reaction made Stephen wonder if the alien had the anger of an average sized human compressed into his smaller body.  He knew that contents under pressure had a tendency to explode.  At the comment on his ‘sparkle fingers’ Stephen raised an eyebrow.  He wasn’t quite ready to drop his guard.  So far the explanation and goal seemed rational, but as a doctor he was very aware that people lied.  Naming Wakanda gave the alien some credit.  Naming Thor is what finally got Stephen to relax.  If the Asgardian didn’t know the alien Thor could take care of the problem very permanently.  His hands fell to his sides and he stood for a moment thinking.

The mention of Quill settled the matter of the alien.  “Thor is here.  I can take you to the Avenger’s mansion.  If he isn’t there, they will know where he is or a likely place to find him,” he said.  “I am Doctor Stephen Strange.  I have met Quill and other members of his crew.”  A few years ago the notion of actual space pirates would have been laughable to him, but after extradimensional squid monsters he found anything believable.

It was honestly a long time overdue when Thor finally made his way towards Bleecker street, an easy gait to his steps and a gentle whistle on his breath, stormbreaker sat easily in the harness on his back. So much had been going on since he’d first arrived within the barrier—admittedly not all of it to himself—seemingly one after the other, and it had left the God unable to pay a visit to the wizard as soon as he’d intended to do so.

Yet now, for the moment at least, things seemed to be relatively calm. A member of his royal party hadn’t arrived through the barrier in at least a few days, and so suddenly finding himself with nothing to do and no one to berate for following him through the barrier, Thor had remembered his original plans to speak to the wizard.

As much as he found Midgardians curious, there was something about this wizard that amused him greatly. His control of magic was certainly a rarity amongst the mortals and would have caught his attention anyway, but the fact he’d managed to catch Loki unawares twice within the same meeting had been a point of great enjoyment for Thor. If they hadn’t been so determined to find their Father (and then dealing with their surprise sister), Thor would have proceeded to use the events to tease Loki mercilessly until he was either banished to another realm or stabbed.

Reaching the wizards house, Thor knocked sharply before pushing the door open to step inside.

“Beer wizard! Are you here?”

Stephen held up his hand to get a better sense of the power that was coming toward him as he walked to the door.  It was familiar to him, but it was taking time to place it.  He allowed the door of the Sanctum to open at the loud knocking.  If he had to face something this powerful the Sanctum was the best place to do so.  The most powerful relics were close at hand and any power he might need was there as well.  Also, any damage done would be contained by the near infinite size of the almost indestructible building.  

Under normal conditions his hands shook constantly.  He could no longer use a razor to shave, eating was sometimes a challenge.  His writing was unreadable.  At this moment though, not a twitch.  They were perfectly stable when they needed to cast spells to protect this world.  Which was good because sometimes those hands were the only thing that protected it from certain destruction.

This was not one of those times.  The booming voice of the familiar Asgardian allowed him to relax.  He pressed two fingers to the bridge of his nose in irritation.  “My name is Stephen Strange,” he said.  “Obviously, I am here.  Do come in.”  He sensed a weapon on Thor’s back.  Not the same one he brought to the Sanctum before, but Stephen thought it was likely similar enough that certain precautions should be taken.  “If you would leave your weapon beside the door.  I have only recently fixed the damage an Eldrich being did to the Sanctum and would prefer not to have to embark on another long cleaning spree.”

“Yes, I could tell last night,” She pursed her lips as she perched on the arm of the chair a moment. “Oh yeah? Just a bit of rest? How much rest is required when you are allowing yourself to be chair-bound?” Emma teases – she knew it had to be some level of serious for Stephen to allow Wong to make him stay in a chair all day – to allow him to be doted on like that. “Oh haaaa,” She says dryly but she was fighting a smile. “You can get on your knees and beg later, if you’re up for it,” Emma smirks, tossing her hair over her shoulder, considering a moment before she asked. “How often is it like this after using magic? Do you need a whole day? Is there not magic to replace magic – and –” she paused her line of questioning with a slight wince. “I suppose my grilling you isn’t very relaxing,” She rubbed a hand across his shoulders with a small smile. “Forgive me.”

Stephen gave her a small smile.  “Not entirely sure,” he said.  “It’s not that I am allowing myself to be stuck in a chair, it’s more that getting up just feels like a big effort right now.”  He sighed and picked up his tea.  “Probably a few days at most.  Less if I keep drinking Wong’s concoctions and eating a few of his special meals.”

“Magic taught me new rules.” Bruce admitted, unashamed to tell Strange that the scientific logic he had been working upon was outdated, quickly proven wrong by the existence of new worlds and realms. “I was in the process of studying them when I found myself on Zakaar.” Ducking his head with a quiet hum, he was grateful his company wasn’t making an effort to understand. He was making no claim to know his struggle, he wasn’t even trying to relate to it. Sometimes that was all he needed, a mutual respect, an acknowledgement. 

“Thank you.” He murmured, feeling infinitely better when he heard the doctor assure him he would put his own safety first. He knew from experience that, thanks to the Other Guy, he was all but indestructible. He was never concerned for himself, only those around him. And knowing those around him would make their well being a priority helped to ease the anxiety. A frown creasing his brow at the mention of trusting the wrong people, there was something in the way Strange said the words that made him wonder whether he, or somebody he knew, had trusted the wrong person in the past. It didn’t sound like a comment on his own situation. Looking up and offering him a shy smile, he believed him. Hell, he trusted him already. Everybody he knew who was acquainted with Strange only ever had good things to say. Setting down his tea, he carefully got to his feet. “I’m sorry to take up your time, but… I really think I needed this. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it…”

Stephen smiled a little.  “I am sure that you have only begun to scratch the surface,” he said.  “The more I learn the more I find I haven’t learned yet.”  It wasn’t a criticism just what he considered an accurate assessment of how much there is to magic.  Wong has said as much to him in his own taciturn way.

Strange Academy #1

Haven had been full of people recovering and Emma had barely gotten home and to sleep before she felt like she was waking up. It had only been a couple of hours of sleep and she felt it, heavy and tired. But she had a mission and hell hath no fury like Emma on a mission. She was walking to the Sanctum before she even remembered where she was going, really. She had spent the night helping Colossus with the house and getting everyone settled and fed and everything else.

It had been an exhausting time for everyone. But she knew it was more so for those who had fought hard – people like Stephen. She had wanted to reach out last night but time got away from her. “Hello, dear,” She said with a polite smile as she let herself in to the side of Wong. She pat him gently on the shoulder as she passed, following the sound of Stephen’s mind to find him in a chair. “A sight for sore eyes,” She smiles sweetly, perking up as best she could. Her exhaustion didn’t matter, she was glad to see him okay. “Good morning, darling,” She says as she comes over and sweet cloud of rose-scented perfume to kiss his cheek, standing up beside the chair and stroking his hair back as she looked him over, as if she could appraise exactly the extent of damage, if there were any. She took in the scenery around her, breakfast brought to him, books around. “Chair bound today, huh?” She knew he didn’t like her fussing, but she desperately wanted to. “Well, out of the kindness of my heart, I’ll keep you company.” Of course she was not invited, but Emma did not wait to be invited, she invited herself and he knew that.

Wong had no problem getting the door for Stephen.  If it kept the other sorcerer sitting in his chair then it was a small price to pay.  The two of them had several discussions regarding Emma.  Wong being a far more traditional thinker was concerned that Strange would become distracted from his duties or that she would be hurt by something the Sanctum contained.  So far, he’d been proved wrong and he was fine with that.  Despite many years spent speaking English his thoughts were always in Cantonese.

He almost smiled when Emma greeted him then breezed past him.  Once she made her way toward where Stephen was he shut the door.  Content that she would manage to keep him entertained and resting for a bit, he made his way back to the kitchen.

Bruce smiled, unable to help himself. Only a hint of self-deprecation evident in his expression. “I appreciate it… really.” He insisted. And it was true. Despite sometimes wishing he could hear a sugar coated version of the truth, his mind valued facts ad figures. Honesty was always important to him, especially when it came to situations such as these. He needed to know, false hope would only be damaging and toxic. “I appreciate it.” Laughing quietly at the prospect of the doctor’s bedside manner leaving a lot to be desired, he tried to imagine Strange talking to a patient in the same way he was being spoken to now. It was amusing, although he would never admit so out loud.  “I’m not sure I would understand the mechanics of it, even if you could explain them to me.” He admitted. He realised his scepticism must have been evident on his face when Strange began to tell him about his battle with Thanos. He would be lying if he said the information didn’t make him feel infinitely more confident in his abilities. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to doubt you. This is all just… uncharted territory. There’s no sure way to predict the outcome and that- that makes me nervous. I hate that.”

Falling silent again, he felt a sudden rush of empathy for the man sitting before him. His life had been stolen too, replaced with something that forced him to the forefront of war. That thrust responsibilities upon he that he may never had asked for given the choice. “I wish I could say I do… but each time I feel like I finally have a grasp on it, everything changes.” He sighed quietly, a frown creasing his brow. “I love Tony, so he loves Tony… there’s a connection between the way I feel and the way he feels, he’s… protective of the people I care about. People have used that to their advantage before, sometimes that has led to people communicating with him, more so during my time on Zakaar but I still don’t know a lot of what happened there. I’m not sure I want to.” He said, his voice becoming quieter as he thought about what he did know. His biggest fear was being used as a weapon, he never once considered the fact that people might use him for sport, encourage him to kill as a source of entertainment. It made him feel physically sick. “I trust you…hopefully that means he will trust you too.” 

Stephen nodded.  There were people who responded well to facts and logic over some kind of attempt to take care of their feelings.  He was able to interact with the former far easier than the latter.  It occurred to him that it’s possible that Banner represented the logic side while Hulk represented the emotional side.  Almost as if it was a single mind that was split instead of two, fully functioning minds fighting over one person.  It was an interesting theory, he’d have to note that down for later.

“Magic has a language of its own and its own rules.  Which I would assume you are familiar with because of your studies in nuclear physics among other disciplines.  If one doesn’t know the language and a language both people understand can’t be agreed upon it is difficult to converse.  Even then it is still difficult to get certain concepts to translate,” Stephen said.  He regarded Bruce for a moment.  “I think whatever doubt you are having is out of a place of concern.  It is not meant to be insulting and it is not taken as such.  I can only imagine what you have gone through.  I can only imagine the kinds of fears you had that became realities and the ones that haven’t.  For both our sakes, I will make my own safety the priority if I encounter him.”  He doubted such promises and understanding would be enough, but it was the best he could do.