a herbie production.

"...no kidding. Yeah, uh, you definitely got the right girl if that's the kinda-" Xue visibly realizes something as she's talking, adjusting the ballcap on her head (embroidered art of a panther and all) as if the jaunty angle of it is somehow impolite in the face of such a storied individual. "Oh, man. You've gotta be a hero, right? Okay, okay- your secret's safe with me. I mean, pretty much."

Her and the scounds of people just hanging around this street. It's hard to imagine getting a car down here if one was needed, but maybe the place is meant to be more foot-traffic only anyways. The one that calls herself Discyple snaps her fingers and points two at Stephen with a big grin- then remembers herself and stands up straight, clearing her throat.

"I'm Xue. I've got a few other names, but, uh, that's the one I like people to find out first. Good thing for you, I got another name that's gonna help us out a lot. The Protector of Chinatown." Big grin! Good first impression. The firebrand's hands find her hips, and she cants her head at the... odd hand movements.

he probably should have explained who he was, and what he was doing there. there's a lot of things he's been forgetting to do lately, and he wonders if it has to do with him not yet being able to rest completely. there's an inhale that's sharp and he is frustrated with himself in the moment, before eyes linger around the place to just make sure that no one else happens to be paying all that close attention today.

" sorry, right, strange, stephen strange. you know, " the name should explain him

" i've heard actually, i've done my research a little bit in my free time, " before he motions his hand in the air in front of her face, and reveals to her eyes only the misshapen lines around the sky.

he hopes it doesn't frighten her as he launches into a rapid question,

" i need to find where you see these the strongest, they'll likely be in buildings or alleyways. i'm not sure, but- locals.. are- " he pauses. he understands what he looks like, and his type are not common to be lingering in the darks of these areas of town.

he'd rather make friends with the locals rather than anything else. " sorry, i don't have a lot of time, so i'm being a little forward, all things considered. "

she scratches her ear under the wide brimmed black hat that shades her face from the sun. everything else shades her body away from the bright uv rays, lace, and black fabric in layers, that only a slit in the side to expose anything. all of that, that should suggest she's roasting alive, except she seems rather relaxed. she suspects he's talking to the wrong person, " i'm fine, " that's because i run at a balmy temperature of not alive, she doesn't say that, " maybe you aren't wearing a good outfit for the heat. "

that's rich, coming from someone who appears dressing for october thirty first in america.

sender blocks receiver's path with a smug grin.

sender steps into receiver's space just to prove a point.

sender folds their arms and challenges receiver to prove them wrong.

sender steals receiver's victory with a teasing bow.

sender rolls their eyes at receiver, but can't hide the smile tugging at the corner of their mouth.

sender catches receiver staring after an argument and raises an eyebrow.

sender deliberately chooses the seat beside receiver, claiming everywhere else was taken.

sender cleans up receiver's injuries while insisting it's only practical.

sender mutters that only they're allowed to beat receiver.

sender catches receiver before they lose their balance.

sender finds themself defending receiver from someone else, and receiver overhears.

sender scoffs at receiver's idea before admitting it was a good one.

sender argues with receiver over something neither of them actually cares about anymore.

sender notices they've memorized all of receiver's tells.

sender reluctantly agrees to team up with receiver.

sender smirks when they realized they got under reciver's skin.

sender instinctively reaches out to stop receiver from getting hurt.

sender deliberately provokes receiver just to get a reaction.

sender leans far too close while arguing with receiver.

sender refuses to admit they were worried about receiver.

sender notices receiver looks unfairly attractive when they're angry.

sender finds themself smiling after one of receiver's insults.

sender interrupts someone else before they can insult receiver.

sender rolls their eyes when receiver shows off, but can't look away.

sender catches receiver laughing and forgets what they were going to say.

sender gets unexpectedly defensive when someone calls receiver incompetent.

sender insists receiver is cheating during a friendly competition.

sender reaches the finish line first, only to turn around and wait for receiver.

sender realizes they actually enjoy arguing with receiver.

sender instinctively steps between receiver and danger.

sender realizes winning doesn't feel as satisfying if receiver isn't there.

sender remembers every sarcastic nickname receiver has ever given them.

sender begrudgingly compliments receiver's skills.

sender catches themself watching receiver instead of the competition.

sender offers receiver a hand up, pretending it's purely out of convenience.

sender notices they're smiling before they even realize receiver has walked into the room.

sender throws their jacket over receiver's shoulders while complaining the entire time.

sender realizes they know exactly how to make receiver laugh.

sender accidentally lets a genuine compliment slip while arguing with receiver.

sender catches receiver looking at them with something softer than annoyance.

sender realizes the line between rivalry and affection has become impossible to find.

waiting for the moment stephen had wandered off to make himself some coffee, roselle had raced into the room and over to the table where the strange, magical artefact rested. she'd told stephen she was going for a nap, so her being here... oh, he'd have no idea!

the very thought brings a devious smirk to her face as she reaches a hand out, only to be stopped by fabric wrapping around her wrist and tugging her back. she scolds the cloak and tries again, but is stopped again. and again. and again. so much so, when @viteoublies returns with his freshly made coffee roselle has been mummified by the sentient piece of clothing and held in the air. air jail. she'd been put in air jail.

brows raise as he walks in, he's lucky that the cup of joe hovers in the air, otherwise he would have dropped it with the surprise of the sight in front of him. blue eyes linger, and he's sighing with a huff of laughter on his tongue, before he waves a hand, and the cup finds a home on the table.

his eyes don't leave, watching her wriggle around within the cloak that extends itself enough to keep her tight and bounded, but she's right, there's definitely a little bit of a smugness.

" i'm not smug, " oh his tone lies, as he crosses his arms, leaning a hip against the sturdy, thick oak table that smells also faintly of magic, there's a moment as he tilts his head, the cloak seems relaxed despite the threat, " you know you can't do that, so i'm inclined to not believe you. "

it takes a special type of magic to mutilate that cloak, and she doesn't have it. thank god, otherwise, well, she said what she said and he knows that.

" but fine, you know better, i don't know what happens when your magic meets any of these magics. "

with that, he whisks the object with his own magic to it's home where it belongs in the sanctum, where it's locked under barrier lock and key.

" put her down please. "

It's a good day in Chinatown. Most days are good days, but something about this day in particular feels... exciting. Xue got up bright and early this morning, did some work on a construction site in Dumbo, got a late breakfast (early lunch? She'd eaten this morning but it was just three protein bars and an energy drink) at a local diner, and now she's back on the beat.

When the Sorcerer Supreme finds her, she's... officiating a dance-off. Cardboard's been put down, two locals (one she knows from the neighbourhood, one outsider who's nevertheless putting up quite a performance).

Xue's down low, pumping her fist with every rotation of one dancer's body on the ground, and doesn't turn to face Stephen until they launch back up. When she turns to meet his eye, she's grinning widely, and lifts a hand in greeting. "Hey, yo! Yeah, mister, if you need a tour guide I can set you up." It's great to be getting some recognition. The Protector of Chinatown makes a quick verdict - the visiting B-boy takes it this time - and fully directs her attention.

he takes only a few moments to enjoy the show, offering that polite smile americans are well known for before he turns his attention towards the sky, and the woman who stands. she speaks, and he's not surprised. the question she asks is loaded, because it's a bit of everywhere and no where.

he can see them stretching across rooftops and alleyways like fractured strands of glass, their once-steady geometry warped where hostile magic has rolled through the borough. the city has taken the blow well enough, all things considered, but new york is vast.

repairing mystical infrastructure one neighborhood at a time is painstaking work, and this is only one of the last districts still demanding his attention and so, he answers, " well, everywhere, lots of places, and some of them will be in people's buildings. "

he pulls a hand out of his pocket, before stopping it's movement just a few spaces from her face, then he thought about it for a moment. that's a bad idea, he needs to ask first, and so before golden can pull from the tips of his fingers, he does,

" do you mind? i can show you what we're dealing with. "

this is a special deal to try and get me back into writing, when i watch movies later today with a friend. i owe you guys effort and showing up so STARTER CALL !!! i don't do these a lot or at all, so this is a rare special treat.

please specify who you want otherwise you get ahmya as the default offering!

edit: no cap bc i havent been around in a longtime so everyone gets a shot.