An Entity Within | Stephen Strange

11 - A Walk'n'Talk

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah just...I haven't been out in a while and...quite frankly everything's...weird."

"Weird how?"

"The first time the Entity took over, uhm, it was kind of like, it - completed the sort of bridge between us, it completed the bond and, of course, I have magic of my own, but the Entity also has its own powers and abilities and after it took over it just...it clicked. And so, I am dealing with a bit of sensory overload, just a little, because its senses are tenfold of mine, it's – pretty awesome but also not."

"Sorry, I wouldn't have suggested a walk if I'd known."

"No, it's okay. I didn't really notice in the sanctum. It's quieter and calmer there." She paused, again looking up at the clear blue sky, saying again for the fifth time, "Nice day though."

Stephen looked at her intrigued. So, he had established that she had enhanced senses and when joined with the Entity, she also had power from a darker source. It was absolutely fascinating to him, this one-of-a-kind situation, and he found himself craving to know more, wishing to understand the situation as best as he could. An idea popped into his head.

"Tessa, come with me to Kamar-Taj."

She looked down and at Strange again, taken aback by the sudden request, "What?"

"You and the Entity are still learning about this bond you share and, as we don't have any previous knowledge about the occurrence of a situation like yours, I'd like to take you to Kamar-Taj where I can teach you – "

"You do remember that I've been studying the Mystic Arts since I was...what...six? You've only been doing this for a little more than half a year."

He tilted his head, "And yet I'm master and protector of the New York Sanctum."

"Oof, that arrogance hasn't gone down much, has it?"

"My point is I'm not inexperienced. I can teach you to harness what power you have and can learn about you and the Entity as you develop."

She scoffed, "I'm not saying you're inexperienced, but you're certainly not experienced enough to teach me further." She paused, "And if you wanted to study us, you should have just said."

"Alright. I want to study you." He spoke honestly then, "So, will you come to Kamar-Taj with me? There's more space there and it's a little more isolated – "

Again, without any word of warning, the Entity took over her in the middle of a busy sidewalk. Stephen's eyes widened when this happened and he covered her eyes like lightning, dragging her into the alleyway they were near.

Tee, what are you doing?

The Entity ripped Strange's hand off of its eyes and used its palm to brutally push him back into the wall out of instinct at having felt threatened. His back hit the bricks and an 'oomph' left his lips as he looked at her – it – them – he really would have to establish an answer for this.

"You can't keep doing that," Stephen spoke urgently, raising his hands to show he meant no harm, "And especially not here, not when there are so many people around."

"No." The Entity answered his question to Tessa, disregarding his previous statement, "We will not go to Kamar-Taj with you."

"You could have let Tessa say that."

The Entity narrowed its eyes at him.

"You alright down there?" A passer-by questioned.

The attention of both Stephen and the Entity was drawn to the voice but the second the man saw the black abyss that were both of Tessa's eyes, his eyes grew in terror, and he backed away running off into the hustle of people. The Entity's gaze softened, and it looked back at the sorcerer, clearly somewhat upset.