An Entity Within | Stephen Strange

16 - Dissonance

"Tessa, your affection for Stephen makes him a target for all who wish to spite you and Stephen, your sentiment for Tessa makes you a target even more so as it is clear you are willing to defend and protect us." Tee further explained, "I am only able to protect you both from so much."

"We're not asking you to protect us from everything. It's admirable that you do but – "

"There are things we'll have to deal with ourselves." Tessa finished Stephen's sentence, "You keep calling me a child, but I am an adult. I can make my own choices and can also defend myself and us."

"Having lived for so long, I consider the entirety of your earth's population to be children, not just you." It paused, "I gather you will both still pursue each other then?"

"Well..." Stephen looked at Tessa, "I mean..."

"Well, cat's out of the bag so, ball's in your court now, Strange."

"Still on for dinner?"

"No." Tee answered, causing both sorcerers to pull a disappointed frown, "We have other matters to attend to first."

"But Tee – "

"But nothing," It glared at her, shaking its head, "And you say you're not children."

Tessa's mouth fell agape, and Stephen fought back a smirk. If she had a physical body, then Tessa was certain that the handsome sorcerer would have an elbow in his side by now. As for the Entity, it moved to the centre of the room, conjuring another illusion of a small, intricately-designed chest.

"Since our run-in with Marcus, I have been contemplating what relic may best aid us in the capture of the other Entity. I present Gargorra's Box."

Both sorcerers stared at Tee blankly.

"Who's box, sorry?" Tessa questioned.

"They always lull you into a false sense of security, these relics." Stephen nodded, "Make it look simple, call the object what it is but, someone's always got to have a complicated name to accompany the simple item that it is."

"Wouldn't really be a relic without a complicated name..."

"But seriously?" Stephen said, looking at the sorceress, "Why are there no sorcerer's called Phil or Nick, Bob even?"

She shrugged, "I don't know."

"You've been doing this longer than I have, surely you must have some idea?"

Tessa smirked gently as she thought about it, "I don't. Maybe...I don't know...Bob's Box is hardly cool-sounding..."

"So only sorcerers with long, archaic names are cool?"

The sorceress nodded, "I guess so."

Stephen chuckled gently as he thought about it, "The Book of Phil?"

Both were set off into a fit of giggles with his suggestion. Tee failed to see the humour in this as they continued to chortle.

"Tessa? Stephen?"

"Crimson Bands of Kevin?" Tessa added, cackling as tears of amusement left her eyes.

Stephen held his stomach as he guffawed, "The Whip of Nick?"

The Entity blinked at them both, not entirely sure what to make of their lack of professionalism, "Masters? Hello? Might I have your attention again?"

"Bobby's Bo Staff – "

"The Shurikens of Steve - "

"Tommy's Tonfas – "

"Aha, no – stop – it hurts to – laugh!" Tessa cried.

Tee brought a hand up to its forehead, pinching the bridge of its nose as it muttered, "I work with children..." It looked at them again and rose its voice, "Meanwhile, there is still an evil Entity out there, potentially killing hundreds and destroying homes, leaving more children dead and orphaned." Again, it gave an awkward half-smile as it waited for them to calm.

Tessa waved her hand, desperately trying to calm herself as she floated there, wiping away a transparent tear from her astral projection.

"Ahem, sorry...sorry..." Stephen took a breath, struggling to contain himself, "Con - continue please."

Watching them both carefully, Tee dared to continue, "Gargorra's Box is similar to that of Pandora's Box, however, instead of already containing every vice and curse ready to release into the world, this box holds the ability to contain certain evils of our choice be they abstract or more concrete."

"Right and," Stephen wiped a tear from his eye, "Because this other Entity is, to our knowledge, evil, you believe it may be able to contain it?"

"Exactly. Glad to know you are paying attention, Sorcerer."

Again, the two shared a look like they were two mischievous children that had both partaken in the same naughty antics and had now been caught but were more amused than disappointed with their telling off. The Entity, however, continued despite any disruptive looks.

"Doctor, I'll need you to locate the box while Tessa rests."

"While I rest?"

"Locate how?"

"Seeing as we have used our powers multiple times today, Tessa, I fear that if I am to return control of your motor functions to yourself, you will collapse. Remember the toll our dark powers take on your physical self."

"Yes, but we're working on that endurance, surely it's better to - "

"Little and often." Stephen jumped in, concerned for her wellbeing, "You should build your endurance by using you alternate powers little and often or you'll burn out."

"But - "

"No - "

"Stephen - "

"Doctor Strange remember - trust me on this. I know you want to help and you can, but after you rest. Doctor's orders."

She floated there in a huff for a moment before nodding, reluctantly in agreement with them both.

"Thank you for your input, Doctor." The Entity said, "While she rests, I wish for you to locate the box through the use of ancient texts."

"You really need to move your records and texts to electronic copies."

Tess shrugged, "Safer on paper."

"As a single copy, it's arguably more risky." Stephen said.

Fair point, both the sorceress and the creature thought.