An Entity Within | Stephen Strange

14 - A Little Bit Of Fun

It was nearing the end of their long month of training. Tessa had found that the change of scene was much needed – it had been a refreshing, relaxing and tranquil experience (between passing out after working herself too hard). The Entity and the sorceress were growing closer and learning more about each other every day. When she had blacked out, the time she was out for was indeed getting less and less. Resistance training was all she needed (or so they thought) and currently, they had been able to get her time down to an hour and a half. A cat nap, she called it, which had always perplexed the Entity.

Painfully early as usual, Tessa had awoken and had decided to enjoy the early mid-October morning by having a little walk around the temple. She saw an odd handful of other students who were early birds just like her and gave them a warm smile and wishful greeting as she wandered on by. Stopping at the main outdoor training area, she saw Stephen, with three large books in his arms, headed towards her and smiled.

"Morning."

"Morning, Tess." The sorcerer greeted politely, "I'll be in the training area – our training area – in about ten minutes if you want to me there?"

"Alright," She nodded, "See you in a bit."

Stephen smiled back at her, lingering a moment before slipping past her dropping a book as he did and groaned. Knowing he wouldn't ask for help, she quickly darted down to pick it up for him and placed it back on top of his pile. She placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping him from leaving for a moment as she pointed her finger at him. Stephen looked at her, a little wide-eyed and worried as to what she would say or do.

"You might be master of a sanctum but don't for one second think that excuses you from the consequences of damaging any of these ancient masterpieces." She warned playfully.

Stephen laughed through his nose, "Yeah, alright, it was an accident."

"These books are thousands of years old. We only have one copy of each."

"Point taken." He smiled, starting to walk away, "I will see you soon."

Tessa watched him go, shouting after him, "Protect them with your life!"

When will you be 'making a move'?

"What?" She paused, "What do you know about 'making moves'?"

It was in a 'TV show' you watched. You wish to make a move on the sorcerer?

"No. I swear to God, Tee – "

I can hear and see your thoughts as I said before – why do you wish to see him topless?

A blush rose in her cheeks and she clenched her jaw. Private thoughts. There were private thoughts one had that one never really acknowledged too much. But when there was another whole consciousness living inside your head, private things that you didn't tend to acknowledge were then acknowledged – embarrassingly so.

Tessa?

"No. No, we're not – no – Tee, there – there is a box in my head – a box where you just shouldn't look – a private box. Thoughts like that...that you may have seen or heard should remain in that private box never to be mentioned or acknowledged in any way, shape or form and especially not out loud. Capiche?"

But...there is no box...

"A metaphorical box. Any thoughts like that, don't – don't mention it to me, okay?"

Very well, child.

"Thank you."

Composing herself, she took a breath, walking in the opposite direction to Stephen, heading to their secluded training area.