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𝗙𝗢𝗨𝗥: 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦
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"I'M HOPELESS."
Those were the words Stephen expressed after failing to cast the spell for the thirtieth time that day. Three weeks had passed ever since they have taught him and the others the basic spell they needed to master and Kamar-Taj's new student was frustrated that he wasn't performing very well.
Their practice session was only supposed to last for a week, but because there were other novice and intermediate students that didn't successfully summon a mandala, they all decided to extend the exercise. For the past few days, Cassandra took it upon herself to personally monitor his practice. She watched him perform the spell several times, but he always failed. No Tao Mandala appeared in the air even though he perfectly executed the gestures.
The brunette munched on her apple, raising it in the air to admire it. The fruit had a gold star radiating from the stem, gently blending with that colour as vibrant as her red lipstick. It rested there, in the nest of her fingers, giving a calming coolness upon her palm - solid enough to be noticed, light enough to stay there. It was the prettiest juice container she'd ever seen and delicious to the core.
"No, you're not. You're just being dramatic." Cassandra took another bite of her apple just as she threw a crumpled paper ball at the back of Stephen's head. She then glanced at the bin full of paper balls, checking if it was empty so she could refill it. She shrugged when she discovered when it was still halfway full.
One thing she had noticed about Stephen was that his reactions are sometimes over the top. He was impatient too, expecting quick results over everything. He even questioned her earlier why he wasn't able to cast the spell if it was basic which led them to have their very first argument.
But, she understood why he was acting like that. Stephen was an overachiever. He was always on top of everything. Failure wasn't an option for him. He will do everything to prevent himself from failing. That's why he was famous in academic circles because he loved achieving the impossible. He loved proving that he was the greatest among them all.
Now, in Cassandra's opinion, there's nothing wrong with being a high achiever. No one likes to fail, but if it happens, it should be taken as an opportunity to try again. It was one of the first lessons the Ancient One taught her. That she shouldn't be afraid to fail and try again.
Stephen's prominent fear of failure and loss was what was keeping him from succeeding to perform magic.
He needed to understand that he cannot influence everything in life no matter how hard he tried, and that some things are not in his power.
That one thing isn't everything.
Stephen rubbed the area where her paper ball hit and let out a groan. Cassandra could clearly tell from his rigid actions and scowl that he was growing irritated. "You do know you're going to clean this all up, right?"
"There's a spell for that."
The sorceress nonchalantly brushed off the lints on her black dress. She bit her apple again, its sweet taste lingering on her tongue.
"The problem is in my hands!"
She threw another paper ball at his head.
"Can you stop doing that?"
"Nope. For every complain you say, you earn a paper ball at your head." She gently dried her lips with a tissue so as to not remove her lipstick. "I already told you this so many times, it's not your hands -- "
"How is it not my hands, Cassandra?" he growled, his anger now mounting yet she was unfazed by this. He angrily ran his trembling hands across his hair. "It's been three weeks and I've got little progress! All I have produced are sparks! Of course, it's my hands because they won't stop shaking!"
Cassandra shrugged, standing up from the step of the stairs she sat at. She tossed the remains of her fruit on the other trash bin. "At least, there's sparks. It could've been worse."
"Like?"
"Like nothing."
Stephen sighed. He looked utterly defeated again like the first time he arrived in the compound. Cassandra felt sad for him and walked over to him, touching his arm to show her care. "I just don't understand why it's like this, Cassie."
"Just try again."
Nodding, Stephen motioned his hands in the air, his eyes filled with determination. Cassandra stepped aside and crossed her arms. He did the pattern perfectly again, but only a small spark and a cloud of smoke appeared. He inclined his head towards his head to the sorceress and expressed his despair through his eyes. "See?" he huffed. "Nothing's happening."
Cassandra rubbed his shoulder. "This just means there's something holding you back and I know what it is. I see it, plain as day."
He scoffed. "You claim to see what it is but really, you don't! You don't understand what my problem is! No one here does!"
The woman retracted her hand and threw an icy glare at his direction. "I'm so done with you, Strange. I swear. May the Vishanti guide you, you thick-headed moron." bitterly seethed Cassandra, spinning around to leave him on his own. She had never lost her patience with a student before -- not even with Mordo and Kaecilius. Sure, they once acted like Stephen, but they were a bit less stubborn and open.
Stephen rushed in front of her within seconds, stopping her from walking away. He grabbed her arms gently, his grip firm. She felt his hands violently tremble as he held her like she was his last hope.
"Get your fucking hands off of me, Strange."
She watched as Stephen flicked his gaze towards her in shock, his lips hanging open. She knew it was because he had never seen her so angry since she managed to control her temper during their past arguments. She was just always annoyed and stressed with him, but never infuriated.
No one dared to make Cassandra angry. It never ended well. The Ancient One even once described her as a volcano. She would be quiet for now, keep it all in to herself, and when she had enough, she'll unleash all hell and burn everything in her path.
"Please... don't give up on me." he pleaded, downcast. "I need you, Cassandra."
She tugged her arms away from him and stepped back. She was still mad and needed time to diffuse her anger because if she didn't... she might send Stephen to a dimension only she and the Ancient One can get him out of.
"I'm... I'm sorry."
Cassandra blinked in surprise. She didn't expect an apology to come out from him and it had immediately doused her fury. "Did you just apologize?" she spewed out, nonplussed.
Stephen shut his eyes. "I'm-I'm really sorry, Cassandra." he uttered.
The woman observed him for a moment before giving in to help him again. She let out a breath. "You know what's hindering you? Like everything else in your life, you want to control the mystic arts." she implied. "You want it to surrender to you, to fall on its knees and bow down to you. What you don't understand because you are so narrowly-minded is that you can't. You have to surrender to it, oh-so-brilliant Strange. You have to let it flow through you."
Stephen was silent for a moment. "But, if I don't control it then -- " He then paused, rubbing his face. "It doesn't make any sense."
"Because you want everything to be quick and easy."
"Don't we all want that?"
Cassandra flicked his large forehead.
"You're impatient. You want instant results which is wrong. There is no elevator to success, Stephen, you have to take the fucking stairs. You're no V.I.P.." she cocked her head to the side, watching Stephen rub his forehead. Actually, she really understood his frustration with achieving a result. She also failed her practice sessions and almost gave up in the mystic arts, but she remembered the Ancient One's words to her. So, she persevered and became the person she was now.
"Come on, let's call it a day. You need to rest. Clear your mind, meditate. We'll try again tomorrow morning before the class starts." she patted Stephen in the shoulder and led him back inside the Temple.
CASSANDRA BOWED HER HEAD in respect.
She had just finished a meeting with the Sanctum Masters. They discussed the new protective measures they have done to ensure the safety of the Sanctums. There was still no sign of Kaecilius around, but they can't let their guard down. They knew he was determined to take down the Ancient One and the Masters of the Mystic Arts. They had to be ready for his arrival.
That's why earlier that morning, the Sanctum Masters decided to assist them in training the novice and intermediate sorcerers who wished to expand their skills in the martial arts and casting magical spells. They also helped in recruiting and training new additions to become sorcerers of the Masters of the Mystic Arts.
"Cassandra!"
The young sorceress whipped around to see her parents approaching her with warm smiles and open arms. "Mom! Dad!"
Her mother, Olivia, was the first to wrap her in a hug. "How are you, bean? How's work?"
Cassandra had a good, healthy relationship with her parents. They were supportive of her in everything she did. Always present in every milestone of her life. Even when they were busy catching rogue sorcerers, they always made sure they had time for her. From her training, activities in school, graduation days, her event management agency opening... they were there.
One time, Cassandra almost left Kamar-Taj because she felt like she wouldn't be able to love up to what was expected of her. Her parents came to comfort her and give her the time and space she needed to make her decision. They apologized if they ever made her feel so pressured and told her she has the freedom to choose what she should do. That whatever path she takes, they will be there to support and provide insights to her.
"I'm doing great, mom." happily responded Cassandra. "Work's work. I'm still busy as ever."
"We missed you so much. We rarely see each other this days." Her mother brushed her hair aside. "Your dad and I are going to eat in our favorite restaurant. Would you like to come with us?"
"Of course, of course!"
The family of three left the Sanctuary and walked across the grounds where they soon crossed paths with a tall and lean man sporting a slightly graying beard -- Stephen Strange.
"Uh, hi, Cassie." the former neurosurgeon stopped in his tracks, bowing his head down when he noticed her parents. "Masters."
"Oh, mom, dad," Cassandra coughed. "This is Stephen Strange. Stephen, these are my parents."
"Oh, you're the new student. Well, you're not really new anymore since you've been here for almost a month, but yeah." voiced out her father beside her, extending his hand for a shake which Stephen gladly took. "I'm Harry and this is my wife, Olivia. I've heard a lot about you."
"Good things, I hope?"
Harry smirked. "Many things."
Cassandra chuckled nervously. "Okay," She actually didn't expect that her parents would be meeting Stephen, but then she also knew it was inevitable since they were all in the same place. She just hoped her parents wouldn't know their daughter had a one nighter with the man in front of them. The embarrassment will haunt her for years -- as if it wasn't haunting her already. "Stephen, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to teach you today since I'll be going out with my parents, but I'll have Karl tutor you -- "
"Actually, why don't Mr. Strange -- "
"Stephen, please."
Harry nodded. "Stephen, okay... why don't you join us for lunch today? I'm certain he can take some break from his training, Cass, right?"
"Yes, that would be wonderful! We'll get to know another friend of yours, dear." agreed Olivia, smiling.
The sorceress blinked twice. Shock and worry coursed through her veins as she processed the whole situation. "I... uhm, Is that okay with you, Stephen?"
Please, say no. Please, say no. chanted Cassandra inside her head.
"Uh, yes! Of course!"
Dammit!
"Great! Come on!"
The group walked out of the London Sanctum, heading to a small restaurant not so far away, but not before transfiguring their robes into casual clothes to avoid any unwanted attention. Olivia even transformed Stephen's robes which amazed him again. Her parents were amused with his reaction and promised him to personally teach him the transfiguration spell they casted when he reaches the intermediate rank. Cassandra could already tell that her parents adored him basing on the bright smiles they were giving him.
Upon entering the eating place, the four settled down on the booth located on the corner. Her parents quickly Stephen what he wanted to eat as a waiter approached them. The man only followed what Cassandra and her family ordered, a bit of shyness radiating from his words. Cassandra periodically asked him if he was okay, but in actuality, she was also asking that to herself.
No sooner than later, four bowls of Creamy Chicken Pasta soup were neatly laid atop their table. After they had expressed their gratitude to the waiter who served them, the group started to indulge in the food.
"How's the soup, Stephen?"
Cassandra's head perked up when she heard her mother ask the man whose hands were currently trembling beside her. Actually, she wanted to ask him earlier if he needed some help, but didn't want to offend him or even make him feel he was useless. Gods knew that that was he was feeling lately. Gulping down her soup, she observed them all interact. Her parents didn't mind his shaking hands since they already heard his story from the Ancient One. That Stephen had severe nerve damage on his hands, and lost the fine motor control needed to perform brain surgery.
"It's good, Master Mason. Very delicious."
"Please, Stephen. Call us Olivia and Harry when we're outside of the compound. You're Cassandra's friend. You're part of the family now."
"Thank you."
"So," Her father wiped his lips with a tissue setting it aside. "Stephen, I heard you were a neurosurgeon?"
"Yes, I previously worked in the Metro-General Hospital in New York city."
Harry hummed, nodding. "My wife and I were once medical practitioners too. We worked in the New York Presbyterian Hospital, both specializing in emergency medicine." conversed he. "It's great to hear there's another doctor around the compound."
This seemed to have caught Stephen's attention since he set his spoon down and eagerly leant forward. "If you don't mind me asking, what brought you to Kamar-Taj?"
Olivia glanced down on the table, lips curling into a forlorn smile. "We lost our firstborn son, Theseus, to a shooting incident and couldn't save him in time. We then began to desperately seek out some kind of understanding of why. My husband and I needed to find meaning to his tragic death during that time."
Cassandra knew the story very well, having heard it several times. She wasn't yet born when it happened. It was the night before Christmas and her parents and older brother were passing through a street to buy him some new clothes when two stray bullets suddenly hit his neck and chest. The shots came from a robber escaping the pursuing authorities. They did everything to save him, but they were too late. The five-year-old Theseus Mason who dreamt of becoming a surgeon one day died that evening.
"No matter what we did, the hole in our hearts couldn't be filled. We felt empty. We had saved many lives in the emergency room, but we couldn't save our own son. Then, we heard about Kamar-Taj from a friend of ours. He said that we would find the answers to our questions there."
"And did you?"
Olivia offered a kind smile. "We did. That everything is beyond our control even... death. That there is more to everything we know."
"Everything we know..." repeated Stephen, swallowing. "So, you just gave up your jobs as doctors and became masters in Kamar-Taj? How-how did you do that? How did you just forget everything?"
"You just have to let it go."
"Let it go? How? We have spent all of our time and effort to understand medicine, science."
"We understand how hard it is for you to replace everything you know, Stephen. We stood once in your place." comforted Harry. "It was confusing, frustrating even. Letting go of everything we devoted ourselves into, everything we have learned? We have spent so much time in the medical field that it became really hard for us to just give it all up. But, we did it. It was difficult, but incredibly worth it."
"I've been often told that is what's hindering me to perform magic. Not letting go. Not forgetting everything I know."
"Because when you think you know something in life, Stephen, it can cause you to become pigeon-holed. To gain true wisdom in life — seek to unlearn. How else would you be able to learn anything if you keep your mind closed?" Harry laid his hands on the table. Her parents were indeed mentors, Cassandra realized. She shared a fond smile with her father. "Master Yoda, I'm sure you have heard of him from the Star Wars films, said these words: you must unlearn what you have learned."
At this, Cassandra decided to support her father's advice. "We cannot learn something new until and unless we acknowledge the fact that we don’t know everything." she supplied. "We have to be open to the possibility that things may be different to how we think they are. That we know nothing about self or reality in which we exist."
Stephen was quiet, so quiet that Cassandra could almost hear the gears in his head turning. He was processing everything they have told him and she deeply hoped their words made him realize things. He didn't say anything afterwards and Cassandra gave a short nod to her parents, a silent signal that said 'let him understand it all on his own'.
The group of four then continued to heartily eat their food and minutes later, they all finished their bowls of soup. Cassandra's parents left a tip on the restaurant bill folder as the waiter handed it to them.
"I just noticed that you all love the Star Wars films." finally spoke Stephen after standing up from his seat which caused the Masons to laugh cheerily. They all started to walk out of the restaurant.
"They are masterpieces." Olivia then moved beside Cassandra, poking her arm. "We introduced the original trilogy to Cassandra when she was eight and she immediately claimed it was the same as the Eldritch Magic we, sorcerers, harness. Adorable child, really."
Stephen chuckled.
"Cassandra? Cassandra Mason?"
Cassandra turned around to see whoever called her name and almost froze in shock. It was her former classmate in college, Willow Mitchell, one of the people who she introduced Stephen to during the graduation party. She was more than one hundred percent sure her fellow alumni will remember Stephen since one, Willow was sober that evening and two, she was known to have the uncanny ability to remember people even when they had only met once years back.
Willow tossed her ginger hair back, embracing her tightly. "Cass! Hello! Oh, my god! It's so good to see you!"
Cassandra grimaced and tried to brush it off with a laugh. "Hey, Willow! Wow, long time no see! How have you been?"
"I'm doing great! I'm finally getting married." The other female happily flashed her ring, making the sorceress congratulate her. "Thank you, thank you! Oh, yeah! This is such good timing! I have been looking for a wedding planner and -- " Her blue eyes caught sight of Stephen beside her and that's when Cassandra knew she was absolutely and majestically fucked.
Her parents were just behind her, standing beside Stephen. Oh, such great timing!
"Wait a minute," gasped Willow, looking back to Cassandra with a grin like she had some sort of scandal. As if it wasn't already happening at the moment. She swept her gaze to the former neurosurgeon, pointing her finger to him. "you're the guy Cass was with in the grad party! You were with her the entire evening!"
Cassandra hastily moved in front of Stephen in an attempt to block him from her sight. The brunette tried her best to catch her classmate's attention without making her parents too suspicious, but it was maybe... too late. Her face turned red and excessive sweat fell from her eyebrows as she got hot and anxious. "Stop talking, stop talking." she mouthed to her, repeatedly.
"My god! Look at that! Fate brought you back together again! I assume, he's your boyfriend now? I always knew you were perfect together! The chemistry between you two that night was off the charts and the way he kiss -- "
That was it for the young sorceress and she immediately grabbed Willow by the arm. "I think that's enough, Willow. Don't you think?" She grinned as she pinched the woman lightly.
"Oh, wait," nervously chuckled Willow when she noticed Cassandra's expression and actions. "I'm sorry. I-I mistook you for someone else. I'm Willow Mitchell, soon to be Mrs. Willow Jones." Loudly coughing, she looked back at Cassandra who now had a business card in her hand. She hastily took it and continued her act. "This is perfect! I will call this number and we'll discuss about the wedding plans, alright?"
"Yeah, sure." Cassandra nodded, eagerly. "Call me during business hours."
"Right! Well, it's nice seeing you again, Cass. You too!" Willow waved her hand at Stephen, bidding him goodbye. She then walked away from them, making Cassandra sigh in relief. She gently placed her hand above her chest, feeling her heart almost beat a thousand miles per minute.
"What was that?" She heard her father ask her and Cassandra swore she felt chills run down from her neck to her spine. This was it. Her death. "Wasn't that your friend, honey? Why is she leaving so fast?"
"Oh, by the way, Stephen, we didn't see any wallet and pamphlet in the booth we sat in earlier." informed Olivia.
"W-what pamphlet? What wallet?" Cassandra stammered, cheeks flushed.
"Stephen here whispered to us earlier that he left something in his seat so we went back and check, but there was nothing. Are you sure it isn't in your robes?"
Stephen patted his front and laughed. "Oh, it's in here! I didn't check properly. I'm so sorry."
"It's okay, Stephen." Her parents then directed their gaze at her, concern instantly covered their features when they saw how flustered she was. "Cass, dear? Are you okay? You seem a bit shaken."
Catching her breath, Cassandra nodded rapidly, maintaining control of herself. "Yes! Yes, I'm fine, dad. I'm good! Can we all get back to the compound now? I have some things I have to take care there."
"Alright, come on, let's go."
The young brunette exchanged a glance with the novice when he smirked at her and winked. She then realized that he deliberately faked that he left his wallet and pamphlet to distract her parents. He saved them both from the embarrassment. Actually, her parents wouldn't be mad if they knew she had a one night stand with Stephen, but then they would tease her about it and that was something she didn't want to happen. She wouldn't hear the end of it.
"Thank you." Cassandra whispered once they were out from the restaurant and far from her parents.
"You're welcome and don't worry, I got you. I will always have your back, Cassie."