
𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑
As Althea sipped her tea, she couldn't help but feel like throwing up. Steve and Sienna looked to her empathetically. She told them an over view at what had happened, not going into detail. She knew that the memory she saw was personal and wasn't hers to tell.
"I need to apologize to him."
Sienna squeezes her hand comfortingly.
"I'm working on Tony, he'll crack soon."
Althea sighs, leaning her head on Sienna's shoulder.
"I didn't know that, that's what he'd see. I would never-"
"We know, Althea. You couldn't control what he saw." Steve reassured
Before she can worry anymore, Tony enters the kitchen. He face is solemn and serious as he sits down next to Althea.
"Alright Songbird, I'll give you his address. But you have to promise not to antagonize him or anyone else there."
Althea turns to him, a genuine thankful smile on her face.
"Thanks Tin Man."
Tony hands her a slip of paper and she quickly reads the address before getting up from her seat.
"I'll be back later." Was all she said before heading to the elevator.
Sienna smiles in her direction before stealing a glance at Tony. Steve give her an amused smirk before walking off. Sienna lets out a relaxed breath before getting up from her seat and moving to Althea's. Tony gives her a curious glance.
Sienna's hand finds his, her thumb rubbing circles across his palm.
"Thank you Tony, really. It means a lot to Althea. To me as well..."
Tony smirks at her, before pulling her palm to his lips.
"Your welcome. You know, there's something you could do to repay me."
"Anything. I mean what?"
Tony doesn't respond. He moves closers to Sienna, and she was internally screaming. They both lean in at the same time, eyes closed and lips slightly parted. They were centimeters apart, and as Tony moved to close the gap; the sound of a high pitched scream rang in there ears.
Tony groans in annoyance as Sienna looks down at her lap in embarrassment.
"I...I better check on that."
Sienna gets up from her seat and takes off into the living room.
"Sienna!" Tony called
But she was already gone.
★
Althea unclips her helmet and swings her leg over the left side of her motorcycle, stepping onto the sidewalk. With a anxious sigh she begins to make her way down Bleekers Street. She looks down at the address again. 177A Bleecker Street. As she steps in front of 177A Bleecker Street, she looks up in amazement. The top of the building had a incredible window, the paneling in it followed the design of the necklace that Stephen was wearing early.
She takes a breath, and reaches into the pocket of her leather jacket. She pulls out a neatly sealed envelope, and traces her index finger across Stephen's neatly written name. She shoves it back into her pocket and walks up to the door. As she goes to knock, the solid wood door begins to open, she tilts her head before stepping in.
"Hello?"
When no one responds, Althea bends down; grabbing her dagger from her boot. She picks herself up, looking around. She looks at the magnificent staircase infront of her and the balcony, before turning her back to it and continuing to look around.
"Do not fret Ms. Diamandis. There is no need for weapons."
Althea stiffens at the voice and quickly turns around towards the staircase. A tall bald woman stands firmly, her face welcoming and friendly.
"How...how do you know my name?"
"I know many things Ms. Diamandis. You seek Stephen Strange, yes?"
Althea nods slightly at her, her hands still gripping the dagger in her hand.
"I'm afraid the Sorcerer Supreme is not here."
Althea stops short, completely lowering her dagger.
"Sorcerer Supreme?"
"Yes, come with me child and I'll explain."
★
Althea sits peacefully, breathing in and out calmly. It had been a few hours since she had arrived at the New York Sanctum Sanctorum, and with in that time the Ancient One had explained the overview of Stephen and the rest of them do. Althea informed her of her incident with Stephen, upon the Ancient One revealing that she is Stephen's mentor.
The Ancient One shared wisdom on the event, telling her to 'approach him gently and sincerely'. As they waited for him to return, the Ancient One begin to show Althea some of the may exercise used by the sorcerers.
Althea was in a peaceful meditation state, when the sound of Stephen's voice broke her from her trance.
"What are you doing here?" His tone is cold and harsh
The Ancient One replies as Althea stands.
"Stephen, she's come to see you."
Stephen locks eyes with Althea, his tone sending a silent chill down her spine.
"Well, unfortunately I'm not in the mood to see her." And with that he turns around and leaves.
Althea turns to the Ancient One and she nods. The Siren takes off after Strange, calling his name as she chases him up the stair case.
"Stephen, please! Let me explain!"
"Go back to the compound Althea!"
But Althea doesn't listen. She follows him down the long hall. As he turns into the one of the room, he slams the door in her face. Althea stops before knocking aggressively on the wooden door.
"Stephen please!"
After a while, she stops. Sinking into the floor infront of the door. She leans her head against the hallow door, running her hands across the cold floor. Suddenly a crackling sound, similar to a fire, begins to ring through Althea's ears. An orange portal opens and Stephen steps through. He looks down at her, a friendlier expression on her face.
"Your still here?"
"I'm not leaving until you let me apologize." She says sternly
Stephen examines her face, seeing the determined yet sorrowful expression she wore. He sighs before motioning for her to follow him. She gets up quickly and follows him through the orange portal to reveal a beautiful library. Althea looked around in awe as the thousands books stacked neatly long the thousands of rows.
"You got 6 minutes." Stephen says leaning against one of the study tables
Althea snaps out of her trance before turning to him. A look of sincerity in her eyes that she had only worn a handful of times.
"Stephen I am so, so sorry." She begins
"I had no idea that, that's what you were going to see."
"How could you possibly not know?." He snapped at her
"Because...I haven't fully master this ability yet. I'm just now getting to the point where I can control who my power affects." She admitted
Stephen motioned for her to continue
"When I sing, the sound of my voice changes as different people interpret it's sound waves. By doing so, you associate the sound with a fond/tragic memory or a desire creating an nostalgic feeling. I'm able to grasp this feeling."
"So you basically can trick people into reliving the best or worst moment of their life or make them see their desire." Stephen comments
"Yes."
"So you attempted you make me relive my worst moment?" Stephen asked harshly
"No." Althea stated
Stephen gave her a confused look.
"I wanted to place you in your desire. But instead, you took my song for a tragedy."
Stephen nods, looking away. Althea studies his face, his mysterious blue eyes were coated with unsteadiness. Althea could tell he was remembering the moment. After a while he turns back to her. A calmness in his eyes.
"That is an extraordinary gift you have. And I appreciate you apologizing for the incident. I would appreciate you not sharing it with anyone."
"Of course. I wouldn't. It's not my story to tell."
Stephen nods before changing the topic.
"It's peculiar how I reacted different to your melody."
"The Ancient One said that he made had to do with your amulet, the Necklace of Agomotto?"
Stephen gives an impressed chuckle before nodding
"The Eye of Agamotto." He corrects
"Oh."
"But yes, that could be it."
Althea nods, unsure of how to continue the conversation; until she remembers the envelope. Stephen watched curiously as she pulls the envelope from her jacket and hands it too him.
"What's this?"
"Open and see."
Suspiciously, he opened the envelope and read it carefully.
"I know you said that you didn't want your results, but..."
Stephen smiles at her, before reciting some of the commentary from the overall scoring.
"Doctor Stephen Strange possess an incredible level of skill and power. His awareness to not only his mind, but spirit is stronger and greater than the levels examined from the God of Thunder himself."
Stephen smiles at her teasingly.
"You think I'm better than Thor?"
Althea rolls her eyes at his cockiness, and steps closer to him.
"Mentally yes. Physically however...well let's just say that your about a thousand leg days away from that." She says teasingly
Stephen's frowns down at her. Althea giggles at his face, her hand instantly covering her mouth. Stephen pulls her hand away from mouth before speaking.
"Don't cover your face, you have a beautiful laugh."
Althea blushes deeply as Stephen places his other hand on her right cheek.
"Now that you have made up, I need you both to come with me." The Ancient One says, appearing behind them
Stephen clears his throat and takes a step back, as Althea's blush deepens. Stephen smiles down at her before motioning ahead of him. Althea smiles before following behind the Ancient One, Strange not far behind her.
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