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Fate. Fate is a magical thing in many a cases; it leads lovers to find one another, it determines who will make it rich and who will spend their lives in the poor house. Fate is a mutable force which can be altered by the actions of those who live at its whims; that last one is an item hotly debated by many, but perhaps few would debate it more than the young woman who lives at fate's beck and call, the interpreter of fate's demands and executor of its will.
Which is why she waits patiently at the entrance to the Sanctum today in her enveloping black coat, having knocked moments earlier. The cards gave instructions, and she's here to obey. Really, that's enough reason for the redhead to brave the chills of the afternoon and the frights of the city.
*
For the Bard of the Cards to arrive here is no simple thing. The wending strands of Fate are monitored by the Guardian of such a thing and it's not even three seconds before the front door opens. Turns out the man himself was about to walk over a few blocks to the tea parlor run by old Mrs. O'Riley to pick up a parcel he ordered. Dressed himself in a similar inky shade of a classy long-coat, accented as always by the rubescent scarf for the rush of March wind blowing with gusts of leonine-roar, he looks pleasantly surprised and offer her a rather bright smile.
"And here I was wondering about you just yesterday. Marie, if I'm remembering correctly?" He pauses to glance over his shoulder at the silvery wards that hover just there, ready to greet the guest if she deigns to enter. "I was about to run an errand. I can delay the errand if you'd rather be inside. I imagine it's cold with the wind today." He squints beyond her down the block as said breeze kicks up an errant newspaper and traps it against the decorative wall of a neighbor's house.
*
If nothing else, Marie's always deferential; she has her idea of her place of the world of magic and where she fits in it. So when the door opens and Strange appears? She's dipping down into an elegant curtsey. Always polite, always proper. That's Marie. "Oui, docteur." she responds, flashing a small smile in his direction.
"There is no need to delay your errand, I came to see you — I can walk with you, if you would allow it?" the seer asks, inclining her head slightly. There's no doubt in her mind that there's probably circumstances that /wouldn't/ welcome her presence along with him… which is why she asks. Her own reason for seeing the man doesn't require him to be anywhere specific, afterall.
At least not yet.
"I assure you, the cold and I are far from strangers."
*
The good Doctor nods once and then steps outside beside her, shutting the door as he goes. "We'll walk briskly to keep warm and have tea once we arrive. My treat, of course. Old Mrs. O'Riley will welcome a new face in her shop." He gives Marie-Ange another fond smile even as he tilts his head in a come-along motion. Down the steps in his dress shoes and out onto the sidewalk, only moderately busy for the hour in Greenwich Village. The lingering kiss of winter is still enough to keep most people inside dreaming about the sunny warmth of spring.
"Now tell me, what brought you to my stoop?" Strange asks the young woman, glancing down at her. After all, he's absurdly tall and lanky in comparison — though let it be known that she can throw up a demon-proof wall given the druthers of the cards in her possession. It's likely that the Sorcerer easily owes her a boon, should she ever ask it of him. She limited the damage to his person to a rock to the face rather than Chtulu-like tentacles tearing him limb-from-limb many months back.
*
It's not too often that Marie has to speed up her pacing due to the fact that long legs make up the better half of the seer's height, but this is one of those times. Partially because of the good doctor's height, partially because of the fact that they're trying to walk quickly in the first place! "As you prefer, Docteur — and I thank you for your generousity." she replies, bobbing her head once. Again, deferential. That's the name of her game when it comes to someone who ranks higher in the social scale (…but that's everyone!)
Of course, then the questions come up and she folds her hands behind her back, moving without pause as she speaks. "I'm to… ensure a meeting, Docteur." she explains, sounding sure of her cause, but perhaps a little confused as to why her. The cards don't always give her the full details. "Between yourself and another… how do you say… praticien of your craft." The word she's looking for is 'practitioner', but her English still has holes and gaps every now and then. "Not just yet, but…" There's a pause in her speech though not her moves, as she dips her gaze to the pocket where her cards are kept. Fingers move and… "…soon enough." Then, a polite smile is offered; the girl isn't one to ask for anything, only to do what's asked of her. "I fear that is all they tell me."
*
His brows rise in quiet interest to hear the explanation given. Of course the cards have their moments of clarity, but it seems this is not one of those times where they grant vision beyond the immediate present.
"I see. And did your cards give any indicator as to precisely whom I'm to be meeting?" The need to pause at the corner gives him a chance to look over to her again, steel-blue eyes partially-narrowed in keen interest. A gust of wind rushing by gives him reason to tuck up his shoulders briefly and mutter, "I'm very much looking forwards to spring. This weather has got to take a turn for the better." His gaze then unerringly aligns to the distant greenery of Central Park. Were it not for Marie-Ange piping up, he might have been lost to concerned musings entirely and missed the cycle of the light to cross the street.
*
"Oui, Docteur." Marie replies, bowing her head slightly. "You are to meet a young woman, a little older than myself. I am unsure if she is a woman you know, but…" There's a pause, and a smile. "…her name is Amanda. Newer to this country than even myself, but a kind soul nonetheless." Pause. "I think you will like her."
When the light turns green, she picks up her pace all the more; thankful at times like this for the fact that she doesn't bother with things like heels; even with her good sense of balance developed from years of dance? Trying to run through the streets on heels is no easy task! "Myself as well." she admits, nodding eagerly. "While I no longer sleep among the streets, it is still… less than desirable to be outside of my home while the wind bites so." The sight of Central Park? That brings memories, along with a chill that goes straight down her spine. So many things that she saw there. So few that she wants to see again.
*
Strange leads the way across the street, but not too quickly. No need to leave the little card-reader behind. A bit of memory-searching and a face turns up with the name. "Ah, yes, I believe we've met before, at Devizes. A book shop," he adds, in case Marie is unfamiliar with the sneakily-transporting magic shop. Never in one place twice, it takes a bit of work to find. "She was quiet, though I don't think it was the best of places to meet — if I'm remembering correctly, there had recently been an incident in another neighborhood and we were all attempting to resolve it."
They arrive at the tea shop not a minute later and he holds open the door for her, giving her a small concerned smile. "I had no idea you were ever on the streets. You do have a home now, though, it sounds like?" The air of the tea parlor is warm and heavily redolent with the various spices of its brews available, the strong of the melange coming through as cinnamon and ginger. The keeper of the place, old Mrs. O'Riley, glances up from her book at her corner table and clicks her tongue at him.
"You're a day late, Mr. Strange. Your lady won't be pleased." Surprisingly enough, the good Doctor looks a tad chagrined for the light reprimand.
"Life does happen, Mrs. O'Riley, though you haven't aged a day." Another cluck issues from her wrinkled lips, pursed as they are, though she's amused, truly — it shows in the twinkle of her green eyes. She makes her way slowly over to behind the main counter, with its small glass case of pastries.
"Charming cad. Save that for your lady. I know what you want, don't even tell me. But you, young lady — you're a new one. The menu's on the counter. I'll get you a scone." Look at that, Marie didn't even have to ask! Chalk it up to life experience on the part of the old woman. Strange leans in closer to whisper,
"I like her, she's always full of vinegar."
"Stop talking about me, young man," calls Mrs. O'Riley over her shoulder, not even turning her head, as she works at plating two scones at the counter lining the back wall of the shop. Strange rolls his lips inwards against a laugh and straightens, ever professional…even if he can't hide the smile.
*
"I do not think I have ever been." Marie replies, pursing her lips quietly. Granted, if she needed to go there at some point… the cards would lead the way, as they always do. It's not just anyone who can wander into the home of the Sorcerer Supreme himself on nothing more than a whim, right?
Then comes the question about her, "When I fir — " and then comes Mrs. O'Riley to make greetings and Marie hushes; it's her way, really. Always deferential. She waits patiently while the two converse… and flashes a bright smile to the offer of a scone. "Merci, madame!" …because really, Marie loves to eat, which might be a surprise given her thin frame; she just has a really solid metabolism!
However, rather than going for the menu… she's digging into her pockets. Time's up, it seems. A old, well-cared for tarot card is withdrawn from her pocket and held in front of her; the Star.
There's no immediate sign of anything going on, but outside the shop and a few feet above the tea shop, a bright star manifests to attract the attention of anyone looking; a play for publicity, or a sign from the heavens?
To the right person, it might even look eerily familiar.
*
"I don't know why we had to hike all the way to… Hnh. Okay. You see that, too, right? Or did someone spike my lunch?" Danielle's tromping strides have paused at the streetcorner opposite the shop, right about the moment the shiny star flashes into view. Dark hair whips a bit in the wind, seeking liberation from the long loose braid down her back, and the comfortable-if-battered old coat she wears. Her gaze flashes briefly towards her companion, then shrugs both shoulders and eyes the traffic for a chance to cross. "I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess that's not an accident, so…"
When the light changes, Dani leads the way across, with more tromping booted strides, and an angry glare for an impatient cabbie trying to creep across the line. She tugs the door to the little shop open, and holds it for Amanda to enter first.
*
"I made your lunch," Amanda points out firmly. "And I did not put anything into it." Amanda tugs her hood up and contains her long, often unruly hair. Her coat is still new and it has barely seen the winter months. Long and white, and it came with a built-in hood for such occasions like cold or terrible wind. Convenient! She eyes the star splashed into existence and hrms. "Likely not, so it's a good idea to go." At least, she's hoping it's a good idea. Still, there's a bit of discreet hand gestures on her part, summoning the mantle of a Winding Way practitioner more to the fore. In a world of magic-users like Strange and her mother, Amanda is going for /obvious/ intimidation. But most people aren't Strange or her mother.
Amanda gently pushes at Dani from behind as she glowers at the cabbie. "Not worth it," she says gently and when Dani holds the door open she slips inside without a word.
*
When Strange doesn't immediately hear Marie-Ange chime in with an order, he glances to the card-reader to make certain that everything's alright — and just in time to hear the little bell at the shop doors ring. His gaze flicks up and a faint laugh escapes him.
"Well, that'll teach me to doubt the cards even in the slightest." The murmur is just loud enough for Marie to hear. "I believe we were expecting you." This baritone announcement is accompanied by the usual composed smile that curves his goatee.
Old Mrs. O'Riley turns about to drop off the plate of scones and pauses. Perhaps sensing something with her intuitive nature, she reneges on handing Strange the plate and retreats back to the back half of the counter to plate two more scones. After all, it appears the usual customer has brought along friends to his parcel-picking-up.
The tap-tap of the good Doctor's finger issues from the menu sitting on the counter and he then takes a step back as he adds, "Order what you want, it's my tab." The menu is extensive, surprisingly for the size of the shop, and it's not impossible to find some rare teas listed.
*
Mischief managed. With a flick of her wrist, the card is swung around in her hand to face downwards, before it's tucked back into the rest of her deck. At about the same time, the momentary surge of publicity comes to an end — though it's seeming to attract more customers than just Amanda and Danielle, as a crowd has started to gather.
"As I said, Docteur, my role was to ensure the meeting took place. I serve at fate's pleasure, nothing more, nothing less." Marie replies with a content little smile, bowing her head slightly — and reaching out to pluck a scone from the plate. Of course, her obedience to the cards also means that their rules supersede even the rules or law, or right and wrong; they just haven't so far, in this country!
Putting scone to lips, she seizes a bit between her teeth and tears it off, raising one hand to wave fingers at Amanda and Danielle. "Mademoiselle Amanda," A pause; her companion looks famili — "…oh! This is your ladyfriend, oui? Mademoiselle… Danielle?" If memory serves her correctly, at least. "A pleasure to see you both again. Fate has called you here." A pause, and she lifts her scone-hand to extend towards the Doctor. "For him."
*
"Wasn't gonna start anything," Danielle mutters quietly, despite another warning glare at the offending taxi. She follows Amanda in, letting the door swing shut behind. "Odin's tits, it smells good in here," she mumbles under her breath, taxi forgotten and eyes slightly widened. Given the size of the shop and the Terribly Subtle Sign outside, it doesn't take her very long to spot a familiar face near an unfamiliar face. She lifts a hand in idle greeting, "Dani's fine. Marie, yes?" She glances at Amanda again and grins, "I don't know about fate, but a big honking star outside called me here.."
*
Amanda's gaze darts from face to face. She recognizes Strange in a vague, 'oh hey it's that guy' kind of way. Marie, well of course she knows. "Hello Marie," she murmurs. "I thought that star looked familiar." Dani's oft-used Asgard-style curses draw another glance from Amanda. After learning that yes, those Norse deities really ARE real, she's not decided how she feels about invoking them all willy-nilly. Mother always said invoking without protection oneself was a bad idea. Unlike Marie, Amanda only ever consults the cards at someone else's request, never for herself. Had she done so, she might have foreseen this. Might've. Maybe it required Marie to do so. The cards can be fickle, sometimes. "And it is… nice to see you again…" Her voice trails off as she looks in Strange's direction. Did they ever do proper introductions? She doesn't think so.
*
Marie's kind words of welcome put a name to each face and confirm for Strange that he has, in fact, crossed paths with the young practitioner. He's got a memory like a steel safe — has to, with all the Mystical world at his fingertips.
"Nice to see you again too." He nods to the other young woman as well, clearly a friend to Amanda. "Doctor Strange, in case you're curious. If you want tea, it's on my tab." He gives Mrs. O'Riley a little grin and she returns it with a silent nod.
*
"Dani, oui." Marie corrects hrerself, offering the woman a smile, before her attention returns to her scone. Tasty treat that it is! She's half tempted to ask what an 'Odinstit' is… but decides against it. THIS TIME.
Introductions made, she dips low to offer the assembled another curtsey before, "I have played my part; please, Mademoiselles, Docteur — enjoy your evening. Mine is only beginning." she declares… and makes her way towards the door.
*
"Warm tea would be welcome, sure," Danielle isn't so proud as to refuse a cup on someone else's dime. "Especially on a blustery day like this." She gives Marie a slightly puzzled look as the other woman makes her polite exit, buuuut… well. If Amanda was lured here to meet this Doctor, then let's meet the Doctor. The Cheyenne rather brazenly slides her butt onto a chair, to the side of the table, so that Amanda can sit across from Strange and totally not so Dani can play bodyguard if the need arises. That would be ridiculous, of course.
*
"Tea would be very nice," Amanda agrees, bobbing her head. "Ah.. whatever it is you recommend," she says to Mrs. O'Riley in her not-quite-German accent. She watches Danielle take that totally-not-obvious spot, then slides into the chair opposite Strange. "How… is it that I can help you today, Doctor?" That show of magical force she had summoned up just in case quickly dissipates downwards into 'everything's normal here, folks'. No need to be intimidating, or even try. She's really not that good at it.
*
"Thank you, Marie," Strange calls out and watches the petite card-reader disappear into the windy evening. A sigh, a lingering look tinged with both friendly fondness and a bit of worry. But she'll be fine, no doubt. She showed strength in spades in dealing with the Hellmouth. For now, back to the task at hand.
Once they're all settled, Mrs. O'Riley delivers the tea set to the table. "The black tea with berries and clove for you, as always," she says to the Sorcerer, who nods and takes the already-prepped cup of steaming brew. "I figure that I'd start easy on you, so that's a satchet of Earl Grey and that's a chamomile and lemonbalm. One's darker, one's lighter. Honey, cream, or sugar," and the old tea-mistress points out each little china container in question. The scones sit on a little plate. Two empty cups sit, ready for filling with the satchet of choice and the steaming water in the pot. "Enjoy." She gives Strange a pat-pat on the shoulder and he grins at her as she makes her way back to her corner to continue reading.
Taking up his cup of tea, the Sorcerer holds it in order to warm his hands and his gaze flicks between Dani and Amanda, finally lingering on the latter. "I have no idea why Marie's cards foretold a meeting, but here we are. Anything odd happening? I can use all the eyes and ears I can get these days."
*
With a murmur of gratitude for Mrs. O'Riley, Danielle peruses the selections, then goes for a familiar and homey option. Chamomile with honey and just a teensy bit of cream. Once she's got her own steeping, she uses the time-honored method of pointing and eyebrow-raising at Amanda to suggest and/or confirm her companion's preferences. While she does, she muses aloud, "I don't really know how to define 'odd' anymore. Definitely not in this city. You're in the…" A pause as she considers discretion. ".. same line of 'work' as Amanda and Marie-Ange, then?"
*
Amanda considers the question for some time, like Danielle, selecting the chamomile and honey. No cream for her. "I've found a need to put wards around the Circus," she explains. She speaks as though Strange is already familiar with where she's been lurking. Of course Danielle knows where Amanda lives and works, as does the now-absent Marie-Ange. "When I leave or when I sleep. There's something… lurking out in the woods nearby, I think. Nothing I have seen. But I feel it there. Perhaps just hiding."
*
Sipping at his tea, the Sorcerer appreciates the familiar heat settling within. Already, his sore bones are happier for the warmth imparted to them via the cup he holds.
To Danielle, he nods. "That's an excellent way to put it. It keeps me very busy." Subtle emphasis there and a quiet, somewhat rueful smile to boot. He watches them both prep their tea before his attention shifts to Amanda. He nods slowly, encouraging the soft-spoken young woman to share her tale, and when she's finished, his brows have knit in a small frown.
"Always a good idea to put up wards. Excellent forward thinking. What does it feel like to you? Your gut-instincts tends to speak true when dealing with supernatural creatures." Trust him, he's dealt with enough of them.
*
While their tea steeps, Dani helps herself to a scone, breaking off a chunk to nibble on. She listens, mostly. Observes. Magic isn't her 'thing', exactly, but somehow it keeps intersecting her life. For a fleeting moment, the mention of something lurking brings a shadow of concern to her brow, but it passes. There are plenty of things that can lurk out there.
After a few minutes, she checks the tea, then nods and slides the creamless mug over to Amanda before picking up her own. Sip sip siiigh.
*
"I don't think it's dangerous. But whatever is there is.. there. Has been for a while." She's not quite sure how she didn't notice it immediately when the Circus set up, but there are a good handful of reasons that could explain that. "Still, the wards go up. Management would be… not very pleased if they found out, and I wasn't doing something to keep everyone safe," Amanda explains. She always refers to the owners that way. Management. Danielle, perhaps, may recall the one in question - a tiny woman, mousy brown hair and thick glasses. "I have no idea what it could be, though."
*
Strange nods. "There's a good chance that it might be a local elemental. They're territorial by nature, though each has their own intentions when dealing with intruders. Some are very patient and will let 'trespassers' — " and he draws little quotation marks with a free hand, " — stay nearby or within their territory for some time before reacting. Some might be more aggressive, though you'd know by now if you bothered one. They tend to be obvious and full of bluster." He sips at his tea and muses for a moment, his gaze out beyond the window panes that show the sidewalk and street. "Devizes, that bookshop," he finally says, looking back at the two young women. "It has an accomplished collection of tomes on the supernatural creatures of the area. Practicing the Arts by hunting the shop down is effective practice for tracking, which could help in the case that you wish to figure out what it is within the woods."
*
Danielle snorts quietly over her tea, sipping softly. "I don't know about the Arts like you two, but I'm a damn fair tracker, even if 'Injun Tracker' is a horrible cliche. If there's something out there we need to find, we probably can." No, she's not going to dwell on what happened the last time she went hunting supernatural critters on her own. That was a fluke, surely. Her gaze lingers on Strange for a long moment, as if weighing the man up somehow. She grunts quietly to herself and returns to munching on her scone.
*
"Ah, the place that blocked my teleportation spell," Amanda says. That was quite the consternation when she encountered it. "You think it's an elemental?" Amanda frowns. She had not considered this, but it makes sense. "I will have to look into finding that bookshop again, then." Though using teleportation is not an option. That was a fluke the first time. To try it on purpose would likely be much harder. "Are there many creatures in the area?"
*
The Sorcerer leans back in his chair. "There are many creatures, yes, though you'd be hard-pressed to track a good number of them without the Sight," he adds. He has to set down his cup in order to begin ticking off the creatures by extending fingers. "The B'mola, though I wouldn't recommend bothering that one — it's touchy about territory and in the height of its strength during winter. Wampus cats, Wendigos, Thunderbirds…Jersey Devil," he adds with a shrug and tilt of his head. "Add in ghosts, naiads, dryads, aurae, lampaedes, sylphs…" Strange pauses and laughs, having run out of fingers a while back. "You'll need to do some research, I think, if you're able to track down anything like an aural color or physical details, such as hair or feathering."
*
As Strange rattles off the local bestiary, Danielle pauses in mid-nosh on what's left of her scone. Attentive, waiting. Considering. Rather than rise to the (likely deserved, if mild) teasing, she swirls her mug of tea slowly and tries noticeably hard to sound casually interested: "What about things in the shape of bears? Run into any of those around here?"
*
There are, of course, creatures she knows about. Wendigos, thunderbirds. Jersey Devil? She's heard stories. And the various elementals, definitely. She takes note of the 'wampus cat' and 'bmola', though. Names she does not understand or has not heard of. She will indeed have her work cut out for her. Dani's query pulls her attention to her friend. That's the second time 'bears' have come up. "I have not learned tracking. Mother taught me what signs to look out for, when such creatures claim a territory."
*
"Hmm…" He considers whether or not he's come across any ursine-inclined supernatural creatures lately and comes up with nothing. "No bears beyond those dealt with by Fish and Game. Though, I bet, between the two of you, you'll be able to figure out precisely what's lingering around the Circus." Mental note made to visit this place eventually, if simply to educate himself on the location.
He gathers up his cup, but not before pouring a warmer of water in it to counter the tepid temperature and over-steeping brought on by time. "Why bears in particular, Danielle?" Strange asks of the tracker, his steel-blues lingering on her. The tea steams and re-warms his bones, chasing off the pain of old surgical scars.
*
Danielle meets those steel-blue eyes with a slightly uplifted chin, her instinct to revert to defiant defensiveness. Indeed, she looks on the edge of telling the good Doctor to stuff it…. but she glances towards Amanda, exhales slowly. "I don't believe in most curses," she starts. "But somewhere along the way, my family may have picked one up. There's a demon out… there…" Her hand waggles vaguely towards the street. "It's all shadow and claws and teeth, usually in the shape of a gigantic bear. It's taken my parents, my grandfather. Nearly got me. I used to be able to 'feel' it when it was close, but it's been gone for a while, so. I don't know if it's gone, or if it's just better at hiding." If pressed, she'd insist that explaining this once to two super-mages is just more efficient.
*
If a lightbulb could suddenly appear over Amanda's head, one would right now, as several pieces of the puzzle that is Dani fit into place. She has no suggestions; as she's previously mentioned to Dani, she has zero experience with demons. Truthfully, she should probably still be apprenticed to her mother, if her mother didn't…. go crazynuts. So instead, she looks from Dani to Strange, as if deferring to the more experienced sorcerer.
*
The Sorcerer frowns, his lips a thin line of disapproval for the fact that the young tracker has obtained what seems to be a rather drastic family curse.
"I'm very sorry to hear this, Danielle. My sympathies. The fact that you can sense it gives you the advantage, which I'm sure you well know." He taps the edge of the small pastry plate nonchalantly with a fingertip, reminding the two young women that there are scones to eat still. Then both hands return to the demi-tasse, where the tea still steams, too hot to do but sip. "I…too have dealt with demons. They are things we can defeat, given enough time, skill, and perhaps some luck."
*
Dani shakes her head slightly, eyeing what's left of her own scone. Opts for more tea instead. After a long, careful sip, she closes her eyes and works through relaxing a series of muscles in her shoulders and neck. "As long as it's just hunting me, I can deal with it. If it goes back to stalking people I care about? That's not acceptable." She can't stop herself from looking at Amanda for a moment, then turns a rueful smile towards Strange, "I'm Cheyenne. Stubborn defiance against the odds is in my blood. However, if at some point I… we..need help with my little problem, would you mind us asking?"
*
Amanda could always look into her mother's books. But… she hasn't been brave enough to look over those tomes. "Help would likely to be useful right from the beginning," she murmurs to Dani. "I'm not too proud that I don't ask for help." She'd like to think she could handle it alone, but she has zero experience with demons. "If it's all the same to you." She eventually decides to chew on a scone as she finishes off the tea, chewing slowly as she looks to Strange for how he will reply to Dani's request.
*
"Not at all," comes the quiet reply that is accented with a nod. "Between the two of you, I have this suspicion that you might not need it, but — " and his eyes twinkle, even light up about their centers with a faint glow of silvery-violet. " — I will do my best to be available to council and aid as necessary. I do recommend finding Devizes," he repeats, looking particularly at Amanda. "Ask the shopkeeper for tomes on banishing demons — or even on the local supernatural creatures of the area. All knowledge is worth knowing."
He finishes half of the remaining tea in one sip, tossing it back with the ease of someone who knows — or knew, at least, how to drink. Licking at his upper lip, he then adds, "The Sanctum in Greenwich Village is my home if you can't contact me via the Astral Plane, through a projected message or a dream. Feel free to knock."
*
Danielle lifts her chin with a touch of her humor returning, "I am too proud to ask for help. So for me to consider asking for it is a big step forward in itself." Still, she nods gratefully. "Thank you, Doctor." The mention of various means of contact allows her a graceful retreat from personal demons. "The Astral Plane. I didn't know that could be reached magically. I thought it was a telepath's playground." A half-aside to Amanda, she adds, "My own abilities aren't wired to reach it on my own, but one of my old teachers 'took' me there once or twice."
*
"Never been on the astral plane," Amanda admits, though that thoughtful look on her face, she's clearly wondering if she could do it. "If things get hectic I can get us to the Winding Way dimension." It's a dimension, it's a path of magical power, heck, it's also an entity! It's a confusing thing. "Heading to Greenwich from there should be easy." She hasn't hit that part of town yet, but she'll have to if she wants to teleport there to ever get the Doctor's help. Consider that a priority. "The Circus I live in - and that Danielle has been staying with - is in Westchester County. Outside White Plains," she explains.
*
Duly noted, the location of Amanda's Circus. He rubs a fingertip along the curved edge of the teacup resting on the table and gives a small smile.
"You are correct, Amanda. It should be easy. After all, the Dragon ley line runs beneath the Sanctum. It's hard to miss. If the Astral Plane is too difficult for either of you to reach, arriving in person will do just as well." The Sorcerer finishes the rest of his tea and then sets down the demi-tasse with an air of finality.
"It sounds like you've got the information that you need. I think both of you will be able to hold your own." Rising to his feet, his smile takes on a knowing light. "Danielle, good to meet you and you're welcome. It's a good start. Acting upon it might not be as difficult as you think. Ladies."
And with that, he inclines his head in a small formal nod, enough to signify parting, and the Sorcerer Supreme exits the tea shop.
*