Two
Master Jade dropped the stack of books and scrolls onto the tabletop, lifting a small poof of dust, which Stephen waved away with an irritated flick of his hand.
He had to admit, after enjoying breakfast, and some fresh tea, his attitude had improved.
Somewhat.
At Jades insistence, they'd gathered in the Relic Room, close to the glass case containing the black cloak. She'd been adamant that Cloak be able to hear what she had to say.
Jade took a chair opposite Stephen, choosing not to release her astral form, while Wong opted to stand, wearing a fairly stern version of 'Wong face'.
Cloak hung carefully between Stephen, and the case.
'What's all this?' Stephen wondered, indicating the pile of books and papers.
'Documentation. So, when you doubt what I tell you, it'll be easier for you to do the research, yourself.'
Stephen gave an annoyed huff, which Jade ignored.
With a brief wave of her fingers, she lightened the Curtain Of Night spell on one side of the case enough that they were able to observe the being held within.
It shifted back, into the furthest corner.
After a moment, she began,
'Sables cloak is a smocka, or a smeocan, a creature formed of smoke. Speculation suggests their original purpose was to be guardians.
'The existence of these creatures was first recorded in the 12th century. There is no record of how they were made, or who made them.'
'There are others?' Stephen responded, surprised.
'At one time, apparently so. But, considering all the artificial light we have now, who knows? As I'm certain you are aware, they cannot tolerate light, especially sunlight.'
Jade drew a deep breath, added,
'They are not inherently evil, but they can be held, forced to serve, by those with the knowledge of how to do so.'
'You commanded it, sent it away, in the battle with Sable,' Wong pointed out, pulling a surprised look from Stephen, who, of course, had not seen that.
Jade nodded,
'Yes. To remove its intervention, and prevent its destruction.
'I'm hoping to offer it a reprieve, an opportunity to show us what its really like.'
Stephens scowl deepened as he processed what she'd told him.
It was impossible to decipher what Wong was thinking.
Growing angry, Stephen leaned toward her,
'You don't realize what you're asking.
'Sable imprisoned Cloak in the Gyve. Then, after I'd captured him, this...creature....' he jabbed an accusing finger toward the case,
'Helped him escape.
'Not to mention its role in the events of our more recent encounter.'
Jade lowered her head, nodded,
'I understand what you're saying, Doctor. I am prepared to defer to whatever you, and Cloak, decide.'
'What prompted you to research all this?' Stephen wondered, suddenly curious.
Jade laid her hand to the books, and, after a long pause, replied,
'After my first encounter with Sable, a century ago, I thought it might be a good idea to know more about him, and his cloak.'
Her back, ramrod straight, her voice, strained.
Stephen leaned closer to her, his voice low,
'How did you know Sable?'
Wong shifted his feet, and Stephen realized he already knew what she was going to say.
'He was the assassin who took my eyes,' Jade answered, gripping her Staff so hard her knuckles were white.
Stephen leaned back, sucked a sharp breath, shot an astonished look with Wong.
Wong held his unblinking scowl, hands clasped behind his back.
Cloak gave a startled jerk their direction, its collar scrunched with some undefined emotion.
After taking a few moments to fully grasp what she'd just revealed, Stephen shook his head.
'I...guess I don't understand why you're defending this creature, then,' he admitted, a confused laugh, surprised that she would be so forgiving.
Jade tilted her head, contemplating his words.
'It's called compassion,' she defined, an edge of irritation,
'This being, this cloak,' she gestured toward the case, 'has been enslaved, against its will, for decades. Longer, perhaps.
'No one knows what it will do, when allowed its own choices.'
Stephen looked to Wong, obviously for his opinion.
'The smeocan is clearly dangerous. It has served evil,' Wong stated, flatly.
Jade didn't flinch, but waited, calmly, silently, for Stephens thoughts.
He glared, belligerently, at the smokey being, which had cautiously edged closer to their side of its prison, keeping to the shadowed side of the case
It was difficult to look at it, and not recall all the wrong it had offered him, and Cloak.
Cloak narrowed its collar at the black cloak, an obviously unfriendly stance.
Stephen breathed a deep sigh, then dragged the stack of books and parchments closer.
'Right now, I admit I'm exhausted. I'm afraid I need a few hours rest. Then, allow me some time to look over what you've brought, and possibly do some research of my own.
'If you could give me until tomorrow.'
Jade nodded,
'Absolutely no rush.'
After a moment, she apologized,
'I'm sorry, Doctor. I had intended this matter wait until you'd recovered.'
She stood, turned toward Cloak, offered one last thought,
'Cloak, throughout all your existence, you've been able to choose if, or whom, you will serve.'
Cloak wrinkled its collar, twitched in unwilling agreement.
'I implore you, allow this fellow being the same freedom.'
She raised her hand, to reform the Curtain of Night, but Stephen came to his feet, said,
'Please, don't, if you wouldn't mind. It can't escape, and I'd like to be able to observe it.'
Jade hesitated, then nodded, slightly.
'I have duties, in London,' she told them, before moving away, leaving the Relic Room.
Stephen stepped close to the glass, frowning. Cloak moved tightly at his left side, causing the black cloak to retreat into the darkest area of the case.
Wong stepped alongside, at Stephens right, and the three glowered at the internee, considering what Jade had said.
After a few minutes, Wong rumbled,
'I don't understand why Master Jade would spare a being such as this,' glancing at Stephen for his agreement, but Stephens brow had softened.
'She's seen more of the multiverse, experienced a lot more, than either of us, Wong,' he reasoned, quietly,
'I'm not prepared to discount her request, without considering all the facts.'
Cloak turned its collar toward him, sharply, not necessarily pleased by the apparent softening of its Chosens position.
Wongs expression never altered.
'It's your decision, Master Strange,' he said,
'But, consider that, if you allow it to exist, and it does more harm, you are accountable.'
Cloaks collar gave a jerk of agreement, and it floated up, just a little, to be certain Stephen recognized its opinion.
Stephens eyes narrowed, almost imperceptibly, mild annoyance, that they both had already made up their minds.
'Your opinions are duly noted,' he sighed, rubbed his forehead, wearily, then headed off, without a backwards glance.
Wong tossed an extra glare at the black cloak, then followed.
Cloak twitched its collar, uncertain whether to stay and guard the case, or to follow its Chosen.
The black cloak cautiously crept forward, hesitantly raised an edge, apparently a gesture of appeasement, or apology, paired with a sorrowful downturn of its collar and shoulders.
Cloak stiffened, shoulders back, collar pointing toward its one time opponent, charged abruptly, aggressively, toward the glass.
The black cloak dodged back, but didn't fully retreat.
Instead, it sifted to the floor of the case, dissolving into an almost indistinguishable pile of swirling dust and shadows.
Cloak gave a confused shake, its collar still held in an angry curve.
It watched, waiting, but the dusty pile that was the black cloak didn't stir.
With a petulant fluff, Cloak looked back, toward where Stephen had disappeared, then decided it would be safe to follow, trusting Jades spell was more than sufficient to contain the despised being.
As it reached the threshold of the Room, it snapped around, as if expecting to see the black cloak doing something, like attempting to escape, but it was still lying, an indeterminate puff of black, on the floor of the case.
Cloak narrowed one last look its direction, then left.
I thank everyone for their patience and kind words! In addition to preparing for a big Comicon trip, I'm also working on art to support these stories, so I apologize for the delay!
Much more to follow...please continue to send those reviews...they keep me inspired!