No-One But You (The Mystic Consultant) - Part 1
Chapter Two: Astronaut In The Ocean (Part 2)
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Victor Strange was on his way toward Manhattan. He was alone on a bus, and thinking about a few things.
The self proclaimed "Mystic Consultant" was technically working, but his mind was constantly drifting off. He couldn't stop thinking about someone.
To distract himself, he bought a gift for his niece Sofia. Victor wasn't sure if she'd like it, but he did what he could. She wasn't a normal six-year-old girl, so picking out something for her was a bit of a challenge.
He found an interesting little puzzle box. Victor even wrapped it for her, and he inwardly welcomed the birthday distraction. It also felt good to leave his apartment.
He left his current "home" all the time, but it was always at the pace of a slow drift. Victor never went out with any sort of purpose in his step. He just went out when the mood was right.
The "baby" Strange blamed it all on the heavy thinking. He had far too much on his mind.
The heavy thinking sank in after someone he cared about decided to leave. Victor was living with Ezekiel Stane for quite a while, and then he was gone.
S.H.I.E.L.D. was still looking for Ezekiel, so Victor was brought in and questioned about him all the time. He had no idea where their precious "White Jackal" had gone, and Victor told them that every time they asked.
He was only told that Ezekiel needed to "do something"... then he left. He physically disappeared, evaporated almost, and he managed to take an entire house away with him.
Victor wondered if he went back to being a crime lord...
Maybe...
His thoughts were pretty negative, so buying a birthday present helped a little. Victor understood that he was in a low place, and he maintained the idea that everyone around him kept orchestrating some sort of bullshit "wellness check".
That's why S.H.I.E.L.D. brought him in and questioned him about Ezekiel ... it was pretty obvious.
It was also why his older sister set him up in a new apartment. Victor didn't care about any of it. His big sister, Donna Strange, even picked him out a super friendly roommate.
Victor ignored his roommate entirely. It was just hello and goodbye between them, and that was it. He kept himself focused on his "work", and nothing more.
His work was currently following him around. Victor was mapping out a situation that loomed within his family, and trying to solve a mystery that happened long ago. He put one element of his family business on ice for a moment, and then he gently knocked on the door of his brother's apartment.
Stephen owned one of the ritziest apartments in Manhattan. Victor used to live there with him, but you know how that stuff goes..
His sister-in-law opened the door. Clea gave him a small smile, and she asked him how he was doing. Just ok. Victor really only felt, ok.
It felt pretty transactional, but deep down Victor thought the world of the woman that married his older brother. He thought the world of all of them, but something within him caused the thoughts to sink down somewhere deep.
His older brother could see it, and that's why the two of them hardly spoke. Stephen was a very busy person, you see, and Victor Strange did whatever he could to avoid him.
He failed to avoid him on that day, because Victor wouldn't miss Sofia's birthday. She was too precious. Victor thought of that as he removed his jacket. Clea took the small present. She also took a moment to inspect the wrapping. She was still trying to understand all the interesting things that humans would do.
Wrapping things up in a container was an odd detail for her to understand, but she accepted the gift.
Victor followed her into the living room. He saw his niece and his sister immediately as he walked in. The smiles he saw warmed his injured soul. He returned the smile and he tried not to look toward his left.
His older brother had entered the room. Stephen's immense energy, and that enormous presence had made its grand debut. The oldest sibling also resembled their father in that moment as well. He looked powerful, mighty...supreme.
He survived it all for a reason. Right? Victor quickly glanced in his direction, but that was that.
Chapter: END Thanks for reading.