A Strange Turn of Events

This Place Could Repair Anything

A few days later I get a call from the doctor, learning that not only has he found the guy, but that the man told him to go to Kathmandu. To which I ask if he meant the one from the song, not that I knew it that well, but I remember the word from one of the many times he's shared his albums of classics.

It's that phone call that leads to me making that loan, not for Japan, but for a trip across the planet to hunt for Kamar-Taj. I bring my laptop and drawing tablet so I can start chipping away at the debt with commissions $50 at a time.

:Shouldn't be too bad.:

I tell myself.

:just have to stay on top of it plus I usually get 4 commissions done at any given day, so that's 200 right there. So 4,000 commissions.. Piece of cake. On second thought, I'm going to raise my prices for a brief time. $200 per piece? With 10 per additional character? Yeah that'll do it. On top of game revenue and royalties I could pay it off within the year with those rates. And depending on when Strange's hands are repaired. It could be sooner.:

I'm very optimistic, seeing as Strange explained an injury to the spine like the one that man had acquired was untreatable. By that information, this place could repair anything.

But as we walk down a more empty street, I just have to. Going to my phone and opening up Youtube. A blast of music startling Strange before he gives me a look.

~I think I'm goin' to Katmandu,
That's really really where I'm going to
If I ever get out of here
That's what I'm gonna do~

"Really?"

He muses.

"Couldn't help myself."

I giggle, his shoulders rising and falling as he chuckles along before I notice his fingers bouncing to the beat while we walk. I turn the volume down to not disturb the locals, but let us have our own little soundtrack as we act like total fools in the middle of who knows where.

~Kkkkkk, Katmandu
I think it's really where I'm going to
If I ever get out of here
I'm goin' to Katmandu~

Just as Stephen's really starting to unwind with an air guitar to accompany mine.

"Bob Seger."

A foreign voice sounds behind us, making me spin on my heel. A man in a hood gives us a warm smile.

"Heard you were looking for Kamar-Taj?"

At that Strange turns around, seeming to relax slightly, but remaining wary.

"Yes."

I reply, getting a chuckle from the hooded figure before us.

"She always speak for you?"

Me and Strange exchange a look and chuckle, Stephen shaking his head.

"No, it's usually a wonder if she gets a word in edgewise."

He jokes. Meanwhile I point at the doctor and pantomime pounding my fist on my chest with the straightest posture I've ever held. The stranger laughs at my teasing, causing Strange's gaze to turn to me just as I relax my posture, acting as though I did absolutely nothing. After an accusatory look, Stephen turns to the hooded man.

"Kamar-Taj?"

"Yes, follow me."

I follow the two men quietly, allowing them to talk while I take in the sights, eventually reaching a very ordinary looking door.

"You sure this is it? That place back there looks a lot more... Kamar-Tajie."

I elbow his side.

"Strange! Be respectful. And be nice in there, they're being very hospitable."

"You're talking as though you aren't going in with me."

"I'm not. I'm going to learn some traditional sculpting over there while you do your business. I did pay for this trip you know."

Strange flushes a little, embarrassed that the stranger heard my words, his hands shushing me as they shake a little. I shrug and walk off to the nearby artist, watching from a respectful distance. Strange smiles somewhat sheepishly at the hooded man before he steps into the building.

I don't see Strange again until he's sent tumbling over the dirt street.

"Strange?"

I call, pacing over to him, as he's pounding on the door.

"Please open the door! Don't shut me out!"

The broken tone of his voice makes me give him space. he slides to the floor.

"They said no."

He mutters, looking up at me from the ground. My eyes widen. They couldn't treat him? No that made no sense. They threw him out.

"What happened in there?"

My voice softens and I sit next to him. His voice is hoarse, but he recounts all of it. And I'm not going to lie... I don't completely believe him. But he needs me to be an anchor now, not a doubter.

"I say sit right here and don't budge. Sounds like a test."

Strange narrows his eyes a bit.

"You really think so."

"Show you're determined. And that you can humble yourself to sit in the dirt and beg until they open the door."

He doesn't seem super keen on that idea, but this place is his last hope. I cut him a deal.

"Look, I'll go take a walk in a really wide circle, by the time I get back, it'll be pretty late at night. If I come back and they haven't let you in. We'll go home. That way I won't see you begging and you know you have another option. Deal?"

I put out my hand with a bright smile. He looks between my outstretched offer and my face a few times, trying to gauge my honesty before shaking my hand. I don't even react to the scars on his fingers and shake back as I always have.

"Great. Good luck!"

I stand and head off East, that way the moon will guide my way back. I can already hear Strange knocking on the wood as I go, and I send God a little prayer that they'll let him in. But of course, just before I leave earshot I start bouncing my step.

"And I would walk 500 circles~

And I would walk 500 more~"

I sing jokingly, hearing the knocking pause, and become replaced with wheezing laughter, Strange is uncontrollably snickering.

"Why are you like this..? Just Go!"

He yells, but it's good natured, so I smile back at him and continue on my merry way.