A Strange Turn of Events

When I Return

When I return, the hooded man is waiting outside, but Strange is nowhere to be seen. He must be inside... thank you Lord. I glance up to the sky a moment in gratitude before looking back to the figure on the porch before me.

"You're looking for Strange."

I nod, and am led inside. Thinking I'd be led straight to him I am surprised to come face to face with an elegant woman in yellow.

"Good evening."

I greet.

"Thank you so much for taking him in, I know he's a handful."

The woman seems amused by my statement, and even more so by my slight bow as I said it.

"You're just as egotistical. You just display it differently."

She spoke,

"Why thank you."

I reply. Only to have her speak again.

"And since I'm taking in one, would you also like to learn?"

I'm slightly startled by the question.

"I-I mean. Magic is pretty lit..."

I stammer, getting a full on laugh from the woman before me.

"I take your nervousness as a tentative yes?"

I just nod, thankful for her understanding. She smiles warmly.

"Mordo, take her to her room."

Mordo. So that's hooded man's name. Speaking of-

"What's your name?"

I ask softly.

"They call me The Ancient One."

"The Ancient One... TAO it is!"

I chirp, getting a worried look from Mordo, but the woman doesn't seem to mind. Merely waving me off as the man led me down a few halls. When we reach a door I pause.

"Where is Strange?"

Not answering me, Mordo opens the door to the what I'm assuming is my new room here. So I guess I can live here..

:What's great about all of this is that I can now use the money saved for the return ticket to pay off a huge chunk of the loan. Have to get that refunded first though. That's gonna take a while. I'll go ahead and cancel on my phone right now before my 24 hours expires... tadah!:

I'm about to ask for Strange again when I see who I'm looking for right in front of me.

"I?"

Seeing two floor cots on the ground considerably distant I calm a little, but still. Mordo closes the door behind me.

"Hey wait-"

I sigh, deciding to let it go as I look over at my friend.

"I see you got in."

I smile. Meeting his gaze softly.

"That I did, your advice worked... Thank you."

"No problem... I met TAO."

My tone is chipper, partially distracting from my tensed shoulders.

"Tao? His name is Mordo."

"Not him, the elegant woman."

"Tao...."

He seems at a loss until he spells it out.

"T. A. Oh my... Maddie you didn't."

I giggle and shrug, the male looking beyond mortified but he smiles all the same.

"At least I know it's the same you you've always been."

"Is that a compliment?"

"Yes, you've gotten me through this mess so far."

"Aw... I'm flattered."

We exchange amused smiles before we decide it's best to sleep.

"Good night."

He mumbles

"'Night"

I reply, then lay stiff as a board on my own mat, eyes glued open.

"You alright?"

I'm jolted to reality to see I'm accidentally staring at Strange.

"Huh? Yeah I'm fine. Sorry... went off in my own mind for a moment..."

"You sure?"

"Yeah I'm great! I'm gonna learn magic!"

"Shh"

"Sorry. It's just.. new environments make me nervous"

"Don't be, everything's fine."

"I know but-"

"Sleep."

"Okay~"

I whine, forcing myself to close my eyes. After some effort, I make it to sleep.