The Sorcerer's Apprentice {Stephen Strange}

Eighteen

Call Me by Blondie

The sergeant decided to stay at the New York sanctum for the rest of the day, too embarrassed to face the doctor at Kamar-Taj. Out of everything she could've said, she told the sorcerer his hands were "pretty fucking hot". Which it's true, his hands are hot, but she did not need to say that out loud. After spending nearly two hours playing with her new relics, she still hasn't discovered all that the items are capable of. The Bag of Infinite Capacity has held everything Emerson has put in it so far without gaining any weight. She's able to carry the bag without her arms feeling any strain at all. On the other hand, the sword has been a bit complicated. Emerson isn't proficient in wielding a sword; they don't do that in the military. Not knowing what else it's capable of, the sergeant puts the sword down, afraid she'll cause more trouble after already breaking something.

Now staring out the window, the sergeant thinks about the world outside of Kamar-Taj. After spending all of her time at the sanctum, she's nearly forgotten what the busy cities were like. The vehicles zoom past the window, down the street as their horns repeatedly honk at the cars ahead. The commotion outside is much different from the undisturbed, secluded Kamar-Taj. Emerson pushes herself in her chair, looking around the New York sanctum for any sort of coat. Noticing the fall leaves and the bare trees swaying in the wind, the soldier would rather not freeze to death. Luckily, after making her way to the entrance of the sanctum, she found a long coat hanging from a coat rack.

"How convenient," she smiles to herself and she grabs it down from the hook. She slips her arms into the sleeves of the warm jacket and as she does so she gets a pleasant whiff of Stephen Strange. This must be his coat, Emerson thinks to herself. After debating whether or not she should use the doctor's coat, she figures that since he left it at the sanctum he clearly wouldn't care enough if she used it. The sergeant wraps it around her body as she pulls a hat from the pocket before placing it on her head. She's positively overwhelmed by the calming scent of her master which makes butterflies flutter through her body. Even his hat smells like him which must be the shampoo he uses. The sergeant's mind ends up leading to the thought of Stephen in the shower shampooing his salt and pepper hair while completely bare and vulnerable. A blush creeps onto her face as she can't stop herself from thinking more dirty thoughts. Emerson unlocks the detailed front door and lets herself out into the unfamiliar world as she's never been to New York before meeting the sorcerer.

Emerson has always enjoyed cold weather. Being born and raised in Colorado has made her used to being chilly. As a child she would wear skirts when it was below freezing, never complaining once. Fall is great but winter has always been her favorite time of the year. She remembers the many times her car had gotten stuck in a ditch or snowbank and her father came to tow her out with his truck. Even though she's never been overly religious, Christmas is her favorite holiday; it reminds the sergeant of her mother. Her mom loved to decorate the house in fake snow and pinecones. They would listen to festive music and wrap each other's presents all while dancing near the fireplace. Her mom would love singing festive music at the top of her lungs, just like Emerson does-- that must be a trait she inherited from her mother. Ever since her mom died, the holidays have always been so bitter-sweet. Her father dreads winter for that exact reason. Hopefully this year it will be better for them both.

The wind whips past Emerson's head sending a chill down her spine. She pushes herself down the sidewalk, eager to see what New York has to offer. Emerson could easily spend every day here at the New York sanctum. Being here brings her a sense of normalcy compared to the grandiose Kamar-Taj. There seems to be so much to do; she could visit museums, galleries, events, and the theater if she were bored. If she was bored at Kamar-Taj the most she could do is read to pass the time.