THE APPRENTICE II

28

The bar area of the Golden Daggers Club was a little more...normal, compared to the fighting ring— it was a better place to relax in. Hazel has taken a liking to the club. Sure, it was most likely illegal, questionable in terms of ethics, and maybe goes against the philosophy of mystic artists, but other than that, it was great. How could she say no to free food and drinks? She wasn't going to lie, she was hoping to cross paths with the stranger she had met the other day, just to redeem herself. He's been crossing her mind— solely because of the guilt, of course.

She ordered a mojito and took small sips as Wong continued to train the abomination. She placed her face on her palm and watched with little interest, some fight that surfaced the internet. It was some kind of bus fight, not awfully far from where she was. She had to admit, the guy was good, she just preferred higher staked fights that had meaning behind them. Maybe being a fighter wasn't for her, after all.

"You look lonely. Is this seat taken?" A familiar voice called from beside her. She turned and recognized the man in the lounge. She thanked the universe.

"Did you really just use the same exact line on me?" She chuckled dryly and let out an audible sigh.

The man's eyes doubled in size and once again, embarrassment took over— that seemed to happen a lot in her presence. This time, however, he'd finally pay his respect. He gave her a big and sincere bow without looking her in the eye. The man that was with him in the lounge hopped off his seat from four stools away, hastily made his way to them, and also gave a bow. After the initial shock, everything fell into place for her. She narrowed down the places he could be from.

"You're from Oor? Pentadilune? Havoc?" Her body tensed at the mention of the wretched planet. She brought herself back to the interaction by breathing deeply. "I haven't seen you around so you can't be from Kamar-Taj."

"Pentadilune." He confirmed and rose from the bow. The man behind him did the same. She let out an "ahh" after piecing things together. She's been to Pentadilune with Strange, before. It was a beautiful planet that was filled with mystics. Sorcerers, however, are highly esteemed in Pentadilune. She never actually got to ask him why.

"Am I gonna get a name from you?" She anticipated and fully turned her stool to their direction, this time.

"Heskit." He introduced himself. He shot the man behind him a warning look when he was about to speak. "This is Makky, my-,"

"Royal Guard." He interrupted him this time and gave her another bow. "King Heskit,"

"Mak!" He punched his arm as his face turned sour. "Prince. I'm not a king yet, just a prince."

It was Hazel's turn to be filled with embarrassment. She instantly removed herself from her stool and got on her knee. If Strange were here to see this, she'd definitely get an earful once they got home. Heskit cringed at this and shook his head. This interaction isn't going the way any of them had hoped.

"Hazel." She stood up and bowed her head to the prince and offered her hand for a shake to Makky. Heskit took the handshake in an effort to get casual with the woman. He couldn't help but notice the severe scarring on her hands. She gave him a tight-lipped smile and offered another hand shake to the guard. "Hazel Wolfe,"

"Hazel Wolfe?!" He almost jumped at this and did a double take. He shook his head in disbelief. "As...As in Agamotto? As in the Sorcerer Supreme's apprentice?"

"In the flesh." She nodded and cocked her head a little to the left. The two shot each other looks once again and this time, got on one knee. She laughed at the way they were taking turns in bowing. They looked up at her.

"Sorry, sorry, this is just getting weird." She shook her head and recovered from the laughter. She took both of their arms and pulled them up from their bows. "Please, don't. No more bowing for my end. I doubt this is doing anything good for my ego which has apparently been inflating, these days."