[network] @beyonce | Day 237 | Listen [open]

[thewarningafter]

[This idea has come to Stephen before, but this is the first time he's acted on it. Maybe it's seeing Karkat's name on the obituary yesterday, or maybe it's seeing Clint on the network again and remembering the pain the Avenger had been in when last he was alive and how Stephen had struggled to do anything about it. Or maybe, just maybe, it's guilt over having given in at last and taken some of the Vicodin Tony handed off to him for safekeeping to ease the constant pain in his hands. Like maybe if he gave back to the "community" somehow it'd make up for betraying a dead man's trust.

Whatever the reason, Stephen's switched on his video feed for the same reason he ever does: he's making a conscious effort to look trustworthy. He's sitting in what some might recognize as the soundproofed building near Mallard River Market, his expression clearer and calmer than he's felt in a long time thanks to the relief granted by the drug. By now his goatee has been swallowed up by almost two months' worth of scraggly growth, taking some of the edge off the superhero (or supervillain) look that comes hand in hand with the whole tunic and cape thing.]

Hello, Norfinbury, Doctor Stephen Strange here. Today we're going to talk about meditation.

[He offers the camera a little smile.]

Now, I could tell you the part about how it's going to help you, you know, align your spirit and all that kind of stuff. I'm pretty sure most of you don't care, though, so I'll just point out that it also helps with stress and lowers blood pressure. Might help you sleep, too.

I've recorded a guided meditation for all of you; the file should be attached to this entry. Let me know how that works for you, and I can make more of them.

[True to his word, a file named [meditation1] is attached. It's a half-hour-long audio recording in which he explains to the listener how to get comfortable and prepared, then walks them through a series of visualizations that probably sound abstract to anyone who's never visited another dimension. It winds down with a re-grounding in reality, all delivered in his lowest, smoothest voice.]

Comments

[whiteknightnecromancer]

Excellent. That's true of magic where I come from as well. What sort of precautions do you typically take to prevent anything you find from accessing and dominating you?

[Because of course that's the next logical step.]

[thewarningafter]

[There are several damning seconds in which Stephen gives Dorian an utterly blank stare. His brain kicks back into gear with a reminder that he does have some familiarity with the topic.]

From what I've seen, that generally doesn't happen unless you're dumb enough to actually seek it out. You can just, you know, not pull power from those kinds of sources.

Or...desperate enough.

[whiteknightnecromancer]

Pretend for a moment that you're somewhere that the only power available is from sources like that. And it's reaching out. Causing hallucinations and nightmares and distortions in the fabric of the physical plane.

[Just a little thought experiment.]

[thewarningafter]

[Just a thought experiment, just this stranger pointing out whatever differences he's spotted to leave him with the impression Stephen's handling this irresponsibly -- but something in the description tugs too sharply on a memory, makes his breathing pick up.]

I'd rather not.

[whiteknightnecromancer]

Mm. Wouldn't we all?

[Dorian had just described how magic worked in Thedas more or less. There were some more complicated bits but the general way mages experienced it was very much like that.]

[thewarningafter]

The, uh.

[Breathe, Stephen. Stay grounded in the present.]

The point still stands that this isn't actually magic.

[whiteknightnecromancer]

Does it need to be magic to get the attention of magical things where you come from, then? I've been places even the soporati have been affected and influenced by magic. Contrary to what some of my colleagues might tell you, people without magic do have feelings.

[He's sardonic, not snide.]

[thewarningafter]

I told you, you'd have to seek it out. Invite it in.

[He can hear too much of a bite in his voice. This is bothering him more than a theoretical discussion should.]

[whiteknightnecromancer]

Even experienced mages sometimes invite in things they don't mean to. Training on resisting that pull demons exert comes before any kind of lessons on moving about or focus on moving about, where I'm from because of that. Some beings are good at sounding convincingly friendly and kind.

Before that desire demon tried to possess me, we were having a perfectly polite discussion and eating peeled grapes in a gold pavilion.

[Dorian is describing it in an almost offhand manner but that he's bringing it up at all says how dangerous he thinks it was.]

[thewarningafter]

[And then Stephen's patience with this conversation runs right out and he snaps.]

Alright, so you offer the lesson next time, since obviously you know so much more about it.

[whiteknightnecromancer]

[He heaves an audibly loud sigh.]

It's been my life's work for over a quarter century. I think I know a thing or two about it, yes.

[There's a weariness under his snapping.]

[thewarningafter]

[Stephen works to reign it in.]

We're working from two different frames of reference in a world that doesn't respect either of them.

[whiteknightnecromancer]

Well, yes. Which is all the more reason to be careful, is it not?

[Dorian thinks he's being polite by not mentioning how upset Stephen has sounded.]

[thewarningafter]

[If Stephen were being honest with himself, he'd probably acknowledge that Dorian has actually handled this all pretty reasonably from his own perspective.

He's not being honest with himself right now, though. He's frankly sort of hurt by how poorly this effort has been received in general, he feels more than a little attacked by all the people commenting on his drug use, and on top of it all he's still high.]

Sure. I'll keep that in mind.

[whiteknightnecromancer]

If you wish to trade information on a better day, I would appreciate hearing about what yours is like.

[The traveling thing is worrying to him but he is genuinely interested in hearing from another professional. Dorian wasn't judging him for being high but he'd be more interested in a magical theory conversation with a sober man who was in a better frame of mind. He didn't want to end on a negative note.]

[thewarningafter]

Yeah.

[He's quieter now, still butthurt but recognizing the value in the offer.]

Yeah, I'd...be into that.