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Post by DornKoon on Oct 12, 2023 19:30:49 GMT
"So... this is New York?" Sun Nao commented to himself as he sat with his feet dangling from his cloud. He was so far up he was partly hidden among the clouds. The chill and atmosphere did not affect him in the slightest... which was still partly creeping him out. The city was spreading out far below, millions of small dots of light in the darkness. Sun Nao lay down, with the cloud expanding and spreading out to give room for his body. There had been another fight at home, and he had stormed out... and somehow ended up on the other side of the Atlantic ocean. Some kids might have just gone to the local arcade or something. Sun Nao had not even bothered to take his phone with him when he left; knowing his mom, she had most likely some tracker on it. Well, he could not stay here and feel sorry for himself. Sun Nao had a long stretch before descending through the clouds and quickly making his way towards the bustling city. His aim was to follow his instinct and let chance guide his destination. Just moments later, he touched down atop one of the buildings and crouched at the edge to look down at the street below. The cloud had vanished as soon as he stepped off, but he could always make a new one. He ran a hand through his thick hair and quickly wrapped the tail around his waist, making it look like a very odd sash, but enough not to make people suspicious unless they took a closer look at where it started or ended. Once he felt he could pass off as a regular person, he began to make his way down, ending up in one of the many alleys... and frightening a group of rats that had been eating from a bag of trash. "Whoopsie, sorry," he called out after the fleeing rodents. So began his stroll. He passed countless streets, read the signs, and stayed to look at whatever captured his interest. He walked past a place called The Museum of Ice Cream and stopped momentarily... but it was closed, which was a pity. He did like Ice Cream. So he continued down Broadway Street, humming to himself. Sun Nao was just about to cross Blecker Street when a shiver ran up his spine, causing the hairs on his tail to stand on end. There was something that captured his attention outside of the novelty of being in New York: a feeling of something powerful. He had only really felt his grandmother's magic and this was different. After a few moments of hesitation, the Monkey Prince turned his steps down Blecker Street. The house he came upon looked old, victorian, and to the naked eye, it did not seem that special... apart from the aforementioned age, and impressive big window. Yet, as he watched it, there was something odd about the place. Sun Nao ascended one of the nearby buildings to give himself a vantage point to take a closer look at the whole structure. What was it with that place? It did not seem demonic, and it was not disguised, yet it was not trying to advertise itself. He watched as most people passing did not give it as much as a second glance. "What do?" He tapped himself on the chin, "What would Father do..." most likely kicking in the front door, which seemed very stupid and something one would do if one happened to be a god, which he was not, and who knew what kind of strange weirdo lived in this place. Maybe he could get inside using one of the windows? But none of them seemed open... maybe there was a door at the roof? He hesitated but a moment before taking a leap, landing gracefully on the building's roof. He was holding the staff (the size of a toothpick) in the palm of his hand, just to be on the safe side!
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Post by Beriadan on Oct 12, 2023 20:25:36 GMT
The roof of the building was just like any other old architecture, but now Sun Nao would be able to feel a thrumming magical energy beneath his feet. The whole place, to a being with senses such as he, would feel immensely powerful, old and ancient beyond anything else nearby. There was little to remark about it, other than the window, yet Sun Nao would notice the magical presence that lay in and around this place.
The roof was fairly benign, beside the magic. Opposite Sun Nao was a fairly basic fire door, and as his eyes lay upon it, the door swung back, revealing a darkness within, a staircase that lead into the unknown. There was no wind, no shadowy butler who could have opened that door. It was almost like an invitation... or bait for a trap.
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Post by DornKoon on Oct 12, 2023 20:44:37 GMT
Sun Nao flinched as the door opened, muscles tensing up as he expected something to rush out to attack him. A few moments passed, and nothing came, no one to greet him. Was this an invitation? A trick?
Maybe he should leave, it could be dangerous!
Of course, he could picture what Wukong might say when they trained if he ran away, how no son of his should back away from a challenge, and something about adversity followed by a serious beating. "Stupid, dad,"he muttered to himself before approaching the door. He peaked inside and watched the staircase leading down into the darkness.
"You got this; you defeated a large tiger demon." He shook his head, slapping his cheeks several times to pump himself up before walking inside. He slowly descended into the building, listening and keeping his senses as sharp as possible—old... potentially haunted... very magical house. The demon had been scary, but this place was... another creepy.
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Post by Beriadan on Oct 12, 2023 22:26:51 GMT
The air that struck Sun Nao as he descended was an unusual mix of musty, old and stale, yet tinged with fresh air, as if he was standing on a mountain top. There was silence in this place, becoming ever more apparent as he traversed downwards, a spiral staircase that wound on and on.
If he was to look back, even after only a few minutes of walking, he would see that the small square patch of light that was the door hung far above him. This was definitely magical, alright, and someone - or something - was twisting this place to make Sun Nao as uncomfortable as possible. Up seemed as high above as the stars, while down... the stairs dropped into darkness, whole and absoute, like a deep, inky ocean.
Of course, not all beings can be deterred, and with an handful of determination and a fistful of tenacity, Sun Nao would reach the base of the stairs, and another door. This one was old, far older than the house appeared. Beyond was a grand room, with ancient red carpets and high ceilings. Rows upon rows of glass cases stood in neat, orderly lines, filled with strange and exotic artifacts, weapons, objects beyond imagination.
Still, there was no sign of life. No sounds of voices, footsteps or even the feel of the air stirring in the wake of movement. The house seemed dead... yet the magical energy swirled around Sun Nao. That, at least, was active. Something was toying with his senses, it seemed.
At the end of the room, covering an entire wall, was a wide green curtain. It hung dauntingly before Sun Nao, still and ominous. A great thick rope made of intertwined golden strands as thick as his arm lay on the left side, just begging to be pulled. There must be something important or valuable behind such a curtain. Why else would someone hang something so garish there?
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Post by DornKoon on Oct 12, 2023 22:45:33 GMT
Well, this place was officially creepy, and it made Sun Nao think about one of those SCPs he had looked at once before. Something with a haunted staircase, spooky notices and a floating white face. He could not remember what it was called, just the feeling and the fact he should not have looked at it before going to bed. Still, his weapon could strike the supernatural, so it should be able to deal with demons... or at least that was what Dad had told him. "Yeah, and he had completely forgotten I existed until I fell into his pond", Sun Nao muttered, descending further into the darkness.
He stopped at the door, listening for a moment before opening it, taking care to do so as quietly as possible. He examined the room, and it was certainly... opulent and with a lot of fancy-looking carpets. It was like walking into a museum... "some kind of magical... museum?" He wondered to himself as he stepped out, squinting as he examined the nearest object inside a glass case. He had no idea their purpose, but it reminded him of Grandma's things on a much larger scale.
Yet, there was no one here, no alarm, no guard... or bearded old wizard. It was like walking into a thick fog, swirling magic.
Slowly, the young demigod worked his way through the room, stopping to examine one object or the other until he found himself by the great curtain and the thick rope. His eyes lingered on the rope, tempting him with its... ropiness. Sun Nao turned around and gave the room another scan. "Oh well, no one rememberes a half-baked dumpling." He said before turning to pull at the rope.
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Post by Beriadan on Oct 13, 2023 5:09:16 GMT
The curtain swished back, revealing... nothing. Well, not quite nothing. A dusty window that could barely be seen through, looking out perhaps over New York, though it was difficult to tell. A few dust motes, but otherwise this grand, emerald curtain was as useless as a chocolate teapot.
"Who dares enter the home of the great and powerful Sorcerer Supreme?"
An incredible booming voice shattered the silence, tore through the stillness of the house and reverberated around the room. Behind Sun Nao, floating central before him, had appeared a giant disembodied head. It stared down at him, a fierce expression plastered on its giant face.
"Nobody may enter his Sanctum... and escape aliiiiive! For he is Strange, the great and powerful! Now, tell me, interloper... who dares to enter my abode?"
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Post by DornKoon on Oct 13, 2023 6:59:23 GMT
Sun Nao stared at the very dusty window. No wonder someone had hidden it with a drape; it looked horrible... could not even see outside clearly. The teen shook his head before reaching out a finger and made a smiley in the dust of one of the windowpanes.  Well, he was not about to look at a dirty old window when there was a whole house to explore. He was about to turn around when a booming voice filled his ears. A long chain of colourful expletives in Mandarin followed. Things that would have made his mother scold him, and his baby brother mimic him. He spun around and came face to face... with a face!?! His hand tightened; he was about to make himself ready for battle against this demonic head. There was certainly no evil demonic energy about the head. Even in this misty magic air, he could tell that much. Yet, this seemed... familiar? A large, floating head... weird man calling himself great and powerful. Sun Nao's brow furrowed; he still did not fully relax, and he was ready for there to be a conflict of some kind. "That's mighty impressive, great and powerful Oz... I mean Strange..." he said slowly, eyes darting from side to side. Was the man's name Strange, or did he describe himself as strange? Because he certainly was, in a terrifying, over-the-top sort of way. "I'm Sun Nao, son of a useless idiot Monkey King on a mountain of flowers and fruit." He did not even bother to call Wukong by his actual name. He did not deserve that. He would most likely get a beating next time, but it was worth it. " And- well, the door opened by itself; you might want to look into who you let your house invite." He nervously cleared his throat. " I- can leave if you wish? I don't really- well, I left my little dog at home and must have missed the Scarecrow, Tinman and Lion on the way here... unless that rug over by the wall is the lion... in which case... yikes." He was speaking at this point to buy himself time to figure out what was going on. |
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Post by Beriadan on Oct 13, 2023 8:06:56 GMT
There was laughter, but it didn't come from the head. Again, behind Sun Nao, was a jovial chuckle, someone who was genuinely tickled by the whole affair. There, standing with a much smaller likeness of the giant head, was a figure. With a body, this time, dressed in red-blue robes and with a cape draped over his shoulders, the high collar framing a face that held a goatee, a slick head of salt-and-pepper hair and a smile.
"Well, look at that. I didn't think you'd be old enough to get the whole Wizard of Oz shtick. I owe Wong a buck. Nín hǎo, Sun Nao. Not many are apt enough to enter the Sanctum Sanctorum without invite."
Strange, who had been idly leaning on the wall, straightened up and walked slowly to the boy. He had no body language of violence, mere a keen interest twinkling in his eyes.
"Son of a Monkey King? There aren't many of them left, as far as we were aware, but Gods are fickle beings. Is that, perhaps, the mighty Sun Wukong you refer to? I didn't realise he had a son, but then he hasn't spoken to one of our Order for, oh... several thousand years."
Strange stopped a few feet from the boy. There was a frightening perceptiveness about him, a great aura of knowledge in his eyes. And the magic that excuded from his pores... He smiled, tilting his head ever so slightly to the left, and raised a hand to shake.
"Doctor Stephen Strange, Sorcerer Supreme. I'd apologise for the prank, but I found it delightfully funny, so I won't. Tell me, Sun Nao, what brings you into the halls of the Sanctum? And can I interest you in some tea?"
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Post by DornKoon on Oct 13, 2023 8:45:00 GMT
Sun Nao let out a surprised cry that sounded suspiciously like some the kind of sound a monkey would make. He quickly clasped his hands over his mouth before turning around (again). He had not sensed him, he had not been there moments ago! Sun Nao was certain, he would have seen past invisibility… unless this man was seriously OP.
Slowly he lowered his hands, curiously examining the man calling himself Strange. Strange? Why was that familiar?
”Wait, you’re… Strange” he said, ”as in, Doctor Strange?”
Yeah, it really was him, I made sense… as far as weird magic guys go he was pretty memorable. He almost zoned out, but were able to pull himself back enough to figure that Strange asked about his father, and something about impressive he could get inside, there was a bet in it somewhere… and tea.
”You have any oolong tea?” Sun Nao replied. ”And yeah, Wukong is my father, but don’t feel bad about not knowing. If it makes it better he did not remember making me.”
There was a pause…
”I was going to visit the Museum of Ice Cream… but it was closed, and I just walked… and then I felt serious mojo from here… and… there really was no plan behind it. When the door just opened I… wait a moment… how long ago did you notice me?”
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Post by Beriadan on Oct 13, 2023 11:50:44 GMT
At the last question, Strange gave him a look. The kind of look reserved for someone who has just asked if the sky was green and if pigs could fly. Without answering straight away, the Sorcerer waved a hand with an idle motion. There was a sudden feeling of rushing wind, before the two of them were sat, comfortably, in a pair of red velvet armchairs. A pot of oolong steamed beside Sun Nao on an old antique table. Next to that was a pot of ice cream, branded with the name of the Ice Cream Museum, smelling faintly of... peaches?
Strange smiled a wry smile.
"To answer your questions: yes, yes, and for longer than you think. I am indeed Stephen Strange, the very same you are thinking of. Glad to be recognised, even if you did need my head enlarged multiple times to do so."
He began to pour out his own pot of tea, what smelt like darjeeling, into a china cup beside it.
"I'm rather fond of most teas, so I have an ample stock in the Sanctum at all times. We cater to all of our guests, invited or otherwise, with whatever drink they like. It's an ancient hospitality tradition of the Sorcerer Supreme, one I maintain among other things."
Strange took a sip, smiled, gently placed the cup down and leant back, fingers interlaced across his chest.
"And, finally, being the Sorcerer Supreme means that I am in charge of protecting not just New York but the whole of Earth, from invaders, marauders, Demons, multidimensional creatures, other versions of me, and... of course, the big one, God's and Dieties who have taken a disliking to our universe. Luckily the last one doesn't come up to much. We are on good terms with our godly allies."
He peered across the space at Sun Nao. There was a distinct crackling of magical energy in the air that the boy would pick up on. Strange was probing, gently, making sure he wasn't being fooled into letting his guard down. This place was thick with wards and trap spells, just waiting for a reason to be set off.
"So the son of one of the ancient Monkey Kings, who just so happened to ride a cloud across the Atlantic and coincidently land on my doorstep... you understand this raises alarm bells. It's not everyday that a Demigod comes knocking, and certainly rare for one to literally waltz through the door. I thought it best to give you an open invite when I noticed you approaching New York, and see what kind of being we were dealing with."
Strange nodded slowly, as if affirming to himself. Then his fingers spread wide, and he grinned.
"Seems I had nothing to fear. So welcome! Sun Nao, son of Sun Wukong the Monkey King, here to... visit the Ice Cream Museum. Oh, please help yourself. And don't worry, we always make sure to pay for what we take from our neighbours. Their own brand Ice cream isn't half bad.
"Now, to ask a question of you. You felt a pull from this place, hmm? Are you really an Ice Cream aficionado? Or did you come to investigate because you were curious of what goes on in a magical building such as this one?"
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Post by DornKoon on Oct 13, 2023 13:09:17 GMT
”mā de!” Nao yelped as he was very abruptly warped into a big armchair. He was no stranger to being unceremoniously warped from one place to another, Wukong did it whenever he felt like it was time for another session of training. Still, it was difficult to get used to it! ”I mean, It was an impressive bit of magic, so it did tip me off a little. it did feel a little eerie that Doctor Strange might have been aware of him for a lot longer than when he touched the building. He was clearly a shrewd… ”wait, peach ice cream! Now we’re talking!”
”ah, the traditional rule of hospitality. I know it, my grandmother does the same, we had a burglar breaking in and we found him sipping mocha tea and eating sweet dumplings with her… turned his life around and became a plumber” Sun Nao took one of the cups, sipping at the tea… taking a moment to examine the room. ”You have a loot of cool things in here, Dr Strange. I thought grandma had a lot of magic stuff…this place is really really… str… weird”
”Yeah, I don’t blame you for being sus about me coming here, there was just… stuff. I did not plan to end up in New York, and if it was by design, it was not mine.” His words did make him think if him coming here was manipulated by someone… but who? And why?
Strange did not have to ask him twice, and he helped himself to a big serving of peach ice cream. Sun Nao listened as the sorcerer continued, until he came to his question, at which point he took a moment to think…
”A while, and yes. he replied. ”I like ice cream, but I just happened to walk past it, and I felt the pull from here around the same time. I got my old mans innate ability to notice… things. Illusions, enchantments, mind-controls and other kinds of magical, demonic or spiritual. Not something I can turn off, so it can be a lot… like here. Its like a constant mist all over.”
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Post by Beriadan on Oct 13, 2023 16:53:23 GMT
Strange nodded at the compliment, but perhaps it wasn't warranted for him. The Sanctum was old and mysterious, and there was plenty that Strange still didn't know or understand. It was a shifting, living being, stuffed to the gills with magical force and energy. He took another sip of his tea, watching the kid babble. His eyes focused on his "sash"... son of the Monkey King indeed.
Sun Nao had piqued Strange's interest. A godly linesge, a perception for the magical, and enough whimsy to warrant a deeper plunge into who he was. Strange watched him with a level gaze, smiling faintly.
"This place is old. Everything here was gathered by Sorcerer Supremes and the order, going back thousands of years. The records don't even know when it came into being. It's certainly... odd."
When Sun Nao spoke of his magical intuition, Strange arched an eyebrow. He returned his cup to its saucer, tugging at his goatee with thought.
"So you think an unknown force bought you here. Interesting... it just so happens that we are an order of wizards and sorcerers who are always looking for new blood."
He gave Sun Nao a knowing look, head cocked again slightly to the side.
"Perhaps it is some kind of fate that you arrived here. Maybe your father, or some other being in your life, dropped you neatly on my doorstep for a good reason. You say you can sense magic, but how would you like to learn it?"
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Post by DornKoon on Oct 13, 2023 20:02:28 GMT
An unknown force bought him here? Yeah, that seemed possible, if not likely. Sun Nao sat and looked at the ice cream, the scent of peach in his nose. ”Could it be?” He said to himself, biting at one of his slightly claw-like nails. The ”sash” had partly unfurled, clearly showing what it was, even if Sun Nao paid no attention to it.
”No, I doubt she would… but maybe she would?” Sun Nao muttered, taking another spoonful of ice cream. ”She did do it the last time, but that was because of Wukong… or that was how granny explained it. I’m just thinking aloud… sorry about that, Doc”
Sun Nao cleared his throat, and focused on Strange again. ”Learn? As in magic?” He tilted his head, similarly to what Strange did. He had not been thinking about learning magic, so much happened in his life already. But the idea had merit… ”That depends, let me ask you this, Doctor. If I learn magic, could it help me kick my father’s ass?” There was determination in his eyes, no malice or evil intentions, just youthful passion. If it would help him get an edge in his training with Wukong, he was going to take it!
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Post by Beriadan on Oct 16, 2023 11:45:48 GMT
Strange was quiet for a moment, staring hard at Sun Nao with an intense, questioning gaze. Then he rose to his feet, cup vanishing as quickly and neatly as it had arrived. "Walk with me," he said quietly, and strode off out of the room, into a long corridor that was lined with portraits.
As Strange, and Sun Nao if he followed, traversed down this corridor, the people within the portraits turned to follow, eyes flitting to the figure's. Strange nodded at a few, smiled at others, hands tucked behind his back.
"Previous Sorcerers, every one. Weak, powerful, new, old, ancient. Every one of them has a place among this hall."
He released one hand, tugging on his goatee, not quite looking at Sun Nao.
"When I first sought out the Karmar-Taj, where all Sorcerers train, I had selfish thoughts in mind. My hands had been destroyed, and my entire world crushed with them. How could I be a world-class surgeon without the hands that had made me? So I begged them to help me. Magic away the damage, restore my life."
He came to a stop before a particular portrait. An elderly man looked down, with fondness in his eyes. Strange bowed his head in reverence.
"The precious Sorcerer Supreme taught me the errors of my ways. A life lived for oneself, to pursue only selfish reasons for your actions... it takes us down dark paths. Every decision we make with this mindset is another step towards it."
He turned to Sun Nao. His eyes were piercing, far more serious than they had been before.
"I can teach you grand spells, the ability to harness the Multiverse and bend reality to your will, power perhaps even beyond what your father has granted you. Yet I fear that if you were to learn these secrets without a pure, selfless goal in mind... well, let's just say I've had my fill of people like that."
A row of portraits hung beside the Sorcerer Supreme. They showed men and women with the same pink, cracked marks around their eyes, staring coldly and with malice at Strange.
"I don't believe there's only one reason for you wanting to learn our magic, and I do not believe you arrived on my doorstep by pure accident. Sun Nao, truthfully, what is it you seek?"
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Post by DornKoon on Oct 16, 2023 15:32:53 GMT
Sun Nao frowned as the Doctor stood up, so he did the same, curiously watching the sorcerer as they both left the room and began walking down a mysterious hallway with pictures of mostly old people. He had no idea why Strange wanted to walk here, but indulging him when being a guest felt polite. He had heard a lot about the powerful Doctor Strange, but he had never known how he became a sorcerer or what he used to be.
What he said seemed to resonate with what his grandmother had told him but in different words...
His eyes lingered on the row of portraits with the malice in their eyes. Just those eyes were enough to cause shivers down his spine, all the way through the tail that was currently swaying back and forth behind him like it always did when he did not pay attention to it. A pure and selfless goal in mind? Bend reality to his will?
"Well-" He began, "I don't think it was by accident either; it never is, or that is what I learned from dealing with my father. My meeting him was not an accident either, and it was by the design of Xiwangmu, the Queen Mother of the West. My grandmother is one of her followers. The Queen Mother sent me to Wukong because she wanted him to take "responsibility"." There was a hint of annoyance lacing the voice when Sun Nao said the last part. "My mother never planned to have me, not like she did my brother, it was not her choice for me to be born either." He shook his head, "I always did what everyone expected me to do, be good, get good grades, work hard, take care of your brother, listen to your parents, honour your ancestors, accept your duties."
Sun Nao took out a bouquet of small flowers tied together in a very badly tied ribbon. "The first ones to accept me for me were the monkeys at Father's Mountain. They did not want anything, and there was no duty they expected me to fulfil, no pressure. They saw something in me that they admired and loved."
There was a pause, his last words ringing in the air. Maybe he was being sappy? But it was less about telling a reason and more about telling the truth.
"I want to live up to that, Doctor, be the hero they see me as. Maybe- just maybe I can-" his voice died away as he let out a deep sigh. "Be better."
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Well, he was not about to look at a dirty old window when there was a whole house to explore. 