[Video]

[strangebargains]

[The image is shaky at first, since he's holding it. A moment later and the image stabilizes and becomes much more than a chin or pair of nostrils. Stephen comes into view, he's wearing a red cloak with a high collar but it isn't his cloak and he's pretty miffed she didn't get pulled into this universe.]

Hello, everyone, I figure it's best to see if there's anyone I know here. New arrival, Doctor Stephen Strange, if that name rings a bell I congratulate you. That means you're alive and well because I was probably your Doctor. You're welcome.

[He waves a yellow-gloved hand. Underneath they were scarred and ached in certain temperatures, so he figured it'd be best to protect them in this manner.]

Now I've done this whole multiverse song-and-dance deal before. If I'd had the foresight to bring the Eye of Agamotto with me I could have taken care of your little problem. Chronoblivion? Been there, done that.

[He gets a dark look, and shakes it off. That sound exactly like Dormammu and he wouldn't be surprised if that simply was what they called him in this universe.]

Too many times.

Plus, what's the deal with giant world-eating entities? Do they have a club or something? Is it like what they do for fun since they're all bored in their dimensions?

Anyway. I decided to join your little group of Legionaires. I can't use magic here for some reason, but apparently I can still do some things. It's a little different from what I'm used to, but it's nice not having to worry about losing your sling ring.

Comments

[strangebargains]

[...and that's another blank stare. Somewhere in another alternate universe a Fox executive sneezes.]

Nope, sorry. Doesn't ring a bell.

[What kind of stupid name was Fantastic Four? Sounded like a bad 70's Disco group or a second-rate Abba.]

Right, okay. I'm not affiliated with the Avengers, I don't even know them. Well, I know one. But me and the people from Kamar-Taj protect the world from mystical threats, they do their own thing. I doubt they even know we exist.

[walkingballpit]

[ They'll just trade confused looks that border on disbelief until oblivion. ]

Trippy.

Okay, sooooo, not to get paranoid here, but thinking that you're not on the Avengers radar is about as safe sticking a fork in an electrical outlet.

[ A beat. ]

Wow, that sounded way worse than I meant it to. They're not that bad.

[strangebargains]

[Ah, well. That was true. One of them had found him already so it stood to reason that he was on someone's list, somewhere. He could only imagine what the government would do if they knew of the existence of magic.]

Let's hope they aren't. From what I've seen they're good at saving the world, not so good at collateral damage. Basically if you're in town when a fight goes down make sure you have your will up to date.

[walkingballpit]

[ There was a break in the feed for about fifteen minutes, but Robbie eventually reconnects. ]

All due respect, sir, collateral damage isn't something I joke about. I know you've always been one of the best with that, but... not cool, Doc.

[strangebargains]

[Foot in mouth again? He was going to have to get a guide on how to not faux pas his way into a superhero society. Starting out with a high level of power like being able to reverse a city's destruction and bring people who were dead back to life made him forget how difficult it was to deal with for everyone else. He rubbed a temple.]

Sorry. I'm new at this.

[walkingballpit]

No biggie. We were all there once.

[ He does try to sound nonplussed about it. ]

... this is a weird conversation. Is it weird for you? Probably not, I can guarantee you you've never said "Wow, Speedball's moving into my neighborhood? This is so cool!"

[strangebargains]

I can honestly say I have never uttered those words together in a sentence ever in my entire life.

[walkingballpit]

[ Robbie holds up his hand like he's swearing in at court. ]

I guarantee you no one has said those words together in a sentence ever. Full stop.

[strangebargains]

I'm not sure if I should say 'sorry' or 'congratulations'.

[walkingballpit]

Neither?

[ A beat. ]

I think neither's the only safe answer.

[strangebargains]

I think to be safe, I will go with your advice and say neither.

[walkingballpit]

Smart. That's why you've got all those fancy letters after your name, Doc.

[strangebargains]

That and years of hard work.

[walkingballpit]

Calling you smart doesn't mean you didn't have to work, don't get your stethoscope in a twist.

The hard work alone doesn't do it either. But what do I know, total beauty school dropout here.