@supremestrangeness continued from here
There was something about the Winter Solstice, perhaps it was the way the moon effected the Ley Lines, the temperature, the collective psychic fear of the cold and dark that Humanity built up over the centuries, but there was always something to be on the look out for. Things in the dark winter night, preying on the wicked and innocent alike, depending. Things that inspired ancient traditions like the Krampus or Mari Lywd. Things older and more nefarious.
Being at a company holiday party did not stop the Sorcerer Supreme from his vigilance. As the party bustled on, Stephen was skirting about the place, setting odd trinkets, charms, offerings in various places, looking weirdly out of character in his cheap suit, cloak of levitation casually wrapped around his neck like a scarf. The important thing was, for once, he had actually shown up.
She’s more than a little surprised to see him here––of all places––if she is honest.
Always he had seemed so uninterested at best and outright reclusive at worst when it came to such social gatherings. Too much distance, she suspects. Too much space between him and his fellow heroes, because, regardless of how much Stephen might respect and care for them, they do not exist within his reality.
They could never even begin comprehend why he’s going about the party––as they chatter on about who is wearing what and gifts they have so secretly acquired for someone or holiday antics gone awry––placing anything he might that would protect their revelry, to protect them and keep any dark and sinister powers at bay, looking as though he expects that at any moment something might go so terribly wrong…
That was what she had done for him, once upon a time. Understood.
Now, it takes her ages even to approach him, and even then, she can only seem to work up the nerve to do so if she at least convince herself that she has the opportunity to give him a good scare by suddenly appearing behind him.
“… You surprise me, Stephen,” she begins and somehow she thinks her voice is close enough to neutral. Or maybe she’s lying to herself. Who is to say?
“I hardly would have expected to see you here. Did Wong insist that you were to leave the Sanctum that he might have a silent night?”
