The Monolith. From what Lara could find, it wasn’t always here, and that touching it was not only a bad idea, but not even an option.
Still, Lara couldn’t help but be curious about it’s existence. If it hadn’t been here since the beginning, then surely there must be a reason for it, even if it hadn’t been uncovered yet. The real unfortunate was that going outside to be anywhere near it wasn’t an option with the extreme temperatures. She found a good spot in the library, and while she didn’t have any binoculars on her, it was a good enough spot from the window that if something happened, surely she’d be able to see it from there.
Lara really hoped their next location wasn’t as cold so she could actually spend time exploring the campus. However, this was good too, and it helped her to be helpful. She leaned against the wall, at least this kind of work she was used to and a library generally had a comforting feel to it.
Footprints in the snow…Stephen noticed them when he went outside to begin his patrol of campus before Julia and her crew began the next step in a series of attempts to uncover more of Derleth’s mysteries. The footprints were fresh, and when the Cloak of Levitation took him into the air, he saw they led across the campus, straight to the Library. Could this be Lara, whom Julia mentioned would specifically observe if the monolith reacted to their experiment?
Stephen checked the clock on his phone - seven minutes before 6:00. There was still a little bit of time, so he flew to the Library door and walked inside, letting an icy blast of air with him. He recognized her first from the network when she introduced herself a couple of days ago. She had also attended Hugh’s party that same night. He strode up to where she stood, by a window that had a direct and clear view of the monolith.
“Hello, Lara,” he smiled by way of greeting, although his voice was serious. “Checking in. My name is Dr. Stephen Strange. Wanda Maximoff and I will be patrolling outside. If all goes well, and nothing happens, I can swing by and bring you back to Butler Hall, so you don’t have to trek through the cold. Unless you have some special means to keep yourself from freezing in these arctic temperatures?” He wasn’t sure whether or not she had powers, but remembered her being somewhat surprised that there was magic when Hugh told her.
Lara turned to look at the man, she hadn’t recognized him, but she had been meeting new people recently. While she’s typically good at remembering faces, the stress of her arrival has made the last few days have been a bit of a blur, much to her annoyance.
She did her best to remain neutral and friendly, though as always with Lara, she was on guard and immediately her body stiffed. “Doctor Strange, hello.” She replied with a little more lighter tone. “Right, I guess having a patrol around wouldn’t be such a bad idea.” Lara was at least glad that if she had to be stuck anywhere, she was at least stuck with people who knew what the hell they were doing, or at least enough that she actually had hope that one day she could get home.
“Right, no unfortunately all of my arctic gear was left back home.” One might think it was sarcasm, but it really was the truth. “I’d be grateful for a lift back,” she turned her head to the side, curious. “I’m guessing you have a faster way of travel than walking?”
Stephen took Lara’s arctic gear comment as sarcasm, and chuckled at what he thought was a little humor, but after noticing her expression was serious he had to wonder. “Are you a soldier? As far as I know, this is the first time the campus has appeared under conditions like these, and we were caught unprepared for the temperature. Some cold weather gear would really be useful, but I’m not sure many people will survive out there after the sun sets.” Stephen hadn’t said all people because he wasn’t sure about the Ice Queen or the Frost Giants in their midst.
He strode forward to stand beside her, peering out the window at the monolith. “I’m one of those people Hugh mentioned, able to create magical portals. Because of the protections cast upon Butler Hall, I can’t bring us directly inside, but I can take us to the front door.”
Lara studied Stephen for a moment, confused by the chuckle, then realized he thought she had been serious. It nearly made her sigh, she was really bad with sarcasm considering how often she used it. Was it her? Was it her typical neutral expression that made everyone think she was serious all the time? Lara nearly made a mental note to ask Sam, but it clicked that they were actually no longer on speaking terms. Even after a year, Lara still made that mistake and it still stung.
“A soldier, no not at all,” she shook her head. “I just travel around a lot. I like history.” It was a very simplified way to explain what Lara did, but anytime she tried to make friends in the past, she always got weird looks whenever she talked about her interests. Apparently ancient cities and digging wasn’t considered fun and interesting to some people.
Lara watched him in surprise. Hugh had mentioned the portal but she hadn’t met or spoken to anyone about it yet. Not that magic was a huge surprise to her, but it still wasn’t as common in her world compared to others. “That's an impressive ability to have, very useful.” Lara nodded to his offer. “I would appreciate it, it beats having to walk through all of that-” she gestured out the window. “And I’d like to see the portals in action.”
The lifestyle Lara described was something Stephen could relate to, but something about it felt incomplete. It would be like him saying that he liked to read ancient books. “Cool,” he commented, prying his eyes away from the monolith to look at her. “Yet, you’re the first one to volunteer to keep watch in what could be a very dangerous situation. Thrill seeker? Not that it’s any of my business.”
He continued to smile. “I’ll give you a full demonstration later, when we have more time, but basically…” he removed his sling ring from its holster, which he always wore at his side, and held it in his palm for her to see. “This is an artifact from my universe that helps me channel my mystic abilities to opening portals.”
Lara couldn’t help but grin. “I wouldn’t say I’m a thrill seeker, more that it just happens to find me?” All she could do was shrug, still trying her best to be friendly but the uneasiness of putting herself out there, how much do you tell a complete stranger? “I’ve been in dangerous situations before, but we need answers right? I’m not the type of person to sit back and wait, I’d rather find the answers myself.” Which was even more annoying considering she had yet to find any answers.
Lara looked at the sling ring and made an impressed face. “I would absolutely like to see a demonstration. There’s magic in my world, if that’s what you want to call it, but it’s not like it’s well known. I guess there’s a lot we don’t understand but in experience usually it’s best to keep those things secret and safe.” Too many people going after powerful objects that could destroy the world. No, Lara would rather keep it safe and hidden then let the world know what existed.
“Then you’re going to fit in perfectly around here,” Stephen joked. “Every week, a whole new thrill to deal with.” The first week he appeared was fun, arriving right in the middle of a party in Orlando, Florida, where the biggest threat was Loki coming at him with daggers in a speedo (but what else was new?) The novelty wore off soon enough, and while he was interested in uncovering Derleth’s mysteries, his heart longed for the stability that Mobius promised, or better yet, being able to return to his home universe.
Putting the ring away, he told her, “It’s pretty much the same way where I’m from, too… but recent events brought magic out into the public eye. But yeah… secret and safe is a good policy, in general."
“Good to know I fit in somewhere,” Lara joked back. Though she was British afterall, her dry tone probably came off more serious than she intended, even if there was a hint of truth to it. As much as she disliked being in this place, so far she seemed to fit in better than she did back home. At least she was getting better at talking to people and attempting to make friends, right? That had to count as a win, right?
Lara nodded. There were quite a few moments when she thought the same would occur in her own world. Thankfully any catastrophic events were explained as natural disasters, it was terrible, but in the long run it had to be the safer explanation. Too many people have died because of power-seeking individuals and her own mistakes. “Not that I have any kind of special abilities.” All Lara could do was shrug. “I’m handy in a fight with some outdoor survival experience, but I definitely feel average compared to all the gods and magical users.” It still boggled her mind, so many different types of people here could only be found in legends and myths, and it was nothing like she had known or expected. “I’m still processing all of that, to be honest.” She added as she gazed out the window. “I guess I’m still finding my footing here.”
It had to be difficult, being in a place like Derleth where crazy shit kept happening and not having special abilities to protect themselves. To some, even the idea of a multiverse was mind blowing…that was how Stephen reacted when first introduced to the mystic arts, so he could sympathize. “I’m sure you’ll find your place. With any luck, we’ll find our way out before you even have a chance to settle, then you’ll be home where you belong. This is only your what… third day here? And you’re already volunteering, so that shows a lot of initiative.”
He had to admit, she was also one handsome looking woman. He smiled, but quickly checked the time on his phone. “As much as I’d like to stay and chat, I need to get back outside and take my place. After this is finished, and I portal us back to Butler Hall, we could hang out for a bit. Chat. That is, if all hell doesn’t break loose in the next few minutes?’
Mentioning he had a hot tub in his room would probably be too much, right. Yeah. Hold off on that suggestion.
Lara gave him an appreciative nod. “I’m not good with sitting still for too long,” she admitted. At least this place would provide enough distraction, so maybe it won’t feel like settling down. Then again, she had considered taking a break back home, but she didn’t think she would get much of a break in this place.
“That’s fine. I can handle things here.” Lara considered his offer for a moment. On the one hand, she didn’t know him and there was a small, however quiet, voice that told her to be careful of everyone here. On the other hand, she did tell herself that she would at least try to make new friends. “Let’s hope it doesn’t, but yeah,” she said. “I think I can handle a friendly chat.”