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[ Well that's. A deeply distressing combination of words. ]

Turning into what? Is he contained?

[ The void can wait a moment, he will absolutely be getting back to it. ]

[ Good questions. Armand is all too aware he doesn't have adequate answers. ]

An angel. I have hidden him.

[ An angel. Stephen remembers his last death at the too-bright eyes of a newborn angel, a crowd of onlookers jeering their satisfaction. It was the fault of nobody inside that ring, but that doesn't mean there's no cause for concern. ]

There was a Void in the last place I watched a man become an angel. I've found no trace of it here. Are you familiar enough with him to know if there any new marks on his body?

He's covered in marks. Tattoos, bruises. But I can't say I've noticed anything new. He seems lucid, but there's something unsettling in him. A glory trying to burn through him from the inside. I worry that I can't trust myself around him.

Then clear out. I can ward him in. And you out, if that's what it needs.

No. He will be distressed. He's being hunted by others in the manor.

All the better reason to put up a ward.

Who is it?

Matthew Jamison. Do you know him? He was murdered and was reborn in the house. Perhaps that was his undoing.

[ Oh, great. A magic user, as though this weren't already volatile enough. ]

Perhaps. Whatever it is, we need to ensure it causes as little harm as possible to him and to others. You asked for my expertise. Will you take it or won't you?

Your expertise, not your intervention, Doctor.

[ But. ]

But I get the feeling I can't prevent you from doing what you consider to be right. So I'll only ask that you're careful for his sake. If he needs to die, don't let him suffer.

He won't die.

[ That's a bold statement to offer as fact, but some things are worth manifesting. ]

Are you a danger? Now, in this context specifically. I won't keep you from him if it isn't necessary, but I need your honesty.

No more than I was before he came to me changed.

[ So about a 6/10. Dangerous, but in control. ]

I can't say if that will be true if I spend too long in his company. I fear that I won't be able to say no to whatever he asks me to do.

Is he showing a tendency to make dangerous requests?

Not yet, but who can know the mind of God?

[ Give him strength. ]

If an inclination toward holy servitude makes a willing weapon of you, I will put an end to it. He's risk enough himself without foot soldiers.

[ Starting to have some regrets. ]

Very well.

Do you think you'll be capable of contacting me if your concerns manifest? Before you do anything either one of us will regret.

If you leave your mind open to me, yes. It's faster than using an electronic device.

I can do that.

[ In more ways than one, these days. Speaking of... ]

Does your gift shield your own mind?

I can close my thoughts to others, if that's what you mean. Though it has only been tested against other vampires, so far.

I don't intend to read your thoughts, but if you speak to me that way there's a likelihood I'll register a signature to recognise you by. Though I likewise don't know if it'll work with a vampire mind.

I'm prepared to take that risk.

Good. Do you want to get it out of the way?

[ All right.

Just a voice, at first. Drifting out of the darkness like smoke. ]

Stephen Vincent Strange. Guardian of New York.

[ It's all well and good being a telepath until somebody is finally a telepath right back, and better. The slightest flinch— but he settles. A power he left behind worlds ago opens up, chest glowing blue as his mind works around the voice, chasing it home, seeking the pattern at the core of neural code to associate with identity.

He keeps his response in his own head, doesn't attempt to project. Armand's already here, already listening. ]

I can't believe you full named me.

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