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"Reality is a reference point, not a limitation."
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Post by aquarius on Dec 16, 2022 15:04:58 GMT -7
It seemed the power of the myth captivated the young all around the world, since Gabe was focused on his questions still. Faiza could not help but answer them, letting the other two dictate the pace of her visit. "Yes, and yes. I drew it from a stone - I am told this is roughly akin to being able to lift Thor's hammer, which most in America are more familiar with. And whilst in myth it was actually a different sword, belief can shape truth in places like Otherworld, or anywhere strong with magic. So many believe the two blades are one, that they are. There is more to it than that, but I got a headache trying to understand it, so gave up."
The conventional mythology was one she knew relatively well of course, having known it even before it gained such personal importance to her. And so she felt qualified to give a little more detail about the Earthly myth at least, even if many of Otherworld found such tales amusing to say the least. She moved over to sit on the couch, the blade resting in her lap still within easy reach of Gabe if he so desired to do anything with it.
"I think a lot of the confusion first arose because the sword in the stone was called 'Caliburn'. Being able to draw it was the sign that Arthur was the one true king. But when it was broken, the Lady of the Lake bestowed Excalibur upon him. Both names are different in the Welsh telling, and then there's old Cornish and any number of other local languages. Basically, old stories are so muddled it's no wonder people ended up getting them wrong."
She was aware that America seemed to favour the big showy impressive stories, but that was not the British way. There were a great many stories, but almost none of them were anything special to look at, so to speak. They just 'were' British. If you were part of the nation, these stories were part of your soul, just as Captain America was respected by just about everyone in the USA, even if someone was a costumed criminal who had been defeated by the man a dozen times over, still there was that respect. And so too did a Briton feel the appeal of those simpler tales, free from all the glamour of Hollywood. So to see such interest in someone not of the British Isles was fascinating, in its own way.
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Post by numble on Jan 6, 2023 15:27:06 GMT -7
Gabe looked down at the sword and his eyes widened. “Just like the movie!” Robbie felt a little sheepish. “That all makes sense! I guess I shouldn’t have acted like I knew everything in front of the literal expert.” he looked over at Gabe and smiled. Gabe would have been perfectly content just meeting this other hero, touching the legendary sword but he didn’t want to keep Excalibur there all night, she surely had other things to do.”Gabe, she and her sword have the power to heal people. She’s here so she can heal your legs.” Gabe immediately lost focus on the sword and looked up at the two of them, his eyes even wider. “You mean… you can make me walk?” he looked back at the sword and placed his hand on it. “The sword can heal me?” he excitedly reached for the hilt and tried to pull it from the sheath. “Gabe!” Robbie’s eyes widened, Faiza’s warning echoing in his head.
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Post by aquarius on Jan 6, 2023 16:01:51 GMT -7
Faiza was still not used to being thought of as an 'expert' on such things. Between all of the people back at MI-13 who had years of training and experience, and Otherworld where they literally lived in the myths and legends, she barely felt comfortable using the name 'Excalibur'. Had it not been chosen for her she would likely have come up with something far humbler, if she'd decided on anything at all. Still, compared to most in America she felt... if not an expert on such things, at least the closest to one anyone was likely to encounter.
As Robbie told Gabe why she was there though, Faiza grinned. Far too many of her most severe patients were in too urgent need of help for any appreciation of the event until afterwards, and getting to see the delight, untainted by pain or fear, it was a true delight. The essence of a doctor's work, distilled into an instant instead of spread over hours, weeks or months.
Then in his excitement he tried to draw the sword. As soon as she realised what he was doing her hands glowed blue, so did Gabe and he was paralysed instantly. "Do not try to draw the sword. It can kill anything that lives, and many things that don't. The sword heals souls, but yours seems to be in perfect health. I am the one with the power to heal bodies, which I will now do. This is... most strange in appearance but entirely harmless and painless. You should be able to speak still, so feel free to do so for the few seconds this takes."
With that, Excalibur moved the sword back to her belt, and held both glowing hands in front of her again, focusing a little more and turning Gabe into the 'living cross section' that was part of her healing ability. The misshapen bones and muscles in his legs were straightened and knitted back into the proper arrangement they should have always been, and a few seconds later his various layers were reunited into a whole person, now with healthy legs and she released her aura holding him in place.
"You are healed, but you still lack the muscles that most people have in their legs. It will take you a few months to build them up, but you will find walking far easier, even now."
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Post by numble on Jan 10, 2023 12:00:12 GMT -7
Robbie breathed a sigh of relief when Faiza magically froze Gabe in place. “Sorry about that.” He sighed. “Gabe, you really have to take care and remember when people warn you about things.” “Sorry…” Gabe frowned and looked genuinely apologetic for what he’d done. Gabe looked at Excalibur and said “I just got excited, I shouldn’t have done that.” As she healed him though, both he and Robbie watched on in silent wonder. Gabe grimaced a couple of times, not from pain but at the strange sensation in his legs as they were made functional. He made sure to listen again and nodded when she said he wouldn’t be able to walk right away. “That makes sense…” he said quietly, staring at his legs. Then focusing on them he gave them both an experimental wiggle and his expression turned to one of delight as his legs moved, just like they were supposed to. “Robbie!!!” he squealed, looking at his older brother. “I saw!” Robbie rushed in to give his brother a hug, Gabe still weakly kicking his now functional legs. Robbie turned to look at Faiza, grinning ear to ear just like his brother. “We can’t thank you enough, honestly.”
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Post by aquarius on Jan 10, 2023 13:33:13 GMT -7
"Don't worry about it" Faiza replied. "You had good cause to be excited, and I would not have left the blade where you could reach it if there was any chance of you causing any harm at all. But it is an important lesson to remember. Learn to take a little more care in some things, otherwise I may have to visit you again."
From outside, the sound of a motorcycle approaching then slowing caused Faiza to turn her head slightly, then check her Avengers commcard. "It appears that is Finesse arriving to give me a lift back to the mansion. Gabriel? I'll have someone contact you to work out an exercise plan with you to make sure your legs get to full strength as quickly as possible. You'll probably hear from me and Finesse a few times over the next week or so. Robbie? Take care of yourself, and about Finesse... For all her talents she is terrible at expressing her feelings. But it's clear to anyone who knows her that she likes you. What you want to do with that knowledge is up to you. Anyway, I should be going now, unless there's anything else I can help with first."
With that, she double checked her sword belt was secured properly, reached out to ruffle Gabe's hair briefly, and turned to head out the door, glancing back as she did. "See you both around!"
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Post by numble on Jan 13, 2023 11:23:59 GMT -7
As Faiza spoke to his brother, Robbie’s smile did not fade. She had performed no less than a miracle for him and Gabe and it was a favour he’d never forget. He didn’t realize she’d handle the arrangements for his physiotherapy as well and was only more grateful. “I wouldn’t have known where to start for exercise plans, I really appreciate it.” Her revelation about Finesse didn’t wholly come as a shock but it was nice to hear someone confirm it. Robbie blushed slightly. “I’ll uh… keep that in mind.” he nodded and smiled. From behind Faiza Gabe could be heard going “Ooooooooooooo!” In a mocking tone and making kissing noises. Robbie sighed and said “Thanks for that, Gabe. Very mature.” To Faiza he said “You’ve done more than enough, thank you.” He bowed his head slightly. As she ruffled his hair, Gabe grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze, waving as she left. Robbie walked to the window and looking out, gave a small wave to Finesse though he couldn’t be entirely sure that she was looking. “See you around.” he echoed to Faiza.
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