Ah, there it is. And so he’s forced to admit, “I never used magic to stop the ache.” Something-something, you can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes then you get what you need.
Strange doesn’t immediately explain why, though, instead honing in on the other question like a hunting hound scenting prey. The rest of the explanation comes crisp and precise, with all the verbiage and technicalities of a doctor, a healer, as he shakes his head:
“Hasn’t had an effect on the shard, either. The sensation of the shard is actually pretty similar to what I’m used to. Neuropathic pain is… It’s not like bruised flesh or broken bone or a pulled muscle, so it doesn’t respond to small-scale painkillers or anti-inflammatories. It runs deeper than that. Heavy-duty painkillers or anti-seizure medication might make a dent, but it’s still hard to treat. One of my best treatments is when I’m casting magic — not to directly heal, but it works as a distraction, as something to take up absolutely all of my focus, my concentration, my attention. Then, I don’t notice it as much any longer. It’s been the same with the shard.”
He’s been talking a lot. He almost always talks too much. His food’s probably getting cold, so he glances down and shovels down a few more bites (conscious, then, of the implements Mobius has to use; at least he’s been spared that).
“You got me started talking about medical care,” he adds, a little sheepish. “Sorry if I’ve been going on a bit.”
no subject
Strange doesn’t immediately explain why, though, instead honing in on the other question like a hunting hound scenting prey. The rest of the explanation comes crisp and precise, with all the verbiage and technicalities of a doctor, a healer, as he shakes his head:
“Hasn’t had an effect on the shard, either. The sensation of the shard is actually pretty similar to what I’m used to. Neuropathic pain is… It’s not like bruised flesh or broken bone or a pulled muscle, so it doesn’t respond to small-scale painkillers or anti-inflammatories. It runs deeper than that. Heavy-duty painkillers or anti-seizure medication might make a dent, but it’s still hard to treat. One of my best treatments is when I’m casting magic — not to directly heal, but it works as a distraction, as something to take up absolutely all of my focus, my concentration, my attention. Then, I don’t notice it as much any longer. It’s been the same with the shard.”
He’s been talking a lot. He almost always talks too much. His food’s probably getting cold, so he glances down and shovels down a few more bites (conscious, then, of the implements Mobius has to use; at least he’s been spared that).
“You got me started talking about medical care,” he adds, a little sheepish. “Sorry if I’ve been going on a bit.”