Twelve

                                    

                                          
Magic by Pilot
                          
"Ancient One," Emerson greets as she strolls into the Ancient One's meditation chamber. After nudging the large door open, the sergeant realizes the Ancient One is mid-reflection. "Sorry if I'm interrupting-"
                          
"Come in," she waves her hand for the soldier to enter. She stands up from her sitting pillow, her yellow robes swinging by her side. "What is it you need?" The Ancient One questions, not irritated or impatient like Emerson thought she would be. 
                          
"Well, Strange- I'm sorry, Master Strange told me to ask you about mystic herbalism. See, it's something I'm interested in learning more about, however, I was told not many people here are into that sort of thing," Emerson explains as her hands grip the wheels of her chair. "I was wondering if you could point me in the direction of someone who has knowledge on it."
                          
"Yes, Master Strange was never keen on learning about plants," the Ancient One smiles while brushing her robe off like there was dust or crumbs of some sort on the fabric. She wears her robes quite often and Emerson wonders if she has multiples or washes them more frequently. The woman briskly walks across the room, grabbing another round pillow from the wooden woven basket. "Care to join me?"
                          
"Oh, sure. Thank you," Emerson responds before locking her wheelchair and putting her feet on the ground in front of her. Unhurriedly, she pushes herself off the chair, and with a 'thump' she lands on the pillow placed in front of her. Em watches the Ancient One's facial expression as she sits back down on her own pillow and closes her eyes. The Ancient One always looks so content and at peace; she wishes she could feel that way. The sergeant's mind is often so full of thoughts and ideas that she never feels like she has time alone to herself. Clearing her mind sounds like a dream come true. Maybe she should partake in meditation more often. 
                          
"I know a thing or two about mystic herbalism. I believe I can find time in my schedule to educate you if you'd like," the Ancient One informs her. Her hands rest facing upwards on her crossed knees and her head falls back to relax. Emerson follows the woman as closely as she can without crossing her legs. She manually adjusts her legs to be straight in front of her before resting her hands on the floor to keep her sitting up.
                          
"I'd really appreciate that. I've always had a green thumb so I feel I'd catch on quickly," she tells the Ancient One and she cracks open an eye to look at her. Emerson wouldn't say she's scared of the Ancient One however the mystical woman can be quite intimidating. The yellow-clad woman reminds her of a friend she had in the army. She was calm and collected, and never acted out of anger. The sergeant yearns to master the way of patience. 
                          
"You could be our garden's groundskeeper if you'd like. I've been slacking on appointing someone to do that duty, but if you'd enjoy such a thing I'd be more than pleased to let you do it," she tells Em and gives her a huge smile. 
                          
"Shit, really? I'm sorry, I mean that would be amazing. Excuse my language," Emerson spews out eagerly before apologizing for her use of vocabulary. The Ancient One just gives a sparse laugh at her response before speaking again.
                          
"I can see why Master Strange took you on. You have a very easy-going personality yet you've proven to be quite determined. How is your recovery coming along?"
                          
"Good, I think. I stood for the first time since my accident. Every day it gets easier for me to wiggle my toes and soon I think I'll be able to move my feet!" The young woman beams and the Ancient One nods in acknowledgment. Her facial expression shows she's not excited nor disappointed. She sees almost no emotion in the mysterious woman's face. The only positive thing is the slight twitch her lips make as if she were attempting to smile.
                          
"I'm pleased it's working out. Also, did he inform you that we do not have training during the holidays? I foresee that you'll be traveling home to visit during that time..." she questions Emerson making the young adult knows.