Days as a Spiritual Mentor in American Comics Chapter 5760 - 4783: X Royal Family: Rebirth (23)

"Madam, I previously suggested psychotherapy," Shiller stated. "Since it pertains to the mind, why not address it mentally and simply help you forget this incident?"

"Yes," Strange also concurred. "Before you were aware of it, you were perfectly fine. Why not simply have the memory erased?"

"Let me be frank, I sympathize with you," Tony remarked, turning to Natasha. "But beyond causing you distress, does this have any other consequences? If not, perhaps we could begin by eliminating the discomfort."

"Absolutely none," Natasha responded. "It might have restored my fertility, but I have no intention of having children. Apart from tricking Nick into granting me some additional overtime pay, there are no other benefits."

"Then why not pursue psychotherapy?"

"Because the psychiatrist capable of such treatment is prohibitively expensive!!!" Natasha exclaimed. "I would sooner bleed than squander my fortune!!!"

"Could you not seek reimbursement from S.H.I.E.L.D.?" Matt inquired.

"Because they perceive us as Soviet agents and instructed us to contact the KGB," Shiller explained with a sigh.

A moment of silence fell upon the group. One could argue their reasoning was flawed, yet it held a peculiar logic; conversely, asserting its correctness felt somehow amiss.

"Well, truthfully, I'm simply too indolent to go," Natasha confessed with a sigh. "When I'm in pain, I lack the motivation, and once I've recovered, I lack the time. It perpetually gets deferred."

"That is indeed true. Humans seem to have a short memory," Strange mused, shaking his head. "When one falls ill, they vow never to sleep with the window open again, only to forget once they've recovered."

Stark shot him a glare, but Strange remained unfazed. Shiller continued, "I understand you are not in an optimal condition, and I invited you here to explore potential solutions to this predicament."

"Do you have any suggestions?" Natasha inquired.

"Primarily, there is no aspect within our known universe that absolutely necessitates this course of action, so let us prioritize alleviating your discomfort. Compared to the Golden Apple, the Clarkia Flower possesses properties more focused on enhancing physical vitality, which may prove beneficial."

The others nodded in agreement, and Steve added, "While I cannot precisely explain the underlying mechanics, if it pertains to overall physical enhancement, it should indeed be effective. You ought to give it a trial."

Natasha inclined her head. Shiller proceeded, "However, the development of any new medication will require an interval of time. Therefore, we shall commence with measures to assuage the pain. The hot springs on Clarkia Island are quite renowned, and several sulfurous springs there should offer relief for your condition."

"What is the rationale behind this approach?" Natasha asked.

"Certain principles derived from traditional Chinese medicine," Strange answered first. "Considering that the notion of 'keeping warm' is unfamiliar in your daily practices, within Chinese medical theory, your menstrual discomfort might stem from an internal coldness within your body."

"Internal coldness?"

"Precisely. In their terminology, it is referred to as 'stored cold Qi'. Consuming warm consumables or immersing oneself in heated springs can aid in combating this."

Natasha did not fully grasp the explanation but nodded nonetheless. She remarked, "I have encountered similar concepts. There is a Chinese influencer on TikTok who promotes the benefits of ginger tea for women's health—though I confess, I have never personally consumed hot water."

"You are entirely disregarding the aspect of your age," Strange commented with earnestness. "While it may seem impolite to mention, you are of an age where you could be a grandmother. Your outward appearance may not have altered, but this does not signify that your bodily functions remain unchanged. Without proper self-care, even individuals with cybernetic enhancements experience accelerated aging compared to others."

Natasha could not resist casting a glance at Steve. He quickly shook his head, stating, "I never claimed to be younger than you. However, I do place significant emphasis on physical activity, and while I abstain from hot beverages, I also rarely consume iced drinks. You, conversely, are the most frequent user of the ice maker at Avengers Base."

"Is that not because the climate in New York is excessively hot?" Natasha couldn't help but retort. "How do you manage to refrain from drinking iced water when the temperature exceeds thirty degrees Celsius?"

"For the sake of personal safety," Stark interjected, seizing the opportunity. "You are merely relying on your cybernetic nature and neglecting established medical and wellness doctrines. My medical entourage has repeatedly stressed the importance of avoiding direct consumption of ice water during periods of profuse sweating in extreme heat. I had assumed even children understood this basic tenet of common sense."

"And some individuals insist on sleeping with their windows wide open during thunderstorms," Strange added with evident irritation. "I too had presumed that was common knowledge, even for children."

"Very well," Natasha conceded, her resolve weakening. "I shall endeavor to limit my intake of cold beverages and favor warm ones henceforth..."

Steve’s gaze shifted towards Bucky, who had remained notably silent throughout the conversation. Given their recent closeness, he might have been expected to offer more input, yet he stayed quiet.

Just as Steve was surveying his surroundings, he saw Bucky had already prepared a cup of hot water. He offered it to Natasha, remarking, "I believe a fresh start is possible now, don't you think?"

A collective drawn-out sound of assent went through the group – a clear indication of why one would dare to pursue the Black Widow.

Steve, however, seemed to recall something, his lips pressed together to suppress a chuckle. As he was about to speak, Bucky silenced him with a pointed look: "Don't forget our pact about not bringing up past mistakes, buddy!"

"Alright, I won't mention it," Steve affirmed, his lips held in a tight line. The curiosity of the others was piqued, so Steve offered half a sentence, "This reminds me of when he was younger, chasing after girls..."

"Shut up, Steve! Or I'll reveal all your youthful blunders!" Bucky retorted. "Remember when you submitted to a comic studio..."

"Hey! Hey! Remember the pact!" Steve interjected at a high volume. The two exchanged a look and grudgingly agreed to a temporary peace.

Matt sighed from the side, commenting, "It's like having a childhood friend. They've witnessed all your embarrassing moments, and you constantly have to be on guard that they won't expose your secrets."

Laughter erupted from everyone. Natasha joined in with a chuckle, but it soon turned into a cough, and she doubled over in discomfort at the table. She managed to take a sip of the hot water, savoring it, and commented, "Not bad."

"I've heard that traditional Chinese medicine can cure ailments like this," Tony Stark declared. "Out of respect and genuine concern for this lady, I propose we immediately journey to a Hong Kong pharmacy to procure some medicine for her."

"There you go again," Shiller couldn't help but point out, "You can't resist suggesting traditional medicine for everyone, can you?"

"I'm truly acting in her best interest." Stark continued nodding to himself before glancing at Doctor Strange.

Strange shook his head and explained, "Regarding issues tied to an individual's unique constitution, the person must be present for a proper examination. Purchasing pre-made remedies is not the most effective approach. However, if you're genuinely interested, I can make some connections; I encountered some highly skilled Chinese medical practitioners during a conference in Sichuan..."

"Thank you, but I don't think it's necessary at the moment," Natasha replied. "From Tony's tone, I can already imagine how dreadful the taste must be. I doubt I could endure it—it might be better to have Professor X just erase my memory instead."

They proceeded to have lunch, a simple meal of grilled steak and vegetables. As a banquet was scheduled for the evening, everyone opted for lighter fare. Afterward, they relaxed on the living room sofas to aid digestion.

"Speaking of which, what's the story with the hot spring?" Bucky inquired.

"What about the hot spring?" Steve responded. "I had a look; it's quite well-constructed."

"You mentioned it's a natural hot spring, heated by volcanic geothermal activity. But how can there be a volcano on an island?"

"Islands commonly feature volcanoes," Steve considered for a moment. "Isn't there one on the island in New Xanadu Country?"

"But that one is significantly larger than this, isn't it?" Bucky questioned.

"Not considerably larger," Shiller mused and stated, "It's comparable to one of those islands, perhaps even a bit bigger."

"I see," Bucky nodded. "How did you find out about a hot spring on this island? Isn't it said that mutants in this particular universe are not faring well? How would they find the time and resources to develop this?"

"I find it a bit peculiar myself," Steve admitted, scratching his head. "However, if mutants are active on this island, they might venture to the north as well, so stumbling upon it occasionally seems plausible."

"Even with your explanation, those hot springs aren't exposed, not even a vent. Without someone deliberately drilling underground, discovering them would be challenging," Stark shook his head. "But, who knows, perhaps there's a mutant amongst them with a passion for underground exploration."

"They have already completed the construction of their hot spring facilities?" Natasha asked. "How is it designed? How many private bathing areas are there?"

"Quite a number," Strange pondered for a moment before replying, "There are three to four substantial pools, comparable in size to swimming pools, and an even greater number of individual ones. Their water system appears capable of channeling the hot spring water directly to the bathtubs in the hotel rooms. If you prefer not to venture out, you can enjoy a soak right there."

"That sounds precisely like what I need," Natasha conceded weakly. "It's far more comfortable lying in a tub; remember to request extra sulfur be added."

"Rest assured. Don't you realize how meticulous Charles is? He must have been making preparations for some time."

After a period of conversation, everyone succumbed to a light doze on the sofa. Since an all-night celebration was planned for that evening, resting during the day was essential to avoid feeling fatigued by midnight.

Feeling entirely revitalized after their slumber, they made preparations to visit the hot springs. As the establishment was erected rather precipitously, resources were not precisely overflowing, necessitating guests to contribute many personal accouterments. Fortunately, the provision of luggage meant they were equipped to transport their belongings.

With all arrangements concluded, they convened in the lounge. While a mutant possessing flight capabilities was ostensibly tasked with their transport, a certain impatience spurred Strange to manifest a teleportation portal himself.

Upon traversing the shimmering gateway, they materialized within the Avengers Base of the Prime Universe. The Prime Universe's Doctor Strange regarded his counterpart with an expression of resignation. Captain America inquired, "What troubles you?"

"Merely this ostentatious fellow, who knows nothing of parsimony," he retorted.

Captain America chuckled, remarking, "Indeed, they possess considerable wealth, employing a teleportation portal for such a brief transit."

Nevertheless, the sheer practicality of teleportation portals was undeniable. Their arrival was immediate, bypassing any lengthy trek and placing them directly within the hotel's grand lobby. Charles was already in attendance, anticipating their arrival.

"Welcome, welcome!" Charles exclaimed, extending a ceremonious handshake. "A most hearty welcome to the Clarkia Island hot spring retreat. I assure you, this is unparalleled among hot springs you have experienced."

"That sounds remarkable," Matt responded. "I shall certainly plan to bring Erica and Little Jack at a future juncture, hoping the service and the vistas maintain their current excellence."

"Without question," Charles affirmed. "For the present, proceed to your respective hotel rooms to stow your belongings. Subsequently, a mutant will provide maps and comprehensive details regarding the various soaking pools."

His gaze then specifically alighted upon Natasha. "I apprehend you are not feeling entirely well, madam. The water systems for the private baths are automated; a simple turn of the switch will suffice to fill them. Moreover, a soaking pool is available on the balcony, should you wish to partake in the open-air hot spring, which offers an equally supreme experience."

"My gratitude," Natasha replied, her voice tinged with a sliver of hope. "I sincerely trust its efficacy will be as profound as you suggest."