A part of Strange wants to point out that this is a literal rock, how on earth could a literal rock be a partner or a part of someone. But then again, this is the guy who decided that the best response to Childermass stealing his creepy wife gem is to throw a fuckin fireball at his face. Rita might have a point.

And Strange realizes she might have a point! So, he drops that fight. It'll probably get picked up again later, but now isn't the time. Instead, he turns right back to nosy questions, as he looks at Rita's blastia with a small frown.

"Do other mages in your world feel the same way about their blastia as you do?"