[oom] a diplomatic visit

[nerves_of_ice]

In all the things he's done up to now, he's never been asked to be a diplomat. Bucky's still not sure this is a good idea, but if nothing else at least it gets him out of Ross's path. And besides, being a diplomat to the Jabari's as T'Challa's White Wolf is a little different from being one anywhere else on earth, he's certain.

M'Baku greets him with a wide smile and widespread arms, inviting him to take in the grandeur of the Jabari's traditional homeland from the clifftop view before leading him inside. Bucky can already see some of the others measuring him for threat or competition or both. It's clear M'Baku knows it as well, and is amused by it - amused enough to let things play out as game or challenge or both.

It's going to be an interesting visit, he's sure.

Forty-eight hours later, he's sure of something else: he likes these people.

Comments

[from_the_outside]

"Probably," she allows, and grins back. "Depending on the quality of advice. Doesn't everyone?"

She takes a sip of her wine and studies the other woman: her poise, her ease. She looks comfortable, which is more than Sharon can say for a lot of people keeping company with the White Wolf.

But Sharon's still not sure why she's here. "So how can I help in your search for knowledge?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"True, but there are many who do not realize it." That seems to amuse her, for some reason. "You have already helped, but maybe you could satisfy my curiosity about the suit you wear."

[from_the_outside]

"The suit? Sure."

She holds up her wrist, where the wide gold bracelet that contains the suit lies flat around her wrist, like a watchband.

"Princess Shuri built it for me. I've been helping her test some of her newer experiments, and she put a lot of them into it."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Ah yes, the princess and her technology." Bucky tenses, but Zahra's smile remains warm. "She is a bringer of change, she and her brother both. But why did she build you this suit, and not something else, can you say?"

[from_the_outside]

"I'm not sure what else you might be thinking of instead," she admits, "but the suit works for me. It gives me enough protection mixed with flexibility that I can feel reasonably safe while I'm in it – "

She does not look at Bucky while she speaks; the damn thing might turn a knife blade now but she has no interest in revisiting the first field test. " – and it doesn't restrict me at all."

It's hard to get into the reasons of why the suit works for her without delving into what she does and how – it's perfect for stealth and for hand to hand combat or clambering up and down a mountainside.

But she doesn't know Zahra. And her secrets are still hers to keep.

[nerves_of_ice]

"Protection and flexibility," Zahra muses. "Yes, I can see how that would be useful, the way you fight. And when rescuing children from a mountainside." She nods her head, somewhat decisively. "Very fitting. It is good."

She smiles at Bucky. "You have been very quiet during all this."

He shrugs. "No need for me to say anything."

[from_the_outside]

"I'm glad you think so," Sharon says, a little bewildered. She wishes, a little, that she could activate the suit and what's left of the chameleon circuit right now, so she could ninja her way out of the spotlight in this conversation, but she thinks activating it now might have the opposite effect.

"Personally, I've got a few more upgrades in mind." Like smoke bombs. If Shuri can find a way to include those in the bracelet, Sharon will love her forever. "It's still mostly a prototype."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I will enjoy seeing them, someday." Zahra sets her wine glass aside and gets to her feet. "I hope you both will excuse me. There are things I must see to before dinner tonight."

"Of course." Bucky stands as well, courteously, and manages not to react other than a surprised blink when she reaches up to pat his cheek. "Very polite. That is good, too."

She moves to the door and turns to smile again at them both. "I will see you this evening at the dinner. The usual time, of course. Do not be late!"

[from_the_outside]

Sharon gets to her feet as well and blinks as Zahra lightly pats Bucky's cheek – unusual, to say the least – but years of etiquette training and reminders from her parents kick in and she smiles; warm, if a little bewildered.

"See you then," she says, and goes to close the door after Zahra leaves. She stays for a moment with her hand on the doorknob, then turns to Bucky with a baffled expression.

"That was weird, right? It's not just me?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Seemed weird to me but she acted like it was perfectly normal," he observes, "so who knows."

Bucky shakes his head. "Somehow I have a feeling dinner's going to be interesting."

[from_the_outside]

"This whole visit is turning out to be pretty interesting," she points out, and walks back over to him.

"I guess we'll see when we get to dinner."

[nerves_of_ice]

He brushes a lock of hair back from her face and smiles down at her.

"I guess so."



A few hours later, when they walk into the great hall, Bucky's braced for pretty much anything and trying not to show it.

[from_the_outside]

She wasn't tense at all for the feast the night before, but after the events of the day and the strange interview with Zahra, she's definitely approaching dinner with – not trepidation, exactly, more like slight apprehension.

It isn't eased by what she sees when they enter the hall, either: it's a much smaller group than the night before, but there's a more formal feeling to the whole affair. "Our honored guests!" M'Baku booms, and beams as he waves them towards the table, which, yes, is set with several carafes of the wine Bucky had brought back earlier.

"Wow," Sharon observes, as they sit. "You guys really go all out for visitors, huh?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Only some," M'Baku tells her, with a wickedly brilliant grin. "Only those we like."

"Oh, good," Bucky notes, dryly. "I doubt I'd enjoy being one of those you don't like."

[from_the_outside]

As M'Baku laughs, Sharon catches Zahra's eye: the other woman looks as poised as earlier, with a small smile playing around her mouth.

"Any news on the kids?" she asks, accepting a glass of wine and a bowl of salad. M'Baku nods.

"All are well," he reports. "Human and goat alike! Two sprained ankles and a cold or two are the worst we will suffer from today, glory be to Hanuman."

[nerves_of_ice]

“That’s good news,” he says, with absolute sincerity. “I’m glad.”

“As are we,” M’Baku says. “Children are precious.”

[from_the_outside]

A little tension bleeds away from her shoulders and she smiles with no small amount of relief.

"Good," she says, firmly. "Those were some brave kids. I know some adults who couldn't have kept their heads the way they did, taking care of each other and a baby goat to boot without panicking."

The boy who'd run flat out down the mountain to find help would be no small hero for his part, either, she's sure.

[nerves_of_ice]

“They are Jabari,” M’Baku says, proudly. “But yes. They are brave and strong, both.”

Bucky nods. “They’re good kids. I know some like them. Maybe someday they might even meet.”

[from_the_outside]

"Now that would be fun," Sharon says, grinning at the thought.

And why not? If the parents are still stiff with one another, all the more reason to let the children play together before they learn to be biased or skeptical. "I'd like to see it happen."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Perhaps we will do so, then. You met Zahra earlier, I know. She is a leader in the community and would be interested to work with you on this,” M’Baku tells them.

[from_the_outside]

"Oh, well..."

She glances at Zahra, a little at a loss. "I don't know if I'm the best person to talk to about that. I don't have any official standing; I only play with the kids sometimes. And honestly they mostly come for the White Wolf."

That comes with a small, crooked smile glanced Bucky's way: it's been, what, two months? She is nowhere near being over how cute it is that the kids love him so much.

[nerves_of_ice]

“I’ll take the message back,” he says. “I’m sure T’Challa will welcome it.”

He also has no official standing, he thinks, but no one would believe it.

[from_the_outside]

"That I have no doubt," Sharon agrees, and M'Baku looks pleased.

"Good!" he says. "Let us grow together in this way as well."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Sounds good to me,” Bucky says, and raises his wineglass to the others.

[from_the_outside]

That's enough of a toast for them all; everyone lifts their glass and drinks before the rest of the food arrives and conversation takes a back seat to eating. It's not the multi-course feast of the night before, but it's still excellent, and Sharon, despite her earlier snack, digs in readily.

Maybe there isn't going to be anything particular about this dinner, after all.