[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

[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.

[nerves_of_ice]

Everything's well-prepared, as always, and tastes great, but Bucky doesn't pay too much attention to what he's eating. The barely-suppressed gleam in M'Baku's glance and the pleased expression on Zahra's face whenever she looks their way makes him certain that something's yet to come.

Hopefully it won't be the kind of surprise Sharon hates, whatever it is.

[from_the_outside]

The conversation ebbs and flows but never fully dies away; she listens as M'Baku praises Akua and his quick thinking and has to agree; the young man did an excellent job.

But there's much more to talk about than the rescue: Sharon wants to know how the community's been handling the reunification with the rest of the Wakandan tribes, and Zahra tells her about the programs they've initiated, the messages they've crafted.

It's all intensely interesting, and she hardly notices when her plate's cleared away and the conversation falls to a lull as everyone refills their glasses and sits back.

[nerves_of_ice]

His eyes narrow slightly as M'Baku stands and walks to the center of the floor, moving with purpose.

"Today, we have things to celebrate," he proclaims in a deep, booming voice. "Let all attend!"

[from_the_outside]

Attentive silence instantly falls, as everyone turns to look at M'Baku. He cuts a fine, intimidating figure, draped as he is in furs and ropes of claws, and Sharon's eyebrows flicker towards a frown.

Put another one in the Bucky was right tally, she supposes.

[nerves_of_ice]

M'Baku thrives under the attention, he can tell, and manages to keep his amusement from showing, instead maintaining a polite, interested look as the other man continues.

"We have only recently celebrated the reunion of the Jabari with the other tribes of Wakanda - a reunion which will bring them much benefit, of course," he says, a little slyly, and everyone laughs. "But today, we have seen that the promises of friendship are more than mere words, and we must recognize that for what it is. White Wolf, Sharon Carter, stand and come forth."

[from_the_outside]

She does not like being the center of attention, but at least he's called Bucky up, too; she gets up, a little reluctantly, and goes to stand where M'Baku directs them.

"Any idea what this is going to be?" she murmurs to Bucky under her breath.

Probably not a fight, since they all just ate, but she has no clue what else he could want.

[nerves_of_ice]

"Not really," he mutters back, keeping an eye on M'Baku - who is greatly enjoying himself, if his grin is anything to go by.

"White Wolf of Wakanda," he declares, "Hanuman approves of the strong and those who protect, as do I. For the honor you abide by even under pressure, for the help that you have given and the loyalty you have shown, let it be forever known that you are a friend of the Jabari."

He removes one of the many claw necklaces from his own neck and drapes it around Bucky's.

"I'm the one who's honored," Bucky manages. "Thank you. I'll do my best to live up to it."

M'Baku claps him hard on the shoulder. "I'm sure you will!" With a gleam in his eye, he turns to look at Sharon, and beckons with one hand for Zahra to join him.

[from_the_outside]

This, at least, she agrees with: Bucky deserves each and every accolade he could get for helping to build something.

He has too much destruction in his past. Was used too often to destroy instead of create. She gives him a pleased smile – but it stutters into apprehension when M'Baku turns his attention on her, as she watches Zahra approach.

"Sharon Carter," Zahra says, her voice clear as a bell. "You have fought by the Great Gorilla's side and bested a Jabari warrior in single combat. And today, you protected our children as if they were your own, endangering yourself so that you might save them."

She turns to M'Baku with the choreographed grace of one taking part in a ritual. "Great Gorilla," she intones. "How shall we honor these deeds?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"With friendship," M'Baku replies, grave and serious in a way that Bucky's rarely seen. "And more. With the respect such a warrior deserves. Voice of the People, we must grant her a name."

[from_the_outside]

"Hanuman wishes it so," Zahra agrees, and comes to stand before Sharon, who is still with shock, conscious of a great honor she has no idea if she deserves.

"Sharon Carter." The other woman smiles, and Sharon finds herself smiling back. Zahra's voice is lower now, as if it's just the two of them, and Sharon relaxes a little.

"You are ferocious," Zahra tells her. "And secretive. A protector of warriors, like the goddess Sekhmet. Determined, but adaptable. We have seen you pounce and climb and fight; rescue and defend. For all these qualities and more, I name you our Snow Leopard: the ghost of the mountains."

[nerves_of_ice]

It's perfect, he thinks; absolutely perfect, and it's suddenly very clear why Zahra had wanted to meet Sharon, to get a personal sense of her before this.

He fights to keep a delighted grin from showing, limiting himself to a small, proud smile instead, and glances at Sharon to see how she's taking it.

[from_the_outside]

Utterly overwhelmed, Sharon stares for a moment at Zahra, whose smile ticks faintly from pleased to amused before Sharon manages to find anything, anything at all to say.

"I'm beyond honored," she manages, finally. "I promise to try and earn this name and everything it represents every day."

Zahra nods and steps back and Sharon's field of vision is blotted out by the enormous mass that is M'Baku. "Snow Leopard," he booms, obviously delighted, and Sharon bows her head to accept another of the necklaces. "Our friendly ghost. You will always be welcome here."

He punctuates this by embracing her and straightening, lifting her clear off the ground as she fights for breath.

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky's grinning openly now, and it's D'Jarra who starts the thundering chorus of applause and war-cry-like yells of affirmation. In seconds, the hall rings with it.

[from_the_outside]

It's all she can do to keep her poise as applause thunders through the hall; she grins at Bucky with the faintly shell-shocked expression of someone who has no idea what just happened.

But it's M'Baku, oddly enough, who rescues her at last. "Your namesake is notoriously shy," he points out, grinning. "Not fond of too much attention. I think you share those qualities too, yes?"

Without waiting for an answer, he turns back to the group, stomps and hits his chest with his fist until he has their attention, then turns to Sharon and Bucky both. "Take this message to T'Challa," he says. "The Jabari choose to be generous. We will not hold out a closed fist, but an open hand."

[nerves_of_ice]

"We will," Bucky says, making sure his voice is clear and strong. "And I know he will appreciate your generosity, and that of your people, as much as we do."