[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]

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."

[from_the_outside]

Another thunderous roll of applause, and they’re at last able to sit back down, amid many claps on the back and words of encouragement.

Sharon blows out a breath as she finds her seat and gulps at her wine; when she looks up, she find Zahra winking, amused, at her. She lifts her glass and the other woman does as well.

“Dessert!” M’Baku calls. When it comes, there’s another round of toasts: to Akua, to Zahra, to Hanuman himself.

For her part, Sharon’s happy to eat and drink, and if her leg presses against Bucky’s under the table, at least no one else can see it.

[nerves_of_ice]

He observes more than he talks, but everyone is used to that by now. It’s a good rest of the dinner, with a vibrant, pleased energy to the room, and he can’t help but be glad.

And surprised, and humbled, at least as far as the declaration of friendship with him goes. But Sharon - he’s pleased and proud both, and she seems to be happy, too.

[from_the_outside]

A meal like this one is as much about the company as it is the food, so it's no surprise that everyone lingers long after the plates have been cleared. And, again, it's up to M'Baku to start making motions about leaving – and him only after a quiet word from Zahra.

Sharon wants nothing better than to head back to the suite and have a little peace and quiet, but she can't go yet: first, she has to try and thank M'Baku, even though he keeps brushing any of their thanks aside.

"So," she says, when he comes to say goodnight to her and Bucky. "This is what you've been cooking up all day."

She shakes her head, still more than a little overwhelmed. "Thank you. You've been more than kind to us."

[nerves_of_ice]

M’Baku shakes his head right back. “It is not kind when it is deserved.” He spreads his hands wide so that he can clasp them each by a shoulder briefly. “But you are welcome all the same.”

“Still, like Sharon said, thank you,” Bucky says. “It means a lot.”

[from_the_outside]

M'Baku grins at them and pats their shoulders – Sharon staggers a little under the weight of his hand – before letting go.

"Good night, my friends," he tells them. "Rest well. Who knows what tomorrow may bring?"

"Good night," Sharon says, and waits until he goes to speak with some of the others before looking up at Bucky. "Want to get out of here?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“Unless you want to stick around any longer,” he murmurs, the corner of his mouth turning up in a small smile.

[from_the_outside]

She shakes her head.

"Besides, like M'Baku said, we should get some rest. If all the other days are going to be like this one, we're going to need it."

[nerves_of_ice]

He nods to that and steps aside for her to lead the way back.

Only once they’re behind closed doors does he say, “Snow Leopard. It fits.”

[from_the_outside]

"Does it?"

She gives him an amused look as she head to the couch by the fire, kicking off her sandals on the way.

"I don't know much about them. I've been derelict in learning about big cats, I guess."

[nerves_of_ice]

“I don’t either, but I liked Zahra’s description.”

He takes the other end of the couch for himself.

[from_the_outside]

"Me too."

She curls into the corner, resting an elbow on the back of the couch so she can smile over at him. "I guess I'll need to look them up."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Guess so.” He smiles, just a little. “After all, you’ve got a name to uphold.”