Summary:Mera arrives to speak with Steve about recent events in the harbor. Log Info:Storyteller: None |
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Mera has been given the address of the Avengers Mansion…as well as Steve Rogers' phone number…though she has chosen to visit the building unannounced. She strides confidently into the lobby with all the gravitas of the noblewoman she is. Though her clothing is casual chic from about ten years ago; pants, shirt, long coat. Reaching the front desk, she casually moves a mortal out of the way before speaking to the guard. "I wish to see Steve Rogers. It is important." She gestures to the staircase. "He is up there?" And then the redhead is off to head up the stairs - at least she informed the guard first.
*
"Excuse me, m'am — " stumbles the guard before attempting to step in front of Mera. "Captain Rogers isn't expecting visitors right now." An arm outstretches between her and the staircase. "At least state your name and business!" The kid's not too old, probably about mid-twenties, but he does sport a serious sidearm and his vest doesn't say anything about security. His tag says 'Kevin' and the patch on the fabric above his heart definitely sports the rounded SHIELD insignia.
Above on the second floor hallway, open to one side and hemmed by railing, a blond man slows his brisk walking to observe the going-ons of the foyer. He's wearing a matte-silver button-down and dark slacks and across his hand, an open manila folder. He's got a page of the contents within pinched as if to turn it, but has paused in this.
*
Mera offers Kevin a look that suggests she is not used to being stopped by someone so…common. And that it is probably not wise for him to have done so. Still, this is not her world, so she forces down her desire to throw him out of the way. "I am Mera of Atlantis, and I have already told you my business. I am here to see Steve Rogers. Now, you can either escort me to see the 'Captain' or stand to one side." She smiles sweetly…which makes her words seem even more threatening rather than pleasant. "I have no desire to hurt you" she adds, remembering to be diplomatic.
*
Even as Kevin's frowning up a storm and making to insert himself further between the red-headed woman and the staircase, there falls a conversational comment from one floor up.
"Alright, Kevin, I can take it from here. Thank you," says Steve as he begins to descend the staircase. The manila folder is tucked beneath his arm and the pencil he was using to make notes behind his ear. Kevin the guard gives Mera a disapproving side-eyeing as he returns to his post nearby. The Captain offers out a handshake to the woman in case she wishes to greet as such. "Captain Steve Rogers. Thought I heard you say your name was Mera?"
*
"Ah, a pleasure to meet you, Captain Rogers." Mera takes the offered hand, her grip firm and assured. Of course he would come down to greet her. It is the proper way. "Yes, I am Mera. From Atlantis." Doesn't she look like she's from Atlantis? "Is there somewhere we can talk in private? Unless your servants can be trusted, of course." A glance to the security guards with that comment.
*
Steve's brows flick up. He glances over at Kevin and then back to Mera. "Kevin's not a servant," he feels fit to point out. "He volunteered for the position, but we pay him regardless. I've got a meeting room we can speak in, however? It's quiet once the doors shut." With a lift of his hand to direct her to accompany him, the Captain then walks over to one of the side hallways.
It's not far before he reaches what appears to be a broad length of windowed wall and inside? All the trappings of a formal meeting room, down to ability to display holographic information via the mansion's AI. The man is certain to open the door to allow Mera to enter first. Inside, the room is comfortably cool and circulated, smelling fresh and just a little of the coffee bar tucked to the back wall.
*
"My apologies" Mera replies about the servant faux pas. "Ah, this is that 'pay grade' a young woman was telling me about the other day. The woman who gave me your number; Helena Wayne. She mentioned that some information is reliant on people having the right pay grade. Is that correct?"
Mera enters the room first with a slight nod of appreciation at the Captain's knowledge of protocol. She looks around with some interest at the technology on offer. Not too bad. "I apologise for not speaking to you before I arrived, but I felt that being here in person would better instil the urgency of our discussion." She will sit herself down at the head of the table.
*
Once seated, the Captain walks around to the coffee bar. With the manila folder kept safe underneath his armpit, he fusses with the espresso machine.
"Helena did mention she'd passed off a card to you, now that I think of it," he says, glancing over at Mera. "And no apologies necessary, m'am. I appreciate you being direct. Coffee?" An empty mug is lifted from the collection on the tray to one side of the espresso machine. Steve's mug is currently being refilled as he awaits a preference from the woman.
*
Mera carefully considers the rather simple question, taking in the situation and the lifting of the mug. It must be a drink of some kind. It is impolite to refuse your host's customs. "I shall have whatever you are having. Thank you." And if he wants direct, he will get it. "Do you know about the sea creature attack on the harbor of this city last month? A mutant squid is the rumor. As well as ships without crews."
*
The Captain pauses in placing his full mug to the table. By the rise of his brows, he's surprised to hear the vein of questioning. Then, also by the little sigh, he becomes markedly less shocked once he realizes where Mera claims to hail from.
"If a memo crossed my desk at SHIELD, I might have missed it. Hate it when that happens," he grumbles at the espresso machine as he sets it to fill the next mug as requested. "I know of it though, every news outlet had a finger on the story's pulse for a day or two. I know who to ask further about it, if you're looking for more information?" The man gives Mera a politely curious look. "You said you were from Atlantis though? You know something about the incidents?"
*
Mera does look a little disappointed that Rogers can't be of more help. She was really hoping that the Avengers of all people would have it all under control. Still, he is offering further assitance, and she nods to that. "Yes, if you could give me a name of someone to talk to, I would be very appreciative." She takes out a device that looks like a cell phone but nothing like he would have seen before; Atlantis tech.
"We know nothing about it" Mera admits with a frown. "Other than rumors. I know that we are not responsible." At least the ruling house and loyal subjects aren't. "We assumed that it was something you were doing to blame us." A pause. "When I say 'you', I mean humans of some kind, not you personally. We wish to find the cause and stop these incidents. We have had enough false propaganda directed against us over the centuries."
*
"Sure, I can give you the main desk number for WAND," replies Steve as he delivers that mug of coffee, steaming-hot and black without sugar or cream. Time in the trenches aids long habit as far as the drink's composition goes. Pulling out his own cell phone to access the contacts library in it, the Captain then rattles off a number including the five-digit extension. He slips the device away into his pants pocket before taking a seat at the table as well.
"Didn't think you were leveling blame at me in particular, m'am. Happy to be of assistance if you need any. I know of Atlantis, but you're the first I've met in person from the place," he adds as he leans back in his chair, comfortable with his fingers interlaced above his belt.
*
Mera eyes off the mug placed in front of her. It looks like dirty oil, though the smell is definitely more intriguing…if no less pungent. As Steve reels off the number, Mera's machine seems to take it all in without her involvement. After a few moments, there is a 3-D holographic image of the building the number is located in. Mera glances at it while blowing softly on her coffee. It is hot to her touch. Very hot.
"Who are WAND?" Mera asks before a wry smile at Cap. "And what have you heard about us? Dangerous killers of sailors? Bloodthirsty pirates? Evil creatures that need to be extinguised so the ocean can be exploited 'properly'?" There is no bitterness in her tone, more a genuine interest.
*
The Captain appears thoughtful by the subtle purse of his lips. "Well…to answer the first question, WAND is an ancillary organization of SHIELD. If SHIELD deals with the mundane world, WAND deals with the magical half of things. I don't end up in their sector often, but when I do, I learn something new every time." A flick of his brows accompanies a healthy sip of his coffee.
He then continues, "As far as as I know of Atlantis, it's a sovereign nation beneath the water with a culture all its own. I've got no fingers in exploiting the ocean nor have I ever been threatened by anyone from there that I can remember. I know you've got some advanced technology as well." He nods towards her device in particular. "Nice to meet someone from the area finally." His smile is entirely polite.
*
Mera studies Steve as he speaks and is…surprised…that he seems to be completely sincere in his words. Not something she is used to from mortals. "You believe the supernatural is involved with the sea creatures?" That brings a new dimension to the issue, though it also explains a few things.
Mera finally tries her coffee. Her eyes go wide before she starts to cough a little. Thankfully, she does not do anything diplomatically terrible like throwing up. "That is…interesting…" she manages to squeak about the beverage. "You all drink this?"
After a moment to compose herself, Mera replies, "Atlantis tries to keep to itself though it is hard when the surface dwellers treat the ocean like a rubbish tip. How would you fare if a country in the clouds tossed their trash down to your world without regard? Though you seem a noble human, Captain Rogers. And the woman I met…Helena…she showed character too. Perhaps you are not all bad, just like not all Atlanteans are good." She will try another sip to be polite, wincing a little but slowly getting used to it. "As you can tell from the color of my skin, I am a half-breed. My mother was a mortal."
*
"I don't know of anything natural that would attack like you've described and…a…ship with no crew isn't natural either." The man slows in speaking briefly as he watches the expressions cross Mera's face. He too remembers finding coffee not the most appetizing drink, but it was awfully long ago in the end. "Hence my thinking it's supernatural. We don't all drink this, no, it's bitter without the sugar or milk, I know. If you visit again, I'll dress it up next time."
He sips at his own drink without flinching as the Atlantean speaks. Leaning back more heavily into his chair, he idly places a palm atop the manila folder set aside and shifts it minutely back and forth on the table. "Wasn't going to ask about your family, but that does make sense," Steve acknowledges of her heritage. "You're kind though, Miss Mera, to level that compliment, and I'm comfortable saying thanks for Miss Helena in turn. She's good people." His smile is fond at the memory of his godchild. "You seem a noble sort yourself. But, like you said, we're not all good people. Some of us at least try to be and that's what keeps the world turning."
*
"I am a noble person because I am a noble" Mera deadpans…before a slight smile for the equally noble mortal. "I should talk to these WAND people. I am afraid that speed is of the essence. We would not like a war between our peoples because of a misconception over these beasts. Tell whomever you need to tell, Captain Rogers, but Atlantis did not send these creatures to attack you." She stands, offering him a slight bow. "Thank you for your time and hospitality. I hope we shall meet again. Good luck with your…" A nod towards the folder before she is heading for the door. "I can show myself out."