Summary:Finally a meeting of Captain America and Shuri had been scheduled to talk about a certain Wakandan's interest. Log Info:Storyteller: None |
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Since the Ambassador of Wakanda had last set a foot to the Avangers Mansion, about three weeks had passed. And she had called the weekend before to try to arrange new meeting. Again the black car with the flags had come, loding off the Ambassador dressed in the black, tight suit and the purplish cape with the fur at the neck, a golden necklace with some teeth adorning her neck and hanging deep.
A couple minutes later she settled in the conference room she had been lead to her posture as she waited almost reminiscent of the Gayer-Anderson statue with the number EA64391 at the British museum: patiently waiting, a tiny smile on the lips and still carrying all the graceful majesty of a predator.
The door to the conference room opens after a broad-shouldered silhouette passes by its frosted windows; this can be changed according to personal preference by the mansion's AI system by anyone verified in the system. In steps the blond super-soldier himself, glancing up from a manila file folder spread open across one hand. Another look down at it and then he closes the folder as he closes too the door behind himself.
"Good morning," says Steve, polite and distantly professional as always. "Captain Rogers. Miss Romanov passed on word that you wished to speak to us. I appreciate you visiting once more." He walks around the far side of the table and sets down the file folder. "Would you like anything? Tea? Coffee?" He gestures at the coffee bar set along the wall, with its myriad samples of both aforementioned offerings as well as other lesser-known. The small fridge tucked at the end no doubt contains bottled water and other drinks such as fruit juice and soda.
The almost hunting posture of Shuri relaxes a tiny bit as the door opens, her muscles releasing tension as she gets up to face the supersoldier. "A good morning to you too, Captain Rogers. I guess you were informed that I am Shuri, the current Ambassador of Wakanda in the US?" she asks, gently hiding a self inroduction in the question as she gives him a little gesture of courtsy. "Some water, if it doesn't pose too much trouble," she says as she moves to the bar as invited to look for some.
"I had had a short meeting with Miss Romanova," Shuri put a little stress on that a at the end of the name, "And I hope she did also pass along that I had offered a Wakandan representative on the Avengers to show that our litle backwater nation would like to take part in fighting the dangers that threaten earth as a whole. Our part in forging a better future for humankind in freedom, so to say."
"By all means." The coffee bar is open to anyone in the room to get what they wish. Steve is quick to make himself up a mug of coffee, black with no cream or sugar, and to return to his claimed seat at the glossy conference table. Once seated, he opens up the file folder once more. He picks through the pages contained internally once more and nods, glancing up at Shuri as he does so.
"Yes, Miss Romanova did pass on word of your offer, Ambassador. What do you have to bring to our table? You call your own country 'backwater'. Either you're pragmatic or you're having a joke at your own expense.' Steve eyebrows faintly at the young woman.
As the Ambassador grabs her water and a glass, she chuckles a little. "Oh, it's just where Wakanda is located, which is often to referred to such." As she settles down, her smile returning, showing white teeth. "Wakanda can offer its friendship to the Avengers and of course my help. I know it doesn't sound much, but it is indeed a generous offer. The last time a Black Panther had fought for world peace was during the last World War."
Steve nods and pulls the third sheet of paper out of the stack before himself. He reads down to the middling section before slipping it away into his collection once more. Blue eyes rise to Shuri.
"Yes, I remember reading about the presence of one of Wakanda's warriors in Africa. They didn't name the presence, but your confirmation is good enough. We're always looking to continue a field of outreach to other nations, especially those interested in keeping the world from falling into trouble. Still, what can you bring to the table? Usually folks show up with an example of what they can contribute to the team."
A chuckle comes from the Ambassador, her hands lifting what might be some Ornament from her suit, but opening it to pull a thin mask from it. "Oh, I think the fame of the Black Panthers has not spread over the oceans? Wakanda has always been a nation lead by a Warrior king, the Black Panther. A Warrior blessed in skill and with a body worthy of a god. And at his aide occasinally others were elevated to be also Black Panthers over the times past. I have been proven worthy of this status, but if you want me to proove so, please put forth your test. Besides my prowess in battle though I can bring forth my skills as a scientist." She pauses a moment, carefully eying Steve with her brown eyes. "And more," she finally adds.
"Our tests are specifically geared towards people with abilities," Steve explains. "The standard spec ops obstacle course won't apply to anyone with interest in joining the Avengers. We have to step in when things reach a level of concern where the local military needs additional assistance — when things get more weird than most folks can handle." He smiles a little to himself.
"So you can bring in a fighting style probably foreign to most of us here and an interest in R&D. We can always use more people in R&D. Technology is rapidly advancing these days. Do you have some specific technology you've built yourself that would be useful to the team?" He's taken a pen from the pocket of the dress-shirt he wears and prepares to take notes on the opposite side of one of the sheets of paper, looking at her expectantly. Old-fashioned, this one, to the end.
"Well, I am certainly not someone to shy away from being the Army of Wakanda, should it be be needed, so the stretch to other nations in need isn't that far," Shuri explains, smiling. "I have a PhD in nuclear physics, but since someone I met here brought my attention to Vibranium I have put quite some research into this topic. While it is an extremely rare material, I believe it has a lot of uses, provided one can acquire enough of it to produce something. The iconic shield of Captain America for example weighs what… about 12 pounds? Thats, if I have my numbers right… about 54 million Dollars worth of Vibranium, should it be pure."
Shuri lets it sink a couple moments before opening her mouth again. "On the other hand, even a tiny ammount of Vibranium combined with a little shard of Adamantium can create effective weapons for a rather reasonable price, as I have learned." She ficks her wrist, letting the claws expand from the silky gloves of her suit. "I don't think that bodyarmor would be of much a concearn against these bargains for less than a million dollars. If one can handle them like I do."
Another professional smile curves Steve's lips. "Glad to hear SHIELD's info on the origin of the metal is accurate." He makes this note on the paper, his pen scritching the paper quietly. "The shield's part steel alloy, in case you're curious. Not all vibranium," he adds as he looks back up at Shuri. Her display of the suit and its abilities has him nodding his head.
"I know enough about the metal myself through research and using the shield over the years that it's nothing to fool with. It's a formidable thing to bring to bear against anybody. Hopefully it remains in the hands of folks who mean to use it well. Selling weaponry isn't something we do around here, no matter what you've heard from Stark."
He caps the pen once more and gathers up the papers. They're slipped away into the manila folder and tucked beneath his arm. "You sound like a good fit, Ambassador. If you stop by the front desk before you leave, you'll find the necessary paperwork to submit. It's the usual stuff, name, birthdate, next of kin, etcetera." Rising to his feet, he sighs. "If you'll excuse me, I have another meeting to attend at another site. It was a pleasure meeting you, Shuri."
"It was an honor to meet you, Captain Rogers, but it's Shuri," she corrects him slightly, nodding at the note of the shield's composition. "Well, that makes it not less valueable. It is your Shield after all. And I didn't want to imply that selling weaponry is a thing the Avengers do, but that even a tiny nation like Wakanda can make do with its budget to fund their participation in keeping the peace." Technically correct was the best type of correct: Wakanda was tiny by geographical measures and trade volume… and she had never openly admitted to where she got the Vibranium from, just that it was in the 100 gramms area in those claws. "And I truely understand your need to see over these other manners. Rest assured that you are excused. I will take a look at that Paperwork as I am leaving."