[ He shrugs, though the way he straightens up gives away how he really feels. ]
First on the agenda's finding some way to at least let my family know I'm still alive. They --
[ He takes a moment to rub at the back of his neck. ]
I already gave them a scare, back when the whole thing in DC went down. I don't want them to worry more than they'd have to even if I know it won't be the easiest thing to do.
[ Or the safest. He doesn't want to put them in harm's way, so if there's no way to contact them that outside forces won't be able to trace, then he'd rather not take the risk. ]
[ Okay, so that startles a laugh from him. Nat had mentioned T'Challa's wry sense of humor when they'd been able to meet briefly in Wakanda before she'd had to run off somewhere again. It's nice to be able to catch a glimpse of that side of him, if only a little. ]
Skype's pretty awesome. [ Or at least, convenient. ] Might have to go that route, if one of your IT guys would be willing to help me keep things on the down low.
You don't need to go that far. Just someone to keep people from tracing the call would do.
[ He shrugs a little, sticking his hands in his pockets as they continue on.
There aren't a lot of people around, but the few who are glance at them surreptitiously as they pass. Sam does his best to pretend he doesn't notice. ]
What about you, though? How's being back home after [ he gestures vaguely ] everything?
[ That, of course, is child's play. All their transmissions are filtered and encrypted already — outside technology has been thoroughly examined. It's so curious, no one seems to go anywhere without their phone. ]
Wakanda mourns my father. It will be different here without him.
[ Sam knows, because grief comes in all shades but grows from the same tree. ]
I appreciate your concern, Mr. Wilson.
[ The man is a counsellor, and T'Challa doesn't expect to be able to fool him with what he's no doubt used to from many others. But a king has walls that are difficult to scale and impossible to break through. It must be so. ]
He had a long life, with no regrets. It is all one can ask for.
Just call me Sam. Even after all this time, being called "Mr. Wilson" makes me think I'm about to get into trouble.
[ He nods, quiet and contemplative. He can see the grief that T'Challa still wears, knows it'll take time for it to become easier to bear, but he's not here as a counselor.
[ That, of course, earns T'Challa a Look though it's clear that Sam's fighting back a grin. ]
Are you trying to rope me into something that'll earn me another lecture from Steve? I think the only reason why I didn't get one in the police car was because we'd just been taken into custody.
[ That gets him an unbelieving snort, but he does have to admit that His Majesty's got a damned good looking smile. (He'll just never admit it out loud.) ]
Oh, you say that now. Next thing you know, Steve's knocking on my door, after I call you something like King Kitty.
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Have you given thought to what you will do here?
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First on the agenda's finding some way to at least let my family know I'm still alive. They --
[ He takes a moment to rub at the back of his neck. ]
I already gave them a scare, back when the whole thing in DC went down. I don't want them to worry more than they'd have to even if I know it won't be the easiest thing to do.
[ Or the safest. He doesn't want to put them in harm's way, so if there's no way to contact them that outside forces won't be able to trace, then he'd rather not take the risk. ]
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Captain Rogers has requested burner phones. That is your best option.
[ A beat. ]
We do have Skype.
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Skype's pretty awesome. [ Or at least, convenient. ] Might have to go that route, if one of your IT guys would be willing to help me keep things on the down low.
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[ Truthfully the technology here far eclipses anything the man or his father envisioned: but T'Challa isn't interested in showing off. ]
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[ He shrugs a little, sticking his hands in his pockets as they continue on.
There aren't a lot of people around, but the few who are glance at them surreptitiously as they pass. Sam does his best to pretend he doesn't notice. ]
What about you, though? How's being back home after [ he gestures vaguely ] everything?
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Wakanda mourns my father. It will be different here without him.
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I'm sorry I wasn't able to meet him. He sounded like a really great guy. [ That's the understatement of the century, he's sure.
He hesitates a moment, unsure if it's really a good idea to speak up, but - ] It's hard, losing your dad, or anyone you love, really.
[ He knows that particular grief on an intimate level. ]
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I appreciate your concern, Mr. Wilson.
[ The man is a counsellor, and T'Challa doesn't expect to be able to fool him with what he's no doubt used to from many others. But a king has walls that are difficult to scale and impossible to break through. It must be so. ]
He had a long life, with no regrets. It is all one can ask for.
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[ He nods, quiet and contemplative. He can see the grief that T'Challa still wears, knows it'll take time for it to become easier to bear, but he's not here as a counselor.
Maybe though, he can be a friend. ]
I'm sure he'd be proud if he could see you now.
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[ Like it is a test. T'Challa nods after a moment, then his eyes twinkle. ]
I do not suppose you will adhere to "Your Majesty"?
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Are you trying to rope me into something that'll earn me another lecture from Steve? I think the only reason why I didn't get one in the police car was because we'd just been taken into custody.
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[ Complete innocence here 8) ]
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Oh, you say that now. Next thing you know, Steve's knocking on my door, after I call you something like King Kitty.
[ A pause. ]
Don't tell Steve I said that.
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Top Cat.
[ Look, if you're going with the cat puns, go big or go home. ]
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Tell the truth, how long were you waiting for someone to walk into that? Or did it take you a while to perfect that particular clap back?
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As you must realise, you walked into it quite willingly.
[ They're at the end of the corridor now, and T'Challa keeps heading for the small balcony, looking over the approach to the building. ]
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[ He blinks as a thought occurs to him. ]
God, I should keep Clint away from you. I'd never hear the end of all the cat and bird dad jokes he'll end up making.
[ Not that he wouldn't enjoy those, mind, but if Steve catches on to it, too, he'll be insufferable about the whole thing. ]
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[ Americans are weird, man. ]
And there are many ways you can occupy yourself.
[ Speaking of openings... ]
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Yeah. Best way to handle that is to just nip it in the bud.
[ And huh, back to the flirting, huh? His eyebrows arch up as he smiles. ]
Got any suggestions in particular?
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There is a jogging route around the statue you can see from the window.
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No one's going to come out of the blue to start lapping me while I'm on that trail, right?
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I can make no guarantees.
[ Congratulations, you are the only person in the world to know the King of Wakanda is going to really enjoy lapping you. ]
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You know, you can just admit that you're going to do it. I can already tell. You aren't fooling anyone, Your Catness.
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[ Maybe he will lap you exactly once how about that. ]
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