The Sweetest Night Flower of Wakanda Chapter 10
T'Challa, Nakia, and Tamu descended the main stairwell together down to the floor where the bulk of the activity is.
In the meantime T'Challa had some questions for Nakia as they were doing so.
"The woman outside," he broached. "What trouble was she referring to?"
"I got into a disagreement with some ivory traders. Made a bit of a mess," said Nakia, somewhat embarrassed by her own screw up.
"And will there be any trouble tonight, Ms. Kenyan Heiress," jabbed T'Challa, slightly flirting with her, smirking as they reached the bottom step of the climb down.
"Depends…," said Nakia, shrugging, extracting her arm from T'Challa's, "on how quickly we finish the mission."
"Can we please focus," said Okoye, speaking to them through the shared coms they all were wearing that are interconnected.
Nakia then head off to the bar to scout and get a drink while T'Challa and Tamu circled the gaming tables.
"Thank you," said Okoye, seeing that her advisement was heeded.
T'Challa immediately went over to a station where they converted money to chips. This is a high rollers casino so the stakes were a lot. Judging by the big stack of cash T'Challa passed to the person doing the conversions he knees this. Tamu didn't have to worry about losing too much. All the betting would be done by him not her.
As they walked Tamu peeked at T'Challa from the corner of her eye fighting back a smile.
Without even looking at her, T'Challa said "Shut up."
That's when the short puff of laughter broke free, but she covered it up though her shoulders did shake a tiny amount afterwards.
Smiling at her, placing a hand over the one on his arm, T'Challa said "So, Sister, how do you like your first casino?"
Tamu had been trying to be subtle while looking at everything she could get her eyes on. She'd never been into a casino before.
"It's more crowded than I thought," admitted Tamu. "Are all casinos like this?"
"Like what," asked T'Challa.
"Some, but not all. Most are above ground and legal while others are kept more in darker circles. Those are the ones you need to keep clear of," said T'Challa.
"Right," said Tamu, nodding.
From where she was sitting at the bar drinking her whisky Nakia some people in the crowd. She didn't know them, but she recognized their demeanor and state of dress.
"Eyes up. Americans," said Nakia, under the guise of drinking. "I count three."
"Five," said Okoye, from her vantage point on the upper floor ring. "How could you miss Greased Lightning there behind you?"
"Six," whispered T'Challa, recognizing a familiar face and whom he immediately took to be the buyer down at one of the tables. "Just spotted an old friend who works for the C.I.A. It just got a little more complicated."
This old friend being one Agent Ross.
Agent Ross had spied T'Challa too. Not to put it too mildly, but he's definitely far from happy to see the King of Wakanda here. By the disbelieving expression on his face he certainly knew who and what T'Challa has come for.
Tilting her head in confusion, eyes darting from her brother to the man and then back again, Tamu said "T'Challa?"
"I met him during the Accords," said T'Challa, taking her over to Agent Ross with him, taking out some chips from his pocket for the craps table. "Follow my lead. We must treat this delicately."
T'Challa moved them into a spot beside Agent Ross. The man shifted a bit to allow them some room.
"Agent Ross," greeted T'Challa.
"Your Highness," returned Agent Ross.
Gesturing to Tamu, T'Challa said "Let me introduce my sister, Princess Tamu of Wakanda."
Nodding at him, Tamu said "Agent Ross."
Agent Ross then nodded back kissing the back of her hand as a gentleman would.
Tamu looked taken aback by that her cheeks gaining a little pink hue, but didn't protest.
Getting right down to business, T'Challa said "You are buying from Klaue.
T'Challa then placed a large amount of chips on the Don't Pass Bar box while Agent Ross placed his bet on the Pass Line spot.
"What I'm doing or not doing on behalf of the U.S. government is none of your concern. Now, whatever the hell you're up to, do me a favor, stay out of my way," said Agent Ross.
Incredulous, Tamu said "You gonna let him talk to you like that?"
Grinning at Tamu, T'Challa said "Why not? You do all the time."
If they weren't in public she would've boxed his ears for that.
Turning to face Agent Ross in her brother's defense, Tamu said "My brother is a king. He gave you Zemo."
"Tamu," said T'Challa, a warning tone in his voice as a message to her to let him handle this.
"Yes, he is. Didn't I keep it under wraps that the king of a third world country runs around in a bulletproof cat suit?"
"Don't you dare threaten him," said Tamu, eyes ablaze with fire.
Speaking to T'Challa now, Agent Ross said "I'd say you and I are even. You really need to leave, now."
"Klaue is leaving out that door with me. You've been warned," said T'Challa, patting Agent Ross on the back, heading with Tamu to a roulette table.
The person running the craps table called out the number of the dice after they were rolled, saying "Three, craps."
Exactly where T'Challa had placed his bet.
"Hey, you won," said Agent Ross, turning to tell T'Challa only to find him and his sister already gone.
An elderly gentleman, also, playing at the craps table saw this and decided to step in.
Moving T'Challa's winnings over to his side, the man (Stan Lee) said "You know what? I think I'll just take these, bring them on here and hold on for safekeeping."
Agent Ross smiled at the old man and then left the craps table to follow T'Challa and Tamu.
Speaking into a hidden communicator in his sleeve to speak to the rest of his agents, Agent Ross said "Okay, heads up. The King of Wakanda is here. He cannot leave with Klaue."
To get out of this they might have to reach a compromise with the King of Wakanda.
Agent Ross then went to T'Challa and Tamu.
"All right. Vibranium from the attack on Sokovia links back to a person that I'm not actually here to make a deal with, but that deal will not be called off. When the dust settles, you and me can work something out," said Agent Ross.
Shaking his head, firmly, T'Challa said "I'm not here to make a deal. Klaw and the vibranium come with me back to Wakanda. That is final. Come, Tamu."
T'Challa and Tamu then headed off to find a good position.
Sighing in exasperation, Agent Ross said "Well that went well."
Outside in the market four black sedans pulled up in front of Sophia. Out stepped Klaw and his men. Sophia and Klaw know each other. Klaw went over to give Sophia a kiss on the cheek and she granted them entrance no problem. The metal detectors went off when each one walked through revealing they had weapons hidden, but they weren't stopped.
Klaw and his men surveyed the casino instantly locating Agent Ross.
The Wakandan's saw him at exactly the same time.
Here we go.
Authors Note:
For those casino lovers out there like myself I'm a roulette type of girl. At the roulette station you always come away with something. Don't know about you guys, I can't stand the machines. Call me paranoid, but machines can be easily rigged. That's why I prefer the tables.
So I debated on it for a while. Tamu will be going with Okoye and Nakia in their car with the pursuit of Klaw. Having her go with T'Challa would be too dangerous.
