33. Unexpected
Shuri made a mad dash to her room. Namor was visiting this week as a part of their co-parenting arrangement, but she had to get to him first.
She saw her bedroom door slightly open, knowing he had gotten to their son before her. She cringed. Who knew what type of advice he was giving their son? To burn the world? Kill his opposition? Poison his enemies?
Peeking through the door, she saw their son Amari sitting on Namor's lap, a streak of tears drying on his chubby cheeks.
"So, the children at your Wakandan school are making you feel sad about your ears?" Namor asked softly. "Did you not like your ears before?"
Amari sniffled and rubbed at his eyes. "No, I liked them before. They made me look like you."
"But now, their comments are breeding insecurity in you." At the boy's confused look, Namor simplified it. "They're making you feel sad about something you used to like."
He hugged Amari closer to him.
"I cannot tell you that the comments won't hurt anymore. But precious child, you can always vent to me. We can't change how others view us, but we can be proud of ourselves."
Shuri felt stunned. Of course, she didn't think Namor was an unintelligent man, but his methods could be violent. It just shocked her that he wasn't speaking of bloodshed. It was always harder for her to reconcile his moments of humanity.
"I know, Baba." Amari murmured looking down at his feet. "But I think I'm going to start wearing a hat to school."
A look of hurt flashed upon Namor's features before he kissed his son's forehead. "Do what you feel you must, but there's nothing wrong with you. Soon, you'll see this."
Amari hugged his father's brawny arm, and Shuri felt herself smile at the heartwarming scene.
"Mother of Amari, how long will you lean your ear against the door?" Namor called, knowingly. He hadn't seen her, but those ears of his could hear everything.
"I heard Mama too!" Amari declared, finally smiling. He didn't have his father's piercing eyes. Instead, his were innocent and round like gumballs.
"See, son. One of the benefits of these ears." Namor playfully pulled at the tip of Amari's ear.
Shuri ushered herself into the room, giving Amari a hug.
"Go wash up for bedtime. I need to speak to your father."
The little boy left to be accompanied by a Dora to his room.
"Queen, you have arrived," Namor said simply, crossing his leg. He had made a habit of floating through her bedroom window instead of entering through the palace entrance if only to avoid the more hostile looks from Wakandans. Well, it was his own fault.
Shuri pulled out a chair to sit on. "I'm not a queen."
"Yes, you still let that man rule in your place."
Shuri rolled her eyes. They had this conversation before, so she knew the typical beats. M'Baku was fine to lead as she had no desire to rule.
"Well, enough of that. I was surprised at how you comforted Amari."
His eyes were hard. "Why? You think me a monster incapable of emotion?"
She frowned. "No, I know you have emotions, and they're the very thing that drives you to reckless, permanent decisions. My hope is that Amari will lean more to logic than violence."
"A good leader knows how to balance their logic with feelings," Namor said, gently. "When we're driven too strongly to one side, we make poor decisions. I'm not immune to that."
Shuri squinted her eyes. If he was trying to apologize in a covert way, he was going to have to be more obvious. And grovel. And beg. And most likely die without her forgiveness.
"You're no stranger to horrid, poor decisions." She started. "But I can say you're a good father."
And he was.
34. Her Ways
As Shuri finished speaking, Queen Ramonda's smile was so bright and full. She looked refreshed ever since Shuri and Riri had returned safely to Wakanda.
Shuri was pleased to have good news to report in the royal court. She often avoided Wakandan politics like the plague, but she knew she had to put the elders' concerns about Namor to rest.
"Shuri, how did you do it?" One elder asked. "This is a man who wanted to wage war on all surface nations. He even threatened to flood Wakanda and boasted of his multitude of warriors."
"I simply convinced him," Shuri said carefully. She was dressed as fancy as her mother with dark mascara, a gold necklace, and a long flowing black dress. For the special occasion, she was even wearing a lovely Wakanda headwrap. "I told him my point of view and swore to protect the scientist Riri. I've corrupted all digital copies of Riri's blueprints in any cloud or computer possible. No outsiders will be getting vibranium today."
Ramonda clapped, fighting the urge to hug her daughter in court. "My bright daughter. Surely, you're a shining star for Wakanda. We should set a day in your honor. Elders, thoughts?"
There were some murmurs of about scheduling a feast and a festival for her, but Shuri waved them off. She would do anything for her country no reward needed.
The River tribe elder looked confused. "Yes, Bast bless her. A holiday would be the least to do for her preventing an all-out war. But I still cannot comprehend. This isn't a man that could be reasoned with. Princess, no offense, but you don't have ample political experience. I don't know how thoroughly you convinced him."
"Thank you, elder. But I've been trained in political negotiations since I was a child." Shuri pulled at her neckline, making sure it was covered. With so many eyes on her, she wanted nothing exposed.
"And how many times have you had to actually use that in practice?" The Merchant tribe elder asked.
M'Baku narrowed his eyes at her, in deep focus. "What did you promise him? There was an exchange, wasn't there?"
"No, I negotiated with him. And he accepted, agreeing to further formal negotiations with Wakanda as well. He'll be coming here as a guest soon. He's found a way to clear our reputation, so I'm eager to hear it."
"Yes, whatever you promised was favorable for Wakanda. There's been an abundance of fish at our shore every day. Some of them are very rare. We'll have no need for fishermen soon with the way fish are jumping into nets willingly. Gifts from your fish man?"
Despite the twitch of her hands, Shuri gave a small smile. She could feel two pairs of eyes staring holes into her. It was making her feel warm and uncomfortable. Stealing a glance from her peripheral view, she could see Nakia and Okoye's steady gazes.
"He's not my 'fish man,' M'Baku. But I wouldn't be surprised if his people were helping bring fish to the shore."
"I'd think so as well. Very precisely rain has replenished the drier parts of Wakanda, and we have had sunny days this whole week for ambassador Ngozi's festival."
Shuri raised her eyebrows. "You think he has somehow controlled the weather?"
"The man has wings at his ankles. Impossibility is his realm."
"Well, how fortunate for us, then," was Shuri's clipped reply. "But that's all I have to report back."
The Border tribe elder wasn't soothed. He stood up with a stern expression. "We need to know the details of this negotiation. How do we know that the princess hasn't doomed us to an unfavorable agreement? Or a promise she cannot fulfill. Her youth may have clouded her judgment."
Shuri gripped the arms of her chair tightly. Her mother frowned, ready to speak for her. But she wouldn't be chastised like this.
"Dearest elder, you can have full confidence that I'm intelligent enough to weigh the consequences of any action. In the event, I don't know something I'm aware of how to ask for help from knowledgeable elders such as Marwa or M'Baku." Shuri saw his frown; her slight wasn't lost on him. "With the intelligence Bast and my mother gave me, I knew how to make Namor comply. And where he was most susceptible. Trust in my abilities."
"Princess…" Nakia murmured worried but proud she had put the Border tribe elder in his place.
He scoffed at how she had saved them. "I simply don't believe you, princess. If that's heresy, then so be it. You don't have the skills."
Shuri could hold her anger no more. Ever since her mother had taken the throne, the Border tribe elder was the most divisive. Always a complaint in his mouth. He especially scrutinized her for not doing more to fill T'Challa's place. He had been one of the more vocal detractors shaming her for making her mother have to rule instead of stepping up. Her contributions as a scientist weren't enough for him. Maybe he felt someone else was more worthy of her birthright?
"I've bought peace to both nations! Do not question me! I'm your princess," Shuri practically roared. The first and probably only time she would wield her royal status as a weapon.
Queen Ramonda nodded at her.
Her mother raised a hand, expertly controlling the room. "I do trust my daughter's abilities. I hope in time the Border tribe will as well. We'll learn more of Wakanda's role in this, but for now, we must begin preparations for Ambassador Ngozi's arrival."
Shuri exhaled. Well, she had survived court for the day. Already she wanted to venture back into her lab.
Once the Dora Milaje had ushered everyone out, Nakia and Okoye doubled back to corner her.
"Queen Mother may be oblivious to it. But how did you really convince Namor?" Nakia asked once again, eyeing her as intensely as Namor would have.
Under their gaze, she felt like a little girl getting in trouble. But she squared her shoulders and spoke calmly. "I talked to him nicely when he was in a good mood."
Okoye gave a shout of surprise. "Aye! Aye! Oh no, no."
"Mmhmm," Nakia agreed accusatorily. She placed a hand on her forehead. "Not our little princess! Shuri!"
Shuri asked, panicked. "What? What do you think?"
"The fish man is the typical man despite those wings." Okoye shook her head.
"Shuri, while we're so grateful for your … sacrifice? Or perhaps it wasn't … Eeeewwwww. Bast, I can't do it. This girl is like my sister. I don't want to think of that." Nakia childishly screamed.
Oh, they knew, Shuri thought. She could feel a little embarrassment creep into her features.
"How?" Shuri asked incredulously, looking at her sister figures.
Nakia sighed, the smallest of smiles coming to her. "Usisi, please. I know you. And besides, I was a war dog. Don't think I don't know the ways of seduction either. It's often the most peaceful method as many men cannot guard their loins and their minds at the same time."
Despite the awkwardness of it, Shuri couldn't fight her giggles. "I…I just knew during pillow talk with his mind in a haze he would be more reasonable. We had an honest talk. If anything goes wrong, he may still try to kill Riri, but nothing will. We have the upper hand now. I almost couldn't believe he let us go and escorted us back himself." Her voice became softer. "Namor isn't a villain, but he makes himself a monster for Talokan."
Okoye frowned. "Princess, that man hasn't changed."
"Pfft, I know that. But I stopped the attack on Riri's life. And it wasn't a difficult ordeal either," Shuri said, rolling her eyes. Okoye made a gagging sound. It was a little easier to tell them as opposed to her mother for obvious reasons. It was like twisted, political girl talk.
"I don't doubt he has his charms. But Shuri, what Okoye is trying to say is: if you start the precedent that you'll sleep with him to reign back his ruthless methods, you'll have to continue this. The next time he wants to kill someone will you beckon him to your bed also?"
Playing oblivious, Shuri tilted her head. "Of course. Is that so bad?"
"Shuri!" They hissed in horror.
"You two, stop. I made my decision then, and I don't regret it. That man is unbearably soft and dangerous at the same time. Anyway, the formal negotiations will be between him and Mama." Shuri laughed. "This type of method should be used sparingly to keep its effectiveness."
She could tell they wanted to say more, especially Okoye who was repulsed by Namor, but she strutted away.
"Oh yeah, Wakanda forever!" Shuri said, still laughing.
34. inspired entirely by this tweet: twitter dot com /simsimmaaz/status/1596935395295780865