Here She Goes! 2.
Shuri examined the untied jade squares and pearls on the table. The only sign that the bracelet wasn't the original was its artificial shininess but some things had to be sacrificed.
Yemi was absolutely ecstatic, thanking Shuri over and over. She was also happy to help out with the lab's overdue cleaning to Shuri's embarrassment.
"I'm surprised you knew where to find the lab coats and safety goggles. Most people wouldn't think to look below the microwave."
Yemi continued cleaning a beaker out with soap and water at one of the sinks in the lab. Water drained down the stainless steel in a rush.
"Easy. You keep things in the same place as my mama."
She raised an eyebrow. "Hmm, so your mother works in a lab? Is she from Talokan too?"
"Yes, something like that," Yemi finished. She set the beaker down and started for the countertop. "Anyway, continue the story! What happened after you guys found Riri? She's not in my world to my knowledge. Some old dude is Ironman."
"Ironheart, I think is what she named herself." Shuri paused. "Well, to no surprise, the Talokan caught up to us rather violently. But I tried to negotiate for them not to harm her."
Yemi's eyes widened.
Answering her silent question, Shuri said, "I requested they take me to their king, Namor, and the big one Attuma obliged. Waking up in Talokan was a sight to see."
Despite her excitement for the story, Yemi looked confused.
Upon further inspection, Shuri noticed the girl's long eyelashes. If there was one thing people praised the Wakandan princess for, it was her genius intellect, golden sense of humor, of course, but then her long lashes. Naturally thick, black long eyelashes were a genetic trait passed down mainly through the royal family. It was very rare to see a non-family member with their type of lashes.
The girl frowned. "How can you call him that? What does Namor mean here? In my world, that name is horrible. It's reserved for his enemies." Horror flashed across her face. "You're a good guy, right?" She seemed to whisper.
Shuri could only roll her eyes. Of course, she was the villain in his story.
"I'm not his subject, so I won't call him Ku'uk'ulkan. Namor is the next closest thing," she said. This was the most Shuri was willing to reveal. Yemi would be back home soon. No need to judge her Namor for this Namor's actions.
Calling him that name seemed to hurt Yemi, so she fell silent.
There was a sizeable lull in the conversation now. Yemi quietly scrubbed away and Shuri, beyond herself, wanted the girl to talk to her again.
Shuri held her hands behind her back. Her 3D printer weaved another bracelet as a backup, creating the base of the jewelry. Only the whirring of the machine filled the room.
She coughed. "Yemi?"
"Hmm? I mean yes, ma—ma'am?"
Ma'am? She was still in her late twenties!
"You said I'm a mother figure to you. Am I a mother to anyone else in your world?"
"The best mama!" Yemi beamed. Those golden eyes were like the sunrise. "You've one girl as of now."
How did that make her feel? There was a Shuri somewhere that had a family, even if it had to be of her own making. Her lips were threatening to quiver into a smile.
"And what about your father?"
Yemi opened her mouth and then closed it. Clearly, she was picking the right words. "Ch'ah Toh."
Shuri frowned. She tried the name on her tongue. "Who is that? A Talokan man judging by the name, right?"
"Ask your Ku'uk'ulkan. He'll know that name in any universe." Satisfied with the cleaning she had done, Yemi put her wet rag down on the counter.
More questions were still swirling around in Shuri's head, but Yemi abruptly reached for the almost-finished bracelet.
"I wanted to talk more, Shuri, but it's getting late. I've to see Ku'uk'ulkan as soon as possible! I'm on a deadline."
"Why didn't you mention that before?"
Yemi groaned, pulling at her face. Instead of a vampire, her features appeared catlike from the expression.
"Because I've to be back by tomorrow!" Yemi's voice rose into a shriek. "But I've been having so much fun with you that I got distracted. Sometimes, I forget you can have fun. The you from my world is very strict."
Shuri placed a comforting hand on the younger girl's shoulder.
"All right, then let's get you to that fish man pronto … Little girl, did you just hiss at me?"
"Of course not, princess," Yemi said, rolling her eyes. Shuri gave her a playful shove and led her to the lab exit.
"Come on, pretty-eyed girl."
"Ha!" Yemi smiled tenderly. "You call me that in the other world too!"
"Huh? Great minds think alike."
Yemi swam closer to the bottom until she could see Talokan's city lights. Besides the difference in buildings and food stands, this Talokan was just as beautiful as her own.
Shuri had forced her to take a pair of kimoyo beads with her underwater, so she could contact her if need be. But she was always safe in his waters.
She maneuvered around families waiting to be served dinners, out-swam a group of annoying jellyfish, and returned the rubber ball a group of kids were playing with. Yemi was much more athletic than her mother was as a child. She played any game with a ball as much as she could find an opponent who wasn't a sore loser or too prideful.
Kicking the ball back to the children had made her lose her train of thought. She needed to find Ku'uk'ulkan, but she had no clue where his home was.
She had wondered what was he like here as well. Would he want an unwanted visitor? Shuri was tight-lipped about him, but he could tell they weren't on the best of terms.
"Oof!"
Yemi ricocheted against something strong. Bubble flew from her mouth at the impact.
She was deep into the city and had lost any sense of familiarity now. It was less populated here besides patrolling security and delivery people.
"Who are you?" A male voice startled her.
Even surrounded by so much water, her mouth went dry. She had literally run into him. He was dressed in an aquamarine cloak and a short gold sarong around his green shorts.
Wow, he had a beard and a noseplug in this version of the world. The rest was the same and could see strength, danger, and kindness in him all at once.
"I ... I'm Yemi." She introduced herself.
He grabbed her upper arm in a tight but not painful hold. Never had she seen him look at her like that before.
Like, he detected a threat.
She started then shut her mouth. "Ba—Ku'uk'ulkan, I'm one of your citizens but from the outskirts of Talokan."
"You'll do well not to lie to me. I know every child born here and the ones on the way. Who has sent you? The Americans?" Ku'uk'ulkan sneered. He stared at her. No surface dweller could survive without equipment yet she didn't turn blue.
His grip loosened and he traced a finger to her right triangular ear. Her ears were pierced with small purple jade earrings. She hugged her bag closer to her.
He touched his forehead to hers. His eyes closed in deep concentration then opened with genuine surprise.
"You're … you're like me," Namor said, close to a whisper. "Breath of land and sea."
"Not exactly. I didn't get the winged ankled," she joked weakly.
Hope brimmed in his eyes.
Yemi gently pushed away from him to stare up at his face.
"Ku'uk'ulkan, where I'm from you're like family to me. A father figure "
"And what is that in your hands?" He examined the bracelet in her hand. "Shu—So the Panther gave this to you? Did she send you here? You wear her beads also."
"Uh, more like borrowed."
Whatever connection they shared a moment ago vanished. Namor's face turned stormy.
Yemi swallowed hard. She had never been on the receiving end of his wrath. Ever! Annoyance and disappointment? Yes, but he looked genuinely angry. Would he hurt her? No. But he looked like he was hurting himself.
He chuckled with no humor. "How lightly she took my gift. If this is so insignificant to her, I could gift any jewel to meet her tastes."
"Why do you want to impress her?"
"You're mistaken."
"No, I'm not. Y'know ma—my princess Shuri valued that bracelet more than anything. It was grandma's after all," Yemi rambled on. "You should know these are just 3D copies. The real one? She guards it in a voice-activated lockbox with lasers and a set of trivia questions."
Namor said nothing but his eyes regarded her seriously.
"Her favorite color is purple though, so you could gift her an amethyst or a topaz gem." Deja vu flowed through Yemi in the form of a dull brain freeze. She had said this before. The time travel was starting to wear on her. She would need to be on her way soon.
He turned the unfinished bracelet in his hand."Your grandmother's bracelet? How could it be hers before my mother's? You're no older than a seventh swimming year."
Yemi bit her tongue. "Well, when I say grandma I mean it's been passed down from my great great great—"
His dark eyes stared her into silence. "It's the same. Transcribed on the back of the largest jade stone is ..."
"Ch'ah Toh," Yemi finished softly. She felt younger than fourteen now. More like eleven under his scrutinizing gaze, which turned softer.
He placed a hand on her chin. "Little one, how do you have this?"
She gulped. "Because I'm not from this world, I traveled here using my mother's invention."
Namor nodded. "Your visit has been ordained by Chaac."
Yemi sputtered. She wasn't expecting him to be so receptive.
"At my age, you realize there's more to life than what the natural eye can see. And your mother is Wakandan?"
"Well, my father is Talokan—"
Namor held up a hand with a knowing smile. "Already I realized I'm your father. But I need my theory confirmed. There are few women I'd consider for a partner—less alone to share a child with. Your mother?"
"Yes, she is," Yemi murmured. She could detect his longing.
His voice was full of sadness. "My dear Shuri. It certainly could've been different."
"It still can be! Whatever went wrong two need to fix it. Because I've seen the other side of it, and it's beautiful. And a little gross!" Yemi laughed.
He shook his head, smiling to himself.
"It's not that easy, little one."
She shrugged. "Then, make it that way! But whaddya I know I'm just fourteen."
Namor placed his hand in Yemi's leading her toward his lodging closer to the outskirts of the city.
"Enough. Let's get your rope, so you won't be worrying them anymore. If your Ch'ah Toh is anything like me, then he desperately wants his child returned."
"Yes, Ku'—yes, Baba! Can I have some extra ropes too? And a shark teeth headband too? Mama keeps saying I'm too young for it, but Aunty Namora had some even younger!"
He pressed a kiss to her forehead. Now, he was so much like her own father. Her baba always got everything she wanted!
Maybe this world would have its own Yemi soon? She wouldn't be here to find out, but she had an inclination it would happen.
This universe's Ku'uk'ulkan ushered her passed a woman who looked oddly like her aunt and a big guy she guessed was Attuma. No time for questions! He took her to his bedroom where he filled her bag with the jewelry she wanted. Including the shark teeth headband and a new Talokan dress!
"Go in peace, my precious stingray."
They shared a Talokan salute before she wrapped herself around him. No matter the universe she was his daughter, and she loved him. That's why she hated the name Namor so much. He would never be without love with her and Mama around.
After one more fleeting hug, Yemi prepared herself to leave.
How could her father figure it out almost instantly, but her genius of a mother was still oblivious? Glory to Hanuman, her mama was either dense or her baba was too clever!