With everyone wanting to stop him and say hello, individually, it wasn't a big surprise that it took a while for Peter to actually reach the center of the village and the large structure that was there, waiting for him. Ned, too, was held up because he wanted to stop and talk with everyone that Peter did, and his cheerful nature was already winning him friends among the villagers, even without him being exotic and new.
Shuri and MJ were gathered around the central fire, talking with Jad, his wife, and several of his kin – as well as other ranking members of the village council. Azoru and his cousins were also there, having only stopped once or twice as opposed to how often Peter and Ned had, and Peter noticed that Jad's granddaughter Anise had found a place on one of the cushions next to Azoru.
He set his things on a cot that Jad's wife showed him and waited for Ned to claim the one next to it. There were also beds for the members of the Dora Milaje – although Chai and the other guides were nowhere to be seen.
"They have family here," Alec told the boy. "Or friends. They'll stay with them and enjoy their own mini holiday."
"Makes sense."
Peter approved, of course.
"What took you so long?" Shuri asked when he joined them at the fire, smiling a thank you when Jad's daughter in law handed him a cup of tea as an official refreshment.
Especially since he wouldn't have drunk the stuff, otherwise.
"We were stopped a few times," he told her – and the others.
"A ton of times," Ned corrected, seating himself next to MJ while Peter took the spot Shuri had saved next to her. "Your people are very friendly," he added to Jad. "I love it here already."
Ned didn't know that it was high praise, but Jad smiled, pleased at the compliment.
"They are pleased that you have included a visit as part of your itinerary," he told Ned – and the rest. "It is an honor."
"The honor is ours," Shuri assured him – and his council.
Peter wasn't the only one to nod their agreement to that and smiled because Jad's two youngest grandchildren were already seating themselves close at hand and he knew the moment he was finished with the usual greetings, he was going to have one – or both – in his lap. Or maybe in Ned's, since the two had met Ned when he'd come to Wakanda for Peter's celebration.
Introductions were made all around, for the benefit of those the newcomers, mostly.
"We were waiting for your arrival to serve our evening meal," Jad's wife told them, waving some of the younger household members to come forward to assist with serving. "Are you hungry?"
"Definitely."
"While we eat, perhaps you will tell us of your adventure, so far."
"Of course."
"We can show you pictures, too," Ned added, holding up his phone. "I've taken a million of them, so far."
OOOOOOOO
It was a little earlier than expected when Tony's phone buzzed, alerting him to an incoming call. Normally this would have elicited a scowl since he'd been in the middle of some tricky calculations, but a glance at the caller ID was all it took to make him smile. He looked at his watch, calculating the time zone difference, even as he answered the video call.
"Hey, son. Everything alright?"
He didn't expect there to be any issues, but it was Peter, after all, so he might as well make sure right off the bat.
The boy smiled and Tony could see in the background that he was inside. In a room that was much larger than the tent that he shared with Ned.
"Yeah. I just wanted to call and check in so you'd know that we made it to Jad's village alright."
"How was the trip?"
"It was good. We didn't see anything that made us want to stop and explore it, so we made good time getting here. We still have a few hours before dark, so we can go show MJ and Ned around before it gets too chilly out."
"That elephant didn't follow you?" Tony asked, only half joking.
Another smile.
"Not that I know of," he replied. "No sexy girl elephants in the area to make it want to, I guess."
"How are Jad and his family?"
"They're good. He said to tell you and Pepper hi."
"Tell him we said hello."
"I will."
"Need anything? Want me to send you some goats?"
"I'm good, thanks. You guys okay?"
"We're fine, son."
"Have you heard from Natasha and them?"
"They're heading back, tomorrow, and anticipate that they will be home before you guys are."
"They're okay?"
"She said they were."
"Okay."
"Nutmeg misses you."
Another smile.
"Yeah?"
"That's what he said."
"He misses me? Or you guys are tired of kitty sitting?"
"Same thing."
Peter chuckled, knowing there was some truth in that.
"We're going to spend the day in the village, tomorrow, and head back to the capitol the day after."
Tony knew the schedule by heart, of course, but he nodded.
"Make sure you pick up mom some good souvenirs."
"And everyone else, too," Peter assured him. "Even you."
"No live animals," the billionaire added. "We have enough, and I know Ned's mom doesn't have room for a goat."
"That's what she told him, last night," Peter said, smirking.
That made Tony smile, too.
"What did MJ's folks tell her?"
"They didn't even bring it up," he told his father. "I guess they don't expect her to do something dumb like that."
Tony laughed, but he knew Peter was probably right.
"Go have your look around, son," he said. "Tell everyone we say hi."
"I will. Tell mom I said I love her."
"I will."
Peter ended the call, but Tony didn't go back to his numbers.
"Friday? What's Pepper doing? Is she still in that conference call?"
"No. She is in her office writing an email."
"Thanks."
He set his tablet down and headed for the door. She'd want to know that Peter checked in, and even though it was still very early in their day, he'd see if she wanted to take a break.
OOOOOOOOOOOO
"Did you get ahold of him?"
Peter nodded, putting his phone away as Ned walked up to him. Jad's granddaughter was on his back, getting a piggy-back ride and laughing, happily, at being doted on by the newcomers.
"Yeah. He said to remind you we aren't allowed to bring any animals home with us."
Ned rolled his eyes.
"Little kids don't count, though, right?" he asked his friend, making Jad's granddaughter giggle when she realized that he meant her.
"I think they do," Peter disagreed, motioning the other child, who ran over and jumped into his arms to be swung onto Peter's back. "Besides," he added, grinning when Shuri came over to join them. "I'm way too young for that much responsibility."
"True."
"Are you ready?" Shuri asked.
"Just waiting on you and MJ," Ned replied before Peter could.
Shuri looked over at the fire. MJ was headed their direction, but she wasn't alone; Bartel was walking beside her, clearly planning to join them, as well – or unwilling to leave MJ to meet all the young men of the village without him there to make sure none made a better impression than he did. Azoru and Anise were still sitting at the fire talking to Jad and his wife, and Mavik was nowhere to be seen.
"Is he going to be a problem?" Ned asked, softly, directing the question to Shuri, who knew better than any of them how these things worked in Wakanda.
She smiled, amused to see Ned (and Peter) both ready to step up and defend MJ from any would be suitor.
"He will be very proper," she assured both boys, just as softly. No sense embarrassing Bartel, after all. "You will see."
Before there could be a response either way, MJ reached them, smiling to see the boys swarmed by little kids.
"Ready?"
"Yeah," Ned said. "Let's go."