It was cold the next morning, but none of them complained. The native Wakandans and Peter all knew that the hot African sun burned during the day but that the nights were cold for the lack of it when it went down, and Ned and MJ had learned that early on in their safari vacation. Instead, as they woke, they all reached immediately for sweatshirts or other warm clothes before even getting out of bed.

There was a large fire blazing in the middle of the tent and a few people were already around it when Peter walked over to greet them, yawning and rubbing his face, sleepily. Jad was quick to stand and greet him, officially, while the others who weren't the chief of the tribe were able to simply give him a smile or a nod.

"How did you sleep?"

"Very well, thank you."

The cots they'd been given weren't the permanent beds that the others used, but they were more comfortable than what they'd been using in the tents during the safari, so there weren't any complaints.

Jad's wife brought him a cup of tea.

"We will eat when the others are awake," she told him, smiling. "Would you like something to hold you over until then?"

"No. Thank you." Peter sat down easily, and turned his attention to his hosts. He'd been the guest often enough, now, that he knew what was expected of him, and it was no trial to show genuine interest when he spoke, next. "So tell me of your family," he requested. "How are they doing?"

Not all of Jad's kin lived in the village, as Peter knew. It was always polite to ask after them – and as the ranking member of the visiting tribe (and the only one awake, yet) it was his responsibility.

It was a good way to pass the time while they waited for the others to wake and start the day, and besides, Peter was interested.

OOOOOOOOOOO

It was almost thirty minutes before Shuri joined Peter, settling beside him and accepting a cup of tea with a smile. Ned and MJ had already joined the group by the fire, politely conversing while waiting for the rest, and Azoru and Anise were walking over from the outside. Close to each other but not hand in hand like Peter had almost expected.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," Ned said by way of greeting.

Shuri's smile widened at the informality. One didn't often call a princess such a name, after all – although she knew Ned did whenever he could. It was nice to be teased.

"Good morning."

"How did you sleep?" Peter asked.

"Very well." She smiled at Jad, as he was host. "It was very comfortable."

He was pleased and it showed.

"I am glad. We will have breakfast, now that you are awake and about, and then you are all free to spend the day doing whatever you would like."

This wasn't news to them; they'd had a similar conversation the evening before. Jad wanted his guests to enjoy themselves and with a bit of discussion with his wife and others he'd decided that they would have more fun if they didn't have a set schedule that day. He decided that his own people would enjoy it, as well, if the visitors were able to just go amongst them and spend time with them.

"Sounds like a good time," Peter said.

"Will we be able to do any business with your people?" MJ asked. "Peter brought home some vests when he was here, and they were amazing. He said that he got them, here, and I'd like one."

The older man nodded.

"Of course! If you find something you are interested in and the person you want to discuss it with does not speak your language, feel free to come to one of my elders – or myself – and we will facilitate a bargaining."

"Thank you."

OOOOOOOOOOOO

"Peter! Look at this!"

Peter stopped and turned, watching Ned trot up to him, holding a small wooden item in his hand. A quick nudge from the mind stone told him that it was a whistle, but he smiled at his friend's excitement as he took it.

"What is it?"

"Bird call."

The boy frowned, looking at it, and then handed it to Shuri to examine, even as a couple of teenaged boys walked over – clearly the ones that had possessed the whistle in the first place.

"What kind of birds?" Shuri asked, curiously, turning it over in her hand and checking it out with interest.

"All kinds."

"All Wakandan kinds?"

Ned grinned.

"Yeah." He gestured to a young boy who had walked up with him. "Lanar gave it to me."

"I made it," the boy told him, grinning cheerfully. He was obviously pleased at how well received the whistle was. "This morning."

"It is very nice," Shuri said, nodding her approval and handing it back to Ned.

"He said I can have it," Ned said – also looking pleased. "That's pretty cool, huh?"

"It is," Shuri agreed.

"Can I try it?" Peter asked, interested.

"Yeah. Of course."

Peter blew into it, producing a clear tweeting noise. To his surprise a small bird came soaring in making an echoing noise and landed on an overhanging branch. Followed by another.

"That's cool…" Ned said – again. Now he looked impressed.

"Yeah it is."

"Try it a different way," the younger boy said, taking it from Peter and turning it, slightly, before blowing into it in a soft series of tweets that were similar – but not completely like – the first one. Sure enough, a few more birds flew in – although they were smaller and brighter than the first bird, who was still hanging around. "See?"

The boy was clearly proud of how well the whistle worked, but not at all surprised.

"Very impressive," Shuri told the boy. "Have you made many of these?"

"A few. They are not difficult."

"Would you make me one?" she asked.

He looked shocked.

"You want one?"

"I want to commission one," Shuri corrected, smiling. "The palace gardens are bright and vibrant with color and some birdsong. I would like a way to coax more birds into the area and then have the gardeners lay down seed and provide stable structures where they may nest and have year-round enjoyment of them. Your whistle would be perfect for that, I think."

"I could give you one."

"That is very generous," the princess told him. "But you have already gifted one to Ned." She smiled, warmly. "A true artisan must remember to sell a few of his pieces. To make sure that he can afford the materials needed to make more."

"And to get some exposure," Peter added. "Ned's going to take his home, with us. Shuri would take yours to the capital. Where many others might see it and want one. Better start thinking about what you'd sell them for."

The boy hesitated, looking uncertain as he handed the whistle back to Ned.

"How much should I sell them for?"

Peter shrugged.

"I think you should ask other craftsmen," he said, hiding his cheer at the way the young man's shoulders squared at being grouped with the word craftsman. "They would have a better idea of what something like that would be worth."

"Once you decide, then you may tell me what I will owe you for the bird caller," Shuri told him, her expression telling Peter that she hadn't missed the way he'd straightened, either. "But will you be able to have it completed before I leave, tomorrow?"

"Of course, princess." He grinned, excitedly. "I'll make it right away."

"Thank you, Lanar."

The boy took off with a run and Ned smirked.

"I think there's going to be a run on those little whistles."

Shuri nodded, pleased.

"The Jabari are well known for their craftsmen." She took the whistle from Ned. "I do wonder one thing, though," she said, blowing lightly into it and shaking her head in amazement when more little birds flew over in response.

"What's that?"

"What do you plan on doing with a whistle that only calls African birds?"

Ned shrugged.

"I don't know. But it's cool. Maybe it'll attract pigeons, or something, too."

"Perhaps."

"Come on," Peter said as Ned pocketed his new gift. "Let's find the others and have lunch. I'm starving."

"We can see if Bartel has finally made his move," Ned told them.

"He'd better not."

Ned smirked, tossing a look at Shuri when Peter wasn't looking. Peter wasn't dating MJ anymore, but he was definitely planning on looking out for her. A big brother vibe that Ned knew his friend had never really had a chance to explore, before.

It was fun to see, really. Especially since there wasn't too much concern that the Jabari noble would be dumb enough to risk his honor doing something inappropriate.

Or his hide, since by now everyone knew that Peter was a bad ass.