Lots of things to look forwards to, that's for sure.
Chapter 193: New Titles
Somewhere in Indonesia - 17:19 PM
Imanu thought he made the mistake of sleeping on the flight, especially since it was only himself and King T'Challa. There weren't even any aids or members of the Dora Milaje. King T'Challa flew them there himself.
Imanu awoke when they landed and he had no idea where they were until King T'Challa walked him outside and said so.
Indonesia.
They walk through a rural marketplace, cruising through aisles of produce stalls, baskets, and hanging racks. Chilled fish trays are by the water as the vendors scream prices and haggle them with customers. Bins of different spices, colourful scarves and shawls are on display.
People look at them as they pass. They didn't look like everyone else and were dressed in casual wear, not meant to blend in. Imanu isn't sure about the diplomatic business they're doing here unless King T'Challa wanted to go grocery shopping where nobody would recognize them.
"I just wanted to talk without our wives listening in," T'Challa tells him as they stop by the water.
"Ah," Imanu says.
So the diplomatic business story was a cover. Still, making the effort to fly across the ocean for a conversation that nobody else could hear doesn't put Imanu at ease. Either way, he isn't sure he's ever heard his father-in-law actively address Iqadi as Imanu's wife rather than his own daughter. It sounds nice to him but could be a trap.
"I've been thinking about you ever since Iqadi told me about your involvement in her contingency plans," T'Challa continues. "You can imagine I was surprised for many reasons. My wife doesn't know mine nor do I ever want her to, and Iqadi not only showed you hers when you were a suitor but you assisted her. Imagine she chose another suitor and you knew that information."
Imanu nods. His mouth dries despite already knowing this. It's still chilling to hear that secret come to the surface, even more so now learning that King T'Challa kept it on his mind. Imanu doesn't want to know what else King T'Challa found out … especially about the Black Panther suit.
"Iqadi told me about what you did when the throne was seized and the Mound exploded," T'Challa continues.
"What did she say?" Imanu questions, praying to the Panther God she didn't mention the suit.
"She told me more about you in that conversation than I've gotten from you yourself in the eight years I've known you. She told me how you kept her calm, how you got out of the Mound from the bottom, and how you stopped her from massacring our intruders."
Imanu clears his throat. "Did she?"
"Then she bragged about how much of an expert you are regarding the mines, how experienced you are with vibranium and its schematics. She got lost in describing how you understand the schematics and had her track wind patterns so you could locate where you were facing and find the nearest exit." He smiles to himself. "I swear I've never seen or heard my daughter speak with such animation, much less when it involves the Mound."
Imanu's cheeks redden and he knows King T'Challa noticed because he smirked. He'd rather his father-in-law know about the Panther suit rather than have this conversation.
"So I have a new plan for you," King T'Challa says.
Imanu looks up at him with wide eyes. This is when he dies. "Plan?"
"I'm appointing you to be The Great Mound's royal representative."
Imanu pauses. Did he already die? "Excuse me, Your Majesty, but what? Are you sure?"
"I'm offended you're asking." He puts a hand on Imanu's shoulder which causes him to jump a little. "The role was recently vacated following the Mound's explosion and you know I can never ask my wife or daughter to deputize that position until I find a replacement. Besides, my daughter speaks so highly of you that I finally understand and you're already supervising the repairs until operations are restored."
"Uh…" Imanu hesitates. He has no idea what's happening.
"I first thought to make you the deputy but I decided to give you the role. You're more than qualified and have more experience than anyone I was eyeing."
"Wow…" Imanu says once it settles. Still unbelievable. "Sir, I don't - I can't."
"You have no choice."
Imanu laughs a little. "That's more like it."
-o-
Stark Towers - 13:21 PM
Emily cheers as she pops a champagne bottle and pours it into three glasses. Once filled, Daniel and James take theirs as Emily puts down the bottle to hold her glass.
"To the new Dr. Pym," Daniel says, raising his glass.
"To Redneck Florida," Emily adds with a smile.
James laughs as they cheer and sip their champagne. After he got his Ph.D. from the board, he imagined he would shake their hands and act like a professional but he didn't do that at all. The moment one of the members called him Dr. Pym for the first time, he started crying. Then he thanked the members and shook their hands before walking outside. His parents and Angela saw the tears and thought he failed. His father was ready to throw hands, ants, and scream at the board.
"So, how does it feel to have it finally completed?" Emily asks.
James sighs. "Honestly, it feels great. Now I know why you two went through it multiple times."
Daniel gives him a face. "Yes, that's exactly why I got three of them."
"Humblebrag, Dr. Banner, don't forget the Masters." James takes out his phone. "And I got my first role where I can show off my new title."
James pulls up the messages to show Emily and Daniel. Once they finish reading scrolling and reading, they burst out laughing and refill their champagne glasses. James grins as he puts his phone away, greatly expecting that reaction since Angela nearly cried laughing.
"It'll be fun this time," James says, not even believing himself, "I promise."
-o-
Somewhere in San Francisco - 10:55 AM
Blake's mother and sisters haven't stopped texting him since Brooke sent that photo of him and Merida. He didn't complain when he got the photo since it was their only intentional one. He's aware of the pictures snapped of himself and Merida at Emily and Daniel's wedding but those were candid. Merida and Blake were never looking at the camera and they were always zoomed in or taken at awkward angles. In Brooke's photo, despite Blake faking a smile to hide the thoughts of killing Brooke for this later, Merida purposely linked arms with him and smiled so bright she was nearly glowing (which allowed Brooke to live to send the photo since he would never see Merida look like that again).
But now that Brooke went back to Stanford, Blake and Merida left his apartment and were walking through his neighbourhood. He found it cute that she was fascinated by the boats in the pier and then delved into a story where Angela broke her arm at a pier that somehow resulted in Merida engaging in a car chase with SHIELD. As much as he loves Merida and hearing her talk about anything, there's something that's been gnawing at him since he asked to be Merida's boyfriend at the airport before leaving New York.
"So…" Blake mutters. "How is - how is all this going to work? Because I really want it to."
Merida hesitates before shrugging. "I do too. I have a weird job that works on its own schedule. I could even be called now if they needed me."
"So I've heard."
Merida nudges him. It's not like they nearly fell into a shark tank a little over a week ago. They'll have the tattoos to remind them for the rest of their lives.
"I've never done a long-distance relationship before," Blake admits, "and you've never been in a relationship before. I don't want to fuck this up."
"Then don't," Merida states, "easy as that."
Blake blinks. How could she be so blunt yet so smart? "What?"
"You don't do anything stupid to affect this and I won't either," Merida nods to make sure he understands, "and I'll follow. You don't have to send me good morning or good night texts because I don't need those to make it through the day or the night, and we have a time difference so it doesn't matter to me. Call me whenever, preferably during work hours because it gets me out of debriefings, cleric work, or training cadets. I'll call you and pretend it's business so you can avoid your stupid co-workers and editor. It'll be fun."
Blake can't believe he has this remarkable woman as his girlfriend. "Gotcha. Speaking of this relationship, are you a hand-holding type?"
Merida laughs. "You know damn well that I haven't held anyone's hand."
Blake stops walking and holds out his arm, opening and closing his hand for her to get the message. Merida looks at him and his hand skeptically. She figures she might as well try and see for the best. She already smiled for a photo to annoy him so she had nothing to lose now.
Merida takes his hand and interlocks their fingers. She stares at it for a bit and Blake can tell by the way she's looking at it and turning their hands at every possible angle that she thinks it's the weirdest thing she's ever experienced.
But at least she doesn't let go.
-o-
Asgard
"I wasn't expecting to see you here," Freya says.
She was heading to her room in the palace but stopped when she saw Sigyn walking through the hallway. Last time she saw Sigyn was at Emily and Daniel's wedding where she decided to stay on Midgard for a bit. She notices that Sigyn is wearing a black Midgardian exercise jacket with dark purple accents, cropped exercise leggings, and navy converses. Her golden hair is tied in a ponytail and cascades down to the space between her shoulder blades. Freya isn't the last time she saw Sigyn so happy but she was thrilled for her.
"I just thought I'd stop by," Sigyn says. "I just saw Apollo, Thor, and Jane so I went looking for you."
"Ah…" Freya mutters. "Did Apollo say anything?"
Sigyn blinks. "Was he supposed to?"
"Nope."
Could the daughter of lies possibly spot one?
Freya is relieved Apollo didn't bring up his proposal to Sigyn or else Sigyn would've wanted to talk about it. It's not that Freya didn't want to talk about it because she did. She really wanted to. Ever since their canoe ride, she's been avoiding him and he hasn't done much to talk to her either. She doesn't think their friendship is ruined but … was it even a friendship? Freya would've preferred someone who didn't have an eye on her and Apollo, especially Sigyn who would wonder what's wrong with her. Maybe she'd talk to Sigyn about it eventually, when she couldn't find anyone else, but she didn't want to damper Sigyn's mood or ruin whatever she had going on since nobody dresses like that unless they had plans. Besides, why else would she drop by?
"So, where are you heading?" Freya asks to change the topic.
"Xavier's taking me to Camp SHIELD," Sigyn says. "It's basically orientation for the new cadets in the Academy in the middle of nowhere."
Freya grins, nudging her. "So he's taking you to a secluded campsite as a chance for you two to fix things with each other?"
"No. He's in charge of Operations there and asked me to join." Sigyn blushes. "We're fine. You saw us at Stark's wedding. We're good."
"You're fine because you still love each other but you're still longing for the couple you were before Ragnarök and the Academy."
Sigyn stares at her. "Okay, true. For future reference, don't say those two things in the same sentence."
Freya laughs. "Noted, my apologies. Be sure to visit afterwards and tell me about it."
"Are you sure you're fine?" Sigyn asks. "You seem off. Should I not go to Camp or go later? Xavier wanted to take me but I could just pop in. Did Apollo say something? Do I have to beat him up?"
"No, no!" Freya exclaims. "Apollo's great. He's - he's - he's figuring things out."
Sigyn looks at her skeptically. "I swear, Freya, if anything happens-"
"Have fun at Camp," Freya insists. "You deserve it."
Awkward Blake and Merida is something I live for.
So for James' new role … think Year Three of SA and something else happening now in this story.