10647/The Suit Makes The Panther

The Suit Makes The Panther
Date of Scene:	03 April 2022
Location:	Birnin Zana - Wakanda
Synopsis:	Tara learns a little more of Black Panther's views of Wakanda and the world.
Cast of Characters:	T'Challa, Tara Tsabedze

---

T'Challa has posed:
Near the main marketplace in Birnin Zana, a small procession moves along. It attracts the attention of every Wakandan in the vicinity, citizens stopping what they're in the middle of to salute their King. T'Challa strides ahead, in full Black Panther habit, with a group of four Dora Milaje flanking him from behind. It was a hunt day for some of the youths training to be warriors - word had spread quickly of this - and they follow behind their escorts, in animated conversation about the most exciting moments that caused the adrenaline to rush.

The Black Panther himself returns brief salutes of his own, kept to a general sense given how many people pay attention to the path he makes, and a couple times see him pausing for a moment of quiet conversation with someone. The procession pauses near the marketplace, at which point the King sends one of the Dora Milaje ahead for a chat with one of the food vendors. The day's catches are toted along as a way of showing the success of the trainees.

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
It was a beautiful day, allowing Tara the rare opportunity to merely relax and watch the people of Wakanda. After what happened her last visit however, she had chosen today to wear a white cloak with deep hood up over her head, and keep to the shadows between the buildings. When she finds the perfect central location near the market, on the roof of a shorter building, she perches there to watch people coming and going, living their lives, unaware of her presence.

As the procession appears, with the Black Panther right there in the lead, her attention is immediately drawn. Even at the distance she is, her feline ears can pick up bits and pieces of conversation, and the excited vibration in the air is hard to miss. Their King, the Black Panther, had returned from hunting and training young warriors, victorious in their hunt.

Watching the way the people reacted and acted around him brought a smile to her lips, they loved and respected him, more so than she had seen with other Kings and Queens in the world. Her eyes shift momentarily to the trainees, they way they showed their their success, the language of pride in the way their bodies moved... it had been a good day.

T'Challa has posed:
The catches are brought over to the vendors, then distributed amongst them in order to be prepared and cooked. No money appears to be given in exchange. A gift, then, it would appear.

Black Panther gestures for the trainees, some half-dozen of them, to approach and they are thanked by the vendors before he gathers them closer to hear any last thoughts they have about what they learned on this day, ways in which they feel they grew, and things of that nature before they are sent back to their homes.

A pair of Dora Milaje also depart at this time, leaving the other two to watch over the area from places that give good views of the area. The King watches as two eager children, one a boy, one a girl, rush up seeking his attention. They receive it in the form of a crouch and a hand at a shoulder, the other atop a head. Their questions come in rapid-fire, some to be expected of children, others of a more precocious nature. The man, with his masked face, handles them with charm and good humor before he touches his left wrist to theirs, and when they touch their kimoyo beads they see an image of the King himself take shape, in miniature. This results in 'ooohs' and 'ahhhs' from them.

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
The trainees receive their thanks, and this is when Tara moves to the side of the building to jump down, landing easily on the ground in the space between the two buildings. She emerges from that ally just in time to watch the Black Panther with the children, and hearing their questions almost makes her laugh. Children were the same no matter where they came from, always filled with wonder, always ready to ask questions, and eager to learn. Keeping the hood up over her head, she mingles in with the people, their attention mostly on the King made it easier to move through, and only when she reaches the edge of the crowd does she reach up and push the hood back off her head.

"It would seem you had a good day," she offers more toward the trainees than the King... sneaking up on the king would be a very bad thing to do, even if she could handle herself. No need to have the Dora Milaje attack and lose to her in front of everyone, that's just rude.

T'Challa has posed:
And that's if she even could sneak up on him, with his senses as they are. Tara is given enough of a chance to observe the King in action, though it is the kind of action he is looked to by others to show: that of a benevolent man, not someone who is too good to acknowledge them.

A few of the trainees glance toward Tara before they stop and stare, for they have figured out by now that she is a little..unique. Their affirmation of her words comes swiftly before they finish their departures, the children running along as well even if they are also fascinated, the boy calling her a 'big panther.'

T'Challa crosses his arms lightly, and he is left to comment, "Days like this one, I am reminded of when I was in their position. An education comes in many different forms." She is studied from behind the mask.

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
The white cloak like robe covers her clothing, leaving her dark fur and black braids to stand out. There is a little adornment of gold, or what looks like gold, at the top of each braid along the frame of her face, other wise the braids are loose and free for a change. Her ears stick up from the top of her head through the braids, one turned toward the crowd, the other aimed toward the Black Panther.

"Education, no matter the form, is key to learning what we are capable of, and what might be beyond our reach," she offers back, a smile playing on her lips. She makes no attempt to move any closer, at least not yet. "Did you spend much time, as a child, hunting?"

T'Challa has posed:
T'Challa strikes a regal figure, for a King that goes around in a supersuit. There is just a way he carries himself, befitting of the mantle.

"I spent time as a child learning and doing many things. Hunting was but one of them. As you can see, they did well for themselves and now the animals they killed will not go to waste," he explains, canting his head toward her visibly. "And what brings you around?"

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
One step is taken, closer to the king but also to see better what was hunted and brought in. The idea of group hunting to share with the city wasn't unheard of, most tribes did it that way, but Wakanda was huge compared to a tribe.

"Will the meat be sold?" she asks, turning her amber eyes back to the king and taking one step toward him. "Or is it shared with all who are here presently?"

That question has been nagging at her mind for a bit, now that it was asked she could turn her attention more on the Black Panther. The suit was impressive, there was no denying that, but somewhere in the back of her mind she remembered a time that the Black Panther didn't wear anything like that at all. It was long ago of course, but it played through her mind as she admired the shape of his body in a suit that left very little to the imagination. Very slowly her eyes move down his body, taking in each and every line and curve, before they slowly move back up to his masked face.

"As King," she finally says with a playful smile, trying to be careful what and how she says thing with so many of his subjects around. "I would expect that you have been educated in a great many things that most would not dream of bothering to learn about these days. If you had not been, I would be forced to wonder what you /did/ spend your childhood doing."

That was clean, safe, no risk of embarrassing him in front of his people. "I find comfort in being in Africa, and more so in watching your people going about their tasks in their lives," she offers in answer to his question. "To say much more than that at this time would be inappropriate."

T'Challa has posed:
"It will be shared," Black Panther states, a hand sweeping around to draw her attention toward the others. "Unlike other countries, we do not have an epidemic of the homeless. We do not leave anyone to fend for themselves while turning a blind eye to various needs. You can learn much about a nation when you consider how the people treat those who are not as well off as they are." It his his way of explaining Wakanda's advanced place in the world, as far as he is concerned.

He walks, expecting her to fall into step with him, but if she delays any it will allow a further visual inspection. "Yes, I was tasked with learning about as many different things as I could, and my thirst for that knowledge has never fully been quenched. A fool is the man who believes he has learned all there is to know." As for her talk of what would be appropriate or not, there is a hint of an amused sound from behind the mask.

"I feel most at ease around my fellow Wakandans," he agrees. "But as we have discussed, there are responsibilities I have that now go beyond just my people."

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
There is a slight hesitation before Tara follows, just enough time to get a good look at the Black Panther's rump. No woman on the planet, who liked men that is, could pass up a chance to look, and Tara most certainly was not going to. Once she had her view however, she moved to fall in place beside him, those movements fluid and graceful with her long legs and lithe body. How others might view that bold move didn't seem to concern her, and it was not entirely Tara's decision made, but it was done.

"Wakanda is, and always will be, the representation of what nations could and should be," she states proudly, not at all ashamed to show favoritism. "If just one other nation could see and know how well you have balanced the needs of the many over the luxuries of the few, the world would be a better place."

For a moment she looks around at the people before she once more turns her attention back to him, "I spent thirty-five years learning everything the Paka ya Mwezi could teach, each caste mastered before moving to the next, and then I went out into the world to obtain more knowledge. The minute you stop learning, is the minute you've given up on life. No one can know everything," another playful smile plays over her lips, and the tip of her tail flicks. Was it Tara or Bast now? Was there a way to tell? "but there is no harm in trying to learn everything while you can."

T'Challa has posed:
T'Challa grows silent behind the mask. Surely he is aware of Tara's placement relative to his as he moves ahead before she catches up. Surely. Rather than addressing anything there, he says, "We set an example the rest of the world does not even know of. A better place? Undoubtedly it will be, but it is the way of things here simply because it is the right thing to do. It is said a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. I aim for our weakest links to be as sturdy as our strongest ones." Whether it is truly possible or not, it doesn't seem to be the point as far as he is concerned.

"You have spent years learning what you can as well, and that gives you a distinct benefit and perspective many others lack. I do not say this to criticize, as it is more an observation, but there are many in other countries who do not see beyond their own well-being. They make little effort to understand the plights of others, to think of their neighbors the same as themselves. The ones who do lead richer lives for it."

One benefit of the panther habit: it is more difficult to read the man as his path leads back toward the Palace of the King.

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
Relying on his progression forward to not lead her to walking into someone, Tara keeps her eyes on him. Yes, it was difficult to read a face behind a mask, and he was an expert at keeping the timber and tones of his voice both calm and even, but also concealed and controlled. It didn't matter to her really, if she wanted to know what he was hiding, she'd ask or use magic to dig deeper, but there was no fun in either of those things.

"I have yet to see another place on this planet where those in power give a flying rodents rumps about those beneath them," she states, a bit of venom to her tone but not over bearingly so. It was obvious that this particular topic, the world that did not care, angered her. "Even in the great United States, the poor stay poor, while the rich get richer. There are those who care, those who try, but they lack the power and the system, as it id, does not work. That is another reason I like to come here," she gestures outward with her hand, to the land around her.

"Here I see what could be, what should be, how the world could be if only the love in the heart of humankind and not been stomped on again and again by those with the biggest boots." She finally looks toward the direction they are walking, then offers a soft sigh. "Forgive me, I should not vent my anger over things you cannot change, instead I will say that your country brings me great joy, even if I come only from time to time, for the briefest of moments."

T'Challa has posed:
Black Panther's seemingly stoic gaze shifts her way. "Can they not be changed? Truly? Perhaps not for all, but it is possible to make progress in such matters. The King of Wakanda does live well, but not at the expense of those he is sworn to protect. Vibranium is not kept hidden away from everyone here, for only the most well-off to enjoy the benefits of. My dilemma lies in how to introduce this to the rest of the world in a reasonable way, for the moment it becomes known to all, that is the same moment the ones selfish for power will seek to claim it. We have already had numerous attempts from some seeking that power, some who have worked to betray their brothers and sisters for personal profit." There is distaste in his voice, something he cannot keep out, and a hand clenches at his side.

"But this is my responsibility to handle, nobody else's. Wakanda will change as a result of this, but I believe we as a people are ready for it. If there is an example to set, to show others how it can be done, I do not fear being that example. I do not sleep easily, knowing there is more we can do, but I also will not hesitate to protect our resources from those who want it for themselves. It is encouraging that you feel strongly about this, yourself."

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
Tara pauses, reaching out to lay her hand gently on his arm as her eyes look up to where his eyes would be if not hidden by the mask. "There is always hope," she states softly, almost purring it out really. "Hope that the world can change, that one by one people will learn to live and love one another, that poverty and greed can be put back to a place of minimal, rather than the norm. I have very little to offer in lines of what Wakanda should do with it's secrets, but there is one thing I can offer when the decisions of how and when and where are made."

She steps a touch closer, lowering her voice to a level only he can hear. "Technologically speaking, Wakanda is far more advanced than many nations out there. Something you should take great pride in," her eyes remain fixed on where his eyes should be. "Magically however, you are vulnerable. The Paka ya Mwezi," she pauses there for only a moment because a sly smile spreads across her face. "and myself will build magical defenses around your entire nation, if you permit us. We will defend you from the magical attacks, those who would seek to take what is not theirs to take. Ours is the magical world, yours is the technological world, combing the two to protect Wakanda from what could come, what will come, when the world knows... it is the only logical step to take. Allow me this, allow the Paka ya Mwezi this, let us stand together."

T'Challa has posed:
"It might not change during my lifetime, but if I am able to help lay the foundation for it, there are worse legacies one could have," Black Panther says, and there is something in his mannerisms that suggests he has come to the conclusion of what he has to say about that subject for now.

Motioning toward the Palace, he continues in regard to a different matter. "It is true we have technological wonders the likes of which most of the world has yet to learn of. While some of us do have experience with magic..your offer may be worth further discussion. I am certain there would be aid from the Avengers as well, should it be necessary. In the meantime, would you care to join me for a meal?"

Tara Tsabedze has posed:
Watching him closely, she is forced to attempt to read his body language and as usual, Tara finds nothing offered there. Such a stoic man, so hard to read even when his face wasn't covered. A voice in the back of her head makes the grin on her face turn coy, she even licks her lips and her tail flicks. Bast enjoying a moment of all the ways she could most likely make the man less stoic and Tara forced to go along for the ride, but in the end it is still Tara who remains standing there.

"There is a great deal we could discuss regarding the Paka ya Mwezi, including their proximity to Wakanda and their desire to aid," she offers quickly, then much more calmly adds. "But that is something we can discuss another time, for now I would very much enjoy a meal and more conversation, on whatever topic Your Majesty would like."