11773/Support all around

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Support all around
Date of Scene: 26 June 2022
Location: Bronx
Synopsis: T'Challa and Storm work towards the same ends, starting at different ends of the block and meeting in the middle of an open-air, blocks-farmer's market/neighborhood fair deep in the Wilds of the Bronx.
Cast of Characters: T'Challa, Ororo Munroe




T'Challa has posed:
There is something new in the Melrose/Mott Haven area of the South Bronx that T'Challa had begun focusing his attention on last year: a Farmer's Market.

Certain things he'd had in mind for the area to help revitalize it have been slower to come than he would have liked, but continuing to be a presence is showing he hasn't forgotten his promises, hasn't just used the residents for good publicity. Crime has been on the decline here: drug use, gang violence, vandalism, theft, and rape all trending down. Education and housing improvements are still in the works, a few places renovated or built so far, but there is always more to be done.

Today, an entire block has been closed off to allow local vendors to put up stalls. Some have been growing fruits and vegetables in a community garden, and these free items have been augmented with more T'Challa has purchased. Everything is either at no cost or discounted, and nobody is being turned away if they can't afford a need or even just something they'd like to have. There are a few musicians, and as a nod to the local flavor of the area, there are even a couple spots set up for people to record some songs, make up some raps, and dance.

Here as the Black Panther, the King of Wakanda watches over everything, but he has made himself available to answer questions, take pictures, and be the supportive presence he's sought to provide.

Ororo Munroe has posed:
    There is nothing that Ororo loves more than a Farmer's Market. Particularly one that is community based. Advertised or not, there is a stall that is run by a rather rag-tag but presentable looking group of young ladies and gents; no one over the age of 12. Lovely dark-skinned faces with hair done is braids, culminating in pink plastic bow barrettes, in silver and gold toned beading, and all in all, summery wear.

    The child wrangler, the 'adult' at the table is a tall, lithe, white-haired woman, her own naturally tanned body clothed in bright colors, the hues a call-back from the finery of those in Kenya. Blue eyes are warm as she looks from the wares, to the crowds in attendence. It's mostly the residents, though tourists 'in the know' have made something of a detour in order to just have a look-see.

"Tanesha," is called out to one of the younger girls holding a paper bag for her older brother, "Keep it open. The tomatoes.. no Devyn, don't drop them in there. Place them gently." The soft tones aren't loud, but they do seem to carry on the light breeze of the day, landing easily upon those who need to hear.

    It's easy to track the King of Wakanda, however; just look at the crowds, where the groups seem to congregate more, and there one will see him. Cell phones rise into the air, and pictures are caught- smiles, easy conversations..

T'Challa has posed:
Black Panther walks the block, and none dare bring ill intent to the place today. With his reputation, along with his abilities, few would be so foolish. Already, there have been elders in the neighborhood who have stood up to the drug pushers and the gang bangers, letting them know they were no longer welcome around here. Has it always gone smoothly? Unfortunately, no. But, efforts on the part of those seeking to keep people living in fear have not been received well.

The man's visage is hidden behind his mask, the one with the feline flavor to it, but there is no question who it is. To his chagrin and amusement, there have been multiple requests for him to sign a particular holiday calendar, as well. Most of them are owned by women, perhaps unsurprisingly.

With his path bringing him in the vicinity of Ororo and the stall being run by the children, he approaches to stop before it. "So, what is good here today?" he asks, as if he was just a normal customer. He, apparently, fails to notice a few of the women a bit behind him, comparing the calendar to the real deal.

Ororo Munroe has posed:
    Unsurprisingly, the day is a calm, clear one with puffs of clouds in the sky. The temperature isn't too warm, not too cool. A light breeze blows through, making it almost the perfect day of the year (so far). This is most certainly something that encourages the denizens of the area to emerge, and with the outnumbering of law-abiding citizens to those who would make trouble for their own gain, the event can easily be deemed a success in that area.

    Is Ororo keeping an eye on the black suited, feline-esque Avenger? Perhaps she glances his way once or twice, with a whispered aside to one of the other women, undoubtedly one of the mothers that stay back and allow the children to be the front.

    And upon the approach? Ororo's smile warms as she catches the words behind her. If it weren't for the fact that she's a teacher in a school with teenagers, those hormones in sneakers, she might blush at the words. Still, grown women reacting to the darkly colored, form-fitted costumed king- okay, she can see it. Twisting around at the ladies behind her, brows rise in askance before returning front again. The children are ready and eager to show their wares; tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers.

    Upon the approach, Ororo dips her head in greeting, silent for allowing the excited children to take center stage. "Whooooah.." exclaims a rather excited Devyn. "Uh.." only to have his sister push in, "'matoes. I'll make sure they're not bruised." For that, she gives a sidelong //look//.

    Storm leans over a little, though clear blue eyes never leave their exalted 'customer' as she stage whispers to Tanesha, "Curtsey, child. You're in the presence of a king."

    It's not an admonition, but rather, a gentle education for a child. A figure to look up to, and upon. A male role-model in whom she'll not be disappointed. Such is Ororo's own faith in her friend, now crowned king.

    Tanesha does just that, in her own way, and soon after, is grinning broadly at T'Challa. "We have 'matoes."

    Ororo, for her own measure, inclines her head in greeting, her smile warm as her greeting echoes, "Good afternoon," she begins before leaning to the side to catch the .. gawkers.

    "Where ever you go.." is offered with amusement.

T'Challa has posed:
With a slight gesture, or even merely a thought, the masked visage of the Black Panther creeps away until it has been absorbed into the rest of the suit near the man's neck, where the fanged Panther Habit is on display. This reveals T'Challa's head and face, kindly eyes, short-cut hair with a minimal widow's peak, and the beard. "Good to see you today, Ororo," he says first to the white-haired weather goddess, then his attention turns toward the youngsters. "And what are your names?" He gestures with a hand at her indication for the kids to respond to him a certain way, shaking his head.

"They may if they wish, but I do not expect it here." It might be offered out of respect, and he does not suggest he is not /their/ King. He cannot be, for they are American citizens primarily and he is Wakandan, but there is the larger and more complicated point that they, in a way, all come from the same continent in the end. If any of them wish to honor him in that way, he will not truly tell them they cannot.

"Oh. I see tomatoes, and cucumbers, and are you sure those are peppers? They look like colorful shapes of salt to me." It is a very, very bad attempt at a joke, at humor, and he fully expects any of them to insistently tell him what they really are. It's like a father messing around with his children by telling them cows are actually horses when everyone knows that's not the case.

He adds to the Kenyan woman, "..there I am, or were you thinking of something else?" It is asked with an amused expression. "It warms my heart to know this neighborhood is on a better path, and they have taken things I spoke of to heart. They are helping bring about the change they seek."

Ororo Munroe has posed:
    A kind soul and protector is a much preferred image Ororo would share with the children; their lives are too heavy in fear and crime, not for the fault of their struggling parents. It simply is a fact of life for some of the childen. To have a constant, therefore, is welcomed. While T'Challa is not the Kenyan Windrider's king either, due respect for the history, the culture and the responsibility of position is always given. Why should it be reserved for those of Europe? After all, many Americans still love the Royal Family of England, and consider the Queen to be //their// queen, even if colonialism had been shaken off centuries ago.

Tanesha is up front and center, her braids bobbing in her excitement. She nods rapidly at Ororo's whisper and, while it's not technically a curtsey, it is something of an approximation. "Tanesha, sir!" Polite. She makes a face at the joke, dark eyes narrowing as she looks at the green peppers, and back to T'Challa. Back and forth, and it's easy to see the wheels spinning. A glance back to Ororo is given for confirmation before she continues, "They're peppers, and 'Ro-ro says that they are without blemish!" Whatever that means?

    Devyn is behind and to the side, a touch more wide-eyed than his sister, even. He's seen the news and knows exactly who it is that stands before him. Tongue-tied to inaction, he nudges his sister in one of those 'don't embarrass me' gestures.

    "That's Devyn," Tanesha offers helpfully.

    Ororo stands beside the children, a hint of a smile ghosting upon her face, "Something else, T'Challa, but that will do currently." Looking beyond again, the ladies seem to be satisfied, at least for the moment. Their calendars are signed, and in some cases, proof attained, to be shared with friends at a later date. Her smile grows and she places a light hand on Tanesha's shoulder, "Much work to do still," here, she nods to underscore her words, the tones warm and optimistic, "but it's certainly the right path."

    Finally, to the more personal, "How have you been? I saw the ball game on television with some of the students. It looked like great fun."

T'Challa has posed:
There are certain things T'Challa will not speak of in front of the children. Gossip over how he looks in his suit is one of them. His senses being what they are, doubt could be cast on him failing to hear them at all, but certain things come with the territory. Captain America has been the subject of such talk as well.

"It is my pleasure to meet you, Tanesha and Devyn. You look well on your way to selling everything you have here." He even gives them the traditional Wakandan salute, to see what they will do with it. "Ah, yes. Those /are/ peppers. Thank you for correcting me. They look unblemished, indeed."

Speaking more to Ororo now that the game has been completed with the kids, he indicates their surroundings. "This time last year, none of the residents would have dreamed of a day like this. I have already spoken to some who wish to organize a block party every Saturday. And you watched that? I believe I was channeling my inner Rickey Henderson. It was an enjoyable thing to do. What have you been keeping yourself busy with?"

Ororo Munroe has posed:
    There's no fooling Ororo; she's certain that if she heard the whispers, T'Challa did as well. And there are things that are never discussed in front of children, that certainly being one of them. Granted, Storm does have her closet of form fitting clothing as well, and it suits her, today wasn't one of those days for her. Not in her self-assigned role today as 'mother'.

    Tanesha is smitten, even if she has that //expression// on her face that says that she's still not completely sure about anything, but it does warm soon enough. It's Devyn that perhaps T'Challa has won over, sealing the deal with the salute, man to man? The young teen tries, his expression stating loudly that he is determined to get it right. Close enough, though one can bet he'll be practicing it at home, just after he tells his friends about the meeting.

    Once the children are called away by their mother in order to attend other customers, it leaves Ororo a touch freer to approach, and speak in quiet tones. All through, her face is canted to the side and up, clear blue eyes attentive to their conversation. She looks away only at the encompassing gesture given by the Avenger, more following his hand before she's back and re-focused. "Work is going slowly for Mutant Town, but claiming victory for one area does cause the light to shine and others seek to join it."

    Moving around the table, her tones remain quiet; for them only. "I think I can sneak away from the table for a few moments to see what else is offered. I think I heard music a half block down? And, I am dying for more fabric." When they do walk, she'll be happy to fill him in.

    A soft chuffed breath of air is released in a laugh, and Ororo does nod at the question, "Of course I watched the game. It gives me," and her voice is used for the air-quotes as she continues, "'street cred' with the students when they know that I know you, and you do fun, public things." She's boring otherwise; just a weather goddess, a Windwalker! Just Storm. Ororo Munroe. "We enjoyed it immensely at the school. We were all cheering you on."

T'Challa has posed:
To help Tanesha and Devyn with their own 'cred' when it comes to others their age, T'Challa arranges for them to take a photo with him down on one knee between them, hands at their sides for one, face visible. Then another with them all doing the salute, the mask of the Black Panther back in place.

Once they can walk and talk, the rest of the suit dematerializes, leaving him in clothing that is tastefully tribal, a black base with a mixture of silver and purple in some of the design work. "You will have to tell me more of 'Mutant Town.' I imagine some of the issues there are not that different from the issues in other neighborhoods, except they have more unique ones of their own."

He again shares amusement at the talk of the game, adding, "It raised a considerable amount of money for charity, and I believe the players were as excited as anyone else." As the two carry on, it gives them a chance to discuss further matters, both professional and personal, while helping to oversee the success of the outdoor market. Days like this, they give reason to believe there can and will be a better tomorrow.