7538/Ev'rybody Wants To Be A Cat

Ev'rybody Wants To Be A Cat
Date of Scene:	25 August 2021
Location:	Wakandan Embassy
Synopsis:	Terry approaches the royal siblings of Wakandan with an offer Shuri just can't let T'Challa refuse, on account of his constipation...
Cast of Characters:	T'Challa, Shuri, Terry O'Neil

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T'Challa has posed:
T'Challa is seated at a large, ornate desk with edging and legs carved into Wakandan tribal designs, primarily taking inspiration from Bast. Nearby, Shuri.

The pair are going over maps and photos of the South Bronx, the area they were recently in where matters nearly went much worse compared to the way they turned out. What had been a moment of concern that a gunfight was going to take place and put innocents in danger turned instead to a message of hope, a promise on multiple fronts to seek a better way forward.

"...and I was thinking we purchase these buildings here," T'Challa is saying, marking a few on the map, "and renovate them into better housing, a community center for outreach, where the children can go instead of, as they say, running the streets. What do you think, Sister?" He is dressed in traditional, but casual Wakandan attire. With sound-dampening sandals she has teased him about more than once.

Shuri has posed:
"I've been there a few times now to scout out needs," Shuri says. "And yes, this time I kept my bodyguards," she adds placatingly. Almost condescendingly. "There is something else we need to deal with. Their spirituality -- churches, here -- is very important to their community identity." She wrinkles her nose at the mention of churches. So weird to worship a tortured white man. "As much as it pains me to say it, I think that bell building that I accidentally damaged needs to be given some renovations. Community centres are good for the body and mind, but the spirit seems to require a different building entirely."

She points to the buildings T'Challa selected.

"These are good, but almost just a little too good. I think if we add this one..." She points to a building T'Challa would recognize as one of the more run-down ones, closer to the gang headquarters and the church, "...we could show even more hope, though it would cost more to build up."

Her hard light display pops up over her eyes as she scrolls through information at break-neck speed.

"There is another difficulty. Most of the housing in ... well ... The Bronx entirely, but especially our target neighbourhood, is not owned by the people who live there. Ownership of one's home is the core of building roots. None of these people have roots in the community because none of them own their living spaces. We need to start finding ways to permit them to own and that first involves driving out the vultures who tax them for the right to have a roof."

T'Challa has posed:
T'Challa muses, "We are not doing this to encourage them to worship the panther god, that is true. I have visited different churches during my travels so I might learn of local religious customs and beliefs. I agree we will need to devote a focus toward what you say." He offers no opinion of the admission Shuri did not attempt to give her bodyguards the slip this time. Her telling him that is enough.

Fingers steeple as she indicates another place on the map, then discusses the larger issue of ownership. "I have also consulted public records and there are almost no homes there owned by the residents. As you know, we can afford to do this here, though it will undoubtedly cost more than first believed. If we convert some of these buildings into condominiums, ownership can be transferred as a gift. We may have to make the owners see the value in selling, although I do not like the idea of rewarding them with more money than they are entitled to when they are like to repeat the same thing elsewhere. One step at a time, however."

Knowing him, 'make the owners see' would not even consider including any nefarious methods. It is simply that, soon or late, everyone has a price.

"I am pleased to see you taking an active interest in these matters, Shuri."

Terry O'Neil has posed:
Cheshire cats often do not call ahead when they come to visit royalty- this is because the royalty Cheshire Cats are familiar with often are the ones to call a head. Usually prefacing it with "off with-"

T'Challa, however, was not famous for his decapitations, and so Terry decides to make an exception and calls in with a request for an appointment. A the appointed time, he shows up at the Embassy, Rabbit Holing to the /outside/ instead of into the building itself, which is an enormous gesture of politeness... but it was also common sense. The Dora Milaje probably experienced enough threats trying to teleport into the Embassy, and he was allergic to being killed anyways.

"Terry O'Neil with the Titans," he says, giving his best grin at the entrance. He was even dressed up to the nines for the appointment: A grey-and-black pair of pinstripe slacks, a white long-sleeved shirt (with the sleeves jauntily rolled up at the elbows) and a vest in royal purple with the emblem of the Monarchy of Hearts carefully embroidered over the right breast.

When he is escorted in, he makes a fluid bow, "Thank you for seeing me in such a short notice, your highness," and then a bow to Shuri, "Princess Shuri."

He briefly pauses to reflect how nice it is to be in the presence of royalty that is not obsessed with taking your head off.

Shuri has posed:
"Mister O'Neil," Shuri says upon being addressed, saluting the new arrival. "How nice of you to visit in your finery." If his appearance as Cheshire has thrown her off, her bearing doesn't show it.

"T'Challa," she then says, impish eyes at using his name so brazenly, "this is one of the Titans. You remember I talked about them? I've not met him in person but he's a frequent topic of ..." Her eyes stray briefly to Terry. "... conversation," she completes.

T'Challa has posed:
Talk of neighborhood revitalization takes a back seat as T'Challa puts away some of his paperwork along with having the digital imagery fade away through use of the kimoyo beads. They know what the next steps will be, at this rate.

"Ah, welcome," he states, looking up as Vorpal is escorted in, looking rather fancy in his way. "Yes, Shuri. We have crossed paths before." Like cats do. "I am familiar with the Titans, and I know you have been around some of them. This one, he has a tendency to leave glitter in his wake."

Eyes and a welcoming enough expression return to the feline in the attire he's selected. "To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit? Please, make yourself comfortable." A soft-looking chair is indicated with a gesture.

Terry O'Neil has posed:
"And in Thor's beard," he adds, because he has to. It's true. "Thank you!" He makes his way to the chair and sits down in the same movement in which he grasps his tail and draws it across his lap to keep from sitting on it. When you're a cat, there are things you have to do in Human Furniture World. He also doesn't lean back on the chair but sits up perfectly straight. Again, Things Cats Must Do.

"I hope I wasn't interrupting anything important. In a way, this is important, and I thought- well," he places his hands on the table, "Are either of you familiar with Catfight? It's a campaign by Big Cat Rescue to protect the endangered Florida panther..."

Shuri has posed:
"My brother," Shuri says, face even more lit up with mischief as she needles her brother, "Is neither endangered nor in Florida. We appreciate the Big Cat Rescue campaign, but must decline for reason of lack of need."

Feigning a glance behind her at ... something, she raises her fist to cover her mouth long enough to stifle a giggle. She turns back to face Terry.

"And he is not a panther either, come to think of it," she adds. "Or is this a request for sponsorship. If it is, I'm sure the embassy staff can help you walk through the process? It sounds like a worthy goal, protecting animal life."

T'Challa has posed:
T'Challa reaches up to touch the bridge of his nose upon mention of Thor's beard and glitter. As a contrast to the very catlike way Vorpal takes a seat, the King of Wakanda is more the picture of languid relaxation, appearing to meld together with the just as comfortable chair he's in.

"No, I do not believe I have heard..Sister!" he chides, extending a hand to swat her lightly at the shoulder. King and Princess they may be, but it is clear they have a sibling thing going on as well. The same hand indicates Vorpal, seated before them.

"Now, Shuri. He has come here to speak with us. I would hear of this..Catfight, whatever they are looking to do with it. I certainly hope whatever they have at this place, the animals are being taken care of well. I have heard disturbing things about roadside...attractions."

Terry O'Neil has posed:
Terry appears to take Shuri's comment at face value, "You never know when he /might/ be a Florida panther, the Avengers travel all over the country, after all." Twinkling green eyes flit in her direction, only the slight hint of humor in them hints that he's joking.

"But no, it's not anything like a roadside show- this is a sanctuary for big cat rescues, and they're also involved in advocacy to stop the big cat trade- clandestine and otherwise. The Catfight initaitive is directed towards getting funds for bolstering the Florida panther population. There are about 230 of them left in the wild, which makes them one of the most endangered mammals on earth- last year alone, vehicle deaths decimated about fourteen of them- and this year, there has been twenty so far."

"The general advocacy is to protect their habitat and fight encroachment and the issuing of Incidental Take Permits, which allow people to kill, harass or otherwise remove them for the purpose of land development... anyways. They reached out to the Titans a few days ago because they were thinking of fundraising ideas. And, well, two of us are animal-themed. Three when Myth is a centaur," a quick glance to Shuri that says 'long story.'

"So..." he steeples his fingers, "We talked a bit, and we came up with an idea for fundraising." He spreads his hands, as if gesturing to a marquee:

"A Cat-themed superhero calendar. All proceeds to benefit multiple big cat conservation and rescue organizations!"

Shuri has posed:
"I think it's a wonderful idea!" Shuri enthuses. "A way to save endangered animals, to do good for a worthy organization, and to update your image with the public all at the same time, Brother!" Her dazzling smile is devoid, now, of mischief or guile. Her eyes are full of calculation.

Literally.

The hardlight display has dropped and information is scrolling by at a prodigious rate.

"Cats are the single most popular item on the Internet, Brother, and big cats have an enormous fanbase as well. You have an image of being a little bit dour. A calendar like this would do wonders, I think, both for the cats and for humanizing you a bit with the populace. You'd be more popular."

T'Challa has posed:
"I am a Wakanda panther, and that does not change regardless of where I am," T'Challa explains ever so helpfully.

The statistics mentioned lead him to frown. Those are small numbers, and reduced further by needless accidents? Troubling. Same with the killing. "Are they not a protected species due to their small numbers?" he wonders.

Upon the reveal of the calendar idea, and Shuri immediately taking to it, he gives her a look. "What? I am not dour. I know how to have a good time, you know. I have attended many social gatherings, many charitable things. My image needs updating? Since when? You are trying to talk me into this, clearly."

He might question the need to think about his popularity, for there have already been a couple magazines that selected him as their 'Blank' Man of the Year. "I can see the two of you are collaborating somehow, right in front of me."

Terry O'Neil has posed:
"We have never met before!" Terry says, in the same way that a county fair illusionist might try to reassure the crowd that the obvious audience ringer does not know him at all. In this case, though, it happens to be true. "But she clearly knows a good idea when she sees it. Unfortunately, they are listed as an endangered species, but their habitat has become seriously encroached upon from past decades of development."

He glances over at Shuri, "It would really be a pretty big thing if the Black Panther were involved. Me? I'm mostly a nobody," this is not accurate, but it is an established thing that Terry has /issues/ with his public notoriety. He turns to look at T'Challa, "But you would draw in a ton of attention. And in charity that can translate to a good amount of donations, so it's for a good thing at the end of the day."

Shuri has posed:
Shuri gets that stubborn look that T'Challa knows all too well on her face.

"Brother, when it comes to statistics and number crunching, you know that I outperform you in every way. I may lack your social graces to move in diplomatic circles without causing an incident, but I know public relations statistics well and I know that your image is one of dourness."

She puts on her supporting face. The loving sister advising her beloved brother. And it might even be mostly true. Mostly.

"Brother, I only say this for your own good. *I* know that you can have a good time. I have seen you drinking. I have seen you dancing. I have seen you running carefree across the plains. I have seen all this because I'm with you most of the time. But THEY..." Her finger stabs in a random direction vaguely toward the city. "...they have not seen any of this. They see the controlled king. They see the crime fighter. And your image is dour."

She looks across at Terry. "I have never met Terry before today. I've heard of him." She won't share everything she's heard of him... "I know he is a journalist. I know he did wonders for that ice queen bitch from Asgard in an interview. He is good at his job, and the numbers back up the importance of it."

Her eyes return to T'Challa. "Just listen to your little sister on this, T'Challa. The smarter sister. This is a worthy project with a worthy goal and that alone should have you interested, but on top of that it will do wonders for your public image!"

T'Challa has posed:
"And I know two people plotting against me when I see it," T'Challa remarks. "Of course, Shuri is almost always plotting against me as sure as day turns to night and back again, but that is neither here nor there. It is what little sisters do." Emphasis on 'little sisters.'

She gets more of his attention right now than Vorpal does, not for lack of the Titans' own efforts in this plan. "Have you considered that I am comfortable letting you work the statistics because you enjoy doing it and it allows me to focus on more active matters?" he asks her with patience, crossing his arms as he remains leaning back in the chair, a contrast to Vorpal's position. He rolls his eyes, exaggeratedly so, although a brow lifts at her mention of the plains.

"A good King must give off a certain image to be taken seriously. That does not mean I cannot do something like this. And, if I do, perhaps there is someone else I can reach out to and see if she is interested. If you think I would be a reason for others to buy this calendar, the one I am thinking of would be just as much, perhaps more."

Resigned to acceptance of this, he wonders, "What do you require of me for this?"

Terry O'Neil has posed:
Terry glances back and forth between T'Challa and Shuri. Being an only child, the interplay between siblings is an Undiscovered Country for him- his loss, but perhaps a mercy to the world that there is only one of him running around.

"We might be thinking of the same person, too- Greer? I have sent her a message as well." Of course. You could not do something like this without reaching out to Greer. Or you might get a claw to the face. Or at least the cold shoulder. "But as for what is required? Just a photoshoot. You and princess Shuri can think up ideas- they will go with what you're comfortable with, of course."

He glances over Shuri's way once more, sensing a kindred companion in mischief, "And Sif isn't an ice queen so much as... Very Very Foreign To Everything Here. But I'm working on that. I've got this show idea I want to float by her..." but that is a story to be told at another time. He glances at the two royal siblings, "So I can jot you down for this?" he asks, by way of confirmation.

Shuri has posed:
"I cannot make a decision for my Brother, His Royal Majesty," Shuri says. "But yes. You can pencil us in for this. I will look at existing such calendars and think of possible motifs for this. We want to show my brother dignified, yet playful. A person, not merely an icon people wave around to show loyalty."

She peruses T'Challa's face.

"You would have to be in the thematically appropriate suit. But we'll have to have you looking like you're relaxing to help offset that constipated look you put on your face most times."

T'Challa has posed:
It happens to be a look T'Challa wears as Shuri points it out, thus inadvertently proving her point. Before fielding an answer, he shakes his head toward their Vorpal visitor. "Ahh, no, though she and I have met. There is another I will not mention at the moment, but you will know if she agrees to the idea..as it seems I now have."

Shuri is getting quite the stare by now, since she is already formulating and calculating ideas for this. "You are enjoying this far too much already."

Shuri has posed:
"There!" Shuri says triumphantly. "That face. That one right there. The constipated sourpuss face. That's the one we have to combat with this." She then flees the interview, laughing.