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Lorna Dane Several days ago, King T'Challa received a letter from the ruler of Genosha. Not 'Wakanda'; not 'the Throne'; '''T'challa''' himself, cutting through diplomatic and bureaucratic layers to the heart of the Liege of Genosha's concerns:

Earth's future with the stars, mutantkind's place in it, and - above all else - the fate of the refugees left stranded in the Atlantic Starport ever since fleeing from a mysterious threat in the dark reaches of space.

Obviously, then: rather than be content to start wading through the proper channels '''now''', the Queen sent a more formal, yet less official communique last night, urgently requesting a one-on-one meeting with the King at the Starport itself to get a headstart on the refugee issue. With three ancient, isolated civilizations all having joined hands in this endeavor, finding a way in as the unlikely young ruler of a newly reborn nation is a challenge unlike anything the Danger Room could've prepared Lorna Dane for, but lives are on the line.

Futures are at stake.

So rather than sit, wait, and hope for the guiding light of experience to carry her forward, she '''has''' to act. She has seen what happens when there's nobody to advocate for the lost.

Fitting the less official tone of the meeting, Lorna's wearing sleek, gently shimmering green halter top and matching, high-waisted green pants. A seething, everflowing cloud of luminous violet ferrofluid hovers just a few inches above and behind her shoulders like a living shawl. Now and again, tendrils of it stretch languidly towards some piece or another of technology. She arrived well ahead of the scheduled time because she wanted to explore the Starport for herself; now, she's pacing the central gardens, waiting for the King to arrive.
T'Challa Times of duress are times when a King shows his true worth and merit. Times when there are people involved that are not actually his own people -- also times when his worth and merit as a ruler may come into play. These are the moments that he knew would come and these are the same moments that T'Challa is never truly ready to deal with. However, he knows what is expected of him as the King of Wakanda and he also knows what the beating heart of T'Challa believes in. Whether these two things match on any given day is a sight most unseen.

Letters and communications that have reached him while only being vetted by his personal Dora Milaje, T'Challa has agreed to meet with Lorna Dane. At the very least, a conversation should be an easy enough task to accomplish. Almost everyone is worth a least an audience.

It does not take long before the Dora Milaje lead the way in. There are only two this time but they are into the garden first before T'Challa makes his arrival. He's in a black suit that has been accessorized with traditional Wakandan fashion in a manner that brings the entire outfit together. The browns and tans in the scarf find a way of mixing with the more modern aesthetic of his suit and it all culminates with the panther necklace that's hanging around his neck.

"Ms. Dane." comes the words from T'Challa as he wastes absolutely no time in making his way towards her with a healthy stride and a welcoming offering of his hand for greeting purposes. "I am very interested in what you have to say." T'Challa is right onto business as he always is. Pleasantries are not always the way to go in some of these situations.

The Dora Milaje nearby don't dare take their eyes off Lorna. Just in case.
Lorna Dane Whether as a show of good faith or sheer confidence, Lorna is here without any guards-- though, the green metal frames of the sunglasses resting on her forehead--

-- the bangles jangling around her wrists--

-- -- the palette of charms suspended among green tresses--

-- -- -- and the necklaces dangling from her neck all communicate quite plainly that while she may be ''alone'', she is not ''unprotected''.

To say nothing of the utterly smooth, gleaming surfaces of her outfit, or the shroud pulsing and throbbing around her shoulders.

"We've only ever met in passing," comes with soft, pale hands enclosing T'Challa's for a firm greeting, "so I'm honored to have this opportunity for one-on-one time with you."

Her eyes flick pointedly towards the two terrifying woman covering every possible point of in- or egress before coming back to T'Challa with a smile.

"Such as it is," she lightly adds.

As soon as she lets go, she stretches an arm out, inviting him along before beginning to pace, slowly, through the garden. "Without dwelling too deeply on matters adjacent to those that deserve our focus today: I've seen with my own eyes what the end result is when the world does the bare minimum for the lost, the dispossessed-- the '''Different'''. The world is a cruel place for those on the margins-- even from your position of having mostly stayed clear of it, and tending to your own... I'm sure you're keenly aware of this. I don't have to ''tell'' you this; I'm doing it because I want to underline how serious I am when I ask:"

Turning to fix her eyes on T'Challa, Lorna slows to a near-stop.

"Does Wakanda have any current or future plans to tend to the plight of the refugees who've found themselves trapped at this Starport, Your Highness?"
T'Challa The Dora Milaje presence is a matter of tradition that even T'Challa is unsure he can sway. Okoye would just send them anyway so it is so much easier to just allow them to be around. Still, though, he does steady them with a hand as he moves to follow and stand alongside Lorna. He does want to give her his attention and also allow a bit of trust to permeate the gardens at this moment. He really is here to listen.

His body language reads the same way in that he is unbothered and unworried about any sort of attack of any sort. Either he's completely focused on the matter at hand and is just too trusting or he's always prepared for any sort of trap. Could also just be that the Dora Milaje also being here has given him the security he needs to be comfortable. It could be any number of these things but regardless T'Challa is all ears.

"My father was involved with matters similar to the one we are currently facing. He chose Wakanda." T'Challa mentions this as if to establish that he may not be the type to completely follow in his father's footsteps. "While I have been busy of my own accord, I have been trying to keep up with this issue. Especially, as it pertains to where we are right this moment." T'Challa takes a quick glance around at the Starport as if to just indicate the place that he has had a hand in. All of these words and indications to create a foundation from which to speak his next words.

"Wakanda does not." is the statement made but it is not as mater of fact as it may sound. "Wakanda may not have taken an official stance but I can more than assure you that 'trapped' may not be the word to use. I hesitate to refer to refugees in a manner similar to prisoners." T'Challa would like to clear that up immediately. "That being said, I would be willing to hear your thoughts on this plight, as it stands. There are many things to consider where the refugees are concerned."

At least he's willing to listen. T'Chaka, often, was not.
Lorna Dane "Then they're allowed to leave, Your Highness?"

The only shift in Lorna's expression is the slow arch of her right eyebrow.

"Whenever they want? To go where they please?"

This is, ultimately, a polite meeting. It is a meeting held in good faith, sought with all the hope an admittedly cynical monarch could muster.

In other words, those weighted questions are not an '''attack'''.

But neither are they naive, wielded as they are with bold, practiced precision-- not to wound, but to remind.

''Firmly''.

Vivid green lips turn into a small, but warm smile-- a forgiving smile, even. T'Challa's response was a diplomatic one, ultimately, and diplomatic necessity is bondage in its own right.

"As I see it, these are people who would probably prefer to be anywhere but here... yet, '''here''' they ''are''," follows after a couple beats, gentler. "And until that conflict can be resolved, they deserve a place where they can enjoy some freedom of movement, of privacy-- they deserve ''asylum'', rather than..."

She pauses for half a beat.

"... to be utterly reliant on the hospitality of Wakanda and its sister nations," is what she goes with, smiling a touch wider.

"And Genosha is willing, ''able'' to provide. Once, we were home to millions of posthuman souls; now, our population is a fraction of that. Space, certainly, is not an issue."
T'Challa "Wakanda nor I are in singularly in charge of these facilities. Expecting me to speak for the entirety of those affiliated with the Atlantic Spaceport is just a tad bit unfair. As a location that is, by definition, a combined effort in greater understanding for worlds beyond our Terran borders, I dare say that asking me if someone is or isn't allowed to leave is just as unfair." There is no blame coming in this response but simply a statement of fact... with a tinge of defensiveness. Just a tinge.

T'Challa does not seem to appreciate all of this being put on Wakanda's shoulders as if this were a Wakandan Spaceport. He almost wants to bristle but is capable of keeping it pushed down. Back near the Dora Milaje, hands grip spears just a slight bit tighter. But in a beat, things return to somewhat more normal.

"What I can say is that if anyone is being held anywhere against their will, that is not an act that I have given my support to. That is also something that I have not been spoken directly to about lest my position on such things would be very well stated and understood by parties that may be in agreement of such actions. I know far too well the dangers of acting in such a manner and I can assure you that I will stand firmly behind this stance." T'Challa seeks to make his own personal position very clear on these matters.

"With that in mind, if you believe that you are capable of providing a safe location for those that have been displaced, I do not see why Genosha cannot be an option brought up for discussion and relocation." Now, for a moment, T'Challa attempts to move one of his own chess pieces. Even from this defensive position.

"I assume you have requested an audience of the spaceport's collective parties and made a formal offer of assistance. You haven't decided to corner a single tangential party for blindsiding in order to receive a guilt driven response catered specifically to your liking." T'Challa smiles. "Have you?"
Lorna Dane "I'm not blaming you," Lorna evenly replies. "This is a complicated situation, and the nations who AREN'T involved in this project-- ''they're'' the ones who carry the lionshare of the blame so far. '''They'''," comes with an accusatory sting, "are the ones who refuse to give them leave to stay on Earth-- and, in doing so, create a potential quagmire for any other party who may wish to treat them with more hospitality."

Coming to a full stop, Lorna pivots to grip T'Challa's shoulder, encouraging him to look her in the eye with a firm squeeze.

"I just want you to see things from my perspective-- and maybe feel a little of what this whole situation is making ME feel," she assures the King. With that, she lets go and resumes walking, back turned to the path for the first few steps so she can keep her eyes on T'Challa.

"As I corner one of three ''primary'' powers ahead of the formal meeting which I intend to have with ''all'' of you, pending the arrangements being made," comes with an emerald spark in her right eye and a broad, bold grin.

"Because if I'm going in as the youngest nation -- the ''smallest'' nation -- the nation with the weakest ties to others, and the one making ''all'' of the asks--? Then you're damn right I'd like to take SOME kind of advantage in there with me... ... even if it's just a better understanding of where each parties' sympathies are," is explained in exacting tones.

Precise tones.

Practiced tones.

Her eyes only skate away now, where there's a break to catch her breath-- to marshal herself and stick the landing before the wax melts from her wings.

"I think that we're on the same side. I ''believe'' that; I just need to make sure of it before people's lives are on the line."
T'Challa T'Challa takes Lorna's words in as much as he can. He's actually listening and understanding. He may be using extra senses to pay more attention to body language said and unsaidness but it's all for the greater good of making sure that he knows and understands what's on the horizon. He does not want to be caught unawares. With his chess moves out of the way, T'Challa returns to his normal and even-keeled visage and speech patterns.

"I will say this..." T'Challa prepares his words with a bit of careful grace. "I understand what you may be feeling. I can understand how things may look and feel from your valid point of view. All of which, I believe, should be taken into consideration in regards to your request. However..." There's always a bit of a but or however in these things.

"What I cannot do is promise you anything. Despite what I do within the borders of my own country, out here with the rest of the world there are more view points to consider. And I must take the time to consider them all before I place my support in any one direction. I hesitate to choose sides but if it comes to that, I will." What side, though, is still up for some sort of debate.

"What I can do, though, is provide care and attention to those that are in need. Regardless of decisions or choices, for or against, there are lives that hang in the balance and I will not let them suffer while conversations and deliberations are had around them." T'Challa remembers the closed nature of Wakanda before and now strives to openly assist others whenever it is safe and necessary. Learning from the mistakes of the past is a thing that T'Challa has made a personal priority of his.

"To that end, I will also make an effort to reach out to them, personally, so that I may get a clearer picture of what they want and need. Decisions should not be made about them without them. On that, I hope we can agree."

There is the olive branch that T'Challa has come up with to help mitigate some of this potential confusion about what all is going on within this spaceport.