6637/How About A Water Buffalo

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How About A Water Buffalo
Date of Scene: 24 February 2019
Location: Avenger's Mansion - T'Challa's Room
Synopsis: T'Challa returns from Wakanda, shares nachos with Jessica Drew
Cast of Characters: Black Panther, Spider-Woman (Drew)




Black Panther has posed:
The flight back from Wakanda is fast by most standards, but it still is a long enough one that T'Challa is glad to be back in the mansion by the time he has landed. He makes his way through the halls towards his room. Detaching his communications bead from his bracelet, he activates it, swiping through his contacts on the holographic display until he gets to Jessica. "Just landed. Up for a late dinner, or snack with me? Will be in my room," he dictates and then sends the message off.

He continues down the hallway, arriving back in his room and sighing. The fireplace is lit and T'Challa sets his bag down in the closet to be unpacked later. He slips off his Wakandan sleeveless tunic, leaving him in a dark shirt and slacks. T'Challa paces over to look out the windows. "Still grey," he says with a shake of his head as he views the cloudy night sky outside.

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
Jessica has been bored out of her mind since T'Challa left. Nothing to do but eat, sleep, work out, eat, and stare dolefully into the refrigerator because eating no longer made sense, but she had nothing else to do. Oh there's planning, here and there, for the mission. But in between those sessions, boredom has taken over. She's lying on her nest of a bed, legs straight up the wall, mismatched slippers on feet crossed at the ankles, reading, when the text comes in across the room. It's probably some text from someone wanting her to reply now to claim the 7 day trip she's won to Vegas, and all she has to do is send her checking account information so that they can deposit her spending money (and clean out her account). But it's a text, and she manages to entangle herself in her own legs and blankets, flipping her out of her bed and onto her head on the floor, scrambling for her phone. Just in case it's something more exciting than reading.

Reading the text, Jessica smiles and nods as she pushes the speech to text function to reply. With that, she learns that nodding hurts. Her brain's bouncing a little in her skull from the bump on the head. "Ow, shit..." She rubs the top of her head, then dictates a reply, firing it off quickly as she moves to change into something other than fluffy pj's.

The text that arrives for T'Challa reads, "Ow shit I'll be right over!"

Black Panther has posed:
Black Panther's beads pop up an image of Jessica and the text message above her. It almost looks like a comic, at that, and the message causes T'Challa to chuckle softly.

"Jarvis?" he asks the room. "Yes your highness?" the answer comes. "Could you have the kitchen please make... how about nachos? With the package I left with them?" he asks. "I'll let them know," Jarvis returns to him. "Thank you, Jarvis," T'Challa says.

He goes over and opens his door, leaving it a little ajar, and then moves over to the kitchen to pull out some bottles of iced tea. His destination is the fireplace, tossing down some throw pillows on the soft rug in front of it.

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
Jessica's still comfy. She's just not fleecy pj's comfy. In no time, she's gone from pj's to sweats and an athletic tank with a cropped sweatshirt over it, then starts out the door. Looking down, she startles. "No." She kicks off the mismatched slippers and departs, shutting her door. Then she presses her thumb to the inside of the spider on her door, opens it again, and grabs the slippers anyway, slipping them on to shuffle down the hall.

Rapping quietly on the door, she enters without much fanfare beyond "Heeyy." She grins. "You're back! How was your trip?" She swoops in to give T'Challa a hug.

Black Panther has posed:
Black Panther rises to his feet as the lady enters. "Jessica," he says, smiling as she moves over to give him the warm hug. He returns it before letting her go to say, "The trip was... what is a good American term?" T'Challa says, pausing in thought. "Frustrating as all get out? I think that is how you say it, yes? Council meetings. Many disagreements. But things are a little better than before I went."

T'Challa picks up a bottle of iced tea to offer her. "I have some nachos on the way," he comments. "Though we can get something more." The African man will motion to the area before the fireplace. The fire is going nicely now, starting to put out some extra warmth that will make lounging in front of it more comfy. Slippers or no.

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
"Ooh, nachos..." Jess seems thoroughly pleased as she takes the bottled tea and essentially dives for the pile of pillows in front of the fireplace. Slippers are shed and pushed back out of the pillow nest as she revels in the warmth that the fire affords, both in its presence, and in the warmth of the pillows that have absorbed it.

"That sounds so boooring. Didn't you have ANY fun while you were there? There has to be a balance, after all. I mean, all work and no play, and all that..." She pops the top as she twists off her bottle's cap and takes a sip, looking back up at him.

Black Panther has posed:
Black Panther settles down with a graceful ease and reclines back, leaning on one of the cushions. "My sister and I did take some hover bikes out," T'Challa tells her. On a trail along a series of waterfalls." He lets out a soft chuckle. "It is a wonder I did not lose her over the edge." Then he leans closer. "If only because of the urge to give her a bump that way," he whispers in conspiratorial fashion, but winks to show the joke of it.

"And we had a nice walk through the city. Just a chance to be seen. And talk to the people. There are concerns about some of my outreach policies," he says. "I am confident in the hearts of my countrymen though."

T'Challa opens his iced tea and asks Jessica, "So what have I missed? Any Wade sightings? Did anyone attack the mansion while I was away?" he asks. Kidding. Well, mostly kidding.

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
"Nothing much, since you left," Jess says pensively, twisting her bottle cap on and off, absently. "Fridge monster's back," she states matter-of-factly. "I went down to kick its ass last night, but it was quiet by the time I got there, and I think I startled one of Tony's little cleaning robot freaks, cause he squeaked and skittered off down the hallway. I didn't even have a chance to ask if it heard the noise, too. Those guys are like mechanized Children of the Corn, or something. Those wide eyes, and the way they just sorta...appear. And disappear." She shakes her head. "Makes me wanna nab one, and see if I can teach it stuff."

Black Panther has posed:
Black Panther lets out a wince at the news of the fridge-monster. "I am sure it could learn much from you," T'Challa assures Jessica. He is about to say more when there is a knock at the door. "Ah, there they are," he says, rising and going over to get the nachos, thanking the servant who brought them.

He brings the plate of gooey cheese, meat, and all the other great nacho fixings over, setting it down between Jessica and himself. "The meat is not beef," he tells her. "Try it and tell me if you like it? I brought it back with me," T'challa says. He reclines again, crossing his legs as he lies there. He takes a nacho for himself, getting some of the meat and cheese on it and carefully munching on it while watching the young woman.

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
Jessica excitedly takes a loaded nacho from the plate as soon as it's offered, but at T'Challa's explanation, she pauses, nacho suspended halfway between its plate and its sure demise. Her eyes go wide. "Wh-...what is it?" The look of sheer terror is enough to alert him that there are all sorts of red flags going up all over her mind.

Black Panther has posed:
The African man is enjoying his nacho, without a doubt. And the smell is savory, the near definition of umami. The kitchen has added a few spices to the meat, which to the appearance could just be hamburger. "It's ground water buffalo," T'Challa tells her. "Not too different from beef. But with a richer flavor. It's a little tough, so ground? An excellent way to eat it."

He watches the young woman, curious to see whether she continues with the bite, or whether this has scared her away from trying it.

His bet? She tries it.

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
Jess' brows arch, and she speaks in a heavy and very unconvincing French accent. "How about a WATER buffalo?" She lifts the nacho and /cronch/. "Mmm." She doesn't speak again, because she's enjoying the flavor, swaying ever-so-slightly. When she swallows, the French accent is gone. Most likely, it was an inside joke. With herself. About something that T'Challa would probably never recognize.

"Okay that's good. I was sort of afraid it was something weird and grotesque and tasty that I would regret trying....It's happened..."

Black Panther has posed:
"I do not think I would to that to you," T'Challa tells Jessica. "Maybe to Clint. But not you," he says giving a soft smile. He gets himself another nacho, munching it and giving a soft sigh. "It is good to be back though," he says, stopping to take a sip of his iced tea.

"I was speaking to my sister. About armor that would not shred my clothing," he says. He gives the kind of weary sigh that brothers give about their sisters. "She said she would work on it. But I think she enjoys the thought of the... predicaments... that it could get me into," T'Challa says with a chuckle and a shake of his head.

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
"Oh? No luck yet, then, hmm? I'll keep carrying extra clothes for you in my backpack, too, then. Just in case." JD nods, and takes another nacho, munching it with another quiet "Mmm."

"See, that's the beauty of having a suit that I wear BENEATH my clothes, because it doesn't shred anything. And it keeps me warm in the winter. Like thermal underwear!" She grins, knowing that a thermal suit was one of the first things he started looking for after he figured out that New York actually STAYS this cold a good portion of the year.

Black Panther has posed:
"My normal suit is a little thicker than yours," T'Challa tells her. "I can wear it beneath clothes, but..." he says, trailing off and giving a forlorn sigh. "It adds, at least 15 pounds," he says of his appearance. Eyes giving a little twinkle as if that would matter to him.

He gets another nacho, munching it thoughtfully. "Would you like to try some Wakandan dishes? Next time I can bring more ingredients back," T'Challa tells Jessica. "It is mostly a different set of spices," he tells her.

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
"Oooh yes!" Jess' enthusiasm for food is apparent even despite the fact that she is currently partaking /other/ food. Because it's not about what you're eating, it's about what /else/ there is to eat. "And I can make you some stuff that I like, too! I bet I can come up with some of my favourites that maybe you've never tried..." She's thoughtful for a moment before snagging another nacho and cronching that one, too. "Have you ever had SPAMacaroni and Cheese?"

Black Panther has posed:
Black Panther shakes his head very slowly. "I do not think that I have. I have never had SPAM actually," T'Challa tells her. "It seemed like it would be..." T'Challa searches for a word. "Unpleasant? Or perhaps it is just the name?" He gets another nacho and eats it.

"But, you have not steered me wrong with food. So if you say it is good, I will try it," T'Challa tells her. He glances over towards her slippers and has a curious look on his head as if he is contemplating something.

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
"Oh no, it's horrible. NEVER try SPAM. I was just wondering..." She grins and shrugs, casting a doubtful look at her slippers. She has a bit of an apologetic look when she looks back at T'Challa. "One should never wear mismatched clothing when visiting royalty for nachos..." she muses. "I nearly left them in my room, but the hallway floor was cold..."

Black Panther has posed:
Black Panther raises an eyebrow at the comment about her slippers. "I do not think this was ever mentioned. When my father had me taught of royal etiquette," T'Challa counters in his straight-faced way of humor. "I was actually wondering... do you notice they are different? Is one warmer than the other? Or is one too warm and the other is just right? Or, are they different but you like them to be different, for each foot?"

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
Jessica rolls onto her side to look back at the blue and purple slippers thoughtfully. "I don't guess I know. I mean, Lefty Blue faced his doom bravely in a 2am tumble down the stairs, and Righty Purple met her demise when I stepped on Sweepy the Sleepy Robot. She was a brave slipper. She put her heart and sole ito that fight. You shoulda seen the other guy..."

But then, considering his question, she shakes her head. "I dunno, they feel a little different, but they're not too much different. Neither is much defense against how cold the floors get around here. I swear this place was built on an iceberg."

Black Panther has posed:
"Do not tell Tony that. Or they will be ripping up the floors for week. Installing floor warmers," T'Challa comments. Oh no. Did he just give her that idea? T'Challa moves on quickly lest it have a chance to get a foothold.

"I may go looking around town. For real estate," T'Challa comments, moving the conversation on quickly. "I am thinking to open a community outreach center. In one of the more troubled areas of the city. I do not know how it will go. So I am thinking start with something small. See how it goes. If it is worth expanding then." He gets another nacho. "Would you be interested in looking with me? They will not be nice areas to visit though," he warns.

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
"Ooh yeah, I'd loooove to do that!" Jessica's little opportunity has flown right out of her head, the moment it entered. "I want to help you, however I can. It's totally up my alley!" Jess grins brightly as she sits up, cross-legged. "When are you going? Where are you wanting to start? I want to come, too!"

Black Panther has posed:
Black Panther takes another nacho, and then moves the plate to clear the space between Jessica and he where they lounge in front of the fire. The nachos kept at hand, just freeing up space. He removes a ball from his bracelet and it glows, and tiny bits of metal create an image, a map of New York, in the area of the rug that he cleared.

"The place I encountered Spider-Man is one area I wish to look," he says, the map zooming in and showing a very poor section of Harlem. He zooms it back out, and says, "Also here, and here," T'Challa says and two other areas of the city get outlined in red and one then zoomed into. "These areas have some of the highest crime rates, drug use, and unemployment. So the most opportunity to help these communities," he says. The Wakandan tech zooms out, and then into the third location.

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
Jessica nods, watching with fascination as the Wakandan technology does its thing, and she tilts her head curiously. It is the first time she's ever seen anything like it. But she tries to focus on the subject, and not the method by which she is viewing it. "I think it's a terrific idea, T'Challa. You could help so many people. And there's no reason why you couldn't expand it from one to the next, to the next."

Black Panther has posed:
"There are so many places we might help," T'Challa agrees. I think if my people can see a community like one of these? What it is today. What they can become if we work with them? That may help build more support for my initiatives," T'Challa says quietly.

He doesn't mention Altagracia. It was his hope it would serve, along with a few African missions, as examples to Wakandans of what they can do in rural areas. But T'Challa has decided not to bring that up again, not until the young woman might decide to on her own.

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
Jessica nods pensively, considering each word as the Wakandan speaks, and she smiles. "Well, I certainly love the way your mind works," she responds, when he has completed delineating his concepts. "And Villa Altagracia," Jess adds softly. "I know it was a hope of yours..." She watches his gentle demeanor, her smile growing brighter, and warmer.

Black Panther has posed:
T'Challa gives a slow nod as Jessica brings up the Central American village. "It is," he confirms. "A few African villages in similar conditions, and a few elsewhere in the world. Like Villa Altgracia," T'Challa says.

He pauses for a moment, thinking of what King T'Chaka might have chosen to say in a moment of indecision like this. Put the matter into her hands. "You would be welcome to help me find a place here in America. And if you decide you would to be a part of the same with other locations," he says after the moment's thought.

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
"Anything that I could do to help you, T'Challa. I would be thrilled and honored to help you in any way that I can. I do a great job of moving construction supplies!" she adds with a grin. "I just think it is so great that you're doing so much for people who need it. It's often all too easy for the Haves to forget the Have Nots."

Black Panther has posed:
"Especially when one is used to being secretive about being a Have," T'Challa says quietly. "With good reason perhaps, but it is still difficult to change such a long-ingrained mindset." He ends the display, it isn't truly holographic as it is actual particles from the bead apparently. They pull back up into it. Something like his suit then. He replaces it onto his wrist, where a bracelet has about a dozen similar beads, each marked with a different symbol.

"Just let me know," he tells her softly. "A place like Harlem is different to do something like this with, than a small village. The latter can be changed in destructive ways without intending it, far more easily than the city," T'Challa says.

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
"When we go to Villa Altagracia," Jess says gently, "We can go alone and work within their system to help them improve. You'll see. I have my methods." She smiles then, and rolls onto her stomach, crossing her arms and resting her chin upon them, as she gazes into the fire. "I think you'll love the people," she says sleepily, her eyes fluttering closed in the warmth of the flames. "And I /know/ they'll love you."

Black Panther has posed:
"I think I will too," T'Challa tells her quietly. He lies there without saying anything else then, just letting the fire burn and the two relaxing. T'Challa ends up closing his eyes. The stress of his trip and the disorientation of changing seasons and time zones in crossing over a third of the globe finally catch up with him. The African man eventually drifts off to sleep.