2386/Donation For A Good Cause

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Donation For A Good Cause
Date of Scene: 09 September 2017
Location: Staten Island
Synopsis: Carol Danvers meets with a member of Atlantis Embassy to provide the US support for the Enchantment Under The Sea charity benefit for oceanic preservation.
Cast of Characters: Aqualad, Captain Marvel (Danvers)




Aqualad has posed:
Kaldur'ahm of Atlantis enjoys a peculiar double status at the moment. While not technically part of the current Consulate staff, he is nonetheless part of the Atlantean diplomatic contingent on the surface. He's also a quite prominent one at the moment; aside from Aquaman himself, Kaldur is the only Atlantean living a life in the open on the surface world.

Having availed himself of the technologies of the surface, Kaldur is competent enough to at least use a computer terminal for basic communications. A missive had been sent to him via the Titans internal routing system, surprisingly enough, and it was signed 'Captain Marvel', regarding the charity gala of some evenings prior.

A date and time were set, located conveniently between Kaldur's home base of the Tower and a 'flyer's thoroughfare' that offers easy access for superheroes to move through the city somewhat safely.

Kaldur stands near Hero's Promontory, part of Staten Island's long coastal boardwalk. It's a popular hangout location and the tall monument to the heroes of Earth not far away, a ready becon.

Kaldur stands out among the crowd, though he's separated from them only by a few feet. Tall, broad shoulderd, with dusky skin and pale hair, he is wearing what looks like a light leather jacket with no collar and grey trousers over a red shirt, looking out over the ocean instead of back to the city behind him.

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
Having been unable to attend the charity event arranged by Arthur Curry, Enchantment Under the Sea, as he called it, Carol Danvers have initiated contact with the Atlantean Consulate to amend the slight. After all, as is usual for the Alpha Flight Commander, and the active Avenger, catastrophes happen on a whim, and she needs to be available to stop them. So while unintended, she still was unable to attend, and the cause being a proper one while serving diplomatic needs at the same time, eventually a meeting was set with Kaldur.

Colonel Danvers arrives in her USAF uniform, no doubt intending to project the formality of the whole meeting, lending more political weight to the donation she's about to hand to Kaldur on behalf of Alpha Flight.

Just as Carol might standout in her uniform, so does Kaldur standout via his position. Carol walks deliberately towards him, offering a salute in one hand as she makes her approach, and extends a hand holding an envelope in the other. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Kaldur, and I apologize on behalf of Alpha Flight for not making Arthur's event the other night."

Aqualad has posed:
If there was any wonder Carol had at Kaldur's official role in his government, it's dispelled when he returns her salute. Fist bumped to chest with a military precision, taking Carol's self in with a rapid, gestalt glance of platinum eyes that seem to see everything and miss little.

A soldier, this one, through and through.

"It is my pleasure to meet you, both personally and on behalf of my king," Kaldur says. He accepts the envelope when it's offered, after giving it the most hesitant of assessing glances, and then reads the script on the front with careful labours. Addressed to his King, Kaldur nods at Carol and tucks the envelope into his jacket pocket with extreme care.

Then he offers her his right hand in a handshake. "I understand that you and your teammates were called away for an urgent task. Duty neither needs nor makes excuses," he assures the blonde aviator. "Your presence was missed but there is no guilt to be assigned."

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
"I see we walked a similar paths," Carol remarks, noting the militaristic overtures in Kaldur's mannerism. "I like the initiative to care for our world, be it above or underneath the water, it is our home after all when it comes down to it."

Offering a firm handshake at Kaldur's extended hand, Carol nods sharply, levelling her gaze with his. "I'm glad you see it that way, not everyone to, I've met with diplomats who would take a slight at something like this. No doubt not fully understanding the duty at hand."

Aqualad has posed:
"It is the way of diplomats to be offended," Kaldur agrees, moving his right shoulder in a polite shrug. "They enjoy the opportunity to showcase their depth of emotion, or their depth of control. Those are games for which I am poorly equipped," he admits.

He gestures with one hand, inviting Carol to take her ease near him so they're not facing each other down at military rest. "I hope you will forgive me. I am still acquainting myself with the roster of active heroes in the region," Kaldur says, prefacing his words. He has a slow, deliberate way of speaking, as if thinking each sentence through entirely before saying it. "Is your name a reflection of your rank in the military?" he says, trying to read the medals on Carol's jacket, and failing to interpret them. "I am unsure if you are here representing the armed forces of United States, or here in your capacity as a ... superhero," he says, treading over the word carefully.

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
"Astute observation, being offended forces some diplomatic leverage out of thin air, much like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat," Carol smirks, showing just how much she cares for the political game. But alas, for her position alone, sometimes she finds herself in situations where she has to play it.

"I can't tell you how happy I am to meet someone who shares my dislike for these games," Carol offers with a genuine smile, "my rank is actually Colonel in the United States Air Force...the codename, that carries more weight than mere rank, though it does relate to a rank. Just not my own. It's a long story, but if you care to hear it, I can share..." she takes a moment's pause, and iterates as clearly as she can, "I am here on the behalf of the United States, which is why I distinctly choose my Air Force uniform over my Captain Marvel uniform. I make distinction when it's called for...this is a diplomatic matter, you see, even if we both aren't huge fans..."

Aqualad has posed:
Kaldur's got a pretty good poker face, but he's pretty clearly lost when Carol refers to rabbits and hats, and it doesn't get better until she gets around to clarifying the distinction.

"I... believe I understand," Kaldur says, cautiously. "As 'Captain Marvel', you are working within a different agency than as Colonel Marvel," he says, badly mangling her nom de guerre. "It is confusing," he apologizes, shrugging. "I will endeavour to understand the difference, and I will inform the Consulate that the envelope is an official letter of state," he assures Carol, patting his jacket. On closer look, it's definitely not cow leather-- manta-hide, or something similar?

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
Carol grins as she realizes she actually made it more confusing for Kaldur, and so she takes a moment to restart, "I am Colonel Danvers, I am currently operating as a superhero under the codename Captain Marvel." She pauses, tilts her head a bit as she studies Kaldur's face, and then asks, "clearer now?"

"If you want an easy out, you can always call me Carol, I will not take offense. So, now that I've told you about myself, how about you? Anything you can share?"

Aqualad has posed:
"Muchly, thank you," Kaldur says, ducking his head at Carol in a half-bow. "I am not opposed to some informality. If it pleases you for me to call you Carol, then among my friends I am known as Kaldur," the Atlantean warrior remarks, smiling faintly.

He moves to stand adjacent to Carol so they can talk convivially, looking periodically out at the ocean to break up his remarks. "There is little to share," he apologizes. "I am-- was-- a member of King Orin's personal guard. It was an honor to serve among that retinue, even among the Royal Guard as a whole. He required a loyal ally to go to the surface world as part of a diplomatic mission-- long term, to gain the trust and understanding of the surfacers that King Orin has with his friends in the League," Kaldur explains. "I volunteered, and have been living in the Titan Tower for several weeks now."

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
"Kaldur it is," Carol takes the offer, formality does tend to make everything much longer winded than it should be.

"Why do you say was, if you don't mind me asking?" Carol takes some interest, she after all had her share of shifting roles for a wide variety of reasons. "I have not had contact with the Titans, what do you make of that group, Kaldur?"

Aqualad has posed:
"I cannot serve my King as his bodyguard if I am not around to guard him," Kaldur points out, patiently. "To be his envoy to the surface is a high honor and a privilege. It is with great pride that I take on this duty," he remarks.

It's a little stilted. But he's sincere about it, despite some clear misgivings.

"I have found the Titans to be an outstanding organization thus far. Calm, compassionate and earnest," he says, still speaking with that slow, measured deliberance. "They are young, as a group. Some are inexperienced. All have a desire to serve and a willingness to fight, at least, as much as I've witnessed so far," he says, nodding deferentially to Carol. "Is that what you were inquiring towards?"

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
"Makes perfect sense," Carol leaves it at that, not showing any judgement of Kaldur.

"Perhaps," Carol leaves it up to interpertation what she meant, it is the answer Kaldur choose to give, and that's what matters more. "Young and eager, but would you say they would be similarly eager not to fight when there's a valid reason for inaction over action? Fighting isn't always the best course of action, after all."

Aqualad has posed:
Kaldur gives Carol a level, speculative look. It's a probing question, and he takes a few moments to consider how to answer.

"They-- we-- are a team. Not an army," he says, finally. "Each will respond in their own way to a threat or a challenge. Some will be inclined to fight, some to think, some to flee. It would be irresponsible of me to guess as to their actions," he apologizes. "I regret I cannot be of more use in this regard. But I believe that if you anticipate their actions to be ethical and well-intentioned, you will not be far afoul of the mark."

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
"You said they were young and eager, a surefire recepie for mistake and disaster when one gets overzealous...as a more responsible and likely the most disciplined of the group, I hope you will have a good affect on them, Kaldur," Carol gives her two cents, if only to reveal to Kaldur there's nothing ominous about the question. "Thank you for accepting my country's donation on behalf of your King."

Aqualad has posed:
"Your faith in me is quite kind, Carol," Kaldur tells the blonde aviator. He bows gratefully from the shoulder, ducking his head a few inches. A warrior's bow, not enough to make himself vulnerable. "And the advice is appreciated. Your peers in the community speak highly of your competence in the field. I am humbled that you chose to share it with me."

He seems totally sincere in his gratitude and praise. It's an elegant turn of phrase he uses, but perhaps it comes more naturally to Atlanteans than surfacers.

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
"Any respect I command did not come lightly, I can tell you that much," Carol offers with a playful smirk, no doubt the light comment has quite the heavy load hidden behind it. "I wish more people left their egos at the door and took a moment to humble themselves, it would certainly make the world a better place with less incidents with civillian casualties." She offers another salute and turns to head back.