Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Getting acquainted
"State you business foreigner." The little girl said, no, commanded. She had the temperament of royalty, she must be a princess then. It was the first time in his years of existence has he seen a princess dress so casually and act so brazen.
"Woah woah, take it easy there princess. No need for the hostility, I'm just as confused by the situation as you are,'' Darius said.
He had his staff in his left hand, his right hand behind his back. A few twinkles of cosmic energy would randomly appear around him as a result of his vast power. A majestic being he was, befitting the image of a god. That was what Shuri thought at least.
"You mind not pointing sticks at your guests, that's considered rude where I come from."
Shuri nor the Dora Milaje were bemused by his carefree attitude. Albeit the warriors did lower their spears ever so slightly but still maintained their vigilance.
"Why were you trying to force your way through the barrier?" The princess was curious about this mysterious figure. In all the years since the barrier was erected, never had something like this ever happened. Sure there might have been a few drones and small planes that met an unfortunate end as a result of the barrier but never a man before.
What added more to her curiosity was the fact that the man did not seem to be affected in the slightest. Even his mannerism suggested this was normal to him. As normal as crushing into the ground head first was
"A funny story I might say, *Chuckle* I wouldn't mind sharing it over a cup of tea," saying that Darius tapped his staff onto the ground. The once man shaped crater was repaired and a cushion appeared at the feet of him and Shuri. Furthermore, a table full of all sorts assortments and treats lay before them.
Shuri was increasingly bewildered by this mysterious figure. First the dramatic entrance, then the lack of reaction to his own predicament and finally the blatant use of magic to make tea?.
"Come sit, while we wait for who ever you seem to be waiting for." Shuri flinched at that. "I'll make sure to answer any questions you might have, I can see the curiosity in your eyes."
Darius spotted a cheeky bright smile on his lips. Clearly he was enjoying this.
*Sigh* Relenting, Shuri sat down on the cushion and made herself comfortable. Okoye, the ever so loyal captain of the Dora Milaje stood by her side, her gaze never leaving Darius.
"Why don't I introduce my self, my name is Darius, a traveller," a simple and basic introduction came out of Darius' mouth. It lacked any sort of seriousness. "What's your name young lady."
"My name is-"
Shuri tried to make an introduction but was quickly cut off by Okoye.
"I don't think it be wise to entertain the likes of him Princess, look at him, he hold no respect or awareness of the situation he is in. Please wait for you Father and brother," Okoye spoke with a heavy tone, clearly not liking the intruders attitude to the situation.
"My what an outspoken guard you have, does she always speak for you," Darius was curious about the bald woman. She seemed to not hold any sense of fear in her. An interesting individual indeed.
"It's fine Okoye, we should entertain our guest while we wait. As I was saying Mr Darius, my name is Shuri daughter of T'Chaka and Ramona sister to T'Chala." Shuri provided more information than one would have in such a situation but that's fine right?
"A beautiful name you have Shuri, 'to be loved', you parents must love you dearly."
"That they do." Unknowingly a small smile crept onto her youthful face. Speaking of parents,
*Vroooooo*
From the horizon came yet another jet approaching at high speeds. It would be more fitting to call this one a warship. Aboard the ship, at the command centre stood an imposing figure dressed in an all black protective suit, a helmet molded to the shape of that of a panther in his hands.
The figure stood attentively, his gaze stead fast. This was T'Chaka, king and ruler of Wakanda and the current Black Panther. Behind the king stood a troop of the most elite soldiers Wakanda could offer. From the royal guard, the Dora Milaje, to the border patrol, all ready for a great battle.
But why bring such an assortment of personnel just to fight one man. T'Chaka and every other person living in Wakanda had Darius crashing into their impenetrable barrier. The impact had shook the very earth they stood on, almost on the same scale as a 8.0 magnitude earthquake.
The king knew this figure held great power and he was ready to fight him with everything he had, along with his elite soldiers.
However what he nor anyone for that matter expected that the mysterious figure would be having a cup of tea with the princess no less. T'Chaka was perplexed and frankly didn't know what to make of the situation.
"What is that girl doing here, I thought I made it perfectly clear she is not to leave the confines of the city without my express permission."
"I don't know father, you know how Shuri is," a young man of roughly 20 years of age stood beside the king in a suit of armour similar to the king's. However this one lacked the trademark panther helmet and claws.
"Why did you two have to be so different, you're twins for Bast's sake."
What truly worried the king was not the fact that his daughter had disobeyed his orders to stay inside but the fact that she was less than 5 feet away from the supposed intruder. A number of things could happen in that short distance.
The ship came to halt and engaged in a slow dramatic descent, one you would only see in movie when the heroes finally arrived to the scene.
*Bam*
Ironically though, what followed after was anything but majestic. The ramp lowered with a bang as thudded against the ground, completely ruining the heroic moment. To add more salt onto it, the troop of warriors came rushing out of the ship, murder on their minds.
Behind them came the king and prince, T'Chaka and T'Chala, accompanied by five Dora Milaje on each side. The king had his helmet in hand, the prince had a spear in his. They cautiously approached the relaxing figure of Darius perched upon his soft cushion.
"An 8 out of 10 for cinematic entrance, could use some improvement on the landing though."
The tense atmosphere was completely shattered by Darius' words something the royal family was not expecting.
"The name is Darius by the way, what's yours?" Darius asked with a cheeky smile etched on his lips. His character being so laid back and carefree, something not to be expected from a being of his caliber.
T'Chaka, the regal king of Wakanda, approached Darius with a warm but respectful demeanor trying to gauge the beings intentions.
"Greetings, traveller. I am King T'Chaka, ruler of Wakanda and protector of our people. And this is my son, T'Challa, the future king." The king gestured towards his son, who stood beside him, nodding with equal respect.
T'Chaka continued, "We are honoured by your presence in our land."
The father and son duo were no fools nor arrogant enough not to notice the hidden but obvious power within their guest. They could feel the ever so slight need to bow to him by just how much divine energy Darius seemed to release. This was but a test Darius had thought at the moment in order to assess which route to approach these people with.
Would have Darius sensed a hint of arrogance in the kings heart he would have resorted to more hands on solutions to get things done. However luckily for him, these people seemed spiritually entuned enough to notice a divine being when they saw one. Saved him the hassle that would ensure if proved otherwise.
"No need to for the formality my good friends. You should feel free around me, I come in peace as you humans like to say."
"Friends?" T'Chala blurted out unconsciously.
"Yes friends, I don't sense any hostility from you so I say that makes us friends," the cheeky smile never left Darius' lips. It seemed he enjoyed playing with people.
"If you consider us friends and do come in peace as you say, might I ask a question. What are you doing in our land and why were you trying to break through our barrier?" The king asked what was on every ones mind.
"*Chuckle* Haha, like I told your daughter here, It's quite the funny story. Mind seating down for a cup of tea while I tell you my tale."
The king and prince duo now finally understood as to how Shuri had found herself in this situation. Deciding to indulge the mysterious being due to their own curiosity they sat their butts down on the cushions that appeared before them.
=========================================================[Few, that took longer to write out than I would like. Anyways thanks for reading.]