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tallulahchanel · 11 months

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Disintegration (AU) [Part 2]

Fandom: Black Panther; Wakanda Forver; Avengers Infinity War

Characters: Nakia, Sizwe (River Tribe Elder), Unathi (oc), Queen Naomi (oc), and Queen Ramonda

Warnings: Angst, mentions of character death, grief

Words: 3.2k

Tags: @thekrazykeke @marieewrites @masterofhounds @post-woke @loloalin @i-drink-and-i-write-fics @lady-olive-oil @griot-of-wakanda

~~~

The image of Kya disintegrating into ash right in front of her still plagued Nakia's mind as she willed her legs to get her home. She and Okoye settled for walking back, neither of them having the energy to call Shuri for a jet, if she was even there to accept the call. They also needed time to process what had just happened and how it was going to affect everything around them.

As soon as Nakia walked into her mansion, she was met with the concerned faces of her father, stepmother Babalo, and great-aunt Rhikya. Since the fight wasn't near the River Tribe borders, there was no need for them to evacuate, so they waited at the mansion for the two sisters to return.

Just as Nakia was about to tell them what happened out there, her voice caught in her throat, unable to say the words. Instead, she collapsed to her knees and allowed tears to fall from her cheek and onto her father's sandals. She soon felt his arms wrap around her and she buried her face into his shoulder and sobbed into it. She could sense that he was fighting back his own tears from the pain of losing his youngest daughter, but at that moment, she could only think about her grief and distress.

Time seemed to blur as Nakia eventually got up from the floor and went to wash off the blood, sweat, and dirt from the battle. She didn't bother looking towards Kya's suite, knowing her sister wouldn't be there to greet her with her bright and warm smile.

After showering and changing into her nightgown, Nakia climbed into bed and pulled the covers over her head, begging for sleep to come. Babalo had come in to check on her, insisting that food would be good for her, but she shook her head and promised her stepmother she would eat in the morning.

Babalo could only nod and leave her alone to sit in her grief.

~~~

Wakanda was in a state of mourning, and the dark cloud that loomed over the skies for the next few days didn't help. Even the market that usually buzzed with gossip and half-truths was quiet enough for one to hear their sandals walking against the grasslands.

To honor the lives that were lost from either the battle or becoming ash, Queen Naomi organized a mass grieving ceremony in which the citizens would release lanterns in the air as a celebration of the lives lived and the memories preserved.

Nakia stood in the middle of the River province with her family as they released a lantern in remembrance of Kya. "Goodbye, my omncinci," she said as tears fell down her cheek as she remembered Kya's bright smile, warm presence, and funny personality.

That night, as Nakia lay in bed, she felt her mother's presence. It was rare for Unathi to visit from the ancestral plane, claiming that they rarely need her, but tonight was an exception. More tears flowed as Unathi twisted Nakia's tight coils around her finger.

"She's not there," she told Nakia, adding to her disappointment.

It relieved the War Dog that her baby sister wasn't dead in a traditional sense, but it left her wondering where her spirit was and how much she would give to see her omncinci again.

Unathi's actions eventually lulled her to sleep and gave her much-needed rest for the night. However, Nakia was ready to return to work the next morning. She needed to do something besides sitting in that mansion all day, thinking about Kya.

Fortunately for her, great-aunt Rhikya had an assignment in Liberia and could use the extra hands. "The time away might do you some good," she told Nakia while pouring herself a glass of iced tea Babalo mixed with some lemonade. "But it's only a temporary fix. You still have to do the work of healing yourself."

Nakia didn't say anything, just shoved a fork full of eggah in her mouth and nodded.

The work in Liberia only lasted for two months, and she intended on returning to Oakland to continue her work at the Outreach Center. That was until she received notice that Queen Naomi will eventually switch her to another program.

"My Queen!" Nakia addressed her after barging into her office uninvited, Ayo on her tail.

"I tried to stop her," the second-in-command informed her queen, who just waved her off.

"It's alright, Ayo. Return to your post."

Ayo gave Nakia a warning scowl before leaving out, but the War Dog kept her gaze fixed on Naomi.

"Why would you move my work to Haiti without consulting me first?"

Naomi adjusted the glasses over her eyes. She would've usually worn her contact lenses, but maybe she didn't feel like putting them on that day. Truthfully, the queen hadn't been seen in the glamorous light everyone knew her for. She once walked the palace with confident strides, adorned in a fine gown or custom-made bodysuit as her cocoa-brown skin glistened with perfumed oils. A grieved soul that didn't have the energy to do those things for herself replaced that woman. Today, she wore a simple and clean t-shirt with gray sweatpants that still showed off her curves, and flip-flops, even though the chipped polish on her toenails showed that they hadn't been painted in a while. Her black silk-pressed hair scattered on her shoulders as her bangs hid her eyes, along with her cat-eye glasses. Since there wasn't a council meeting that day, Nakia figured she chose to dress down for the pile of paperwork on her desk.

"Nakia," Naomi addressed her, "I'm building an Outreach Center there, and when it opens, I want you to direct it. You're the best person for the job, and you'll be closer to home, which means you can make more frequent visits to your family. I think this assignment would be good for you."

"Who gave you the authority on what's good for me?"

With a heavy and exasperated sigh, Naomi got up from her desk and walked around to get eye level with Nakia. "I'm trying to be as empathetic as I can with everything that's going on, but I'm not gonna deal with your attitude right now."

Nakia tried to reprimand the queen for speaking to her in that manner, but Naomi continued.

"I'm sorry about Kya, and I miss her too, but you're not the only one here who has lost someone. Queen Mother lost both of her children. M'Baku lost his wife. And not only did I lose my king, I lost the father of my child, my best friend, and the love of my life." Naomi paused to wipe the tear that fell from her eye. "The point is, we're all doing what we can to keep Wakanda running smoothly. All I'm asking is for you to do the same."

Before Nakia could say anything in her defense, the office door opened to reveal N'Kusa, the Dora of Prince Javon, cradling the toddler in her arms.

"My queen. He's awake from his nap and wanted to see you."

"Come here, my baby." Naomi took her son from the Dora and hugged him close.

Prince Javon was a spitting image of his father. Deep-ebony skin, baby doe eyes, and tight, black coils. When he did smile, it was big and bright, just like T'Challa's. The smile that warmed the hearts of everyone that came in contact with him.

Nakia hung her head in shame. Seeing the two of them together only emphasized the queen's words. She did only lose her sister, but everyone in Wakanda has lost someone as well, especially their beloved king.

"Your people need you now more than ever," Naomi's voice grabbed her attention, but she didn't respond. Felt too ashamed to say anything.

Nakia just cleared her throat to rid it of the forming lump and left without a formal dismissal from her queen.

With that day's revelation, Nakia made a point to check on her father. She hadn't really asked him how he felt, but she assumed it would be like the time their family lost her brother, Isipho. A bouncing baby boy that died from SIDS a year prior to Kya's conception. The circumstances were different, but it was still a loss.

"I can't help thinking it's all my fault," she told him while looking out the window of his study, a tear streaking down her cheek. "If I hadn't-"

"Shhhh," Sizwe cut her off with a gentle pat on her shoulder. "Kya had her mother's stubborn determination. There was nothing you could do to stop her. Nor could you have stopped what happened to anyone else."

Nakia wiped her tears away, but more came. "I'm sorry baba. I came in here to check on you."

"I'm taking it one day at a time. It's all one can do."

She didn't say anything, not that there was much to say. Except something she had been thinking about for a while, but she wasn't sure how her father would accept it. After a few minutes of silence, she finally looked away from the window to lock eyes with him. "I saw umama a few weeks ago. Something she said had stuck with me, and I can't seem to let it go."

"What is it?"

Nakia released a sigh. "She said that Kya wasn't there."

That made Sizwe's eyes grow like saucers. "But she's gone. How is that possible?"

"I don't know," she answered with a shrug.

"Can you excuse me for a bit?"

With a nod, Nakia got up from the window cushion and left his office.

In the morning, she got word of an emergency council meeting to discuss what she shared with her father the night before, but she didn't bother to attend. She wasn't in the mood to sit in a semi-circle to talk about the possibility of bringing back their loved ones, not when the reality of everyone's disappearance was right in front of them. This wasn't the time for fantasies and false hopes, just the real world grounding them all with a sense of purpose. The only way Nakia would get that was in Oakland, where she will work until the Outreach Center in Haiti was complete.

~~~

Haiti, Outreach Center – 2025

Years passed, and things changed.

Looking in the mirror, Nakia's hands brushed the auburn locs off her shoulders to scoop them into a ponytail. She wasn't always one for commitment, but the decision to loc her hair came a couple of years prior when she learned that a mother of one of her students was a loctician. She had thought about it for years in Wakanda, but she took that as a sign from Bast to finally do it. Things were already different for her then, and the new hairstyle was her way of opening up to the change. Embracing it so to speak. And finally, it was something on her own terms.

Nakia secured the ponytail with a hair tie and sighed at what she was about to do. She hadn't contacted home in a while, not since her father called two years ago to tell her that Kya and the others returned by some miracle. Work that day had been stressful, so the only thing she was in the mood for was a cup of ramen and Abbot Elementary reruns. He relayed the news via a voice message she didn't hear till the next morning. He even put Kya on the message so she could hear her voice, but denial clouded her judgment, and she deleted the message, angry at her father for playing a cruel trick on her. That's why she hadn't returned either of the several calls from him or her sister over the years.

The last call Nakia received from her sister was a week after T'Challa's passing made the news. He had been sick for a while, meaning there would be no miraculous return from him. He was gone for good this time. After two days of locking herself in her home to mourn the loss of the man she never fell out of love with, she buried herself in work to keep a sense of normalcy in her life. She didn't even make an effort to attend his funeral.

As Nakia twirled a loc that strayed from her ponytail around her finger, she waited patiently for Shuri to answer the call, wanting to know how she was doing and how things were back home. However, she was asked to leave a message, much like the other calls to the young genius. She took the silence in stride and pressed on her beads again to contact her father. When he didn't answer, she figured he was busy in the office or pretending to like the Border Tribe Elder enough to play golf against him. The only person she could think to call was her sister, but she doubted there would be an answer, as she still didn't believe Kya would be on the other end. Closing her eyes, she said a quick prayer to Bast and took the plunge. Her call was immediately ignored and sent to voicemail, which made her sigh again, this time in defeat.

They were angry at her and there weren't enough apologies in the world to make up for not returning home, especially for T'Challa's funeral.

~~~

Nakia spent most of the next day completing paperwork in her office. She was a workaholic, a fact she knew all too well, but never got help for. If she had continued her regular therapy sessions, Dr. Idowu would say she needed a proper work-life balance, like a hobby or hanging out with friends. Problem is, Nakia hadn't developed much of either. There was her frenemy Juleka, but she was only useful for nights at the club or bar or the occasional movie or dinner if Nakia didn't want to go alone.

Nakia took a break from the paperwork for a few minutes to close her eyes and soak up the sounds of the children playing outside, her nerves instantly relaxing at their joy. She hadn't thought much about having children, especially since the accident that left her with scarred fallopian tubes, but she enjoyed the sounds of their laughter and playing.

"I bet I can do it and you'll owe me a snack cake when I do," a familiar voice caught Nakia's attention, and she sat up in her chair to look outside her window. Sure enough, eleven-year-old Juna Yves was swinging on the monkey bars, ready to climb them to impress her classmates.

Storming out of her office, Nakia made a beeline toward the playground to stop Juna from hurting herself. As soon as she walked outside, she found the eleven-year-old with her foot on the second bar, preparing to put it on the top bar. "Juna!" She scolded the young girl with her hands on her hips. "Get down from there, now!"

The little girl narrowed her eyes at Nakia, but backed down when the headmistress folded her arms. "You know, Miss Nakia, you should really learn to lighten up," she said while climbing off the monkey bars.

Nakia rolled her eyes, but a smile twitched at the corner of her lips. "I'll lighten up when you learn to stay out of trouble."

"I am no trouble at all." Juna stuck her nose in the air, her words and demeanor reminding Nakia of when Kya would do the same thing when she told her to stay out of trouble.

Nakia shook the thought out of her mind before smirking at the little girl. "Why don't you come with me to check on the plants?"

That got Juna to smile, meaning she wasn't thinking about climbing the monkey bars for now. "I don't mind. Besides, I have to teach you everything."

Nakia let Juna walk in front of her, so the child wouldn't see her rolling her eyes, then followed her to the area where they grow the indoor plants. "This is beautiful," she complimented the garden croton Juna had been growing for months. "I might let you keep it in your room."

Before Juna could answer, a voice Nakia hadn't heard in years, greeted her in Haitian Creole. "Bonjour."

She jumped in startlement and turned to lock eyes with the tall, chestnut-skinned woman, who smiled back at her.

Nakia turned back to Juna and patted her shoulder. "Ale lave. Li preske tan pou repa aswè (Go wash up. It's almost time for the evening meal)."

"Wi madam (yes ma'am)," Juna replied with a sweet smile, and walked off, making sure to greet the woman that just approached them.

As soon as Juna disappeared, Nakia gazed at the woman in front of her, keeping her tears at bay. "Queen Mother."

The pair walked the halls while she explained how she was able to use the resources to provide better education as well as food for the children. The conversation was going well until Ramonda abruptly changed it to a heavier topic.

"You were missed at T'Challa's funeral."

Nakia sighed, knowing that was coming. She walked over to the nearby railing and gripped it while hiding her incoming tears away from Ramonda.

"It's been six years since you left us. We thought you would at least come back for the ceremony. If not for him, for your sister. She misses you."

Nakia turned to her as her bottom lip trembled. "I miss her too."

That made Ramonda raise an eyebrow. "You speak as if she's still gone."

Nakia didn't say anything because in her heart, Kya was. Even if she has heard her sister's voice via the messages sent from her, it wasn't enough to make her go home. She wanted to believe that her omncinci was back there waiting for her to return, but she worried that she'd go there and find that Kya hadn't returned and her mind had been playing tricks on her. It didn't help that the voice messages have stopped.

"I was afraid," was all Nakia could say before returning her gaze to Ramonda. "I thought if I went back there and she wasn't there…I couldn't handle it. And now that T'Challa's gone…" her voice trailed off as more tears threatened to fall.

"Nakia," Ramonda affectionately addressed her, placing a hand on her cheek. "No matter where you go, you will always be Wakandan. You know death isn't the end. It wasn't for her, and it isn't for T'Challa."

Nakia sniffled and sucked up her remaining tears. "How is she?"

"She is well, but that's not the reason I came."

Nakia wiped at her eyes, so Queen Mother would know that she was fully listening.

"Shuri has been taken."

This made Nakia furrow her brows. "What?"

"You have infiltrated different nations before."

Nakia immediately shook her head, knowing what Ramonda was asking her. "Oko kwakukudala (that was a long time ago). I was a different person then."

"I need someone who could find where she's being held and rescue her without being seen."

Nakia nodded in understanding, seeing the desperation in Ramonda's eyes. "Yes, Queen Mother. But who on earth would risk war with Wakanda?"

#black panther fanfiction #wakanda forever fanfic #black panther imagine #wakanda forever imagine #nakia fanfiction #nakia imagine #nakia & oc #lupita nyong'o #kya shauku #kia & kya forever series #river tribe elder #isaach de bankolé #unathi shauku #queen naomi #trinity fatu #queen ramonda #angela basset

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griots-tales · 2 years

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Warrior Falls: Awesome Shots (Part 3)

#M'Baku #W'Kabi #Ramonda #Shuri #Nakia #River Tribe #Elder #Border Tribe #Dora Milaje #Okoye #Warrior Falls #Black Panther #black panther #black panther fic #fanfiction

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lordgodjehovahsway · 20 days

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Joshua 23: Joshua Commands The Israelites To Remember God's Wrath On His Enemies And Never To Betray Him

1 After a long time had passed and the Lord had given Israel rest from all their enemies around them, Joshua, by then a very old man,

2 summoned all Israel—their elders, leaders, judges and officials—and said to them: “I am very old.

3 You yourselves have seen everything the Lord your God has done to all these nations for your sake; it was the Lord your God who fought for you.

4 Remember how I have allotted as an inheritance for your tribes all the land of the nations that remain—the nations I conquered—between the Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea in the west.

5 The Lord your God himself will push them out for your sake. He will drive them out before you, and you will take possession of their land, as the Lord your God promised you.

6 “Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left.

7 Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. You must not serve them or bow down to them.

8 But you are to hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have until now.

9 “The Lord has driven out before you great and powerful nations; to this day no one has been able to withstand you.

10 One of you routs a thousand, because the Lord your God fights for you, just as he promised.

11 So be very careful to love the Lord your God.

12 “But if you turn away and ally yourselves with the survivors of these nations that remain among you and if you intermarry with them and associate with them,

13 then you may be sure that the Lord your God will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead, they will become snares and traps for you, whips on your backs and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land, which the Lord your God has given you.

14 “Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.

15 But just as all the good things the Lord your God has promised you have come to you, so he will bring on you all the evil things he has threatened, until the Lord your God has destroyed you from this good land he has given you.

16 If you violate the covenant of the Lord your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, the Lord’s anger will burn against you, and you will quickly perish from the good land he has given you.”

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fatehbaz · 2 years

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Why should low-carbon projects be permitted to destroy legendary Native American sacred sites? Yakama elders witnessed the construction of The Dalles Dam that flooded and silenced Celilo Falls on the Columbia River. Since time immemorial, Celilo Falls was one of history’s great marketplaces. Multiple tribes had permanent villages near the falls. Thousands of people gathered annually to trade, feast, and participate in games and religious ceremonies over millennia. During spring, this natural monument surged up to 10 times the amount of water that passes over Niagara Falls today.

What must Indigenous people continue to sacrifice for energy development? The Seattle Times editorial board recently announced support for the Goldendale pumped-storage hydroelectric project to benefit the state’s clean-energy portfolio [“Goldendale energy project can help meet state’s clean-energy needs,” Sept. 2, Opinion]. The board constructed an alternate reality where tribal nations could find common ground with the developer and resolve objections to project construction. The board wrote, “A compromise that would allow the project to go forward while respecting tribal concerns would be a benefit for all.” The board ignores the realities of Native American history and the history of this project, which the Confederated Tribes and Bands of Yakama Nation (Yakama Nation) have objected to from the initial development proposal at this site.

The project site is situated on Pushpum — a sacred site to the Yakama Nation, a place where there is an abundance of traditional foods and medicines. The developer’s footprint proposes excavation and trenching over identified Indigenous Traditional Cultural Properties, historic and archaeological resources and access to exercise ceremonial practices and treaty-gathering rights.

Notably, the project site covers the ancestral village site of the Willa-witz-pum Band and the Yakama fishing site called As’num, where Yakama tribal fishermen continue to practice their treaty-fishing rights.

Yakama Nation opposes the development. The developer proposes two, approximately 60-acre reservoirs and associated energy infrastructure within the Columbia Hills near the John Day Dam and an existing wind turbine complex. The majority of the nearly 700 acre site is undeveloped; the lower reservoir would be located on a portion of the former Columbia Gorge Aluminum smelter site. The tribe’s treaty-reserved right to exercise gathering, fishing, ceremony and passing of traditions in the area of the proposed project has existed since time immemorial. The tribe studied mitigation; it is impossible at this site.

Columbia Riverkeeper, and more than a dozen other nonprofits, stand in solidarity with Yakama Nation and oppose the development: The climate crisis does not absolve our moral and ethical responsibilities. Both tribal nations and environmental organizations have worked tirelessly to stop fossil fuel developments and secure monumental climate legislation in the Pacific Northwest. But we refuse to support a sacrifice zone to destroy Native American cultural and sacred sites in the name of combating climate change.

Environmental justice is on the line with the pumped-storage development. Seventeen tribal leaders sent a letter to Gov. Jay Inslee, urging him to reject development permits. The leaders explained, “Our ancestors signed Treaties with the United States, often under threat of violence and death, in exchange for our ancestral lands and sacred places. Through these treaties, we retain the rights to practice and live in our traditional ways in these places. Yet, the promises made by the government have been broken time and time again.”

Earlier this year, the Washington State Office of Equity, located within the governor’s office, released the state’s inaugural five-year Washington State Pro-Equity Anti-Racism Plan & Playbook. Gov. Inslee stated, “We will no longer replicate and reinforce systems, processes and behaviors that lead to inequities and disparities among various communities.” Now is the time to apply the playbook to climate change and energy siting.

There is no room for compromise. The choice is stark: Continue to advance our nation’s and state’s history of sacrificing Indigenous resources through broken promises, or work with tribes committed to tackling the climate crisis while, at the same time, protecting the last remaining sacred sites.

---

Text by: Jeremy Takala and Lauren Goldberg. “Stop sacrificing Indigenous sacred sites in the name of climate change.” The Seattle Times. 25 September 2022.

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wthtorke · 1 year

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Feral

Feral predator x Afab reader NSFW - Warning for kidnapping

You've been warned! This one is nasty lmao also has 4k words so be prepared, and enjoy! As always this was seen over a month and something ago on my patre0n!

Hunting runs in the veins of his people. From the youngest child to the wisest elder, it was a rite. Tradition. Part of them.

Some warriors had their rites before a hunt. Some prayed, some others cleaned their weapons and sharpened their blades. He chooses to watch.

Hunting is about patience, he believes. So he watches them days before striking.

He sees her on his first day. A foggy morning in the dense forest they resided in now. A small village on the outskirts of a kingdom he flew over before landing; since then, he got bewitched.

The air smelled of leaves, the occasional local fauna scent hitting him as the thick smell of humans below made it almost too annoying to breathe without his mask. He wasn't hunting- yet.

He stretched over the thick tree branch supporting his weight, looking intently at the artificial shelter he knew belonged to her. Man-made.

To say he was interested was an understatement. He was intrigued, rather obsessively, even. What he feels in his sheath isn't the thrill of the hunt but the desire for a partner. A mate, It's odd.

He feels his cock throb, pressing against his crotch armor, yearning to be free and inside of something right after, to be inside of her.

He had heard of it before from older, wiser warriors. "Your cock is stupid. Sometimes it will mistake prey for a mate, don't listen to it." He had scoffed, just a youngblood then, "So what to do if that happens?"

"Kill it."

She seems to hear his thoughts, or feel the ghost of them, for she looks straight up at the tree he had been resting on, now watching her from another angle- Lower, closer. She seemed to be a servant of some sort, always carrying a basket of food, feeding the stock, or hauling buckets of clothes to the river like she was now, crouched on the side of it. She forgot the scrubbing as she looked around, looking for him.

She hadn’t seen him yet. None of them had. He hadn’t killed anything yet, nothing that didn’t deserve it, but he found that he liked watching her. All of her species was weak; her included; a frail little thing was washing her strange clothes on the riverbank, day after day, with no greater ambitions for the future than to get her daily chores done and maybe get some rest.

He slowly stalked across the grass, staring at her from the other side of the river. His camouflage made him feel beyond lucky in situations like these; most warriors used it for sneaking surprise attacks, others used it to flee- he used it to watch. He could taste her scent on his tongue, taken by the curving winds into his mouth beneath his mask. It was a hot day like yesterday was, but he’d still have to catch her swimming in the river as she did days ago. He had wondered if she could smell him like he did her. Maybe he just alarmed her prey instinct, watching her lifted head, eyes still scanning for the source of her uneasiness.

He felt his chest rumble, claws gripping the tree bark under his fingers; she might not smell him like the deer or the bears do, but she knew something was wrong. She knows she's not alone, and he can't help but feel his hunter's instincts kicking in.

She doesn't have a mate, not that he can tell- but then again, humans here were strange. Some tribes were more advanced than others; some had shelters made of hide and fabric while others had them made of stone and wood. He found them all to have some hidden savagery in them —especially the wood and stone humans.

She was a wood and stone human, but another thing he noticed about them was the way they looked at one another. Humans and yautja held their differences regarding facial expressions, but every sentient species he knew had a universal "I don't trust you," look. She didn't trust any of them. Especially the males.

He thought about his options as a hunter, and then he thought of his options as a male whose -possible- mate felt distressed around their people.

What to do?

He checks back to reality when another scent hits his nose, muskier, filthy—a male. Feral watches him make his way to her, smaller than him by two of their human heads. He doesn't like it, so he slowly stalks forward, crouched and cloaked to see their interaction.

Human words are odd, he can't make out many of them, and his translator was always shit, but he wasn't an idiot- he could read tones. Every species sounded about the same when pissed the fuck off.

"I've told you time and time again, Gale, I'm not interested." She snaps, scrubbing her clothes harder onto the rocks.

"What in God's name is wrong with you? Do you have any idea how lucky you are that I even want to marry you? You should be licking my boots for this." The male hisses. She shakes her head.

He grabs her. She screams.

So he grabs him.

It takes less effort to kill an adult man than it does to skin a snake. His blades slice through him, and his screaming stops– hers do not.

So he grabs her.

He slings the woman over his shoulder as he hears barking in the distance and the faded shouting of other males making their way to the river. He scoffs and runs off.

You keep screaming when the demon carrying you jumps up a tree to another, then another, and another; endlessly, far away from your village. Where to? You had no idea. Your futile attempts at punching its stiff back turned into desperate clinging when he landed straight into the river again, splashing water everywhere and soaking your dress as it scents the air before running up the river with you over his shoulder.

You commend your brain for whatever half-thoughts it could muster while the beast ran away with you. What was it? A demon? An animal never seen before? A creature? It had to be a demon, didn't it? Animals didn't run standing, and they definitely didn't throw people over their shoulders while running.

Its hide was thick and textured. You felt its ridges and needle-like protrusions under your fingers, not enough to cut skin but enough to tickle your palms, its tips pressing against the skin bluntly.

"Please- please put me down!" You pleaded, trying to look back at the thing's head; did it have no ears?

It growled and snarled, shaking you some before speeding up again- as if telling you to keep quiet, so you did.

After an hour, the demon diverges from the river, turning and entering the dense forest. You dozed in and out as it carried you around, getting shaken awake when it stopped by nightfall, dropping you on the patchy floor. Your body screams as you sit up, looking around in the dark, looking for it.

You whip your head around, squinting your eyes and trying to calm your breath; the moonlight is scarce through the trees. You sniffle and wipe your face as you try to listen for any sounds- the ringing in your ears makes it hard to discern any noises.

A twig snaps, and you jump. Your dress drags, wet and heavy, against the grassy patch you're sitting on, "Please- please don't hurt me-," you choked on your words when a twig snapping made you jump a second time. You look back as heavy steps begin walking towards you before the big hands from before are on you again. The clawed fingers close around your arms and move you around as you thrash and squirm in their grasp to no effect.

"Unhand me-! Stop-," you hiss as it drags you onto another grassier spot and sits you down like a toddler, pushing you down two times as if to say stay.

It growls and walks about. You can hear it now; twigs were snapping, huffing, and snarling. You listen to things get thrown around. The sound is like-

"Wood? What are you trying to-,"

A weird sound reaches your ears, like metal scraping against metal; shrill, thin, and prickly like a new needle. You shake your head at it, only opening your eyes when something bright- when immediate warmth reaches your cold, wet frame.

Fire.

“Oh my God!” You gasp in surprise, seeing the structured twigs as you scoot closer to the fire, bringing your stiff fingers closer to the flames, shaking as you did your best to chase the shivers away from your bones. Still- you weren’t alone.

You look around, fire briefly forgotten as you struggle to locate the creature that kidnapped you from the river. It saved you, yes- but what for?

“If you plan to cook me, that fire won’t do!” You blurt out. The panic forces nonsensical words out of your mouth. You shake your head, feeling more tears welling up in your eyes. You cry out loud when the creature comes forth again, only that the fire made him very visible now.

You crawl backward as your lungs burn with every desperate attempt at sucking air. Its skin was not like anything you’d seen before. It wore no clothing other than some kind of leathery loincloth that hung around its hips. Your eyes ran up its form, taking in its muscles- no man you had ever known had muscles like that. No man you knew could kill another like it did, too.

Rapid breathing makes your chest hurt. Your heart is speeding when you meet its face.

Bone.

Its face was of pure bone.

It snarled and snapped, making you cry louder and recoil, pulling your knees to your chest and hiding your face so you wouldn’t face imminent death. You cry harder, feeling your shoulders wack with every desperate sob that leaves you when you hear more cracking in front of you.

You feel its breathing on your skin. The clicking and raspy sounds make you shiver but still, no contact. Why wasn’t it doing anything? You wanted to look, to face your fears. But it was easier said than done.

Feral snorts on the thick fear stench that rolled off you in waves. He shook his head as his open palm hovers over your head, claws spread and ready to close around your form again. He felt annoyed. He didn’t know your language but being so different from you, it was apparent you thought he was some sort of monster. Not far from the truth, but still not it.

He huffs and snarls, trying to catch your scent under all the panic and fear you presented so strongly now. That one trail that made him feel the way he did at the river. The way you’ve been making him feel since he laid eyes on you.

Stupid, he was stupid.

Of course, you would fear him. Of course, you would want to be as far away from him as you could. But there was no way to explain. No way to communicate. Would you even listen to him if he could? Maybe he could try.

Yanking you off the floor like a twig by your arms, Feral steps closer to the fire again, sitting by it as he slowly lowers your struggling form to the floor again. You act like a restless toddler to him, trying to get away from his grasp and run off into the forest.

Luckily for him, he has many young siblings.

Every time you get up, he pulls you back down, forcing you to sit multiple times until you tire out. He can’t hold back his laughter when you land yet again on your ass in front of him.

“What do you want?!” You hiss at him, face hot from the strain, feeling anger boiling over the fear.

It’s easy enough to guess what you’re asking him. So he lifts his finger, points at you, and tensely points it to the floor, growling to make a point.

“What is the point of dying sitting? I’m not making your job easier!” You frown and tense your legs to get up. The speed with which he draws a blade from his thigh and sinks it into the ground next to your leg has you melting back onto the floor.

‘Good.’ He thinks. ‘We’re leaning.’

“O-Okay- I’m sitting now.” You say. His jaw twitches slightly. “Si-tting! I’m sitting! See? Sitting! Sit!” You point at yourself and then at the floor, just like he wanted. “What now?”

Feral snorts again. The stench is still strong. He sheathes his knife again, turning back to look at you. You make him feel things, and he wants to make you feel things in return, but not while you’re so afraid and angry at him.

He places his palms on the floor and leans forward toward you. You try to shy away, and he growls again, lowering to a low hiss when you stop moving.

It was like the hounds back at the village. You spoke to the kennel master a couple of times while helping him deliver puppies into this world. “You have to respect animals.” He said, “They have their own language, learning it means survival to both of you. That usually means find out whatever makes it stop growling and keep doing it until it trusts you.”

So you keep still, chest heaving as the demon gets closer and closer to your face. It didn’t seem to have eyes, but it knew of your every move. How could it be? How could it see anything?

Its bone cheek grazes against yours, its thick neck hovers over your own body. It felt hot, so very hot. Almost as hot as the fire to your side. You could feel its growling in your core, intense, rattling.

You don’t see it move its hand from the ground until it almost touches your other cheek. You close your eyes, gasping a bit. Nothing comes. You feel your tightly shut eyes sting with tears again, and your chest tightens with upcoming sobs before another strange noise reaches your ear.

It's a sound you know well. A sound that made you happy when you were a child, whenever it was your turn to feed the cats milk, a reward for their hard work keeping the mice away from the grains and seeds the village had harvested.

Purring.

Heavy, deep purring.

Your eyes snap open, and your hand shoots up on reflex against its chest, trying to push it back. But it doesn’t move. Nor its body or its hand, still lingering close to your face. Your hand trembles with the vibrations coming from its chest. It goes up your arm and makes your heart skip more beats. You blink, confused. Your cats never purred to people they didn’t like. Was this a trick?

“What-?” You croak, voice raw and raspy from crying and screaming. The tears dry on your eyes, not yet shed as its hand finally comes in contact with your dirty face. You jump a bit when its purring slows down, dragging out more as its clawed thumb slowly strokes your face.

You feel petrified as your fingers curl a bit on its chest, feeling the texturized hide under your palm. Your other arm hurts from supporting your weight when you tried leaning away from it. The strain burns your muscles as you wince a bit, still afraid to move. But not as much as before, scarily enough.

Feral breathes in your scent, letting his other hand snake behind your back, slowly wrapping around your waist to relieve your arm. An excuse to bring you closer to him. You notice the change and shift against him. Not away, but against him. A win, in his book.

He keeps stroking your face, feeling the plush cheek under the pad of his thumb as he slowly drags you closer to him. Feral can feel that scent again, only ever starting to break through the foggy fearful one from before. He rubs his mask against your face as your chest meets his collarbone. So small, yet yielder of such a strange power over him.

“Oh…”

The smallest of noises leaves your mouth. The first one not touched by dread ever since you’ve met. It sends a shiver down his belly, straight to his sheath. Feral lets the hand on your back slide up and into your hair as he buries his face in it, reveling in the way your chests touched, reveling in how relaxed you were in his hands now.

You couldn’t say what made you let out that breathy sigh for the life of you. Everything felt too real and not real at all. No man had ever touched you like this. No man had ever treated you so…gently. Gentleness this coming from the beast who mauled a man to shreds not hours ago.

Still, it did not matter. Nothing mattered. You let your free arm come up, and touch its shoulder, resting your palm on another patch of prickly skin as he kept sniffing into your hair. It was still sitting as your knees stood just before the ground as it held you in its arms, reminding you again of just how big and dangerous it was.

You sigh and close your eyes for a second, feeling its hot breath against your hair as its hand moves from your cheek to caress your ear, making your hairs stand on end once more. For a different reason this time. Your hand grips its shoulder tighter as its face comes closer to your neck. Maybe this was the end. Maybe it finally tired from toying with you. You can’t bring yourself to be afraid again.

Feral lets his tusks touch your throat before he lowers his jaw and lets his tongue drag against your skin, making you arch your back, pushing your chest against his again. “A-Ahhh…” He chuckles at the noise, his huffing cutting through his purring before it evens out again, deep and constant as before. If not heavier with lust.

You pant, opening your eyes again as you feel the hot tongue swiping against your throat over and over again. Your body felt hot, not from the fire or Its body heat, but from your own desire. Desire. For a demon. Your heart beats faster as you realize what you’re truly feeling in his arms. And just how tight you had been pressing your legs together. You breathe in deeper, heavier, as his tongue moves down to your collarbone.

He supported your body by letting his hand close around your neck, holding you up against him as he licked the skin between your breasts over the fabric of your bodice. You moan, feeling your face burn in embarrassment from everything. But it was not like you. Maybe it had no idea you were embarrassed.

The moan sends another shiver down Feral’s spine and another spike down his sheath. He wanted to breed. Badly. But most importantly, he wanted to breed you.

Feral pulls back long enough to let his claws hook around the bodice’s fabric, slowly pulling it down, baring you to him. You panted and closed your eyes. The hand on his shoulder tightened even more, but he couldn’t smell fear. Shyness wasn’t a thing among his people; there was no use for it. But he couldn’t say he didn’t find it oddly endearing.

The fabric catches under your breasts as the sleeves strain against your shoulders, leaving your chest exposed to the night air. To his tongue. He breathes heavily as he looks them over. Most of the females he knew were flat-chested. Their breasts only swelled when they were with child. But you had no child now. Was this normal of your kind? What would you look like when…?

Another shiver. His cock strains against his sheath, ready to breach it.

He growls and lowers his face to your chest again, feeling the softness with his tusks, letting his tongue drag over the nipple he chose to lick. Your gasps and foreign words urge him on, bringing his other hand to feel the other breast as he purrs louder than ever. You smelled good, tasted good, and felt good. How could he deny this? He brought your hips closer to his torso as he switched breasts with his tongue, making you arch against him again. Only some more layers of fabric separated him from you. He shivers again. His sheath opens.

Feral groans as he lowers you to the ground, positioning himself between your legs. Between the rumple of the fabric of your dress’s skirt. You pant as he plans his next move, lifting your skirts over to your belly, and exposing your legs along with your chest.

You clutch the fabric nervously as you try to regain your breath. You knew how things worked between a man and a woman. But this was no man, and you surely never heard of one so big as this for comparison. It fumbles with its crotch cloth before turning back to you.

His cock stood fully hard before you, slick and as big as you thought it’d be, if not more. Your eyes widen, and your cunt tightens around nothing. You let out a breathless sigh as he moves closer to you, hooking his hands under your legs and pulling you to him. His cock was reddish like the center of his chest, ridged and bumpy like his skin. It’s your turn to shiver, and he purrs for you.

The head of his cock slides against your slit, and you gasp, choking on a moan as he nudges your clit before coming back down and repeating the motion. Your slick mingles with his as he presses his head against your hole. It’s tight, unforgivingly tight. It’s going to hurt.

Your entrance is breached, and you’re frowning hard already, feeling the thick, swollen head of his cock pulsating inside your cunt. The corners of your vision go white as you pant in strain, lust, and anxiety at what's to come.

He pauses and reaches for his back, his free hand stroking your thigh as he produces one of his weapons from his back. Some kind of spear.

Feral’s hand leaves your thigh to aid him in pulling it apart, making it a two-piece. He lays the blade part on the ground and keeps the end part to himself. He purrs heavily again as he lowers the pommel to your cunt, resting it over the small nub that made you react so hard before. He reaches for his wrist gauntlet and presses two buttons, causing it to vibrate.

You yell out in surprise and pleasure as he presses the vibrating pommel to your clit, leaning over you as you moan and squirm under the best sensation you’ve ever felt in your life. A sudden rush flows through your body as your pussy spasms around his cock. You groan as he presses more of his cock into your cunt, slacking on the floor as he lifts the pommel from you again, stopping his movements halfway through once more. He strokes your thigh, and you crane your neck to look up at him, “Please- please do that again. Please.” You beg, pointing at his spear’s end.

He understands. And lowers the pommel onto you once more. “Please-” you pant, moaning as he shifts closer to you, pressing the same spots on his strange wrist armor. You rest your hand over his on the spear, panting harder before that sensation kicked in again full force. It shook you to your core, rattling you from the inside out in the best way possible. “In me-, in me-” you beg in between moans, grabbing his thigh under yours with your other hand, trying to pull it closer to you. Feral snarls and closes his free hand around your hip, thrusting his cock the rest of the way in. You shouted again as that same rush crashed over you again, making you tighten around the massive cock deep into you.

Feral roars and bucks his hips, small spurts of precome getting squeezed out of him by your pussy. “Please- please- please fuck me, please-” He recognized the word as he pulled his cock back and thrusted back in fully, tossing the spear end to the side as he focuses on you again. Your eyes roll back into your skull as he sets a bruising pace, hands tightly gripping your hips as he roars and snarls.

You panted and gasped as your dress dragged roughly against the forest floor as he fucked you hard, the loud noises of your mating enough to make you close your eyes in embarrassment once more. No one could hear you here, only him. All of your moans and screams were for him and only him, as his growling and purring were yours, and yours only.

“I’m going to- I-” You shudder as you feel that rush coming through you again, in a slightly different way this time, but no less pleasurable than before as you grab his arms, coming onto his cock for the third time. Feral roars and slams his cock as deep as he could, filling you up to the brim with thick come. It drips from your cunt and onto your skirt’s fabric, torn and dirty after everything you went through this day alone.

Feral doubles over and rests his head on the ground next to yours supporting himself with one of his hands. He purrs and nuzzles into your hair again as you struggle to regain your breath once more. He licks your cheek, and you smile, wincing briefly when he pulls away from you, laying down on the grassy patch before pulling you close to him. You cover your chest again and lower your skirts before snuggling up to him.

You hug his middle as he wraps his arms around your form, feeling his chest pick up its purring as your eyes grow heavier by the second. Feral watches you slack against him, out like a light. He strokes your hair and rests his jaw on top of your head. He scoffs as he drifts off to sleep himself.

The elders didn’t know shit.

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paganimagevault · 7 months

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Ai Khanoum 3rd C. BCE - 2nd C. CE. More images on my blog, link at bottom.

"These wise sayings of men of old, The words of famous men, are consecrated At holy Delphi, where Klearchos copied them from carefully To set them up, shining from afar, in the sanctuary of Kineas.

As a child, be well behaved; As a young man, self-controlled; In middle age, be just; As an elder, be of good counsel; And when you come to the end, be without grief.

—trans. of Ai Khanoum stele by Shane Wallace and Rachel Mairs.

Ai-Khanoum (/aɪ ˈhɑːnjuːm/, meaning Lady Moon; Uzbek Latin: Oyxonim) is the archaeological site of a Hellenistic city in Takhar Province, Afghanistan. The city, whose original name is unknown, was likely founded by an early ruler of the Seleucid Empire and served as a military and economic centre for the rulers of the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom until its destruction c. 145 BC. Rediscovered in 1961, the ruins of the city were excavated by a French team of archaeologists until the outbreak of conflict in Afghanistan in the late 1970s.

The city was probably founded between 300 and 285 BC by an official acting on the orders of Seleucus I Nicator or his son Antiochus I Soter, the first two rulers of the Seleucid dynasty. There is a possibility that the site was known to the earlier Achaemenid Empire, who established a small fort nearby. Ai-Khanoum was originally thought to have been a foundation of Alexander the Great, perhaps as Alexandria Oxiana, but this theory is now considered unlikely. Located at the confluence of the Amu Darya (a.k.a. Oxus) and Kokcha rivers, surrounded by well-irrigated farmland, the city itself was divided between a lower town and a 60-metre-high (200 ft) acropolis. Although not situated on a major trade route, Ai-Khanoum controlled access to both mining in the Hindu Kush and strategically important choke points. Extensive fortifications, which were continually maintained and improved, surrounded the city.

Many of the present ruins date from the time of Eucratides I, who substantially redeveloped the city and who may have renamed it Eucratideia, after himself. Soon after his death c. 145 BC, the Greco-Bactrian kingdom collapsed—Ai-Khanoum was captured by Saka invaders and was generally abandoned, although parts of the city were sporadically occupied until the 2nd century AD. Hellenistic culture in the region would persist longer only in the Indo-Greek kingdoms.

It is likely that Ai-Khanoum was already under attack by nomadic tribes when Eucratides was assassinated in around 144 BC. This invasion was probably carried out by Saka tribes driven south by the Yuezhi peoples, who in turn formed a second wave of invaders, in around 130 BC. The treasury complex shows signs of having been plundered in two assaults, fifteen years apart.

Although the first assault led to the end of Hellenistic rule in the city, Ai-Khanoum continued to be inhabited; it remains unknown whether this reoccupation was effected by Greco-Bactrian survivors or nomadic invaders. During this time, public buildings such as the palace and sanctuary were repurposed as residential dwellings and the city maintained some semblance of normality: some sort of authority, possibly cultish in origin, encouraged the inhabitants to reuse the raw building materials now freely available in the city for their own ends, whether for construction or trade. A silver ingot engraved with runic letters and buried in a treasury room provides support for the theory that the Saka occupied the city, with tombs containing typical nomadic grave goods also being dug into the acropolis and the gymnasium. The reoccupation of the city was soon terminated by a huge fire. It is unknown when the final occupants of Ai-Khanoum abandoned the city. The final signs of any habitation date from the 2nd century AD; by this time, more than 2.5 metres (8.2 ft) of earth had accumulated in the palace.

While on a hunting trip in 1961, the King of Afghanistan, Mohammed Zahir Shah, rediscovered the city. An archaeological delegation, led by Paul Bernard, unearthed the remains of a huge palace in the lower town, along with a large gymnasium, a theatre capable of holding 6,000 spectators, an arsenal, and two sanctuaries. Several inscriptions were found, along with coins, artefacts, and ceramics. The onset of the Soviet-Afghan War in the late 1970s halted scholarly progress and during the following conflicts in Afghanistan, the site was extensively looted."

-taken from Wikipedia

...

"The silver ingot engraved with runic characters found during the excavations of the Treasury could suggest they were Sakā/Sai. This inscription comprises 21 characters of a script and a language that are unknown and both attributed to nomadic people of Sakā origin, by comparison with a dozen similar inscriptions coming from an area extending from Ghazni in Afghanistan to Almaty in Kazakhstan, and dated between the 5th century BC and the 8th century AD."

-taken from Ai Khanoum after 145 BC: The Post-Palatial Occupation by Laurianne Martinez-Sève, University of Lille, 2018

#ancient history #antiquities #art #paganism #statue #museums #sculpture #history #greek art #greek gods #ancient greek #greek myth #scythian #pagan #ancient art #afghanistan

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xtruss · 8 months

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Native Tribe To Get Back Land 160 Years After Largest Mass Hanging In US History

Upper Sioux Agency state park in Minnesota, where bodies of those killed after US-Dakota war are buried, to be transferred

— Associated Press | Sunday 3 September, 2023

The Upper Sioux Agency State Park near Granite Falls, Minnesota. Photograph: Trisha Ahmed/AP

Golden prairies and winding rivers of a Minnesota state park also hold the secret burial sites of Dakota people who died as the United States failed to fulfill treaties with Native Americans more than a century ago. Now their descendants are getting the land back.

The state is taking the rare step of transferring the park with a fraught history back to a Dakota tribe, trying to make amends for events that led to a war and the largest mass hanging in US history.

“It’s a place of holocaust. Our people starved to death there,” said Kevin Jensvold, chairman of the Upper Sioux Community, a small tribe with about 550 members just outside the park.

The Upper Sioux Agency state park in south-western Minnesota spans a little more than 2 sq miles (about 5 sq km) and includes the ruins of a federal complex where officers withheld supplies from Dakota people, leading to starvation and deaths.

Decades of tension exploded into the US-Dakota war of 1862 between settler-colonists and a faction of Dakota people, according to the Minnesota Historical Society. After the US won the war, the government hanged more people than in any other execution in the nation. A memorial honors the 38 Dakota men killed in Mankato, 110 miles (177km) from the park.

Jensvold said he has spent 18 years asking the state to return the park to his tribe. He began when a tribal elder told him it was unjust Dakota people at the time needed to pay a state fee for each visit to the graves of their ancestors there.

Native American tribe in Maine buys back Island taken 160 years ago! The Passamaquoddy’s purchase of Pine Island for $355,000 is the latest in a series of successful ‘land back’ campaigns for indigenous people in the US. Pine Island. Photograph: Courtesy the writer, Alice Hutton. Friday 4 June, 2021

Lawmakers finally authorized the transfer this year when Democrats took control of the house, senate and governor’s office for the first time in nearly a decade, said State Senator Mary Kunesh, a Democrat and descendant of the Standing Rock Nation.

Tribes speaking out about injustices have helped more people understand how lands were taken and treaties were often not upheld, Kunesh said, adding that people seem more interested now in “doing the right thing and getting lands back to tribes”.

But the transfer also would mean fewer tourists and less money for the nearby town of Granite Falls, said Mayor Dave Smiglewski. He and other opponents say recreational land and historic sites should be publicly owned, not given to a few people, though lawmakers set aside funding for the state to buy land to replace losses in the transfer.

The park is dotted with hiking trails, campsites, picnic tables, fishing access, snowmobiling and horseback riding routes and tall grasses with wildflowers that dance in hot summer winds.

“People that want to make things right with history’s injustices are compelled often to support action like this without thinking about other ramifications,” Smiglewski said. “A number, if not a majority, of state parks have similar sacred meaning to Indigenous tribes. So where would it stop?”

In recent years, some tribes in the US, Canada and Australia have gotten their rights to ancestral lands restored with the growth of the Land Back movement, which seeks to return lands to Indigenous people.

‘It’s a powerful feeling’: the Indigenous American tribe helping to bring back buffalo 🦬! Matt Krupnick in Wolakota Buffalo Range, South Dakota. Sunday 20 February, 2022. The Wolakota Buffalo Range in South Dakota has swelled to 750 bison with a goal of reaching 1,200. Photograph: Matt Krupnick

A National Park has never been transferred from the US government to a tribal nation, but a handful are Co-managed with Tribes, including Grand Portage National Nonument in northern Minnesota, Canyon de Chelly National Monument in Arizona and Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska, Jenny Anzelmo-Sarles of the National Park Service said.

This will be the first time Minnesota transfers a state park to a Native American community, said Ann Pierce, director of Minnesota State Parks and trails at the natural resources department.

Minnesota’s transfer, expected to take years to finish, is tucked into several large bills covering several issues. The bills allocate more than $6m to facilitate the transfer by 2033. The money can be used to buy land with recreational opportunities and pay for appraisals, road and bridge demolition and other engineering.

Chris Swedzinski and Gary Dahms, the Republican lawmakers representing the portion of the state encompassing the park, declined through their aides to comment about their stances on the transfer.

— The Guardian USA

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s0lam33y · 3 months

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I’m afraid everything will disappear

A/n: Hey y'all, I hope y'all aint think I was gon miss a day of shuriri week.

@shuririweek @mal-urameshi @neptoons1998

“I think you should speak to your wife before we go to war,” Aneka bluntly murmurs as she follows Shuri in the lab.

“No, I love her but we don’t see eye to eye,” Shuri replies with firmness in her voice as she taps away along her screen. Aneka sighs whilst watching the princess. She’s watched this before, the exact same thing happened with Okoye and her Ex-Husband, W’Kabi.

She didn’t see this coming with her favorite couple in the royal palace. She'd hope that if anything they'd be able to resolve this more calmly but There’s pride mixed into this, especially from Shuri's end.

“I don’t like the plan,” Riri admits in the council room. Her input is needed, they have two of the smartest women in the room, of course her input is needed.

“Me either, it’s too agressive,’it leaves no room for defense.” One of the elders agrees, receiving a couple hums in agreement.

Riri’s eyes cut to her wife’s.

“We don’t have much time, attacking is the best choice.” Shuri says, crossing her legs while she sits on the throne.

“I agree, we all remember what happened last time with the Talokan.” One elder says as silence falls upon the room.

“Right, but we didn’t know what was coming, it’s been seven years since,” Riri adds.

“And we’re still rebuilding some parts of the nation and our relationship with other countries,” Shuri retorts, she knows she’s pushing it, she’s not wrong but her tone is more aggressive than it should be.

“We also had no protection whatsoever, all I’m saying is we should be more careful than we were last time,” Riri sighs, crossing her arms. Her body’s already exhausted from having ended a training session, the last thing she needs is this.

“I didn’t say we leave the country open, I just say we attack first, specifically at the border,” Shuri says.

“And what do we do if they get past us?”

“They won’t,”

“And how do you know that?”

“We’re more advanced now, better weapons, better fighters, better defense-“

The elders watch the couple go back and forth until Riri effectively shuts the Queen up. Shuri shifts in her seat, her eyes low as she stares at her wife.

“We ain’t invincible, Shuri,”

“I know this,” Shuri spits, a vein forming along her neck. Memories of her family spill into her brain and the irritation on top of it isn’t helping. They’ve been arguing for weeks, nights have been eerily quiet and everyone around them can sense it.

“So what’s the problem?” Riri asks, she won’t back down either. She knows that Shuri’s queen but so is she. She's also aware that Shuri hesitated with Namor before and now that the Talokan are back and vengeful, Shuri wouldn't think twice before killing him.

“I made a mistake by not killing him before, I won’t risk it again, he needs to be dealt with, the plan is final,” Shuri says, some elders disagreeing but too scared to speak up.

“You’re making a mistake, Shuri, we all want him dead-“

“You defend if you’re so keen on it, anyone who wants to do so can do it with you,” Shuri interrupts, and her stern eyes only tense up when she sees the look on Riri’s face.

“A’ight,” Riri mutters, walking towards the doors with Ayo following behind her.

“Where are you going?” Shuri questions.

“Preparing my suit.”

The silence falls in the throne room when the doors shut.

“The Mining Tribe will be defending with Riri,” One of the Elders murmurs as she stands up. She excuses herself from the room and leaves.

“So will the Border Tribe,” Another speaks up, neither of them able to make eye contact with the Queen.

“As will the River Tribe, we can’t afford to lose anything, we’ve spent the past six years rebuilding.” The elder for the tribe says firmly.

“As you wish,” Shuri murmurs. That leaves three other tribes, ones that agree with the plan that she’s discussed.

…

“Aneka, I won’t speak to her right now,” Shuri dismisses the warrior as she holds her vibranium helmet in her hands, the same way she did years ago before fighting Namor.

“Since when did your tone become so dismissive!” Aneka scolds, watching the way Shuri’s face contorts.

“I-“

“I don’t care, you can disagree on a plan, you can be irritated but Bast, Shuri, We don't understand you…You’re treating your family, Like we’re your council, like we’re people you work with,” Aneka snaps as workers in the lab turn around. Never in their years of living have they heard a Dora yell at a royal like this.

“Aneka-“

“Take my spear if you must, but it’s the truth,” Aneka says, if no one else will say it, she will. Someone has to, what is everyone so scared of? The fact that people are afraid to speak up to their own Queen, that in itself is a problem.

“What are you turning into? All of this because Namor is back, you’ve become so authoritarian,”

Aneka looks at Shuri all to see the same cold look on her face. She won’t let anyone get in her way, not her wife, and not Aneka.

“The plan is said and done, Aneka, As the Queen, I’m telling you to fight, that’s an order.”

…

“When I heard of it all, I thought it was just talk,” Nakia murmurs as she sits next to Riri. From here the land is so beautiful, it’s the same spot where Eric fought the Doras and Shuri herself in Mount Bashenga.

“It’s not, She wants to kill him,”

“But at what cost, Riri? She’s doing the one thing she shouldn’t, letting it consume her,” Nakia says. She remembers T’Challa telling her that no matter what, no one in the palace should ever let their vengeance consume them.

“You think she’s wrong?”

“What?” Nakia asks, bewildered as she turns to face Riri.

“She has the right, I don’t care whether Namor lives or not, She’s gonna kill him. How long we gon’ act like he deserves to be spared? I ain’t worried bout him dying or living. She ain’t listening to me, if she goes around this wrong she’ll end up dead.” Riri says, twisting the vibranium ring on her finger.

“Riri…You have to stop her-“

“I can’t. I’m not sure I really want to.”

…

Riri watches the vibranium form along Shuri’s skin. Her footsteps were quiet but usually Shuri notices when her wife walks into the lab. Not this evening though. It’s for a special reason.

“When are you gonna strike?” Riri questions, stuffing her hands in the deep pockets of her cargo pants. Shuri turns around, and the only thing visible are her deep darkened eyes through her panther suit.

“Shouldn’t you be in a talon fighter defending the borders?” Shuri questions, there’s genuine concern for her as she steps towards her.

“Yeah, but I was told to ask what time you’ll strike. So I know when to suit up.”

“Sunset, He should be dead by sundown.” She specifies. His death has been reimagined too many times in her brain. She watches Riri nod as she turns around.

Every time either of them walks out in their suits, they never know if it’s the last time they’ll see each other.

“Oh and Shuri,” Riri says.

They look at each other briefly.

“Stay safe out there, aight?”

“You too.”

They both know that Shuri will be the one to take his life tonight in whatever way she deems fit. Riri also accepts the fact that she'll be the one to help her send his body right back to shore for his people to see in the morning.

#shuririweek2024 #riri williams #shuriri #shuri x riri

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ancestorsalive · 4 months

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𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐍𝐨𝐬𝐞 🌻🌻

Pretty Nose : A Fierce and Uncompromising Woman War Chief You Should Know

Pretty Nose (c. 1851 – after 1952) was an Arapaho woman, and according to her grandson, was a war chief who participated in the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876.In some sources, Pretty Nose is called Cheyenne, although she was identified as Arapaho on the basis of her red, black and white beaded cuffs. The two tribes were allies at the Battle of the Little Bighorn and are still officially grouped together as the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes.

On June 25, 1876, a battalion of the 7th Cavalry, led by George Armstrong Custer, was wiped out by an overwhelming force of Lakota, Dakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho.

There are many stories that come from this most famous battle of the Indian Wars. However, the most overlooked account is of the women warriors who fought alongside their male counterparts.

Minnie Hollow Wood, Moving Robe Woman, Pretty Nose (pictured), One-Who-Walks-With-The-Stars, and Buffalo Calf Road Woman were among the more notable female fighters.

Pretty Nose fought with the Cheyenne/Arapaho detachment.

One-Who-Walks-With-The-Stars (Lakota) killed two soldiers trying to flee the fight.

Minnie Hollow Wood earned a Lakota war-bonnet for her participation, a rare honor.

Lakota Moving Robe Woman fought to avenge the death of her brother.

And Cheyenne Buffalo Calf Road Woman holds the distinction of being the warrior who knocked Custer off his horse, hastening the demise of the over-confident Lt. Colonel.

Pretty Nose's grandson, Mark Soldier Wolf, became an Arapaho tribal elder who served in the US Marine Corps during the Korean War. She witnessed his return to the Wind River Indian Reservation in 1952, at the age of 101.

#Pretty Nose #Lakota #Cheyenne/Arapaho #Woman War Chief #Battle of the Little Bighorn #1876 #Other Lives #Past Times

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therosehost · 3 months

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ShuririWeek: D1

Fluff + "Don't Go"

cw: allusions to nsfw content

Shuri doesn't hear the humming at first. She's too frustrated.

She isn't Queen, nor is she the heir anymore, but the Elders hold her hostage in meetings and at inane ceremonies for hours as if she still were. It grinds at her skin like sandpaper.

Especially because Shuri knows why they do it. They care. They've watched Shuri grow from a glimmer in her mother's eye to a white-draped shadow by her casket. The elders care for her, Shuri knows this. But that doesn't make the overbearing attitudes any less irritating.

Today's latest antics had involved them - particularly Elder M'Kathu - insisting that every member of the council attend the Prayer of the Hymned Beetle. Shuri had wanted to throw her chair out the window with herself inside.

That biannual prayer had started in the river tribe as a joke ceremony. It was just an excuse for people to be off from work and drink themselves to incompetence.

It had never been taken seriously, that is, until Elder M'Kathu got it into his head that Shuri singing the Hymned Beetle's lament would somehow make her happier.

HA!

By the time Shuri escapes (just barely) and returns home, she's still wallowing in incredulous anger. She doesn't hear the humming, but when she yanks the bedroom door open she definitely sees the dancing.

Riri, as usual, is beautiful. And she's even more so as the golden silks she currently wears make her glitter in the setting sun.

Positioned in the center of the small garden's inner courtyard, Riri's prayer forms are uncertain. Sometimes her knees don't bend all the way they're supposed to. And at one point her arm doesn't extend to the full ninety degree angle the instructions scrolls describe.

But that doesn't matter because of why her beautiful talented dedicated genius girlfriend is praying. Or rather, to whom.

Shuri knows the prayer that slips low and careful from Riri's lips. She knows every note and syllable. It is her mother's funeral hymn. The Honor of Ramonda's is a celebration of her mother's birth and life, and a bitter bemoan of her death. There's a promise there at the end, humming with a grief that Shuri knows in her heart will last all her life.

She had poured her soul into creating a prayer dedicated to her mother. When Riri sings it, Shuri almost wants to cry.

It's beautiful. Her girlfriend is beautiful. Her girlfriend singing the prayer is beautiful.

Shuri moves forward, past the door where she's stopped in her tracks, and stops only a foot away. Riri's robes swirl around her, a red whirlpool of gauze that stops short when Shuri comes into sight.

Riri watches Shuri with wide eyes, lips parted to express her surprise.

"Your form is all wrong," Shuri says and then wants to shove a fist in her mouth. Damnit.

Riri puts her hands on her hips and laughs, her blouse rising up at the movement. "How are you this awkward?" The skin of Riri's stomach peaks out. Shuri stares. The blessed oils make the skin glisten. Shuri bets if she steps closer she could smell the spiced lotuses.

"I'm not being awkward." It's a distracted mumble instead of the annoyed tut she intended but Shuri can't bring herself to care. She wants to lick Riri.

Riri narrows her eyes, crosses her arms under her breasts, and gives a fox like grin when Shuri licks her lips. "Oh, you not?'" she laughs again. "Then what would you call it?"

Shuri pouts. "Giving constructive criticism, of course".

"Criticism." Riri says the word slowly as if tasting the letters. "I think I've heard of that before but I'm not real familiar. Why don't you stop hovering over there and come show me."

It sounds like an invitation to fight or fuck. Shuri is willing to do either or both of it means she can touch her girlfriend. But-

Shuri shakes her head and moves back towards the threshold. "I want to let you finish though."

"I thought my form was shit?" Riri raises an eyebrow.

"It was, but that doesn't mean I don't want to see you pray." Shuri's words are a lovesick trill.

Riri snorts but presses a hand against her own cheek like she does when she's trying to stop blushing "Nah, see, now my feelings hurt. It was supposed to be a surprise but I don't even want to do it anymore."

"Ok, I apologize. I take it back. Finish the prayer."

Riri hums, rocks back and forth from heel to toe, and then reaches for the towel on the stone bench behind her. Shuri flails.

"You have completely mesmerized me and I want to watch you dance forever," She almost gets on her knees. "Please please please finish."

Riri clucks her tongue, watching Shuri with a sly smile as she backs away. "Naaaah, I lost the motivation. Maybe I'll go hire an instructor instead."

Shuri huffs, rushes forward, and catches Riri around the waist. It startles a laugh out of Riri and Shuri huffs again. "Don't go. I'll help you. We'll pray to my mother together. Just, please, dance for me." She makes her voice as soft as her heart feels.

Riri cups Shuri's cheeks, rubbing a thumb under her eye and kissing her. It's a light brush against the lips really, but it's enough to send Shuri's heart into a frenzy in her chest.

"If you're so desperate," Riri says, her voice is sultry, smile teasing, "then I guess I'll entertain you a bit."

"Yes. I am very desperate." Shuri nods firmly.

Riri wiggles out of her hold with a groan. "Don't do that. I feel guilty for being mean when you get all earnest and shit."

"I like to when you're mean to me though."

Riri groans again and throws the towel she'd dropped at Shuri's head. "Shut up and help me already." Her plush lips form a pout around the words.

Shuri laughs and catches the towel. "Anything you want, my love."

"Uggggggggh. Please stop!"

a/n: this is rushed as shit and mostly unedited. but, ya know, fuck it. i really wanted to participate in shuririweek at least one day so here it is!

@shuririweek

#shuririweek2024 #shuririweek #princess shuri #riri williams #shuriri #bpwf #:::rose be writing:::#mostly unedited and rushed like hell

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babyboiboyega · 1 year

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Next To Me Pt. 10 (Shuri x Black!Fem!Reader)

Shuri x Black!Fem!Reader

Word Count: 8.3k

Content: angst, profanity, Shuri don lost her mind y'all, but we gon help her find it

Next To Me Masterlist

Babyboiboyega’s Marvel Masterlist

Babyboiboyega’s Masterlist of Masterlists

Recap:

“Y/N, are you alright?”

You tried to nod, you really did, but that was all it took for every emotion you had been fighting back to make themselves known in a way that you’d surely be embarrassed about later; but you couldn’t find it in yourself to care.

You didn’t remember dropping the bag or grabbing the door to steady yourself; you definitely didn’t remember Okoye’s firm hands reaching out to pull you into her body, her arms tight as they kept you steady.

You didn’t want to remember seeing with your tear-filled gaze how the door down the hall shut quietly as Okoye ushered you back into your room. Despite not remembering the moment you fell asleep, the one thing you could recall was that visual.

****************************

It was an exceptionally sunny day. Every window lining the throne room allowed for endless sunlight to stream in, each ray seeming to know exactly what to hit in order to make the entire room…well…glisten.

The throne room looked exactly the way it should've; grand and intimidating in all of its glory to those who had the honor, or misfortune, to enter it. It had been remodeled after Namor's attack; the glass floors were replaced with vibranium-streaked black graphite, similar to the flooring in Shuri's lab. The dais made out of red clay in the center of the throne room, of which the throne and the tribe leaders' respective seats sat, remained the same. The surrounding pillars that seemed to hold up the towering ceiling of the room still had the Wakandan etchings spelling out the names of every ruler Wakanda had seen, bringing literal meaning to how each ruler had a hand in building the country.

One of the first changes implemented in the rebuilding of the throne room had been the addition of her brother's and mother's names, right beside her father's. Shuri had seen to it personally that they were added with respect and honor, no matter how much it hurt to have one more reminder that they were in another plane while she was still on earth.

Shuri had wanted to keep something that reminded her that she was sitting in the exact same spot her father, brother, and mother had sat at one point in their lives. She had done it with the hopes that she could feel the energy, the poise, the leadership each of them had harbored and showed so that she could feel those same things upon sitting on the throne.

The only thing she felt now was a sense of urgency and displeasure at how the Royal Council's meeting had just gone. Words born out of frustration and a desire to rather be ignorant about certain topics had been thrown, along with questions that she knew would only lead to her leadership being questioned. While that would certainly pose a problem, she was more concerned about the current situation and the new players that had decided to show themselves.

A heavy sigh wracked her body, a small groan accompanying it as she leaned forward on the throne. Her hands raised to rub down her face as if she could physically wipe away every single distracting thought that prohibited her from finding the necessary answers.

"How exactly can we trust the word of a girl who not only went after someone close to the Throne of Wakanda but who also has ties to Salvation of Order?"

The River Tribe Elder leaned forward in his seat, one hand gesturing wildly while the other remained clenched around the cane in front of him.

He spoke with enough conviction that a few heads nodded in agreement, small murmurs breaking out amongst the Royal Council that had convened. Each set of eyes in the room trained on their queen, watching as she seemed to be deep in thought.

Shuri had expected as much after relaying the most recent events to the Council, including the confrontation involving you and the capture and detainment of Nondri. She had expected it even more after making them aware of Nondri's ties to S.O.D and how the amount of information she held was no different from how much they had; barely anything. Even so, once a theory had been proposed, they had grabbed it and ran with it; now she had the job of making sure they all made decisions with the facts being presented and not with the fear and anger that still resided in their hearts at this anti-royalist group.

It certainly didn't help when the Mining Tribe's Elder spoke quickly, unable to hold her worries in. Her questions only seemed to pile onto the presumptuous theories that had already been offered, each one only resulting in the Council growing more restless and tense.

"Who's to say that she isn't a part of that group of renegades? Sent here to be an informant- to have one of their people as close to the throne as they can get?"

With the mention of S.O.D came memories of the attacks that had claimed precious lives from the River Province, unresolved feelings of anger and revenge accompanying them. Each person remembered the attacks in their own way and how it had impacted them, and it was clear that each Tribal Leader used those exact memories to sway their opinions on the matter at hand…especially the River Tribe Elder. Since the first mention of the anti-royalist group during the meeting, he had been the one effortlessly keeping the Council's focus on said group.

"What do we know of this informant?"

Okoye's voice was respectful while also commanding the attention of the surrounding elders as she spoke.

"It isn't proven that she's an informant. The palace's Head Challenger, Eza Lindiwe, questioned Miss. Thizondu about her dealings with Salvation of Order. It was concluded that the only ties she has to the organization are that of her uncle and a few distant family members who were involved in the attacks. Other than that, her records show no other ties-"

The General's words were effectively cut off by her own uncle, the Elder that represented the Border Tribe- her home tribe. She was quick to hide the exasperation from the other Elders as it crossed her face, knowing exactly how stubborn he could be, but not quick enough to hide it from Shuri…who honestly couldn't fault her.

"What she does during her free time will not show on her record, so how are we to know for sure that she is not involved? Treason practically runs in her family-"

"-And while that is partially true, the simple fact is that nothing in her record shows any other dealings with Salvation of Order. No suspicious dealings, no questionable decisions, not even an arrest. She attended a village school in the Border Province until graduating from the tertiary level and entering the Hatut Zeraze Initiative. As soon as the attacks happened and knowledge of her family members being involved was known, she was prohibited from completing her training."

Shuri's interjection caused the Council to quickly look at her, their voices ceasing as their queen's voice filled the space.

She wouldn't admit to anyone, but she had more-or-less practiced her "commanding" voice, using the memories of her family members' voices to develop her own to use while sitting on the throne. Needless to say, the voice that escaped her mouth wasn't exactly the one she had perfected, but more so one of pure vexation and impatience. It was obvious that her voice exuded those exact feelings from the way the elders' eyes, full of uncertainty and wariness, looked between her and each other's.

A silence followed her words; one that allowed each of the Elder's worries and fears to drill into her mind, making a home in the already chaotic expanse. Her eyes roamed the half circle comprised of the Council, connecting with each Elder present. They seemed to be looking for something from her…and it only added to her frustration as she came to the conclusion that she didn't know what that something was. She could only guess what it was and hope that it fit her desire to protect not only her country…but you.

"With all due respect, My Queen, it still begs the question of why she attacked your guest-"

"By Hanuman's glory, have you all refused to listen to what she has said?"

M'Baku's voice drowned out the voice of the Mining Tribe's Elder, a look of barely concealed disdain appearing on the older woman's face. The Jabari's leader paid no mind to it, instead leaning forward in his seat to look at all of the faces of the elders.

"The Queen has explained that this woman's reasoning behind her actions was to warn her and her guest. It is unfortunate that she couldn't think of another, more…sensible way to warn her, but nonetheless, that is what we should be focusing on. Who, or what, was she warning us about?"

The look Shuri sent him could only be described as grateful. Not only was he asking logical questions while also pointing out what seemed to be the last priority of the Royal Council, but he had drawn the attention of the Council away from her and to himself. It gave her the chance to confront and wrangle the feelings that speared through her at the mention of you.

It wasn't as simple as locking them behind a wall in her mind, for anything that involved you would always and effortlessly make itself known at the very forefront of her mind, and this time was no different.

Your face, ridden with exhaustion and alarm, flashed through Shuri's mind with a vengeance and with a mission to remind her that it had been in response to something she had done. It reminded her that it wouldn't be the last time she'd hurt you while simultaneously making her question herself on whether or not her decision of…distancing herself was the right thing.

The parts of her that were focused on both your safety and the safety of her country, said yes; it was the right thing. Distractions could only result in more harm coming to you, and that was something she knew she couldn't handle.

The parts of her that physically ached at the thought of distancing herself from you screamed and thrashed, warning her that it wasn't worth it. Going through something like this alone- on either of your parts- was not something that would end well.

All parts were motivated by a feeling of love that cut so deeply, she didn't know how to deal with it, and that's what caused her inner turmoil. That's what caused her to act one way while longing for something that contradicted entirely with her actions. But it was that same turmoil- that same feeling of love- that motivated her to find whatever answers she needed in order for your life to go back to normal.

And having an entire council of leaders who'd rather dwell on hypotheticals that were motivated by fear was holding her back from getting those answers.

A loud, commanding voice broke through Shuri's thoughts, making her quickly tune back into the debate going on in front of her. She didn't have to look at Okoye to see the knowing look on her face, signifying that the General had most definitely seen the second she had spaced out and the second she had joined the current conversation; she'd certainly hear about it later.

"The only known threat to this country right now is Salvation of Order. They've been terrorizing Wakanda for too long- the killings that have been happening on the outskirts of the capital have all been claimed by them."

Now, it didn't matter how fruitless Shuri thought their theories surrounding the Salvation of Order were; they were all able to sit and recognize the darkness and depravedness behind the deaths that had slowly been increasing for the past month or so. The first she had heard of them had been while she was away, attending school. She had been quickly reassured that steps were being taken to find those responsible and to keep the citizens of Wakanda safe…but now they were increasing, and now they were being claimed by Salvation of Order.

And just like that, yet another potential pathway without any clear answers or even clear questions cemented itself in her mind.

"That is the only known threat to Wakanda. What of the unknown? Eh?" M'Baku placed his club in his lap, freeing one of his hands to join the other as he gestured, addressing the Council.

"You would rather go after the organization we are already aware of than focus on the dangers we know nothing about? We know nothing of its origins, its mission, its forces- we know nothing."

He deliberately separated the last word into its two syllables, emphasizing each one with a wave of his hand. That same hand landed back on his club as he continued.

"Besides, this…Nondri never explicitly stated whether or not she was speaking of Salvation of Order-"

"Her refusal to say their name does not mean that she is not involved."

The Mining Tribe's Elder directed an irate look towards M'Baku, who only responded by shrugging one shoulder, leveling a matter-of-fact look towards her. Shuri knew what was coming next, though M'Baku was speaking before she could interject; and while she was the Queen and could interject anytime she wanted to, M'Baku's comments and thoughts were some of the main ones she always listened to, whether they were of a smart-ass nature or not.

However, she knew just by the look on his face what kind of comment it would be.

"If only there were some kind of record that would show any suspicious activities on her part."

"We do not appreciate your tone, Jabari-" The Elder of the River Tribe thumped his cane against the floor once as he spoke, his words slightly slurred due to a combination of his anger and the wooden plate in his lip. The Elders representing the Mining Tribe and the Border Tribe seemed to feed off of the River Tribe Elder's anger, their eyebrows furrowing as they stared at M'Baku. Shuri sat up, her mouth opening and words to end the dispute before it could truly start settling on the edge of her tongue.

"M'Baku has a point." The comment created a lull in the debate, having come from the Merchant Tribe's Elder. She had been silent for most of, if not the entire, meeting, simply retaining the information and thoughts shared and filing them away.

Her eyes, old with wisdom and years far beyond the number Shuri or even a few of the other Elders had ever seen, regarded all of them. While they expressed indifference, the firm set of her mouth as she spoke let on how her patience was running thin.

"Perhaps it would be more logical to see if the young woman knows anything about the deaths that have been occurring. If she does, then it could potentially lead us in figuring out whether she has a deeper connection in all of this. Your Highness," then her eyes were turning to Shuri, fixing her with a stare that was full of both reassurance and persuasion.

"I implore you, and this Council, to take this matter one fact at a time. We cannot deal with it unless we know all of the facts. If we rush ourselves in making these decisions that can affect not only the throne, but the entirety of Wakanda, then we will only have ourselves to blame."

The Merchant Elder's words repeated mercilessly in Shuri's mind as she remained on the throne, the Council having long ago been dismissed. The only person who remained in the room with her was Okoye, who stood silently at her right side. She could feel the General's stare on the side of her face, and it was only after letting out a soft sigh did she straighten and turn to face her.

"…That was certainly a spectacle."

The corner of the young royal's mouth lifted slightly in a rueful grin, her head shaking.

"It was…something." Just as quickly as it appeared, her smile dropped, her eyebrows furrowing in worry.

"Okoye…how did my parents do this? How did my brother do this? I constantly feel as if…everyone expects something of me that fits their opinion- fits their narrative. I don't want to complain, because my parents and brother had to go through much worse, they had to deal with much worse…" her voice trailed off, her eyes landing on the armrest of the throne as she clenched it; the same armrest her family members had clenched in anger, frustration, fear.

"But…its hard when they're not here." Hard was an understatement.

Her words lingered in the air, making the room feel too big without her family. It felt intimidating. It was only another vice around both her mind and her heart, one that didn't know whether it wanted to tighten with the pain of losing them or the healing that she was slowly taking part in.

Okoye stepped until she was in Shuri's line of sight, her eyes showing a different type of grief, but a grief nonetheless.

"Shuri, you're doing exactly what you need to. Being a leader with a huge heart and wanting to satisfy everyone's needs is a hard thing to do. T'Challa knew it. The two of you are similar in that way, you know?"

The familiar, almost breathtaking pang of grief hit her at the mention of her brother's name, even if Okoye's words only brought up good memories. His name would forever be accompanied with that pain, but it would also be accompanied with every good memory that existed regarding him.

Nonetheless, Shuri offered a small, grateful smile to the General.

"I can only wish to be as good of a leader as he was. But thank you, Okoye."

She took a breath, using it to ground herself as much as she could as she once again thought of the next steps to take after the meeting. One hand raised, softly grasping the edge of her chin as she thought.

"Okoye, please tell Eza to meet us in the lab. We have work to do."

**********

It's a common misconception that peace and quiet are mutually inclusive. One's surroundings could be peaceful because of the lack of a cacophony of sounds and chaos, and vice versa, but it was very possible to have one without the other. It was possible to have one surround your very being while the other sat just out of reach, brushing your fingertips almost mockingly…and you were learning just how much of a pain this occurrence was.

While your mind was the quietest it had been since waking up, you wouldn't exactly call it "peaceful" as you and Aneka walked out of the training room. A thought accompanied every step, focused on how sore you already were and how sore you would be the following day, while between every step, there was something reminding you of all of the thoughts you had yet to fully confront, all of them stemming from the events that seemed to find a permanent, parasitic-like home in your mind.

But your mind was still quiet, thoughts passing the front of your mind before seamlessly joining the constant rotation of other thoughts. You supposed it had something to do with Aneka's words of advice she had given you…and the slight fatigue from learning and exerting your mind as well as your body, making it harder for your mind to think of other unnecessary, taxing thoughts.

Leave it to the universe to throw something into your path that not only dissipated the quiet inhabiting your mind, but made it harder to obtain that peace that would have gone oh-so-well with it.

"General. Ikumkani wam."

Aneka's voice captured the attention of the two women, their heads turning to not only look at Aneka but at you as well. While Okoye's expression changed from being stern to being more collected, the woman you had admittedly, and a little ashamedly been dreading running into, sported one of indifference. There had been a flicker of something else as her eyes had first landed on you, but whatever it was had disappeared. The look she directed towards you could've been directed at someone overstaying their welcome and ignoring the social cues around them, signifying how their presence was affecting everyone.

But, alas; not only was it twisting her face into one that you didn't recognize, but it was also steadily building a wall between the two of you. Steadily, but slowly, so that you could see every metaphorical brick slot into its rightful place, helpless to stop it…angry that Shuri did nothing to stop it. Angry that she didn't look like she wanted to stop it.

You welcomed the anger. It was a hell of a lot better than sulking and asking yourself "why, why, why" when it was obvious that receiving clear answers to those questions was out of the picture.

"Aneka, Y/N." While Okoye's greeting was rather dry, her tone held space for a different interpretation- one that was only emphasized by the way her eyes seemed to communicate something silently with you. It didn't take long at all for you to quickly realize what she was getting at, the memory of her showing up to give you the bag of souvenirs being one of the memories you had no problem confronting. It was only after that moment and before you woke up that was…slightly muddy in your memory. You opted to ignore it for the time being, instead, zeroing in on the conversation her and Aneka were having. Your peripheral granted you the ability to see Shuri as she turned slightly away, her gaze finally relenting it's stiff hold on you.

"How'd she do?"

Aneka looked at you, her eyes narrowing lightheartedly before she turned them back to Okoye. You listened intently to her words, knowing that there'd be a little bit of a difference between the words she had spoken during training and now as she gave a report of sorts to her General (and her queen, the person who had brought up the idea of training sessions in the first place).

"For this to only be her second training session, she isn't failing as much as we expected."

Well…it could be taken as a compliment of sorts. The absence of annoyance or anything akin in her voice prompted you to continue listening instead of interrupting in indignation. Leaning against one of the work tables, you couldn't help letting your eyes wander around the lab while your hearing remained focused on the two women.

The windows spanning across the lab's largest wall were floor to ceiling, giving a perfect view to the landing pad and the bridge that led into the Golden City. The same bridge you, along with Shuri and the entourage of Doras, had crossed the night before.

While the surrounding walls were made out of what looked to be light brown clay, there were plants in different shades of green, sizes, and types spread throughout the lab. Some of them hung from the ceiling in clay or wooden pots while others were displayed in glass cylinders, some even taller than you. The architecture and decor paired with the soft lights and bright sun rays streaming into the lab was a sight beautiful and relaxing enough to make that peace from earlier seem just a little closer.

You let out a sigh, turning over your newly bruised hand in the shaft of sunlight it had fallen into, reveling in the warmth on your skin.

"Her stamina could be improved, but I think you were right; it may be easier to teach her to use some kind of weapon as an extension of herself rather than expect her to extend herself. She isn't the most flexible. Or the fastest."

Okoye's response, a short 'mhm' and a nod, told you that this topic involving you had come up in at least one conversation between the two of them. It made you question exactly what else they had spoken about regarding you.

"Ah, I was sure that would happen. What weapon did you pick?"

Her next question being directed at you made your attention snap to her, the name of the weapon Aneka had taught you right on the tip of your tongue. You swallowed the words, however, as another person, one that you vaguely recognized, walked into the lab. They quickly spotted the four of you, hastily walking over with a file in hand.

"Mholo ngalentsasa."

Challenger Eza, what you had taken to calling her in your mind instead of HC Eza, a name that reminded you too much of MC Hammer, nodded at the four of you. While you were sure that the contents of the folder were of the utmost importance, the second she stepped into the bright and natural light of the lab, you were immediately reminded of the term "black don't crack".

Her skin practically glowed in the sun, soaking up every ray it had to offer. Her locs had been pulled back into one braid last night, but her now slightly wavy locs in the front were pulled back into a knot while the back hung loose. Each shade of brown and dark red was emphasized as she moved her head even in the slightest.

Too busy were you gawking at the older woman's effortless beauty, you didn't realize she was speaking to you until she was offering her hand.

"Oh! My bad- I'm sorry. I'm Y/N."

Even her laugh was melodic and reassuring as she shook your hand firmly, her lips upturned into a welcoming smile.

"Well, it's certainly nice to meet the Queen's vassal, who also happens to be her friend from school."

The mere mention of "school", the place that had brought you and Shuri together in the first place, left a bittersweet taste in your mouth. That time had been so…easy. So carefree, so nice; the opposite of whatever the two of you were going through now. The word 'friend' evoked almost a visceral reaction out of you, a deep breath going through your body as your eyes instinctively landed on Shuri.

In spite of your ever growing frustration and anger at her, you still wanted her to react in some way. Perhaps it was a wish that stemmed from wanting to know that she still cared in any way, even if it seemed improbable that she could just stop caring…but nonetheless, it was a wish that went unanswered as she kept her attention on whatever had seemed to capture her attention.

You couldn't see how her hand clenched against the work station's tabletop before releasing, her thoughts veering in the same direction as yours; you were too busy trying to keep your face nice and open, even though you had a suspicion that Eza would be able to see right through your facade if she really wanted to.

"What are you studying?"

The questions seemed abnormally…normal compared to everything that had happened recently, reminding you of a time that wasn't that far gone but felt a good ways away.

"Uh, Biophysics and Structural Biology." You nodded, offering a small, reserved smile at being put on the spot. Ironically, you couldn't help the quick and panicked question every college student had thought at least a dozen times after not thinking of school for a while: oh shit, do I have homework?

Of course, you don't. It's winter break.

"Ah, so we have another STEM scholar on our hands, yes?"

Eyes widening slightly, you shook your head. A small laugh fell from your lips at her words, feeling as if she were giving you more credit than you deserved.

"I wouldn't exactly say 'scholar'. I'm no straight A student, but I'm passing."

Eza's eyes narrowed slightly, roaming over your face. Her gaze was heavy and intimidating, but not in a way that set off warning bells in your mind; more so in a way that reminded you that behind that heaviness sat years of wisdom and experience.

"Not everyone passes a subject such as Biophysics and Structural Biology, least of all, get as far as you have. Be proud of it."

Her words harbored that same caring but no-bullshit tone that one often received when talking to a black woman who had no problem showing someone she cared. Had she been in the states, you were sure she would have been the kind of black woman to go around, calling young people "baby" and making them tear up. Hell, you were close to tearing up now just from the sound of confidence in her voice; confidence that was directed at you.

"Yes ma'am."

She nodded at you, her smile growing, before she turned to face Shuri. Her back was still turned, though she turned as soon as Eza addressed her.

"Ngangamsha. I brought the report you asked for, as well as something else that I think will help our search. After hearing about this morning's meeting, I figured it'd be best to pull this information as well for this meeting."

Eza walked to the table where Shuri stood, putting two files in front of her. Shuri's eyebrows furrowed, her eyes taking on the focused glint you had seen in them countless times when working on something. The glint usually showed up whenever she had been anticipating something only for it to finally come through. It was a stark contrast to the flat, unfamiliar look they had been harboring mere seconds ago...the same look she had directed at you.

Eza's words were a reminder that there had in fact been a meeting this morning, one that you of course hadn't been invited to for obvious reasons, but one that you had assumed you'd learn about. If last night's events, and the events leading up to then, had been discussed, then it wasn't wrong to assume that you'd be kept in the loop.

"I know the credence behind Nondri's words aren't exactly solid, but the Council should understand-"

"Royal Council matters should be kept amidst the Royal Council and those we permit access to."

You heard Shuri's words, yet you didn't immediately process them. The meaning behind them only cemented in your mind as the other three women immediately looked at you...because who else would she be talking about?

Silence followed Shuri's words, surrounding the five of you in a tense bubble. However, you heard a faint roaring in your ears- one brought on by a slow growing anger and an acute feeling of embarrassment as the other women glanced at you. Their gazes ranged from surprised to cautious as you repeated Shuri's words, surprised that she had the gall to say something like that.

Never had you seen her use her royal status in this way. You never would've thought that she'd use her royal status against you; someone who had always ignored and simultaneously acknowledged that status and how important it was. Someone who could recognize that importance, but never let it get in the way of calling her a friend. Calling her something else.

The realization settled in your mind with a heaviness; your eyebrows furrowed in astonishment, and your tongue was sharp as barbed wire as you let your words spill from your mouth, unbridled.

"Oh, so it's 'Royal Council matters' now? Only when I'm in the room, right?"

The breath that went through Shuri's body was deep, and so was your feeling of frustration as silence followed. It thickened, the tension between you and Shuri becoming even more evident to Okoye, Aneka, and Eza.

Her eyes were focused on the files in front of her while her hands were splayed out on the table, arms locked and holding herself over it. Her curls that dropped in front of her face blocked her face from you, but that didn't stop you. You didn't want to see the frustration or annoyance or regret or anything on her face; you wanted her to hear you. You wanted her to feel the same embarrassment you were feeling, even if it were just a lighter version of it.

Your next words were preceded with a scoff, a dark and humorless laugh underlying them.

"Well, do I have permission to speak, your highness?"

The combination of your words and the tone in your voice finally made her look up, just barely hiding the slightly angry look that had ghosted over her face as her eyes met yours. Her voice matched yours, low and tense, and her eyes held a hint of a warning.

Good.

"Don't do that-"

"Do what? Hm?"

You tilted your head, feigning ignorance that was only overshadowed by the sheer amount of attitude in your voice. It only took a few steps for you to approach the other side of the table she stood behind, and you kept her gaze the entire time.

"Speak as if…we are strangers."

"Well, it's sure as hell feeling like it, Shuri."

You certainly felt the dejection from the night before, but now it was eclipsed by the desire to let your frustrations known. She certainly had in a more physical way, so why couldn't you? Why couldn't you show her how her actions affected you?

"What is that supposed to mean-"

"It means that this whole little...front you puttin' on is getting old, and I'm already getting fed up with it."

Whatever insinuation she had come up with on her own was enough to make her step around the table, her nostrils flaring in anger as she approached you. Her proximity made you straighten, your head tilting back enough to keep your gaze connected with hers. Her words were spoken through a clenched jaw and the warning that resided in her eyes only increased, smoldering as they peered into yours.

"The only front being put on is you thinking you can help in any way."

"What the hell did you just-"

"Enough."

Okoye's voice was strong and firm enough to cut through the band of tension that had been steadily growing tighter around the two of you. Her interjection caused it to snap, both you and Shuri blinking at one another with varying degrees of disappointment and exasperation on your faces. Your chest rose and fell quickly. The skin on your neck and cheeks were hot; a mixture of the anger simmering just beneath the surface of your skin and the heat of Shuri's gaze.

"The two of you are quite frankly too old to be arguing like this- especially given the current set of circumstances that you both have been dealt."

The disappointment that laced Okoye's words wrapped around the two of you, though it did nothing to get rid of the anger and disbelief coursing through your veins. You tried to convey every ounce of it through your unmoving gaze, Shuri returning your stare with one of her own. The corners of her mouth tightened at Okoye's words, but that was the only kind of acknowledgment she offered.

"I don't know what has gotten into either of you, and frankly, I don't think I want to know, but you can certainly set it aside for the sake of this meeting, yes?"

Could you do that? Could you be a part of this meeting, even while knowing that Shuri didn't want you there? Even while knowing that she apparently believed you couldn't do anything to help- that you had no purpose?

You nodded in response to Okoye's question, your eyes narrowing slightly before finally looking away and at the General. The feeling of more words waiting to be spewed on the tip of your tongue prompted you to keep it shut as you nodded once more, trying to convey an apology with your eyes.

Okoye's eyes seem to inspect yours for a second before she turned to Shuri, whose gaze you could still feel on the side of your face. You wouldn't give her the pleasure of seeing how her words affected you, whether she took pleasure in it or not.

As she communicated silently with her queen, your eyes glanced over at Aneka and Eza, seeing their slightly sympathetic and calculating gazes roam over your being. You felt conflicted on whether to accept that sympathy or push it to the side with the other emotions you couldn't be bothered to deal with. Accepting their sympathy would just solidify Shuri's actions and words towards you; that would only result in you having to confront the fact that you didn't know exactly how to deal with her.

"Y/N, I am sure you'd like to stay and learn about the information we've collected so far, as you are just as much a part of this as anyone…" the small downturn of her lips told you what was coming next, and you weren't surprised when you felt another wave of anger course through you, but not directed at Okoye. "But there are certain…topics that would be best left to the Council to discuss in a formal gathering."

Perhaps it had been too wishful of a thought that despite the Wakandan royal's recent change in character towards you, she'd still recognize that you were in the situation she was in, albeit, with different stakes at risk. But that wishful thought had been all but snuffed out in a few words that their queen had spoken.

"I think what the General is trying to say is that you are welcome to sit in on this meeting, but we can't guarantee that you won't feel a sense of…confusion or even exclusion." Eza stepped forward, her voice warm but with a hint of caution in it.

"Any questions you pose have a chance of being inexplicable simply because we aren't allowed to share that information. We completely understand if you'd rather wait until after this meeting when one of us can explain everything-"

"I'd rather stay, but thanks for the warning."

You weren't worried about her receiving your dry and stiff tone as being directed towards her, as you were sure that she was observant enough to know that the exact opposite was the truth. The spite that speared through you at her words, only prompted by Shuri's decision to keep you out of the loop, was palpable in your words. It was evident in your actions as you leaned against a station across from Shuri, crossing your arms and hardening your gaze once again.

"Please. By all means."

Eza watched you for a second longer before letting out a sigh and turning to the other women present, her eyes connecting with Shuri's. You were grateful that she was the one to further the meeting, for you weren't sure if you'd be able to hold your tongue if Shuri uttered another word.

"My Queen, one folder holds the details of the attacks from 6 years ago, while the other holds Miss. Thizondu's evaluations from when she entered the Hatut Zeraze Initiative.

"Miss. Thizondu's uncle, N'Gezi Thizondu, was one of the known insurgents, and he's currently still imprisoned, along with a few family members. But, according to the details, N'Gezi may have had more of a hand in them than we originally thought."

Shuri straightened, her eyebrows furrowing.

"How much of a hand?"

"…Enough to warrant questioning him."

The sigh that left Shuri's mouth was drawn out, weighed down with resolve. The exhaustion underlying her words could be heard by every person present, including you.

The desire to comfort her was strong as it pierced through the layer of spite that had surrounded your heart ever since stepping into the lab. It didn't matter how irritated or frustrated you were with her…the desire only reminded you of the position she was in, and against your spiteful wishes, you…just wanted to be there for her.

But you couldn't be there for her if she didn't want you to be. Not if she continued to push you away. It didn't take a master's degree or a genius level IQ to understand why she was pushing you away, and you were trying your hardest to understand; but your tolerance could only go so far…even with someone who held your heart in their very hands; with someone who had the power to either continue tightening their grip on it or release it in order to care for it.

It was hard to do so when that same person tried their hardest to alienate you.

"Hold up…can we backtrack to the deaths that were mentioned earlier?"

You were quickly reminded that the women around you all held an obligation to their queen, and right now, that obligation included keeping certain information from you.

"Or not. Since we're keeping secrets now."

The frustration came back with a vengeance, and you could only roll your eyes and throw your hands up in exasperation at the silence that followed. Eza turned to you, a subtle apologetic look on her face. Her lips parted, undoubtedly preparing to be the peacemaker in the situation, but another voice filled the space.

"That'll be our next step. We'll travel to Wakanda's reformatory to question N'Gezi to see what he knows, and see how it compares to what Nondri knows."

Shuri nodded assuredly after speaking, but the confidence in her voice did nothing to hide the look on her face at your words. She continued regardless, making it a point to address Aneka, Okoye, and Eza only.

Oh, she was about to get it.

"Eza, you'll question him once we are there; you'll be able to extract the necessary information, but for now, I want you and Okoye to talk to Miss Thizodu once more. Maybe her memory has improved since last night. I'll go and look through the palace records. There has to be something there that can help us. Aneka," Shuri turned to face Aneka who stood right near you, her eyes briefly landing on you and sending a jolt of anticipation racing through your limbs.

"You and Y/N can return to what you two were doing."

You saw Aneka nod out of the corner of your eye before turning to you, presumably to lead you to wherever she had in mind; you, however, were too busy staring at Shuri. You silently urged her to look at you, and when she finally did, it didn't feel like a reward. It didn’t feel like a step in the right direction; it felt like a slap to the face, how indifferent her gaze was as it landed on you.

It stung even more when she turned around without another word, her steps leading her to the exit of the lab. The stinging sensation only turned to a burning anger that continued to fester as she walked further away from you…and then you were following right behind her despite the sensible part of your brain telling you not to.

Her strides were long and purposeful, and it hurt to think that that purpose had to do with you and how quickly she could get away.

"Shuri-"

"Go back to Aneka."

Her dismissive tone prompted you to speed up until you were close enough to reach out to her, though you refrained from doing so. A pang of shame shook you as memories from the night before flooded your brain; the sound of the chair being thrown, the sound of it clattering to the floor, the look of pure anger on her face as she had done it…and the fear that had seized your body.

That fear was absent now, stemming from your body's instinctive response to a multitude of triggers; but the apprehension to approach her, especially after her recent attitude, was all yours.

"Look here- I understand you have a lot on your plate as the damn queen, I understand that, but maybe you can dial back the hostility a little bit? I mean, damn, I feel like I did something wrong."

Shuri's steps came to a stop, her body whirling around to face you. Her eyebrows were furrowed, an incredulous look on her face that you should've taken as a warning. Nonetheless, you stayed rooted to the spot, even as she began taking steps towards you.

Her movements were slow, and through the blaring warning alarms in your mind, you couldn't help but liken them to…well, a panther's.

How fucking ironic.

"You understand? You understand?"

Whereas her laughter from your time at the festival would forever be imprinted in your mind, carefree, happy, her smile the epitome of 'could light up a room', the laugh that escaped her mouth now only sent electricity through your limbs. It could be likened to being scared abruptly, making one's body tense as if ready to run while their mind still worked on processing whatever had scared them.

"Tell me, Y/N, what exactly do you understand?"

Gone was the warmth that usually coated your name when it left her mouth. Another weight, teeming with a sense of unease, settled on your chest. It only increased, acting as a vice as she continued.

"Its clear that you think you're the only one who can find the answers and fix all of this. That's why you're acting like…this." You motioned at her towering figure, quickly pulling your hand away when it lightly brushed against the fabric of her collared shirt. You didn't quite know how to interpret the feeling that jolted through you at the contact.

"That's why you're pushing me- and only me- away when all I'm trying to do is help. Its not right, Shuri."

For a second, you could've sworn that the mask had dropped, allowing you just a glimpse into the same desperation that laced your words. The prospect of your words finally getting through her stubborn mind caused the vice to lessen…though it was temporary.

"I don't want your help."

Her words made you step back, the venom behind them not only tightening the vice around your chest, but hitting you like a brick wall. Eyebrows furrowing, you watched as she shook her head in…annoyance? Disappointment? Detest?

"Nor do I need it. There is nothing you can do to help me, do you understand?"

You clenched your jaw, not really choosing to stay silent, but rather having nothing to say back. Your breaths were slow and deliberate; an attempt on your part to keep your anger at bay as she continued speaking to you without a care in the world.

"You know what'll make it just a little fucking easier? If you stop acting like you know more than you do. If you stay out of my way so that maybe, just maybe, I can figure out how to fix this before something else happens."

Her proximity suddenly felt suffocating, wrapping around you with an intensity that made you take another step back in an effort to escape it. It was almost taunting, only providing a tainted memory of the previous times she had wrapped you in her embrace. Now those memories were exactly that: memories, and not a sensation that you could look forward to. Not when she was like this.

Your voice was rough with emotion as you spoke, echoing off of the metal walls of the hallway the two of you stood in. You couldn't care less about who could walk around the corner and see you; her words had already pushed you to a point where your only concern was making her listen to you.

"Who the hell are you right now? This ain't the same person I met back at school-"

"Well maybe you don't know me as well as you think you do."

The mere thought of her words holding any level of truth made you freeze, your eyes staying connected with hers in an effort to find just one semblance that she was lying…because if she wasn't, then what the hell had all of this been? What had all of her words and actions, layered with sentiment and perceived feelings, meant? If she wasn't lying, that meant every second you had spent convincing yourself that there was something there had been in vain; it had all been preconceived notions on your part. It made you question yourself. It made you question her and everything you had come to feel and know about her.

You had words for her, there was no doubt about that. But you knew that if you were to lash out at her, then she'd just be seeing an anger that stemmed from a love that held more questions than answers. She'd have a front row viewing to an emotion that was intense enough to knock you off of your feet…and you were done giving her that.

"You know what?" You internally cursed at the sound of your voice cracking slightly as you took a step forward. A deep breath wracked your body, shaking slightly on the way out as you fought the feeling of tears gathering in the corners of your eyes.

"Fuck you, Shuri, and all that self-righteous bullshit."

The sight of her simply standing there, her expression still the same as it was since stepping into the damn hallway made your anger flare more.

She doesn't care.

You stalked past her, shoulder brushing against hers and making her step back. If you were to continue looking at her, you were afraid that the tears that now rolled down your face would be misinterpreted as tears of pain and an overwhelming sense of sadness. You'd be damned if you gave her that.

"You should've left me on that damn sidewalk."

You didn't bother turning back to see if she had heard your words, because you knew she had. They were a last attempt to get some sort of reaction out of her, though you didn't have to turn around to know that they failed to do so.

The only solace you gained from walking away was knowing that despite being the one to increase the distance between the two of you literally, you hadn't been the one to make the first fissure in your friendship. Shuri had done that all by herself.

Mholo ngalentsasa: good morning

Ngangamsha: Your majesty

A/N: heyyyyy yaalllllll *smiles as if I haven't been gone for two weeks*

I'm so sorry for the wait, school has been taking all of my attention for the past few weeks. Academic counselors not knowing what they're doing which then makes it harder for me to get the education I need, but THIS AINT ABOUT ME.

I hope y'all enjoyed this part! Shuri has definitely put herself in position that not only makes everything worse for her, but now you're questioning the relationship that you two had. She thinks she's doing the right thing, but ironically, when it comes to your safety, our brilliant, genius, smart as hell queen be trippin <3 still love her though

I would greatly appreciate it if you reblogged and/or left a comment! It really makes my day reading yalls comment.

I hope y'all's week goes well! Stay safe y'all <3

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