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“Are you sure about this?” asked Ayo.
Shuri took a deep breath and nodded. The Wakandan Queen walked through the automatic door and into the holding area. On this particular floor there was only one prisoner convicted of crimes that ensured that he would never leave. The man lounged on his bed reading without a care in the world, he briefly glanced up something flickered in his brown eyes as he scrambled to his feet. The prisoner quickly bookmarked his spot in the novel then ran his fingers through his hair hoping he looked partially presentable.
Ayo produced a fold out chair from beside the door and set it up in front of the cell for her Queen, who thanked her before the Dora warrior retired to stand nearby shrouded in the shadows of the room.
“Your Majesty,” he said solemnly, slightly bowing. “My sincere condolence on your losses, your brother was a good man and although I did not meet your mother personally I can tell she was a strong woman who raised two fine children.”
“Thank you Baron for you kind words,” she acknowledged.
The Sokovian held out his hand indicating that she sit, she gave a brief smile at his manners even after all these years locked up he still adhered to his gentlemanly upbringing.
Once seeing that she’d settled he sat down on his bed placing his book down beside him before resting his hands in his lap all the while looking at ease with the situation but Shuri was aware that Zemo’s neutral demeanor was just a mask that hid a manipulative, calculating and highly intelligent mind which is why she wasn’t even going to try to bullshit him.
“So your Majesty is this a social call?”
“Of sorts.”
Zemo’s head tilted in query and was obviously studying her for micro expressions, which is why she tried not to move a muscle.
Shuri took a deep breath to launch into her speech; she’d gone over it a hundred times in her head however now sat here in front of the man who killed her father it fled from her mind. Zemo didn’t even look like the monster she’d built up in her head over the years, he was an ordinary man sure a fairly good looking one but no two heads, breathing fire or thin moustache he could twirl.
“I want to apologize to you Baron when you killed my father I wanted you dead or at least thrown in the deepest darkest hole forever and I guess that feeling just simmered in the background along with some resentment towards my brother who at the time forgave you quite quickly in my opinion. But after recent events I understand, I understand your reasons, your emotions and I wish I didn’t because it hurts.” Shuri’s hand instinctively went to her chest before she let it drop back into her lap. “I can’t go into too many details,” her eyes quickly flicked up towards a corner of his cell letting him know that their conversation was not private. “but a situation arose and a stand was made in which my mother paid the ultimate price, I didn’t want to rule, never did T’Challa was better suited for the role but my people needed me and … I didn’t want to admit it especially to myself but it was my pain and rage driving me not rational thought, I wanted revenge. In hindsight it was a kneejerk reaction however it was an action borne not out of doing what’s right but on trying to make myself feel better and to hurt the person who was responsible for killing my mother. To do so I needed to play on an even battlefield so I went through a process in which I took up the mantle of the Black Panther.” Ayo shifted uncomfortably behind her, Zemo’s eyes flicked to her briefly before landing back on the Queen. “Again I can’t go into exact details but part of the process involves a dream walk where we meet an ancestor we need most it’s meant to symbolize the path our rule will take and…the person that showed up was not the person I expected.”
“Or wanted,” concluded Zemo quietly.
Shuri nodded.
“Unfortunately his words fanned the fire within I denied it of course but I just wanted to…”
“Burn the world,” completed the Baron.
“I had my enemy down I was going for a killing blow then I heard my mother’s voice in that moment I realized it was the same decision that my brother had to make when he confronted you. Mercy or damnation? I let my enemy live. It was the hardest decision I’ve made in my life because if I got it wrong more people would suffer however the pain is still there but now it’s a dull almost constant ache. With this experience and perspective I understand your anger, your pain, your need to make somebody to pay also the feeling that I could and should have done more, an overwhelming sense of uselessness.”
“Situational impotence,” said Zemo softly. “In my case I thought my family would be safe outside the city where the fighting was but I should have told them to keep driving and not look back.”
“Unfortunately neither of us had the power of foresight.”
“Fair,” murmured Zemo. “For what it’s worth I am truly sorry about your father he seemed to be a good man who cared for his family and his people it was unfortunate that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. However I must commend you that with everything that has happened especially recently you have not hidden away or buried yourself in your technology to seek solace.”
Shuri gave a small smile.
“M;Baku said something similar.”
“He sounds like a true friend.”
“How do you work that out?”
“Because a true friend will tell you to your face when you’re doing something stupid an enemy will agree with you and let you continue while they bitch and plot behind your back.”
Shuri grinned a little more.
“Despite our history I find myself surprised that I’m actually beginning to like you.”
“A lot of people are,” he answered confidently.
“You’d definitely get on well with M’Baku.”
They lapse into the silence that happens sometimes during conversations.
“So how are they treating you here?” she asked.
“Fine no real complaints I mean the guards are hardly sparkling conversationalists but I’m not being water-boarded or anything.”
Shuri gave him a wry look then saw the Sokovian smirk playfully.
“Bucky said you could be a handful.”
That’s when she saw it a small almost imperceptible shift in his demeanor; he sat up a little straighter and somehow looked more attentive.
“You are in contact with James? I mean after his hand in my little jaunt I thought you had put him in timeout.”
“He’s an adult not a child,” retorted Shuri.
“Even so,” shrugged the Baron.
“I won’t lie it stung at first but my brother understood, said that sometimes you had to deal with the devil to stop bad things from happening then he got sick and some things like resentment or perceived slights didn’t seem so important.”
Zemo nodded in understanding.
“It’s good you have made up I know James would have been sad if your friendship had ended.”
Shuri narrowed her eyes at him.
“You like him?”
“It’s complicated but short answer yes.”
“Even though he’s a super soldier?” she queried.
“Yes…there are always exceptions to the rule and James is mine like I said it’s complicated.”
Shuri had the feeling that Zemo was being diplomatic and not just protecting his privacy but his heart too which made her confused has why, nothing came to mind however it also made her even more curious as to what happened during the takedown of the Flag Smashers, she resolved to ask Bucky privately later.
“Your Majesty we have to get going,” said Ayo from the shadows behind her.
Shuri sighed.
“I’m sorry Baron but this was a flying visit I just needed to get that out.”
“I understand and it was nice to see a new face around here. I take it you’re on your way to the UN summit.”
“Perceptive as always,” she said standing the Baron also stood. “We’ll be discussing the Ozaki-Ross Accords, adamantium and how Wakanda can possible help since we’ve handled vibranium for years.”
Zemo’s head tilted again.
“It is good that they have not completely shut you out that now they have a new toy but I urge caution don’t let them take advantage of your good nature.”
“Don’t worry Baron I have a bright shiny new spine,” grinned the Wakandan royal.
Ayo stepped forward wanting to urge her Queen to leave.
“Thank you Baron.”
“I haven’t done anything only to cause you pain.”
Shuri shook her head.
“You’re a good listener and sometimes that’s enough.”
Zemo straightened, nodding in agreement a small smile playing on his lips.
“Neka ti se odeća pocepa i pohaba, ali neka živiš u dobrom zdravlju i ispunjeno it’s an old Sokovian phrase it means ‘May your clothes rip and wear out, but may you live on in good health and in fulfilment.’” Zemo gave a vague waving gesture. “It loses a little in translation.”
Shuri gave a chuckle as Wakandans had a similar saying.
“Thanks.”
Ayo shifted uncomfortably; Shuri knew that the Dora Milaje warrior was one nerve away from snapping so to save them both from an ass chewing she began to move towards the door.
Shuri paused and turned back to the Baron.
“Does it get any easier?”
Zemo looked thoughtful then nodded a little.
“Yes but it’s more like it changes shape over time, loved ones faces begin to fade slightly from memory but as long as you keep a small piece of them in your heart then they are never truly gone.”
“I don’t want to forget them or their sacrifices.”
“Unfortunately forgetting is part of the grieving process.”
They shared a sad smile and said farewell then Shuri stepped back out into the corridor with Ayo close on her heels; the Wakandan Queen took a deep breath she felt lighter and had clarity on her next steps, she smiled at Ayo who rolled her eyes and huffed.
“I hate when that man is right,” the warrior muttered.