Perception

~CHAPTER 08~

LONDON present day

The beautiful harmony of the choir added more emotion to Persephone's face, as she watched Steve help carry Peggy Carters Cascet down the steps of the beautifully decorated church.

"And now, I would like to invite Sharon Carter, to come up, say a few words," The man said as the Funer progressed and a few people shared speeches. However, the name made Steve look up and over as Sharon made her way out to the podium. Sam watched closely too, remember all the events in DC.

"Margaret Carter was known to most as a founder of SHIELD. But I just knew her as Aunt Peggy." She said causing Steve to look up at her shocked. She had a photograph in her office. Aunt Peggy standing next to JFK. As a kid, that was pretty cool. But, it was a lot to live up to." She continued.

"Which is why I never told anyone we were related." Seph looked at Sam shocked as he glanced warily at her and then back up to Sharon.

"I asked her once how she managed to master diplomacy and espionage at a time when no one wanted to see a woman succeed at either. And she said, compromise when you can. Where you can't, don't. Even if everyone is telling you that something wrong is something right. Even if the whole world is telling you to move. It is your duty, to plant yourself like a tree, look them in the eye and say, No... ... you move." She finished. Persephone nodded at this and gave Steve a pat on the back, Standing up to leave.

After everyone left the church, Steve found himself staying behind to take a moment, unfortunately, that moment was interrupted as Natasha mad her way towards him.

"You know, when I came out of the ice I'd thought everyone I had known was gone," He said leaning against a church pew. looking over at the portrait of Peggy he continued. "When I found out she was still alive, I was just lucky to have her,"

"She had you back too," Nat said nodding proudly at Steve, he kept his gaze on the floor listening to Natasha.

"Who else signed?" Steve said changing the subject. Nat took a deep breath.

"Tony, Rhodey, and Vison," She said.

"Clint?"

"Says he's retired," Natasha answered.

"Wanda?" He asked finally making eye contact with her.

"TBD," She said shaking her head.

Just then, Seph made her way over to them, "Hey, are you guys okay?" She asked noticing how serious they both were.

"I'm doing okay," Steve said nodding towards her. "Thanks, for coming with me and Sam," Steve said to Seph. She smiled and nodded back at him.

"Thanks for letting me come," She said.

"Well, I'm off to Vienna for the signing of the accords," Nat said getting back their attention. "There's plenty of room on the jet?" She said looking at him eyebrow raised softly.

"...I'm sorry Nat, I can't sign it," Steve said lowering his head in shame.

"I know," She said sighing.

"Well then what are you doing here?" He asked,

"...I didn't want you to be alone," She said. Steve smiled at her.

"I'm not," Steve answered proudly. Natasha smirked and turned towards Seph, who was watching with a sweet smile turning up her lips.

"Come on, Tony wants you to come with me," Nat said walking towards her, her Hand outstretched for Seph to take it. Steve could see the small part of Persephone cast down, and she sighed taking Nat's hand. Seph stopped halfway out the church and turned towards Steve,

"Hey, Steve?" She said getting his attention. he looked towards her. "we're all going to be okay," Seph said nodding at him. he smiled and nodded as well.

"I know kiddo, I know," He said.

VIENNA 4 hours later

"Yeah, I will, hows Beth?" Seph asked on the phone with her dad.

"I could ask the same thing but for Cap," Tony said Seph nodded,

"He's okay, he won't admit he's in pain. But Sam is still with him"Persephone said. Tony nodded his head listening t his daughter through the line.

"So I know you're going with Nat to the signing of the accords," Tony said. "So you'll be gone another what? Two? three days?" Tony said. Seph nodded, listening. "Just...be safe, I love you," Tony said in a hushed tone. Seph smiled,

"Love you too dad, Tell Beth she can't wear my clothes to school tomorrow," She said over the phone,

"I will kiddo, be safe, have fun!" he said sarcastically.

"Oh.. I'll have so much fun!" Seph said sarcastically back, hanging up the phone.

Arriving at their destination, Nat, stepped out of the Car first and into the huge building crowds of reporters, all speaking different languages shouted and took their pictures.

"Persephone Stark, care to comment on Steven Rodgers not wanting to sign the accords?" A man asked her microphone in hand. she smiled sweetly the camera flashes blinding her. Prince Tacha'lla watched from the balcony above them, noticing one of Starks's daughters came.

once Nat and Seph were inside, Tacha'lla approached them.

"I guess neither of us is used to the spotlight?" He said towards Persephone, who nodded at him and smiled sweetly.

"It's just strange they seem to care for a child's opinion," Seph said slightly cocky and annoyed with the reporters.

"You seem to be doing all right so far," Tacha'lla said to her, Nat stepped up next to Seph,

"I'm glad you are here Ms. Romanoff," Tacha'lla said to her, she smiled.

"taking it Mr. Rodgers won't be joining us?" he asked.

"No," Nat said shaking her head sighing slightly.

"Shame," Tacha'lla said.

"What's a shame?" King Tachaka said walking up to them,

"Baba," Tacha'lla said greeting his father,

"Ms. Romanoff, Miss Stark," He said looking down at him slightly,

"Call me Persephone," She said sweetly holding her hand out to shake. Tacha'lla watched a smile on his face at how sweet Persephone seemed to be,

"King, Tachaka, Please allow me to apologize for what happened in Nigeria," Natasha said hangs behind her back.

"Thank you, thank you for agreeing to all of this," He said towards her.

"will everyone please be seated?" A said causing Natasha to stand tall nodding before leaving to take her seat, Persephone stayed behind a moment longer,

"Kind Tachaka, It was an honor," She said to him smiling. The king looked down at her sweetly.

"Your highness," she said nodding towards Tacha'llla before following after Natasha.

Kind Tachaka and Prince Tacha'lla watched her leave before Tachaka turned around to face his son. "Ngaphandle kokuba eyiStark, ubonakala mandi," (even though she's a Stark, she seems sweet,) Tacha'lla shook his head at his father smiling.

"Utata, Kuya kufuneka uyeke,"(Father you must stop,) he said shaking his head. "wayemnandi, ayikho enye into"(she was sweet nothing more,) Tacha'lla said, his father sighed and moved to the podium.

After everyone took a seat, Kind Tachaka began,

"I am grateful to the Avengers for supporting its initiative," he said, Although Prince Tacha'lla stopped paying attention to his father and more out the window watching a stage scene play out.

"Wakanda is proud," Tachaka went on, Natasha looked out the window suspicious, and Persephone watched Tacha'lla closely as he yelled,

"Everybody get down!" he yelled running towards his father right as a huge explosive went off,

By the time Tacha'lla got to his father, he was already dead, cradling his body Tacha'lla cried.