"This alliance just keeps getting more and more complicated..."
Set briefly during 'Civil War' but mostly during 'Black Panther'. The nations of Sokovia and Wakanda have been allies for decades. Following the Sokovia Accords, Princess Kalyna of Sok...
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"Don't hide from the truth, no matter how dark it is. That's how bad things happen."
Finally she managed to catch T'Challa for a moment. She didn't address the situation at home however, but instead confronted him about what Nakia had told her.
"I am your friend, T'Challa. Something is going on and it is bothering you, and I want to be able to help and support you but I cannot do that unless you tell me what is going on. Yes, of course you may have your secrets, and I can have mine, but we are never going to be able to continue this alliance if we keep major secrets from each other." She sighed when he said nothing. "You told Nakia."
"Please, don't go there-"
"And why not? Do you trust her more than me? We are allies, T'Challa, you have to trust me, and I you."
"Of course I trust you-"
"You're the one who wanted me here, to come to your coronation, to come along on the mission. Why exclude me now? Had I known it would be like this I would have just left after the ceremony-"
"Then maybe you should have!" His shout silenced them both. Then he sighed, obviously regretful. "Kalyna, I-"
But she had already turned away. "I was coming to tell you that the situation back home has become more urgent, more protests and riots. I need to return right away, so I was coming to say goodbye, and thank you."
"Kalyna-"
"Niyah, Felix, have a jet readied for us. We depart first thing tomorrow."
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"I wish to speak with the prisoner. Alone." Kalyna stood at the entrance to the palace cells.
"Do you have the king's permission?" The Dora guard questioned.
"Do I need it? I will only be a few minutes."
"My Lady, he is dangerous."
"That's why you have him locked up in a cell. And so am I," she reminded, before descending down the spiral staircase, much like in Shuri's lab, but much more dimly lit.
Two more Dora stood on either side of the cell, spears in hand. "You may leave us."
The two guards looked slightly hesitant at the request but obeyed. They bowed their heads to her and left, going to join the others upstairs.
"You seem rather friendly with everyone here," Erik observed from the dimness of his cell, stepping forward, closer to the glass. The cells were sealed with glass, not bars. This made it more open, but also more intimate, in a way. As she approached she could see her reflection in the glass, making it look like she was standing there beside him.
"I am a friend in the palace." She stopped and stood before him. "I have some questions, and T'Challa won't give me a straight answer-"
"Uh oh, trouble in paradise?" His smile flashed his gold-capped teeth.
"-So I came to you hoping you would give me one. Outsider to outsider."
He chuckled deeply and sat down on the lone bench sitting against the wall of the cell. "You're the only outsider here, I'm afraid."
She smiled, arms crossed. "Thank you."
"Hmm?"
"That answered my question - some."
He smirked. "Well played."
"You are not just some outsider who's come questioning the Wakandan system. You're someone else, and it's bothering him."
"Observant. You know him well."
"We've known each other for many years. But who are you?" She pursed her lips thoughtfully. "Is Erik your real name?"
"Yeah, sometimes. To some people. Back in Oakland it was. Erik Stevens."
"And what about the other 'sometimes'?"
"Why don't you go ask your king, if you're so close to him?"
"Like I said, he won't tell me."
"Yeah, it's kind of a family matter."
"Family matter?" She thought for a moment, then recalled her conversation with Nakia earlier: T'Challa's uncle and cousin. That had happened suddenly, seemingly out of the blue. Just like with this Erik showing up...
"You're his cousin, aren't you?"
Again, he flashed her that gold-toothed grin. "Look at you go, girl. You're on a roll."
"I was not aware that he had a cousin."
"Yeah, naw. Doubt King T'Chaka would go around tellin' people he killed his own brother and abandoned his nephew."
This struck her. T'Chaka, a murderer? Impossible - the T'Chaka she knew had always been so loving and caring. "N-no-"
"Everyone has their dark and dirty secrets, even the King of Wakanda."
"N-no... Y-you must be mistaken-"
"Yeah? Well back when I was a kid, I came home to find my daddy dead with panther claws in his chest. And who was King then?"
She turned her back to him - but there was without a doubt truth in his eyes, in his voice, behind his words. And something this major would certainly trouble T'Challa - it would trouble anyone. Now she understood.
"Don't hide from the truth, no matter how dark it is. That's how bad things happen." He leaned against the glass and peered down at her. "You're from Sokovia, I recognize your accent. I've heard it's pretty bad there. And what aid has Wakanda ever given you?" He shook his head. "Naw, they say they'll give you aid but they aren't ever actually gonna, not while he sits on the throne. All they'll ever give you is an empty promise. Naw, they're too concerned with protecting their secret, and saving themselves."
While he was still talking, she began heading back towards the winding ramp.
"I can see right through you. I can see right through you all - Princess."
This made her stop. She was tempted to turn around, but didn't need to, she already knew what she would see: his smirk.
(Hi everone! So sorry for the delay, but here you go! I hope you enjoyed, thanks so much for reading :) (I've started adding Kalyna into the 'Infinity War' storyline, so stay tuned!)
