Hope & Namor | (Backdated) Tuesday Afternoon

[x-submariner.livejournal.com]

Hope encounters Namor near the gardens and thanks him for fishing her out of the water on Avalon.

Namor didn't usually like to dwell in common areas, but the day was beautiful and the gardens were calling to him. He'd neglected to consider the impact that a harsh winter could have on one's mood before deciding to attend University in North America, and the ache he felt at being cooped up had started to hurt. He would never openly admit this.

Yet here he was, camped out with his textbooks, tablet, and notes on the North Lawn. He did not concede his dignity to the weather, like so many students on campus, and parade around half-clothed. Everything about the scene held a tinge of stiff formality from the way the books were carefully arranged to the exactness of his tie to the cup of tea that sat forgotten on the table.

"My, I would almost believe you enjoy your tea cold, your lordship." Hope spoke up behind him, a little hesitant. "Though iced tea is quite refreshing, I do not believe that is quite it." She approached the table, her hands casually smoothing out the skirt of her cream eyelet sundress.

Namor was standing out of reflex before he could suppress any undercurrent of surprise that may have crossed his features. Turning involved a brief bow that quietly resolved itself into the expected amount of deference — perhaps a little flippantly so, but that was a fine line here without any edge of malice — and a small, dignified grunt of approval on Hope's considered attire.

"Miss Abbott, it is good to see you up and about. Are you feeling improved?"

"I am recovering well, thank you. I appreciate your concern." Hope replied with a smile on her face. She hesitated a moment before gesturing to the opposite bench of the table. "May I? I do not wish to disturb you in your studies if you are immersed in them."

"You may. I would not presume to study outside if I had anything serious to finish." He smiled back politely, patiently waiting for her to take her place before sitting back down himself. "It pleases me that you are feeling better."

"It is good to be out of the Medlab and in the fresh air, no matter how kind the doctors were while I was there." Hope stared at her hand for a moment. "On that note... I believe I owe you a debt of gratitude. I would not have been there if you had not pulled me out of the water."

"It was my Duty," came with the same sort of automatic response that had produced the bow earlier, yet this was tempered with genuine conviction. "I would state that you would have done the same if our roles were reversed, but evolution has seen to gift me an unfair advantage where water is involved."

"I would like to think so. But duty or not... the water was still very wild and filled with all kinds of objects." Hope shook her head. "I do not remember much of the water, but I do remember that much. There was still quite a risk."

"But that is what we do, here." It wasn't a statement or a question in the way he said it, but like an oath. Something inscribed. "We protect each other irregardless of the risk. I saved many drowning victims that day."

"Noblesse Oblige." Hope spoke softly, almost to herself. "Only with the powers we have instead of with our position." She startled a little. "My apologies. I was thinking out loud."

Namor stared flatly. "We have had this conversation before, but I find that we are as much of our position as we are our powers. They both define who we are."

Hope raised an eyebrow at him, a slightly incredulous look in her eyes. "I did mean that in a positive sense, your lordship. We both agree on using our powers to be of assistance if possible as a duty."

"You are correct, but have me wrong. Duty goes beyond mere definition: We are obligated to be more than what the sum of our parts makes us." There was no scolding or challenge in this; just the same matter or fact tone. Like Namor was discussing the weather.

"Hmmm." Hope hummed vaguely in agreement. Not quite a topic she wanted to discuss at the moment, if she was honest with herself. She and Namor had their differences on this and last time things had turned out somewhat explosive. "How did you like working with Red X? The organization, I mean." She tilted her head as she smoothly shifted the subject.

Namor may have taken the subject change in stride, but he also inwardly counted it as winning. Namor liked winning. It pleased him a great deal, which may have influenced the smile he slid into. "I rather enjoy what Miss Petrovic has accomplished. It was, though, much more satisfying to actually be able to help in a time of crisis as opposed to Friday meetings — not to devalue the importance of training for the group, however."

"I felt right to put some of the training into practice. Even despite the fact we could not help everyone." She had seen the final report that day, the people who did not make it.

He said seen that too. It sobered his mood considerably. "Yes, although I have to respect their resolve to not leave their hard-earned homes."

"Perhaps. Homes can be rebuilt though. Quite a few possessions can be replaced. But their loved ones will have to miss them forever. I cannot help but thinking of them, of the loss they now have to bear amidst all the chaos." Hope commented thoughtfully.

"Pride is..." He paused, exactly aware how self-aware this was, "It is often hard to judge where rational behavior begins and pride ends. It is a shame that anyone must suffer. Yet they're living on their own, in Avalon, unsupported by the world governments and free to make their own law. They deserve more than pity."

"But they do deserve our compassion." Hope gently countered. "No one desires to be pitied, but that does not rule out compassion or caring."

Namor waved a hand dismissively. "Compassion from afar does not do them any good. What can you build out of compassion? What will caring idly in a garden in America do to help? Such emotion is human, but not practical."

"Perhaps not directly, but I believe it can be a strong driving force behind making practical things happen. Just as powerful as duty for example. Because there was something behind our decision for everyone of Red X who was on the island that day."

"I am sure there was, but telepathy is not one of my talents. Neither is, regrettably, subtle politicking. I prefer action."

"I would say each have their place. And coming where you come from, I think you have far more experience with that then I do, your lordship." Hope tilted her head a little, a small smile on her face.

Namor laughed long and hard at that. "Please let me know when you start putting holes in walls to make points, Miss Abbott. Then we can compare notes."

"Well... " Hope had to smile herself as she could picture it very well. "I suppose it's one way of doing things." She lifted an eyebrow at him. "I think in this case I do pity the wall though."

Namor quirked an eyebrow. "I find the trick is to act as though the wall deserved it all along. You have to own your moments of rage or the impact will be lost."

"Poor wall. What did it ever do to deserve that then?" Hope replied drolly.

"I have never personally been a wall, but they are easier to repair than bones or glass."

"I have to agree with the second part, but..." Hope's eyes twinkled mischievously at him. "But sometimes I am not sure about the first part. Sometimes I would say you resemble one made of bricks."

All she got for this was a flat look.

Hope quickly stifled a giggle behind her hand. "Come on, your lordship. You do have to agree you can be quite... stubborn at times."

"There is value in being solid," was his rebuttal as he crossed his arms to underscore the point, "Better to be consistent and predictable than flighty and malleable."

"Nothing wrong with being solid." Hope shook her head. "As long as it does not become inflexible. Extremes tend not work from both directions." A quick flash or her mother shot through her head.

"Oh, believe me. I can be plenty flexible." If Namor were the type to waggle his eyebrows, he would have. "I find that pushing to extremes can be very liberating."

Immediately she blushed, but she rallied valiantly: "Without dislocations, I hope? Because that sounds quite painful. Unless..." Hope swallowed before just flapping out: "Unless you prefer that of course."

"I have never had cause to push that far," he teased with a playful grin, "but do tell me more."

Still blushing, she carefully ventured a little further: "Why, are you asking me if I am flexible? Or is there something else you would like to know?" "I'm merely curious, and a little bored." Namor stretched languidly. All this talk of flexibility was making him not want to sit. "Although the color on your face implies that you know very little about 'dislocation.'"

Her blush still showed no sign of dissipating. "Ah, but a true lady never kisses and tells, your lordship." Hope retorted, idly flicking her braid over her shoulder.

"Have you ever met a true lady?" Namor leaned forward a little, cupping his chin in his hands and resting elbows on thighs. "They are dreadfully boring."

"At least those who don't kiss and tell." Hope smiled and winked. " I would imagine having your... dates splashed on the cover of TMZ, E! or US Magazine would not be much fun."

His expression held blank until she mentioned "magazine." The acid in his tone spoke leagues. "It is not, but we in Attilan have an understanding with the press."

"An understanding? What does it entail?" Hope tilted her head, interested. "Though no matter what understanding may exist in Attilan, I do think the American press would not be that scrupulous." She warned him, though she was quite sure he already knew this.

"It is a small island nation that relies, partially, on tourism. Photographers are invited to events involving the royal family officially, and it is understood that they are not welcome elsewhere." He gestured as if this was all a casual fact of the universe. "I feel that certain parts of Europe and America let their media work far too freely. Privacy is an important luxury."

"I would imagine it to be so, especially in families like yours where it is an important but also a far more rare luxury then for many people. I do hope the media here will at least show some of the same regard." There was quite a bit of doubts underlying her tone though on that one.

"So far," and there was a hint of self-important disappointment in this, "The media here has proven to care very little about Attilani nobility outside of the royal family."

"I would call that a blessing?" She asked, catching his tone. "Or not...?"

"Ninety of the people I encounter here do not realize who I am. I suppose it is should to be humbling," he emphasized the '"should" as if it were an punishment, "But there are levels of respect one gets used to receiving by default."

"Perhaps... but maybe also a kind of... freedom? The freedom of expectations for example?" Hope offered after a moment of consideration.

He shrugged. "Castigat ridendo mores. Freedom is something you create for yourself."

"I think things are not that simple, but that is pulling open a whole other can of worms, as they say." Hope shook her head.

She got a smile for this. "I appreciate both the gesture and tone your thanks, Miss Abbott, but I believe we have wandered. Contrary to your earlier statement, I do not enjoy cold tea and I'm getting thirsty."

Hope rose easily and gave him a nod, brushing of her skirt in the meanwhile. "Cold tea is an affront to humanity indeed. I wish you much in your quest." She dipped a tiny curtsy and made her way to rest of the house.