xp_logs | Alani & Namor: Coffee

Alani doesn't throttle Namor, the log.

After Alani had asked Namor to meet with her, she'd spent hours going over what was available to her in the mansion's system about Atlantis. It was sparse, of course, but she'd compiled everything she could on the civilization, color coding it like she would her own notes for her courses, and then she’d gone to the coffee meet up early, just in case the cosmic powers of a coffee shop in District X connected some dots that she'd missed. It hadn't, but sitting in a place she didn't feel the need to wear her image inducer and could just sip her coffee had been nice while she waited.

But, at the sound of the door opening and very excited whispering immediately starting up all around her, it was likely that Namor had arrived. Her smile froze as confirmed that, yes, he had indeed arrived, and what everyone was talking about. "Ah, no, uh, no shirt, eh? No problem, thank you so much for meeting me."

She was met with a pair of eyes that didn't even register her sarcasm, or it turned out, any of the commotion that had preceded his stroll from the door, to the register, to Alani's position. None of the camera flashes, fawning looks, or the telling look in the barista's gaze that proved that pretty, ripped people surely were immune to things like "no shirt, no shoes."

Namor, unphased as if by choice, boredom, or, perhaps, simple routine at this point, held an overpriced tea in one hand and looked blandly at the woman before him. "We always honor our commitments." Like a Lannister.

And, of course, the follow-up. Delivered completely seriously.

"Kate Pryde insisted I settle a bet, so I am obliged to ask what you wish of Atlantis."

"That's very good of you," Alani's tone was entirely earnest and she flashed a quick smile, despite the eyes that had suddenly turned on her making her want to bolt like a deer in headlights. Offering her opened notebook to him, she smoothed the pages before sitting back to sip her coffee and try to make her request somewhat understandable.

"So, I know pretty much what's been shared amongst the mansion and our data, but I wanted to speak with you specifically, one-on-one about, well, Atlantis. I'm offering my research skills, and I'll be entirely upfront that I might not find anything new at all. But, I want to try. If I do find something, then anything would be brought to you first, because it's your... home. " The last word came out softer than she'd planned, but after clearing her throat she met his gaze. "What do you think?"

This got her a considered look as he moved to sit down. Like she was a puzzle. Or a curiosity. “We,” and there was that royal lean on the word there, "find it curious that you would be so open after our last encounter. I,” and that distinction of role again, “Must hold my own thoughts until I understand what you hope to gain from this arrangement."

"Oh, yeah, I was pretty emotional after Topaz disappeared." There was no apology in her voice for the display that had immediately come to her mind. "Gain? No, I," she drew back, head shaking as she tried to understand what he meant. "No, I don't want anything, Namor. I apologize, I didn't mean for it to come off that way, and I should have explained myself better. I want to help you, a person who is my teammate, so that you're a step closer to your goals."

"Ah." Namor leaned on the word as if it was the acknowledgment of many unspoken assumptions. Assumptions sliding into place. His gaze turned serious, "Tell me of my goals. I have had years to consider the kind of 'help' the Xavier militia can actually provide, and I have only become convinced that no one understands what Atlantis -is.-"

At 'militia' a frown had set, refusing to budge, though she patiently waited for him to finish. It had been presumptuous of her to assume she'd truly known his goals, there was no denying it to herself, but she was nothing if not pragmatic. Taking a breath, she pushed the displeasure aside and met his eyes. "With only my research and without speaking to you on the matter, I understood your goals to be find Atlantis and restore it as possible. However, I admit it I do not fully understand what Atlantis is, but I would be willing to learn and assist you as I can. I would not force my help upon you, and if you do not want it, I won't take it personally." Alani's kept her voice even as she watched him, trying to discern if this was a waste of his time, or hers.

He steepled his fingers, leaning in like a cat examining a mouse. "Good. 'Restore.' That is one step ahead of the consolation I am usually given. The others see my search as a frivolity or, most insultingly, a history project. They do not understand that Atlantis is a power I would raise against the entirety of this landlocked world if forced."

Despite the overwhelming urge to look away, she stayed focused on him, turning over what he'd said. "Of course, it’s your home.” A calm repetition came first, lacking any judgment as she reached to take the book and make notes to herself. "If I can ask — What else should I know?"

The pointy eared man took a moment to consider this, gaze tilting toward the ceiling in contemplation. "Tell me how to distill a people into what one should know." A rhetorical beat. "Atlantis was my people, but also a mighty weapon. My birthright. A power unlike anything I have seen in this modern farce of 'Stark Tech'. We may not be able to reclaim half of that, but I can rebuild."

“Sorry, that’s-“ The sudden urge to reach out to him in some semblance of comfort brought a hand across before she pulled back. “You can’t condense it, I’m sorry, I have to be more conscious of my wording.” A beat, as Alani finally glanced down, weighed something in her mind before finally looking back to him. “Could you- Would you tell me about it? The language, practices, celebrations, just anything?”

"My people were Our joy, my pride. We were born to and by the sea — made to thrive and make a home in it, although at my birth there was the promise that We would rule the skies as well.”

He paused again, but softened.

“Let me tell you of them."