Jubilee & Namor | Pale Horse Aftermath
Jan. 13th, 2024 10:00 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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xp_logsSlightly backdated. Namor visits a recovering and refueling Jubilee after he returns from Hawaii.
Jubilee had been sleeping since she’d been transferred from the community centre and while technically she could have gone to her room, she’d taken the extra day in Medlab so they could fill her up with vitamin IVs. Better that than spending days having to eat constantly every second she was awake. She’d managed to get someone to bring her a phone and an iPad so she could get some work done, even if she’d been told to not overdo it. Networks wouldn’t quite manage themselves.
"We heard you were victorious."
A tall, imposing figure loomed expertly in her doorframe. Namor was the image of a freshly arrived traveller if one in suspiciously designer labels and what looked to be a mesh polo shirt. At what point did a shirt become simply an accessory? Did this violate "no shirt, no shoes" policies?
It was likely best not to ask.
“We were,” Jubilee replied as she looked up from her phone. Her eyes lit up with interest and she gave Namor a steady up-and-down look that spoke of appreciation. “Looking good, your Majesty.”
His narrow gaze took in her form as well but as a general surveying a soldier for muster. "We brought you a gift, as is tradition." From somewhere he produced a small, hand-sized canvas bag that was deposited on a nearby table. Namor did not sit.
"Tell us tales of your glory earned," he commanded. "This base does not feel like it is celebrating a victory. There are no banners, no rejoicing. It must have been a near thing."
“Don’t know about glory,” Jubilee replied as she pushed the button on her Medlab bed so the back would raise just a little more. She was still weak enough that having support was needed. That should fade though, the more nutrients she got. “But I got to turn into a nuclear bomb? That was pretty rad.”
Jubilee grinned at the pun and gave him an expectant look. Kyle at this point might have thrown food at her for that.
Namor would never hand-deliver praise that easily. "An atom bomb. Like your people used on Japan."
Despite the cold tone, he began to unwrap her gift. Both spiced and chocolate-covered macadamia nuts and a package of li hing powder. The second would have to be added to the fruit.
"Your Majesty, you spoil me," Jubilee noted with admiration, taking one of the macadamia nuts and popping it into her mouth. She chewed contemplatively as she watched him place the gifts down. "Does this make us friends then? I'd never want to assume, of course."
"It is — was — an honored tradition," and yes, Namor was looking to see if the room had a bowl to put the nuts into, "to return from any successful journey with proof of bounty gained. Victory shared."
He continued to pace, unsuccessful, still visibly on edge. "You were an atomic bomb. Explain. Bombs do not survive detonation."
“Thank you, it’s very much appreciated. You had a success as well then?” Jubilee replied sincerely. She placed her devices aside and tapped a hand on her bed in invitation. “And it’s how my power works. I don’t really know all the science but I like, take energy from myself and I can build energy outside. Sometimes it’s like, just small sparkles, and sometimes it’s enough to destroy a city but it all comes from me. I try to keep it for important things though cause like, it’s a pain to have to eat an entire barn worth of chickens just for someone being a bit of a dick.”
"You seem to always have ten words when simply two will do." Namor's remark held no real judgement. He was genuinely curious. But, he wasn't one to leave another question unanswered. "We successfully conferenced with Alani Ryan's people. They were able to confirm our suspicions."
“Prevents a lot of misunderstandings.”
Jubilee shrugged with a smile as she downed another chocolate covered nut and chewed contemplatively. She’d long ago stopped bothering with containing herself except when it came to work, and even then only when it would jeopardize the mission. She found that living life to someone else’s standards was just asking for unhappiness.
“And like, I enjoy talking. It gives my mouth something to do while my brain is thinking, and something for people to focus on while I do other things too. So what were your suspicions, Your Majesty?”
"That," Namor's tone flattened, "Is privileged information. You will only learn it at my behest, if at all. We would not presume to know of your deeds done in the dark."
He paused his wearing a hole in the floor. "Is that what happened in New York City? Details have been extremely slim despite the severity of security."
Not yet, then.
Jubilee had noticed almost immediately how private Namor was, and also to not take any bluntness personally. She'd met people who were even worse at being warm and personable so it wasn't exactly a bother.
Besides, Marie-Ange was similar and she considered her family.
“Of course, your Majesty. I would like, never expect you to tell me something you weren't comfortable sharing.” Jubilee noted in a soothing tone. “And no, nothing secret in what happened in New York. At least not on our side. I think it's more people are just recovering. What can I tell you that you want to know?”
"Has the threat been contained?"
Was Namor worried for them? Jubilee frowned slightly and wondered if she should offer a hug. He'd never seemed the type who would welcome random physical affection so she'd always contained her natural instincts.
“I wouldn't be lying about if it hadn’t been,” Jubilee confirmed, ignoring the fact she'd been unconscious and unlikely to have been much help. She'd have been woken up if it was dire, and she'd have been able to push herself harder if it was really needed, to death even, she wouldn't have hesitated. “We managed to unbrainwash their main weapon, so hopefully it should take time before they gain a new one.”
Namor's expression hardened. "A strategic retreat on part of the enemy. A hard threat neutralized." His mind was spinning through scenarios, but all he could manage was, "We see why things are how they are here. Very well."
His attention went back to Jubilee. "So the enemy is now aware of your weakness?"
“No,” Jubilee replied to this firmly, aware of the efforts both Doug and others had been going to for Marius and of the fact they'd cut Marius off from whatever had had control of him. She shook her head, unwilling to think of what might have happened if they hadn't gotten him away from them. “I don't believe their puppet at the time was able to tell them anything before they were neutralized. Look, like, you really don't need to be worried about me. It was Kyle’s plan. If we'd needed me for other stuff, I’d have held back or eaten more.”
"Good." No monologue, no more questions, just . . . "Good."
Namor finally sat down in the open chair.
Jubilee had been sleeping since she’d been transferred from the community centre and while technically she could have gone to her room, she’d taken the extra day in Medlab so they could fill her up with vitamin IVs. Better that than spending days having to eat constantly every second she was awake. She’d managed to get someone to bring her a phone and an iPad so she could get some work done, even if she’d been told to not overdo it. Networks wouldn’t quite manage themselves.
"We heard you were victorious."
A tall, imposing figure loomed expertly in her doorframe. Namor was the image of a freshly arrived traveller if one in suspiciously designer labels and what looked to be a mesh polo shirt. At what point did a shirt become simply an accessory? Did this violate "no shirt, no shoes" policies?
It was likely best not to ask.
“We were,” Jubilee replied as she looked up from her phone. Her eyes lit up with interest and she gave Namor a steady up-and-down look that spoke of appreciation. “Looking good, your Majesty.”
His narrow gaze took in her form as well but as a general surveying a soldier for muster. "We brought you a gift, as is tradition." From somewhere he produced a small, hand-sized canvas bag that was deposited on a nearby table. Namor did not sit.
"Tell us tales of your glory earned," he commanded. "This base does not feel like it is celebrating a victory. There are no banners, no rejoicing. It must have been a near thing."
“Don’t know about glory,” Jubilee replied as she pushed the button on her Medlab bed so the back would raise just a little more. She was still weak enough that having support was needed. That should fade though, the more nutrients she got. “But I got to turn into a nuclear bomb? That was pretty rad.”
Jubilee grinned at the pun and gave him an expectant look. Kyle at this point might have thrown food at her for that.
Namor would never hand-deliver praise that easily. "An atom bomb. Like your people used on Japan."
Despite the cold tone, he began to unwrap her gift. Both spiced and chocolate-covered macadamia nuts and a package of li hing powder. The second would have to be added to the fruit.
"Your Majesty, you spoil me," Jubilee noted with admiration, taking one of the macadamia nuts and popping it into her mouth. She chewed contemplatively as she watched him place the gifts down. "Does this make us friends then? I'd never want to assume, of course."
"It is — was — an honored tradition," and yes, Namor was looking to see if the room had a bowl to put the nuts into, "to return from any successful journey with proof of bounty gained. Victory shared."
He continued to pace, unsuccessful, still visibly on edge. "You were an atomic bomb. Explain. Bombs do not survive detonation."
“Thank you, it’s very much appreciated. You had a success as well then?” Jubilee replied sincerely. She placed her devices aside and tapped a hand on her bed in invitation. “And it’s how my power works. I don’t really know all the science but I like, take energy from myself and I can build energy outside. Sometimes it’s like, just small sparkles, and sometimes it’s enough to destroy a city but it all comes from me. I try to keep it for important things though cause like, it’s a pain to have to eat an entire barn worth of chickens just for someone being a bit of a dick.”
"You seem to always have ten words when simply two will do." Namor's remark held no real judgement. He was genuinely curious. But, he wasn't one to leave another question unanswered. "We successfully conferenced with Alani Ryan's people. They were able to confirm our suspicions."
“Prevents a lot of misunderstandings.”
Jubilee shrugged with a smile as she downed another chocolate covered nut and chewed contemplatively. She’d long ago stopped bothering with containing herself except when it came to work, and even then only when it would jeopardize the mission. She found that living life to someone else’s standards was just asking for unhappiness.
“And like, I enjoy talking. It gives my mouth something to do while my brain is thinking, and something for people to focus on while I do other things too. So what were your suspicions, Your Majesty?”
"That," Namor's tone flattened, "Is privileged information. You will only learn it at my behest, if at all. We would not presume to know of your deeds done in the dark."
He paused his wearing a hole in the floor. "Is that what happened in New York City? Details have been extremely slim despite the severity of security."
Not yet, then.
Jubilee had noticed almost immediately how private Namor was, and also to not take any bluntness personally. She'd met people who were even worse at being warm and personable so it wasn't exactly a bother.
Besides, Marie-Ange was similar and she considered her family.
“Of course, your Majesty. I would like, never expect you to tell me something you weren't comfortable sharing.” Jubilee noted in a soothing tone. “And no, nothing secret in what happened in New York. At least not on our side. I think it's more people are just recovering. What can I tell you that you want to know?”
"Has the threat been contained?"
Was Namor worried for them? Jubilee frowned slightly and wondered if she should offer a hug. He'd never seemed the type who would welcome random physical affection so she'd always contained her natural instincts.
“I wouldn't be lying about if it hadn’t been,” Jubilee confirmed, ignoring the fact she'd been unconscious and unlikely to have been much help. She'd have been woken up if it was dire, and she'd have been able to push herself harder if it was really needed, to death even, she wouldn't have hesitated. “We managed to unbrainwash their main weapon, so hopefully it should take time before they gain a new one.”
Namor's expression hardened. "A strategic retreat on part of the enemy. A hard threat neutralized." His mind was spinning through scenarios, but all he could manage was, "We see why things are how they are here. Very well."
His attention went back to Jubilee. "So the enemy is now aware of your weakness?"
“No,” Jubilee replied to this firmly, aware of the efforts both Doug and others had been going to for Marius and of the fact they'd cut Marius off from whatever had had control of him. She shook her head, unwilling to think of what might have happened if they hadn't gotten him away from them. “I don't believe their puppet at the time was able to tell them anything before they were neutralized. Look, like, you really don't need to be worried about me. It was Kyle’s plan. If we'd needed me for other stuff, I’d have held back or eaten more.”
"Good." No monologue, no more questions, just . . . "Good."
Namor finally sat down in the open chair.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-17 02:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-01-17 03:35 pm (UTC)I enjoy Namor's inscrutability. Worried for Jubilee? Or just for security? Impossible to say.