xp_logs | Illyana & Namor

Illyana asks Namor to teach Eris to fly.

Illyana knocked on the door to the boathouse with her free hand, attempting to hold a squirming Eris in place with the other. "Is too cold for you on ground, be still," she grumped, frown turning into something less stern as Namor opened the door. "I have request if you would like to help, please."

It took a minute, but a soggy Namor was soon at the door. He had a towel draped over one shoulder, like some sort of makeshift tunic, and that was pretty much it.

"Requests," he began with a sigh, "I remember when I had an assistant to deny those. There was a proper protocol. I worry that we are becoming too familiar, Queen of the Stepping Realm."

He was, apparently, in a Mood. Still, he immediately scooped Eris into his own arms and began to spoil her.

"It is because I am delight for you to be around Majesty," Illyana replied, ignoring his soggy state. "Request is for Eris, mostly. Wings are big enough to fly, I think, but she is having trouble. To be fiercest guardian, she must be able to use all tools at disposal."

The King held out the creature in front of him as a doubt crossed his features. The cat demon's wings were quite large, but, "My people were masters of the sea, Illyana. We kept birds and cats, but they were never fierce. Cats were tools of the fools on Alkebulan."

He juggled the kitten a little, like she was dancing. "If you insist, however, I will take her to a height and drop her. Trial by fire."

"You will not let her die though, yes? She is already fierce for small size. Sharp claws. Needle teeth. Unafraid to use in self-defense, but getting better about use during training and play." She pushed her sleeve back, showing off faint scarring along the backs of her hands. "Very fierce, see? Managed this a few weeks ago while playing."

"Everything dies," were the words that came out of his mouth, but his eyes narrowed in clear skepticism that she would even consider that. He danced Eris a little more, moving her through the air. "It seems the Queen of Limbo has grown quite attached to her little Heiress."

Apparently demonic cats were the secret to making Namor resort to puns.

"Would be waste to bring her here only to watch her die training." Illyana shrugged. Survive or die was the common law in Limbo. She planned to give Eris more than just a slim chance at survival, much like she'd been given. That the cat could become a fierce protector was a nice bonus, but Illyana's first goal was making sure she could defend herself or escape.

He nodded. "It would be a terrible waste. Come, then. Let us see if she can stretch her wings."

Eris was promptly deposited back into Illyana's grasp and the King of Atlantis went to find pants suitable for flying.

Illyana whistled as he walked away, earning a swipe from Eris as she resettled the cat. "What is joke? Hate to see you leave, love to watch?" she asked, absolutely confident that Namor would hear her just fine. "This is why you have fanclub on lawn during exercises."

"It is not they who fan over me, but I who allow them to do so," came Namor's voice from the other room. Pants didn't really take all that long when one was also immune to the cold. He was back in no time at all. He also had found what looked like a wrap. "Shall we?"

"Potato, vodka," Illyana said smugly. "You have audience as is right of King, they have enjoyment of watching." She followed Namor outside readily enough, letting Eris perch on her shoulder. Once they were on the grass, she tilted her head towards the cat. "Jump off shoulder, show Namor little bit of hover you have managed, or do you want tossed in air?"

An indignant yowl preceded claws digging into her jacket as Eris pounced the air, wings flapping frantically to keep herself aloft for a few seconds as she slowly sank towards the ground. Illyana clapped, then turned back to Namor. "This is extent of ability so far. Think she can learn more, but do not know how to teach flying."

This got her a blank stare. "The best teacher is necessity. I will, of course, step in if this proves unsuccessful. Flight is about freedom, not necessity."

"Freedom." The word wasn't quite foreign on her tongue, but weighted. Heavy. "Yes. This is good thing for her to have." She handed Eris over to Namor, not completely without reservations but deciding to extend a bit of trust. Namor seemed like the sort to keep his word.

The cat was promptly scooped into a hold perched on Namor's shoulders. He used one hand to idly scratch the top of her head as a door was opened, and they were outside. The king did, however, hold it open.

"Come, Queen of Limbo. It will be a show."