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Post by Amazon on Mar 6, 2005 5:52:55 GMT
Well, this is good. Artemis' voice rose sarcastically in Amy's thoughts, echoing the girl's own sentiment. It was looking like these two men were about to attack each other. What kind of super hero team was this, anyway? She frowned, obviously upset by their behaviour, but didn't say anything. It wasn't that she didn't want to, but adults so seldom listened to kids anyway.
And then Hiro both spoke up and stood up, clearly angered by their argument and not afraid to tell them so. Amy looked up at him for a moment from her seat on the floor, a smile on her face. He was so cool! And he could even yell at them in a different language, even if the Mexican guy didn't seem inclined to listen. More importantly, dearest, is that the boy's sentiment is quite correct.
"Yeah!" Amy yelled out the word, even as she jumped to her feet with excitement. Technically, she'd been agreeing with Athena, but that didn't stop her from pushing forth. After all, she had to back up her new friend. "You're both being very mean! Your mom's would be ashamed!" Frowning, she glared up at the two men who towered over her, even as Artemis whispered into her thoughts again, offering a bit of coaching.
That's my girl! Now ask them who the kids are. "Who're the kids here, anyway?" She asked before she really even thought about the question, but suddenly started wondering if she were going to get in trouble for talking to grown-ups like that. Then again, they didn't act like grown-ups. "I mean..." She swallowed, suddenly faltering and wishing she could change to Amazon in the blink of an eye. She always felt more comfortable in that form, at least with adults. Still, although her anger was tempered by self-doubt, she finished speaking her piece. "Aren't you supposed to be super-heroes? Who cares what happened, just... go save him. Right?"
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Post by Silverback on Mar 7, 2005 14:52:52 GMT
"ENOUGH!" T'Challas angry reprimand was acommpanied by a loud bang as his fist crashed into the table causing the pen stand to topple and spill its contents onto the floor.
"Have you no honour!?" The Wakandan stated rhetorically. "You Antonio, I don't expect you to know or understand the ideals of this organisation. But I will not tolerate any further disparaging remarks about either Tribal or the Avengers."
The neck muscles bunched and veins began to show through his dark skin as he turned his attention to Tomahawk. "And as for you. I expected much more from you." The towering figure shook his head in despair.
"Those two children are right. Which of you are children and which are adults?" T'Challa was highly disappointed, but hardly surprised, that the children had hidden in the meeting room. He was unsure whether his temper had frightened the youngsters and he quickly decided to take action. "And as for you Hiro, and especially you Amy," whom he suspected had led the asian boy astray, "you do realise you shouldn't be in here."
Before the children sighed he raised a finger, "but, because you are and as punishment, you will stay and then write a report about it and submit the paper to Anthony in the morning. Understood?"
Satisfied that a lengthy meeting and a report would finally curtail Amys nosiness the Black Panther turned his attention to the immediate dispute. Quietly, but firnly he spoke to each man in turn. "If you don't settle this difference now I will take it upon myself to settle it for you. Do I make myself clear?"
The tension in the room was almost palpable as the Black Panther finally returned to his position at the front of the room. "Again, what do we know of the Mexican president and his associates?"
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Post by Silverback on Mar 12, 2005 12:42:58 GMT
As he waited impatiently for these 'junior' members of the team to settle down and contemplate the current situation he was alerted to the audible bleep-bleep-bleep of the intercom demanding his attention. Propped against the edge of the desk the dark figure leant back slightly and activated the speaker phone. "Yes!?"
Barkers slightly tinny sounding voice crackled over the communications device. "You may want to watch the CBS News broadcast sir. It relates to the apparent kidnapping."
"Thankyou Barker." Switching off the intercom he stretched over the desk and activated a button with a soft click. From the ceiling rolled out a pure white screen and from overhead descended an overhead projector system. The image of Shon Gables resolved on the screen as the lights in the room began to dim. Across the bottom of the screen ran the headline 'Mexican President Kidnapped!'
". . . the fire at The Carlton Hotel. In the latest development to this breaking story, the kidnappers have contacted the relevant authorities and demanded the exchange of the mexican president and his family for a leading scientific figure. Information about whom this person is has yet to be released. In other news . . " The voice was abruptly cut off as T'Challa hit the mute button on the remote.
"It appears we have our clue."
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Post by Tomahawk on Mar 16, 2005 10:28:04 GMT
“I did not choose to judge your culture, your people, or your ways, small one,” Tomahawk snapped at the young Japanese boy, “So do not assume yourself so ‘superior’ that you can judge mine!”<br> “And as for you,” he said, turning to the blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl verbally assaulting him, “My mother would be proud of me, for standing up for what I believe in and not being afraid to do whatever it takes. That is what being a Warrior is all about. But my mother is dead, thanks to the greedy Wasichu who poisoned the water on our Reservation. Wasichu- White men- who also thought that they were superior to us ‘inferior’ natives, which of course justifies their genocide. I would have thought your teacher-" he cast a glance over towards Dr. Druid, and then back at Amy-
"would have taught you the importance of interracial understanding and tolerance, and respect for cultures and ways that are different than yours. But perhaps for some that is impossible- Blonde hair, blues eyes- I am sure you make your ‘master race’ proud.”<br> In his anger, he thought, “If only Wichàhpi Washtè were here, then the Coyote could teach these invaders a lesson they would not forget…”<br> “But I suppose both of you children will learn in your own time just how harsh and cruel this world can be. As for you,” he said, turning back to Guerrero del Sol, “There are still many questions left unanswered. This is not finished. One way or another, I will learn which side you truly are on!”<br> “But the Panther is correct. Now is not the time or the place.”<br> He turned around slowly and took his seat again.
“So now we know what these kidnappers are truly after- no doubt Tribal’s resources can find out who this scientist is that they want, what he knows and is known for- his field of research or whatever- and then we should be able to at least get an idea of who it is who is responsible for this whole affair.”<br>
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Post by Silverback on Mar 16, 2005 11:19:51 GMT
"Michael!" Khalifa gasped out a shout at his friend.
"What is wrong with you? They're only children, is it not a saying in your country 'from the mouths of babes'?" Silverback was both shocked, surprised and horrified at the young mans outburst. He also insulted the mystic known as Druid. He could not understand what had possessed his friend to utter such, such . . . words.
A quick glance at the expressions born visibly upon the countenances of both teacher and leader easily indicated their lack of appreciation at this outburst. "Michael, I suggest you apologise right now. That was uncalled for." Better the reprimand came from him than either Anthony or T'Challa.
"You must know by now that the mystic can see into the very soul of each and every one of us. If Antonio presented any threat to us, or Tribal, he would have known." A slight nod from Doctor Druid indicated that the young african hero was correct in his assumption.
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Post by Tomahawk on Mar 16, 2005 12:41:15 GMT
“’My Country?!’ My country is not Europe. If this were a traditional tribal council these children would not even be here- and even if they were, such an outburst from them would have been ‘unacceptable’.” He shook his head angrily, as much in shock as Khalifa- perhaps the one person here whom he’d thought would have understood his position.
“Out of the mouths of babes indeed- the exact same racist rhetoric which has been used to justify all manner of atrocities and genocide against my people for over five hundred years! I should apologize- for being born? For belonging to a truly tribal people? For not being of the race of the conquerors? We may have less than a thousand people left on the face of this planet, but I will not apologize for being who I am.”<br> “So, my culture- my ways- my ‘behavior’ is not ‘correct’. Then obviously a great mistake has been made.”<br> Michael stood up swiftly and pushed his chair back into position.
“A mistake, which I shall now rectify. Since my ways are not ‘correct’, I’ll leave everything up to the ‘superior’ and ‘correct’ ways. And I will take my ‘not correct’ ways back where they are most useful- amongst my own people.”<br> Turning quickly to Khalifa, he added, "Good luck, kola- I have a feeling you are going to need it!"
And with that statement the tall, proud Sioux warrior turned his back on the room and the council chamber, opened the door and prepared to leave.
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Post by Hiro on Mar 16, 2005 13:33:55 GMT
The boy bristled lightly at being called out by T'Challa. True, Amy and he probably weren't supposed to be here but, then, they weren't the one's doing the damage at the moment. Did these men know how to act like adults? Maybe they should be the one's to write a paper...
“I did not choose to judge your culture, your people, or your ways, small one,” the dark-haired man snapped, apparently turning to make Hiro the next target for his misplaced aggression. It was a wonder if the man had any friends at all. He seemed to cast shadows where there wasn't any. “So do not assume yourself so ‘superior’ that you can judge mine!”
The boy's disposition didn't change throughout the outburst, other than a small smile at the superior comment. That was a rather stereotypical comment to hurl towards the Nihon-jin. The commonality of an insult that had been placed upon his people since before the second world war definately took the sting out of him. In truth, the boy was tempted to laugh at how exaggerated and ridiculous the man was being, as the tall figure was over reacting like a six year old throwing a temper tantrum. Tempted, but his deportment remained the same, calmly reserved look; though his eyes seemed to darken somewhat as they continued to look between the pair.
Dare ga kodomo nai ne.
What a self-righteous... smug... paranoid idiot, Rain commented from where the guardian spirit resided, hovering over the boy's shoulder. He whines like a blind dog, snapping at any hand that comes near it. Except, I think a dog would have more sense.
The boy had dispassionately accepted his berating, so he made no outward sign of the disgust he felt when the man had turned on Ami-chan next, attacking her with even more racially motivated bias than he had Hiro; despite the fact that no one other than who ever Mr Blind-Dog was had even brought up race. Hiro wondered what the man would say if he knew the reason that the young Japanese boy didn't have the characteristic black hair of his people was due to the presence of the 'native mans' blood in his ancestry?
The boy remained silent throughout the exchange between the black-skinned man who remained at the table and Mr. Blind-Dog, who - like Hiro and Amy - had only been speaking against attacking one another in this forum like the hispanic and Blind-Dog were. Interesting enough, Blind-Dog didn't lash out with any racially motived come-backs to the black-skinned man.
“A mistake, which I shall now rectify," the man prattled on next. Dancing Rain rolled his eyes at the figure. Damn, put a cork in it already...
"Since my ways are not ‘correct’, I’ll leave everything up to the ‘superior’ and ‘correct’ ways. And I will take my ‘not correct’ ways back where they are most useful- amongst my own people. Good luck, kola - I have a feeling you are going to need it!"
"Arigato domo," the boy stated in a very measured tone of voice. He had too much pride to break face and blindly attack the man as he had been attacked. Perhaps that was part of his being 'superior'. "We should be more... ano... able to find this president without you."
The cold comment from the child was definately not going to endear him to the man, or possibly anyone here; but he failed to see how that was his problem. To even bring up the fact that no one had said anything about Blind-Dog's culture or people, except him, seemed moot at this point as well. Better to let the baka go. He hadn't even realized that he'd used the word 'we' when he'd been speaking about Tribal. By Blind-Dog having said that Hiro didn't belong here made the young boy want to prove that he was just as good as any one of them.
- - - - - - - - - - - - Hiro-isms • Dare ga kodomo nai ne - Who are the children here... indeed. • Arigato domo - "Many thanks"
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Post by Amazon on Mar 21, 2005 4:02:52 GMT
Homework?! Amy mouth had fallen agape at the suggestion that she write a report about the meeting and she almost began to pout, but instead was faced with something far more upsetting when the Indian guy started yelling again, this time at her. She blinked up at him in utter shock, having to struggle to hold back tears.
It wasn't anger or fear that so overwhelmed her, though she felt a little of each of those, but simply a child's dislike of being yelled at by anyone and certainly a hulking man like the raging Indian. What made it worse was that she had no idea what he was so angry at her about or what she might've done to inspire such harshness. Racism on any level was a completely foreign concept to her and she struggled to grasp exactly what he was berating her for, many of the terms and words unfamiliar to her.
The man threw his anger around like he was being attacked, even snapping at the other adults without any apparent regard for what they were actually saying. It was as though he were hearing completely different words than what was said. Even what the black man had said — something about "out of the mouths of babes" — was a phrase she'd heard before, but only when she or another child had said something right or pointed out a mistake that the adults had made. Every other time it had resulted in all the grown-ups laughing, but it only seemed to anger him further!
It is alright, child, there's nothing that you can do. That one carries a great deal of hate within him, but has yet to learn the wisdom to determine when it should be unleashed and when it should be held in check.. Athena's words were of little comfort to Amy, who was very frustrated. Were all super-heroes really like this when they were away from the news cameras? She just couldn't accept that! The Avengers... Alpha Flight... they were always risking their lives to help people, they were kind and generous! Sorry, sweetheart, not everyone is cut out for this gig. Just the way it is.
"NO!!" Amy yelled out loud as the big native made for the door. This was supposed to be a super-hero team. Her super-hero team! She couldn't just stand there when one of her own was so upset. She threw herself bodily at the man to wrap her tiny arms around his forearm, looking up at him with pleading eyes and a pleading voice. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry for whatever I said! I know you miss your mommy, I miss mine too! But they wouldn't want us to fight each other, would they? They'd want us to stomp on the bad-guys, just like Shaman and Alpha Flight!" Clinging to his arm in desperation, she stared up at him unblinking and swallowed hard. "R-right?"
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Post by Silverback on Mar 29, 2005 11:35:53 GMT
As the occupants in the room descended into a cacophony of shouts, accusations, tears and sobs T'Challa looked on in frustration and desperation. 'Why had the government believed that such a group could function well together? It was a position he hadn't asked for, something that had been thrust upon him for the good of the 'people'. And which people would those be? Those of aboriginal and tribal descent? The peoples of the world? The voters? Or the politicians?' Black Panther suspected he already knew the answer to that question.
Sighing heavily he caught Khalifas eye who was, unsuccessfully, trying to restore some order to the ensuing chaos. Everyone, almost, appeared to have lost their minds. Turning his attention to Anthony he swept his left hand outwards, palm upraised, indicating all those stood before him. "A little calm for this storm if you please."
Nodding in acknowledgement Doctor Druids eyes closed and beads of sweat began to appear on his forehead as he gathered ancient gaelic powers into his body and slowly released a calming control over the occupants of the room. Two individuals, Tomahawk and Hiro, required further concentration to bring their raging emotions under control. He didn't feel comfortable using his gifts on fellow Tribal members but the situation more than called for extreme measures before things had chance to turn ugly.
Strands of hair plastered across his forehead he mopped his brow with a handkerchief to soak up the worst of the perspiration. He dipped his head once at the groups leader that he'd successfully completed his task.
Keeping his disappointment and anger in check T'Challa returned to his seated position behind the desk and looked upon the newest members in his charge. "This in-fighting and bickering must be kept in check. This is exactly the type of behaviour our enemies look for and without fail will exploit to your disadvantage. Believe me, if you don't learn to trust, acknowledge and cherish the differences between you all, someday . . . someday it could get you or your team mates killed."
A small smile crept across the Wakandans face. "As most of you seem to have difficulty trusting each other I've got the perfect object lession for you to learn about teamwork. The mayor of New York has been worried about potential violent clashes betwen the fans of the Giants and the Falcons who are playing a 'friendly' match tonight. The likelihood of clashes is a moderate risk but is something I should imagine even you are capable of controlling. Whilst you are there you'll also be able to observe how players on both teams are able to work together even when they show signs of disagreement. Antonio I put Hiro in your care for this evenings game and Amy will go with Tomahawk."
Raising his hand to cut-off any objections he continued. "I suggest you spend some time together this afternoon learning about each other. I will not tolerate such outbursts again. Dismissed."
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Post by Amazon on Apr 1, 2005 20:02:32 GMT
((Normally wouldn't do two posts so near to each other, but since it's been a while chronologically, going to anyway.))
"Field trip?! YAY!!" Amy jumped up and down with her excitement, arms raised up into the air, even though she had no real clue as to where they were going. Football simply wasn't her thing. Still, or rather because of that, the explanation provided by the towering black man was completely muddled to her. "How big are the Giant Falcons? And why are they fighting each other?" I didn't even know they had giant falcons in this time period. Can't wait to see them! She turned to look at Tomohawk, having at least recognized that he'd be her chaperone for the trip (a concept she was quite used to from school). "Are they fighting over a nest? I saw birds doing that on a doc-ya-mentally thingy once." She nodded as if to affirm the statement.
The term is "documentary", Amy. "That's what I said! Dockamen-tree!" She exclaimed at the voice only she could hear, sounding slightly miffed at the correction. Athena's next words were preceded by a silent sigh. Close enough, dearest.
Turning to look back at the Wakandan, she asked in her best, pleading voice. "Can I go as Amazon? Pleeeeeeeeeeeeaaasssssssssse?!?!" Regardless, she had apparently completely forgotten about the argument which had occurred only minutes before and was entirely back to her bright and cheerful self. It wasn't to say that she had a short attention span, but... "Hey, does this mean I don't have to do the report?" ... she was just easily distracted at times. She smiled as she awaited what she hoped would be the preferred answer of "no" to the latter and "yes" to the former, eagerly anticipating an enormous amount of fun on the mission. #nosmileys
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Post by Hiro on Apr 2, 2005 14:50:20 GMT
The young boy looked from T'Challa to the excited Amy, who - for her part - seemed to have totally let the conflict of earlier fo completely. Sometimes adults tended to pretend to do the same and put up a 'face' of complacency that was nothing more than a facade that barely ran even skin deep. Not that he had any power to make a difference in such things. In that respect, all of this was ordinary. Just smile and bow, and make like all is well. That was what good children did, after all...
Crossing his small arms in front of his slight chest, the child turned his head to let his eyes roam up the hispanic's larger, broader frame, pausing as he caught a glimpse of the man's green eyes. How odd, to see someone with any color other than brown; which was the norm in Japan so that the boy could distinguish between all the myriad shades that existed of the same. His name was Antonio? That seemed almost pronouncible...
"Ano... What is... match the he speak of," the boy asked curiously. What, was this like a baseball thing or a sumo thing or something of that nature? He'd heard of fights breaking out at such events, but they were small compared to the brawls that usually came of a session of of the Japanese legislature...
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Post by Madclergy on Apr 2, 2005 19:31:06 GMT
Antonio looked down from his position as a taller human. He had been paired with this boy and it was his first operation with the team.
"They must already trust me"
"I believe young one they are refering to el futbol norte americano."
Antonio caught the boys accent, it was different from the ones he had heard before.
"The sport of Football is not widely played in your home country is it?"
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Post by Hiro on Apr 3, 2005 10:29:37 GMT
"I believe young one they are refering to el futbol norte americano," Antonio had stated, causing the boy to mull over the man's words for the simple fact that the answer had only left him with more questions.
Like, what did that mean?
Ancestors, what language is that he's speaking? Italian? Rain asked the boy, as the ghost seemed to contemplating the adult they'd been paired with. As if sensing the child's confusion, Antonio clarified his response a bit.
"The sport of football is not widely played in your home country is it?"
"Football," the young Japanese boy echoed for a moment, then snapped his fingers as an answer came to him. "Oh, you mean soccer," he asked excitedly. Soccer, which was almost as big in Japan as baseball had a strong enough following that he knew some other country's called it 'football', but he wasn't sure about the Americans.
Yeah, he was lost. But then, while the Americans had brought baseball to the Empire of the Sun, their idea of football had never made it to the shores of Yokohama. Or died a quick death there if it had.
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Post by Madclergy on Apr 4, 2005 1:37:25 GMT
A look crossed Guerro's face, one of unsatisfaction. He had not stated El Futbol, he knew that he had thrown in there "norted americano" but now the boy was mistaking it.
"Hmm, it seems he has mistaken what I have said for something different. I hope he understands english"
Antonio once again looked down to the child but this time his features were softer.
"Not quite, in spanish futbol is soccer but when you add on norte americano you get the american sport football." The mexican accent was gone from his words but he still stumbled over them, this was normal though..he was trying to talk in a way the kid would understand better.
Antonio silently waited for a reply from the kid.
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Post by Hiro on Apr 4, 2005 7:29:22 GMT
The boy blinked as the mulled over that last bit in his mind. "Ah, so nan...," he muttered quietly. "So... Football is soccer, but in America football is... ano something other," the boy asked, hoping he had got it right this time.
"That is confused," the boy remarked, more to himself than for Antonio. "Why do they call it 'football', do you kick the ball like in soccer?"
That would make sense to him, though if they had a game like soccer then why not just play soccer? Soccer was a perfectly good game if you asked him, and one that he liked to play.
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