fandomhigh | BWI Airport Portalocity Lounge, Saturday

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!event: newbie shuttle

BWI Airport Portalocity Lounge, Saturday

The plane down from New York hadn't taken long, but after all the time in airports, TJ was ready to be done with it all, and was regretting her refusal to let Dad take her in the jet. But nope, she was doing this on her own, no overprotective parents around.

Somehow, she thought the biggest danger here was going to be glitter. The stuff was everywhere. Most of it was concentrated on a huge banner that read FANDOM HIGH, but it never stayed just where you put it, did it?

She wheeled her suitcase over to one of the seats and perched on the back of the seats, tail out for extra balance, and took out her phone to text back that yes, Dad, yes, Mom, she'd made it just fine. And then maybe to whine to Aunt Kate about how she'd had to do that.

[Newbie shuttle ahoy!]

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"The country can deal," TJ said. "My folks are both mutants and immigrants; they may not have the long history of sucking, but enough we know which side of the fight we're on. The same people who'd be shouting...a word I shouldn't say...at you are the ones shouting 'mutie' at me."

"A...mutant?" Meeka asks, brow furrowing. "Uh. Is that--" Nope! Reframing! "I am not familiar with the term..."

"Huh. You, too? Charlie didn't know about mutants, either. Yeah, that's why I'm blue." She shook her head. "I don't mind questions if you're nice about it. I'm kind of used to it. My mom can pass, but Dad and I are, well." She shrugged.

Edited 2022-08-27 03:54 (UTC)

"I assure you I do not mean to cause offense and if any of my questions trend that way, please stop me immediately," Meeka said quickly. "But what is being a mutant?"

Between this and Charlie's talk about Fae, she would think that America was made up of inveterate liars, but she couldn't really argue with the blue.

~~Are we going to talk about how Zamunda has Black Panther and not the MCU? No. No we are not.~~

~~Definitely not. Ssshhhhh.~~

"So, some people are born with a gene called the X gene. It can make us look different or give us powers or a whole bunch of things." TJ shrugged. "There's a whole history, but that's the root of it. Some mutants are born to normal people who didn't even know they were carrying the gene. Both my parents are mutants too, though."

Meeka had to sit down. Sure, she was already sitting, but she had to sit, like, more down.

"Powers," she said, a little flatly. Because...sure, blue. But powers?

"Yep. Can't really demonstrate mine unless the school wants to pay the airport for a hole in the wall, though."

You know, with the way the people around here were making her blink in consternation, she wouldn't blame anyone for assuming she had some kind of eye infection.

"What kind of...power...leaves holes in the wall?"

"Hex bolts," TJ answered. "Destructive bits of boom. What about you, anything fun you can do? Are Zamundans secretly magicians?"

What? She'd already met someone else who was; she wasn't ruling anything out.

"I mean, there is a Court sorcerer," Meeka admitted, a little reluctantly. "But most people believe he is a charlatan and not to be trusted."

"Is he?" TJ asked. "We've got the real and the charlatans back home."

"Yeeees?" Meeka said, momentarily dubious. And then, more firmly. "Yes. My world has no magic."

Hey wanna guess who was going to get an unpleasant surprise in about a year?

TJ nodded. "So what's Zamunda like, apart from a booming floral business?" she teased.

"Oh it is the most beautiful country," Meeka said immediately, the smile on her face smaller but warm and genuine. "We are one of the wealthiest countries in Africa--" Okay the wealthiest ~~because they didn't have a Wakanda to compete with~~ but that seemed like bragging "--and we have spent most of our funds on ensuring the well-being and comfort of all of our residents. And, yes, while we do have many fine gardens and parks, we have also preserved a great deal of wild land, as we have a thriving animal population. The, ah, last queen was very active in protecting our native species from poachers and the difficulties of climate change and human encroachment. Zamunda is home to the biggest population of wild lions than anywhere else in Africa!"

Her smile was much brighter now, talking about home. She wasn't homesick yet - she hadn't been gone long enough for that - but it was nice being able to share the best parts of Zamunda with someone.

"We have universal healthcare, with more than a thousand hospitals, thirty-two colleges and universities, with the twenty-one public universities offering free tuitionto Zamundan citizens or descendants of Zamundans currently living outside our borders - which, as of 1997 includes the descendants of enslaved people living in America - and very robust social programs to aid our people when tough times befall them!"

All of which are very normal things that a normal Zamundan citizens know off the top of their head, thank you.

"Oh! And the only remaining McDowell's franchise!"

Edited 2022-08-27 22:22 (UTC)

Did TJ look impressed? Because TJ was very impressed. "Damn, you've got it all together! That's amazing! What's McDowell's?" That was the only thing that didn't make sense to her.

"It is a fast food chain not-affiliated with and legally distinct from McDonalds," Meeka replied promptly. "...My grandfather owns it."

"Gotcha." TJ nodded. "It sounds beautiful. Zamunda, I mean, not specifically the fast food."

"Oh it is!" Meeka said happily. "The wind carries the scent of flowers and the nights have music and dancing with everyone in bright colors and..." She trailed off and shook her head. "I love my home very much and am quite proud of it. Is that how you feel about yours?"

Edited 2022-08-28 01:16 (UTC)

TJ thought about it and shrugged. "I mean, I like New York. My family's there, and it's got its good points. I can't say it's really beautiful or anything, though. And let's face it, the country is kind of a mess at the best of times."

"...Your country certainly does have some...exciting opportunities for growth and renewal," Meeka said, a lifetime of diplomatic training coming to the rescue.

TJ laughed. "Yeah, that's one way to put it. I may have to remember that."

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BWI Airport Portalocity Lounge, Saturday

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