Chris' POV

I was sitting in the window seat in my room when Shuri came in, smiling.

"Chris," she said. I looked up at her. "They're back." I grinned, and she nodded, giving me the signal that it was okay. I laughed and took off running, picking her up on the way out the door, and running us down to the ground floor. We stopped next to Queen Ramonda, who smiled at us as T'Challa, Okoye, and the woman they had gone to pick up, Nakia. Nakia bowed to Ramonda as she walked up.

"Queen Mother," she said. She turned to Shuri and did the same. "Princess." She stood and looked between them. "My comfort for your loss." Ramonda smiled at her.

"Thank you , Nakia," she said. "It is so good to have you back with us ." Nakia nodded, and Okoye looked at Ayo, another one of the Dora Milaje.

"Take her to the River Province to prepare her for the ceremony," she told her. Ayo nodded.

"Yes, general." She walked off with Nakia while Shuri watched closely before looking at Okoye and smiling.

"Did he freeze?" Shuri asked. Okoye grinned cheekily.

"Like an antelope in headlights." Shuri and I both laughed, and T'Challa looked at Okoye.

"Are you finished?" he asked. Okoye slammed her spear onto the ground, signaling the rest of the Dora to follow her off, and T'Challa turned to Shuri.

"So surprised my little sister came to see me off before my big day." She laughed.

"You wish," she said. "I'm here for the EMP beads, I've developed an update."

"Update? No, it worked perfectly." I chuckled.

"How many times do we have to teach you?" I asked. "Just because something works, doesn't mean that it can't be improved." He laughed.

"You are teaching me?" he asked. "What do you know, imbaleki eselula?" Shuri rolled her eyes and held out her hand, and T'Challa dropped the beads into it. The two of us turned and began walking back inside, but T'Challa called after us.

"I cannot wait to see what kind of update you make to your ceremonial outfit!" Shuri flipped him off, and I stifled a laugh.

"Shuri!" Ramonda called. Shuri immediately dropped her hand, and I snorted.

"Sorry, Mother!" We ran into the palace (normal speed) and made our way to Shuri's lab.

"I'm assuming you are in fact making adjustments to your dress?" I asked. She laughed and nodded.

"Yes, I am. But first we need to finish yours." I furrowed my brows.

"Mine? I didn't think I was going." She shook her head.

"Of course you're going, everyone is." I wrapped my arms around myself, and she looked back at me, smiling softly. "Just because you are not from here does not mean you are not welcome. You are our friend, and you're as welcome at the ceremony as I am." I smiled.

"Thank you," I said quietly. "So what is my dress looking like now? I didn't even know I had one." She led me over to her work bench, grinning.

"I started working on it for you," she said. "I wanted to surprise you. It is almost finished." She pulled up a hologram of a gorgeous blue dress. "I made it more American for you." My jaw dropped.

"Shuri!" I exclaimed quietly. "Holy-" I clamped a hand over my mouth and looked around, and she laughed.

"Do you like it?" I chuckled.

"Like it? Shuri, it's- it's amazing!" She grinned.

"I thought you would like it. I'm just not sure about the top." She picked up her tablet. "I was thinking about adding this." She swapped the picture to show me the other version of the dress, and I grinned. "You like it better?" I nodded.

"I love it."

Translation:

imbaleki eselula - young runner