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[centre][h1][color=Orange]Barca Ashur Xavier[/color], [color=E4A44D]Naevia Udaku[/color] and [color=0C4791]Jason Tiberius Stark[/color][/h1]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/Nfh8RYV.gif[/img][img]https://78.media.tumblr.com/ba7f1119ce835171104346b7d16e93fc/tumblr_nnou0gxmRR1ti5goso1_250.gif[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/RZrYrjU.gif[/img]
[b]Location:[/b] The Courtyard; The Academy.
[sup][b]Interacting With:[/b] Each other.[/sup][/centre]
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[color=Orange]“If I say hello, will they bite?”[/color]

The voice unfamiliar though catching her attention, if just for a moment, had her head turning ever slightly to the side, the woman’s step slowing to an eventual halt before finally, she gave him her profile; her dark eyes moving to linger upon the figure who was either brave enough… or stupid enough to approach her as he had just done. Either way… she had to admit that she was the tiniest bit impressed.

[color=E4A44D]“..only should they see you as a threat… or should I deem that you have wasted my time.”[/color] Her hand reaching out, touch gentle… loving, Naevia ran her fingers through the thick mane of the lion closest to her; the large feline letting out what was almost considered a purr at the action, his large head leaning further into the palm of her hand, seeking that little bit more attention from his mistress as she spoke to it, [color=E4A44D]“..mmm… tamaa, upendo wangu…”[/color]

Crixus… always so impatient- so impulsive… always so willing to jump to her defense. Her big boy, always doing her proud. That very thought bringing a small smile to her otherwise bored features, she brought her attention back to the man standing before her, not bothering to hide her actions as she allowed her dark gaze to so freely roam down and back up the length of his body before she spoke again.

[color=E4A44D]“..you have my ear. Speak.”[/color]

Despite the fact the girl seem to have the lions controlled, Barca kept an eye on them. He kept his free hand by his side, trying to stand relaxed and casual, not wanting to give the lions any reason to attack him. Studying them a moment, he gave them each a nod, hoping that was considered respectful towards them. He gave respect where respect was due, and the lions were obviously well trained, something he attributed to the girl. 

Besides, he didn’t want to be in the stomach of two lions. What would the world do, without Barca Ashur Xavier?

He turned his gaze back to the girl, smiling although a little frustrated that he couldn’t understand the language she spoke to the lions. A lapse he would have to rectify, and soon. Perhaps… his father would hear about this, and help fix that lapse in Barca’s knowledge. Yes. Satisfied with that, Barca made a mental note to ask him. 

[color=orange]”Well, I will try not to waste your time, or that of your magnificent lions.”[/color] Barca said rather genuinely, surprising himself. He smiled once more, adding a bit of amusement to it. This girl was rather interesting, and seemed to be a challenge. Both rather thrilling to Barca. Someone worth his time. And wasn’t that interesting? 

[color=orange]”I am Barca, and my companion here, although forgive me, he won’t wake until the night, is Glaber.”[/color] he said carefully, looking down at the owl and smiling slightly before once more returning his gaze to her, not sure how to read her.

[color=orange]”May I have your name?”[/color]

Jason watched his brother approach their parents with a shake of his head. They could talk more about everything later, for now, he was going to see if anyone he knew was around yet and with that, turned away from the group. Almost immediately, he spotted Naevia who was speaking with a blonde haired boy with an owl, which was odd. Though he himself flew with the Iron Knight’s armor, he never understood why people had such a fascination with birds. As he approached the pair, he wondered if he was simply prejudiced due to more than one mid-air collision with the avians. [color=0C4791]”Molo unjani, Naevia.”[/color] Her father, T’challa, was a bit of adopted family for the Stark brothers, who regarded him as an uncle and with much respect. [color=0C4791]”It’s good to see you decided to accept the invitation.”[/color]

Now that… that was a voice she knew.

Her head turning further, stopping only once she was able to look upon the ever familiar figure that was the eldest of the two Stark children; her smile seeming to widen just slightly at his presence by her side. He had decided to attend after all- Connor, she assumed, would have always agreed to go to the academy whether his brother was going or not; though Jason… Jason was a force all his own.

A gentle chuckle falling through her lips, her hand falling from the fur of her beloved pet as Crixus moved to greet the familiar figure, Naevia shook her head lightly from side to side, the simple action causing her long and wavy dark locks to brush to and fro over her back, [color=E4A44D]“..how could I say no..? Father wishes to keep me under his eye until I take the throne. Staying at home was… not an option. And you..? Yangu, yangu… I did not expect to see you here, Jason; and yet, here you stand before me, as handsome as ever. As always you exceed my expectations…”[/color]

Barca was disappointed as someone chose to interrupt, and that it was someone the girl knew. He frowned slightly, but soon smoothed his features, waiting patiently for a chance to speak once more. And perhaps learn a little something. Had the guy greeted her? Was it a formal or more familiar greeting. All of which he could get from either’s mind, but that wasn’t challenging nor would it be easy. And wouldn’t do him much good if he didn’t know the meaning. 

Still, he had to assume he’d spoken her name. And she had mentioned taking the throne. Musing on that a moment, Barca waited another minute before saying [color=orange]”Pardon me, I’m Barca.”[/color] he repeated his name once more, shifting Glaber’s cage, [color=orange]”And we were having a conversation I’d hoped would be pleasant.”[/color] he said, his tone mild as he watched them both.

Jason took a moment to have Ares compact his armor into a backpack before kneeling down to stroke Crixus’ mane, smiling as he did so. Smalls would be incredibly jealous if he saw, but the calico cat wasn’t there and what he didn’t know wouldn’t earn the young man a hairball on his pillow. It was during this time that the blonde spoke his name, presumably for the second time.

Glancing at him, Jason smiled. [color=0C4791]”Pleasure to meet you. Jason Stark.”[/color] He then stood and faced Naevia, his grin growing larger. She always had a way with words when it came to banter. [color=0C4791]”And you look as beautiful as ever, Princess. As for coming here, I couldn’t let Connor and Ben come alone, god knows the kind of trouble they’d find.”[/color]

The sound of her gentle chuckle once more filling the air, her smile becoming rather coy, Naevia tilted her head lightly to the side, her dark eyes sparkling lightly with the playful glint of a kitten readying itself to pounce as she spoke, seeming to brush his words of compliment to the side, [color=E4A44D]“..heh… you flatter me, Jason.”[/color]

Her mood lifted, even just slightly, now that a familiar face had made themselves known to her, she turned her attention back to the stranger that had approached. Barca- that was, she assumed, correct. He had, in such a short amount of time, said it twice. Taking a moment, she looked him over once more. He was... dressed well enough she supposed… The man carried himself, clearly, with a sense of elitism; and seemed to hold a certain charm to him. Though she knew for a fact; looks could be deceiving…

[color=E4A44D]“..Naevia Udaku… it is a pleasure…”[/color]

A Stark. Perfect. Barca shifted slightly, letting his thoughts run, as he sought answers. He once more waited for them to stop talking, pleased, for the moment to have names at the least. He paused a moment, running through the information that came through his mind.
 [color=orange]”Pleasure”[/color] he said, when he realised he’d been silent a little longer than necessary. 

He took a few seconds to compose himself, [color=orange]”your families know each other, then?”[/color] he asked politely. 

[color=E4A44D]“Yes… the Stark’s have been welcomed and loyal friends of my father since his first encounter with the Avengers came to pass. Since then, we have spent quite some time within each other’s company.”[/color] Her smile twisting… changing into something more genuine, Naevia once more allowed her gaze to lift to Jason, the younger of the two lions gently using his large head to nudge against his leg while the other turned, wandering off though not seeming to go very far.

[color=E4A44D]“..Jason has been there for me for many a year… he even chose to be by my side to help me mourn the loss of my brother, when father would not…”[/color]

Jason’s face took on a slight red tint, but he nodded an affirmative as he kneeled down to pay Crixus more attention. [color=0C4791]”Her dad gave me some hand to hand training as well. I’ve known Naevia for a number of years, and the only person I trust more than her is my brother.”[/color] He had decided to avoid discussing her older brother both out loud and to a stranger, as that kind of thing wasn’t his to share. Instead, he moved the conversation to Barca.

[color=0C4791]”What about you though? You gave us a first name, but no last. Don’t know your parents or just not in a sharing mood?”[/color] Now that he had regained some focus, though being around the Wakandan Princess always distracted him to some degree, he was able to refocus on how long it had taken the other young man to respond to the two of them.

[color=orange]”I apologize. People hear the name Xavier and immediately are worried about mind reading. Rightly so, but it does tend to make conversations difficult”[/color] Barca said, [color=orange]”My name is Barca Ashur Xavier. And I assure you both I have not dwelt in your thoughts. With an effort of will, I tend to tune thoughts out.”[/color] Most of the time, Barca only had a mild annoyance to the buzz of voices in his mind. Still, some stray thoughts were stronger than others 

He studied the duo, a little curious and of course now he wanted to explore their minds. But puzzles weren’t meant to be cheated, and while Barca often made use of his abilities, he did not see anyone as a threat here. 

So this was the son of the famous Charles Xavier. If Jason was honest, he wasn’t overly impressed by him. Of course, the mind reading was something of a given, but the rest of him seemed average enough. Only time would tell with that. [color=0C4791]”Barca Xavier. Well, knowing your full name, it’s an even greater pleasure.”[/color] Still giving Crixus the attention he was wanting, the young man turned to Naevia once more.

[color=0C4791]”If you’re up for it later, I haven’t had a good spar in awhile. Could be fun.”[/color]

That name… Xavier… The feeling of familiarity tugging at the recesses of her mind, Naevia was only partially aware that Jason had asked her a question as she tilted her head lightly to the side, her gentle features rather thoughtful while she did her best to place the name to a face, though the task was proving to be quite harder than she had first believed. Over the past years learning under her father’s guidance, she had met more than her fair share of politicians, tradesmen and important figures that she would have to deal with once she took the throne.

Perhaps… perhaps this was a name that she had heard it in passing..?

[color=E4A44D]“..Xavier… apologies; I fear I am unable to place name to face.”[/color] Frowning slightly, her attention lingering upon the man stood before Jason and herself, she shifted lightly, the gentle bump against her hand causing her to lift it up, resting it naturally upon the top of Crixus’ head as he once again sought for the attention he was no longer gaining from the Stark boy, [color=E4A44D]“..I believe I have not yet had the pleasure of crossing paths with the house of Xavier…”[/color]

Barca frowned slightly. He was under the impression that the Stark boy was dismissing him. Which made him a little annoyed. He would have to ensure that that wouldn’t become a habit. He turned his gaze to Naevia giving her a smile, charming as always. [color=orange]”Well, it is rather refreshing to meet someone that hasn’t heard the name Xavier. It’s rather challenging having your parents influence how people treat you. I’d rather be treated by my own achievements rather than theirs.”[/color] Barca paused a moment, wondering if that sounded bragging, but decided that it didn’t matter right then. 

He continued [color=orange]”Although I must say, it isn’t often I’m hit with something I don’t know. What language, may I ask, were you speaking?”[/color]

Jason raised an eyebrow at Barca, a hand absentmindedly resting where he normally kept his sword. [color=0C4791]”It was Wakandan. Uncle T’challa started my tutoring in it, but Naevia continued it. Stark Industries is my inheritance, so they thought learning the language of one of our closest friends was a good idea.”[/color] The sound of another vehicle arriving caught his attention and he turned, recognizing it as the small jet with his and Connor’s belongings. Which meant Smalls was there. [color=0C4791]”Mind if we talk while we walk? I have a cat to rescue from its carrier.”[/color]

[color=E4A44D]“Hapana kabisa. I hold no objection.”[/color] Making her answer known, her fingers gently moving to scratch behind Crixus’ ear, Naevia turned her gaze back over to where Barca stood, a fairly questioning look crossing over her features, [color=E4A44D]“..and you..? Are you to join us..?”[/color]

[color=orange]”A wise investment, it is always sensible to learn the language of those you deal with”[/color] Barca said, making a note to ensure that he rectify that lapse in his language, now that he knew where to look. [color=orange]”Yes. I think I will”[/color] Barca said, deciding that he may as well spend his time with interesting people, even if the Stark boy was somewhat dismissive of him.

Nodding, Jason beckons the pair to follow him towards the small plane. He was sure Connor would have heard it arrive as well. Approaching the right side, he popped open two compartments, first retrieving his sword and putting it in its place on his waist before pulling out a cat carrier. Inside was a decently sized calico cat, sleeping away thanks to some sleeping meds Jarvis had likely given him to ease the flight.

[color=0C4791]”Hey Smalls. Welcome to the Academy.”[/color]