Weapons of Honor - August 12
Title: Weapons of Honor
Author: LadyWinterlight (songs_of_winter)
Fandoms: Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Black Panther/MCU
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 457
Notes: In the same 'verse as the rest of my challenge submissions so far.
I still do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Black Panther or anything to do with the MCU.
“I have a gift for you, Isibulala,” Shuri stated with a pleased smile.
Having quickly grown used to the native translation for Slayer while in Wakanda, Buffy simply turned to the princess with a smile of her own. “You honor me, Princess Shuri,” she responded with a brief bow.
Shuri bowed back, presenting Buffy with a long, thin box. Buffy set it down on a nearby table to open it. Inside the careful wrappings was a long spear with a wide metal point, etched with symbols for Wakanda, the Slayer, protection runes, and a few others that Buffy didn’t readily recognize. She lifted the weapon out of the box and discovered that it was perfectly balanced and somewhat lighter than she’d expected. “It’s beautiful,” she said, twirling it carefully.
“It is a sonic spear, a Wakandan invention. Many of our elite warriors carry them. They absorb kinetic energy, are nearly impossible to break - though I wouldn’t rule it impossible for a Slayer with enough power, so please don’t deliberately attempt it - and in a pinch can shoot sonic waves at your enemies.”
Ayanda looked over the spear with an expression of awe. “Buffy… they don’t just give these to anybody! Very few have ever left Wakanda,” she explained.
“This one is slightly modified, balanced for a wielder with more than human strength,” Shuri commented proudly. “You are all experts with nearly any weapon that comes to your hand, naturally. But if your girls choose to gain true skill with a spear, send them to me and if they prove themselves worthy of it I will make one for them, too.”
“Truly?” Ayanda lit up with eagerness.
Buffy grinned. “I’ve had the time to study a lot of weapons and weapon styles, and I have seriously enjoyed training with the Dora Milaje as time permits. If it’s something you want to learn, Ayanda, I will teach you what I can.”
“I do!” The younger Slayer bounced excitedly.
“It is good,” Shuri said, resting a hand on Ayanda’s shoulder. “You have no idea how pleased I am that you will not be denied the skills and weapons of our people, even as you learn weapons from masters around the world.”
“You have no idea how many times I’ve regretted that you don’t have Slayer potential, Shuri,” Buffy said softly. “You’d have been one of the best, I think.”
Shuri blushed at the unexpected praise; she was used to being praised for her inventions, for her mind. She hadn’t ever thought to wish she’d been born a Slayer, with all the other gifts she did have. But it pleased her more than she’d ever thought, to have gained Buffy’s regard as such. She bowed. “Thank you, Isibulala. You honor me.”
*Isibulala is Xhosa for Slayer, according to Google Translate. My apologies if it's a poor choice; I am entirely unfamiliar with the language and do the best I can with the internet.