Tipsy from Redlands Animal Services in Redlands, California

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Before Redlands, Keith had been overshadowed by Mick and Brian, but his defiance on the stand made him a major folk hero.

"Profits are the unpaid wages of the working class"

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plus gallery piece bc i had to include but can’t clip the entire song

in his experience, few ever merited prolonged discussion.

natural-born fools in the court. poor social etiquette from foreign ambassadors. self-absorbed bureaucrats. shiftless, power-hungry upstarts demanding social reform without the slightest respect for the culture(s) they claim to advocate for. the list was larger than this is the prophet mohamed. he had watched his father navigate it—would learn, in time, how to do the same. t'challa shared oxygen with many he wish he hadn't. those it applied to had offered nothing he could recognize as the betterment of humanity.

but today, for this room, he has done his homework.

he intimately researched the woman now watching the wakandan emperor with defiance. he recognized her demands for what it was and not for how it might have come across: a measured outline of what she needed to remain comfortable, and more importantly, to remain herself.

because it was he who called for her, after all.

t'challa breathed audibly, softly, before speaking: ❝ is this your hardest bargain, ms. st. croix? ❞ he challenged, coyly. his tone a velvety rasp, yet firm as a panther's purr.

❝ I don't find your terms unreasonable. you know what this position will demand of you. ❞ his fingers interlocked calmly atop the table. his chin dipped slightly, and his gaze bore into her like the night sky staring back into the fire.

❝ as for your temporary replacement... while i respect your judgment, if the deputy of your choosing is unknown to me, they will have to pass my own evaluation. if you have recommendations, I would ask you make them known now.

now, as for your leave. your family. ayikho inkinga. all within reason. wakanda honors all sacred observances, eid included. there will be no resistance there. ❞

his mouth covering lifted slightly. his eyes expressed a smile before returning straight again.

❝ as for my libraries—no restrictions. but as any other country, there are security classifications. some archives may require clearance. ❞

he voice trailed cryptically in his last statement. and with reason. preservation. certain files were designed like invisible venusfly traps—silent, patient for trespass, predatory. the second one makes a fatal mistake, they may not know it. and they'll be observed... as they proceed deeper in the panther's maw.

❝ i trust your lawyers will have the same fire as you, ms. st. croix. ❞ a quiet smirk curved one side of his mouth, soft and unassuming under the veil.

❝ you may inform them they can expect the first draft within two to three hours. ❞