Contra Ius Gentium (Jennifer/Namor)

[Namor]

Location: San Francisco, California.
Date: August 6, 2012
Time of Day: Morning

The voice mails beeped their way through the standard litany of work-related messages, telephone solicitations, enthusiastic modeling and magazine offers relayed through her agent, and creepy semi-stalker fanboy mutterings. About halfway through, one voice mail in particular broke the mold.

"Good day, Ms. Walters. You were recommended to me by one Matthew Murdock, who was of the opinion that your legal specialty would be more relevant in my particular case."

The voice was deep and self-assured, with a touch of arrogance and a subtle accent that popped and clicked hard consonants and drew out vowels.

"In an effort to reach a peaceful resolution of the grievances of my people against the surface world, I wish to explore the possibility of obtaining an injunction against the maritime activities of the United States government and several multinational corporations incorporated within the United States pending resolution of several lawsuits which will prove malfeasance and negligence on their parts. I wish to retain your services as legal council in this matter."

The tone of voice shifted a little, injecting a wry note of self-aware humor.

"I am, of course, aware that I will sound like a - what is the word? - crank, when I say this. I assure you that the grievances of my people are genuine, and that I would prefer to resolve our disagreements with your government through peaceful means. In token of good faith, a courier will deliver a consultation fee one half-hour after your office opens today. Should it prove convenient, I look forward to speaking with you this day, two hours after the first low tide after moonset¹. Whether or not this time is agreeable to you, you may reach my message service at this same number.

"Until our first meeting I remain your humble servant, Namor the First, Rex Atlantis."

It should have been the message of a crackpot. Maybe it was the message of a crackpot. But the courier arrived on time, bearing ten one-ounce gold bars minted in the shape of stylized fish. So whatever else this "Namor" was, he was at least a wealthy crackpot.

¹10:47 a.m., so you don't have to look it up.

[Jennifer Walters]

She did not want this case. She wanted this case. She did not want this case. She might as well have been pulling petals from a daisy. Or blades off a windmill. At any rate, she had her head in her hands by the end of the message.

During the morning, perhaps a half a gallon of coffee in, the golden fish arrived. By his voice, she'd guessed this "Namor" was more than a well spoken weirdo, but the fine quality of the retainer convinced her entirely. It was worth quite a lot, but the size of the case would need these sorts of resources. She also expected to be on the case for at least the next two years.

Was she ready to settle down to such a thing? She had been taking it pretty easy since her most excellent transformation. Her mind was hungry for a good case, and she knew if anyone else took it, she'd loose her mind watching them botch it.

"Alright!" She said, to no one in particular and thrust herself to her feet. With more restraint least she accidentally destroy another speaker phone, she dropped a hand down and gently pressed the talk button.

"Weezie. Make an appointment for Mr.Atlantis. Ask him to come here, however I will meet him at the place of his choosing. Also, pay up our dues with the Max Planck Encyclopedia, professional subscription and link me through."

She found herself gritting her teeth, though she did not know if it was in anticipation of pain or pleasure.

She Hulk poured herself another cup large of coffee as she glared at the golden fish splayed on her desk.

[Namor]

10:47 a.m.

Carefully, controlling his grip so he didn't crush the knob, Namor opened the door. The waiting area was small but tasteful, something even he - with an eye unaccustomed to the decor of the surface - could see. Simple, elegant furnature and discrete artwork lent the room an air of quiet confidence.

"May I help you?" The speaker was a strking woman, mature but not old, with pale skin and light hair.

He turned to close the door, flexing uncomfortably in the black linen suit and white oxford he wore, wishing - not for the first time - that this interview could have been conducted somewhere comfortable. Somewhere other than the arid wastes above the air/sea boundary. Somewhere where he could breathe without feeling his lungs crackle. But surface worlders capable of surviving in his realm were as rare as Atlanteans able to survive in the desert voids of the surface.

He was, in fact, the only one. And he was their king. Discomfort or not, this was his duty. Imperius rex.

"Yes, madame," he replied. "I am Namor, Rex Atlantis. Miss Jennifer Walters has consented to speak with me at this time."

The woman at the desk - "Louise Mason", assuming he had deciphered the spidery runes of the surface world correctly - picked up one of their telephones and spoke into it. As she did, Namor mentally reviewed what he had learned about Jennifer Walters. A Lexisnexis search, combined with a review of the records of the American Bar Association, had given him a clear idea of who she was. The picture from ther admission to the bar was of a small, quiet, serious woman with brown hair and a fire in her eye that he'd found admirable. A summary of her legal work had certainly confirmed that - a woman driven to seek justice.

He'd been sufficiently pleased with the recommendation, that he'd contacted Matt Murdock to offer his thanks. She might not have the physical presence to dominate a courtroom, but his readings of her briefs made him believe that her size would not be a hindrance.

"Ms. Walters is ready for you now, Mr. Atlantis."

"Thank you, Ms. Mason." He didn't bother to correct her misunderstanding about his name. It was accurate enough, in its way.

He turned as the door opened, and paused. The woman before him was no small, brown-haired girl. Whatever she may once have been, she was now power and beauty embodied in emerald and jade, and tall enough that he had to look up to meet her eyes. But then he recovered from his instant of surprise. "Miss Walters, I presume?"