I think this is a great example of how well Erik manages to control the context of whatever scene he’s in. The first time he turns up in the palace, T’Challa tries to shut down his challenge to the throne by referring to him as an American chaos operative, but Erik turns it around on him by announcing his Wakandan name and heritage in xhosa, recontextualizing himself as a rightful Wakandan challenger.
Here T’Challa is taking him at his word, addressing him as a fellow Wakandan royal whom he can legitimately challenge for the throne, and Erik turns it around on him again by responding and identifying as an American chaos operative, who feels no obligation to respect Wakandan traditions.
t’challa’s the type that would be at a political conference or something and he’d be all formal, polite and professional but when someone walks up to him and shows him a picture of their cat like “i named him t’challa :)” hed just….very slowly start crying lmao
some diplomat: i named my kitty after u because i know you like kitties. heres a pic of her
t’challa, who has slowly started to openly weep as the person was talking: wow….th-thats great…th-thank y-you, i…i l-love her, t-thats very n-nice 😢😢😢
okoye: why is my king crying
diplomat: i showed him my new kitten 🙂
okoye: why would you…emotionally compromise him like that…he has to give a speech….