First Impressions-
(As seen in Matt Wagner's Trinity limited series, the first encounters between The Dark Knight & The Amazon Princess weren't exactly smooth. But here, after all the commotion of their first mission had settled, things were moving in a different direction...)
Thunderous steps ring out from the foyer of the Themysciran embassy. Like a force of nature, its proprietor burst through the heavy doors and into "The White Room" without even a word. Stopping abruptly, she surveyed the emptiness of the place with an aura of disbelief.
"Alana?" She called out to her personal secretary, only to be met with silence. Becoming mildly more apprehensive now at the lack of occupancy, she cautiously moved on. Walking down the hallways, she surveyed each room as she passed it, only to find them all equally vacant. Finally, she rounded the corner to her shaded office, darkened against the afternoon sun. Hurrying one last time to her desk, she settled into her chair, made one last visual sweep of the premises, before closing her eyes and letting the tension of the past few days begin to dissipate from her psyche. She breathed deep, each expansion of her lungs bringing in a small trace of relief. She felt an ease that she hadn't known in a few days' time envelope her, and give her a sensation of peace, until her mind was levitating like her physical form would do on a midday breeze.
Subtly, an aroma begins to tease her. It's warm and inviting; it's familiar as well. After a microsecond of trying to place it, her mind registers the scent's origin: Amaranth. A deeply significant flower to the Amazon people, and one she had in various areas throughout the embassy, but... not in her office. How was this pungency so close? Opening her eyes, she quickly darted her gaze across the room to find a freshly potted plant in her field of vision. How long had it been there? She didn't recall it there upon entering the room. She breathed deep again, but something else caught her attention. There was musk, present in her surroundings. It was expertly masked, but still not without a tell. Again her mind set to work trying to identify it.
Almost instantly, she lights up at the realization as she props up to speak into the emptiness before her, "You almost had me fooled Bruce, but you still reek of battle" she says through a mildly disbelieving expression.
Wordlessly, he emerges from behind the door to face the impatient Amazon. Her mind was awash in questions, but forming them into sentences was eluding her at the moment. Bruce wasn't the only one still fresh from the fight, as she hadn't defrocked or even disarmed since leaving the site of their incursion with R'as al Ghul, Bizzaro, and Artemis that resulted in effectively ending the threat of both nuclear terror and the intended state of mass confusion Ra's planned via the destruction of most of earth's communication satellites.
Pointedly, she inquires "So, are you the reason my staff is absent? Did they run off at the sight of the fearsome Dark Knight?" she smirked in conclusion.
Firing back in his trademark gruff monotone, Bruce points out "According to the posted memo in all the staff areas, you gave them the day off in observance of Independence Day" He returns her smirk.
She suddenly remembers the significance of the day. This new holiday was still a bit foreign to her, given her recent arrival into Man's World, but it had been explained as remembrance of a time when the forebears of her adoptive land cast off the remote rule of a monarchical overlord to become autonomous. Seeing as the Amazons were a people that had also fought to free themselves from bondage in their past, the idea of a day dedicated to such liberty stuck her to the core, and she wanted make sure she allowed for adequate time for those in her employ to both observe and revel in the day as was customary. However, she had lost track of time in the past hours events, and her lack of sleep was only serving to exacerbate the state of disconnection from the present.
Still she managed a retort "I guess that explains how you got in so easily"
He countered "I'm sure you'd like to believe that, but even with your safe guards, this embassy isn't impregnable"
She interjects "So was this a random security check, then?" She's beaming now as she leans over her desk and eyes him standing there across from her, still trying to blend among the shadows present in the room.
Losing his patients slightly, he says "Artemis was an unknown entity to me prior to this engagement, and you yourself stated she had been off the grid as far as Themyscira knew as well. No one knew where she was, or where she is now. All we're sure of is that she's sworn vengeance against you, so the most likely thing to do is an ambush in a place you'd feel safest..."
At this, she interrupts him "Wait, are you checking up on me again Bruce? After what happened on Paradise Island?" His demeanor shifted at this, she imagined he was recalling the left hook she laid into him after he, while under one of the island's protective enchantments meant to stupefy and confuse any mortal interlopers, planted a kiss on her as she was leaving a recuperative dip to shake off the after effects of the Lazarus Pit that Bruce had placed her in to heal her wounds at the hands of the League of Assassins.
Coming back into the exchange, he replied "Well as far as I can tell, there are no enchantments on the embassy, so I think I'm safe in that regard..."
She cheekily replies "Lucky for you". He simply let out an annoyed grunt at this playful jab.
She was half shocked at this given the fact that it would be the third show of concern from a man that upon introduction began an argument with her in record time, and half annoyed at the this notion Bruce and Clark had that she needed monitoring. Truly, she had hoped for more from these men she had trusted to fight beside her, but it seems she would have to take the task of re-educating them in less patronizing displays of concern in the future.
Still, at least the intention was shockingly sweet from Bruce. Perhaps he was indeed more complex than she had initially thought...
Her eyes had dropped to the flower pot again. Instantly, her curiosity returned. "What's that for?" she asked eagerly.
The query was legitimately disarming for Bruce, and his resolve suffered "Oh, well... I thought it was the least I could do..."
"For?" she said as she pressed him.
"Stopping Bizzaro. I never should have let up my assault until he was incapacitated. It was sloppy of me" she nods in agreement before suddenly, she realizes his implication and interjects again "Wait, are you thanking me?"
Gruffly he finally relents "Yes. Thank you."
Of all the things she'd seen recently, this was the most shocking; especially after all Clark's talk of his detached manner. She was far too exhausted to process something so unexpected. At this thought, she giggled thinking that an ambush from Artemis would have been less alarming than such an admission and gesture from Gotham's greatest urban legend.
"How did you know it was my favorite flower?' she grilled him, out of nowhere.
Happy for the subject change, he quickly spoke "I know something about its usage in anointment rituals in Amazon culture, as well as the dye extracted from it being used in the garb of royalty. And knowing your station, I thought it was a logical choice. Not to mention, its aroma follows you like a shadow whenever we've been in close quarters."
She rolled her eyes and fought off a small smile as he broke down his line of logic, keeping totally in line with her primary assessment of him, but she thrilled at his more personal observation all the same. She hadn't realized it immediately, but she was blushing now.
Moving on effortlessly, she simply says "You're welcome Bruce. But truly, you saved me from that snare that the league set up. You're also responsible for getting me into the pit in time to save my life. We're more than even."
After a moment of comfortable silence, he advances a suggestion "Well, at the very least, let me try to tighten up the security around here."
Furrowing her brow, she fires back "Only if you agree to some sparring sessions. You're a great fighter, Bruce Wayne. But I can make you a great warrior."
Intrigued, he asked "Are we seeing to each other's mutual safety then?" Not missing a beat she responds "Someone has to."
At this, he nods and begins to make his way to the window. Turning, he seems to conclude "I'm not much of a people person. But if you ever need help, call me."
She nods in silence as she turns in her chair, not wanting to let him see her smiling at the notion of camaraderie with her once furious detractor. As he passes by she gives him a final thought "Bruce, you may not be much of a people person. But if you ever need help, call me. OK?"
He turns one last time before repelling out the window to nod in response to her, saying "See you soon, Princess"