A Wrinkle in Time
Part Five: Themyscira
With the help of Ranger and Kati, yay.
-Batman_GothamsProtector- seemed rather content to go through the endless series of microfiches he kept of the Gotham Herald. As far as he was concerned, Marti was gone. Dave Armstrong, one of Earth's reserve Green Lanterns, had sent her home. Dave hadn't said anything otherwise, and he seemed the type to let him know of a change in plan. However, Dave was also one of those who had concealed Jade's whereabouts, but Batman hadn't quite considered this just yet. He felt sorry for Marti, but he had his job to do, and she had hers, as she had said. All that was left was to make sure Diana never heard about this one.
-Martha_Wayne- The Green Lantern hadn't been much help in getting her any closer to home, in fact, all he'd really done was get batman's watchful eye off her back, but Marti wasn't the type to take disappointments without quickly drawing up a backup plan. Jade had called this her second chance. She didn't know what that meant, really, but it seemed like it might have something to do with her family. She'd gotten a sort of second perspective on her 'father', so why not try and find this Themyscira place and see what she might possibly have in the way of heritage on her mother's side, right? This bit of determination found Marti, several days later - having begged, borrowed and bribed her passage along the way - alone in a small craft in the Bermuda triangle. Thinking that perhaps all of this was a delusion after all, and that she really had just hit her head very, very, very hard. It was the only thing that explained this sort of madness.
-DianaPrincex- Themyscira. A veritable island adrift inside one of the most notorious areas on the face of the planet. Only those meant to find it would, as Marti was now finding out. House spent in the delicate craft would warp her senses. Everything would be upside down, and almost unimaginably terrifying. A soul could die out there, alone and unwanted. Unless you were meant to find the island. And eventually the small craft found itself and passenger resting quietly on a perfectly white beach, sand pristine. Lovely. Palm trees waved overhead, stretching towards the impossibly blue sky. There was a path leading into dense brush, seemingly patrolled by seagulls. An air of timelessness prevailed. Diana knelt before a simple altar, the sacred grove secluded away in the forest. It belonged to Artemis, the Huntress. The Princess prayed there often, as a chaste maid it was her duty to uphold the ideals the Huntress represented, and so each day the raven-haired beauty sacrificed something to the Goddess. It was also nearer the beaches than the city, so she was assured privacy.
-Batman_GothamsProtector- Fingers danced nimbly across the keyboard, busily analyzing a soil sample he'd collected at a crime scene. Thankfully, he'd gotten out before Detective Bullock had arrived. He didn't need to listen to his ranting and raving over 'evidence theft' again. He'd left ample amounts for the police. He'd found some rather unique chemical traces in the soil, as he had been hoping to find. Now it was just a matter of narrowing down the locations of where such chemicals would be present in the soil. "Still receiving telemetry on tracer 11039a," the computer intoned suddenly. "No follow up action has been taken. Do you wish to cease monitoring?" Bruce's face creased. That was the tracer Alfred had 'accidentally' worked into Marti's clothing. Why was it still transmitting? He'd never get a signal from another dimension. He called up the coordinates quickly. The middle of the Bermuda Triangle. He was mostly sure she wasn't looking for spare boats, which rather narrowed the possibilities to Themyscira and Themyscira. She was going to see Diana. But how would the Amazons receive her? The rest didn't seem to bother him.
-Martha_Wayne- And madness it was. Marti lost track of the nightmarish time that passed until the craft finally seemed to come to rest on the shores of... somewhere. She sat in the boat, staring at the sand, sky, and other images of a paradise. Scowling at herself for humming the theme to the twilight zone under her breath, Marti finally tentatively leaned over the edge of the boat, toeing the sand. It -seemed- like solid land, not a mirage. Marti scowled again, rolling her eyes at herself. "Oh fucking hell just get a grip," she mumbled under her breath, sliding over the edge of the boat and dragging it ashore as far as she could to keep it out of the reach of the tide. Her blue eyes narrowed on a path in the trees. Dropping her hands into the pockets of her coat, she started for it, still grumbling at herself under her breath.
-DianaPrincex- What a dangerous path, too. No jagged stones lying in wait for hapless feet. No huge snakes waiting to drop on an unsuspecting traveler. A bloodthirsty fawn strolled past, pausing to turn large, brown eyes on Marti before bounding away into the brush. Paradise, indeed. It was hard to understand why anyone would want to leave. Meanwhile: Diana had completed the small ritual and exited the grove in silence. Raised as she had been, the woman's feet made no noise against the strewn ground. Nor would they, whilst Diana remained on the island. It was her playground, Queen Hippolyta had seen to that long ago. Stride slowed, thoughts of Patriarch's World crowding in. She would have to return, picking up the duties she held there. Diana had buried several proverbial hatchets with her mother on this trip; had even been forgiven for following the pilot that had first taken her into the modern world. Progress completely halted, the female stood motionless in the middle of the pathway, only half a mile from the city. The nape of her neck was tingling. Why?
-Batman_GothamsProtector- This presented the stumper for Bruce. He hated asking for help, but he'd need one. He wasn't allowed on Themyscira. Hippolyta and the gods were just the feminazi's ultimate dream. He needed a diplomatic hand to help smooth things over. Speaking of diplomats - "Computer, create a data link with the Watchtower computer system. Stand by," the computer intoned. "Data link complete." "Locate Wonder Woman." Making some small noises briefly, it finally replied that Wonder Woman was currently on Themyscira as well. This meant that Armstrong wasn't completely dead when he caught up to him.
-Martha_Wayne- Marti blinked slightly at the fawn. It may as well have been a panther, it unnerved the young woman just the same. More so, as a panther would have just tried to eat her and be done with it. "What're you starin' at?" she muttered, just before the fawn bounded away. A moment later, she snorted at herself, drawing her left hand out of her pocket and tucking the thumb into the belt, her fingers involuntarily tracing over the gold-and-black emblem. Reminding herself not to be such a baby. Narrowing her eyes on the paradise, she continued forward, her movement careful and quiet, but certainly not noiseless on the unfamiliar terrain.
-DianaPrincex- There it was again. There was an elephant on the island, and it was breaking tiny sticks like you wouldn't believe. Near, too. Diana scanned the path behind her; then the area ahead, still motionless otherwise. The intruder wasn't on this trail, but there was one not too far off. It explained her momentary unease. Well, then. Sliding into the foliage, Diana slid a long knife from its sheath against her thigh and crept silently through the underbrush. A few minutes later she could plainly hear someone stealthily sneaking towards the city of the Amazons. Ha. Not today, friend. The princess paused, gathering her not inconsiderable strength and then ... dove out onto the path, mere inches from Marti. The deadly weapon was pointed directly at the younger woman's heart by an unwavering hand. " Halt and declare your intentions ..". Diana wasn't clad in formal raiment; just a short, white toga, gold armbands and the knife. She could have been any Themysciran.
-Batman_GothamsProtector- "Computer, establish communications link with Wonder Woman." Several moments later, he got the idea she didn't have her comm-link on her. He couldn't blame her. It only went off....oh.....every two minutes. And that was on a slow day. He repressed the inward sigh. This meant talking to the other Amazons as a means of reaching her. This was going to be painful. "Computer, establish communications link with the Themysciran Embassy. I need to speak with Princess Diana." The Amazons would probably take offense and just ignore him if he didn't address her as such. The rather unpleasant face greeting him on the screen didn't promise a warm reception. "And what business must you discuss with the Princess?" Her tone made it clear she found it taxing to even speak with him. "A diplomatic crisis has risen. I am in need of her aid as a 'negotiator'." Never told anyone the whole truth. He certainly didn't want to now. The Amazons would be enraged that someone had landed on Themyscira. Marti's only saving grace was her lack of a Y chromosome.
-Martha_Wayne- It was almost a relief to find herself staring down the glinting blade of a knife. That was familiar territory, she could deal with that. Much safer than innocent doe-eyed looking creatures. She was quite thrilled with herself for neither moving to counter-attack the woman or to try and defend herself. Slowly, her thumb unhooked from her father's belt, her hands rising slightly to the side. "Easy, lady, I was just-" Her words stopped with an awkward abruptness as she met the other woman's eyes. Marti stared, she couldn't help it. She'd only had those few precious minutes in the Batcave to learn what her mother had looked like, but she'd committed the image to memory. Different clothes, yes, but this woman fit the bill. Marti licked her lips, averting her gaze, focusing it back on the knife. No sense in making admissions that weren't warranted for, right? Even if this was Diana, it wasn't her mother, any more than it had been her Alfred, her Gotham, or her father that she'd found upon awakening. "I'm lookin' for someone... a relative, I think... Sorta... It's a long story... It'd be a little easier to explain without steel at my throat, and all..."
-DianaPrincex- " I'm sure it would be. " came the amused response. " And you'll get a chance, in front of the Queen." The knife sank back into its home, fingers rising to settle against Marti's shoulder in a -very- firm grip. " Come along, little one. Dare I hope a tale of how you came to set foot on this ground?" Vaguely archaic speech patterns from the woman, mm? Diana watched the girl, for that is what she appeared to be. And without evidence to the contrary ... " So what is your name? " Curious, the stranger had lovely eyes, much like her own. And Donna's, if truth be told. The Amazon moved with almost supernatural grace, shoulders carrying an arrogance subtly placed. Here was power unflaunted, a princess and warrior secure in her own skin.
-Batman_GothamsProtector- Maybe it was their mutual arrogance that had brought them together in that other reality. Bruce, however, was trying extremely hard not to resort to 'the usual methods' in dealing with this pompous Amazon. He was assuming this could have been dealt with in all of a few minutes had the overzealous secretary actually put him through instead of holding him up like this. "There is a stranger on Themyscira," he finally admitted. "The Princess would be best suited to -" The Amazon cut him off, noting something off screen. "The Princess has already apprehended the intruder, and does not need the *help* of a *man*." This was taking a great deal of self-control. "May I please speak with her. I know who the intruder is."
-Martha_Wayne- Marti nearly backed away, suddenly thinking she was in just a little bit over her head. "Marti..." she mumbled in reply, letting herself be towed by the woman. A half second later, she found herself admitting, "Martha." Slowly, so as not to have the action misconstrued, she ran her hand through her hair, tucking it back behind both ears. "A tale? Like I said... it's a long story. Fu-" Suddenly, Jade's advice about cleaning up her language seemed very, very good. "Far fetched," she hastily censored herself, "That's how it'll sound...." Her blue eyes shifted to the woman again, trying to discretely study her. "Eh... I've never been before a Queen before. Any... uhm... rules... that I should be aware of? I mean... d'ya bow or curtsey or kneel or... grovel... or... are you just gonna throw me in a cage with lions or what?"
-DianaPrincex- " Martha. Interesting. " Clear blue eyes twinkled, despite the rather stoic expression Diana wore. " We only toss male intruders to the lions. Which, considering Queen Hyppolita's current mood, might be a better choice." The nearly six-foot woman paused suddenly, hand dropping away from Marti's shoulder. Visage was inherently serious. Those intriguing eyes flickered around before she spoke quietly. " Did Bruce send you? .." Bruce? Ahem. Remember the buckle? Warriors have good eyesight, sweetie. " If so, it was a bad idea on his part. Mot- the Queen despises him completely." The princess fell silent a moment, and then offered up what passed for a rakish grin. " We'll just tell her you wanted some -real- combat training. Look sincere and she'll believe it." ~ I hope. ~
-Batman_GothamsProtector- ever so casually keyed a command sequence to capture this on video. Hippolyta was now on the line, and she was *worried*. Vindictive much, Bruce? After more go-round with the stubborn Amazon, Bruce had done the only logical thing. He'd threatened to come to Themyscira himself. The death threats had been expected, and so he'd pointed out that a man would have 'defiled' Themyscira. The man he happened to be, at that. That had gotten Hippolyta in on it. "If it is such a sensitive issue, I suppose you wouldn't mind letting me speak with the Princess then, now would you?" That self control from before was trying not to smile as he leaned back in his chair.
-Martha_Wayne- Well, that answered some part of the question. If the queen of the amazons hated her father's counterpart here, it was possible the same held true in her own world. Her brow furrowed slightly. So many reasons she might have never been told who her mother was, so many reasons why her father had seemed to hate her. She doubted she'd know which of them were true. Unless she made this journey again, when she got back to her world. But... she wouldn't have time. Gotham came first. And Gotham was a full time job. "He didn't. I think he'd strangle me if he knew I were here... Sure of it, in fact." Her hand strayed to the belt again. "I didn't get this from -him-. At least not the 'him' you know..." she started to explain, feeling slightly encouraged by the other woman's grin. "For what it's worth... I would sincerely like to be trained. If such is possible..." Anything to get a glimpse at mom's side of the family. And to keep you from getting killed when you get back home.
-DianaPrincex- A brow lofted. She managed the expression better than Spock would have. Go mum? " Ah. I see." Which she didn't. The idea was emerging, however, that the girl was more than she appeared, not as unusual as the notion once would have been. " Been living in Patriarch's World too long.." Diana grumbled, tugging Marti out of the foliage. Before them lay the city, unchanged since the days of the Classical Greek expansion. " Welcome to my home. C'mon." Still arrogant. Still tall. Still stunning. But she seemed more approachable than the amazons freezing all over the walkway to stare at the duo in dismay. An intruder on the island. Some fell in behind as Diana and her prisoner headed to the palace.
-Batman_GothamsProtector- Hippolyta had ordered an Amazon to find the Princess and to bring her to the palace immediately. Bruce had given her half an hour. He suspected he'd be talking to Diana much sooner. The Threat to teleport by means of the Watchtower to Themyscira had been quite the trump card. He was saving that one for a rainy day.
-Martha_Wayne- Marti's eyes widened as they fell on the city, and her step hesitated. "It's beautiful..." she whispered, but quickly snapped out of it under the dark looks of the rest of the island's population. Her step quickened to keep her close to Diana. Like the cathedral she called home in her own time, she was fascinated by the reminder that the past really had existed. Equally like the cathedral, she suspected, she didn't belong here any more than she belonged in the hallowed halls of the Christian religion. This place was too sunny, to clean... Her arms wrapped nervously around her torso. "Don't get visitors much, I take it?"
-DianaPrincex- "What gave it away?" Modern speech patterns; the Amazon looking near Marti's own age .. footloose and fancy free. Until they reached the plaza leading into the inner sanctum of her home. Here it resembled a museum. Or tomb. Diana's bearing changed dramatically-- now she was the Heir. "What kept you, child? And is that the stranger? " Hippolyta stood before the console, her expression decidedly more fierce than a dragon. Diana dropped into a low bow, gesturing for Marti to do the same. " Your Majesty, it is being taken care of." Outwardly respectful tones. One couldn't 'read' the princess anymore. Rising finally, Marti firmly at her side, Diana strode over to the screen and dipped her head towards Batman's image. " Bruce. " Polite tone. " I've retrieved your missing compatriot, she is safely under my protection." The Queen wouldn't understand for who would dare hurt a woman on Themyscira. But Bruce would know that Marti was free from repercussions of her actions. At least from the government.
-Martha_Wayne- Graceful was no problem, Catwoman and Harley had seen to it that the girl could move with grace when she wanted to. Trying to look respectful, on the other hand, that was tricky for Marti, and she quite nearly ended up falling on her face trying to mimic Diana's bow by watching the other woman out of the corner of her eyes.
-Batman_GothamsProtector- Kept the flinch off his face, He hated being called Bruce, especially when in costume, and especially around that *thing* hovering around Diana, no doubt. Good to know Marti had found the one rational person on Themyscira, though. "Good. I apologize for the inconvenience, Princess. I had thought the matter...dealt with." He cast a quick glance towards Marti. "If you would like more information, we can meet at the Watchtower at a later date, and discuss the details." Like hell he was divulging Marti's origins around Hippolyta. Wayne Manor would be set upon by Amazonian triremes with full assault squads in just minutes.
-Martha_Wayne- Graceful was no problem, Catwoman and Harley had seen to it that the girl could move with grace when she wanted to. Trying to look respectful, on the other hand, that was tricky for Marti, and she quite nearly ended up falling on her face trying to mimic Diana's bow by watching the other woman out of the corner of her eyes. Her arms wrapped around her torso again. Between the Queen and her father's image on the console, Marti was ready to inquire about taking her chances with the aforementioned lions. Especially when this specter of her father shot her -that- look. The look and tone that reminded her she was just a nuisance. She scowled, looking away from the screen.
-DianaPrincex- Diana's shoulders lifted in an eloquent shrug. " That won't be necessary. I shall escort her back to your world myself. " It was time to go, and Martha's appearance merely the catalyst for doing so. Ignoring her mother's sudden intake of breath, and then subsequent scowl, which rather matched Marti's amusingly enough, the Heir sent a formal smile across the link, then cut it off. Bruce wouldn't be able to argue now. Ha. Such small pleasures as tweaking the figurative nose of that man. Still ignoring her mother, the Queen, Diana stalked away from the viewing screen. " Come, compatriot .. continue your story while I gather the things I need for your world." Imperious wench, wasn't she.
-Batman_GothamsProtector- snorted. Closing the comm-link, he could let loose. He'd been restraining himself from using the oh-so-charming nickname - 'Hippy'. Thankfully, Amazons could not reach through vid screens. This was turning into something strange. Jade, then an alter dimensional person who was the daughter of Bruce Wayne and Diana. He still needed to speak with Armstrong. A heads up that Marti was still here would have been nicer, but knowing Marti, she asked him not to tell.
-Martha_Wayne- Marti's scowl lessened, though she kept her eyes firmly on the ground as she followed after Diana like a lost puppy. Which was about how she felt. This was so not going how she'd pictured it. She wasn't sure how she'd pictured it, really, just that it wasn't like this. Maybe some melodramatic eyeless seer that would know who she was, or some such thing, like in the old literature... Eventually, though, she found her voice. "I'm not from -here-. This time, I mean. From what I understand, I'm from some kind of parallel time or something... I never knew my mother, but when I got here, and -he-" the reference was clearly towards Bruce, "was trying to figure out who I was, he said he thought I might be... the daughter of one of your people. And since I don't seem able to get home any time soon, I thought... it was worth looking into." There. She'd cleanly avoided mentioning both Bruce and Diana. She'd also clean forgotten the belt around her waist which would somewhat raise question to her story's fullness.
-DianaPrincex- waited to see if Marti felt like saying anything further, the girl's steps against the marble floor the only other sound. Finally, though, Diana spoke up after gesturing the girl into a suite of rooms. Almost Spartan in furnishings, they bore a roman couch here, a platform piled high with light furs there. A row of pegs held a multitude of silk gowns, a shelf was reserved for royal regalia. There were few personal touches. Diana pulled down a small sack from above her bed and began casually stuffing items into it. " You're hedging and I don't like it." Mama wasn't dumb. " But I'll respect your privacy." Piercing eyes regarded Marti. " I'm sorry that you can't get home ..." Apparently she was inclined to believe that part of it.
-Batman_GothamsProtector- went back to his investigations from before. He had the Watchtower's computers notify him of where Diana teleported. She knew where the cave was, but whether she would come straight here, or head towards the Tower, she hadn't said. It was his mind that was busy. Should he tell Diana what he had learned? Surely she knew him well enough so as not to just pass this off as a cheap trick. The only cheap tricks Batman used were on criminals. Play it by ear, he concluded. Provided she was not belligerent. Much.
-Martha_Wayne- "I'm not used to opening up to people. I'm sorry, ok?" Marti scowled softly, but the look melted under the intensity of the Princess' gaze. "I'll get home, one way or another. My city needs me." Her eyes trailed over the woman's suite, then cast an annoyed look down at her own garments. Dimensional differences or not, there couldn't be any kind of regal blood flowing through her own veins. "I.. think you'd like the truth less than you'd like my 'hedging'... Princess." Marti licked her lips. "You're... not going to ship me back to Batman's custody, are you? I suspect after this he really will toss me into Arkham to keep me out of his hair..." Again, fingers brushed over the belt in subconscious gesture. "In my 'time' he and I never got on. The same seems likely here." Meanwhile, in the shadows of the Batcave, the scent of cigarette smoke, accompanied by a voice, emerged not too far behind Bruce. ~Amazing just how fecked up other timelines can be, ain't it?~
-DianaPrincex- had the grace to look uncomfortable. " You belong with him ..." She reached out to tap the Bat buckle with a faint smile. " Remember, child, that you are under my protection .. I never say anything I don't mean." And if she had, Diana conveniently couldn't remember any such occurrence at the moment. Slinging the sack over a shoulder, she paused only to pick up her communicator and affix it to a shoulder. " Beam us to the Bat Cave .." she ordered. And while they were awaiting teleportation, she added " Bruce means well, Mari. He might be arrogant beyond belief, and gruff but he has a heart under there." Pause. " Somewhere." Pause. " I think." In the next instant, they were materializing just outside the door to 'Ze Secret Lair'.
-Batman_GothamsProtector- Attacked on two fronts. Narrowing his gaze thoughtfully at the signal of intrusion, he turned to face Jade. "Is that before or after you tamper with them?" He was smirking slightly, his gaze fixed on her. "So, is she here to stay, or can I avoid a horde of angry Amazons by insinuating their Princess was 'soiled' by the horrendous hands of a man?"
-Martha_Wayne- Marti refrained from commenting that it was likely the heart of Bruce Wayne was used for no function other than pumping blood. It couldn't be true, she wouldn't exist if it were. And -this- Bruce wasn't the one she'd been 'not raised' by. Marti sighed, about to comment, but finding herself cut off by the teleportation. It was a sensation she'd never experienced, and she was mildly shaken by it. Twilight zone, all right. "Whatever. I'll deal. Always managed to before..." Meanwhile, Jade returned the smirk. ~My fault again, is it?~ Exhaling a cloud of smoke, she shrugged. ~She's got nowhere to go back to. Her 'home' was just a brief glitch in the time stream. It's gone for good. She's has a reason for being here, though. Once it's over... I'll can her the way of her dimension.~
-DianaPrincex- shook her head. " Ever the stubborn ones I will never quite figure out. " Her way of saying 'knock that off' perhaps. Diana wasn't entirely comfortable around younger people, probably because her childhood had been spent around adults. As a child of the Gods, the princess wasn't allowed to simply roam unchecked. Marti's shoulder found itself briefly squeezed, before Diana did an audacious thing. After knocking loudly against the panel that held the secret entrance, she called out " Avon calling." Actually, that was Robin's fault. The last time she had 'visited' he'd been wrapped up in some miniseries about a model. Heh.
-Batman_GothamsProtector- quirked his gaze over his shoulder to the staircase that led up into the study. It was almost something to laugh at. Almost. The wall slid away in response, despite the corny comment that was doubtless to follow. "Sweeping things under the rug isn't my style, Jade. She can make a new life."
-Martha_Wayne- Marti furrowed her brow, scowling a little at the squeezing of her shoulder. She realized now her mistake. As much as she'd been disconcerted by the specter of the father she'd known, she was put more at unease by the specter of the mother she'd never had a chance to know. She didn't belong here with this Bruce, she certainly didn't belong on Themyscira. Homesickness fell on the young woman in full force. She wanted nothing more to wake up from this nightmare in the cold ruins of the old cathedral to prowl the fallen city of Gotham, as masochistic as that sounded, it seemed better than here. Jade, meanwhile, simply shrugged again. ~It's -her- choice.~ And the woman was suddenly just not there, the faint scent of smoke being the only evidence she'd been there.
-DianaPrincex- No corny line forthcoming. So sorry to disappoint. Diana simply waited until Marti entered before following behind. A few minutes of tepid chitchat and then she would withdraw to a safer place of rest. After hunting down Alfred and saying 'Hello'. For some reason she liked the aging butler.