Daughters of the Moon
By Icha
Disclaimer: Wonder Woman, Catwoman, Hippolyta, Wildcat, Blue Beetle, Aquaman, Batman and, Martian Manhunter belong to DC Comics. I stole Mythos Café from Lana Lang's the Tallon Café (the Smallville TV series). Spoilers including JLA#90, Catwoman#32, Hush, Identity Crisis, DC Countdown, the OMAC project, etc.
Special thanks to Athena-Phoenix for beta reading. And Djinn, for the 'Batjerk'. I wrote this before I read your fanfic, but I figured out that you (or other writers) mentioned it first, so I should acknowledge that.
The story takes place during the OMAC project of the current continuity. I have only read issue #1 so far, thus this story only includes Wonder Woman found out that Blue Beetle was missing in action.
Chapter 3. Over a cake and a pieWhile waiting for the second order, Diana chose to study the paintings in front of them. She approached Bastet, studying her cat-head, then moved on to Artemis, noting her posture. The posture of a huntress, ready to release the arrow.
"Selene is not there." Selina commented.
"No, she is here." Diana pointed at a gorgeous goddess that bending over a handsome sleeping man. A full moon hung over both of them, half covered in clouds. The paintings in the walls were not all of the same scale, but still, it was a nice balance. "Trying not to wake up Endymion."
"Seductive, huh..."
"Well, yes. The difference between Selene and Artemis, is that Selene is not a virgin. Rumor has it that she bore Zeus' children, and fell for Pan before becoming attracted to Endymion." Diana turned and sat back down.
"Pan!" Selina squeaked. "The goat god? She doesn't have good taste in men, huh? I mean, Endymion – sure he's handsome. I would sleep with him myself. And Zeus... well, he's the King, after all. But Pan..." She frowned in disbelieve, then grinned wickedly. "Diana is the virgin, huh?"
"Well, I can't help it..." Diana shrugged her shoulders in a pseudo-despair and amusing way that Selina needed to control herself not to laugh.
"You have not told me all of your conclusions."
Selina gazed at the Amazon for a while, drumming her neatly manicured purple nails. "I think you are not being balanced."
"How so?"
"You care for the homeless, orphans, children, women, farmers...But you don't give a damn about the lost ones."
"Such as?" Diana knew where the conversation was going, but she chose to let Selina speak.
"You don't care about the prostitutes. What about them? They're also weak and don't have any choice! But you don't see them, and your utopia reaches all but them!"
"So you have not read my book, then." And when Selina opened her mouth to speak, Diana suddenly added, "Don't get me wrong. I don't try to preach. The book was about my opinion, but it was also more than that. I also described the works of my foundations, our vision and missions, and our ways of achieving them. Empowerment is one of the key words, and everyone is involved with that. Including prostitutes."
"I don't believe you." Selina clenched her jaw. "You just want to preach your ideals, but not touching the grounds, or the root of the problem."
"I take it that you have not read my book then. Not that I want everyone here to read it, but it would be nice to be understood. That's why I wrote it. Speaking of which..." Diana reached for her bag. Selina froze, thinking that Diana will use the lasso of truth to force her to see the truth. Instead, Diana pulled out a white hardcover book with an embossed picture of a golden lasso in the cover. Reflections: A Collection of Essays and Speeches.
"I think you might find some of these interesting." Diana put the book in front of Selina, opened to a specific page. "You can have it, it's free. I usually take some with me during talks like just now."
Their second orders arrived. Mocha latte, double espresso, mud cake and mango pie. The waitress served them nervously. After arranging the cups and plates appropriately, she slowly pulled a small notebook and a pen out of her pocket.
"Would you mind giving me your autograph?" She pushed her notebook to Diana. "I also have your book," nodding to the book Selina is currently reading, "but it's at home."
Diana smiles and scratched something in the notebook. " 'To...' "
"Pamela Wood," the girl answers shyly.
" '...Pam. The sunset is not as beautiful as your red hair.' " Pam's hair was indeed a bright red. Diana returned the notebook and then chatted with her for a minute.
As Pam returned to the kitchen, Selina raised her head.
"You had several projects in Indonesia. With the prostitutes there."
"In cooperation with local humanitarian groups – my foundation doesn't have the branch office there. Teaching them the Amazonian martial arts. The basics, but very useful. And they liked it so much, they have asked me to come again to Indonesia this year." Diana began to eat her cake. "It's good. Have some."
Selina shrugged a 'no', then started eating her own pie. They ate in silence.
"I still wonder though..." Selina spoke again, "It would be still very easy for a woman of your heritage and position to do those things. And it's almost amusing that people admire you for that. Damn, lady!" She raised both of her hands in the air. "You have all you need to do good works, and they still admire you!"
"Are you trying to compare yourself with me?" Diana asked, matter-of-factly. "Because that won't work – "
"Because I'm an ex-prostitute and you're an ex-princess?" Selina retorted cynically. Her long-suppressed grudge did not end easily, oh no... Hell, no.
Diana raised an eyebrow. She, of course, had known Selina Kyle, a.k.a. Catwoman, for a while, without significant contact between them. And of course she knew that Selina was involved romantically with Bruce Wayne. By Hecate, she also knew many other names coming from Bruce's past love life. But none of them resonated as strongly as Selina.
And today she knew why.
Born into a troubled family, Selina was raised in a very hard way. She lived her youth in a rough neighborhood, and even once became a prostitute herself; explaining her concerns for them. She became an expert in stealing jewellery, and was even arrested and thrown into jail once. Over the years, the legend of the Catwoman has changed from a petty jewel thief who slept with most men she can find, into an official criminal. And recently, she reformed herself. Still stealing, sometimes, but only for the sake of the poor and the weak in the East End. And Selina never crossed the line to become a ruthless criminal like the Penguin or Poison Ivy.
Yes, Diana had known about Selina for a while. It used to be that only her name was familiar. But things started to change when she realized that she had fallen in love, surprisingly, with none other than Bruce Wayne. The Batman. Hence, along with her increased interest in Bruce's life (including the death of his parents, the Batclan, Alfred, etc), her curiosity about Bruce's past love life also increased. And thus, she collected more and more information about Vicky Vale, Sasha Bordeaux, Thalia, Andrea Beaumont, and especially, Selina Kyle.
She didn't hate them, just wanted to know. They are women, like her, that fell in love with a very impressive man. And surprisingly, she found that her impression of Selina was not negative at all. Well, it was true that she did not agree with Selina's informal and outlaw methods, but still, from deep inside of her, she was amazed at the Catwoman. If I were she, would I be able to stand as strong and dignified as she is now, despite my past? Today, she should be able to find the answer.
Selina pushed her half-finished plate aside and continued, her voice sounding more dangerous now. The double-espresso sure works.
"Specifically, because you are a damn lucky ex-princess, and you think that Bruce Wayne will fall for you." Despite her anger, she still managed to call Bruce by the real name, not his secret identity. I can't put him in any danger...
"No, you're wrong." Diana also pushed her plate away and leaned over toward Selina again. "I don't think it's wise to compare yourself to me because... you're unique." And she continued quickly as Selina started to snap. "Yes, you are. As you might be aware, I know a lot about you. Including your relationship with our Dark Knight."
Selina flinched over the 'Dark Knight' title. Not because it was spoken loudly – Diana spoke in a low tone – but because of the sudden idea of pairing the Knight and the Princess. Classy, her heart cursed.
"And you know that I know about you two." Selina opened the cards.
"Yes."
"So you understand my grudge toward you, then."
"Of course I do. It is very natural. However, it is not accurate anymore." Diana paused, forcing herself to speak the truth. "Our relationship never went anywhere."
"Riiiiggghhht..." Selina snorted in doubt. "He still spends lots and lots of time up there." In the Justice League Headquarters. On the Moon...
"He's not leaving Gotham, though. Gotham always comes first." Diana leaned back into her chair. "That I know of. And accept."
A silence. Emerald eyes studied azure eyes, surprised that there were no deceptions or denials there.
"He still trusts you." Selina spat out the words like a bitter seed from her mouth. "Always does. And always will. You have the gift."
"We have to trust each other. As friends. As a team. It's not easy, though, I can tell you..." Diana exhaled a heavy breath. Hades, not easy indeed. Ted Kord missing... Batman knew something about him. She knew he knew. He had to tell her sooner or later. And she knew that he would.
"Because you are almost a deity."
"I don't have to remind you that I let go of the title a long time ago," Diana assumed that, just as she did, Selina also studied her file.
"Still, you are the 'blessed one', and I am not. And that sucks." Selina's tone was not an angry one, though. More of a gloomy one.
"Depends on your definition on 'blessed'. I might have to include you in my battles with monsters sometimes. Medusa, for instance. You might want to reconsider your terms then."
Selina knew that Diana had lost her sight a few months back. Apparently through some hocus-pocus event she regained her vision, and now the azure eyes are just as lovely as they ever, with no sign of damage at all. Suddenly Selina shivered. Would I be able to do what she did to save everyone there? The same people that used to deny me?
"So, you... don't consider yourself as 'blessed'?"
"Of course I do. And gifted, as well. But that is the exact reason for me to do what I do. Because it is a shame for me not to use my potentials to the fullest. Because I cannot stand there doing nothing, when I know that I can make a difference, even just a tiny one. Because..." Diana stopped, looking Selina in the eyes. "...I am not sure if I could be as strong as you are, if I were in your position."
Selina blinked. "You...admire my… work?"
"Well, not all of your work, to tell you the truth. But yes, I do admire you. I understand that you came from a rough family and a battered background. And you had very difficult past. But, who am I to judge? I also have several regrets of my past."
"You? Regrets? No way..."
"Yes. Regrets over things I said but shouldn't... Regrets over some friends and families I failed to save..." Mother. Trevor. Donna. Although, she had solved her problems with Hippolyta. And Gaea herself had embraced Trevor Barnes. And there were strange dreams of Donna Troy lately...that she was alive somewhere... Anyway... maybe she should talk to Nightwing...
"You do?" Selina surprised that Diana suddenly looked smaller and a bit sad. A bit more human.
"Yes, I do. I also have my flaws, you know. I am created from clay, and clay is not perfect."
"Then... why... Bruce and you..."
"Still going on after knowing all of our flaws?" Diana continued eating her cake. "We are not, and were not ever, I suppose, an item. Not officially. Not like you and Bruce were before. Still... I can see plainly through him. I know his flaws, as he knows mine. We often have our disputes, of which other leaguers dare not to intervene. But we also respect each other. And even though we often disagree, we honor each other's missions. That means a lot to me."
"Then... why... still accepting him?" Selina pondered, supporting her chin with her hands, studying her pie. "God, he's rude, selfish, has a sick tendency of pushing people away... pushing me away... I can't stand him. Why can you?"
"Because as I am, he is only human. And humans make mistakes. And learn from them. Deep inside him, I sense a lonely child longing for love..."
"I know that, too..." Selina nodded in agreement.
"... and an eagerness to learn and grow up, regardless of the circumstances. But he is so afraid of losing the ones he loves, and that makes him afraid of love."
"You know then, that by loving you, he will end miserably? You are immortal. He is not. He will suffer." Just let him be with me. I am mortal, too. I'm his match... But, wait... he dumped me. We're just friends now...Who cares...
"I understand that." Diana tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. "And that's why I plan not to waste the time, and to seize the day while it lasts." And mending our silly agreement one and a half years ago. An agreement made out of our fear of love... Silly indeed...If only if we can have a second chance...
"Carpe diem."
"Exactly." Diana stretched her hands up over her head. "But why though, are you interested in me and him? We are not an item now. As you both are not." Though it was hard for me to accept the fact that he did spend a whole evening with you, watching a movie, dinner, and everything...
"Always speaks the truth, huh?" Selina cut her pie and ate the mango. Munching, she thought for a while. "Gee... I dunno, actually. I mean... Bruce and I are finished. But maybe... dunno... you being a goddess of truth – "
"EX goddess of truth."
"...and an EX princess... and the ambassador... and the Wonder Woman... makes me edgy. Not that I'm interested in him anyway now...Huh! That lousy playboy..." She looked at Diana, thinking. "Maybe... I just don't like losing my ex-love to an abnormal human."
Diana – to Selina's surprise – laughed. "Abnormal! Hera! I've never heard that before!"
"Oh yeah?" Selina grinned as well. "What does he call you then?"
"Princess." Diana grimaced. "I don't like to be called 'Princess', and he knows that."
"He does that to tease you," Selina realized, her heart sinking a bit. Maybe I still love him...Maybe he still loves you...
"Yes, he's gotten good at that," Diana admitted. And getting better at annoying me too.
Selina shifted her attention to the goddesses on the walls.
"We're pretty good at loving an impossible man, aren't we?" She sighed, whispering almost to herself.
"Yes, we are." Diana supported her chin with one hand, tilted her head to see another angle of Selina. "And I can see why he admires you, too."
"Huh?" Selina turned her head to the Amazon. "I know why Bruce loves..." a second thought, "... or loved, me. But I don't know what you think of it."
"Simple." Diana reached for her cake again, cut it and allowed herself to enjoy the melting chocolate in her mouth. "You're a fighter. Fighting for your life and survival. He also did that years ago, and has been doing that ever since. Plus, you've reformed yourself. That is, in my opinion, a good reason for him to like, and love, you."
"Except that we didn't go anywhere either." Surprised at Diana's ability to analyze her and Bruce, Selina decided to open up to her. "We decided to be friends."
"Ah. What a familiar term," commented Diana solemnly.
"I've... given up on him. Too high in the sky... too deep in the ocean... I cannot reach him. He will not be totally open to me." Selina shrugged. "Perhaps... because of my old life... But that was my choice. My life was my choice, and I did what I had to do to survive."
"No, I don't think that's the reason..." Diana shifted her attention to her mud cake. "I think he just doesn't want to get hurt. Or to hurt you."
"Or because he has you." Selina bravely concluded. "Who will resist an ex-princess, ex-goddess?"
Diana laughed again. "Many did. And Bruce did." Then sparkling azure eyes smiled. "But who knows what the future holds?"
Sipping her espresso, Selina pondered Diana's words. "You're right. Who knows? You know..."
Brrttt...brrrrttt...brrrtttt... the sudden strange noise abruptly interrupted her words.
"My JLA communicator." Diana busily searched inside her bag. She usually didn't need her communicator, as her star earrings also functioned as communicators. Not to mention Martian Manhunter's ability to telepathically contact her.
"Bruce." Diana whispered. Selina raised her eyebrows. "Sorry, I have to take this." Diana pushed the talk button. And without pretense or moving away, she spoke, "Hi Bruce! Want to know about the candy?"
"I take it that you have finished your sessions then. Can you drop by to the Cave on the way home? I need to talk to you." His tone was Batman's – official, stoic, firm, and systematic. He never uses his playboy voice to Diana, anyway. Diana wouldn't buy it, and it would do him no good. However, there was a subtle difference that Diana noticed; he half- begged her to come down. To the Cave. The League business?... Ted Kord?...
"Can you give me fifteen minutes? I have to say goodbye to my companion, and pay the bill." Diana looked at Selina, who slowly nodded.
"Ten. I need you A.S.A.P. And say hi to Selina." Click –
"Batjerk!" Diana muttered, with a hint of amusement in her voice.
"Rude man!" Selina folded her hands in anger. "He could've said hello himself!"
"Perhaps that's what he will do, soon." Diana finished her cake quickly, and added, "...when I'm not here."
"I doubt that." Selina looked at Diana thoughtfully. "I have been in town for two days. He could've called me by now, if he wanted to."
Shrugging, Diana replied, "I don't know. As you said, he is not the easiest man to fall in love with." She signaled the waitress for the bill. "I'm sorry that I have to leave. Our conversation was getting interesting." She finished her latte.
"...'S-okay... it's him, anyway..." Selina sighed. Pamela arrived with the bill, smiling to both of them, especially to Diana who beamed back to her. Pam left Diana and Selina for a moment. A code of conduct – the visitors usually want to have a free space before ending their meal.
Diana pulled her wallet out of her bag, laying fifty dollars on top of the bill. A string of golden rope flop inside the bag. The lasso of truth, Selina noticed. The ex-goddess of truth had been so open to her in their first talk. Selina was unsure whether she liked it or not, but she decided to be more friendly. As friendly as she can be.
"Don't insult me, Diana. I can pay for my own meals. In fact..." Selina pushed Diana's money aside, replacing it with her credit card, "...it's my treat. It's my ex-town anyway," stressing on the 'ex', "...I can treat friends anytime I want."
"Are you sure? I asked you to come at the first place." When Selina insisted, she conceded. "Thanks a lot, then, Selina." It was the first time in the conversation that they had used each other's names.
"Consider it payment for your book," Selina tapped the Reflections.
Diana smiled gladly. "Call me when you are in New York. We don't have The Mythos there – yet – but Starbucks is only two blocks away from the Embassy."
"Starbucks will do." Selina smiled back.
Diana stood up and headed to the door. Selina called, "Oh, and Diana?"
"Yes?" The Amazon looked back.
"I'm not interested in Bruce now." Selina sat straight up, folding her hands. "And I can see now why he likes, perhaps loves, you. But one day, if I find myself falling for him again, I will not stop just because of you. Or the book. Or even the latte. So..." determined emerald eyes looked straight into the sincere azure eyes, "just beware. You have been warned."
"I know." Diana smiled, "And I shall accept the challenge." She resumed her walks. A moment later Selina caught a flash of red rising to the evening sky of Gotham. Diana always liked flying.
Selina Kyle allowed her body to slouch on the sofa. No ex-princess was there to see her anyway. She motioned for Pamela to take the credit card. She finished her pie while waiting for the waitress to return, then absent-mindedly scratched her signature on the bill.
Today had been an extraordinary day for her. Many things occurred unexpectedly following her visit to Diana's lecture. True, she had come there to see Diana in person. To see the other woman who used to have a story with Bruce Wayne. Or maybe, still did. Except that Diana was no ordinary 'other woman'.
Selina realized, oddly, that her grudge she held against Diana had abated over their conversation. Over the latte, espresso and chococino. Over the cake and the pie. She found that despite the Amazon's knowledge of her, Diana still respected her as a strong woman who fought for her survival. Who am I to judge? Diana's words still hung in the air. She knows my flaws, but still accepts me as I am.
"Damn ex-Princess!" Selina muttered to herself, but without hatred in her tone. After this afternoon, it would be hard for her to hate the Amazon.
Selina rose and walked to the exit. The spring evening coolness entered in as she opened the door. Leaving, she continued to walk down the street.
The sickle moon just rose in the Gotham evening sky.
FIN -
Author's note:
Phew! That's it! One whole day of pouring Diana and Selina into 17 pages, instead of doing my thesis. Plus the beta and proof reading. I'm screwed! Anyway. First of all: thanks for reading, and please review.
Next, the question is: Why Diana and Selina? Well, both of them are sexy, of course! Everyone knows that. One is Wonder Woman, the Spirit of Truth, the patron of heroine communities of the DC universe. On the other hand, Catwoman was a prostitute, loved (or still does?) to steal jewelleries, and is not picky with men. The opposite site of a spectrum, though not the extreme. But both of them have something in common: Bruce Wayne, the Batman.
So, for me it's interesting to explore their banter. Not only about Bruce (as if girls don't have anything else to talk but guys...), but also their background and life. I use Diana of Themyscira from the comic book, as she is way more developed than the animated version. By the same token, Selina Kyle is also from the comic. Though I didn't read many Catwoman issues, I read some of them, and also did some internet search. I just hope I did justice to Selina as I tried to do Diana. After all, Diana hopes for justice and peace and Selina is a classic example of a woman that struggles to find the meaning of her life. Both of them, in case you have not noticed by now, are daughters of the Moon. And Batman loves looking at the moon above the Gotham sky.