[09th November 2010]
[Harrogate International Centre, Harrogate, North Yorkshire]
Princess Diana of Themsycira was somewhat tired, and also rather glad the glass of wine she had ordered tasted rather nice unlike many vintages here in Man's World. Unlike her home they almost never seemed to quite get it right in her opinion she thought relaxing for a brief moment as Giovanni Zatara came to sit beside here. Dressed in a suit that said 'business wear' unlike than the standard tuxedo and top had he seemed to favour the majority of the time with the League. While it was a less apparent change that her own donning similar instead of her more comfortable armour it had helped them attract at least a little less attention here amidst this...impromptu magical conclave of sorts.
Such an assembly of magical folk had not been seen in these lands in centuries, with first the 'Great Casting' or 'Upheaval' a mere few days ago. And now the governments of these islands had called all those involved together once again to discuss and plan laws, training, and stratagems for the future. It had both enlightening, and mildly concerning, to observe as such over the course of the day and she regretted now not contacting her mother for a skilled sorceress or two to come aid her in understanding these magical talks further. Or merely to show that Themsycira existed perhaps and offset the lack of their Gods coming to the aid in the crisis as those of others had so done.
"Diana, my apologies on tardiness I became delayed discussing some matters with a few of the local practitioners. That and I must admit... it is so rare to have a chance to discuss matters with others involved in the Art that it has proven rather easy to lose track of time discussing such matters. Oh perhaps it would be best to...please but a moment..." Giovanni said to her as he took his seat, drawing his wand and speaking softly words of his magic and gesturing around the private booth they sat at. She gave no objection to what was basically 'Let none understand us within the space without our permission' as best she could listening to him speak. From what she'd seen they would not be the only ones here to do such; one or two tables over the course of the day proving impossible for her to truly observe and understand as she passed them.
"It is fine Giovanni; it would be useful to be able to talk freely for a little while. Though I will warn Aquaman's Queen will likely soon join us, and hopefully my old friend Kent too. At least he plans to he said to earlier when he and the spirit Nabu are finished in their meetings with government officials"
"Did you have any success with him perhaps renewing his role with the League?"
Diana shook her head "No, sadly not. Kent is still determined to remain retired from such things, and while Doctor Fate will become active again...It is the fact that he is being offered the chance to gain a replacement through this SHIELD, and to shape the laws on magic that it will help in creating, that he favours remaining on the course he has planned. He is happy to aid us if such a crisis occurs again, but not as an active member I'm afraid"
It had been something of a blow to have her old comrade in arms say as such, but it was understandable as the Justice League would be unable to find the Lord of Order Nabu a new host, nor provide students as were being assembled here in surprising number. Though, in some ways, it was perhaps best to have the likes of Kent within the fold of this new organisation as a trusted friend and old comrade. If there were any dangers there then he would work to undo them, or at least to strengthen faith in the Justice League and ensure that this SHIELD would work with the League rather against them. While she felt Bruce was being...well, Bruce...to a large degree the last thing the world needed was a meta-human or wizardly arms race between the various nations of the world.
"Ahh, to be expected I suppose...and the other matter you were concerned upon Diana?"
"The girl is well, and within these lands she is under little threat while under the protection of these governments, let alone with the support of an old god of these lands..." Diana answered truthfully giving a sad smile. Cassandra Sandsmark and her mother were safe as they could be, and while she perhaps should be bothered by the attitude of young Fortune and his mentor...unfortunately every Amazon knew that Hera unfortunately could easily react so "...so I can offer up little objection to this offer of schooling her in the magical arts with young Fortune, and attending schools over here till she is old enough; or to be more accurate, across the sea in Ireland. I myself shall aid in teaching her the martial aspects of her heritage I expect, and I would like you to aid in her teaching if you could. Or perhaps allow Zatanna to attend her from time to time..."
"And Constantine's involvement?"
Diana resisted sighing at the grumble barely hidden within her comrade's tone. She could agree with the view of the named man, but it was hardly ideal to react to him so "Will be kept to a minimum, just young Fortune, and his own apprentice, for the moment. Young Cassandra is but a child still, and will be learning only the most basic of things for the foreseeable future...so have little fear there Giovanni. In fact if I am to judge correctly the girl will have many classmates of varying age in the coming years if what I have seen today is any true showing of what is planned"
Zatara nodded, taking a sip of his own drink before speaking with a weary sigh "And it's not just local born mage-born children Diana...Amanda Waller is here, not hiding exactly but she and her aides are not exactly publishing their appearance either. From what I've seen one or two of the children from...less than supportive families let us call them...wish to stay here rather than return to said families. What's more, after what has happened...sigh...I cannot see any better approach than what is being done in the here and now for to see to the children's best interest"
Diana watched as he gave an amused chuckled suddenly "Indeed, my own daughter has been a nuisance to contain on the mater"
"You brought her to this gathering? I can understand..."
"Hah! Bring her, she would have snuck here regardless I expect with such an opportunity as this. Every serious magician who can be here is here, or at least will be over the next three days that it is occurring, and wishes to give their opinions on the fact magic has been brought fully into the public eye. And that legislation will be drawn up here based on it, or even the fact that employment could be in the works. Hmph...No, my little Zatanna would be impossible to keep away and at least in my company for most of the day she can be kept out of trouble somewhat"
Diana smiled at that, Donna was being a little similar in attitude today she'd found "And where is she now?"
"I suspect she has found your own sidekick by now, though I left her in the company of young Artemis and I expect they have met up with Aqualad and Fortune despite my requests that she not and go to bed early" he muttered causing Diana to chuckle softly at his very mild misfortune of having a child be at that somewhat rebellious stage.
"She is at that age my friend, but I would not worry as I find she has a wise head on her shoulders thanks to your teachings. You did agree to allow her on the Team, though, we even the format they have worked under so far will have to change after these things. Hard for them to secret when their faces appeared all over dozens of news channels"
"I'm sure Batman will have some suggestions to make when we return on the matter. Honestly, the League itself will need to expand its roster as we've been discussing to reassure people that everything is okay. I've seen Icon and his apprentice here talking to young Fortune for instance...we might need to induct new members rapidly even if just to forestall national governments having a feeding frenzy trying to recruit their own meta-human soldiers and police" Giovanni answered and she nodded in some degree of agreement.
Bruce had said as much to her before she'd left, that and he was busy as there had been another severe upswing in gang violence within Gotham. Well that, and a bizarre number of robberies of pet stores and aquariums for some unknown reason; as per usual that's what had ramped up her teammate's paranoia rather than the 'expected increase' infighting between the criminals within his city. Bruce was odd like that Diana found, usually in a mixture of amusement and exasperation at it.
Of course, the recent revelations had placed that nature into high gear once again, though he seemed to alternate being critical of League's methods and concerns of a magical/meta-human arms race rather than just concern over young Fortune's presence amongst the Team till now. Something he would likely have little interest in rejoining now as best she could tell; all while it seemed Green Arrow's apprentice looked possible to depart as well, with perhaps Superboy to join them not long after?
"Yes expanding our ranks in the wake of this is vital. We've been complacent, and Batman is correct in that our membership is perhaps too American heavy in nature and for the need to work with this new SHIELD organisation. Or at least rebuild theirs, and the publics, trust in us once again. Though I will admit a few more of those of my own gender would not be remiss either, both myself and Shayera can agree on that"
"Heh heh, I am not the one to ask Diana, that is more yourself, Batman and Superman after all. And my lovely little Zatanna is far too young to take up such a responsibility I might add. But yes, we will have changes to make when all of this has concluded I imagine...though..." Giovanni paused looking around at the crowd milling around the bar at this hour of the night. Some in business wear like themselves, but a few in what could be classed as more 'traditional' wizarding wear "...I will say there is the attempt to be an international organisation here, the United Kingdom and Ireland of course, but there is the US delegation, and several more European mages present. Even one or two dressed in attire that would place them as of the Islamic creed I believe. Oh, and of course Aquaman and his Queen's delegation"
He glanced at her in question "Mera is rather pregnant and Aquaman..." Dianna gave an amused smile "...was being overly protective I've heard and was banished by her to attempt form more formal relations between these two surface nations and Atlantis rather than..."
Giovanni chuckled himself at the mental image "Hover over every moment and preventing her from talking over the interesting minutiae of casting that can be discussed with all those that have been assembled here. As I said; it is rather distracting for one interested in the arcane to be here amongst so many others and if I were here I'd find such concern...sweet perhaps?...but really annoying. Mostly annoying truly"
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