"I know the look.", Dick admitted. Considering he was the only one of the 'siblings' to truly know him the longest with a slight exception in Daphne and Sean. "I don't know if anyone would truly complain if you already went to her...".
"I'd rather not cause trouble by acting out line... it's so hard when she's so close...", Damien closed his eyes. Poppy rubbed his back, whispering to him, "Breathe and use meditation mentally.", and Damien nodded, remembering his father's words, grateful that Poppy said them for him, and breathed deeply, meditating mentally.
Melva replied, "Let's keep on!", and they went on, heading to the pillar gates where, with joy, Jason recognized his witty and beautiful soulmate, Artemis, as one of the guards, who calls, "I am Artemis, General of the Amazons! Who goes there?!".
Melva calls back, "Melva of the Amazons and her escort, surrounding the Wayne family our Princess Carrie brought from Man's World, including your intended soulmate, Jason Todd Isley-Quinn.", and Artemis widened her eyes in joy and long-awaited relief, and ordered for shift change, and to let the escort through.
One of the Amazons traded with Artemis as the escort came through the pillar gates, and some of the escort left to rest up their feet and bath up, while the boar-carrying Amazons followed Melva, as Artemis came to Jason who smiled, and spoke warmly, "General Artemis, this is my original mother, Penelope aka Poppy Jones-Wayne, my original father, Waylon Jones-Wayne, and my original brothers, Richard Grayson, Timothy Drake, Damian Wayne. And this is my recent twin siblings, Sean and Daphne. Everyone, I'd like you all to greet the incredible general of the Amazons, Artemis herself, and the woman I love.", as it clicked for him the moment when he realized that this wasn't a dream, but reality, and he's with her forever.
Artemis looked at him in surprise as she hadn't expected the last part, and he nodded with a smile, telling her the truth in his eyes, and her heart pounded as she smiled so happily, and looked at the family, "Welcome to Themyscira.".
"Thank you for welcoming us.", Jason bowed. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Artemis.", Poppy smiled as Artemis chuckled, "Thank you. The word Carrie and her family has told as well as Jason about you specifically is quite interesting; your form changing into a She-Hulk, you could be quite a challenge for even myself.".
Poppy quickly understood how strength and fighting was quite a core tenant of Artemis' being. Poppy nodded, "Of course, it'd be interesting for anyone to know, but my powers for strength and fighting is a family secret, and I'd rather protect my family than let any of the world know too much.".
Artemis smiled warmly, "I'd be honored to duel with you one day out of friendly terms. The Amazons would be perhaps awe-inspired.", and Poppy chuckled warmly, "I can certainly agree to that one day. No wonder why Jason is in love with you, he and you have a lot in common.".
Artemis blushed softly, glancing at Jason, smiling back at her, as she was quite impressed with Jason. Jason certainly was making sure not to break the trust that they had built amongst each other. He was much looser and freer with himself when they shared their dreams, but here...
Of course, she understood because of the other Amazons around them, as they walked on, seeing the Amazons watching with wide, amazed eyes, with others running ahead and spreading the word. Artemis can't wait to get Jason alone sooner or later, after the queen sees and meets them. Jason is truly going to get a really good reward after this.
Perhaps about halfway through the city, as they got closer to the palace, an excited call came, "Tim!", and they looked up to see a woman running down the steps of a grand library, and Tim smiled widely, "Alexa!", stepping forward a bit, opening his arms, and laughed as Alexa ran into him, embracing him in a hug.
It almost felt unreal for Tim at moments, being able to hold Alexa's hand; it's not being a dream; this was for real. He could see the joy and warmth from Poppy and Waylon; and he was sure he'd see the same reactions from his mothers in Pamela and Harley.
Alexa glanced at Artemis and Komi with a smile as they realized that they are almost complete, and they are excited and wondering of Diana's reaction.
Soon, Malva and the boar-bearing pair of Amazons went to the servant side of the palace, while Artemis guided the family into the grand throne room, with Carrie telling her in an understood signal that she will do the introductions as it was her who brought the family from Man's World, and Artemis nodded.
Artemis, Alexa, Komi, Kori, Tessa went to the sides, as Carrie led the family closer, and stood, waiting before a unseen signal was there, and all the Amazons and the Amazon-raised girls kneeled and bowed with salutes, with the family immediately kneeling, seeing now the first sight of a great and graceful queen from the side of the throne landing, and a princess following behind.
The family all froze up a bit, trying to make sure not to make even the slightest mistake in order to keep a good first impression. Carrie almost wanted to chuckle, seeing them, knowing her adoptive mother well enough that she wasn't so overtly strict with protocols. So long as none of them did anything truly outrageous, they would be fine.
Damien was extremely aggressive mentally, fighting back his panther instincts as his eyes never left Diana the moment she came in, and his hormones were gratefully behaving yet he somehow saw her as more beautiful than ever before, more alluring and perfect, seeing the panther's hint of grace in her steps.
Diana felt her panther deep inside stirring in her, recognizing Damien's scent, and she knew she was being observed, yet one of those people was observing her more, and she canvassed over the family before her heart pounded when a pair of familiar, intense, and somehow more alluring bicolored eyes locked with her sky-blue eyes, and her breath caught as her eyes widened, seeing his aged-up body in fine clothes and a few glimpsed bandages.
She immediately wanted to go to him, to check if he's hurt, and to realize that he's really here, but she knew she had to stay by her mother as she sat on the throne chair, and signaled Carrie, "Rise, Princess Carrie, I trust everything went well with the journey from Greece?".
Carrie stood up, nodding, "Yes, Queen Mother, it has gone wonderfully well, as it seemed that Poseidon was in a good mood. I introduce you to my birth original family. My father, Waylon Jones-Wayne. My mom, Penelope 'Poppy' Jones-Wayne. Both husband and wife, equal partners in fighting for the innocent as guardians of their home, Gotham City. My siblings in order, Richard Grayson, Jason Todd, Timothy Drake, Sean and Daphne Jones-Wayne, and Damien Wayne.".
Hippolyta raised an eyebrow as Carrie explained, "Mostly, the walk to the city went well, as we were met by Melva and her patrol, with me reuniting with Princess Kori, and with Richard officially reuniting with his intended soulmate in Princess Komi, and perhaps around halfway in the walk, there came a detour by a call for help. It was Princess Tessa in trouble.".
Diana widened her eyes in horror and worry, "What?!", running in a flash to Tessa, "Let me see you!", looking over her, fussing, "What happened on your first solo hunt?! Are you okay?", as Tessa blushed, "Mother!", enjoying the attention, but at the same time, she was embarrassed, "I'm fine! Just got scruffy by some grass and all. I'm not hurt, thanks to Damien!".
"She just had some mistakes when it came to hunting a boar that got the advantage on her as she lost her weapons to properly hunt it. She was close enough to us though that when she screamed for help, I was able to reach her... and at the same time; I don't know why exactly, I matured very quickly between first turning into the panther and reverting to human.", Damien explained.
Kori replied, "It was an intense fight as I grabbed Tessa from her precarious position in the tree she managed to climb, with that boar so aggressive, ramming the tree so much.".
"Yeah, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that boar fighting a huge panther when I didn't know it was him until he got back to human! He was incredible, Mother! And he won! The slayed boar is being currently being cut up and all down in the smokers and kitchens for dinner and all.", Tessa replied, nodding with a grin, as all the shock and the fear was long gone before they got into the city.
Diana looked to Damien as he gave a small smile, "I just did whatever it would take to save her, got myself scratched up fairly bad in the fight... it'll scar but what else is new with me? I got grazed in the ear with a bullet when I was younger after all.".
Diana felt her panther instincts reacting to the sound of extra scars, really liking the fact that her future mate is showing that he can fight as she was earlier impressed of Damien when he told her that story back in their dream walking some time ago.
Damien saw the slight increase in Diana's scent as he mentally roared at his panther instincts again to stay patient, and Diana can see the tension and intensity, having come to know Damien's expressions well, and glanced at her mother, "Tessa is intact, mother.".
Hippolyta smiled warmly while she's not blind to her daughter's anxiety, proceeding a bit quicker to be satisfied of her own worries, "That's good. And for a man to do that for an Amazon trainee, let alone my granddaughter, I'm pleased to see that Carrie's stories in recounting her time with Menalippe was indeed true. Princess Komi, daughter, step forward with your intended soulmate.".
Komi stepped forward, smiling at Dick reassuringly as she grasped his hand, leading him on a bit further, and Hippolyta spoke, "You are Richard Grayson, and you truly love my daughter?".
"More than life, your highness. I always thought I was to be alone without someone to be by my side, even if I wasn't alone with my family, it wasn't the same. I'm very proud of her redeeming herself with her choices of recent years, and how she learned from the past, and is becoming an amazing woman in my eyes, a woman I truly can support and love for years to come.", Dick spoke warmly and firmly as Komi blushed with a smile, with tears in her eyes.
Hippolyta nodded, "I can see the truth in your eyes. You may step to the side now.", and they bowed their heads, walking to the side, and Hippolyta spoke, "General Artemis, I am certainly happy for you, as it has been centuries of seeing you protect this city and our people, and at times, I was certainly concerned for you, even if you were happy with our sisters and all, you seemed lonely, even when you were devoted to training. I will not push you to say if you are yet in love, but I must ask this, do you trust Jason Todd?".
"After many days, yes, Jason has earned my trust beyond my expectations, and I'm pleased to say that his family is trustworthy, from his stories and all. I really believe that he's my intended soulmate for I'm falling in love with him, and be reassured, my queen, I made sure that he's not reincarnated or a descendant of that Jason of the Argonauts, for my Jason is entirely different and honorable, next to being reincarnated from his first birth of Poppy Wayne's lineage.", Artemis spoke.
"Not that I would truly know if I was indeed a reincarnation of Jason; and I'm fairly certain Greek is not in my genealogy.", Jason quickly added.
Hippolyta nodded, "You would know if you knew...Very well, as I want Artemis to be happy, and as she said that you earned her trust, I approve it then. Go join her, Jason Todd.".
Jason bowed, and headed to Artemis, smiling, holding her hand, as Hippolyta replied, "Alexa, you are one of the most revered librarians of the city, and one of the smartest women of all the Amazons. You have told me that you are already being best friends with Timothy Drake, yes?".
Alexa smiled, glancing at Tim who smiled, and she nodded, "Yes, my queen. We are learning more about each other, and I can say that I'm falling in love with him as he's an intelligent, well-read, and humble man, almost like me, yet different in a few ways in a sense of equality, seeing him as a soulmate I can be with in years ahead.".
"Very acute of you, Alexa. I can see the fondness between you two.", Hippolyta smiled, "You may join Alexa, Timothy Drake.", and Tim bowed, heading to Alexa, taking her hand in a hold and a squeeze.
Hippolyta replied, "And I will not pressure you, daughter, of Damien Wayne, as this is a great development, as he had earned my respect in saving my granddaughter, and how you have told me about him. I really believe this was of Hera's work in giving your soulmate a better advantage if you were right when you told me of Hera's words the other day. I trust you will talk with him in an adequate setting about it.", nodding at Diana who smiled gratefully, anxious and eager to get Damien out, and manage to talk to him before things get intense.
"And as for all the family, I will allow one week for them to be here temporarily, and I will be honored to host the family with guest bedrooms and royal meals, but they must depart before the sun sets on the end of the week. I apologize if this seems short, but I can't acclimate my people to the sight of men too long. I do not know if you intend to stay in Greece if I am to allow at least two weeks alternatively per month, or a month if per season or year if you stay in America.", Hippolyta spoke seriously.
Poppy spoke, "We have come to know your caution with Man's World, Queen Hippolyta, and we understand your terms. We haven't decided on the final matter as you say but thank you for giving us temporary stay.", with a bow.
Hippolyta smiled, "Well said, Penelope Wayne.", before standing up with an exhale, "Now, with all that formality out, you may all now leave to your desires and wishes. Are you willing to join me and Tessa for lunch, Poppy, with your husband and your twins?", as everyone else swiftly departed.
Poppy smiled, "We would be honored, your majesty.", and Hippolyta smiled, "Please call me Hippolyta.", departing the throne stairs to join the now small family.
Diana kissed and hugged Tessa goodbye before calling for a lunch basket, and took Damien to the stables, "You probably want to chase and initiate to claim me right now, but let's say that the Amazons would be shocked and wary if they saw two panthers in the city, but good thing that I know a shortcut if we take Calista and Willow out...How are you holding up?".
"Still trying to wrap my head around it all; hearing about it from Mama; well, my original mother, I'm still fairly close with the mother that birthed me, Selina...", Damien chuckled. "But hearing Mama's spurt; maybe it's not as world shaking as it was for her since she went from a girl to a woman, where I was barely on the cusp of adulthood already. I honestly don't feel too much different nor look it. Obviously, heights are a bit of a work, but it was only an extra inch or two; not even too noticeable."
Diana nodded, "Indeed, you look taller, but it's the mature look I really like. You look like 25, Damien...", and Damien looked at her with a small smile, "Really?".
"Really. Oh, sure, there's still a hint of teenage personality, but that should be enough for anyone back in Gotham to figure that maybe the Greek sun and having a vacation in Greece helped mature you out, does that make sense?", Diana smiled.
Damien's smile grew, "That is brilliant thinking there, Diana...But I don't want to think about the deadline of the terms your mother gave...I want to be with you...", and Diana exhaled, "How bad?".
"Diana, that scent of yours, and being in your presence, I suppose the word I'm looking for is unbearable. My instincts of my panther is prowling in a cage.", Damien exhaled, and Diana nodded, "Then let's not keep waiting.", finally swinging into the saddle upon Calista.
Damien swung into the saddle upon Willow, and urged her, as Diana thanked a servant, taking up the saddle-made lunch basket over the back of Calista, and cantered through Diana's shortcut, away from the side of the city, into a beach for a couple minutes, and up a trail into the thick forests of the island, making it to a quiet river.