Post by Wonder Woman on Oct 3, 2012 22:11:03 GMT -5
Wonder Woman: Smallville, Kansas - The weather was beginning to turn cold, and with the coming fall, the Kent family farm was without its biggest asset. Clark Kent, aka Superman, had been arrested, though his secret identity remained intact. During the crisis that followed, Diana, aka Wonder Woman, had fled to the Kent farm, feeling an attachment to Martha, and a lesser extent Jonothan. She had stayed on after Clark's arrest and Jonothan's heart attack, helping with the animals and crops. It was late in the evening, Martha was in Metropolis at the hospital, taking care of Jonothan, leaving the Amazon alone on the farm. Her phone went off, again; Lois, again. She didn't answer it. Again. She shook her head, having no desire to talk to Lois. She pressed the decline button and went back to the bailer, wrapping twine around the big round bales and stacking them up in the barn.
Lois Lane: Business as usual, that’s what it was, that is what Lois Lane had to act like though her nights were plagued by nightmares or sleepless all together. She listened to the voicemail as it picked up, again, the same damn tone, the same damn response each time she called. ‘Get the hint.’ Lois told herself as she snapped her phone closed, not bothering to leave a message, she’d left a dozen already full of “call me, this is important”. Reaching up she rubbed her hands over her face, glancing at the empty desk of one Clark Kent that was beside her own and felt her gut twist, the feeling quickly being taken over by white hot anger. “Lane, you’ve got that story for me?” Perry called as he stomped passed her closed office door, his booming voice vibrating the glass in the window. Lois turned her eyes to the blank word document on the computer screen, the cursor blinking tauntingly. “Yeah.” She said in
answer as she sat straight in her chair. “I’ve got a goddamn story for you.” Reaching out to the keyboard Lois typed the title of the story one slow key at a time, and with purpose. “The Woman Behind the Hero; Wonder Woman Revealed.” If you won’t answer my calls, let’s see how you’ll answer to this.” Lois said darkly as she began to type.
Wonder Woman: She growled, hours having passed. She had gone in, showered and had some of "Aunt Martha's" apple crumble. The prevailing story was that she was Clark's blood sister, they looked enough alike for it to fly as a good enough story, and she had come to find out who had raised her older brother. It was sappy, but Martha seemed to like the idea, and if it made her happy Diana was more than willing to play along. Besides, she had been trying,
unsuccessfully, to think of Clark as a brother for months. His on again off again relationship with his co-worker, Lois Lane, had side lined the budding romance which was, in retrospect, the worst idea Diana had ever had. They were teammates; they weren't even the same species! She was munching on the tart/sweet dessert, watching the little television Martha had on the counter of the kitchen to watch cooking shows. GNN was running their 24 hour Superman Crisis watch; going on non stop about the capture of Superman, interviews with Lex Luthor, Starr Labratories and evasive assumptions about the identity of Superman, and the where abouts of the league. Batman had been active in Gotham; the Green Lantern
was suspected in saving an air force test pilot from certain death. Diana had a private smile when they mentioned an unnamed hero had saved a fishing troller from capsizing in the Atlantic, knowing that was Orin. Saving humans, she thought to herself. The topic turned to her and she was tempted to turn it off. So far she had heard how she dressed like a prostitute, was a "no good Feminist" and "Should get back in the kitchen;" some commentators were kinder to her, "looking past her clothing" to the good words, as if her armour was a matter of fashion? But this was different. "The Daily Planet, Metropolis' number one news paper, claims that their intrepid investigative reporter has uncovered the true identity of Wonder Woman! The paper is at press at the moment, and as of yet they're keeping the story to their chest..." The television exploded as the remaining apple crisp went straight threw it, through the window and into the barn. "Lois!" she growled, vibrating with anger. She looked around, it was Smallville, not Gotham; she could leave Ma's kitchen with a patched cardboard window so the chickens, pidgeons and bugs didn't get into the house, and go. She had gone too far. Sure, there was jealousy; it went both ways. Lois was not Lana; her and Diana were not "sisters," at least not in the sense that they got along. But this was too far. Bitter anger swelled within her
as she took to the air, full speed ahead to Metropolis.
Lois Lane: Perry sat down hard in his chair at his desk, hands clenching the first paper, still hot, ink still wet in his hands at the front page story that stared back at him. The shrilling ringing of phones were heard between shouts of excitement, celebrations between co-workers, after all the sales were going to skyrocket, as if Lois hadn’t already done enough for the paper she uncovered a Super Hero. Jimmy leaned back against the wall of Perry’s office, mouth pulled down in a scowl as he stared at the back of the raven haired reporter; clearly he didn’t approve. “Sources?” Perry asked Lois, his mouth dry, he groped around blindly on his desk, not looking from the paper for his glass of water. “My own.” She stood there, stiff, shoulders squared, chin held high. What did she care? It was the story that mattered, the truth that mattered, and she told the truth, to the entire world. The sickening ball of guilt that rolled around in her stomach asked what would Clark think? But she viciously battled it down, he was in prison, he was locked away and that woman…Perry interrupted her thoughts. “This is…this is big. This is huge Lane.” Jimmy scoffed behind Lois. “It’s…something all right.” Glancing back over her shoulder at the boy she flicked her blue eyes back to her boss. “Chief, I’m taking the rest of the day.’ She didn’t wait for an answer, she didn’t have to, turning she strode from the office, scooping up her purse and blazer from her own office and avoided looking at Clark’s desk as she moved to the elevators through the sea of “Congratulations!” and “Way to go, Lane!”. Her phone hadn’t rang yet, the one person she hoped to impact, she expected still hadn’t called. The drive home was full of mixed emotions, she wanted a cigarette, she wanted things to be different, and she settled on her anger. Parking she slid from her car, grabbed her keys and moved inside of her apartment.-e-
Wonder Woman: "Letting yourself in" to a 13th story appartment building might not be the easiest thing, unless of course you can fly and are one of the strongest beings on the planet. The window was easy enough to unhinge. She hadn't shattered the glass; it would be loud and messy, and despite popular believe, Wonder Woman bled quite easily when it came to pointy things so she tended to stay away from them. She still wore her farm worn, dirt covered street clothes. She walked through the apartment, her eye catching on a photograph of the happy couple. She raised an eyebrow and let out a long, slow breath. No, she thought to herself. This isn't about jealous. This cannot be about jealousy, at least not on your end. She turned the picture down and took a seat on the couch, waiting for Lois to come home. The answering machine clicked on once. "Lois, what on Earth were you thinking?" the rough voice
of Bruce Wayne played. She rolled her eyes. Her respect for the billionaire playboy by day, masked adventurer by night was just slightly higher than Queen, another member of the money club. Another deep breath. She had to be calm. She didn't need enhanced hearing to hear the key slip into the lock, the tumbler turn and the door open and then shut. Deep breath, she reminded herself. First instinct was to go for blood. In the wake of her "outting," she had
been fired from the University, warrants were issued for her arrest and she was subsequently named "Ambassador for Themyscira," how she didn't even know. Her mother had some powerful "friends," and she wasn't entirely confident this wouldn't mean a favour owed to a man who fancied himself her father. Clear your mind, she thought. Just find out... what she was thinking. Why... She tried convincing herself all she wanted to know was "why," but really, the Amazon wanted a fight. She was angry, enraged, and ready to tear the human apart, Clark be damned.
Lois Lane: Coming home to find someone in her apartment was not exactly an unusual event, Lois had long since gotten over most of the fears in her life, save a few that were personal and never outwardly shown. As she closed the door behind her, she let her blazer drop to the floor and her eyes automatically searched for the picture, the one she had looked at everyday, the one that gave her just a little more strength. As her eyes found it, turned down, her jaw muscles clenched, contracting hard enough to make the movement seen, the twitch of it shown in her cheek. So that’s how it was. It didn’t take someone with super hearing, to know that her heartbeat accelerated in her chest as adrenaline was forced through her system, making her edgy, making her face flush as Lois forced herself to take in a deep breath through her nose. It would have been usual for her to toss her clothes wherever, kick off her heels and grab something to drink, but being considerably shorter than the woman in her apartment she opted to leave the heels on as she strode to the kitchen. “B&E. An impressive talent I didn’t know you possessed Diana.” Sarcasm laced her voice, she needed it to, to cover up the rage as she grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge nonchalantly, and purposefully treated the woman with the same amount of respect she’d treat anyone who had broken into her home. None.
Wonder Woman: "I would have thought your sources would have told you," she said, standing up. Lois could push Clark around but Diana wasn't a love struck puppy so much as she was a bull on the verge of losing control. "You crossed a line," she said, her shoulders squaring, her muscles tensing under the loose clothing. "You were trusted with our identities, in spite of some of us thinking better of the idea, because Kal said we could trust you," she said, her eyes burning holes in the back of Lois' head while she turned her back to the Amazon. The lack of respect was enraging. Deep breath, Princess, she told herself. Deep breaths, in and out. She took a slow, deep breath. "I know you're hurt by what is going on, but lashing out at me does nothing to bring him home," her voice was stern and cold.
Lois Lane: Taking a drink of water she turned, leaned against the kitchen counter and met the Amazon’s furious stare head on, her own blue eyes spitting fury and fire though her face remained passive, Lois didn’t bother telling herself to calm down, she’d already calmed as much as she was going to and wasn’t exactly known for holding back much of her temper anyway. Lois Lane didn’t respect people because they were held in a higher esteem by someone else, she did not give respect to Superman’s ally’s just because of who they were, and she sure as hell didn’t give a rats ass about the Amazon Princess’ status in the world. Titles be damned. She knew there would be digs at the breaking of her trust, she could deal with that, she could admit to it freely, she knew there were going to be consequences, and she even knew she might lose Clark…Pushing the thought from her mind Lois simply shrugged a shoulder, picked what she wanted to answer, and answer she did. “Lashing out?” The shrug came to an abrupt halt as her eyes flashed dangerously. “Has your jealousy turned you into a complete idiot?” Dangerous grounds, she knew she was crossing into them, she knew and she didn’t care.
Wonder Woman: Jealousy? Diana's jaw set and her eyes narrowed. "Jealousy? I'm not the one who just ruined someone else for the sake of a trinket and readership!" Diana found herself on the brink of losing her grip on the rage deep within her. She was her Mother's child, and her Mother was a devotee of Ares, among other Olympians, and the God of Chaos' lover. "This was because why? You were afraid you'd lose Kal?" Her voice was bitter and strong, a venom barely hidden as she spoke. "He's always been your's," she shook her head. "But the Gods only know why. You sell out someone for the sake of a story!" She began to shout, her eyes flashing with anger and hatred, before she found herself teetering... She dialed back and shook her head, turning her back on the reporter. "I worry for the Patriarch's world...”
Lois Lane: “Ruined? Princess, tell me, are you really ruined? What have you lost other than a job you don’t need? Are you getting arrested? Do I see you in handcuffs being dragged away to god knows where?” It didn’t take time for her own voice to jump up in volume, the reporter was pushed to the side and the woman of Lois Lane shined strongly, raw and bitter towards the Justice League, towards the Amazon that stood in front of her. Kal, Diana called him, Kal-el, she knew the name, she knew it was his name but hearing that woman say it, say it in the tone that she was pushed her further into rage. “Do you think he belongs to me?” She spat the words at Diana, she wasn’t blind, she wasn’t deaf, she knew his responsibilities. “Superman belongs to the world, and you’re right, I also worry for this World where the one person that should stand up in his absence, make a stand is hiding, cowering under the guise of helping someone because you’re too weak to stand up and take charge.” As Diana turned, Lois flung the words at the Amazon’s back, took a step forward, her heel clicking on the kitchen floor. No, Lois wasn’t afraid of anything, she’d stand up to anyone, even to those greater than herself.-e-
Wonder Woman: Diana glowered. “How dare you!” she wheeled around, her dark hair flying around her face. Diana wished to throttle Lois to within an inch of her life. There was no room for egos here though, and while Diana might never admit it, Lois was right. No one had the powers Superman had, the strength, the ability to endure, but Diana’s strength and will were a second best. Her eyes narrowed and she turned again, her back to Lois for a final time. “The end doesn’t justify the means,” she said in parting. She shook her head and exited through the window the same way she entered the apartment. She climbed into the air, finally letting it register. Bitter tears began to flood her eyes as her mouth pulled into a tight line. Lois was right... Diana was acting like a coward, a child... She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She perched on the top of the Daily Planet globe, watching the sun rise over the city as the night drifted by into day, hours having passed since they had spoken. She pulled out her cell phone; she had turned it off for the number of calls were driving her nuts. She dialed Lois’ number. “Set up a press conference,” was all she said before hanging up. <e>
Lois Lane: When Diana turned to face her, Lois watched her, blue eyes still furious but she stayed silent, it was clear she had struck home, and struck hard. Unusually so she let the Amazon have the last word didn’t move or speak as she left the same way, and simply stood, staring at the spot the woman had been standing it. The feel of the cold water running down her hand from the water bottle she had crushed in her grip stirred her from her thoughts as she raised her left hand, pushing her fingers through her dark hair slowly and breathed deeply. Was it justified? Did she do the right thing? There was no point in thinking about that now, what was done was done, there were no take backs. Slowly Lois set down the crushed bottle and moved to the table in the living room, setting the picture of her and Clark upright before breathing deeply again. Tomorrow was going to be a long day. The night was just as sleepless as the last, and she walked into the Daily Planet before the lights were even turned on. The floor was quiet, empty nearly disturbingly so and Lois moved into the office she shared with her partner, and sat down in her chair. Propping her legs up on her desk she leaned back and looked out of the window, watching the sun rise. When her phone rang, Lois reached over, picked it up and listened. “Set up a press conference.” The woman said and Lois dropped the phone back down on the receiver, standing she moved to Perry’s office and spoke to him about doing just that. -e-
Wonder Woman: Diana appeared at the base of the Daily Planet building wearing the clothes of a diplomat, not a warrior, not Wonder Woman. She was representing Themyscira, and as such, she dressed the part. While some might have suggested a gimmick, a toga or chiton, but Diana wore a black suit with a dark blue shirt and black high heel shoes, her hair loose around her face, only the diadem on her forehead and the glint of silver peeking out from under the cuffs of her jacket. She had no make up on, she had no need, but the hum of the cameras and the din of the growing crowd was making her nervous. Deep breaths, Princess, she thought to herself. She hadn’t seen Ms Lane yet, for that she was happy. Hopefully the brazen woman would keep her distance; Diana had no desire to be in any contact with her what so ever. She was given the signal that it was time for her to speak. “Thank you all for coming,” she started, her eyes scanning the crowd. There were internet, print and television representatives everywhere, at least a hundred people in the small courtyard in front of the building. “By now everyone knows who I am,” her voice was clear, even without a microphone. “I am Wonder Woman, Diana, Princess and Ambassador of Themyscira.” She took a moment. “I am here today to stand up; to advocate for Justice.” She recounted the events of Superman’s arrest, leaving out the details of where she was, and what she had been doing since then. “It has come to my attention that the Patriarch’s world needs heroes, heroes with faces, that they can trust; Superman was such a Hero. It hasn’t done him any good,” her eyes rested on the crowd as she spoke. “My Mother, Queen Hippolyta of Themyscira, has given me a gift and a challenge; my title as Ambassador will save me from his fate, but not from his challenge,” she went into a description of her duties, to bring the Amazon ideals of equality, justice and peace to the Patriarch’s world. When she was finished, after 30 minutes of speaking, with no voices clamouring to be heard over the namplified Amazon, no interruptions from the crowd, she nodded. “Thank you,” she said, stepping down from the podium. The crowd erupted into questions as she walked away calmly. <e>
Lois Lane: Lois sat on the edge of Perry’s desk, hair down around her shoulders, wearing jeans and a blouse, her eyes tired and her head pounding as she spoke to him, explained to him that Diana wanted a press conference, that since her outing she wanted to address everyone. “Maybe you work better without Kent, Lane.” Perry commented, though joking he could see her face. “He goes on leave to take care of his family, and you bring me the secret identity of a super hero.” He rapped his knuckles on the morning paper on his desk, grinned as he leaned back in his desk. It was a compliment, she took it that way. “Thanks Chief, I consider myself lucky. Chasing down stories is far better than milking cows in Smallville.” The knock-knock on the window to Perry’s office made her heart leap into her throat, as she turned quickly to look over her shoulder. “Su-” She started as she stood, then her eyes landed on someone else entirely. “Does no one know how to use the door?” Perry threw up his hands as Lois moved to the window, opening it to the waving man. “Ah, can I help you?” She wracked her tired brain for a name, he was familiar, when he asked his question she glanced down to where the press were gathering, she didn’t want to go anyway. It’d be all over the television. “Sure.” She looked back to him.-e-
Lois Lane: Business as usual, that’s what it was, that is what Lois Lane had to act like though her nights were plagued by nightmares or sleepless all together. She listened to the voicemail as it picked up, again, the same damn tone, the same damn response each time she called. ‘Get the hint.’ Lois told herself as she snapped her phone closed, not bothering to leave a message, she’d left a dozen already full of “call me, this is important”. Reaching up she rubbed her hands over her face, glancing at the empty desk of one Clark Kent that was beside her own and felt her gut twist, the feeling quickly being taken over by white hot anger. “Lane, you’ve got that story for me?” Perry called as he stomped passed her closed office door, his booming voice vibrating the glass in the window. Lois turned her eyes to the blank word document on the computer screen, the cursor blinking tauntingly. “Yeah.” She said in
answer as she sat straight in her chair. “I’ve got a goddamn story for you.” Reaching out to the keyboard Lois typed the title of the story one slow key at a time, and with purpose. “The Woman Behind the Hero; Wonder Woman Revealed.” If you won’t answer my calls, let’s see how you’ll answer to this.” Lois said darkly as she began to type.
Wonder Woman: She growled, hours having passed. She had gone in, showered and had some of "Aunt Martha's" apple crumble. The prevailing story was that she was Clark's blood sister, they looked enough alike for it to fly as a good enough story, and she had come to find out who had raised her older brother. It was sappy, but Martha seemed to like the idea, and if it made her happy Diana was more than willing to play along. Besides, she had been trying,
unsuccessfully, to think of Clark as a brother for months. His on again off again relationship with his co-worker, Lois Lane, had side lined the budding romance which was, in retrospect, the worst idea Diana had ever had. They were teammates; they weren't even the same species! She was munching on the tart/sweet dessert, watching the little television Martha had on the counter of the kitchen to watch cooking shows. GNN was running their 24 hour Superman Crisis watch; going on non stop about the capture of Superman, interviews with Lex Luthor, Starr Labratories and evasive assumptions about the identity of Superman, and the where abouts of the league. Batman had been active in Gotham; the Green Lantern
was suspected in saving an air force test pilot from certain death. Diana had a private smile when they mentioned an unnamed hero had saved a fishing troller from capsizing in the Atlantic, knowing that was Orin. Saving humans, she thought to herself. The topic turned to her and she was tempted to turn it off. So far she had heard how she dressed like a prostitute, was a "no good Feminist" and "Should get back in the kitchen;" some commentators were kinder to her, "looking past her clothing" to the good words, as if her armour was a matter of fashion? But this was different. "The Daily Planet, Metropolis' number one news paper, claims that their intrepid investigative reporter has uncovered the true identity of Wonder Woman! The paper is at press at the moment, and as of yet they're keeping the story to their chest..." The television exploded as the remaining apple crisp went straight threw it, through the window and into the barn. "Lois!" she growled, vibrating with anger. She looked around, it was Smallville, not Gotham; she could leave Ma's kitchen with a patched cardboard window so the chickens, pidgeons and bugs didn't get into the house, and go. She had gone too far. Sure, there was jealousy; it went both ways. Lois was not Lana; her and Diana were not "sisters," at least not in the sense that they got along. But this was too far. Bitter anger swelled within her
as she took to the air, full speed ahead to Metropolis.
Lois Lane: Perry sat down hard in his chair at his desk, hands clenching the first paper, still hot, ink still wet in his hands at the front page story that stared back at him. The shrilling ringing of phones were heard between shouts of excitement, celebrations between co-workers, after all the sales were going to skyrocket, as if Lois hadn’t already done enough for the paper she uncovered a Super Hero. Jimmy leaned back against the wall of Perry’s office, mouth pulled down in a scowl as he stared at the back of the raven haired reporter; clearly he didn’t approve. “Sources?” Perry asked Lois, his mouth dry, he groped around blindly on his desk, not looking from the paper for his glass of water. “My own.” She stood there, stiff, shoulders squared, chin held high. What did she care? It was the story that mattered, the truth that mattered, and she told the truth, to the entire world. The sickening ball of guilt that rolled around in her stomach asked what would Clark think? But she viciously battled it down, he was in prison, he was locked away and that woman…Perry interrupted her thoughts. “This is…this is big. This is huge Lane.” Jimmy scoffed behind Lois. “It’s…something all right.” Glancing back over her shoulder at the boy she flicked her blue eyes back to her boss. “Chief, I’m taking the rest of the day.’ She didn’t wait for an answer, she didn’t have to, turning she strode from the office, scooping up her purse and blazer from her own office and avoided looking at Clark’s desk as she moved to the elevators through the sea of “Congratulations!” and “Way to go, Lane!”. Her phone hadn’t rang yet, the one person she hoped to impact, she expected still hadn’t called. The drive home was full of mixed emotions, she wanted a cigarette, she wanted things to be different, and she settled on her anger. Parking she slid from her car, grabbed her keys and moved inside of her apartment.-e-
Wonder Woman: "Letting yourself in" to a 13th story appartment building might not be the easiest thing, unless of course you can fly and are one of the strongest beings on the planet. The window was easy enough to unhinge. She hadn't shattered the glass; it would be loud and messy, and despite popular believe, Wonder Woman bled quite easily when it came to pointy things so she tended to stay away from them. She still wore her farm worn, dirt covered street clothes. She walked through the apartment, her eye catching on a photograph of the happy couple. She raised an eyebrow and let out a long, slow breath. No, she thought to herself. This isn't about jealous. This cannot be about jealousy, at least not on your end. She turned the picture down and took a seat on the couch, waiting for Lois to come home. The answering machine clicked on once. "Lois, what on Earth were you thinking?" the rough voice
of Bruce Wayne played. She rolled her eyes. Her respect for the billionaire playboy by day, masked adventurer by night was just slightly higher than Queen, another member of the money club. Another deep breath. She had to be calm. She didn't need enhanced hearing to hear the key slip into the lock, the tumbler turn and the door open and then shut. Deep breath, she reminded herself. First instinct was to go for blood. In the wake of her "outting," she had
been fired from the University, warrants were issued for her arrest and she was subsequently named "Ambassador for Themyscira," how she didn't even know. Her mother had some powerful "friends," and she wasn't entirely confident this wouldn't mean a favour owed to a man who fancied himself her father. Clear your mind, she thought. Just find out... what she was thinking. Why... She tried convincing herself all she wanted to know was "why," but really, the Amazon wanted a fight. She was angry, enraged, and ready to tear the human apart, Clark be damned.
Lois Lane: Coming home to find someone in her apartment was not exactly an unusual event, Lois had long since gotten over most of the fears in her life, save a few that were personal and never outwardly shown. As she closed the door behind her, she let her blazer drop to the floor and her eyes automatically searched for the picture, the one she had looked at everyday, the one that gave her just a little more strength. As her eyes found it, turned down, her jaw muscles clenched, contracting hard enough to make the movement seen, the twitch of it shown in her cheek. So that’s how it was. It didn’t take someone with super hearing, to know that her heartbeat accelerated in her chest as adrenaline was forced through her system, making her edgy, making her face flush as Lois forced herself to take in a deep breath through her nose. It would have been usual for her to toss her clothes wherever, kick off her heels and grab something to drink, but being considerably shorter than the woman in her apartment she opted to leave the heels on as she strode to the kitchen. “B&E. An impressive talent I didn’t know you possessed Diana.” Sarcasm laced her voice, she needed it to, to cover up the rage as she grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge nonchalantly, and purposefully treated the woman with the same amount of respect she’d treat anyone who had broken into her home. None.
Wonder Woman: "I would have thought your sources would have told you," she said, standing up. Lois could push Clark around but Diana wasn't a love struck puppy so much as she was a bull on the verge of losing control. "You crossed a line," she said, her shoulders squaring, her muscles tensing under the loose clothing. "You were trusted with our identities, in spite of some of us thinking better of the idea, because Kal said we could trust you," she said, her eyes burning holes in the back of Lois' head while she turned her back to the Amazon. The lack of respect was enraging. Deep breath, Princess, she told herself. Deep breaths, in and out. She took a slow, deep breath. "I know you're hurt by what is going on, but lashing out at me does nothing to bring him home," her voice was stern and cold.
Lois Lane: Taking a drink of water she turned, leaned against the kitchen counter and met the Amazon’s furious stare head on, her own blue eyes spitting fury and fire though her face remained passive, Lois didn’t bother telling herself to calm down, she’d already calmed as much as she was going to and wasn’t exactly known for holding back much of her temper anyway. Lois Lane didn’t respect people because they were held in a higher esteem by someone else, she did not give respect to Superman’s ally’s just because of who they were, and she sure as hell didn’t give a rats ass about the Amazon Princess’ status in the world. Titles be damned. She knew there would be digs at the breaking of her trust, she could deal with that, she could admit to it freely, she knew there were going to be consequences, and she even knew she might lose Clark…Pushing the thought from her mind Lois simply shrugged a shoulder, picked what she wanted to answer, and answer she did. “Lashing out?” The shrug came to an abrupt halt as her eyes flashed dangerously. “Has your jealousy turned you into a complete idiot?” Dangerous grounds, she knew she was crossing into them, she knew and she didn’t care.
Wonder Woman: Jealousy? Diana's jaw set and her eyes narrowed. "Jealousy? I'm not the one who just ruined someone else for the sake of a trinket and readership!" Diana found herself on the brink of losing her grip on the rage deep within her. She was her Mother's child, and her Mother was a devotee of Ares, among other Olympians, and the God of Chaos' lover. "This was because why? You were afraid you'd lose Kal?" Her voice was bitter and strong, a venom barely hidden as she spoke. "He's always been your's," she shook her head. "But the Gods only know why. You sell out someone for the sake of a story!" She began to shout, her eyes flashing with anger and hatred, before she found herself teetering... She dialed back and shook her head, turning her back on the reporter. "I worry for the Patriarch's world...”
Lois Lane: “Ruined? Princess, tell me, are you really ruined? What have you lost other than a job you don’t need? Are you getting arrested? Do I see you in handcuffs being dragged away to god knows where?” It didn’t take time for her own voice to jump up in volume, the reporter was pushed to the side and the woman of Lois Lane shined strongly, raw and bitter towards the Justice League, towards the Amazon that stood in front of her. Kal, Diana called him, Kal-el, she knew the name, she knew it was his name but hearing that woman say it, say it in the tone that she was pushed her further into rage. “Do you think he belongs to me?” She spat the words at Diana, she wasn’t blind, she wasn’t deaf, she knew his responsibilities. “Superman belongs to the world, and you’re right, I also worry for this World where the one person that should stand up in his absence, make a stand is hiding, cowering under the guise of helping someone because you’re too weak to stand up and take charge.” As Diana turned, Lois flung the words at the Amazon’s back, took a step forward, her heel clicking on the kitchen floor. No, Lois wasn’t afraid of anything, she’d stand up to anyone, even to those greater than herself.-e-
Wonder Woman: Diana glowered. “How dare you!” she wheeled around, her dark hair flying around her face. Diana wished to throttle Lois to within an inch of her life. There was no room for egos here though, and while Diana might never admit it, Lois was right. No one had the powers Superman had, the strength, the ability to endure, but Diana’s strength and will were a second best. Her eyes narrowed and she turned again, her back to Lois for a final time. “The end doesn’t justify the means,” she said in parting. She shook her head and exited through the window the same way she entered the apartment. She climbed into the air, finally letting it register. Bitter tears began to flood her eyes as her mouth pulled into a tight line. Lois was right... Diana was acting like a coward, a child... She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She perched on the top of the Daily Planet globe, watching the sun rise over the city as the night drifted by into day, hours having passed since they had spoken. She pulled out her cell phone; she had turned it off for the number of calls were driving her nuts. She dialed Lois’ number. “Set up a press conference,” was all she said before hanging up. <e>
Lois Lane: When Diana turned to face her, Lois watched her, blue eyes still furious but she stayed silent, it was clear she had struck home, and struck hard. Unusually so she let the Amazon have the last word didn’t move or speak as she left the same way, and simply stood, staring at the spot the woman had been standing it. The feel of the cold water running down her hand from the water bottle she had crushed in her grip stirred her from her thoughts as she raised her left hand, pushing her fingers through her dark hair slowly and breathed deeply. Was it justified? Did she do the right thing? There was no point in thinking about that now, what was done was done, there were no take backs. Slowly Lois set down the crushed bottle and moved to the table in the living room, setting the picture of her and Clark upright before breathing deeply again. Tomorrow was going to be a long day. The night was just as sleepless as the last, and she walked into the Daily Planet before the lights were even turned on. The floor was quiet, empty nearly disturbingly so and Lois moved into the office she shared with her partner, and sat down in her chair. Propping her legs up on her desk she leaned back and looked out of the window, watching the sun rise. When her phone rang, Lois reached over, picked it up and listened. “Set up a press conference.” The woman said and Lois dropped the phone back down on the receiver, standing she moved to Perry’s office and spoke to him about doing just that. -e-
Wonder Woman: Diana appeared at the base of the Daily Planet building wearing the clothes of a diplomat, not a warrior, not Wonder Woman. She was representing Themyscira, and as such, she dressed the part. While some might have suggested a gimmick, a toga or chiton, but Diana wore a black suit with a dark blue shirt and black high heel shoes, her hair loose around her face, only the diadem on her forehead and the glint of silver peeking out from under the cuffs of her jacket. She had no make up on, she had no need, but the hum of the cameras and the din of the growing crowd was making her nervous. Deep breaths, Princess, she thought to herself. She hadn’t seen Ms Lane yet, for that she was happy. Hopefully the brazen woman would keep her distance; Diana had no desire to be in any contact with her what so ever. She was given the signal that it was time for her to speak. “Thank you all for coming,” she started, her eyes scanning the crowd. There were internet, print and television representatives everywhere, at least a hundred people in the small courtyard in front of the building. “By now everyone knows who I am,” her voice was clear, even without a microphone. “I am Wonder Woman, Diana, Princess and Ambassador of Themyscira.” She took a moment. “I am here today to stand up; to advocate for Justice.” She recounted the events of Superman’s arrest, leaving out the details of where she was, and what she had been doing since then. “It has come to my attention that the Patriarch’s world needs heroes, heroes with faces, that they can trust; Superman was such a Hero. It hasn’t done him any good,” her eyes rested on the crowd as she spoke. “My Mother, Queen Hippolyta of Themyscira, has given me a gift and a challenge; my title as Ambassador will save me from his fate, but not from his challenge,” she went into a description of her duties, to bring the Amazon ideals of equality, justice and peace to the Patriarch’s world. When she was finished, after 30 minutes of speaking, with no voices clamouring to be heard over the namplified Amazon, no interruptions from the crowd, she nodded. “Thank you,” she said, stepping down from the podium. The crowd erupted into questions as she walked away calmly. <e>
Lois Lane: Lois sat on the edge of Perry’s desk, hair down around her shoulders, wearing jeans and a blouse, her eyes tired and her head pounding as she spoke to him, explained to him that Diana wanted a press conference, that since her outing she wanted to address everyone. “Maybe you work better without Kent, Lane.” Perry commented, though joking he could see her face. “He goes on leave to take care of his family, and you bring me the secret identity of a super hero.” He rapped his knuckles on the morning paper on his desk, grinned as he leaned back in his desk. It was a compliment, she took it that way. “Thanks Chief, I consider myself lucky. Chasing down stories is far better than milking cows in Smallville.” The knock-knock on the window to Perry’s office made her heart leap into her throat, as she turned quickly to look over her shoulder. “Su-” She started as she stood, then her eyes landed on someone else entirely. “Does no one know how to use the door?” Perry threw up his hands as Lois moved to the window, opening it to the waving man. “Ah, can I help you?” She wracked her tired brain for a name, he was familiar, when he asked his question she glanced down to where the press were gathering, she didn’t want to go anyway. It’d be all over the television. “Sure.” She looked back to him.-e-