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Post by DornKoon on Aug 13, 2024 17:03:26 GMT
The air was filled with hushed voices, combined with the slight echo of steps, as a myriad of people milled about the museum—many tourists, but no small number of locals as well. A few groups of students were there, chaperoned by a flustered-looking teacher—like one would expect in a place and at a time like this. For Chao Sun Nao, going to the British Museum had been a regular occurrence, and his mother and stepfather viewed it as a "fun family outing." A bonding experience, as his stepfather would put it, connect with the old... or something. It was not that he disliked the place, apart from the blatant theft the British empire had used when collecting many of these objects. Not that he was one to judge; he had never placed much stock in material objects... if anything, he had much more of a problem with monkeys at the zoo for... obvious reasons. "We're going to look at the Silk Road exhibit," his mother said, holding the hand of his little brother, He. "You coming with us?" "I'll catch up," Chao Sun Nao said, "I want to check out something first..."His mother gave him a suspicious look, but she said nothing else and instead began to hard He, who was more reluctant as he wanted to stay with his big brother. Chao Sun Nao followed them with his eyes until they were out of sight, then he let out a small sigh, flexing his hand a few times, sighting again before walking further into the museum. If he was forced to spend time here, at least he would want to do it alone. Maybe spending time with He was not so bad, but Mom would undoubtedly tag along in that case... so sacrifices had to be made. It did not take long before he walked into the Asian wing, passing exhibits of Indian jewellery, Korean sculptures, and Japanese weapons. Before long, he found himself in the Chinese Jade collection, and here, he paused to look at a statue of Sun Wukong inside a glass case adorned with the sign, "Sun Wukong great sage equal to heaven". The boy glared at the statue of his father, and for a moment, he was very tempted to grab it and flint it into a wall. But... he thought better of it because doing so would trigger the alarm... he might have done it if he could get away with it. He could do it with magic, but somehow, he doubted Strange would approve. |
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Post by Countess on Aug 14, 2024 19:21:46 GMT
There is something magical about a museum, Diana concludes. A place of quiet thought, threads leading people back to their past, objects of antiquity that she had seen being made, being shared, being loved. Now, here they are, after centuries still being adored. That reverence, that study, that care, it gives items a power, something small and magical. She finds herself coming back to museums for many reasons, but that one is the most important to her. She can feel that Belief that mortals give a thing, making it more than just a simple thing. Sometimes, it wasn't a kind feeling imbued, but something violent and frightening. Weapons typically held onto that resonance easily, but some statues... they could only soak that choleric imposition like a sponge.
It was in the Selwyn and Ellie Alleyne Gallery, Chinese Jade, that Diana felt such an event occurring. She had worked here, a couple times under different names. Once when it had first opened, the first public and free museum, and another around a hundred years ago when the contributions of women were far more tolerated... though not nearly as much as they are now.
This wasn't her first time witnessing this... but jade was particular, magical, and took on the thoughts and feelings of the people around it so much more.
"Not a fan of Sun Wukong?" Diana asks, quiet as she approaches the young man. He can't be more than a teenager, yet something about him calls to her. Something magical. She isn't one to ignore such things, especially when there is a little... lingering kinship she cannot quite place between them.
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Post by DornKoon on Aug 14, 2024 20:05:37 GMT
Chao Sun Nao had not noticed being observed, so when Diana spoke up, he was slightly surprised. It was not often that anyone talked to him at the museum. Well, no one had talked to him before. The young Chinese teen turned his head to look towards the source of the voice, finding it to be one of the most striking women he had ever seen. She was undoubtedly beautiful, but there was something else-- something deeper.
"You could say that," he replied, looking back to the jade statue. "Great Sage Equal to Heaven, yeah... he sure is." The way the teen spoke held a mix of exasperation and annoyance; one observant could tell his words would assume he knew from personal experience.
He glanced at Diana again, trying to place her... it was on the tip of his tongue. She was-- familiar in the way one might know a movie star. But she could not be that; there was magic over her, and he could see it clearly as day; she was powerful, not in the same way as his father, but also not too dissimilar. She was not Chinese, so she could not be from the Jade Emperor's court, which would not have surprised him... they seemed to like butting in where they were not wanted.
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Post by Countess on Aug 14, 2024 20:44:00 GMT
Diana takes quick looks at this young man, trying to assess him, and find herself noticing a rather odd lump in the back of his pants. A tail? Perhaps, but he is hiding it for a reason. She isn't one to pry unless needed.
"Familiar with him, then?" Diana asks, head tiling to the side slightly as she looks away from him and to the piece. "I have found most myths and those surrounding them... their titles aren't truly who they are, but just a piece. Someone took notice on a good, or bad, day of theirs, and everyone decided to run with it," Diana says, chuckling a little.
"Seldom to those above us leave a good impression on those they have... touched, so to speak. Rare is the story of a God or similar figure making everything better, no, they simply meddle, don't they?" she says, nose crinkling in mirth. She seems to be trying to put him at ease, a joking gentleness about her that can be disarming, if he allows it.
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Post by DornKoon on Aug 14, 2024 22:07:40 GMT
Chao Sun Nao considered her words, finding her direct approach to be both refreshing and slightly unnerving at the same time. It was like she knew what to say because it all made perfect sense in his mind. It was not like the Wukong he knew felt all that like the stories, apart from being monstrously strong... maybe it was different looking at someone from the view of a child. As for the meddling, that did cause the boy to let out a slight sound, like a mix of a sigh and growl, which he did without thinking.
"Yeah, you could for sure say that. I think I'm the one here most familiar with him, for whatever it's worth. Still, not like I hate him... well... maybe a little, sometimes-" He replied after a few moments of silence, raising his hand, opening and closing it a few times; there was hesitation as he glanced at the woman again. He was trying to get a feel for her reactions. She approached him for a reason, and it had nothing to do with him looking at a figurine, well, not entirely, anyway. At least she was not a demon in disguise, or he would have seen through it... so she was who she appeared to be... the question was... what was that? "Dad likes to meddle."
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Post by Countess on Aug 15, 2024 2:44:40 GMT
Diana nods, empathetic in her own way. While Ares is not her father... he is her grandfather, in a sense. How many times had she chafed at his meddling with mortals? The years for the first and second world war only drove him to madness, and pulling him out of that was an endeavor that she still works on to this day.
"Dad. I understand," she says, breathing a sigh of empathy. "I don't have a dad," she says, divulging a little of herself. "But I have a sort of grandfather. Ares- War. He is... I am sure you have read a history book, you are in a museum," Diana says, good naturedly, trying to make light of something that is anything but.
"Meddling seems to be what they do," she says, breathing out heavily, her own weight with someone more powerful than her that uses their power in ways she doesn't agree with. A complicated emotion.
"My name is Diana Prince. I used to work here- I find museums calm parts of me I cannot usually quell, and allow me to reflect on my past in a meaningful way. may I have your name? Are you here with anyone?"
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Post by DornKoon on Aug 15, 2024 8:46:50 GMT
Chao Sun Nao relaxed slightly at her reaction, and he found a certain kinship when she mentioned her relationship with Ares; of course, he knew Ares..., the god of slaughter, and he was thankful that his divine relation was nothing like that. But she mentioned she did not have a dad, which caused him to pause for a moment; he decided not to dig, and at that, it seemed rude to bring up to someone he just met.
"Sorry to hear it," he said, "Being related to the god of slaughter can't be a nice thing to bring up; I remember reading the ancient Greeks used to chain his statues inside his temples to keep him at bay. I'm unsure if that is true, but I could see it. At least my dad, whatever his flaws, only ever fights when provoked-" He raised a hand, rubbing his neck. "He's been training me a lot. He told me it would help me get used to my new divine flesh and help my spirit align with my body and centre myself. Still-- is not all bad, the food is plentiful, and the monkeys are nice." There was a small smile at the mention of the monkeys living on Fruit and Flower Mountain.
Chao Sun Nao regarded her words, more precisely, the mention of reflecting upon her past. "You're also immortal?" He asked before thinking, and in hindsight, it would make sense that she was. "S-sorry, that was a little rude. I do like museums too, but I tend to-- see things." He gestured at his own eyes.
"My name?" He hesitated, unsure which of his names he should use... "It's-- complicated. My mother named me Chao, but my father named me Sun Nao. I'm here with my mother and little brother; they are off looking at the Silk Roads exhibit." He paused... "They don't know-- about my father." It would explain why he hid his tail, even if it looked uncomfortable. "How do you even bring that up? Oh yeah, Mom... it turns out you slept with a god. Surprise. No. She did not even sleep with him; she dreamed about a monkey shaking peach flowers over her, and one went inside her body. Gods are-- weird."
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Post by Countess on Aug 15, 2024 18:24:35 GMT
"We have had many differences in the past, but for now we are on healthier terms than before," Diana says, smiling. In truth, it had taken decades to heal the smoldering ruins of the bridge that was once between them. "He is doing better, and we both accept who, and what, the other is. We can't change what we are, only accept it, after all," she says, looking away from the jade to the young man. Her eyes gleam a little.
"Yes, the Greeks chained many Gods and Goddesses, the Spartans especially. It was a ritualistic practice, one meant to convey symbolic meaning, binding, of said Gods. I recall they had Ares and Aphrodite bound by Hephaestus, and it was in hopes to keep the God of Victory and War within the city," Diana says, nodding. "There was also an orcale that gave instructions to various cities of Pamphylia, in Anatolia, places almost perpetually under threat from pirates, to set up a statue of Ares within their city. They were to provide it with an annual festival in which it could be ritually bound with iron fetters. The ones binding him were to be Dike and Hermes, stand ins for justice, and put on trial and offered sacrifice. "Thus will he become a peaceful deity for you, once he has driven the enemy horde far from your country, and he will give rise to prosperity much prayed for," the oracle told them. Ares..."
Diana pauses.
"When he was freed, because while this was a ritual, it did affect him, he was not pleased at being so callously used."
Diana looks back to the art on display, her face serene. She cannot change what is, only what will be.
"Yes, I am immortal. I come from a place of immortal women, though I am special even among them. What do you see in a place like this?" Diana asks, polite, not seeming to be upset by his line of questioning. He is just a child, after all, though she tends to see many mortals like that for the majority of their lives. There is much to learn in life, and they have so little time to absorb it.
"It is nice to meet you. Which name do you prefer?" Diana asks, making no assumptions. "There will come a time where she needs the truth, be sure to tell it to her before then. I am touched by Truth-" she says, patting a gold belt around her waist. It looks more like a rope, and it screams magic- Divine magic. "I always tell it- but that does not mean it always needs to be said. Timing is important. Emotions are important."
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Post by DornKoon on Aug 15, 2024 19:58:50 GMT
Chao Sun Nao listened to Diana as she explained some of the ancient traditions of Greece and Sparta. He had heard about the chaining of Ares during times of peace, as the god of war would be a detriment during such periods... what good was a war god without a war?
"I can imagine he was not much pleased being bound," he commented with a faint smile; the idea of the god of war being upset because mortals chained him was at least a little funny. "I would not, that's for sure, and they did drop a mountain on my old man to bind him once."
"A place of immortal woman?" Chao Sun Nao tilted his head slightly, looking at Diana. "That would mean-- you're an Amazon? At least that is the only group of women I could think of that fits the description." He let out a small laugh. "I suppose a place with a group of immortal women is a little more impressive than a mountain with immortal monkeys."
"I don't know-" The question of which name he preferred was not-- something anyone had asked before now. He glanced from Diana to her belt and back at her again. He could tell her rope had some serious mojo. "Yeah, right--" He did not sound convinced, "Maybe I would if she took the time to listen--" There was a pause as Chao Sun Nao watched a group of people passing, waiting for them to be out of range before he continued. "Suppose that's the story of my life, no one listening, but everyone expects me to listen. Apart from the Doc, he's been decent to me."
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Post by Countess on Aug 15, 2024 21:30:51 GMT
Diana smiles at his understanding. "Yes, I am from Themyscira. I wouldn't call it more impressive- simply different," she says, modest as ever. "I work as a liaison between them and the outside world. Mystical place that it is, you don't get much reception, and no one has wifi like they do here," she says, laughing a little. True- their level of technology has surpassed that of the world of man, in part because of the use of magic, but mostly because the greatest scientific minds in history were thrown aside simply because they were owned by a woman.
"If you decide, let me know. I'll use that name," Diana says, gentle and patient. She listens to his troubles, nodding along. Her smile is soft, that smile you get when you care deeply about the person you are speaking to. She has this knack of making people feel like they are the most important thing in the world to her, and right now... he is.
"If she listened, what would you say? It may not be the same... but I'm listening. I'm happy to listen. Even if it is about something else. I know what it is like to need someone to understand... you might be surprised, my mother I always thought she wasn't listening... but she was. All those years, she was, and she did what she could to understand my path, so different than hers it was," Diana says, a sad look on her face, the kind that comes with regrets from foolish youthful actions.
"... Doc?" Diana asks, curious.
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Post by DornKoon on Aug 16, 2024 8:45:47 GMT
"Sounds just like Fruit and Flower Mountain," Chao Sun Nao said, "No reception or wifi. I don't have much need for it; I don't see the attraction, well, not since-- all this. Suppose that makes me weird, seeing how all other kids can't live without their nose stuck in a phone." He shook his head. "Never mind, not going to rant about that."
"Sure, I'll tell when I've figured it out." He wasn't sure how long that would take, but he did appreciate the sentiment, which was odd as this woman he never talked with before, yet she seemed to have this air of comforting confidence. Maybe it was because she was also immortal? Her connection to gods? She could understand how he felt, maybe?
"Huh?" He furrowed his brow, "That-- feels a little weird. But-- suppose I would tell her--" What would he tell her? There were a lot of things. Someone was willing to listen, so he looked to Diana after a moment of hesitation: "I'm not the same Chao I was and will never be. I feel it's unfair that you think I'm just doing this for attention because I don't." He bit his lower lip, thinking about what to say next... Lately, his attempts had always ended with them having a verbal fight, so all this was new. "No idea where I would start explaining my father is a god-- of if she would believe me. I could show her, but that might make her freak out... but if I don't-- she might be in danger."
The Monkey Prince examined Diana, taking note of the expression on her face.
"If your mother is also an Amazon, I bet she must be a pretty cool person." He said, and he did mean it. "My mother is Hua Feng; she works with linguistics, symbolism, and antiques." His mother's name was not unknown; she was a famous expert on those subjects.
"Doc?" He repeated, "Oh yeah, I've been getting some lessons from Doctor Strange; I accidentally walked into his place a while back."
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Post by Countess on Aug 16, 2024 19:52:56 GMT
"Weird isn't the right word- I say that, because it can be so... nebulous. Just different. That doesn't mean it is a bad thing," Diana says, smoothing that worry over. Young ones are always so worried about how they are perceived. Once he is older, and with older people too, he might just see how little others care. "Rant all you like. I was honest before- I'm happy to listen."
Diana chuckles a bit. "Humor me. Never know if it might help or not, sort out your thoughts, get to the root of your worry," she says, then allows him to speak, absorbing it. Her own worry grows for him- so young, and already so much has been placed on his shoulders. She had no doubts, however, that he would rise to the occasion. Diana usually can read people rather well, and her read of this young man is a good one.
"Why do you think she will think it is for attention?" Diana asks, probing a little more. It was an interesting line- and an assumption on his part, as far as she could tell. "These are all heavy things on your shoulders," Diana says, a line of worry between her eyebrows. "When the time comes, I would be honored to help you speak with her, μαϊμού πρίγκιπας," she says, using the Greek for Monkey Prince since he has not yet chosen his name.
"My mother is Hippolya, Queen of the Amazons, daughter of Ares, Warrior and Protector of all Women," Diana says, pride in her voice. "She is very, very cool," she confides, laughing a little. For someone so big, Diana could make herself so... earthly. Human. "I know Hua Feng- I have worked with her in the past. She is brilliant," she says, giving the compliment so freely.
"Stephen! Yes, I know him well. We have worked together in the past. I have great respect for him, his work, and his art. If you entered his home, it was no accident, I assure you. Such things are... destined, in a sense. I am glad you have someone of his stature in your corner. He is a good ally, and a good man, though he would protest me saying so."
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Post by DornKoon on Aug 16, 2024 21:14:38 GMT
"Because I overheard her talk with my stepfather," he replied grimly. "She thinks my personality change must be for attention. We've been getting into all these fights, and I'm not the nerdy kid I was before who did nothing but read... I like reading still, but there is so much more. It's been-- difficult pretending that she can pull me by the warm, and if I'm honest..." He hesitated, and what followed held no small amount of pain. "I'm worried I might accidentally hurt her."
Chao Sun Nao took in what Diana told about her mother, and he smiled slightly at the tone in her voice.
"I can tell from your voice she must be one hell of a person," he said, "Suppose in a sense I've got some things in common with your mother, child to a powerful god, and protector of our people." He was thinking of the monkeys and how they looked at him with such adoration, how they clung to him for safety. Diana could tell he was somewhere else for a few moments before shaking his head, being pulled back at the mention of his mother... Diana knew her? "You know my mother?" He did not expect that, and he blushed slightly when she praised her as a brilliant woman. "Yeah, she is..." He admitted.
He was less surprised to find out she knew Doctor Strange.
"He's been very good to me, and I feel welcome there, and Wong makes amazing food; the cat Salem is funny-- even if Doc doesn't like him feuding with the neighbour." Chao Sun Nao did mean what he said, and there was a great deal of admiration for the sorcerer supreme in his voice. "Yeah, he can be silly like that."
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Post by Countess on Aug 16, 2024 21:39:47 GMT
"A hard thing to overhear," Diana empathizes, her lips now in a frown. She isn't upset at the young man, but hurting for him. "Sometimes, the easier thing to do in life is to believe something we know in our hearts to be Big... is actually rather Small," she says. "Your change, she is your mother, she knows something is happening... her words, I hope, were ones she tries to tell her self, a lie to pretend everything is as it was," Diana says, trying to assuage the sadness she can feel in him.
"Then you must train. Your change- it is not your fault, but it is your responsibility, my friend," Diana says, more serious than she had been before. "I, too, had to learn my strength, learn how to contain it. Having these gifts and these abilities, especially when young, can be both exhilarating and frightening. You say you have changed... but I believe who you are, the young man your mother raised you to be, is still your foundation. We all grow up. Who you become... that is up to you," she says, resting a soft hand on his shoulder. So much weight...
"I have found that people tell you exactly who they are, though not always with words," Diana says, thinking on Stephen. She misses him, greatly. Perhaps she will go to New York, soon, speak to him about this young man he has taken under his wing. His Cape? "Silly. I think I like that description of him," Diana says, laughing.
The laughter fades. She does not think Stephen can train him like a Warrior should- not like she can. Perhaps an olive branch? Or would he see this as the Justice League overstepping? Best to talk to him... before offering anything to the Monkey Prince.
"Anything else you would like to say? I have all the time in the world right now."
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Post by DornKoon on Aug 17, 2024 11:26:21 GMT
He could well believe her; the way she talked was the voice of someone who had experienced similar things. Chao Sun Nao had been thinking about it for a while now; everything she said, she seemed experienced, and thinking on it... his mother had mentioned a woman like her before. She knew Strange had worked with him, and she was a powerful woman.
It dawned on him--
"You're Wonder Woman," he said, more a statement than a question. It all made sense; she was an Amazon, and it was not like there were many of those running around. "I feel silly; I should have figured that out sooner. My little brother has a big thing for heroes; you're one of his favourites." There was a slight smile again, one which he only reserved for He, his baby brother was also his biggest fan, and he did not even know about the powers.
He cleared his throat.
"It feels incredible," he agreed. "I never could dream about this-- everything."
Sun Nao smiled, and then he sighed.
"I don't know--" Was the honest answer, "I'm not much of a planner as much as a dooer. I don't often-- think about plans beforehand. I just... do what feels best at the time. Suppose I should tell her I punched that teacher in the face for a reason. He was a demon in disguise." Thankfully, the real teacher did turn up in the end... and the whole business was swept under the rug as some prank. "They've been showing up occasionally to get at me-- well, they hate my old man and go after me by extension. I guess they think I would be an easy target..."
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