Personal Business Chapter 6
One week ago....
He landed softly on the beach and waited. Someone had seen him he was sure. Someone always did. Not that he was on Themyscira very often, but when he was he was met at the beach. It had become a protocol of sorts. He was allowed on the island when there was need, but he would wait at the beach until met by someone. It not only to remind him that he was a guest here, but it saved many misunderstandings. Having a flying male just land in front of the palace tended to put the women on edge. This way, there were no surprises.
He wasn't sure exactly what he was going to say to Hippolyta and he was sure he was going to put his foot into it at some point, but he needed her perspective on this matter. He needed it in order to make a good decision. He did not want to stand in the way of Diana's mission in any way. There was another reason too. Kal needed—no, wanted, to make sure that Hippolyta didn't disapprove of his intentions. She was more of an enigma to him than even Diana, however. He had the benefit of working with Diana frequently, while it was rare that he had any direct dealing with her mother. He had no idea what Hippolyta thought of him. She treated him in a detached manner befitting his status as a male stranger, but at the same time she was cordial since he was a guest. Whether she approved of him in any way or didn't approve at all, he had gotten no hint from her manner. It wouldn't make this task any easier. But, until he was granted an audience, all he could do was wait in the sand.
He was not to be kept waiting very long. A woman, dressed in a royal guard's uniform of gold armor, rode a black horse towards him along the beach. He noted that it wasn't a warhorse. Those were bigger, bulkier. Built for endurance and strength. This was a leaner horse that was meant for speed; probably for messengers or perhaps light cavalry. She soon pulled up to him, but didn't dismount. From above him, she stared at him for a moment. He couldn't see much more than her eyes and her jawline, since her helmet hid her other features. He was too polite to use his x-ray vision to find out the identity of his escort.
“Hail, Superman. What brings you to Themyscira? You were not summoned.”
He recognized the voice. It was Adina. He didn't know her, but he remembered Diana introducing them once.
“Hail, Adina. I request an audience with Hippolyta, mother of Diana.” The normal greeting consisted of requesting an audience with the queen, but he purposely changed it to signal that he was here on personal business and not official. He had never done this before, so he was just winging it, and he didn't expect the wicked grin on Adina's face.
“Well met, friend of the Amazons. There are already wagers cast for the reason of your visit. My money is on Diana. I hope to win a week's wages today. “
At his confused expression, she turned her horse and beckoned him to follow. “The queen awaits you, Superman.”
I haven't been here for 10 minutes and they're already betting on why I'm here? If Diana was one side of the wager, what was the other? He didn't want to know. He turned and followed her into the square. He got his share of odd looks. Men were almost unheard of on this island. They all knew who he was, but he still got odd stares. Some of them had that same gleam that Adina had. Now he was sure he did not want to know what the wagers were about.
Soon they came upon the palace. It was a white marble edifice, complete with the standard greek columns. It's beauty awed him each time he saw it, but today he was wrapped up in his thoughts and barely glanced at it. Adina dismounted and preceded him in and they made their way to the queen.
The queen was in her usual audience chamber. Normally there were a few guards around as well as any number of petitioners, but today, the queen was alone. She watched him approach with a half-smile on her lips. Her eyes weren't gleaming, but... Don't tell me even the queen is betting on this!
Even that half-smile made Hippolyta radiant. Though dressed in casual robes today, her hair was still made up and that expression on her face made it seem as if all the light in the room came from her. He was awed at her beauty, as he was each time he laid eyes on her. She was a vision with her glistening black hair cascading down her shoulders. Almost a match for her daughter's beauty, though Diana's came from the gods and presumably Hippolyta's was natural. The resemblance was astonishing considering that Diana was born of magic and not from Hippolyta giving birth, yet there was no denying that they looked very much like mother and daughter. Must be magic. Magic always confounded him.
Adina escorted him towards the throne, and when she stopped, so did he. With a firm, officious voice she presented him. “Your Highness, kal-El from Krypton requests an audience with Hippolyta, mother of Diana.” With this, Adina turned and marched out through the high columns and Superman was left alone with the queen. He must have earned some measure of the Amazons' trust. He didn't think that most any other male would be left alone with their queen. It was a little encouraging and he needed all the encouragement he could get.
Adina wasn't taken aback at Kal's request, but the queen lifted an eye-brow in surprise. Perhaps she isn't in on the bet after all. There was nothing but relief in that thought. It was bad enough that so many others thought they knew why he was here.
“You wish to speak with me not as queen, but as Diana's mother? Then we shall find accomodations other than a throne room to have our discussion.” As graceful as a swan, the queen rose from her chair and glided towards a different archway than the one Adina used. She did not glance back, taking for granted that he would follow. And he did.
Soon he found himself in a small (compared to the throne room, anyway) sitting room seated at a small table in the center of the room. Across from him sat Hippolyta. It was a little surreal sitting at a regular table and on the other side sat the Queen of the Amazons. She was gracious enough to try to put him at his ease by offering refreshment, which he politely declined. Fortunately, there was a glass of water in front of him, and considering how dry his mouth was becoming, that water would come in rather handy.
Taking a sip from his glass, he thought it best to start out with smalltalk. Another thing he wasn't particularly good at. “It's a pleasure to see you again, your Highness. You are looking as beautiful as ever.” Since it was all true, he didn't have to sound forced. A decent start.
She admonished him gently. “Kal, you asked to speak to Diana's mother, not the queen, so we can dispense with the “your Majesties” and “your Highness'”. Just “Hippolyta” will do for now.”
“Yes, your-- I mean, yes, Hippolyta. Thank you.”
“And thank you for the compliment, Kal. These old ears like to hear such blandishments on occassion.”
His incredulous look made her laugh. “Yes, Kal-El, I am old. You don't really want to know how old. Before we get started, allow me to say that I'm sorry about the loss of your wife.” He nodded his thanks and she continued. “Now, let's go back to why you are here. I take it that it has something to do with Diana?”
This was the best opening he could hope to get. “You are right, of course, I'm here to speak of your daughter--”
“And how is she faring out there in your world? She visits, of course, but never often enough.”
Kal was finding out the hard way that you don't just visit unannounced, ask the queen a question, and then leave.
“Diana is doing very well. She is an invaluable asset to the Justice League and she continues to inspire others in her role of ambassador of Themyscira. And the subject of her ambassadorial duties is why I've come to speak with you.” He was rather proud of that segue. He knew how to use language to his advantage; he used to be a newspaperman, for crying out loud!
Hippolyta interrupted again. “Speaking of this Justice League of yours, how have they been doing?” Inwardly, Kal admitted defeat. He wasn't the only one in the room who could turn a conversation. But then, this was Diana's mother, so what would he expect? So, he spent the next fifteen minutes telling her of their latest missions, taking care to focus mostly on Diana's role in those missions. Finally satisfied, the queen turned the subject back to why Kal was here.
“So tell me, Kal-El, what brings you here? I take it this is of a personal nature and not some quest or mission you are on.”
Now comes the hard part. He took a sip of water to give himself time to collect his thoughts. Finally, he was ready.
“As you know, my wife passed away awhile ago...” Seeing her incredulous expression at this, he became confused. Hippolyta explained. “I did not mean to interrupt you, but it has not even been two years yet as I understand it. As we Amazons mark time, two years may as well have been yesterday. Please continue.”
“Umm, yes, that is true.” He tried to find his train of thought again, but couldn't. Time to be as direct as possible here while trying not to be rude. Might as well just spit it out. I've already botched this. “Hippolyta, Diana and I have been best friends for years, but now I am considering asking her if she would consent to have a relationship with me that would be, umm, more than just friends.”
“You wish to be her mate?” Kal's face reddened slightly at this plainspeaking. This was Diana's mother he was talking to.
“I, ummm, yes.”
“But you are here speaking to me instead of her. I also notice that you said you were 'considering' this. Would you care to explain?”
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He could at least get this part right. Hopefully. Hippolyta watched him with interest. As he closed his eyes to collect himself, she couldn't help but smile in amusement at his discomfort. She'd forgotten how funny men could be. Especially when they wanted something from you. She smoothed out her expression as he opened his eyes and continued.
“Before I ask her, I would like to be sure that a new relationship between us--”
“As mates” she interjected, at which Kal again reddened. He could see the twinkle in Hippolyta's eyes. She's enjoying this! She wasn't going to throw him off track again.
“I would like to make sure that such a relationship would not impede her mission as Ambassador of Themyscira. I do not know the answer, so I have come to seek your advice.” There, it's out there. The hard part is over...I hope.
Hippolyta pondered this for a moment before answering. “I cannot see, in all honesty, how such a relationship would help my daughter's mission.” At this, Kal's face fell as his disappointment sank in.
She rose from her seat. His question was answered. The interview was over. The dejected Man of Steel rose also. “I thank you Hippolyta for your honest answer. It was not the answer I wished for, but the truth isn't always what we wish it to be.” She allowed him her arm as she escorted him to the entrance of the palace. Relinquishing her arm as he prepared to fly off (apparently flying men leaving the island wasn't an issue), she held onto him for a moment.
“Were I you, I would think on this. You were married for many years to this human woman. Did that relationship affect your own job in the world?” She let him go and gently pushed him out of the building, urging him to go.
As he took off he was still trying to process what Hippolyta told him. Instead of answering his question, she gave him even more to think about. Women are hard enough to understand, but mothers (who happened to be queens) were in another league altogether. He flew off, even more perplexed than before.
Hippolyta, with Adina standing beside her, watched the sky as the Kryptonian flew off. Her own experience with men had been disasterous, but she was wise enough to know that even as her sisters were each different, so were men. There were good men as well as bad. While not bravery of arms, it still took courage for him to come here and ask what he did. Along with his other sterling qualities he would make a perfect mate for Diana. Assuming, of course, that he decided to ask her and also assuming that Diana did not foolishly allow him to escape—again. She stood staring at the sky even after he flew out of sight. Yes, if things were different...
“If I was half my age, I think I would consider contending with Diana for that one.” She let out a hearty laugh as Adina gasped in shock at such a thing.
