Date: Saturday, June 11th, 2011, 11:30 pm
Location: Metropolis
The hum of conversation, though less frenetic than before, still filled the grand ballroom. The success of the Metropolis Orphanage Initiative had cemented my public image, and the pledges continued to roll in, a steady stream of capital and influence. Zoe, still looking somewhat dazed, had been whisked away by Mercy to a quieter corner, allowing her to process the unexpected turn of events. My attention, however, was already shifting to the next phase of the evening.
My gaze found Diana Prince again, still by the display of ancient artifacts, though her group of women had dispersed. She was alone now, a solitary figure radiating an almost ethereal calm amidst the lingering buzz of the gala. This was my moment.
I moved with purpose, a subtle shift in my trajectory that wouldn't draw undue attention, yet brought me closer to her. As I approached, I noticed the intricate detailing on the artifacts she was examining – a Greek amphora, a Roman bust. Fitting.
"A fascinating collection, wouldn't you agree, Ms. Prince?" I said, my voice smooth, modulated to a tone that was both appreciative and confidently conversational. I stopped a comfortable distance from her, not invading her space, but clearly engaging.
She turned, her eyes, the color of ancient forests, meeting mine. There was no surprise in them, only a calm acknowledgment. "Indeed, Mr. Luthor. They speak of a past rich with history, a testament to human endeavor."
"And human folly," I added, a wry smile touching my lips. "For every marvel of engineering, a monumental failure of governance. For every artistic triumph, a barbaric war is fought over trifles."
Diana's lips curved in a faint, knowing smile. "Perhaps. But also, for every folly, a lesson. And for every war, the enduring spirit of resilience."
"Optimistic, as ever," I mused, taking a subtle step closer. "It's a quality I admire. Especially in someone who has seen as much as you have."
Her eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly. "And what makes you believe you know how much I have seen, Mr. Luthor?"
I let my gaze drift over her, not overtly suggestive, but definitely appreciative. "Let's just say a man in my position makes it his business to know things. And when I see a woman of your… timeless grace and quiet strength, a woman who carries herself with the poise of an empress and the wisdom of an oracle, well, certain conclusions become unavoidable." I paused, allowing the compliment to land. "Besides, not many people can wear a simple evening gown with the bearing of a goddess. It's truly remarkable."
A flicker of something unreadable crossed her features, a hint of amusement or perhaps a challenge. "You flatter me, Mr. Luthor."
"Only speaking the truth," I countered, my voice dropping slightly, becoming more intimate. "Though I suspect the truth of who you are, Ms. Prince, is far more remarkable than mere flattery could convey." I met her gaze directly, holding it. "Tell me, do you ever miss the salty air of Themyscira?"
The effect was instantaneous. Her calm façade cracked, just for a split second. Her eyes widened, a flash of genuine shock registering before it was quickly suppressed. A muscle in her jaw tightened. The easy conversation evaporated, replaced by an electric tension.
"How… how do you know that name?" she asked, her voice a low, dangerous murmur, barely audible above the ballroom's ambient noise. The change in her demeanor was stark. The diplomat was gone, replaced by the warrior.
I allowed myself a small, unconcerned smile. "As I said, Ms. Prince, I make it my business to know things. And the existence of a hidden island populated by warrior women, daughters of Hippolyta, is a detail too fascinating to overlook. Particularly when one of its esteemed inhabitants decides to grace our modern world." My eyes held hers, unwavering. "It's not every day one encounters a genuine demigod, is it?"
The challenge was laid bare. Her hand, previously relaxed by her side, subtly tensed.
The air around us seemed to thicken, charged with unspoken power. This was it. The real conversation had begun.
Diana's eyes, now devoid of any warmth, scanned my face, searching, dissecting. Her stance shifted subtly, her weight balanced, ready. It wasn't overt, but to someone like me, who meticulously observed every human tell, it was as clear as a declaration. The Amazon was prepared for battle.
"Themyscira," she repeated, a whisper that held the weight of centuries. "You claim to 'know things,' Mr. Luthor. But some knowledge is… deeply guarded." Her voice remained low, a dangerous hum, yet it was laced with a chilling authority. "And those who trespass on it often find themselves regretting their curiosity."
I met her gaze, unblinking, letting a hint of genuine amusement soften my expression. "A fair warning, Ms. Prince. But I assure you, my curiosity is never idle, nor without purpose. And I rarely regret anything that yields valuable information." I took a measured step closer, lowering my voice further. "My interest in you, Diana, is not that of a trespasser, but an admirer. And a pragmatist."
Her expression remained unyielding. "Pragmatism rarely aligns with the secrets of my past."
"Perhaps not," I conceded smoothly. "But it often aligns with the realities of the present. And the potential of the future." I gestured subtly around the bustling ballroom. "This world, Diana, is not as simple as the idyllic shores you once called home. It is a crucible of ambition, of power, of nascent threats that even a demigod might find… challenging. And it is my firm belief that those with the unique capabilities to shape it, to protect it, should be aware of the full scope of its complexities. Including each other."
She studied me, a flicker of something new in her eyes – perhaps suspicion, perhaps reluctant intrigue. "And you believe you possess this 'full scope' of knowledge, Mr. Luthor?" There was a challenge in her tone, a test.
"I make it my mission to," I replied, a confident smile playing on my lips. "Consider it a professional courtesy. Or perhaps… a shared burden. After all, a hidden island, a lineage of warrior women, divine parentage… such things tend to leave a rather significant footprint, even when cloaked in myth." I paused, letting my words sink in. "Your interactions, your interventions, even the very air you breathe here in Metropolis – they create ripples. And my satellites, my networks, my discerning eye are rather adept at detecting such phenomena."
She didn't react overtly, but I saw the subtle shift in her posture, the almost imperceptible tightening of her grip on her evening bag. She was processing, calculating. The information was undeniably sensitive, and my delivery, laced with both veiled threat and undeniable truth, had hit its mark.
"So," Diana finally said, her voice regaining a fraction of its earlier calm, though the steel remained. "You observe, you infer. And then you reveal."
"Only when the revelation serves a greater purpose," I countered, my eyes sweeping over her once more, allowing my gaze to linger on her strong shoulders, her elegant neck. "And in your case, Diana, the purpose is… multifaceted. Let's just say I believe our paths are destined to intertwine, whether by coincidence or by design."
I extended my hand, not for a handshake, but as an open gesture. "This ballroom, as magnificent as it is, is hardly conducive to a truly… illuminating conversation. There are far too many ears, and far too many eyes. I have a private study, where we could speak freely. Without interruption. Without pretense."
Her gaze dropped to my outstretched hand, then back to my face. The warrior in her was assessing the risk, the diplomat weighing the potential benefit.
"What precisely would be the nature of this 'illuminating conversation,' Mr. Luthor?" she asked, her voice betraying nothing.
I allowed my smile to broaden, a genuine, if predatory, curve of my lips. "Let's call it… an exchange of insights. An exploration of mutual interests. Or, if you prefer," I leaned in slightly, my voice dropping to a low, suggestive purr, "we could simply call it a date."