*Ibn, Diana, and the Dance Floor*

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

::Ibn returns to Diana.:: "Thank you letting us talk. Matters between us have improved greatly. Now, I believe I owe you a dance."

Comments

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

"I am glad. Mar'i is my sister and I would hate to have to be angry at you for hurting her."

She lets him lead her to the dance floor.

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"Dancing is a lot like martial arts. It requires a sense of timing while understanding and predicting the movement of your partner." ::Ibn takes her hand and begins to dance. He sneaks looks at Bruce Wayne and smiles.::

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

Unaware he is sneaking glances at Bruce she concentrates on dancing, she has natural grace so with a good partner she is a good dancer.

"I should do this more often."

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"You are very good and enjoyable as a partner," Ibn replies. "I feel very at ease with you. Strange, but I do."

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

"It is most likely the exercises I do to overcome my lack of sight in battle. But it is a nice side effect." she smiles as she dances.

"I am glad you are at ease with me. I must admit I am curious to know more about you but that can wait until some other time."

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"Ah, but we're expected to make small talk," Ibn says, dipping Diana. "If you are curious, you may ask. But for every question I answer, you must also answer one of mine..."

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

She clutches his arms a minute when she gets dipped but then she laughs a little. "Warn me next time."

"That seems like a fair bargain. Mar'i is from another universe, are you two from the same place?"

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

::As Diana laughs, Ibn gives a big grin to Bruce.:: "I couldn't help myself. To answer your question, I am from this world, but I share the memories of the Ibn from her universe. And now my question, you previously mention Gaia as though you knew her. Talked to her. What's she like?"

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

"Oh that is the amazon salute to another Amazon, or one we regard as brave and a sister. Mary was most deserving of it. Gaia is a mother and a lover and a child all in one, she is the most loving and ferocious woman you will ever meet."

"And she is the one you love but things are complicated I see. I know your father, and I can guess at your mother because of your grandfather. I know enough about those people, tell me who you are, what you wish to accomplish with your life."

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"In a sense, Gaia was supposed to be my bride. On another world. While we are not engaged on this world, I'd very much like to meet her. Which leads to your question. I've seen what happens to the world without guidence. While my grandfather's method are foolish and too aggressive, my goals are the same. I want a better world for everyone, humans, the plants, the animals, and Gaia..." Ibn explains. "I've heard that on Paradise Island there are many species of plants and animals that no longer exist anywhere in the world. Would it be possible to ask for samples?"

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

"That is a worthy goal. I will ask if you may have samples, you will have to demonstrate the proper environment to care for them of course. In a sense the plants and animals are our children and we guard them as such."

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"It is a pity that so many have lost that. Grandfather could be a great teacher and benefit the world if he so decided," Ibn replies. "What is your next question, Princess?"

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

"How is it that you are an adult? I know how old your father is and it would have been interesting for him to have a child your age."

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"Magical forces assaulted Grandfather's haven. He believed that all of the Justice League was going to steal me away from him, despite my wishes. He performed a ritual that sent me to the Gateless Gate and there I learned. Twenty years in just a week."

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

"I am not sure what the gateless gate is. But I believe it is your turn to ask the question."

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"Have you spoken to my father?"

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

"I have, I told him you would be here tonight."

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"Interesting. Not the response I expected then," Ibn replies. "Your question..."

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

"What response did you expect?"

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"Happiness. Anger. Resentment. Curiosity. Anything, but indifference. I can now see why his first son both loves and hates him."

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

She almost looks around but catches herself. "He is here then?" A look of sympathy crosses her face.

"He is..complex. It is very difficult to get to know him but it is worth the effort."

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"My Grandfather made himself available to me, even while I was a silly child. He read to me from the Lord of the Rings. Odd that a man that can go to extremes can show such kindness when another can not."

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

"I cannot answer that Ibn. I do not know the circumstances of your childhood. All I can say is I know your father, and I would not give up the chance of knowing him were I you. But that is your choice as it is your life."

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"I have made myself known. I have let it be known where I am. The son does not simply appear to the father and claim his place. The father must make his claim as father known and accept the son before he can do this. The silence is deafening. I don't know why I'm disappointed. He couldn't even bother to try to win your heart."

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

She comes to a stop in the middle of the dance floor.

"Why would you say that?"

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"In the other world, he was old and alone. Even his foster-children had left him. And he watched as you belonged to another and bare him a child. The entire Manor stunk with desperation and still he said nothing..."

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

"This is not that world, and I would not know what I did in the future." She is obviously upset.

"Your father will do as he must to accomplish things, I do not know the circumstances of that world, nor do I want to I live here and now."

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"Princess, I have been dishonorable and I wish to apologize. Everything I told you was true, but I didn't mention that I knew this would hurt him. I should have told you. I wanted to hurt him. It was childish," Ibn explains. "If you will now slap me in public, we can end this date without dishonor to yourself."

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

Her head held high with obvious anger in her face and posture.

"That you would use me to hurt one of my dearest friends is not something I will lightly forgive. I will not slap you or we may be retrieving your body from across the room. Get me off of this dance floor."

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"Princess, if you would gently slap me, it will halt the rumors. Otherwise by tomorrow, our pictures will be on the face of every magazine. We will be the new 'IT' couple. I am trying to make amends. Slap me and it will end before it begins and any shame will fall on me. Please."

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

"I do not think I am capable of being gentle with you at the moment." She stands there a moment breathing before she finally reaches out and slaps him, a tad harder than he would probably like but she is showing restraint.

"If you ever use me as a method to hurt my friends again, it shall be a real blow."

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

::To Diana, Ibn shows the pain in his eyes.:: "I apologize. I can never make this up to you," He whispers. ::Playing to the crowd, he grins and rubs his cheek. He shrugs his shoulders as if to say, hey I had a chance to touch Wonder Woman's behind. Can you blame me?::

[amazon-diana.livejournal.com]

"I believe our discussion is over for the night. We shall see if it continues another time. Now if you would please get me off the dance floor."

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"Of course," He replies and does so. ::He watches he walk away from him and can already hear the whispers. Soon the gossip hounds are surrounding him asking him questions.::

[kathy-duquesne.livejournal.com]

Kathy watches the handsome man walk away. He's about her age... maybe a little younger...

There are rumors about him.... the half-sibling to Talia Head. But what the heck. The real celebrity at this ball is his date... the woman who just left him on the dance floor.

She approaches with a "tch."

"Looks like someone bit off a little more than they could chew."

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"Not at all, I just didn't like the taste."

[kathy-duquesne.livejournal.com]

She offers her hand. "You poor thing. Well, don't worry. I'm here to dance with instead. Really, a much better choice."

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"Obviously, your feet aren't mad of clay..."

[kathy-duquesne.livejournal.com]

"No, and as a bonus, you'll find I won't leave bruises." She winks. "Unless you want me to."

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

::Begins to dance with this new woman.:: "I usually leave bruises more than recieve them..."

[kathy-duquesne.livejournal.com]

"Do you?" she asks, with a grin. "Are you that clumsy?"

She dances elegantly... her body moves with the grace of an athlete.

[ibn-al-xuff.livejournal.com]

"Not at all. Not at all...."