With This Ring (Young Justice SI) (Thread Fourteen)

[Ngamer11]

What have the Computer Tyrants of Colu been up to since OL helped free the people, again? At any rate, I'm sure we'll see soon enough.

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If I remember correctly, Captain Comet said he deleted them, though it is almost certain that Brainiac still has a version of them available.

 

[theaceoffire]

Slice of Life Paul is nice. Still Paul as hell, but nice and chill about it.

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All that Paul flavor you know and love, but with half the calories and no transfats!

 

[Queshire]

Hmmm.... so what I'm gathering from the mention of a nap is that OL's desire for sleep is greater than his desire to be bright eyed and bushy tailed. Otherwise I reckon his ring would "heal" any fatigue he might have.

Honestly? Understandable.

 

[Prince Charon]

I would love to know Gary-woman's opinion on the fact that they changed it to Gary. I'd be so chuffed. Especially if they stopped calling nut-juice, milk.

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Traditionally, 'milk' has been the word for, approximately, 'white or whitish liquid that you can drink' (hence for example 'coconut milk'). It's only fairly recently, when animal milks started to become available year-round, that people in the English-speaking world started forgetting that 'nut milk' is indeed the correct term in English.

'Cheese' is still something made with animal-milk, though, so calling a cheese-like food that isn't cheese 'gary' is entirely acceptable to me.

 

[MillicentBystander]

This fic is so old we're now getting callbacks,

 

[RichardWhereat]

Man, you should see the amount of nut cheese in my local grocery stores. And yes, they actually call it that, right on the label in big letters.

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That's not cheese. Cheese is made from milk! That's Nut-gary, or even Gary's Nut.

 

[webxro]

So, I might be wrong, but I think the Amazonian senate seats have a "I propose whomever for a seat" as a way to get a list for people that should be voted on for that spot. So while Paul might not try to run, somebody might push his name forward, and somebody else might second that.

 

[Mr Zoat]

I'm not sure if that's correct or if it should say 'instead'.

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Thank you, corrected.

I don't remember Jade unconsciously giving herself a breast expansion when she modified her brain. I'm guessing Paul didn't mention it and Jade asked that he turn them back to their normal size when she noticed?

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That was something they did for fun off-page. Jade's always had an athletic physique, but wondered what it would be like to more generously proportioned.

Exactly how much does she dislike Paul for everything that he's doing to change Themysciran society?

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She's far too misandrist to blame a man for doing anything. She's horrified at the actions of many of her fellow Amazons.

Nice little callback to your early episodes. Did Paul ever tell Jade the duck foot story?

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Yes.

No water… So the sonic showers don't double as a biological waste disposal unit? How dare they call it a shower. Not all apes have steel bladders, am I right?

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Of course they can deal with waste. The dirt and skin has to go somewhere.

As a man that pisses on occasion in a shower, I agree with you.

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I... Don't understand why you would. I mean, in my bathroom I could urinate into the toilet from the shower, but... Why wouldn't you just urinate before you got in the shower?

And there's the eighth half so that I won't be thinking about the missing half all day.

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Thank you, corrected.

 

[Michael Vonica]

Looking at the story dates, it's been about a week. I'm not entirely sure what Paul's been doing, but seeing as how he has time to dabble in Themysciran elections, I don't think he's working all that hard on finding Constantine. And that's really strange, from what I can tell. It's the equivalent to misplacing an unhinged god. And like, five or more people have asked him to look into it, because they think it's really weird. And if Paul has looked into it, and found no trace at all, that's not an excuse to take a break and try again later. It just means that there is something really, really wrong going on.

 

[ForeverShogo]

Well, often times one doesn't have the feeling of needing to urinate until after they've gotten into the shower and that hot water is blasting them.

Wouldn't want to get out of the shower, towel off, pee, then climb back in.

 

[Mr Zoat]

Well, often times one doesn't have the feeling of needing to urinate until after they've gotten into the shower and that hot water is blasting them.

Wouldn't want to get out of the shower, towel off, pee, then climb back in.

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Darn it.

I watched a film years ago where one of the characters insisted writing with his feet. When asked why he did that given how much harder it is that writing with his hands, he answered that many worthwhile things were hard to achieve but that was no reason not to do them.

Sadly, I can't remember the name of the film. But I'm disappointed on you lazy arseholes anyway. Do you at least clean the shower afterwards?

 

[Darko]

.

Sadly, I can't remember the name of the film. But I'm disappointed on you lazy arseholes anyway. Do you at least clean the shower afterwards?

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The water in the shower kinda does that.

 

[Michael Vonica]

I mean, in my bathroom I could urinate into the toilet from the shower,

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When you say this, is it just an observation of how close your shower and toilet are to each other? Or is it something you have experience with?

 

[Michael Vonica]

The water in the shower kinda does that.

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Plus the soap.

 

[Mr Zoat]

When you say this, is it just an observation of how close your shower and toilet are to each other?

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Yes.

Or is it something you have experience with?

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No.

 

[Ganurath]

Darn it.

I watched a film years ago where one of the characters insisted writing with his feet. When asked why he did that given how much harder it is that writing with his hands, he answered that many worthwhile things were hard to achieve but that was no reason not to do them.

Sadly, I can't remember the name of the film. But I'm disappointed on you lazy arseholes anyway. Do you at least clean the shower afterwards?

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Being difficult doesn't make a course of action inherently worthwhile, or superior to a more efficient alternative.

Also, showers have a hole to send away waste fluids that a savvy urinator can aim for. What kind of idiot would pee "upriver" of their own feet?

 

[Someguy Somewhere]

The great wisdom that is Seinfeld.

Spoiler: It's All Pipes...

 

[Coda]

Weird. Pork chops are more of a plum thing.

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Funny, I always considered plum to be a brisket thing. Apricot with pork is quite nice.

 

[Xelloss]

chemically synthesised.

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"Why you want dried leaves in water"

Oh ! I know ! I know !

It's because it's the Briton equivalent of the magic potion !

 

[Mr Zoat]

27th October 2012
06:08 GMT +3

I wave at the fishing boats as I pass over the fleet at sail-height, getting a few waves back from those women who have a free arm. Others are already unloading their catch at the docks, or laying them out at the morning market. I smile as I see one of the night fishers shaking a bucket of ice out over their catch to preserve it.

I did that. They're using ice created using a machine I put into commercial service on Themyscira, and no one acts like it's anything strange. No one's shying away. I mean, it'll be a while before we get to the stage where there are fridges or freezers in every home, and I've… Really got to see about sorting out some way for my fellow Themyscirans to get formal magic tuition-.

After I've found John Constantine. No new projects until that one is done. So far I've only got as far as tracking down every dodgy street magician on the planet and asking if they've seen him. If I'd known there were this many of them I'd have tried to start an actual Trench Coat Regiment.

Huh. Usually, Diana makes a point of being around when it's one of my days in the forum. I'm not sure what she thinks is going to happen; I'm not persuasive enough to convince them to do anything too crazy just by speaking. Maybe she's there as a calming influence. Or maybe she actually finds it funny?

No. No, I don't think it's that.

"Orange Lantern to Wonder Woman. Diana, are you actually giving me a-?"

"Wonder Woman not found."

Oh. Well, that explains it. If she's not on the planet then she can't lurk on the outskirts of the forum, covering her eyes with her right hand and slowly shaking her head.

For example.

I'm not seeing Kon or Mitchell either. Maybe they went with her? Seems… Unlikely though. Mitchell's been trying to catch up on Kon's superior social skills so I doubt that he'd want to miss a weekend like that. Ring-?

Kon and Mitchell are in Mount Justice.

I'm actually a little touched at her faith in m-. No, there's Alkyone. Interesting choice, given that Alkyone likes me more than anyone other than Hippolyta and her three circlemates, but a logical one. She has pretty conservative instincts while still being willing to give me a fair hearing. I should check in with her first.

I cross the lower city forum low enough and slow enough for my passage to be clearly visible to everyone. I see a few regulars -some of whom will be seeking office or trying to keep it- shuffling through their notes in preparation for the morning disputation. Some are recorded on vellum, but it looks like Man's World paper is also making inroads.

Alkyone comes to alert as she sees me heading towards her, and I slow and land a not too close distance in front of her.

"Good morning."

A shallow inclination of the head. "Illustres."

"Did Princess Diana leave a message for me?"

She visibly hesitates, which isn't something I'm used to from her. "Queen Hippolyta requests your presence in the palace."

"Um, okay, I'm at her disposal. Can you give me a clue what this is about?"

"I am sorry." And now there's no doubt, which means that this is something that Queen Hippolyta has ordered her to do or told her is right. "But the Queen wants to tell you herself."

Then that's the most I'm going to get out of her. I look around, but none of the other Amazons appear to be acting strangely. Alright, I.. suppose. It's not as if Hippolyta is unpleasant company.

"Rightoh. Do you want a lift back?"

"The Queen has tasked me with overseeing the debates to make sure that things don't get out of hand."

"Out of hand? Should I leave a camera?"

"Cameras have been forbidden during elections since we first learned of them." She makes a very small smile. "If people wish to see politicians make fools of themselves, they may stir themselves and come to the forum to see it in person."

"Fair enough. Have you given any consideration to how you'll be voting?"

"That will be a matter for consideration once I have heard-." She considers me for a moment. "Yooou are not standing yourself, are you?"

I grin and hold her gaze. Then I raise my arms, holding them out to the sides as if to embrace the world.

"No. Much as it would delight Eris, you would be conducting yourself differently if you were. You are simply playing on my expectations and prejudices."

"You're pretty insightful for a woman who spent ninety years in a box."

"You are fairly insightful also. Do you inhale fumes, as oracles do, or does it come naturally?"

I reduce my smile to slightly more normal proportions, give her a mock-salute with my right hand and then transition to the palace plaza.

Ooh. Demeter's temple is looking a little more overgrown than normal. Has Euanthe been visiting? Hera's temple has… A satellite dish, which is… Okay. The rest looks much as it has for the last two thousand years or so. One of the guards-.

She's running into the palace. That's unusual. I'm not normally a 'panic stations'-. Something's up.

I trade my light armour for my heavy armour and generate construct armour to go along with it. That sends a wave of uncertainty through the remaining guards, but unusually none of them say anything. They've all been ordered to leave this to Hippolyta. Why? I like Hippolyta well enough but we're not super-close. Certainly not 'we need someone to talk Orange Lantern down' close.

What's going on?

And… Here comes Hippolyta. And Captain Philippus and… Menalippe. Has Eris done something? Why the heck is-?

"Paul, that…" Queen Hippolyta looks over my preparations. "Won't be necessary."

"Your majesty, something about this situation makes me think that you might -and I say this with all due respect- be mistaken."

"Diana has received a mission of great importance from Lord Zeus, King of Olympus."

Oh. Is that all? Not exactly a frequent occurrence, but Diana's been clued in on supernatural threats by him about… Three times before? And while the lightning hurt, I'm prepared to take the occasional cheap shot in the name of maintaining the peace.

"What sort of mission?"

"Lord Zeus is concerned about the circumstances of Donna Troy's creation, and has charged my daughter with ensuring that Tartarus remains an inviolate prison."

"How? I'm fairly sure that Diana doesn't have anything like the knowledge of thaumaturgy that would require."

"By attending to its security in person."

"Al.. right? How long is that going to take?"

"Lord Zeus did not specify a time limit. I assume that she will visit each of those imprisoned within and ensure that they are not attempting to escape or otherwise violate their bounds."

I frown. This does sound like something that a demigod might be asked to do, but where Zeus is concerned… "She's going to Tartarus indefinitely?"

"Yes, but-."

"Not a problem." I rise off the ground. "I'll pop down and help her. We'll be back this afternoon."

 

[Ngamer11]

I'm actually a little touched at her faith in m-. No, there's Alkyone. Interesting choice, given that Alkyone like me more than anyone other than Hippolyta and her three circlemates, but a logical one. She has pretty conservatives instincts while still being willing to give me a fair hearing. I should check in with her first.

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That should say 'likes' and 'conservative'. It's nice to see that they've been given their freedom back. Would Alkyone actually consider Paul a friend, or just someone she can trust to an extent and respect?

"Lord Zeus is concerned about the circumstances of Donna Troy's creation, and has charged my daughter with ensuring that Tartarus remains an inviolate prison."

"How? I'm fairly sure that Diana doesn't have anything like the knowledge of thaumaturgy that would require."

"By attending to its security in person."

"Al.. right? How long is that going to take?"

"Lord Zeus did not specify a time limit. I assume that she will visit each of those imprisoned within and ensure that they are not attempting to escape or otherwise violate their bounds."

I frown. This does sound like something that a demigod might be asked to do, but where Zeus is concerned… "She's going to Tartarus indefinitely?"

"Yes, but-."

"Not a problem." I rise off the ground. "I'll pop down and help her. We'll be back this afternoon."

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Will Zeus finally make an appearance? I've been hoping to see him interact with Paul, since the latter will most likely insult him within a few minutes of their meeting.

 

[preier]

27th October 2012
06:08 GMT +3
...

"She's going to Tartarus indefinitely?"

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Yeah, this is going to fly like a neutronium pie thrown by a particularly anemic child...

"I'll pop down and help her. We'll be back this afternoon."

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Did not take long. Will be interesting to see if this punishment detail or if "it's not rape if they don't dare tell me 'no' or think I'm their husband."-Zeus is actually worried that someone else is bringing new half-gods into play.

 

[DAT_NOOB]

I see, did the amazons think Paul was going to end up going to war with Zeus or something?

 

[Massgamer]

After I've found John Constantine. No new projects until that one is done. So far I've only got as far as tracking down every dodgy street magician on the planet and asking if they've seen him. If I'd known there were this many of them I'd have tried to start an actual Trench Coat Regiment.

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Pffft, do it! The shady trenchcoat wearing wizards of the world need a proper organization.

I frown. This does sound like something that a demigod might be asked to do, but where Zeus is concerned… "She's going to Tartarus indefinitely?"

"Yes, but-."

"Not a problem." I rise off the ground. "I'll pop down and help her. We'll be back this afternoon."

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Is Zeus getting to Paul through Diana, dick move if so.

 

[Darko]

I did that. They're using ice created using a machine I put into commercial service on Themyscira, and no one acts like it's anything strange. No one's shying away. I mean, it'll be a while before we get to the stage where there are fridges or freezers in every home, and I've… Really got to see about sorting out some way for my fellow Themyscirans to get formal magic tuition

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You must feel proud.

After I've found John Constantine. No new projects until that one is done

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So you do remember him.

If I'd known there were this many of them I'd have tried to start an actual Trench Coat Regiment.

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Don't you mean brigade.

Though I think that already exists. At least judging by a comment I remember Ambrose making.

Huh. Usually, Diana makes a point of being around when it's one of my days in the forum. I'm not sure what she thinks is going to happen; I'm not persuasive enough to convince them to do anything too crazy just by speaking

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Yeah...I think she doesn't want to take that risk.

And you're capable of so many shenanigans.

Or maybe she actually finds it funny?

No. No, I don't think it's that.

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It could be that.

Politics js a dreary, boring thing.

Orange Lantern to Wonder Woman. Diana, are you actually giving me a-?"

"Wonder Woman not found."

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Well now I'm concerned.

Also I don't think the " should be there, since in the next ring AI reply they weren't.

. Well, that explains it. If she's not on the planet then she can't lurk on the outskirts of the forum, covering her eyes with her right hand and slowly shaking her head.

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Ha!

"Cameras have been forbidden during elections since we first learned of them." She makes a very small smile. "If people wish to see politicians make fools of themselves, they may stir themselves and come to the forum to see it in person

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That may not be so practical.

They may have jobs they can't get away from, or it could be too far.

But with a camera they can see what happened.

"You are fairly insightful also. Do you inhale fumes, as oracles do, or does it come naturally

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Ha!

I really like her!

And it's a bit of both, actually.

Hera's temple has… A satellite dish, which is… Okay.

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Now I'm getting the image of her worshippers watching her show as a form of service.

d while the lightning hurt I'm prepared to take

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Maybe 'hurt, I'm prepared'

Lord Zeus is concerned about the circumstances of Donna Troy's creation, and has charged my daughter with ensuring that Tartarus remains an inviolate prison."

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Now I'm getting the feeling that the Titans are somehow going to take over Tartarus.

I frown. This does sound like something that a demigod might be asked to do, but where Zeus is concerned

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Yeah, you can't tell anything with that guy.

"Not a problem." I rise off the ground. "I'll pop down and help her. We'll be back this afternoon

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I can't help but imagining that they'll be gone a lot longer than that.

I see, did the amazons think Paul was going to end up going to war with Zeus or something?

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Given his previous record, it's not an outlandish thing to believe.

He convinced his wife to leave him, had another god knocked unconscious and thrown in mud, and once had another pantheon try, and succeeded, in killing him.

 

[Rafin]

"As you will. I -on the other hand- am trying different fruit combinations, and today is…"

"Apricot."

"Apricot, apparently."

"Don't you like apricot?"

"Last time I ate apricots, it was with a pork chop."

"For breakfast?"

"No."

"Do you like pork chops?"

"No. Honestly, I just want to try everything once. I don't have high hopes, but I've been wrong before."

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Have you the writer since tried Apricot so as to be able to model your SI's reaction?

 

[PDV]

I've been hoping to see him interact with Paul

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You mean, beyond the interaction we already saw?

Looks like the King of the Amoebas has temper control issues. I look up into the clear sky. "Nice try, jackass. Next time give it your A game." Helps that Apokoliptian armour is specifically designed to stop divine magics. In fact I'd have to say that was mostly the armour. I doubt there'll be a follow up. Once is 'I've got my eyes on you' but two would be an embarrassing failure. If the armour held.

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Speaking of which, that video link is broken. This works.

 

[Rafin]

She's far too misandrist to blame a man for doing anything. She's horrified at the actions of many of her fellow Amazons.

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What? Who does she blame for having driven the Amazons off their original homeland? Or for all the terrible bad no good stuff one can find in "Man's World"? Overly weak and permissive women who don't know how to tame their mens animal natures?

 

[Chojin Patriarch]

27th October 2012
06:08 GMT +3

I wave at the fishing boats as I pass over the fleet at sail-height, getting a few waves back from those women who have a free arm. Others are already unloading their catch at the docks, or laying them out at the morning market. I smile as I see one of the night fishers shaking a bucket of ice out over their catch to preserve it.

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Huh, that's not how a pre-industrial society would manage it. Not unless it had easy access to fresh ice. No doubt one of OL's little projects, eh? And Clyemne isn't happy about it. I'm sure the fisherwomen appreciate being able to keep their catch in good shape longer.

Spoiler: Commentary spoilered for length

I did that. They're using ice created using a machine I put into commercial service on Themyscira, and no one acts like it's anything strange. No one's shying away. I mean, it'll be a while before we get to the stage where there are fridges or freezers in every home, and I've… Really got to see about sorting out some way for my fellow Themyscirans to get formal magic tuition-.

After I've found John Constantine. No new projects until that one is done. So far I've only got as far as tracking down every dodgy street magician on the planet and asking if they've seen him. If I'd known there were this many of them I'd have tried to start an actual Trench Coat Regiment.

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Well done! Finally, you manage to focus on this one important thing! It only took months of getting sidetracked repeatedly... As for refrigeration, one issue would be getting the island's technical infrastructure up to the level needed to maintain even the simplest methods... Even if it's simply an icebox with someone making fresh blocks each day using a preset Cold gun...

Huh. Usually, Diana makes a point of being around when it's one of my days in the forum. I'm not sure what she thinks is going to happen; I'm not persuasive enough to convince them to do anything too crazy just by speaking. Maybe she's there as a calming influence. Or maybe she actually finds it funny?

No. No, I don't think it's that.

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To be fair, she probably does feel some manner of responsibility for you, still. In the eyes of Themyscira, you're probably still her apprentice. And any fuck-up you make reflects on her.

"Orange Lantern to Wonder Woman. Diana, are you actually giving me a-?"

"Wonder Woman not found."

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...Well, that's not worrying or anything, no.

Oh. Well, that explains it. If she's not on the planet then she can't lurk on the outskirts of the forum, covering her eyes with her right hand and slowly shaking her head.

For example.

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I get the feeling that's basically her normal mode of operation most of these 'forum days'.

I'm not seeing Kon or Mitchell either. Maybe they went with her? Seems… Unlikely though. Mitchell's been trying to catch up on Kon's superior social skills so I doubt that he'd want to miss a weekend like that. Ring-?

Kon and Mitchell are in Mount Justice.

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Huh. Grounded, or simply enjoying a day without Mom hanging around?

I'm actually a little touched at her faith in m-. No, there's Alkyone. Interesting choice, given that Alkyone like me more than anyone other than Hippolyta and her three circlemates, but a logical one. She has pretty conservatives instincts while still being willing to give me a fair hearing. I should check in with her first.

I cross the lower city forum low enough and slow enough for my passage to be clearly visible to everyone. I see a few regulars -some of whom will be seeking office or trying to keep it- shuffling through their notes in preparation for the morning disputation. Some are recorded on vellum, but it looks like Man's World paper is also making inroads.

Click to shrink...

Imported, of course. I doubt the island has enough trees to make actual paper production viable, never mind the tech-base. Even with dryads regrowing what the Amazons consume.

Alkyone comes to alert as she sees me heading towards her, and I slow and land a not too close distance in front of her.

"Good morning."

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Hmm... She seems a little tense...

A shallow inclination of the head. "Illustres."

"Did Princess Diana leave a message for me?"

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A reasonable question, but...

She visibly hesitates, which isn't something I'm used to from her. "Queen Hippolyta requests your presence in the palace."

"Um, okay, I'm at her disposal. Can you give me a clue what this is about?"

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...A concerning response. Something is rotten in the state of Themyscira. And I'm not talking about the fish.

"I am sorry." And now there's no doubt, which means that this is something that Queen Hippolyta has ordered her to do or told her is right. "But the Queen wants to tell you herself."

Then that's the most I'm going to get out of her. I look around, but none of the other Amazons appear to be acting strangely. Alright, I.. suppose. It's not as if Hippolyta is unpleasant company.

Click to shrink...

Not public knowledge, then. No doubt linked to Diana's absence.

"Rightoh. Do you want a lift back?"

"The Queen has tasked me with overseeing the debates to make sure that things don't get out of hand."

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So, stop the ladies getting physical during arguments, then. I mean, it's a given that weapons would be banned, but the average Amazon is still a well-trained badass citizen-soldier.

"Out of hand? Should I leave a camera?"

"Cameras have been forbidden during elections since we first learned of them." She makes a very small smile. "If people wish to see politicians make fools of themselves, they may stir themselves and come to the forum to see it in person."

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Assuming they aren't busy keeping the island fed, or clothed, or sheltered, or any number of vital jobs...

"Fair enough. Have you given any consideration to how you'll be voting?"

"That will be a matter for consideration once I have heard-." She considers me for a moment. "Yooou are not standing yourself, are you?"

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As if he'd have the free time? Not unless he could be in multiple places at once... And greediporting doesn't count!

I grin and hold her gaze. Then I raise my arms, holding them out to the sides as if to embrace the world.

"No. Much as it would delight Eris, you would be conducting yourself differently if you were. You are simply playing on my expectations and prejudices."

Click to shrink...

It's just a prank, sistah. No doubt Eris is chuckling, since she'd probably be watching the forum anyway for laughs.

"You're pretty insightful for a woman who spent ninety years in a box."

"You are fairly insightful also. Do you inhale fumes, as oracles do, or does it come naturally?"

Click to shrink...

Eh, while some people he talks to might end up feeling the vapours, he is sadly immune.

I reduce my smile to slightly more normal proportions, give her a mock-salute with my right hand and then transition to the palace plaza.

Ooh. Demeter's temple is looking a little more overgrown than normal. Has Euanthe been visiting? Hera's temple has… A satellite dish, which is… Okay. The rest looks much as it has for the last two thousand years or so. One of the guards-.

Click to shrink...

Hmm... Did Hera get a TV deal at some point? Because I could see her setting her priestesses up with satellite TV to watch it as part of their religious obeisances. Or maybe one of them visited Man's World and got hooked on Oprah or something.

She's running into the palace. That's unusual. I'm not normally a 'panic stations'-. Something's up.

I trade my light armour for my heavy armour and generate construct armour to go along with it. That sends a wave of uncertainty through the remaining guards, but unusually none of them say anything. They've all been ordered to leave this to Hippolyta. Why? I like Hippolyta well enough but we're not super-close. Certainly not 'we need someone to talk Orange Lantern down' close.

Click to shrink...

Oh, someone's grabbing the wrong end of the pointy stick...

What's going on?

And… Here comes Hippolyta. And Captain Philippus and… Menalippe. Has Eris done something? Why the heck is-?

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Honestly, you spend a few days away, and all hell breaks loose.

"Paul, that…" Queen Hippolyta looks over my preparations. "Won't be necessary."

"Your majesty, something about this situation makes me think that you might -and I say this with all due respect- be mistaken."

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...Ah. They expect him to be temperamental about something he's about to be told, then.

"Diana has received a mission of great importance from Lord Zeus, King of Olympus."

Oh. Is that all? Not exactly a frequent occurrence, but Diana's been clued in on supernatural threats by him about… Three times before? And while the lightning hurt I'm prepared to take the occasional cheap shot in the name of maintaining the peace.

Click to shrink...

Probably irks Zeus a little that his usual display of displeasure can be foiled by a suitably sturdy lightning rod.

"What sort of mission?"

"Lord Zeus is concerned about the circumstances of Donna Troy's creation, and has charged my daughter with ensuring that Tartarus remains an inviolate prison."

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Okay, not unreasonable. Definitely don't want all Tartarus breaking loose. Took his time about it, though, given that the story was outed months ago.

"How? I'm fairly sure that Diana doesn't have anything like the knowledge of thaumaturgy that would require."

"By attending to its security in person."

Click to shrink...

...Still reasonable. A personal inspection of matters isn't too much.

"Al.. right? How long is that going to take?"

"Lord Zeus did not specify a time limit. I assume that she will visit each of those imprisoned within and ensure that they are not attempting to escape or otherwise violate their bounds."

Click to shrink...

And with the Lasso, she can actually ensure they're truthful about it...

I frown. This does sound like something that a demigod might be asked to do, but where Zeus is concerned… "She's going to Tartarus indefinitely?"

"Yes, but-."

"Not a problem." I rise off the ground. "I'll pop down and help her. We'll be back this afternoon."

Click to shrink...

"Ah, Pavlos, I don't think that was what he intended..." Then again, maybe Zeus wants OL barging in downstairs. Not sure what he could set up that Hades wouldn't promptly take issue with, but it's possible...

No wonder they were all walking on eggshells around him. I mean, he's on good enough terms with Hades he could probably get clearance to join Diana on her little inspection tour without too much hassle anyway. But did they really expect him to launch himself down the tunnel, all guns blazing? How disappointing to see how little they think of him... At any rate, I'm sure things are perfectly fine down there.

 

[Darko]

What? Who does she blame for having driven the Amazons off their original homeland? Or for all the terrible bad no good stuff one can find in "Man's World"? Overly weak and permissive women who don't know how to tame their mens animal natures?

Click to shrink...

Don't think that prejudiced people have any logic behind their beliefs.