15263/Tea is for Tiara

Tea is for Tiara
Date of Scene:	29 June 2023
Location:	Upper East Side
Synopsis:	Diana and Ivy have a nice tea break as they discus happier future options.
Cast of Characters:	Pamela Isley, Diana Prince

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Pamela Isley has posed:
    A good tea shop is a valuable and rare find. Sure you can buy 'good' tea in any high end grocer. However to find a place that dries and takes careful pride in their tea is a precious flower. Ivy found this place a while ago, and while she enjoys brewing her own, sometimes it is just ideal to buy a favorite blend and savor it. She likes this place because they even do a small little offerings to go with a tea of the season. And summer has the best offerings in her opinion. The make a strawberry infused black tea and offer cold cucumber sandwiches on a whole wheat in house bread. She's in a light green summer dress, a hat with her red hair carefully styled and fair skin exposed. She sits at a small table, legs and waiting patiently for her order. Happy this is not a crowded place as a rule.

Diana Prince has posed:
The little bell hanging over the door to the store jingles playfully as the door is pushed open. Inside strides a woman with dark hair tied back in a loose ponytail, tall as can be for most women, clearly standing at over six feet in the heeled shoes she's wearing. A light blue top is worn on her torso with a light jacket pulled on over that, the jacket a pure white hue in color with silver buttons and clasps adorning the trim of the jacket's seams. Black jeans finish her attire, slim fit to her lithe and physically toned form.

It's Diana Prince, unmistakable to anyone who might be privvy to seeing her face in the news so very often in the past six years.

She beams a smile to the store clerk, and steps toward the counter where she starts in to a casual conversation, about being well and asking of the store clerk's state in return. Her voice is laced in a foreign accent, and intoned with a naturally husky pitch. The two share a light laugh as Diana starts to place an order for a cup of tea, as well as a box to take home for later.

Pamela Isley has posed:
    Naturally the arrival of Diana is noticed. She gets politely watched as she moves across the store. Ivy for the most part stays calm and relaxed at her seat, softly popping the heel of her sling back shoe. She shifts in her seat and only once pauses to check where the back door exit is, just in case. Other then that look there is no outward sign of her being more then just another customer. Since it is a quiet shop it isn't hard to hear what the two are talking about.

Diana Prince has posed:
AS Diana's drink is being made, the Princess just stands at the counter's edge with her heads pressed up against it. She lets her eyes roam over the store's decorations as the clerk tending to her drink continues to try and keep a conversation with her going. Diana indulges with a continued happy tone to her voice and physical mannerisms.

Once her drink and tea arrive, Diana pays via the app for the store on her phone. She smiles to the clerk and turns around with the cup as she moves toward one of the tables nearby.

It's then that she sees Pamela, but does she know who she is?

Either way Diana gives Pam a happy smile upon her crimson hued lips before she slips down in to a table beside Pam's, with a bit of sunlight filtering in through the window on her left, and the tree along the sidewalk outside.

Pamela Isley has posed:
    Ivy's own drink is ready a moment before the Princess' own drink is done with the small plater. Ivy shifts her position just as a smile is aimed her way. How many men would kill to be receiving a smile like that. The redhead returns her own closed lip one to the woman as she walks toward the taller woman who sits there. "Hello Princess. Glad to see you have good taste. If you wish company feel free to join my table." She walks up and gets her own small platter which has a cup, a small teapot and about six tiny sandwiches.

Diana Prince has posed:
The offer is considered a moment before Diana lowers her phone to her side in her free hand. "That would be lovely, yes." She says in response, the two soon settling in together at that table. It takes but a moment there-after for Diana to ever so gently tilt her head to the right some, her eyes on Ivy's.

"Pamela, right?" She asks, a hint of a knowing grin given.

Diana knows Ivy's history. She knows what she's been through. She relates it similarly to that of Harley Quinn, in fact, who is someone Diana is quite close with now and has actively been trying to help find a better pathway in life.

But Pam's path currently? Diana is mostly oblivious to it as it hasn't been on her radar.

After a sip of her tea, which reveals the glinting metal of some kind of armored bracelets hiding just inside the open cuffs of that white jacket she's wearing, Diana lowers her cup down to the table., and offers Pam her hand across it.

"It is a pleasure to meet you." She says softly.

Pamela Isley has posed:
    Ivy settles into position with the tray and motions to it, "If you like you may have some of the sandwiches. When her name is said Ivy looks surprised and a quick glance around. Not many really know her real name outside some channels. It takes a deep calming breath for the woman to pour herself a cup of tea. It is that moment that makes her figure it out, "Harley." A happy smile on her lips with the name. "I should have guessed."
     "I'm always happy to meet a strong woman who puts men in their place and comes from a country that respects the land they stand on." She is a bit surprised at the hand because her skin is bare. But she will take it and offer a small touch. "I really recommend the strawberry black tea."

Diana Prince has posed:
Diana offers the hand a light squeeze, nothing overbearing. She shows a hint of a smile at the words offered to her before pulling her hand back and placing it at the base of the box of Hibiscus tea that she'd purchased. "I'll try that." She says then. "And I have put a number of women in their place over the years too." She adds with a little lean forward, and a grin to show she's having a bit of fun with that.

When she leans back once more, she takes another sip from her cup before lowering it once more. A glance is spared to the window on her left where a couple of city bike riders roll on past. "What brings you to New York?" Diana asks Pam then as her stare returns to the other woman, her eyes taking in the sight of her attire. "You look like you are enjoying a nice summer day. I hope that is the case."

Pamela Isley has posed:
    Ivy grins and will suggest, "If you get a second cup I can share tea with you." The little joke makes her give a soft laugh, "I imagine you have. Some maybe even gratefully so." She will pluck one of the small sandwiches to nibble it and she nods the platter. "My favorite summer tea I don't make myself. I am doing my best to play 'human' today and be nice and normal." She asks, "What about you? Is this a secret getaway for you?" She hesitates unsure how best to address Diana. If they are staying nice and polite anyway.

Diana Prince has posed:
There comes a sly grin at the question, and Diana simply shakes her head to it. "Secret get away, no..." She softly says back as her eyes glance down again, then dart once more to the window before falling back upon Pam finally. "The Themysciran Embassy is just down the street from here. I come here a couple times a month to get a box of tea, check in on the staff... I am quite fond of this place." She notes before she looks to her right, across the store to a wall of photos framed and hung neatly together. She motions toward them with a nod of her head. "I knew the owner's parents." She says, regarding Ivy again. "They passed away a decade ago, or so. Support the family, support their business." She says with a hint of a small, but warm, smile. It fades then though as once more Diana looks Ivy over before speaking again.

"I think you are as normal as almost anyone else I speak to, if that is at all comforting..." She says then in a slight bit of intended humor.

Pamela Isley has posed:
    Ivy is sipping and relaxing there doing her best to see the woman and not the uniform or story. "That's very kind of you, Diana." The way they are talking gives her Pamela the idea to use first names as if friends. "I've done orders through here for several years. Though often under other names or cash. I don't get to be the woman you picture on the wall." Ivy savors a sip of her tea and leans to put her elbows on the table and keep the cup near her face. "May I ask a.... not a personal question but one related to your homeland, please?"

Diana Prince has posed:
"I am glad to know you have such a good taste in your tea." Diana says with a slight grin before the question to ask a question is posed.

This garners a couple swift dips of her slim pointed chin in response, along with a. "Yes, of course. We are doing a lot to try and make Themyscira a little less of a mystery to people, though we have to take small steps with this... less we suffer the wrath of our citizens who are a little less willing to throw open the doors to the rest of the world."

She grins just a little before her hands wrap around the base of her teacup once more. "But yes, feel free to ask what ever you would like to know."

Pamela Isley has posed:
    "Well if ever you are willing to let someone like me visit. I would LOVE to see all the plants that are as old as some of your 'sisters' there." Ivy can only imagine at the plants there on a magical island that is more in line with ancient Greece then the modern world.
    She motions to herself as they talk and share tea. "I'm not sure how much Harl has told you of my... condition and situation. I don't often wonder, but a few time it has come to my mind, have you met a Dryad or Nymph before? I wondered how alike I would be to some of those nature spirits of old."

Diana Prince has posed:
The question garners a raised nod of the Princess' head as she draws in a little breath through her small nose, her fingers stay wrapped around the base of her tea cup. "Yes, of course. You are a botanist, yes?" She asks. "As it so happens we have a number of Themysciran plants at both the Embassy and the Arts center. A number of different types of Lotus flowers that I could see you enjoying a chance to see first hand." She states before the last part of that question has her smiling quickly again.

"Well, the... land of Themyscira is one of many mysteries, in and of itself. For instance, the Enchanted Forest upon the main island is filled with creatures of myth. The ones that I have interacted with the most-- that I would assume you would have interest in --would be that of the forest Dryads. They are guardians of the forest's health itself. We recently had some issues with an outside blight finding its way in to the heart of the forest, but the Dryads helped to extinguish it before it became an even more serious problem. But yes, some of the creatures within the forest, I myself have yet to ever see. The island may not seem large from the outside, but the forest has a way of... going on further than you would expect. Anyone unfamiliar with how to navigate it, may very well easily find themselves lost within its embrace for a long time..."

Pamela Isley has posed:
    "I am a botanist and a lot more. I even have had a pet project of working on a new breed of flower that is crossed with a Lotus and an orchid. Few bits of flax in there as well." The idea of meeting these new flowers has Ivy's eyes a bit wider and looking at Diana in more earnest. She really does have a love in her heart for plants and the world of The Green.
    "I just hope they would not see me as an invader or interloper. The plant world is not a 'nice' one Diana. Though if you ever have a problem like you speak of again. Do know that my past aside I would of course do all I could to defend our home planet." Ivy may not like people but the world as whole she is very fond of. She lets out a wistful sigh after another sip of the sandwich. "If ever it is possible. I would love to see this forest. I sometimes need to get away and find myself going to the deeper parts of the Amazon to get away from the world of humans and city." Any warning of getting lost does not concern Ivy one bit. She doesn't get lost in nature. Ever. Never ever.

Diana Prince has posed:
A small smile just resides on Diana's visage as she hears Pamela speak on all of this. She seems sa though an idea has come across her that she's debating on how to speak on. "It is possible that an arrangement could be made for you to visit the island, but we would have to see you around the Arts Center a bit more regularly first. But... in the mean time, have you heard of what has been happening in the Savage Lands in Antarctica of late?" She inquires.

Another pair of custoemrs step in to the store and step over to the counter to order drinks. Diana glances in their direction before she regards Ivy again.

"They have recently been suffering from a blight of the Brood, and though we have defeated the Brood infection from spreading, it has left a lot of scars on an otherwise ageless jungle. It could use someone of your skillset to ... at least look in to it, perhaps find ways to restore some of the damage left in the wake of the madness there-in. It is a beautiful place, of untamed wild, both in its plant life and wild life itself. I saw many types of flora that exist no where else on Earth, things that I did not know were even possible to exist, for that matter."

Pamela Isley has posed:
    "If I am welcome I would not mind visiting your Arts Center from time to time. And I have not. I have been busy with a project. A patron has sponsored me to work on some new carbon negative housing ideas."
    With the arrival of some other customers, Ivy is quiet a bit to watch them. She thinks about what she is told. "I don't think Brood are known to me, but if you need someone to help a jungle regrow, I'm your woman." Ivy has to ask though, "how would I get there? Safely and incarcerated as it were."

Diana Prince has posed:
Diana keeps her left hand around her tea cup's base as her right moves up to the side of her face where she adjusts some loose strands of hair dangling down the side of her forehead. She smiles at Pam's response. "The Arts Center is a public place. It is a hub of all things Themysciran. We even recently opened a two story library filled with books directly from the island. There would be much there for you to enjoy in and of itself, as far as information on the flora of Themyscira. Though... I imagine you are not very fond of books, at their base existence." She dryly notes that last part. "All the information is being catalogued to a computer system within the library too though, if that format is superior for your tastes."

The Princess takes a moment to enjy another sip of her red hued tea before she lowers the cup down once more. The question of transportation to the heart of Antarctica has her show another light smile. "Well, my Jet could see you there, if it was something you would really wish to embark upon. Also there is SHIELD. They have a new airfield within the eastern region of the land now, seeing a number of transport planes coming and going with their own personnel, but I imagine that might be a bit uneasy for you..."

Pamela Isley has posed:
    "I will do my best to remember that Diana. I do not always, act like others. But it is good for me to have touchstones for my roots to hold to." Ivy shakes her head and says. "Books can be recycled, though in the digital age they are less needed. Nature is harsh on itself, and death is part of that. The problem is when humans take more then they need. They become virus and parasite and not a symbiote living with nature."
    Ivy smiles as she continues to sip her tea and enjoy her sandwiches. "I don't think I'd like to try SHIELD but if you have a means and an offer. I'd be willing. You are known as a woman of your word, and you legendarily have a way to be certain of my intentions. Assuming it works on plants and people both." Ivy will push the tray with the last two sandwiches toward Diana, "Please try one. They're light and refreshing. If you like I can come by the center some time and we can maybe talk more. If you would like that. Maybe I'll even see a friend or two."

Diana Prince has posed:
Pamela was an interesting person, for a number of reasons. Diana knew some of them based on the file that the Justice League has on Gotham's most notorious villains... former or otherwise. But Diana is also smart enough to know that a file in a computer is not going to tell a full story. You may get chapters of the story, but to get the full volume of information you have to be open to turning a few more pages on a person's story.

"You would be welcomed." Diana says back with regard to the Themysciran Arts Center. She tags a soft smile on to what she says too before the plate is offered and she picks up one of the sandwiches wrapped around its edges with a napkin from the table.

Ivy gets to bare witness to the remarkable experience of Wonder Woman taking a relatively dainty bite from the corner of the sandwich halve. Once she registers its taste within her palette she nods her head and sips her tea.

"I rarely try the food, but I can see that I need to start..." She says in a lowly casual tone of voice before she laughs in a soft and somewhat bubbly way. "Thank you for sharing." she adds too.

Pamela Isley has posed:
    "I can tell they get their stuff from a farm. I know my plants and taste. This mix is only on the menu a few months in summer. Then it's time for something else. Cycles of seasons and all that." Ivy refills her tea cup, taking careful steps to not spill a single drop of it. She appreciates the mundane moment from Diana as she enjoy the sandwich and smiles.
    "I will have to warn," laughs Ivy. "If I do visit your home and it's as clean as I think it will be. I may cause the forest and island to sort of sigh and enjoy it with me. I may or may not just lay on a beach in the sun for a few hours too." Ivy's cheeks color slight. "Strong sunlight sometimes can get me buzzed. Photosynthesis is like a sugar buzz and a stiff drink in one at times."

Diana Prince has posed:
"I am not allowed in the kitchen at the Embassy, nor the kitchens back home either." Diana admits with a little smile toward the other across the table from her. "You have a few minor mishaps when cooking, a few minor stove fires... and banned for 'life'." Diana adds with a little grin showing that things may have been a bit more of a mess than she's letting on. Wonder Woman is a bad cook? Who would've thought it!

She nods two small times to the other's words about enjoying some time outside. "I might be a bit biased, but our beaches are the best that I have found around the world. Harley has been to them, with her roommate. I was unable to be there then, but should we have the chance to see you brought to the island I would be delighted to get to hear your thoughts on it. If you truly do benefit from the sun as a plant might, well then... that may only further establish you as the best person to review our most heralded of relaxation points."

The Princess shows a slight grin for Pam's sake then before she samples a bit more of the food, along with another sip of her tea.

Pamela Isley has posed:
    "I'll cook for you any time. Assuming you will trust to eat what I make, most people don't want to be around me unless I'm in a class 2 containment room or something." Ivy's mouth curls up at the mention of Harley, "I'm sure she had a fun time." The redhead leans back in her chair, "Sunlight helps me. More then most people, and I find some winters unbearable. My seasonal SADDs are... unpleasant for those around me and myself." She is somewhat relieved to get such warm and non-judgmental conversation so unexpectedly. "If you want my opinions I'm sure I can give them. Thank you by the way Diana. I don't say that often, but you've been kind and polite. I am... not used to that." Not from those that know all about her.

Diana Prince has posed:
"Well." Diana starts her response after dabbing at her lips with the napkin she has folded in half in her left hand. "I know that you have had a challenging history, and I know the woes of the criminal justice system in Botham City all too well. I am not sure how familiar you are with my work with Harley in regards to keeping her as far away from Gotham City criminal reform systems, but I have eagerly been trying to do just so for some time now. You, although I haven't looked in to, seem to be trying just as hard as she to come at issues from a different angle, and I respect that. I can help you with your winter woes too, should you ever need it." She adds, taking another sip of her drink as she glances toward the window on her left side that is clean enough to show her own reflection it as the late afternoon sun shines in upon them both at this particular table within the tea shop.

Diana's eyes go back to Ivy then. "If ever you are feeling the sadness of winter, or otherwise, and need to find your way to a sunny place... never hesitate to find me. I will make sure you get to such a place, be it the Amazon jungle... or something even more befitting the need you are looking for in that moment. I know you are a special case, Pamela, and I am willing to help you find special solutions to your situations that warrant it."

All of this is said with a calm warm undertone to her voice, her natural accent and arguably soothing voice is meant to convey her sincerity in offering a personal kindness to this woman, who by all rights is a stranger, but a stranger that Diana knows is in need.

Pamela Isley has posed:
    "I have not kept in touch with Harley, much as I would have liked. I," Ivy pauses. She looks at her tea and thinks for a moment and says, "I pulled away and into myself for a while and am just starting to undo that. From what I hear Harley is doing well and that makes me very happy. She got led astray and deserves a better light and happier."
    She looks up at Diana and says, "That won't make you popular with some. Being nice to me that is. They made a special room for me in Arkham, a flower in a glass cage with the lie of healing while stripping humanity." She frowns and shakes her head pushing the past away and instead focusing on the woman in front of her. She puts on a smile, "I'm being maudlin. If you like I can bring my notes on that new flower I bred and what it may be useful for." She smiles and says, "also if you ever have a... what was the term bacchanal? I can always give the wine a lot more kick for the women there."

Diana Prince has posed:
Diana finishes off the last of that sandwich that had been offered to her. She chases it with some of her tea as well before she once more dabs at her lips with the folded napkin. Her eyes go to Pamela's own and she has to smile, then laugh softly at the strong wine suggestion. "It is possible. Some of those on the island would be very much in to that, some of them are... uncomfortably active drinkers." The Princess notes with another little laugh. She shakes her head following that though and continues. "But really, we have a lot of strong alcohol variety ourselves."

She takes a breath in then as her shoulders rise some within that white light jacket she's wearing over her blue top. "It is only by the grace of a friendship that I do not storm my way in to Arkham Asylum to find the nature of what it is that is happening there. It is that same friend that keeps me from Gotham as a whole, because I believe he fears I'd truly stir the bee hive, so to speak, should I delve in to it all."

She pauses then, and shows a weary expression, before washing that away with another smile upon her ruby red lips. "Harley has had a bit of a troubled situation arise, but I aim to try and help her solve that as soon as I can. Otherwise, yes, she's good and I am sure she would love to see you."

Pamela Isley has posed:
    Ivy smiles and manages to keep it when thinking of Arkham's secrets. It doesn't even flicker in her eyes as she says, "That is not a hive to casually poke. I will not tell you of the past that I experienced. I honestly can't say I remember it all. Even I am not immune to drug after all."
    With that she happily moves to talking about Harley. "I will make a point to look for her and please send Harl my well wishes. I hope we can meet again sometime soon. Just as I enjoyed this little moment Diana. I will see about visiting your embassy's offerings soon."

Diana Prince has posed:
The Princess watches Ivy as she speaks, and offers a warm smile to her words. She moves to stand up then, gathering up the box of tea she'd purchased as well. "I look forward to it." She tells the other woman too, now at her full height beside the table.

"Enjoy the rest of your day too, I hope." She states before turning to leave the tea shop. On the way out she waves to the store clerk too, offering them a friendly gesture as she departs, leaving the other two customers in the store to whisper to themselves about whether or not that 'was' or 'wasn't' who they think it was.

Pamela Isley has posed:
    "Farewell Diana, I wish you well also. Enjoy your tea." Ivy will pull out a few dollars and leave them on the table in a tip as she gets ready to leave not long on Diana's heels. She just has to finish her tea.