17594/Seeking Tradition

Seeking Tradition
Date of Scene:	07 April 2024
Location:	Diana's Office: Themysciran Embassy
Synopsis:	Sofia visits Diana in the Themysciran Embassy. Wine is shared and an offer is made.
Cast of Characters:	Sofia Maroni, Diana Prince

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Sofia Maroni has posed:
Sofia Maroni reached out ahead of time to arrange the meeting, of course. One does not just 'drop in' on the Ambassador of Themyscira, especially if she is royalty. The meeting was simply billed as social.

Sofia arrives in appropriate attire for the hour, which in this case includes a cocktail dress. The simply cut black velvet has a halter neckline and low back, exposing shoulders and arms as well. Stockings and pumps complete the outfit. Her jewelry is minimal, makeup simple and tasteful.

She also used her full name, Maroni, instead of 'Marion' that she uses to avoid attention of those who would know her mafia father's family.

Diana Prince has posed:
It was true that Diana was rather busy of late, always busy, really. But in the recent weeks she is dealing with the developing situation at the Atlantic Starport, as well as the opening of Earth's first Lunar Colony. But even still, she manages to see appointments here at the Embassy, and Sofia was one of those said appointments.

Being that it is evening, the Embassy is a bit quiet when Sofia arrived, but she was soon shown to Diana's office, and given a brief look through the Embassy itself. It was an old NYC Mayorial home, once upon a time, now converted in to a Themysciran cultural museum, for all intents and purposes. Diana's New York home, and home to many of her siblings, and closest allies.

When Sofia arrives at the office, she's shown in, where she finds Diana placing a pair of leather books back on to a shelf where they belonged. Dressed in white and black, a pencil skirt, blazer and her hair tied back, the Princess looked casually dressed smart. She turns to see the arrival, and notes her lovely dress. "Oh, don't you look quite nice." The Princess states, a smile on her red hued lips as she meets Sofia half way through the office, smiling toward her and offering a hand for shaking. "Sofia, yes?" She asks in a pleasant tone of her naturally husky voice.

Sofia Maroni has posed:
Sofia Maroni returns the smile, inclining her head and giving an informal curtsey. "Thank you for making the time for me, Your Highness." she replies. Accepting the offered hand, her nails are short but manicured, her grip firm and confident. "Yes, Sofia Maroni." She pauses for a moment, then continues with the introduction. "Daughter of Aphrodite and Apprentice to the Messenger Goddess Iris."

She watches Diana's reaction for a moment, then continues. "I have long been seeking my place in the world. You are known for your wisdom, and I would greatly appreciate your insight."

Diana Prince has posed:
Naturally the introduction does garner a moment of visible curiosity touching Diana's features, but she lets it drift away quickly. "Please, Diana is all you need to refer to me as." She states, a friendly expression touching her features then. She offers a hand gesture aimed toward the sofa and chair set in the center of her office, "Please, have a seat." She adds, before glancing to her assistant who brought Sofia back to the office. "And Greta would be more than happy to get you any kind of drink you might enjoy too." She indicates, as her assistant hovers in the office doorway.

"Otherwise, I am eager to learn more about you, Sofia."

Sofia Maroni has posed:
Sofia Maroni returns the smile, her own expression gracious as she moves towards the offered seat. Turning towards Greta, she offers. "Some wine, if you would." Smoothing her skirt as she settles, one foot tucks behind the other. "Before we discuss my future, it would be good for you to know my past." she begins.

"My father was Don Angelo Maroni, of the Gotham Maroni family. My mother left me to be raised with him, and I grew up wanting for nothing. I learned how to defend myself from my bodyguards and I developed into a rather good singer."

"When I turned 18, my mother gave me to the Goddess Iris as an Apprentice Messenger. That was in 1939. I traveled, singing where I could, and I fulfill my messenger duties whenever called. But in this age of the Internet, there isn't a lot of call for the Old Ways."

Diana Prince has posed:
When Sofia sits, Diana siats across from her, smoothing her skirt with her hands as she sits with her posture straight on the edge of the leather sofa chair. Greta steps out to grab the requested drinks, while Diana keeps her attention locked on to Sofia's eyes. When the other speaks of some of her past, Diana softly nods her head, her slim pointed chin dipping up and down gently a pair of times.

"I imagine you have had a lot to deal with in your time." She quietly replies to Sofia when the moment presents itself. "I have heard of your family name, of course, though I do not spend a lot of time in Gotham City..." Batman doesn't like it when she does.

"I assume you have not had a lot of... insight in to your mother's side of your heritage, and you wish to experience some of that here? Or at least learn a bit more with regard to that side of your life?"

Greta returns with a pair of glasses and a bottle of wine. She sets it down on the table between the two women, and proceeds to pour them both a drink, offering them both a glass.

Sofia Maroni has posed:
Sofia Maroni smiles a little at the mention of her mother. "My mother and I do not... communicate regularly." she replies. "It's not her way. I have met several cousins, as well as others that I have known from distant times and places. But I do not reach out to my elders with any regularity."

She accepts the glass and takes a small sip before continuing. "So yes, I suppose you're right. I was hoping to learn more about that side of my family. Being raised by my father, I didn't develop a completely objective opinion of my mother, you understand. I'm afraid that translated to my divine relations as well."

Diana Prince has posed:
Greta steps out of the room after serving the glasses of wine, leaving the two to talk. Diana takes a small sip of the beverage before she lowers the glass to hover it on her opposite palm above her lap. She keeps her attention on Sofia, gently nodding her head to what the other says further of her life.

"Well, I am happy to help you learn whatever it is you would wish to know. Admittedly, I have met many children of the Olympian pantheon throughout my years of life within the mortal world. There are more than one might think, and many of whom do not even know they are of relation to such a person. I have had to build the knowledge from the base up, previously. You, at least, were given the knowledge at some point... which ultimately is a good thing, as it means you do not have to deal with the shock and disbelief phase." She shows a soft smirk, but it is gone quickly.

"Do you know how your parents met, and how much time they spent together? Or is that level of detail a mystery?" She inquires.

Sofia Maroni has posed:
Sofia Maroni relaxes a little, although she holds her own, proper posture. She takes another sip. "My father only told me that mother was his mistress. As for the details of how they met or why they parted, he was somewhat lacking." Sofia chuckles softly. "I can only assume that was mother's charm."

"She didn't share her true nature with me until the day she handed me to Iris. I'm sure she meant well, but it would have been nice if I had at least some input into the decision."

She tilts her head, then, looking more directly at Diana. "Are all the gods and goddesses so damned sure of themselves? I mean, if we believe the stories of mythology, they are far from infallible."

Diana Prince has posed:
Diana is calmly quiet, as she simply listens closely. The last question garners a soft smile on her visage, a warm expression at the woman's apparent feelings about the Olympians. "They have been through a lot, and it has forged ... rather interesting personalities from one to the next. They have moments of which would cause much disbelief, and yet still moments which would cause... one to be awe struck by what they are truly capable of. But to put it simply, they are fallible, and they know it. Some of them are much more willing to believe it than others, however."

Diana draws in a light breath then, as she glances toward the windows behind her desk situated to her right, before she looks back to Sofia. "Tell me about your life as it is today?" She asks. "I am curious as to what fills your days now, and what lead you up to this point?"

Sofia Maroni has posed:
Sofia Maroni listens to Diana's assessment of the gods and goddesses, nodding slowly as well. "It's easy to forget that they've had a long time to develop bad habits, I suppose." she replies, smile taking a wry twist. "I'll have to keep that in mind."

Then Diana asks about Sofia's life currently. She draws a deep breath, exhaling slowly. "I have a few regular singing gigs, but that's really all. And that is the problem." She shifts a little, leaning in closer. "I could be... and should be... doing more. As far as doing more good in the world, I mean. I have my natural abilities and I've been trained, but..." Here she pauses for a moment. "I do not know how to fight honorably. I learned from mafia bodyguards, which involves switchblades, garrotes, guns, and clubs."

Diana Prince has posed:
The Princess shows a small smile at the initial response to her words on the Olympians, but she remains quiet as Sofia replies to the rest as well. At the talk of the mafia training, a light and short exhale of a laugh escapes from Diana. "Well," she started awith another glance away. "There is still a measure of discipline gained from learning even combat techniques of that variety. It shows that you can learn, which is a good indicator of a promising outlet."

With her eyes once more upon Sofia's own, Diana draws in a little intake of breath through her nose. "I would invite you to join us here at the Themysciran Arts Center. It is the large facility just across from the park beside the Embassy. It is a place dedicated to the ways of life of my people, and there-in you can participate in... well, the day to day life of a Themysciran. this would be from simple food preparation, to the ever more popular combat training within our arena. What you are comfortable with, and what you are up for, is thusly entirely up to you. but, should you indulge, I do believe you would learn a lot about the heritage that you come from."

Sofia Maroni has posed:
Sofia Maroni shrugs a little. "Being good at killing people doesn't mean I know how to fight honorably, but yes, I can be taught." Then comes the offer, and Sofia lifts a blonde brow. "And I accept your invitation, Diana. I think that perhaps this is what I've been missing all these years, this part of my heritage. And I think that full immersion is certainly the way to go."

Sofia smiles wryly, then. "Besides, I should probably lay off the bar food and hard living anyway." Not that it shows on her, of course. "I may get the occasional messenger call, but those haven't been nearly as inconvenient as they were a couple decades ago."

Diana Prince has posed:
"Well," Diana starts, after showing another soft smile toward the other woman. "Having a mystery connected to our lives, as large as one like yours... it leaves a shadow behind us that can create a measure of discomfort. I would guess, at least." She raises the glass of wine up for another sip before lowering it down to her palm again.

"It may not be exactly what you expect, but there is a wide variety of activities that you can engage in at the Arts Center, so I am comfident that you will find something that interests you. I would be happy to help you settle in too, if it does seem like an appealing way to spend a bit of your time." She motions toward the other's glass. "Would you like a refill?" She questions.

Sofia Maroni has posed:
Sofia Maroni takes another sip while Diana talks. "To be honest, I'm ready for something that isn't exactly what I expect. It would be a nice change." she replies. Uncrossing her ankles, she gives a nod on the subject of a refill and lifts her glass. "Yes, please."

"I'll report to the Arts Center, then, and I'll be happy to start tomorrow." Sofia offers. The blonde smiles warmly again. "And thank you for the opportunity."

Diana Prince has posed:
The wine bottle is raised up, and the glasses are topped off once more by Diana's hand. When she sets it down, she is showing a soft smile to Sofia's words, before she sets her glass down and stands up. "One moment." She states, moving around the leather sofa toward the bookshelves that line her office wall. Positioned in a niche within the bookshelves, and illuminated by a soft yellow spot lighting, is Wonder Woman's famous attire, glinting beneath the lights, with lasso, sword and shield, bracers and bodice, skirt and armored boots. But Diana is moving to stand beside that, as she pulls a few books from shelves. "Here..." She states, returning to where Sofia is seated. She offers the trio of books to her. "these are about your mother. "Stories revolving around her life. They are not first hand editions, so do not fear keeping them in great shape either." She says with a soft grin as she sits down once more. "But they are filled with information you won't find through average research avenues."

Sofia Maroni has posed:
Sofia Maroni rises when Diana rises, moving smoothly. The Amazon crosses to the bookshelves and Sofia follows more slowly, watching to see where Diana will go. "Books about my mother?" she looks amused at first. Then comes the clarification. Sofia tilts her head a little. "I thought all the stories had been, you know, told. Or are these the not-for-children editions?" The amusement returns, but when she is offered the books she accepts them. With an almost formal nod. "Thank you."

Diana Prince has posed:
The question as to the nature of the content of the books, has Diana releasing a light laugh. "Well, there is a bit of that in the middle book there. But I assure you it is not overly detailed considering it is about your mother, I cannot imagine you would appreciate me giving you a book with any measure of overly detailed insights." She fires back, shaking her head side to side softly.

"They are tales of adventure, relationships, duty and the effects of living the life of someone in her position. They were recorded by members of my people, and passed down through retellings, and likely have suffered only mild measures of exaggeration. Themysciran scholars keep great pride in the accuracy of such things, especially when it comes to one of the female Olympians that we still actively hold in such high regard."

Sofia Maroni has posed:
"Adventures and relationships, in only three volumes?" Sofia replies, although the amusement is warming now. "But if they are records made by your people, then I will certainly enjoy reading them."

Looking to Diana again, she nods once more. "Again, I thank you. So much of what has been written or told about my mother casts her in an unfavorable light."

Diana Prince has posed:
There comes a warm smile across Diana's face again at the words from Sofia, and a little shake of her head to accompany it. "Aphorodite is much more complex than what the writings in media would tell you of her. They go off of what could be considered the surface level ideas, and know nothing of the woman within the legends. It is very misleading, and very incomplete. Lacking valuable context to a story can be the spine of its validity getting removed."

She takes another sip of the wine from the tall glass, then offers another nod toward the books.

"We have a more extensive library at the Arts Center too, and it could be a further resource for you to learn even more yet still. It is all what you are up to hearing, experiencing and allowing yourself to absorb. If... in time, you might even be able to accompany some of us on a trip to Themyscira itself, where yet more stories, and information reside."

Sofia Maroni has posed:
Sofia Maroni cradles the books to her chest, weight shifting as Diana talks. "I suppose my opinions are also a bit colored." She smirks. "I will need to do a lot of reading, I think. But if it helps to understand... to REALLY understand... my mother, then it will be worthwhile."

At the offer of going to Themyscira, Sofia smiles warmly again. "Perhaps once I have learned more about your culture, then yes, I would like to visit. As it is now, I know enough to know that I'm not ready."

Diana Prince has posed:
A single confident nod comes from the Princess following those words from Sofia. "I am glad to hear it." She says back, before rising up yet again, this time stepping to the right side of the sofa and reaching for something from her desk. "Here." She says, "Another gift to add to your pile of books." She tells Sofia with a little grin.

In her hand, Diana offers a small black glossy folder with a emblem of a golden eagle upon the cover face, with words written in Themysciran beneath its wings. "This is a guide to the Arts Center. It will tell you about all of the classes, events, and provide details with regard to the combative arts training as well. It is for members of the community who wish to become a bit more involved..."

She lets Sofia take it, should she desire. "I know that most of this could be found on a website... but I am a classical minded person, and I prefer something that I can physically hold in my hands, and see without a mirror and a monitor light shining back at my face." She explains with a hint of a little grin showing upon her crimson hued lips.

"Plus, it has a section for you to store your own notes, and writing with a pen is still superior to a keyboard. No matter what might sisters might say."

Sofia Maroni has posed:
Sofia Maroni takes a couple steps as Diana returns to the desk and offers the black folder. Her head tilts at the emblem, and she lifts a brow. Sofia can read many languages, but not this one. With a nod, Sofia adds the folder to the stack of books.

"You're talking with someone who sends and receives messages with rainbows. I understand the interest in keeping things traditional." she replies.

Sofia nods slowly, then, in agreement. "I think children are learning to type and text before they learn to write. I learned to write with a fountain pen and with pencils that I sharpened by hand. There is an elegance lost in digital communications."

Diana Prince has posed:
The revelation that the woman before her also has a tendancy to hold on to the old world ideals of physical materials, and the hand written word, has Diana smiling again with an open amusement. "Then should you grow comfortable sharing that around here, expect a bit of teasing from the younger ones. But, I imagine you are used to it from your own friends and associates." She states with a sly grin.

"If you would like to stay for dinner, I believe our Chef is serving in the dining room soon. I can put in a request for another plate, if you would enjoy it?' She asks, still holding her wine glass as she raises it up for another sipped taste of the dark wine within.

Sofia Maroni has posed:
Sofia Maroni clucks her tongue softly at the mention of teasing by the young ones. "Diana, I sing songs from the 30's. But I also do covers of The Stones, Lady Gaga and Pink. I'm pretty culturally versatile." She takes another sip of her own wine, then. "Dinner would be nice, actually. Why not start things off properly, after all?"

Sofia swirls the wine glass a little. "I'll admit I wasn't really sure what to ask or what I was wanting, but thank you. From one old-fashioned gal to another."