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The sound of the waves lapping at the shoreline was so easily carried on the wind as it flowed gently across the hills and forests of Paradise Island. Safely tucked away from the horrors and strife that populated the rest of the Earth in too great a number, it was a place that easily proved itself worthy of its name. Where other centers of civilization would have been bursting with the unmistakable sounds that big cities were incapable of not providing, the island proved itself to be a callback to another time.
When the world was not only much calmer, but so much younger and undiscovered.
It was a perfect home for the Amazons in every way possible. For they were as much a reflection of the world’s past as they were its present, and hopefully, a vision for its future. A path to be followed, and just as much a way to defend it.
Looking out as the island appeared in the windshield in front of them, it was a sight that took every ounce of air out of Mary Jane’s lungs. For all the places she had been, it was easily one of the most beautiful places she had ever seen. If ever a place had deserved to be called ‘paradise’, it was certainly the one that lay before her now.
Seeing it with her own eyes outclassed every possible competition she could have imagined.
“Woah!” Looking out the same widow, Mayday couldn’t quite contain her excitement as well as her mother. At six years old, she was still a bottomless pit of energy, even without her spider-like abilities. Faced with such an exciting prospect as a trip to Themyscira? There had never been a greater outlet for all of her youthful energy. Her eyes went wide as she pressed them to the window of the Invisible Jet, trying desperately to soak in every possible sight. It felt like she had stepped onto the set of a movie. The few times that her mother had played in something fantasy-like had left her knowing the way things were supposed to look.
Somehow, reality was hard at work in making all of those movies look like they were made purely for children. And that was just from afar! The closer they got, the more she hated being buckled into her seat.
“And you’re sure about this?” Mary Jane asked as she looked over at the plane’s pilot. In a million years, she never once would have thought she’d be sitting next to Wonder Woman, of all people. Let alone having an invitation to Paradise Island. Surely, any second now, she was going to wake up and find herself coming out of one of the most interesting dreams she’d had in a long while.
The more she waited, however, the more it became obvious that this was anything but a dream.
“Of course.” Nodding, Diana had a way of speaking that ensured there would be no doubts left unlaid to rest. The truth to that effortlessly lay in how she watched her friend relax after the last word had left her lips. Between that and the seemingly endless excitement that the younger of the three continued to show, the mood in the plane was entirely one of joy.
The friendship between the two of them had come about quickly. Mary Jane had never shied away from speaking her mind about things. The further along her career had come, the more she had come to find that speaking in the right avenues carried more weight than it ever had before. Such power hadn’t come without controversy, and in the wake of her latest bit of charity work for mutant children, there had been more than enough negativity from certain groups to last several lifetimes.
For all the negative attention that had sprung up, however, there had been more than enough positivity to go along with it. Diana’s support, first publicly, and then privately, had numbered amongst the biggest. A few conversations, as well as joining her at the latest public event connected to the charity, had led where they were now. And while she hadn’t become involved with the charity for any kind of personal gain, Mary Jane had to admit, a visit to Themyscira wasn’t such a bad thing to have either.
“Maybe I’m still waiting for the part where the cameras come out and tell me this is all a prank.” Teasing partially out of fascinousness, MJ made sure the accompanying smile disarmed any of the bite that might have potentially been in her voice.
“No pranks here. I promise.” Diana could understand her friend’s hesitation. Access to the island was hardly something that was given freely. To be invited was not only a privilege, but an honor not to be taken lightly. Not that she thought either of her two guests would, of course. One look at May especially made it clear how much she was enjoying every second of this.
“Momma, look!” Even with the belts keeping her in her seat, Mayday was hardly able to sit still. Every passing second the urge to unhook those same belts so she could get a better view out the window grew even harder to resist. Only knowing that it would result in one unhappy mother was enough to keep her seated.
Turning her attention towards the windows once more, Mary Jane felt her own breath be sucked out of her lungs. Descriptions hardly did the island justice. In fact, they almost did it a disservice instead. For every definition of the world, the island looked perfect. Absolutely perfect, as a matter of fact.
In Mary Jane’s mind, she had never seen a place so befitting of its name.
Seeing the reactions of her guests easily put a smile on Diana’s face. She herself could remember how well she had been filled with a sense of wonder the first time she had left the island to see the world outside. It had been like having an entirely new set of eyes opened to her, without any inclination of what was waiting for her beyond her own sense of imagination. It was a feeling as incomparable as any sensation she had ever experienced. To see another going through the same sense of wonderment was a joy in and of itself.
The excitement both Diana and Mary Jane could hear from Mayday only continued to grow as the jet came in for a landing. For someone who had experienced her fair share of plane rides in her lifetime, this was one that Mary Jane already knew would never find an equal. And after all the times she had experienced what it was like to web-swing through the city, that was no small bit of praise.
Rather than the heavily industrialized runways that defined the kinds of airports she had seen however, Mary Jane found herself looking out at one that was far more old-fashioned. Rather than pavement, the wheels beneath her clearly were touching down on raw Earth. Were it not for the hanger or two that bordered that runway, she would have assumed they’d landed in an open field. As they came to a final stop, the sounds of the jet’s internal workings gave way to the sights and sounds of the island itself.
In a way, it was though the outside world had vanished behind them, leaving only the three of them on the cusp of entering paradise itself.
Mayday couldn’t undo her belts fast enough. Especially with her thoughts running a million miles an hour, All of the things she had seen from the air surely wouldn’t be able to compare to how they’d be up close. As far as she was concerned, she wanted to see everything as soon as possible. And that meant now.
“Come on, Momma!” Already, she was on her feet and moving to Mary Jane’s side. Small hands tugged at her mother’s shirt, as if that would be more than enough to coax her to go even faster. Little knowing that the overwhelming excitement she was putting out was easily fueling smiles on both Mary Jane and Diana’s faces.
“Okay, okay!” Fighting back the urge to laugh, but only barely, MJ undid her own belts whilst playfully rolling her eyes. “I’m starting to think giving you a can of pop before we left was a bad idea.”
“I’m sure she’ll burn through it in no time.” Wearing her amusement perfectly clear on her face, Diana was already on her feet. As many times as she had been back to the island since she had left the first time, watching May’s childish glee made this homecoming all the more memorable. And the best part of it all was that they hadn’t even left the jet yet.
The journey across the field towards the main portion of the island didn’t take long at all once the three had stepped outside. Now freed from the seat that had barely contained her throughout the flight, Mayday led the way as though she had been on the island her entire life. Walking beside one another not far behind, Diana and MJ kept a watchful eye on her as they spoke to one another.
By the time they had reached the main grouping of buildings, however, the youngest Parker’s excitement commanded all of their attention.
For Mayday, it was like her eyes couldn’t comprehend everything fast enough for her own liking. The comparison to a fantasy movie come to life continued to prove more of an apt comparison with each passing moment. Her first sightings of Diana’s fellow Amazons ensured that comparison would remain rooted firmly in her mind forevermore.
Words failed her completely. She had seen a handful of movies about warrior women in her short life thus far. As far as she was concerned, her mother’s guest appearance on Xena was still one of the coolest things ever. But even that couldn’t hope to hold a candle against what she was now witnessing. In fact, it might as well have been in another zipcode entirely, if not another planet.
The sound of swords clanging against one another filled the air, drawing May’s attention to a group of women sparring with each other. Her eyes filled with the sight as she stood on the small hill overlooking where the spar was taking place.
“Seems like we arrived at a good time.” Diana’s voice broke the hold the metallic clangs of swords held over May. Accompanied by the gentle feeling of a hand on her shoulder, Mayday scarcely wanted to pull her attention away from what was unfolding down below, less somehow the spell all of this had on her be broken. One look at Diana, however, didn’t make her feel silly for her interest in the slightest. On the contrary, it left her feeling like it was the most natural thing in all the world.
“Are they just practicing?” May asked, her eyes still completely filled with excitement in the most overwhelming sense.
“They are. It’s very common on Themyscria. Amazons always believe in keeping their skills sharp. You can never know when they might be needed most. Although we’ve always believed that war is the last resort.” Diana explained, turning her own eyes towards her sisters. It had been far too long since she had partaken in such sparring. But the skills she had been brought up learning were ones that she would never forget. Indeed, they had often made the difference more times than she could count.
“If they’re as good as you are? I’d say people probably should think twice before trying to start trouble here.” Mary Jane interjected. From what she had seen of Diana in action on television, there was no reason to not be confident about that statement.
“And from what I’ve heard about you, I’d say the same applies.” Flashing a smirk at Mary Jane, Diana had already heard stories of the woman beside her. Not the least of which was how there had been more than one occasion where someone had regretted seeing her as nothing more than bait. Indeed, one did not simply shoot Norman Osborn and keep the matter quiet. Nor would one want to, from what Diana understood about the man.
For Mary Jane, it was a compliment of the highest order.
“Can we get closer? I wanna watch!” Immediately turning and looking up at both of the adults with her, Mayday was already well equipped with the best tactic she could think of; puppy dog eyes. With such a powerful weapon already in her inventory, there was nothing that a sword would have been able to do in the hands of even the best warrior compared to that.
One look was all that Diana needed to know of that kind of power, as well as respect it.
“Of course. Hard to learn from such a distance. As long as your mother is alright with it.” Diana answered, looking over at MJ. As much as they were her guests on the island, the last thing she wanted to do was supersede Mary Jane’s authority over her own child. Despite the hesitation obvious in her face, MJ gave a nod. If there had ever been a place where the two of them were safe, surely it had to be on an entire island of warrior women.
Having Peter by her side wouldn’t have been so bad either, but rules were rules.
No sooner had permission been granted did May immediately turn and rush down the hill. Had her courage been bottleable, there was little doubt that it would have made any army completely unbeatable. Even such a brief observation was more than enough for Diana to see that for the fact that it was. It being the youngest Parker’s first trip to the island didn’t seem to have any effect on her as she ran down the hill with all the speed her body could grant her. Never once doubting that her mother and Diana were right behind her.
The closer that she came to where the warriors were sparring, the more her presence became impossible not to notice. Even as locked into the friendly battle as they were, the two Amazonian participants were not immune to such an intrusion. Especially when children were far beyond a rare sight on the island, with ‘rare’ hardly coming close to being the adequate term whatsoever.
Seeing Diana and Mary Jane put some of that confusion to rest. Not all, but some.
Reaching the bottom of the hill, Mayday instantly found herself frowning as the sparring match she’d been so eager to watch up close came to a halt by her arrival. She’d been more than eager to see things up close and hadn’t considered in her excitement that getting closer might interrupt. In an instant, the sound of clanging swords had been left only to recent memory, leaving her hardly aware that her presence was already an event in itself.
“Nooo! Keep going!” she instantly whined, childish instincts taking over without a hope of the world of being defeated. The disappointment extended to her face, in the form of a frown that stretched over her face from one side to the other. The arrival of Diana and her mother wasn’t enough to dislodge it either. Even after it had become clear that the adults that had accompanied her found such a reaction humorous.
“No need to worry, sisters. These are the guests I spoke of.” Diana offered in explanation, gesturing with her hand towards the two Watson-Parkers. For all her experience on the red carpet, the smile and wave that came from Mary Jane came to her as naturally as anything ever could.
“Seems the youngest has quite a bit of courage. Most would be intimidated at the sight of fully armed Amazons.” Seething her weapon with trained precision, one of the Amazons was already taking her share of amusement out of Mayday’s overwhelming show of enthusiasm.
“She takes after her mother.” Diana answered, before gesturing to where Mary Jane stood at her side. “This is Mary Jane Watson.”
“Honored to meet you.” MJ nodded immediately in turn. Across from her, the second of the Amazons nodded as well.
“Your reputation precedes you. Our sister has spoken very highly of you.” she offered alongside her nod. There had been times that she had been told such, but compared to hearing that person speaking of her so highly was Wonder Woman? That was the kind of praise that Mary Jane knew not only couldn’t be bought, but was outright capable of sending someone to the moon and back again. Which was right about where MJ was orbiting at the moment thanks to those words.
“Definitely a lot more honored now.” Were she back home, there was no doubt in her mind that she was making what was a certified sound-bite. Or at the least, a photo the tabloids would have ran miles with. As it was, however, MJ was grateful to have the privacy such a place had. And for the well-timed ‘rescue’ she quickly provided unknowingly, a certain wide-eyed daughter.
“Mommy, can I learn how to do that?” Tugging on her mother’s shirt, Mayday hadn’t lost any of the excitement she’d been filled with ever since they’d arrived. The more she observed, the more excited she seemed to get. Not even the highest of sugar rushes could hope to compare to the way she outright couldn’t even stay still to save her life. At the very least, MJ could already tell that even the bottomless well of energy her daughter had likely had finally met its match.
If the return trip saw May passed out and quiet, there would be no way she would be able to stop herself from asking for a return trip as soon as one could be arranged.
“Seems that courage did pass on.” Chuckling as she heard May’s question, one of the Amazons seemed to admire May’s enthusiasm even more. Although it had been many years that had passed, the memory of their princess’ skill at the same age hadn’t dimmed whatsoever. And if the respect her mother had already been given was anything of a sign, then there was no telling the kind of potential that May herself held.
“I’m not sure…” Still trying to recover from discovering that Diana’s praise had preceded their arrival on the island, Mary Jane hardly knew how to answer. Being a parent had already been a road that threw unexpected things at her everyday. Having a daughter that had her father’s powers as well? There was no manual for that in any shape or form. No matter how much she wished there was. Even reaching out to Sue Storm hadn’t provided her with as many answers as she might have liked.
Letting the daughter who could already climb up walls have outright combat training, no matter how slight? How was she supposed to answer such a request?
“Pretty please? I’ll be really good and listen to whatever I’m told!” Interpreting her mother’s response as having plenty of room to debate, Mayday once again summoned up the most puppy-dog looking expression she was capable of. Already, she was willing to promise a plethora of things, so long as it made the difference in getting her mother to agree. She just had to! A thousand early bedtimes would be a worthy price to pay if she had to do that.
Or reduced sweets.
Or asking less for her birthday.
Or-
“Perhaps we could show her a few things without any of our steel weapons. We do have ones that would deal far less damage, if any at all.” Taking a chance at suggesting an alternative to outright combat training, the Amazon closest to Mary Jane glanced over at Diana for additional support. Perhaps it was merely a result of seeing the courage May had already displayed, but both Amazons seemingly were more than happy to give the youngest Parker their time.
“It’s true. Such weapons were what I learned with at first.” Even in lending her support, Diana’s words showed she was treading carefully. While the way she had been brought up on the island was the norm here, it went without saying that it was hardly the case elsewhere. All it would take was a single ‘no’ from Mary Jane and that would be the end of the conversation, as far as she was concerned.
It was the kind of respect that not only did her guest recognize, but also appreciated in more ways than one. If ever there was a place where May would be safe, surely amongst an entire race of warrior women numbered higher than almost anywhere else in the world. Giving the decision a few more moments of thought, Mary Jane looked between Mayday and the three other women that surrounded her. Throughout her life, she had tried to always go with her gut. Very rarely had she come to regret that. And what her gut was telling her now, despite the apprehension she naturally felt as a mother, was ultimately the answer she decided upon.
“...alright. But nothing dangerous. Please?” The excitement that Mayday had been filled with virtually exploded before the last word had even left her lips. Kneeling down so that she could be at eye-level with her daughter, Mary Jane laid her hands down on Mayday’s shoulders.
“Promise me?”
“I promise! I promise!” Thrilled far beyond the ability of words to accurately describe, Mayday was already fighting a battle she had absolutely no hope of winning. Not when her own excitement had her completely outclassed in every possible way. Knowing she couldn’t expect more out of her daughter than that enthusiastic promise, Mary Jane reached up to ruffle May’s hair.
“Okay. Be good, and listen to everything they tell you.” Rising back to her full height, Mary Jane watched as her daughter rushed towards the two Amazons waiting for her. For a moment or so, she wondered if either of them were actually ready for what they were about to unleash. For no matter what experience in the heat of battle either of them had, MJ already knew there was no chaos quite like the kind her daughter could create when she was excited. And just from the gleam that she had seen in May’s eyes, MJ could already tell she was there.
More than once, she and Peter had made the mistake of underestimating their daughter. It was a mistake they had already learned never to repeat.
“She’s in good hands. They won’t show her anything dangerous.” Diana offered, knowing what her sisters would show the youngest Parker would be purely the simplest techniques. If anything, they would be merely for show than anything truly useful.
“Don’t let her hear that. She’ll want to know everything.” Considering the kinds of things she was sure May had already experienced, thanks to her powers, surely a few sword techniques wouldn’t hurt. Especially when she already knew it would be with ones of the wooden variety.
In Mary Jane’s mind, the possibility that would make foam sword fights just a bit more dicey was a risk that she was sure Peter would be willing to take. If not? Oh well, he had been volunteered anyway.
“The secret's safe with me.” Cracking a smile, Diana placed her hand on MJ’s shoulder. “Come, let me show you the rest of the island.”
The tour completely took Mary Jane’s breath away. Just when one sight seemed enough to leave her with no air in her lungs, another soon after did it all over again. At the rate they were going, it would be a miracle if she would even be able to make it to the end of the tour. As Diana led her up to what could only be described as a palace, she couldn’t seem to absorb everything her eyes were seeing fast enough.
Compared with the buildings she’d already been shown on the way, the main palace was a thing of pure beauty. With its towering pillars, it stood proud over all of the other buildings across the island. One look at it was more than enough to captivate anyone who fell under the sway of its marble and limestone architecture.
As she and Diana mounted the stairs and began the climb up to the palace’s main floor, MJ was grateful for the fact her host seemed to be giving her all the time she needed to let everything about the place sink in.
Having spent nearly half of her life on the island, Diana knew full well how the beauty of Themscyria’s buildings outshined everything the modern architecture that dominated much of the rest of the world in every way. In fact, there was almost certainly no competition whatsoever. Imagining how it would be to see such sights for the first time was enough to make sure to give her guest enough time to just absorb it all.
In more ways than one, both Mary Jane and her daughter had reacted more alike than Diana suspected either might have realized.
“This place…it’s beautiful.” All of those words hardly did the place justice. And yet, they were the only ones that Mary Jane seemed able to summon. Perhaps if she took the entire day or maybe even a week, she would have settled on something far more fitting. As it stood, however, there only seemed to be that single sentence she was capable of.
“It is a paradise. One we’ve enjoyed the protection of and protected in turn far longer than the world of man could ever remember.” A new voice spoke up. Lifting her head, MJ found herself looking at a figure clothed in the most gorgeous purple robes she had ever seen in her life. Were it not for the gold bracelets, belt, and the tiara firmly on her head of black locks, she might have been able to lose herself in the beauty of the woman’s robes completely.
Just as the surroundings of the palace had been a picture of beauty, the new figure was equally as beautiful in every conceivable way.
A smile instantly leapt into place on Diana’s face as she looked upon the woman now standing before herself and Mary Jane. “Mother.”
“Daughter. I see our guest is quite taken with our home.” Matching her daughter’s smile, Queen Hippolyta could already see from the sense of amazement on MJ’s face how true her words were.
“It’s very beautiful.” Mary Jane nodded, meaning every word.
“Mary Jane, this is my mother, Hippolyta. Our queen.” Making a formal introduction, Diana wasn’t surprised to see Mary Jane make a small bow in her mother’s direction. Whether that knowledge had come from being on a movie set, or simply from common sense would be a question for another time and place.
“It’s an honor. Thank you for having my daughter and I here.” Holding the bow for another moment or so, MJ finally lifted her head, satisfied that she had done the proper thing. From the smile on Queen Hippolyta’s face, her suspicion was the correct one.
“You honor us by your presence here, sister.” Nodding, Hippolyta made it no secret that she also meant those words. Reminded once more of the praise that Diana had spoken about her, MJ once more found herself just a bit starstruck. There had been moments like this before, where her paths had crossed with someone who she never would have thought they would. The first time she had ever met Captain America had been one of those moments.
But somehow this…this seemed perhaps just a touch bigger, in a different way.
God, had words ever been so hard to come by before? Somehow, doing improv on stage seemed easier than trying to summon something to say here and now!
“Thank you.” Again, so simple an answer seemed both so adequate and yet not all at the same time.
“I hope the journey here was a comfortable one. Access to the island can be…difficult at times. For our own protection, of course.” Fingers still gripped around the staff she held in one hand, Hippolyta gestured with her own hand towards the innards of the palace.
“It was nice. Although having a very hyper six year old with you makes it…interesting.” Feet already falling into step alongside Diana and Hippolyta, Mary Jane was happy to hear chuckles out of both the other women. While she didn’t press, she got the feeling that it was an experience that perhaps Hippolya was more than familiar with, as one mother to another.
“I can certainly remember a time or two.” For a moment, the elder Amazon seemed to lose herself in whatever memory her guest’s words had summoned up. Judging by the look on Diana’s face, they might as well have been thinking along the same lines. Whatever that memory was, however, remained privy only to them both. For Mary Jane, she would have to be satisfied with her own imagination.
In a moment, however, she needn't dwell purely on imagination.
“Momma!” Mayday’s excited voice rang out through the hallway, accompanied by the sound of her running feet echoing behind her. Turning her head, having already started to smile even without having laid eyes on her daughter, MJ’s smile quickly was tempered by a look of surprise. Compared to the shorts, sneakers, and appropriately Spidey themed shirt she had last seen her daughter in, May was now clad in what could only be described as a miniature version of Diana’s own attire. Albeit with a skirt that was very much an appropriate length. The helmet on her head went perfectly with the wooden sword currently sheathed at her side.
In every way possible, she looked like not only a tiny warrior, but a tiny Wonder Woman in her own right.
“Look at you!” Astonished by her daughter’s new attire, Mary Jane knelt down as May rushed up to her. The pair of sandals beneath May’s feet surprisingly had a decent amount of grip, evident as she came sliding to a stop in front of her. Were it not for the excitement that commanded so much of her face, MJ would have been sure that her daughter was mere minutes from heading into battle herself.
“Don’t I look cool?!” Tone matching her enthused expression in every possible way, Mayday once again found it impossible to stay still. No sugar rush in the history of sugar rushes had any hope of comparing to the zeal she was displaying now.
“You look fierce!” Playing along, Mary Jane’s curiosity as to where there had been armor in May’s size was already taking hold of her. A wooden sword the right size would have been easy enough to explain away. But a full set of armor? Much less one that was adorned in Diana’s own costume pattern as well? That had to have an interesting story to go along with it. Had it been hers, or someone else’s?
“We hope it wasn’t out of line, but it was the only armor set that was the appropriate size for her.” Bringing up the rear, the two Amazons that had been watching Mayday seemed almost out of breath. To see two warriors that had surely seen more than their fair share of combat seemingly winded by having to keep up with one Spider-powered child was more amusing to MJ than she let on. If only because she knew exactly how it felt.
“I think she wears it well.” Letting much more of her amusement show, Diana hardly seemed offended at the return of her old outfit. Surely now, it was getting more use than it had in years, where it had been sitting in the island’s museum alongside other remnants of history. Considering the memories it summoned, that alone had been worthy of its momentary break from retirement.
“I agree.” Hippolyta added, her expression quite nearly a match for her daughter’s. Quick introductions were done between the Queen and the tiny armor clad ‘warrior’ now before her. Had she not been worried about whether or not it would be appropriate, Mary Jane would have been all too tempted to snap a photo of her daughter bowing to the Amazonian queen, her armor making it look almost perfect.
The recounting of how her introduction to sparring had gone contained just as much enthusiasm as her earlier showings had. If they both had been amused by it before, both Diana and Hippolyta continued to be more than entertained by the youngest Parker’s antics. The endless energy that Mary Jane was all too familiar with had yet to show any signs of faltering.
There was still a plane-ride home still, however. If that didn’t put her daughter to sleep in her chair, MJ wasn’t sure what would.
As they walked, however, there was one other thought that continued to probe at the back of her mind. One look at the women around her, alongside her daughter, made it abundantly clear that, compared to everyone else, she was starting to feel like a duck out of water. At least in terms of what she was wearing. That wasn’t to say that she was looking to get herself fitted for a set of armor, but at the very least, she wished there was something to let her blend in just a touch better-
“Considering that your daughter already seems well acquainted with our customary attire, could I possibly interest you in something similar?” Mary Jane had never heard that Amazons could read minds. But as Hippolyta’s words filled her ears, she wouldn’t have doubted it if it were true. Turning her head towards the queen as their small group made their way down the hall, she found herself glancing towards Diana, as if to somehow confirm that it was a serious offer.
It was a reassurance that wasn’t necessary by any means. As Diana’s smile quickly confirmed.
“Are you sure, I wouldn’t want to-” MJ started, before she saw Hippolyta shake her head.
“I promise you, it’s no trouble at all. We have more than enough to spare. It would reflect poorly on us not to offer even if that were not the case.”
Mary Jane couldn’t get her answer out soon enough. This time, it was her turn to be a bit excited. The gleam that quickly lit up in her eyes was the perfect precursor to her answer. “...sign me up then!”
Over the horizon, the sun had begun to set. Beyond the glimmer of the brilliant blue waters that surrounded Themscyria, the orange ball of light continued to cast its gorgeous glow across everything it could touch. For one who had witnessed many sunsets over the years, and from many different places, something about how it looked in front of her now made Mary Jane wish she could memorize each and every detail of it for all of her days. Such was the beauty of not only the sunset, but of all she and May had witnessed that day.
Speaking of her daughter, she had finally surpassed the limits of her energy. Passed out in her arms, May still was wearing the attire that had been provided to her. Looking down at her, MJ was glad that her daughter had finally crashed. Because there was absolutely no way that even suggesting returning the outfit back to the Amazons was going to be met by anything less than a torrential outpouring of whines and pleading for just a bit longer.
As it stood, she might just get lucky and find the outfit able to stay with her for just a bit longer. Especially with the way she was already lost in her own slumber.
As for her own attire, MJ had accepted one of the robes that had been brought to her, its light blue color making the fiery color of her hair seem all the more striking. The minute that May had seen her, she’d been convinced that her daughter had, once again, been mere seconds from exploding in excitement. The comparisons between the robes and what she had worn for her appearance on Xena had been brought up, of course. But compared to that costume? This made her feel even more like a literal princess.
“Seems she enjoyed herself.” Diana’s voice gently came to Mary Jane from over her shoulder.
“It’s rare for her to be actually asleep at this hour.” MJ joked, chuckling as silently and gently as she could to avoid waking Mayday. While the youngest Parker might have been out for the count at the moment, her mother didn’t hold any reservations about how long she would be up if she were awoken.
“I can remember being that young. So much to see and do, but not enough time in the day.” Smiling as she came to a stop at MJ’s side, Diana soaked in the sunset before the three of them. Such views were never to be taken for granted. But no matter how many times she witnessed it, there was something about it that never failed to inspire the same kind of awe in her that had been there when she’d been a child herself. That in itself was something to be cherished.
As long as she was able to return to this very spot, Diana hoped that she would never lose that feeling.
For a brief while, neither woman said anything. With the beautiful sight before them, there was hardly any reason to spoil it with words. Only once the orangish-red ball had half disappeared over the water did either Diana or Mary Jane speak.
“Thank you for inviting us.” Looking over at Diana as she continued to gently rock May in her arms, MJ carefully moved towards one of the chairs that littered the promenade deck. Carefully setting May down, she waited a moment or so, before turning her full attention back to her host after making sure May was still sleeping.
“Thank you for coming.” Diana said with a nod.
“Are you kidding? Who would turn down an invitation like this?” It would have been hard to hide the astonishment in her voice. But as MJ came closer, ensuring the conversation wouldn’t rouse May, she wasn’t ashamed of it by any means.
“Someone who probably has trouble accepting they’re on an island full of women with swords.” The response earned a laugh from Mary Jane, despite the truthfulness that went along with every word. Considering the amount of producers or photographers who couldn’t stand to be the odd one out in a room? She didn’t have to imagine how much that likely extended to not only the superhero community, but the world at large.
The sun continued to set in the distance while the two talked further. Little knowing that there was soon enough an audience listening to them.
Off to their side, Mayday quietly stirred, opening her eyes as the conversation between her mother and Diana continued. The sunset had finally given way to night, and the only thing that could mean was that it was almost time to go home. Something that, as much as she wished her father was here, she wasn’t ready to quite give up just yet. Closing her eyes quickly, she could at least fall back on the tried and true method of pretending to be asleep, just to prolong them staying a bit longer. It would work. So long as her mother didn’t actually see her open her eyes.
Which, of course, she had.
“You know it’s going to be impossible to get her out of that outfit, right?” MJ asked, motherly senses already going off to let her know she hadn’t been imagining the small peek May had taken at them from the seat she’d been placed in. When May had been younger, pretending to be asleep had always been one of her favorite tricks. And after a few years of falling for it? Mary Jane could safely say she was an expert at spotting it a mile away.
“You two could always spend the night. We have the rooms.” She might not have had the same kind of sixth sense that MJ clearly did, but Diana could also tell that there was a reason for the smile on her friend’s face. In a matter of seconds, all she needed to confirm that was the excited squeal that filled the air around the promenade.
And truly, it was a question that could have been heard across the entire island.
“CAN WE?!”