13307/A Check-In

A Check-In
Date of Scene:	17 May 2021
Location:	Themysciran Embassy - Manhattan
Synopsis:	Zhao stops by the Embassy to visit Diana and the pair talk about a variety of topics.
Cast of Characters:	Xiang Zhao, Wonder Woman

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Xiang Zhao has posed:
One week had passed between when Xiang Zhao had come out of meditation and spoken to Diana before going for a walk, and the day he'd finally woken up and had the energy to write, and send, her a note letting her know he was okay. The note was pretty simply. *Had word of Vitali. Things happened. I am fine. Healing. When I can, I will come see you. Do not quite know where I am, or would invite you here. It is a cabin, in the woods not far from Breakstone. Be well.* And that was the end of it. All written in Chinese hanzi, of course.

Now, another week and two days have passed, so two weeks and two days in all since he had last seen Diana. Now, he has come to the embassy, walked right in through the front door and stepped over to the guard on duty. "Is Diana here today?" he asks of the guard. "I am expected." Or, he should be expected. He had sent her a note this morning to the effect that he would be dropping by today to see her.

He's wearing robes that Diana will find familiar. The set she had gotten him that has blue waves at the bottom, who's outer robe is a pale pale blue. The piece of silk that binds his hair, along with the hair stick, today is the same color as the darker blue. The hair stick, is, of course, the curved white one. Xiang looks well enough, but to a keen observer, he's a good bit thinner than he had been two weeks prior. And he hadn't been heavy then.

Wonder Woman has posed:
Receiving such a message as what Xiang Zhao is capable of sending is still rather an amazing thing. Diana has no gifts for such things herself, and it brought a smile to her features as it materialized. She had, of course, opened the message and read it, and it had been a bit surprising in the content. It had also brought her some relief, as well, for she had been worried about him in the meanwhile. He is a friend, after all, and she cares about him. And his happiness. It was almost a shame that the note turned back to ash when she released it.

The days after the message seemed to pass a bit slowly. Slower than usual, anyways. Diana kept herself occupied with her duties at the museum and at the embassy. And then there had been the message this morning, to announce that he would come today. She let the guards on duty know that he would be arriving at some point today. And as fate would have it, the time that he chose to arrive was just after she had poured hot water into the teapot sitting on her desk. Even from her office, she heard and recognized his voice. She stepped lightly over to the doorway that stood open, looking across the distance. "Let him come, he is a friend and expected," Diana calls out to the guard, a smile coming to her lips. And she takes a moment to look him over, moving away from the doorway to approach him.

For her part, Diana wears a pair of charcoal grey slacks and a dark green button-up blouse, her dark hair secured in a twist with a hair stick of jade, a pair of low black heels on her feet. And when she speaks to him, it is in Mandarin. "It is good to see you, Zhao. Please, come... we can have tea in my office," she offers, her smile easily returning. She's noticed that he's thinner, but the trick in such things is often how to bring it up in such a way as that it's not taken poorly. "Are you well?" she asks softly, a touch of concern to her voice.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Xiang Zhao looks okay, for the most part. There don't appear to be any visible wounds. The only tell tale might be that he's ever so slightly paler than he normally is, a thing which only shows in his lips, and only very, very slightly. His lips curve up just a hair at her greeting. He steps toward her, his stride as graceful as it ever is. The robes flow gracefully around him as he walks. "It is good to see you too," he replies, also in Mandarin. He inclines his head to her and then straightens as he walks with her into the office.

"I am well enough. It has been... eventful." He doesn't speak further until he's closed the office door and closed out the guard outside and any other staff there might have been. Only then does he continue. "There was an issue with my friend, the one I care deeply for. I had to go.. help him. I was injured in the process and spent a week sleeping. Doctor Henry McCoy cared for both my friend and myself. I would have been fine, if I had not suffered injury in meditation prior. That is why I slept for so long. I am sorry to have worried you."

Wonder Woman has posed:
That slight off shade that he is happens to be a thing that Diana notices. She's perhaps a bit good at noticing things. Having an excellent memory tends to play a part in that. Diana tilts her head a touch to one side, and she gives a small nod to him, and a warm smile. She walks with him back to her office, then gestures slightly for him to enter ahead of herself. "The robes look very good on you," Diana says, having taken a moment to admire them on him. Once he's within the office, she follows him, and then pulls the door closed. All others are closed beyond the door, and no ears will hear anything that they discuss.

"Eventful has a way sometimes of not always boding well," Diana comments, one of her eyebrows quirking up slightly. She steps over towards the tea tray, then turns two cups upright before gesturing towards the seats beyond her desk. "Please, feel free to make yourself comfortable," she offers, stepping over to settle in her seat behind the desk. "Were you able to reach him in time to help him? Is he doing all right?" Diana asks, curiosity and concern in her voice. She tilts her head a touch to one side, studying him for a long moment. "You did not mention that you had been hurt during your meditation. I am sorry that you were. I hope it was not because someone had interrupted you in the midst of the process. Are things better, with your friend?" she asks, a gentle tone to her voice. "The worry passed, at least mostly, when I received your earlier message. There is no need to apologize for it having been. It is what friends do," she adds.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
The paleness, such as it is, is what's leftover from the most recent deviation. The parts that Vitali hadn't been able to heal. The magical bits of him. Which are healing, just slowly. Faster with his own innate abilities during meditation. Which can lead to its own set of problems, but he's not as torn in mind as he had been when he'd deviated. At least his internal energy is flowing how it should be again. "Thank you," he says to the compliment.

He nods about eventful. "May you live in interesting times is a curse, not a blessing." Though he's noticed that some people from the western world seem to think that's a blessing, when it isn't. As the seat is gestured to, Xiang Zhao turns toward it and walks over to it. He takes a moment to flip the back portion of his robes out of the way before sitting down on the seat. Then he goes back to fanning, as he tends to do. His left hand rests atop his lap.

"I was. It was close. And it was a long run from where I got the news to where I found him. He is doing well. I am healing from the incident. And the meditation. The physical wounds have been healed. He can heal and I finally gave in a few days ago and let him heal what was left. He felt guilty and I did not want him to continue feeling such."

Xiang Zhao waves his left hand as though there's nothing to be sorry for. "My mind was in turmoil, Diana," he says softly. "None but I caused the issue. My own mind being in turmoil caused the injury." He nods to her words. "Friends do worry," he agrees. "Still. I was not awake and aware enough to get word sooner, and for that, an apology is owed. If I had been thinking at all, I would have sent word when I found out my friend was in danger. But I was not, and so I did not. For that, too, I owe an apology."

Wonder Woman has posed:
"You are welcome, Zhao," Diana says, inclining her head towards him. She continues to speak in Mandarin with him, not minding at all to use the language. She reaches for the teapot on her desk, lifting the lid in order to check the tea. She settles the lid back in place, and then she picks up the pot in order to pour the tea into their cups. The teapot is settled back to the tray, and then she picks up her cup of it as she settles back in her chair and crosses her legs at the knee.

"There are times when it can swing one way, and there are times when it swings the other way. It all depends on what is happening that makes the times 'interesting'," she says softly, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She watches him, and she listens whilst he speaks, giving a small nod here and there to indicate that she's continuing to listen. "I am glad that you were able to reach him in time, that you could help him," she says. "That you are healing from it is also good. You look as though you have a little way yet to go, but you look well," she comments, lifting her tea to take a sip of it. "If... it is not too personal of a question to ask... did he feel guilty because you had gone to help him?" she asks in a soft tone. "It likely did him some good to be able to let go of some of the guilt by being able to heal you," she adds.

"There were reasons behind the turmoil within your mind, else it would not have been. Some things take time to work through," Diana says softly. She gives a small shake of her head, a smile coming to her features. "There is nothing that you have to apologize for, Zhao. You sent word when you were able to, and I appreciate that. Do not be hard on yourself for not sending it sooner. I am grateful that it seems that things have worked out for the better," she adds, giving a small nod. "How did you find out that your friend was in danger, that he needed your help?"

Xiang Zhao has posed:
It is good she doesn't mind speaking in Mandarin with him. Presently, except when he's in Chinatown, Zhao doesn't get to talk exclusively in Mandarin much. He waits until she's poured the tea and claimed a cup before taking the other for himself. He lifts it to swirl the hot liquid about, inhaling the aroma that's already steeping.

"Mm. Sometimes, interesting is good. My life here has been interesting, but not in a way I regret." He inclines his head when she says he looks well. He looks better than he feels, though that doesn't show much. She can feel it in his emotions, though. He shakes his head to her question. "No. He feels guilty because he caused me injury. But it was not his fault. He was not in his mind at the time, and it was my own fault for netting him. The net, when damaged, injures me in turn. I do not use it except in necessary situations. And it did do some good, but I am certain he still feels the guilt. That is one thing I cannot seem to get across to him. My choices, my actions, are not his fault, no matter the outcome."

Xiang Zhao simply nods to her comment about the turmoil within his mind. She's right. There's no need to disagree on that point. He agrees with her. He doesn't seem to feel guilt that he hadn't sent her a message sooner. Apologetic for the dishonor, but not guilty. "I am also grateful." He takes a cautious sip of the tea before answering. "I saw him on the news when I was talking with my shidi. I knew he would be heading for the last place he felt truly safe and happy. So that is where I went."

Wonder Woman has posed:
The tea within the cups is a Chinese variety, and one that he may perhaps recognize. It's from a vendor that she visited in Chinatown, whom she has been a patron of for a significant period of time. Silver needle white tea, and a sort that has fruitier notes to it which could be described as crisp and juicy, as well. She preferred the loose leaf varieties of teas -- they had much better flavour than ones that were already bagged.

"It is a coin with two sides, and sometimes it falls on the good side while other times it falls on the not so favourable side," she comments, a smile touching her lips. She lifts her cup of tea, taking a sip of it and savouring the brew. She listens as he speaks, and her brow furrows a little bit at part of what he says, and she gives a small nod. "That is understandable, that he would feel so. If netting him was a necessity to help him then you did as need dictated, which means there is no fault in what you did, Zhao. It is understandable that the net would be reserved for situations when there is no other choice, given the possible consequences of it. He sounds like he is perhaps a touch stubborn. Sometimes, it is better to look ahead, to find the path that leads forward from where you both are now," she muses, a thoughtful tone to her voice. The past is good for learning from, but dwelling upon it for too long isn't always healthy.

"When you left, I hoped that it was for your friend that you care for. I hoped that you had found him, and found your happiness," Diana says softly, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She gives him a puzzled look, a flicker of curiosity showing in her blue eyes, and she tilts her head a touch to one side. Fate can be a strange thing sometimes. "How did he manage to make the news?" she asks, one of her eyebrows quirking up a touch. "That you have a shidi here seems to be a stroke of fate," she comments, a smile touching at the corners of her lips.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Before coming to this place, Xiang Zhao had never had tea that was pre-bagged. He'd never had anything that wasn't loose leaf. The tea earns a pleased feeling from him, though his expression changes not a bit. He does seem to savor it longer than he would other teas, though.

At Diana's words, Xiang's lips curl up ever so slightly, and there's an amusued light in his eyes. "Mm. Yes. He reminds me of you and being stubborn on insisting that things are your fault when they happened through no actions other than my own." His tone is a touch dry, but very amused. He sips a bit more of the tea, holding it in his mouth and savoring it anew while listening to her speak.

But his expression goes still, all prior amusement fading entirely at her words. "No. I have not found my happiness. I still do not know how to treat the situation. How to deal with the demon." Which lends the impression that he is remaining aloof and keeping the man at arms' length.

He lifts the cup and sips from it, trying to put current events from his mind for now. "Oh. He was shape shifted and scaring people. Which is understandable. That shape is a snow leopard and not commonly seen in this part of the world. They are rare enough in Tibet. To see one here, loose, is all but unheard of." He nods about having a shidi. It is a stroke of fate.

Wonder Woman has posed:
There is a hint of a smile that comes to the corners of Diana's lips as she watches him savour the tea. She reaches to one of the drawers of her desk, opening it and retrieving a metal tin which she places atop of the desk before sliding it over towards him. "It is a gift for you," she says, inclining her head slightly towards him. She lifts her cup then to take a sip of her tea, watching him yet. The tin is filled with the tea that they drink.

One of her eyebrows quirks up at his amusement, and she chuckles softly at the similarity that he draws. There's a sparkle that shows in her blue eyes. "I have had a lot of years worth of practice at being stubborn," she comments, sounding amused herself. "I doubt that it is a thing that will change anytime soon. You are a friend, and you will always have what protection I am able to provide for you. It is the least that I am able to do," she says, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips anew. "Perspective, though, is something of a tricky thing. While there may be the perception that your actions bring about consequences, there is also the perception that my own inaction brought about consequences as well. Two sides of a coin," she muses, a thoughtful tone to her voice. It could be argued until they're blue in the face with neither coming out the better, no doubt.

She tilts her head to one side, her brow furrowing when he mentions his happiness has not been found, and then she shakes her head slightly. "When is the last time that you faced the demon, if it is not too personal of a question?" she asks in a gentle tone of voice. "If your skills have grown since then, would it not be plausible that there could be a different outcome? No particular future is guaranteed, Zhao. I have a strong suspicion that you would not face the demon alone," she says softly. She's quiet a moment, considering what she knows, though it would seem that she has nothing more to add about it. There is much that she doesn't know, where demons are concerned.

One of her eyebrows quirks up when he mentions about how his friend had been shapeshifted, a flicker of surprise showing in her eyes. "That is an interesting ability. A snow leopard? I remember that, on the news. It went on for some little while. It started on the Sunday after you asked to come here," she says, a thoughtful note to her voice. "And in this relative area, as well. I had intended to look for it when I saw it on the news, though it moved on to other areas day by day, and though it seemed to cause some stir and fear in people, it also didn't harm anyone, either. It was most curious," she says softly, studying him as she speaks. "I had presumed it to be from the zoo, at first, then from a private collector after the zoo had announced all of their snow leopards were accounted for."

Xiang Zhao has posed:
As the tea is brought out and offered to him, there's hesitation to be felt in his emotions, and some discomfort. Gifts are always a slightly touchy subject, as gifts incur debts of honor. Never the less, he bows his head and accepts the tin of tea graciously, none of the discomfort or hesitation present in his manner. "Xiang Zhao thanks you," he says formally. For the moment, he leaves the tea wheere it is, sipping the cup he yet has to finish. He's simply going to have to find some way to repay this addition to the debt he'd already owed.

"And you as well. Both friend, and protection as I can offer it." He raises a brow at her. "Mm. This is what I am refering to. There was no inaction on your part. You were acting, there were other enemies that night." He shakes his head and breathes out a sigh. "Stubborn people will be the death of me, one day," he murmurs in Tibetan, a language that is all but lost except to those who live there, and shakes his head ruefully.

He takes another breath and shrugs. "Many years ago. Ten, maybe. I was younger, back then." He nods to her words. "If he has a choice in the matter, no. I will not face the demon alone. If I have a choice in the matter, I will face him alone. Only one of us is going to walk away from that conflict." That's a rather fatalistic thing to say, but he means it. His emotions reflect that.

Zhao nods. "It was him. The snow leopard. I only saw the one bit of news, and went to find him." He goes quiet then, introspective and sips of his tea.

Wonder Woman has posed:
As far as Diana is concerned, at least, the gift of the tin of tea has nary a string attached to it. When he accepts the gift -- which for a brief moment she thought he might not do -- she inclines her head slightly towards him, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "You are most welcome, Zhao," Diana says in a soft tone. To her perspective, none of the things that she has done for him are ones that have incurred debts of any kind -- they are simply things that a friend would do.

"I appreciate that, very much, Zhao. It is as friendship should be, to help one another," she says softly, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Perhaps at some point in the future we could speak of the wards that you are able to make, and if they might be able to be included in the defenses of the Embassy," she muses, a thoughtful note to her voice. This might well satisfy the need to repay his debts of honour to her, though only time will tell. Then she tilts her head a touch to one side before taking a sip of her tea. "There were other enemies, yes. And I did choose actions, I will admit, although those actions could and should have been different ones even though they had certain effects on the flow of the battle. It does me little benefit to regret my actions -- the important part is that you, and I, lived beyond the fight in order to learn from it," she says, inclining her head faintly towards him. There's a flicker of amusement that teases at the corners of her lips when he makes such a quiet statement in Tibetan, and she can't help but to chuckle softly. "I would rather hope that to not be the case, Zhao. I intend to keep you and your friendship for a number of years yet to come," she says, responding to him in Tibetan, her blue eyes showing a sparkle to them.

There's a wrinkle that comes to her brow when he speaks further of the demon as well as his intentions regarding it, and she gives a small nod. "I know it is not likely what you would prefer to hear, but... perhaps training with him, to find a mesh of your skills to his or his to yours might provide an advantage, should the demon happen to turn up," she offers in a thoughtful tone. The fate of the conflict, she chooses not to speak on -- fate can be a fickle thing sometimes, and sometimes it is better to not tempt it by speaking at greater lengths about such things.

Diana is quiet a moment as she considers when he left, and then takes a moment longer to recall the news of the snow leopard from that morning. "That was, if I remember right, the footage that they showed from the traffic camera," she says softly, frowning briefly before giving a small shake of her head. "I am sorry that was the first you saw of it. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for you to see it, to know that it was your friend being hurt," she says in a gentle tone.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
She might not consider the gift to have any strings attached to it, but there's still a debt of honor on Xiang's part because of it. It's a cultural thing and how he was raised. The only time there wouldn't be debts is during cases where it was agreed that two people are so close that there are no debs between them. Such as with married or mated couples.

Teaching how to make wards.... well, it might not be possible, but he can certainly make wards for the Embassy. It doesn't show on his face, but in his emotions there's a brightening, an easing of the burden of debt. "I can make wards to repell evil," he says. "I would be happy to make some for you, but I do not think all can learn how to do so."

He comments no further on that fight. She knows how he feels about it. He blinks and shakes his head at her as she responds in Tibetan. "Of coure you know that as well," he says, amusement touching his tone, and his eyes, and even curling up his lips. He nods about the demon. "If he wishes to do so, then yes. Training together would be a good idea." He doesn't mean to have Vitali anywhere near that demon, though.

"It was him being struck by a moving vehicle." He takes a breath and nods. "It was difficult," he agrees. It really was.

Wonder Woman has posed:
The Amazon princess watches him, and she lifts her cup of tea in order to take a sip of it, savouring the brew. It makes a very good cup of tea. She has familiarity with some cultural things, on account of a number of reasons, and the Chinese sense of honour is one of those things. She watches him, and there's a smile that turns up the corners of her lips as she senses that brightening within him. "That would be very good. The Embassy could use the extra protection, and it may prevent the rooftop from becoming a battle ground again," Diana says, a smile easily returning to her features. "Not all can use or learn magic, that is true. To my knowledge, I am not possessed of any magic, even though I have been gifted in other ways. It would be an honour to have your magic to protect us here," she adds, inclining her head towards him. She doesn't expect to be able to learn how to create his wards.

There's a soft chuckle from her, and she inclines her head towards him. "I do know it. There are many languages that I know. A part of that is because of the museum. A part of that is because I enjoy to learn new things. Perhaps the greater part is because I have lived for a long time," Diana says, a smile touching her lips. She might not look it, but she's seen a lot of years. "Whether or not he wishes to, well... that will be for you and he to speak on. It would likely be useful in other fights as well, given the various things that you end up facing. And if you can use your skills and abilities together, as well as apart as you are already familiar with doing, then my belief is that it will make you both stronger," she adds, a thoughtful tone to her voice.

"To see someone that you care for be hurt and be powerless to do anything about it is always hard, Zhao," she says softly, a gentle tone to her voice. "I am glad that you both have healed from it. That the snow leopard appeared first in this area is a curious thing. The park that I met you at is not very near," she adds, tilting her head a touch to one side.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Xiang Zhao has the Chinese sense of honor in spades, he does. It's not something he's ever really thought about, but he came by it naturally. He never had to worry about it back home, because he wasn't really close to anyone other than family, back home. Xiang shakes his head at her comment about rooftop incursions. "Strong spirits will not be stopped by my wards. But, I would still be glad to set them for you."

Zhao looks at her curiously. "You do not look any older than I. You must have an ability with languages, if that is the case." He might not be entirely understanding that she means she is quite old, in actuality.

"Oh. Yes. He came here, looking for me, to talk to me. Our roommate told him where the embassy was. Somehow, she knew." He does not seem to be surprised by that. "He was turned away and told I would not see him. I did not even know until a week ago when I woke up with clarity in my mind."

Wonder Woman has posed:
It's not unexpected for him to have the sense of honour that he does. The trick, for Diana, is to find the balance in it. Or to create a balance with it. One of her eyebrows quirks up a touch when he makes menton of the strong spirits, and she gives a small nod to him. "I welcome what protection they will provide, and they will be more than what we have right now against such things," she says, giving a small nod to him. "I think sometimes when we are looking to protect ourselves, or the grounds here, that we have a tendency to consider the physical aspect of things to a greater degree than anything spirtual. It is, if you will, a part of our nature," she adds, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

The cup of tea is given a slight swirl, and then she lifts it to take a sip of it whilst considering his words. "I am a small amount gifted in learning different languages, and I have had the opportunity to learn a number of them, mostly on account of my work with the museum," Diana says, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She chuckles softly, and then she gives a small shake of her head. "The years that one has seen are not always writ in one's features," she comments, a flicker of amusement to her tone and further shown in the wink that she gives him.

One of her eyebrows arches when she mentions that his friend had come here, and she sits forward as she settles her cup to her desk. "He came here, to the Embassy?" Diana asks, a flicker of curiosity showing in her blue eyes. "And your roommate knew you were here in order to have sent him here? May I ask who your roommate is?" she asks, considering what he'd said. She reaches out to the teapot, topping up her cup, and then she shakes her head slightly, her brow wrinkling. "There were no visitors that were brought to me," she says, seeming puzzled at that.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Indeed. The trick. Only, sometimes when it comes to honor? There /is/ no trick to be had, for there is no real way to balance it except with paying off the debt he feels he owes. He shakes his head, does Zhao. "Evil. All evil. Little things, not just spirits, but solid things as well. Things without a mind. But evil that can think will feel the magic, the repelling nature, and be able to ignore it. It really only keeps the lower levels of pest types away. But they do work with physical as well as non physical evil."

Xiang Zhao swirls what's left of his cup and drinks the remaining water. Then, without much in the way of thought, he reaches for the pot of hot water and pours a fresh batch over the remaining loose leaves within the cup. His motions are graceful as he moves, and he seems fairly close to back to being normal, the way he'd been the first time she'd ever met him. He replaces the tea pot, and swirls his cup anew, inhaling the fragrant brew within.

He looks up at her from the tea. "I am not certain I understand," he finally says, responding not at all to the wink. Culturally, he probably has no idea what that means. And, his emotions are a tad bit confused at it and what she means by it. "I do understand the years, I think. You are saying that you are older than you appear, yes?" For Zhao, he too is older than he looks. He looks in his mid twenties. He's not.

"Correct. He came here. He probably did not know to ask for you. The name of my roommate is Willow. I do not know her family name. I do not know how she knew. Magic, probably. From what I understand, he tried to leave a note for me, and was denied."

Wonder Woman has posed:
There's a quirk of one of her eyebrows at his clarification in regards to the ward that he can create, and then she gives a nod, having a better idea of what the ward will do. It makes sense to her, that it would have limitations to it. "I would imagine that the pests, as you call them, that would otherwise be able to pass unchallenged could still cause a significant few things to occur, if they were not stopped. I appreciate the protection that you are willing to provide, Zhao," Diana says softly, her tone sincere, a smile touching at the corners of her lips. The actual doing of it is something that can wait until he's had a chance to recover the rest of the way.

Diana watches him with his tea, as he tops his cup with more water, and there's a smile to tug her lips anew. That he is enjoying the tea is a thing that pleases her. She lifts her cup of tea, gently swirling it a little bit in order to brew it a touch more, and then she lifts the cup to take a drink of it. "Mmm, well... I learn languages more quickly than others, it seems. I work here and at a museum, and the artifacts require research in a variety of different languages. I have had need of knowing many languages in order to complete my work there," she explains, giving a small nod to him. Then she chuckles softly before giving a small nod to him, lifting her cup to take a drink of her tea, and there's a flicker of amusement showing in her eyes. "Yes, I am older than what I appear," she affirms. She looks nothing like her actual age, and yet, she doesn't divulge it as of yet either. "Most of my life was spent on Themyscira," she adds.

"I know a Willow who has magic at her disposal. It seems rather likely that it would be the same one, though it is possible there may be more than one with such a gift. Perhaps I will reach out to her for a chat," Diana says, a smile tugging her lips. Then she's quiet a moment as she considers the last of what he's said, and she frowns a touch before giving a small nod. "I will see what I can find out about what happened when he came here. There may need to be words had with someone, on this side of things. I would appreciate if you would convey to him an apology on my behalf for the lack of hospitality that he received when he was here," she says softly.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Afterall, it's just a little talisman ward. Not some grand shield type thing. He can't do anything like those. He may never be able to do anything like those. He inclines his head at her appreciation, but comments no further on that. Instead, he focuses on his tea. Swirling it around, and inhaling the scent that comes to him.

Though he's curious as to just how old she's talking about, he doesn't ask. Asking outright instead of hinting at asking is just rude and not to be done. He himself looks younger than he really is, by perhaps five or ten years. "What is Themyscira like? I had never heard of it before coming here." That should be a safe enough topic!

Xiang sips his tea and then lowers it to look steadily at Diana. "Willow is good people. She took ah'Tali and I in when we had nowhere else to go," he says, his voice soft. He nods about the apology. "Mm. I will do so. I think he will appreciate it."

Wonder Woman has posed:
As he savours the tea, Diana watches him, and she notices the difference between his behaviour with this tea in comparison to other teas that she's shared with him. There's a smile that teases at the corners of her lips, and she lifts her cup to take a sip of the tea. "You seem to be rather enjoying the tea. It makes me very glad to have chosen it," Diana says softly, inclining her head towards him. And it makes her quite glad to have bought extra in order to give him a gift of it.

"Themyscira?" Diana asks, a hint of surprise touching her voice. She hadn't expected him to ask about her home. "It is, up until recently, a nation apart from the rest of the world. Secluded and difficult to find. This Embassy is our first foray, so to speak, into what I was raised to know as the Patriarch's World. It is a bit wild, a bit untamed. There are forests and beaches, waterfalls, and rock formations. It is green and tropical, especially in comparison to the middle of winter, here. We live with nature, using what it gives us, for everything," she says softly, a thoughtful tone to her voice. Shifting slightly, she rises to her feet, leaving her tea cup sitting on the desk before she steps over to a number of paintings that lean against the wall at the back of her office. She flips through them, and then she pulls one of them out to bring over for him to see. "One of my Sisters painted this, of the island," she says softly, a smile turning at the corners of her lips. "What you see on display out in the lobby are things that my Sisters wear and use on Themyscira today. The same armour, the same weapons, crafted in the ways that have been used for centuries. I lived there for a long time before I came here... there was war in Europe, then," she adds.

Diana gives a small nod to him, about his words where Willow is concerned. "If it is the same Willow that I know, then I would be in agreement. She is good people, and always willing to help. Thank you, Zhao. I appreciate that you are willing to convey such to him on my behalf," she says, inclining her head towards him. Fate, she knows, can sometimes be a cruel thing, and it perhaps played its own part in what had happened that particular day. Diana won't know for certain until she checks into the situation.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Xiang Zhao might have really high standards when it comes to tea. He. might be a bit of a tea snob. Maybe. Okay. He really is. But then, growing up in the country that literally invented tea drinking, and in an area that still drinks home grown and cured tea... what else would one expect? "Mm." And that's all he says of just how much he's enjoying the tea. The only way it really shows is in how much he savors it. And, of course, his emotions. It doesn't show in his expression at all. He may as well be drinking water for all it shows on his face.

Xiang nods slowly at what she says of her home. "That is how Xiang Clan is. If you know where it is, you can find it. But it is hidden from those who do not know where it is and those who should /not/ know where it is. Part of that is how high up the mountain we live. Part of that is magic." He listens, nodding here and there. "We have beaches, but none near any oceans. Only lakes and rivers and similar. The rest.. that we have. But the opposite. There is a lot of snow and nothing tropical grown outside of greenhouses." For the first, ever for Diana, she sees him not only smile, but chuckle. A quiet sound, but amused none the less. "The winter here is very like early in spring where I am from. At least, until you get off the mountain." He nods his agreement about living in harmony with nature. That is how he was raised as well, how his Clan lives. "We make everything we need, and the few things that we need or want that we cannot get on the mountain, traders bring, and take away the things we make that we do not need."

Xiang looks curiously over the painting. "It looks like home," he says softly. He knows very little of wars in or out of Europe, so the comparison that might reveal her age to him just isn't there for him. Fate... can indeed be cruel. Fate is a hard mistress to get along with at the best of times.

Wonder Woman has posed:
There is an advantage to being able to sense the emotions of others. She can tell that he's enjoying it. "One day, if you wish, we can venture to Chinatown. I will introduce you to the woman who sold me the tea, in case you have not already had the honour of meeting her," Diana offers, a smile touching at the corners of her lips. She isn't a tea snob, per se, but she knows a good cup of tea when she drinks it. "I rather enjoy to wander around Chinatown, to share news with the people there," she adds.

As he speaks of his home in turn, she gives a nod now and again, to acknowledge his words, to afirm that she's listening. "Your home and mine share many similarities, from what you have said. Some differences, as well... the snow, mostly, and the lack of the ocean. A part of what keeps Themyscira hidden is location, and part is divine magic," she says softly. "Your home sounds like it would be an interesting place to see, Zhao. Interesting, and beautiful, too," she adds, giving a small nod to him. "Themyscira is self sufficient, independent. Perhaps some day, there will be trade agreements, but so far it has not happened," she muses, a thoughtful tone to her voice. What he's said about his home makes her wonder, though, about certain other possibilities, though she keeps them to herself in the moment.

Diana takes the painting back to the others, tucking it in amongst them. One day, it will likely hang either here in her office or out in the lobby. Then she returns to the desk, settling anew before reaching out to pick up her tea in order to have a sip of it.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Xiang Zhao doesn't know that she has a gift for being able to sense emotions, or he might be surpressing, or trying to supress, those too. It would be just like him to at least try. He inclines his head. "I think I might know the one. Older lady, all silver haired. Has a pretty little cart with flowers painted all over it? Lotuses and lilies, some peach blossoms." Then again, a couple of months ago, that lady didn't have flowers painted all over her cart. That had been a gift from Xiang to her. If it's the same woman.

"I agree, about your home. Perhaps, one day, I can take you to visit my home. I would be interested to visit yours, as well, if that is permitted."

He watches her take the painting back, and sips his tea in between swirling it about. He finishes it shortly there after. "I should go back home soon." Not that he makes any motion to rise to his feet. There's fatigue in his emotions. Despite being mostly healed, he's still not all the way there.

Wonder Woman has posed:
It's unlikely that Diana will give away that particular advantage any time soon. There are some cards that she prefers to keep held close rather than tilting them to let them be glimpsed. There's a smile that quirks at the corners of her lips as she listens to his description of the tea vendor, and she inclines her head towards him. "She is the one, yes. She does not always have the silver needle tea, and when she has it then it is not in large amounts. Friday mornings are the best time," she says, her blue eyes showing a sparkle in them. "She is very pleased with the flowers that were painted on her cart," she adds.

"If your home will allow for me to visit, and if I make the arrangements for you to be able to visit mine, then getting there? It may not be so hard or so difficult. I do fly, and it would be safe," she says in a warm tone, a smile quirking at the corners of her lips. It is an interesting sort of point, after all.

She tilts her head a little bit to one side, studying him for a moment, and then she gives a small nod. She notices the fatigue in him, and there's a flicker of worry and concern to her over it. "I will take you, if you wish. There is a bakery not too far from there, and they make a very tasty baklava. It is always a treat," she says, a smile turning at the corners of her lips.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Xiang Zhao has no way of knowing about her emotion sensing. It's probably better that way. He'd probably feel odd around her, if he knew. Maybe. Then again, there might be people where he's from that can do such things and it might not bother him in the slightest. He nods about the vendor. "Jin Xian is a friend. She is one of the very first people I met when I arrived here. She has been setting me some aside when she gets it in. What she gets is the best I have found outside of my clan."

Zhao's expression softens when Diana says the vendor likes the flowers. And there is a warm sense to his emotions. This news makes him very happy. "I am happy she likes them. I was hoping she would."

He nods about his home. "It will. You are trusted." Likely because of the help she's provided to him since they had met each other. He nods to her about getting there. "You flying may be the only way I could get there. Until I advance enough in my power and knowledge to be able to suppress my internal energy, technology is not very pleased when I am around it." It really is an interesting sort of point, yes.

He tilts his head at not her offer, but the mention of baklava. There's curiousity to his emotions now. "Bak.. luh.. vah..? I do not know what bakluhvah is." The word is said carefully enough he might have no idea what it is. Again, there is no move to get up at all. The fatigue seems to have snuck up on him and he's comfortable sitting right where he is. "Mm." He's quiet for a moment, and then waves his right hand. Which is, for the moment, still fanless, it sitting atop the table. "I am alright to walk back. I do not wish to impose upon you, Diana."

Wonder Woman has posed:
"Jin Xian is a friend to me as well. I have been buying tea from her for a number of years, and her mother and grandmother before her. The tea has always been of excellent quality," Diana says softly, a smile touching at the corners of her lips. She lifts her cup of tea, taking a sip of it as she seems to settle more comfortably where she sits. "I find myself now curious and wanting to try the tea that is available to your clan," she comments, a soft chuckle coming from her and her blue eyes showing a sparkle of amusement to them.

"The flowers had not been on her cart the time before the last time that I was there, and they were last time. I complimented them, and she agreed with me that they were lovely. A breath of spring and summer, I believe is what she called them," she says, a smile touching her lips. If she suspects by what she can sense of his emotions that he's responsible for them then she says naught of it.

"It honours me to be trusted, Zhao," Diana says, inclining her head towards him. "You are trusted, also. We have a friendship, you and I, and I am grateful to have it and to know you," she adds, a warm smile coming to her features. She tilts her head a touch to one side at his words about her flying, and then she gives a nod. "Arrangements can be made to take you to your home whenever you wish, Zhao. I have a certain amount of freedom in taking away from here," she says, lifting a hand to make a slight gesture to indicate the Embassy.

Then she chuckles softly before giving a nod, her eyes showing a sparkle of amusement. "Yes, baklava. It is a pastry that is made layered with nuts and a honey syrup, and I happen to be rather fond of it," she comments, a smile quirking at the corners of her lips. "If you wish, and if you are willing, then we can go to the bakery first before I take you home. It is no imposition, I assure you," she says, a warm tone to her voice.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
And yet another hint is dropped about just how many years Diana has seen. "Jin Xian. Her mother. Her grandmother," he says quietly, his tone thoughtful without forming a question. He quite misses the part about the tea, though it is certainly of excellent quality. "Oh. Uh." Yes, his brain is still skipping a little bit after the revelation of just how old Diana likely is. "Tea. My clan gets it from all over China and Tibet and we grow some that we both use and sell to other clans or places in Tibet." Which likely means it cannot be gotten here. Tea from China, sure, but Tibet?

Xiang's lips curl up ever so slightly at the mention of how pleased Jin Xian was by the flowers, and the compliment she had paid them. "Good. I am glad. That is what I was hoping for when I painted them for her. I wished only to brighten her day." And he apparently had!

He bows his head slightly at being told he's also trusted. "That means a lot to me," he says, his tone soft. His emotions reflect that. And if he was anyone else, he would probably be in tears right now with how very much that means to him. And the offer to take him home whenever he wishes to go there. That means as much, if not more, than the trust she had professed. "I am grateful to know you too, Diana, and to be your friend, and for you to be mine. I may take you up on that offer at some point, to go home. At least for a little while. I do not believe this place is quite done with me, yet."

The baklava, he looks thoughtfully at Diana. "It sounds very... sweet," he says. He considers the offer, does Xiang, and then nods. "If it is what you wish, I will go with you. And gladly."

Wonder Woman has posed:
It was a small hint. An incomplete hint. Though it's a slight nudge that causes certain wheels to turn within his brain, Diana is rather certain of that. Lifting her cup of tea, she takes a sip of it before lowering it to let it rest upon her uppermost knee, and she gives a small nod to affirm what he'd repeated. "Perhaps when we visit your home then a side trip might be arranged to the tea growing regions of Tibet in order for a purchase or trade to be made there," she says, a thoughtful tone to her voice. It could easily be arranged, no doubt.

Then she gives a soft chuckle, her blue eyes showing a sparkle to them, and a flicker of surprise at his admission. "I knew not that the handiwork was yours until you said as much just now. It is truly beautiful, Zhao. Perhaps you might be interested in painting a mural at the Arts Centre," she muses, a thoughtful tone to her voice. "And I would dare say that you have done more than brighten one day for her. It would be more accurate to say that you have brightened many, for her and for the others who admire her cart as well."

"It means a lot to have your trust as well, Zhao," Diana says, inclining her head towards him. There's a warm smile that comes to her features, and she lifts her free hand to brush back a bit of her hair. "You are welcome to take me up on the offer whenever you wish, Zhao. I will always do what I can to help you. Even if you wish only to go for a little while, a few hours or a few days, before returning, then I am more than willing to take you," she says, a warm tone to her voice. She takes a moment, to glance towards the window and out to the city before she looks over to him, and then she chuckles. "It seems not to be finished with you, that is true. Just as it is not finished with me, either," she adds, sounding a touch amused.

"It can be sweet, sometimes. It depends on the type, though. There are some that are a bit more savoury than others. And it is not straight honey, so it is not quite as sweet as a spoonful of honey would be. I can treat you to a piece, if you would like to try it," she offers, a smile easily coming to her features.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Oh yes. The wheels are definitely turning. At least his brain has stopped stuttering and is functioning again, after the information that had stopped it. That's where his typical calm nature has kicked in. His brain only stutters for a short amount of time and then it keeps going. He nods thoughtfully to what she says. "This would not be a bad idea. I know Jin Xian, at the least, would likely appreciate some special teas." He pauses then and turns his head to look straight at her. He seems to have finally caught the 'when' rather than 'if' they make a trip to the Mountain. But, he doesn't comment on it, other than that almost surprised look.

"Arts Centre? What is that?" He sounds... curious. Then, "Are.. you certain you wish me to paint something there? It sounds like an official, grand place. My painting is not that good, I assure you." Yes it is, Zhao, you just don't think it is. He ducks his head just a little bit, a trace of pink coming to color his cheeks, when she speaks of brightening days for her and many. He really doesn't think his art is that good.

Zhao nods about it meaning a lot. Trust. It really does. For both of them. And again, at the offer. "Thank you, very much." He looks thoughtful as she speaks on the baklava. "I do not mind a touch of sweet, but I prefer savory to sweet in most cases." He shakes his head. "I recently was introduced to peanut butter sandwiches. Those are.. very sweet."

Wonder Woman has posed:
There is often an inclination to presume a person's age based on their appearance, and it is infrequent that Diana does anything to alter that. It would seem that with Zhao, however, she has chosen to give him a slight nudge to lean his thoughts in a certain direction. She lifts her cup of tea, finishing what remains of it, and then she reaches out to set the cup back upon her desk. "It would be a treat for Jin Xian as much as it would be for you and I, or such would be the hope," Diana says, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She has every intention of seeing through the idea of taking him to his home, at some point.

"The Themysciran Arts Centre. It is a place where art is on display, and there are art classes and the like that are offered there as well," Diana explains, a smile easily coming to her features. "I can take you there, next time, if you wish to see it. It is less grand and less official than this space is, And it would be an honour to have your artwork on any of the walls there," she says, a warm note to her voice. "It is indeed that good," she adds, inclining her head towards him.

"I do my best to help, where I can. Especially friends like you," Diana says in a warm tone. "Some types of baklava are both salty and sweet. I used to make off with pieces of it while it was still warm, when I was a girl," she adds, giving a soft chuckle. "Peanut butter can be cloying. I had not tried it until coming here, either. Some varieties are sweeter than others, I have found. Many add sugar or other sweeteners to it," she offers in a thoughtful tone. A smile quirks at the corners of her lips, and she gives a small shake of her head. "And here, I distract you about food when you had mentioned that you ought be headed home," she comments, her blue eyes showing a sparkle to them.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Xiang Zhao isn't really one of those who pays much attention overall to age. It's more their actions and what they say, how they act, than age with him. "Treats occasionally are a good thing," he agrees. He nods about the Arts Centre. "I would love to see it. And if you wish it, I would be honored to paint a scene for you. Perhaps water. Boats. Trees. Cranes on the edge of the water walking amid the lotuses and lilies. A phoenix dancing across the sky.." Clearly, Zhao already has something in mind! He still doesn't think it's that good, but he doesn't argue with Diana either.

"Mm. Salty I am not so fond of," he admits. He grimaces faintly. "I do not care for how cloying peanut butter by itself is. Baked into cookies is not bad, though." He chuckles quietly, the sound as soft as everything else about him. Everything about him points at soft, elegance, grace. "Perhaps I was thinking of food anyway?" Zhao's dark eyes sparkle with amusement, and his emotions dance with it. Anyone else would practically be rolling on the floor with laughter. But not Zhao! Nope. That wouldn't be elegant would it?

Wonder Woman has posed:
Age is simply a number that marks the passage of time. There are more important factors to a person's life than the years that they have lived. "Yes, they sometimes are. And treats tend to be unique, as well. Things that I would consider a treat would not necessarily be considered a treat by my Sisters. It all depends on personal taste," Diana says, a smile touching at the corners of her lips. As he speaks of what he might paint, she tilts her head a little bit to one side, perhaps imagining the scene as he describes it. Her smile brightens, and she gives a nod. "I rather like the sounds of that, Zhao. It sounds beautiful," she says.

"What flavours are you fond of?" Diana asks, curiosity coming to her voice. She's learned he's not so keen on salty or sweet, so the question is a natural follow up. "Peanut butter cookies are very good, though I prefer them with chocolate chips in them," she comments, giving a soft chuckle. And then she gives a light laugh before she nods to him, agreeing. "Perhaps you were, at that. It seems likely that we both were, given how easily it came up between us. Would you care to stay for lunch before I take you home?" she offers.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Much more important factors. Such as life experience and not being an asshole. That is something Xiang tries never to be, but there are times he's so closed off it might seem like he's being an asshole. At least, until he gets closer to someone and they get to know him enough to be able to read the subtle clues he gives off. "Of course," replies Zhao. "Peanut butter, for instance. Some people love it as a treat. I.. do not." He pauses briefly. "At all." So yeah, he agrees with her there, clearly!

"Of the sweet flavors, I like cinnamon okay. Mostly, the flavors I am most fond of cannot be found here easily. They are all flavors of home. Lotus is my favorite, I think." He shakes his head about peanut butter with chocolate chips. "The chocolate makes them sweeter. Chocolate is okay once in awhile." He doesn't really think about the offer for long before he nods. "I would like that," he says.

Wonder Woman has posed:
"I think peanut butter is more of a North American taste. A cultural sort of thing. I sometimes use peanut butter in a thin layer on toast, and I enjoy it in baked goods, but I could not imagine taking a spoonful of it and eating it as it is," Diana says, giving a small shake of her head. "There are a great variety of sweet things, though I think one of the sweetest that I have had was a chocolate pecan pie," she muses, a thoughtful tone to her voice.

"Cinnamon is very good, yes. I ask for it to be put in hot chocolate, in the winter. There are other warm spices as well. Ginger, cloves, and a few others. They are quite tasty in either things like cookies or in other dishes," Diana says, quirking a smile. "I do not believe that I have tried lotus before. I will have to make a point of it, when I have the opportunity. Perhaps they have it in Chinatown. I have never looked for it there," she muses, a thoughtful tone to her voice. She smiles warmly at him when he accepts the offer of lunch, and then she gives a od. "Let us go see what the kitchen is working on or what we might convince them to cook for us, then," she says, her blue eyes showing a sparkle of amusement to them. This sounds like a normal thing for her to do, given how she says it.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Xiang Zhao makes that grimace again, a slight thing it is. "I do not like it even on toast. I would never willingly eat a spoon full of the stuff." He looks curious. "I have never had a pecan pie. Other than sweet, what are they like?" He probably wouldn't like them if they're sweet! "Loquats are good. They are somewhat like oranges here." He pauses. "Little oranges." He shakes his head. "I have not seen any in Chinatown, but I have not looked very hard either. Lotus soup and lotus cake are both very good."

Zhao inclines her head at her words and lifts his cup to finish the last bit of tea within it. Once done, he leans forward far enough to set the cup down on the desk. Now he takes up his fan again in his right hand. He flips it open and starts to gently wave it back and forth with a slow motion. "Okay," he says, and rises to his feet, all grace despite the fatigue she can feel in him.

Wonder Woman has posed:
"I have watched people eat it by the spoonful, and I cannot understand just how they manage it," Diana says, giving a small shake of her head. "It is not the nuts themselves that have the sweetness. It is the rest of the filling, if you will, that does. A sort of baked sugar custard, I think it is," she says, her brow furrowing slightly as she attempts to explain it. "The nuts themselves are pleasant. They taste quite good when they are roasted, and it gives them a nice crunch," she adds. "I have tried loquats before, and they are quite good. Lotus soup and lotus cake, I have not had either. I have had lychees, as well, which kind of remind me of grapes," she comments.

"There will be more tea in the kitchen, or if you wish something else to drink then there are other options as well," she ofers with a smile. She easily rises to her feet before stepping around the desk, and she gestures slightly for him to precede her. "It pleases me to see you using the fan," she says in a warm tone. "Is there anything in particular that you would like for lunch?"

Xiang Zhao has posed:
There's that look again. Not quite disgust but.. not quite not. "That is too much sweet at once," he says. Peanut butter by the spoonful. Ugh. Xiang nods slowly as she explains pecan pie. "I like hazelnuts, cashews, and walnuts the best. Pecans are a bit odd. I had never had one before coming here. Roasted hazelnuts are very good. Epecially with the right combination of spices." Now that the fan is going, it doesn't slow or stop. For now. It's a habit of his. One by which is mood and state of mind can be gauged.

"Lychees are good as well." He nods about the drink choices. "Tea or water is fine. Perhaps some sort of juice." But most likely tea or water. Diana herself hasn't ever seen him drink anything but tea or water up to this point. The fan does pause for a moment as she mentions it. Zhao looks down at it, and then back to the Amazonian. "It is quite a nice fit in my hand," he says. He shakes his head to her question. "Whatever is available will suffice." He'll try anything at least once.

Wonder Woman has posed:
There's a glance towards him at that look of his for the peanut butter, and she chuckles softly. She understands his lack of liking for it. "If you have a chance to try them, almonds and pistachios are quite good as well. Roasted and spiced, or just roasted," Diana says, giving a small nod to him. "I like walnuts, too. Hazelnuts and cashews as well. Pecans, I had not tried until I was here, like you," she adds, a smile tugging her lips. The tilt and turn of the fan is noticed, the pace of it watched a moment, though she says naught over it and simply tucks the detail for future reference.

"It will most likely be tea, then. I am rather fond of it," she says, glancing to him and quirking a bit of a grin. She doesn't just bring him tea because she knows that he likes it. She also favours it. "It has a look as though it was meant for your hand," she comments, glancing towards the fan before she lifts her gaze to his features. "I believe that today a vegetable stew with cheese, fresh bread, olives and salad. Or at least, that is what I have heard mentioned by the cooks," she says in a thoughtful tone.