7292/South By Southwest

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South By Southwest
Date of Scene: 21 April 2019
Location: Austin, Texas
Synopsis: T'Challa takes Diana on a vacation, racing horses and then dinner near Austin, Texas
Cast of Characters: Black Panther, Wonder Woman




Black Panther has posed:
The rest of Wonder Woman and Black Panther's time in Isla Olvidado did not turn up any additional leads on the Stymphalian Birds. Given the public nature of the attack in Central Park, whoever was getting them to acquire a taste for human flesh might be likely to realize the creature's existence had been revealed, and lay low. So scanning Justice League and Wakandan satellites for visitors to the island seemed like the best bet. And so the pair of heroes returned to New York to begin what may be an exhaustive process analyzing days and months worth of satellite surveillance over the coming weeks.

When Diana heard from T'Challa next, it was to discuss something else though. T'challa expressed enjoying the time spent with Diana at the embassy, and also during the flight to and from the island. And he asked if she would considering joining him for a day that did not involve affairs of state, nor fighting monsters from mythology. T'Challa suggested a trip to a warmer climate. There would be horses for riding, the opportunity to swim again, and then dinner in the evening.

After the plans were set, T'Challa arrives at the landing pad nearest to the Themysciran Embassy in the Wakanda jet that Diana is familiar with now. It is early in the morning, with the sky just growing light in the east as the sun is working its way towards the horizon there. The jet's ramp lowers and T'Challa walks down, wearing a pair of dark trousers and a casual, dark shirt that is just a bit tight across the shoulders and back. He has a pair of cups from Starbucks in hand as he moves to meet the Amazonian Princess. "Good morning. I hope the early departure did not cost you too much sleep?" he says with a warm smile as he offers the cup. A call ahead to the embassy will have confirmed the right beverage to get for Diana.

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana wasn't a coffee drinker, but she was a hot tea drinker, so that would've been the drink of choice for her and when he arrives and offers her a cup she smiles toward him as she steps out toward his plane and accepts it. Diana is wearing a light tan skirt and a black sleeveless top with black leather boots that go up just past her ankles, over her eyes are sunglasses and she's carrying a leather bag that is likely filled with other clothing and items, if not her armor just in case.

"I am glad to get this chance." She tells the King of Wakanda. "It is nice to get a way for a time that is not involving the... dramatics of what we were going through this past event." She raises the tea up and sips from it, happily responding to the drinks taste there after.

Diana's dark hair is tied back into a braided ponytail that lays down between her shoulder blades, her upper back is bare as her black shirt ties behind her neck and wraps around her lower back, but leaves the upper skin bared.

"I hope everything is well?" She asks T'Challa then.

Black Panther has posed:
The African's dark eyes light with a warmth at the sight of the Amazonian. He passes her the tea and his smiling nod signals agreement with the welcome opportunity to get away for a time. He motions towards the ramp and will walk Diana up into the jet as they talk.

"A few issues actually. A friend who was abducted by off-world bounty hunters. You may remember her. Nuala? She assist Thor's people. Which broke her people's laws. I am working on a rescue mission to space to go after her," he says in a slightly somber tone. Arranging a space craft capable of interstellar jumps, not the easiest of matters though.

T'Challa gives a little wave of his hand. "But, nothing that can be done about it today. Soon though," he says, not wanting to let the matter cast any kind of shadow on the holiday away. He helps Diana get her bag stowed, including the secure compartment coded to her again if she brought her armor. The cockpit has been rearranged to have two floating seats rather than one as it last was set up. The benefits of holographic controls.

"How have things been for you since we got back?" he asks as T'Challa moves to settle into one of the pilot's seats. T'Challa will look over when Diana gets settled as well, her presence bringing a smile that he does not try to conceal from her. "I am glad you were able to come," he tells her quietly, lips pulling up in his slightly crooked, warm smile before he turns to start up the jet, retracting the ramp and lifting into the air.

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana smiles back to T'Challa and she allows him to take her things with a soft 'Thank you' for the kind gesture. She then simply holds her cup of tea between both of her hands and walks along with him while he speaks. A light nod is given to him about the woman. "I believe I know the person you speak of, but I was never given a name for her in the moment that I think we met. If there is anything I can do to help with that, please let me know. Admittedly though... I have little experience with matters beyond our world's orbit." She says with a slight grin. She's not an experienced space traveler and she's a bit of a homebody... at least in the sense of loving Earth and putting all her efforts into protecting it alone.

Once her things are put away she follows him to the two chairs at the front of the jet and she takes her place in the one aside his own. "I am doing very well, all things considered. I have had the families of thos effected by the attack in Central Park to the Embassy. We are setting up a charity in the names of those harmed that day... to help the families, but also to make sure that those who died won't be forgotten." She seems remorseful about it all even still.

Black Panther has posed:
T'Challa takes a sip of his coffee and says, "I have put out feelers looking for a capable ship. I am afraid I have little experience beyond our own skies as well." The African man glances over and nods approvingly at the mention of the charity. "I'll have a donation sent over to assist them. I met with a woman who lost her son," he says, giving a soft sigh at the memory of the meeting. "Good of you to make those arrangements, Diana," he tells her.

The Wakandan jet lifts from the ground, the comparative lack of engine noise giving a feeling of floating through the air as the pair look through the cockpit at the slumbering New York City skyscrapers. The plane lifts gracefully straight up, like an elevator destined for the one of the penthouses that adorn those building tops. Once clear of the buildings though, the jet begins forward and the nose tips up slightly to help the plane climb.

T'Challa considers for a moment, and then one of the holographic controls is touched, and music begins to fill the jet's cabin. The rhythmic strumming of a guitar at first, clearly audible, but not so loud as to interrupt conversation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP9wms6oEMo

The sky outside is starting to turn blue as morning is creeping nearer to New York. Just a few clouds are scattered about the skies here and there. As the jet climbs, the sun crests the horizon for these higher altitudes, visible from the clouds even if the city below is still cloaked in darkness. Rays of sunlight scatter through the atmosphere, leaving the most beautiful shades of pink and red to paint those clouds as the jet passes first beneath them, but soon reaching a level to pass between them. The moment has an ethereal quality that is only enhanced by the music, T'Challa banking the jet as needed to give them views of the clouds sliding past to either side.

He catches his breath slightly and smiles at the view out of the cockpit window. "I was going to apologize for the early start," T'Challa says as he glances over to Diana. "Though I think perhaps this view is worth it," he muses quietly as the sunlit clouds paint their picture outside the cockpit window.

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana's sunglasses are placed on top of her forehead as they settle into their fleet and she looks over to him after he selects this music track and speaks of the sunrise outside. She flashes him a slight grin. "I am starting to think this might be planned." She says to the Wakandan King then as her eyes then return to the foreward canopy to look outside.

"It is beautiful." She softly says to the sight of the sun cresting over the east coast of the United States to start a new morning. "It is the embodiement of why we fight for what we fight for." She then glances back over to him. "And I only ever sleep two or three hours a night. I rarely require anything more than that."

Diana's tea is lifted up and she listens to the words of the song as she sips from her cup again and returns to watching the view outside of the jet. She admires it becasue it is just so lovely of a view.

Black Panther has posed:
T'challa gives a soft, warm laugh at the mention of it being planned. "The weather here, just a happy happenstance. Though I put thought into what music you might enjoy hearing," T'Challa confirms in his raspy, deep voice as he glances over to give Diana his smile.

He takes a sip of his coffee once they get above the clouds and the plane is set to cruise. "Our destination, incidentally, is near Austin, Texas," T'Challa shares. He swivels his chair to face Diana more as he crosses one leg over the other. "So I looked into your history. Trying to divine what music you might enjoy. A fascinating collection of stories and rumors. As many conflicting as not. That you fought in World War I?" T'Challa comments.

His head tilts to the side a little bit as he regards Diana. "My search gained far more questions than answers, really. Though even in that, my opinion of you climbed even higher. I would prefer to learn about you, from you, though. If you would not mind the sharing?" the African asks her gently.

Wonder Woman has posed:
"Well you have made a good choice." Diana says with regard to the music playing. "Truth be told, I do not put much thought into music or musicians and their art. I enjoy what I hear in any given moment, but yes, this is a song I would happily listen to again." Diana had never been one to buy CDs, or music tracks, or records... what have you, music had changed throughout her life in the world and she'd enjoyed its evolution on the whole, for the most part... not all of it of course!

The rest of what he says and speaks of makes her glance back toward him, Austin getting a slight brow raise but then she just lets her trust in him guide them to where he has in mind.

She looks forward again at the mention of World War I and she raises her cup to sip once more. "That is right." She softly says in her own smoky hued voice. "It was partially what drew me from Themyscira to begin with. To help a man stop the war. I was... quite naive back then."

Black Panther has posed:
The plane winds its way ever south by southwest, traveling at a clip that will bring them to their destination far sooner than commercial airliners. If not so fast there is not time for conversation on the way. T'Challa smiles softly as Diana approves of the first song. It appears to be a play list as the music continues on, mostly from the same era and genre.

"I saw you had worked in your gallery for quite a few years. Which might bring to mind classical music, opera, and the like. But I wished to try for something else," he comments. "I developed a taste for some of this during my time in England," T'Challa shares as the playlist moves on.

The man looks thoughtful as Diana mentions her emergence into the world at large. "Terrible losses in that war," he says. "In most wars," he adds, voice saddened. "But it seems man was still learning just how destructive he can be," T'Challa adds of the war that gave the world machine guns, tanks, poison gas and airplanes as weapons.

"So Themyscira was still cloaked from the world in those days, yes? How did a man find you, and convince you to take part?" T'Challa asks. "Who was he?"

Wonder Woman has posed:
"Well." Diana starts about the music. "You have clearly developed good tastes from your time in the United Kingdom." She says to him then with a soft smile directed at him from where she's seated on his side. "London was the first place I ever visited away from Themyscira, though it was quite different then... as most places are."

She gives a glance down to her lap as his questions cause memories of those days to flash into her mind. She has a flawless memory and can essentially retell any story of her life exactly as it had happened, word for word even.

She looks up again to the sky and exhales softly. "He was a Spy for the allied powers. He had come into possession of plans for a terrible poisonous concoction that a rogue German officer had intentions of spreading across the city where the Armistice of Compiegne would come to be signed." Another sip of her tea is taken and Diana's blue eyes look over to the King beside her again. "He... found Themyscira by accident. He had stolen a small plane and was running from German warships that were aggressively pursuing him waiting for him to run out of fuel. As luck would have it, his plane came to rest in the sea around my people's island... and I just so happened to be there, upon the coast, and watched him descend into the waters."

Black Panther has posed:
The African man nods slowly once or twice as she relates the story. Bits of the stories and rumors that must have fit into what Diana is sharing. "I would say that was great luck, indeed," T'Challa says of Diana having been there at the right moment to spot the fleeing Allied spy.

"So they would have prolonged the war, if not stopped," T'Challa says quietly as he imagines how things might have played out if they were not stopped. "So you left Themyscira to join him in putting a stop to it? How did your people, and your mother, feel about that? Were they enough against the world war that they supported you in it?" T'Challa asks as another in the line of songs comes over the plane's speakers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GimLuOUVkxg

The plane has traveled over the Appalachians, patterns of green, brown and grey rising up from the land. Then across the South, vivid greens of wetlands and forests, before finally the plains started up. As it crosses into Texas, the jet begins slowly descending, making it a gradual change as it draws ever nearer to the heart of the state.

Wonder Woman has posed:
While the song shift and Diana smiles to the new one that comes on she listnes to T'Challa and looks over to him again, sips her drink once more and then nods softly to him. "I believed that the poison was created to prolong the war by... Ares, the god of War. Everything that I had heard from the Spy... lead me to believe that was the case. Looking back on it now, I can see why others thought I was being naive, but... I did what I felt was right. I followed my heart, my instincts, and my duty that I had been trained for."

Diana's eyes scan the mountains as they pass them by and then she looks back over to the pilot flying the jet. "My mother... was not pleased with my decision. It took a great many years before she would speak to me again, and only then was it forced through a conflict in which I had to return home to aid my people, there was no choice in it. She can be a... stubborn woman, it is possible she may have never spoken to me again if such an occurance had not come up to re-tie those broken bonds."

Black Panther has posed:
T'Challa gazes out the window at the passing land beneath for a few moments while he listens. Dark eyes glance back over to Diana as she mentions naivety for the second time. "Stories always make it sound like titanic beings such as an Ares? Do things themselves in an overt way. With dramatic flare. Maybe they do? Or maybe they are subtle. Influence events. Play on the predilections, greed and prejudices of others. Perhaps Ares did have a hand. Even if it was men's hands that carried out the work."

T'Challa's lips turn up on one side with a soft smile for Diana. "I have known you such a short time. But I suspect your heart is to be trusted. Far more than other people's most reasoned-out thoughts."

T'Challa glances back at the window as the plane is definitely descending, approaching a long lake, one that obviously follows a river's course, northwest of what must be Austin. "There was a plot though, with the poisoned gas? Had that war kept going...?" T'Challa shakes his head rather than voice the rest of where that thought might go. "I for one am glad that you followed your heart," he says.

Wonder Woman has posed:
"I have regrets." Diana says softly then. "As anyone does in their life's time. I see things I could have done better, those that I love who I lost that I believe... if I had just paid closer attention, or fought just a little harder... that I would have been graced with more time with them, but... then I remember that my life is prolonged past that of the average person's and I would, and will, come to lose most everyone who I am close to, regardless of what I do to try to stop that from happening."

A deep breath is taken in then as Diana notes their descent toward the lake and riverway. "That has been the hardest part about being away from Themyscira where my people are ageless. Death occurs there... I lost a person who was very dear to me when I was young at home... But, being away from there?" She glances to T'Challa, shakes her head and looks back down to her drink. "Many more friends and loved ones come and go, in much greater quantity. Which is quite difficult a thing to live, through."

Black Panther has posed:
Black Panther swivels his seat back towards Diana, attention fully on the woman. The Wakandan king's expression softens as he listens. His thoughts run towards those that he has lost in his life, and imagining what it would be to know that was coming, eventually, with everyone he'll know.

T'Challa reaches over, and if allowed gently rests his hand on Diana's shoulder. "I have lost my father and mother. Some who were as brothers to me. I can only try to imagine how much worse it might be with your longevity," T'Challa says quietly. "I hope you never let it harden your heart though. I think you bring such brightness to those you touch. Their lives are better for you."

The plane comes in to hover atop a small, mostly non-descript house on the water's edge. It looks much like a normal home, if a little larger than most. There's a barn and a stable nearby. The jet settles in and quietly touches down in a clear area, not needing the assistance of those inside to make the landing, as T'Challa's attention is on Diana at the moment.

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana's eyes go to T'Challas as he turns to face her and places a hand on her shoulder. She listens and then smiles toward him, she's touched by his words and they clearly do mean a lot to her. A moment later and she teases back at him. "Woe is me... the woman who has life eternal." She now shows the the slight grin he may be growing more accustomed to seeing upon her. "I have to keep my perspective of just how good I truly do have it, less I let my own ego take control of my everything."

Her grin returns to a slight smile as she lingers her stare on the man beside her a moment longer, till they land. Its then that the Princess looks out to the property that he'd brought them both too and she's smiling more openly now, its a charming expression on her to be sure. "I love it." She says then as she looks back to him. "Horses too, huh?" She asks.

Black Panther has posed:
Diana's turning the moment more light-hearted isn't lost on T'Challa, and he smiles along to help bring her back into those warmer feelings. Though his eyes still have that expression of caring, not forgetting this insight that T'Challa has been given by the Amazonian princess.

He looks towards the house and smiles and says, "I thought it had the right feel to it. Some luxury resorts almost make you feel like... like they went to so much effort to be special. That you carry an obligation to experience all of it. Or, sometimes I feel that way. I wanted us to relax," T'Challa tells Diana.

The African rises from his chair, and goes to get Diana's things as well as his own so they can be stowed within the house. "Horses too," he confirms. "Something it is more difficult to enjoy within New York. And I thought a woman who came from an island without cars might enjoy a ride along the lake, and through the Hill Country, as they call it here."

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana also moves to rise up with him and she continues to hold her smile at this sweet gesture he's showing her, all of this. "You are too kind of a man, T'Challa of Wakanda." She tells him then. "I can see why your people adore you as they do." She'll walk with him then through the jet's interior.

"I have been to many luxury resorts and you are certainly not wrong either. Though many are beautiful in their own unique ways, few are as... special as a place that is not designed to be just that, but is rather than simply by its very nature."

Once more Diana smiles to him and then moves to gether up her belongings to exit the jet once again. "But, these kinds of get aways often make it so much harder to go back to where we came from." She says to him with a slight grin.

Black Panther has posed:
T'Challa walks along with Diana, and her comment seems to touch him. On multiple levels as she also mentions his people. "Shuri suggested I should take you to Monaco. When I told her I was renting a little vacation home on a lake? She looked at me like I was crazy," he shares, deep gravelly voice made light-hearted. "Said she should sick more chickens on me," he adds with a laugh as they step out onto the green grass outside the jet.

It is a beautiful Texas day. Mostly blue skies, and a temperature in the high eighties. The house itself is no hotel, but someone's vacation home that they have rented out. The grass leads down to the lake, where a small pier holds a speedboat as well as a canoe and a paddle wheel boat.

"I had a pair of horses brought in. So whenever you might like to ride," T'Challa says as he glances to the stable. "And there is swimming, water skiing, or just floating. Tonight, there's a restaurant up on a hill overlooking the lake that I thought you might enjoy the view from," he tells Diana. "And there's food here at the house as well. If you wished a long enough ride we could take something along for the trail," he offers. T'Challa will open the door for Diana so they can go inside and hang up any clothes that might need it. Multiple bedrooms, and showers, so an opportunity to clean up later before dinner.

Black Panther has posed:
After putting their things in the house and grabbing cool beverages, T'Challa and Diana head outside and over to the stables. T'Challa pulls open the door and the pair pass inside. The stalls are clean and with plenty of hay for the horses, though only two contain a horse at the moment. A pair of gorgeous black stallions, either would stand out to even the most untrained eye amongst a herd of horses.

74225ebb-f122-4aac-ada3-929cc86f30ce.jpg

cute-and-amazing-black-horse.jpg

T'Challa walks over to the first stall, the horse moving over to stick his head over the gate. He gently pats the horse's nose, saying, "This is Lincoln," he says of the first horse as he strokes the glossy black animal. "And his companion is Dakota," the Wakandan says as he moves over to greet the second horse as well.

There are saddles and other horse tack hanging over on one of the walls nearby.

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana, once inside, makes sure to take a moment to change shoes, and put on a pair of leather boots that she'd brought with her that are far more appropriate for riding than what she'd had on. The rest of her outfit is deemed worthy of the activity though as lucky would have it.

Once out in the stables area, she walks along side T'Challa and eyes the animals with an approving gaze. "They are beautiful." She says to the Wakandan man, looking to him to smile at him before she steps over to Dakota and reaches out to stroke the side of his large face with her left hand, testing its temperament at being touched.

The Princess then spots the saddles and she looks to T'Challa. "Shall we set them up and set out?" She asks him then, an air of relaxation and enjoyment is clear upon her person right now, he'd likely easily see that.

Black Panther has posed:
T'Challa takes a few moments later to get to know Lincoln as he sees Diana doing the same with Dakota. "I have not been on horseback in... I think it must be four years now," he tells her. "They are indeed beautiful. Very fine animals," he comments as he steps into the stall and walks along the stallion, running a hand along his glossy black hide. He gives the horse a soft pat and says, "Let us get you a saddle," he says with a smile before leaving the stall to go over and grab the usual set of equipment for saddling the horses.

"So Diana? You alluded to the longevity of Themyscira. So much of the island is shrouded in myth and legend," T'Challa tells her. Though one might not imagine the royal doing tasks like saddling his own horse, he seems more than familiar with the work. "I am quite curious. Is the entire island's population Amazonian? And... if so, it does beg the question of their origins. Is it as the Greek myths say? Or were their fathers at some point in the past?" he inquires. as he continues the work of getting the horses ready.

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana simply remains at the front of Dakota, petting the animal and letting it get to know her a bit in return. She shifts her eyes over to T'Challa though as he retrieves the saddles and through her smiling she nods her head lightly. "We have horses in Metropolis, but it has been a number of months since I was with them and riding." She responds to that before she'll move to take the saddle that he gets for her, having quite a lot of experience with outfitting a horse with its needed gear for this.

As she works to saddle her own while he does his, she responds further. "It depends." Diana replies to the man's question of her people. "There are a number of origins for the women of my island. Mine being arguably the most 'unique' but not likely the least surprising for those around the rest of the world. It is said that the bulk of the original women of Themyscira rose up out of the floor of a lake bed at the heart of the island. Women who had been strong of character, who had fought for their beliefs and had been struck down in their pursuits. Given new life, to help protect Themyscira and its ideals."

Diana steps around the horse then and finishes the last of the straps latched to the animal's saddle. "Others, come from similar backgrounds, but arrive differently. We have patrols on the beaches, and these patrols have periodically found new women, washed ashore who were lost at sea, though most do not have their memories intact any longer. It can take quite some time for these such arrivals to become comfortable amongst our people, but they eventually adapt and many have become quite able in how they contribute to our society."

Diana flashes him a soft smile. "It is 'odd' compared to the rest of the world, I know. But it is the way of our Gods, to help the women of Themyscira with our goals and duties."

Black Panther has posed:
The African man pats Lincoln after setting the saddle over the edge of the stall to keep it off the ground, then begins draping a saddle blanket over the horse's back. He listens with obvious interest. Judging by T'Challa's expression, he's accepting of the unusual origins of Diana's kinswomen. Though at the last part about the women washing ashore, his expression adds notes of surprise. "I had wondered about that. If the Amazonians were all born in the past. The population could only shrink over time," he says.

"And the women that come ashore like that. They share the same attributes as the rest of your sisters? The longevity and all?" he asks. T'Challa nods slowly as his mind wraps itself more fully around what Diana has shared. "I imagine that helps keep your people's belief in those gods alive then. So few examples of direct intervention by such beings these days, in the rest of the world," he comments.

T'Challa adds the saddle and begins fastening the straps. Both horses are well-tempered when it comes to being saddled, and if anything might be looking forward to a chance to run. "Has your mother always been queen? Or have there been changes over the years?" he inquires. "In Wakanda, there can be challenges for the throne. Does Themyscira have similar traditions?"

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana sorts the remainder out of what she needs to do to complete the saddle arrangement and she then steps back to the front of the horse to smile at it once more before her eyes go to T'Challa again. "My mother has always been the ruler of my people. None question her authority. She was... the perfect choice from the very start. Deemed worthy by Zeus himself and she has done nothing but prove her place since."

Diana's left hand rests on the harness around the horse's face, she feels the leather of it beneath her fingertips. "Death... happens on Themyscira. But not because of aging." She seems to take a moment to have memories run through her mind of possibly some such event, but she looks back onto him. "I lost someone very close to me, as it so happens she was the person who taught me to ride a horse, let alone fight atop one."

The princess softly shakes her head to the thought. "It was my fault she died as well, an accident... but... one born out of my own youthful arrogance." She glances back to T'Challa then. "The women of Themyscira possess strengths unlike the rest of the world, not to the level that I have been graced with, but still higher than the average human. But... we are not invulnerable."

Black Panther has posed:
T'Challa finishes saddling the horse, and takes a moment to check his hooves, making sure the horse's shoes are in good condition. Though Diana and T'Challa are taking care of the saddling themselves, someone has been taking good care of both horses and they are otherwise in excellent condition.

T'Challa pats Lincoln's neck as he takes the reins, turning his attention fully back to Diana as she speaks of her friend that she lost. His eyes soften, as does his voice as he says, "I am sorry for her loss. What was her name?"

T'Challa leads the black stallion out of his stall and walks him over to where Diana is with Dakota. "If she was your teacher, she must have possessed great skill," the Wakandan comments to Diana as if inviting her to speak about her friend if it doesn't pain her to do so. T'Challa pats his horse again and begins leading him outside. There's a trail that runs along the lake there, with branches that split off up into the foothills before looping back around.

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana starts to lead Dakota then out of the animal's stall and as she looks over to T'Challa she smiles softly to him. "She was special. My first romance in fact." She says that with a slight grin, wondering how the man would react to that, though she knows him enough to believe he would handle such information far better than most.

As she leads the horse out into the center aisle she pauses to wait for him. "So you will be challenged for your rule of your people?" Diana asks that then, watching him to wait for a response. "I am quite curious to know how that all... works. It seems as though it could create a willingness to openly defy you whenever someone disagrees with your word on a matter. Is that not the case?" She asks, leading the horse by its reigns and standing beside the right front of it as it flaps its tail side to side behind its massive body.

Black Panther has posed:
Emerging with the horses out of the stable, the warm Texas sun is shining down, making it a pleasant April day with just a bit of a breeze to keep it from being too warm. The grass is already green and the trees have green leaves, the plant life much further into spring than is the Northeast. T'Challa's glance over at the mention of Diana's first romance is accompanied by an accepting inclination of his head.

T'Challa also seems to notice the grin and he flashes a soft one back to Diana. "I should imagine coming from an island of all women, that the customs in the outside world were probably unusual to see," he says. He puts a foot in Lincoln's stirrup and climbs up to settle into the horse's saddle.

There's a moment's reflection by T'Challa before the man's dark-colored eyes drift back over to Diana. "If it is not too personal of a question? With your exposure to our cultures, do your romantic interests run strictly towards women today?" he asks. Though T'Challa intends his tone to be one of simple, albeit personal, conversation, it is doubtful he can conceal from the Amazonian princess that he has a personal interest in Diana's answer.

Wonder Woman has posed:
That last part just makes Diana smile as she gets up onto the horse and settles into the saddle. "No." She says, quite a bit of amusement on her expression. "Not even remotely." She says then as she looks back to the man. "My... interests in others is entirely based on their character and what lies within their heart. I care nothing of their physicality..." She pauses then. "Well, that is not entirely true. I am like others who see the merit in physical attractiveness. Its challenging not to focus on those things alone, but I... have my tastes as anyone else does."

Diana then looks back over to him. "Transitioning from Themyscira to the 'rest of the world' was not as challenging as one might think. Our historians kept a great record of society prior to Themyscira and our philosophers were able to accurately predict much of how the world would develop off of Themyscira. Things were not... precisely as I was taught they'd be, but they were close enough that I adapted rather quickly."

Black Panther has posed:
Despite whatever amount of casualness T'Challa might have attempted to put into the question, he makes no attempt to keep from his eyes how pleasing her reply is. "As in most things from you, Diana, a wise answer if I have ever heard one," he tells the raven-haired Amazonian.

He gives her a soft lopsided smile. A moment of transparency as he looks back to meet Diana's gaze with his soft smile, before letting his thoughts turn to the rest of what she had to say.

"I am slightly disappointed that we were that predictable. I would like to think we had exceeded your philosopher's thoughts. Though also, not surprised that we have not," T'Challa says with a soft, deep sigh. "But, it would not be a pursuit of perfection if we were already there, would it?" he asks.

T'Challa flashes a smile over to the woman and says in a slightly teasing voice, "Now, let us see whether you heeded your instructor's horse-riding lessons. Or were distracted by... other thoughts." He grins and then gives the reins a little flick to start Lincoln up, at a quick trot for just long enough to let the horse stretch his legs before quickening the pace, giving Diana something to chase to keep up as he heads down the lake shore.

Wonder Woman has posed:
"Oh, make no mistakes..." Diana starts to respond to the man she's riding with here today, grinning over at him. "The people of your Kingdom were completely unexpected. We certainly did not see your culture's existence amongst our beliefs. But then, I feel as though that is something that is quite different from my people. You and yours? Self created. Mine? Well... we were given quite a lot of help."

When T'Challa increases the pace at which they're riding, Diana just grins back to the man and she prepares for it and actually moves to increase the pace, standing up a little higher on her horse she leans into it and is now attempting to exceed the speed that the King of Wakanda is going, a friendly race, so it seems!

Black Panther has posed:
T'Challa's face lights up. The normally calm, reserved demeanor gives way to the delight of competition as Diana spurs her dark stallion forward. "We have had influences from the divine as well..." he calls over as they ride. "Which have aided us. If not as direct as I sense... Themyscira has been gifted!"

The path along the lake is wide enough for the two horses, and the animals seem to know each other well, and are more than happy to engage in the race. As Diana gains and draws even with him, T'Challa flashes a bright smile to her and then leans forward, urging Lincoln on.

The horse's gait creates a breeze that sends the horse's manes and tails fluttering. Their bodies are sleek and dark in the warm sunlight as they race one another with the man and woman clinging tightly to their saddles. As T'Challa sees a bend in the trail up ahead towards his side, he steers off the trail a bit and jumps Lincoln over a bush to cut the corner even sharper for an advantage. He flashes a grin back at Diana. So it's going to be one of those kinds of races.

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana definitely didn't know that tidbit of information about the Wakandan people, its something she knows she'll have to ask further about later... but then again, there's much she doesn't know about them and she expects to find many more surprises the more she interacts with their proud and good King.

As he makes his expert cut across the pathway in front of her, the Princess just shakes her head lightly and grins at it. These two animals are quite comfortable with this land and she can feel it, they don't seem to have any hesitation about what to expect up ahead, leading her to believe they likely have been here since they were quite young, if not their entire lives.

A stone wall that seems to have seen better days marks the edge of the field they're coming up upon now and Diana tries to gain more ground back by guiding her horse overtop of it with an elegant leap to its muscular body, the Amazon atop it just tries to keep herself alligned, loose and let the horse lead her almost as much as she in-turn leads it.

Black Panther has posed:
The Wakandan watches as Diana's horse leaps over the wall, front legs extended. An equine hurdler passing over the obstacle with ease. It is understandable if T'Challa is distracted by the sight of Diana leaning low, her hair streaming behind her as if competing with the horse's mane for the title of most silken and glossy black. It also makes him smile and he gives Lincoln a little encouraging pat on the rump to exalt the horse forward.

The trail climbs away from the lake shore then, moving up into the hills. The horses race along it, seeming familiar with it indeed, only deviating when one rider or the other spots a shortcut to gain a few seconds of time. Back and forth the lead changes.

Finally the trail starts to turn back towards the lake. Cresting a hill, the small trees giving way to a grassy meadow. There's a lone tree about two-thirds of the way across the meadow. With the two horses running stride for stride beside each other, T'Challa calls out, "First to the tree!" to set a finish line for their race. "Hya, Lincoln!" he encourages the horse. "Forward! Mbele! Mbele!" he calls out, switching to Wakandan in his enthusiasm as they race for the finish.

Wonder Woman has posed:
The joy of this act was to be able to rely on another creature's ability to progress. Diana, herself, could fly much faster than this horse can run but the point of this is to experience the sensations that this riding experience brings, its the joy of riding a horse all together... because its a unique experience, at least for most and though Diana had done quite a lot of it while on Themyscira, it has gotten much less over the years since leaving the island.

As they progress up into the grasslands, Diana does give glance over to T'Challa, smiling at him past her wild dark hair that is flowing about her head and shoulders loose and free.. generally she used to tie her hair back when riding, but today she was in a much more casual attire and not in some form of combat training like the old days.

She angles Dakota for the tree in question, the horses hooves colliding powerfully against the soft Texas soil beneath them both!

Black Panther has posed:
The horses fly forward until it seems their hooves are scarce touching the grass so fast do the go. T'Challa lays flat along the horse's back and neck, his body moving in unison with the horse's full out gallop.

Lincoln and Dakota strain forward as if sensing the destination. They fly on either side past the tree, too close to call on who got their first. Had it been a track they would have had a photo finish. T'Challa gently eases back on the reins then. Lincoln slows from the gallop to a canter, and finally then down to a walk. Both horses blowing hard to catch their breath, though prancing with a spirited air as if they enjoyed the exertion.

T'Challa gently pats his horse on the neck. "Lincoln put up a fine showing, but I think you won that one," he says to Diana as he circles the horse back around to her. This edge of the hill has a nice look at the lake, which stretches away to the south. There's a ridge on the left side of the lake that looks like it has a few buildings built there to take advantage of the view.

T'Challa begins walking the horse back towards the trail that exits this side of the meadow. "If you enjoyed the ride, I had my eye on a small ranch outside of the City," T'Challa comments. "I could bring these two up to it so they were more at hand for the occasional ride."

Wonder Woman has posed:
As the race comes to a close, Diana dismounts her horse with a kick of her leg off and over the mount. She settles down onto her booted feet and she walks around it to hold onto his face again with both of her hands as the animal is now relaxing. She smiles over to T'Challa. "Oh, I am entirely sure that you won." She says to him then. "You are an impressive rider, to say the least." She further says before she looks out toward the lake and lets her hair cast back over her shoulders in the warm afternoon breeze.

"I would be happy to do more of this with what time we have." She responds to him then. "I get the sense that the two are quite happy to run together too." She says, noting Lincoln and Dakota's mannerisms toward one another.

When T'Challa starts to walk his horse, Diana is soon to lead Dakota on after him, catching up to lay into a stride beside the other. "Who owns this property?" She has to ask then, out of sheer curiosity. "It is so beautiful." She notes the houses up on the ridge overlooking the lake.

Black Panther has posed:
T'Challa walks alongside Diana as they give the horses a chance to rest without riders on their back, walking them back down towards the lake. "A rental property actually," T'Challa says of the land as he glances around it. "I have an old friend. A Mr. Ross. With the CIA, of all people. But he had mentioned vacationing here once. I recalled it when I was trying to think of a get away that might appeal to you," T'Challa says.

The African monarch reaches back to brush a hand down the horse's long face before turning back, eyes going over to Diana. "I would also like to invite you to visit Wakanda. I suppose I could claim it might help convince your mother to come for a state visit if you have seen it first. Which, perhaps it would. But mostly, I would enjoy showing it to you," he tells her.

After a moment, T'Challa adds with a soft laugh. "Also, Shuri would threaten me with bodily harm, if I did not invite you," he confides. As they walk along the trail, back down through the hills towards the lake, he asks, "Do you spend most of your time in the States on business? I recall you had a gallery and spent a lot of time working with historical artifacts. Is that something you still find time for?"

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana quietly 'ahs' at the origins of where this little get away space had been discovered. "I have friends in the CIA and FBI... amongst others, it is not so weird. Many of them are good and honest people. Working as often as I do within the United Nations has lead to a lot of contacts, and well... many new ones approach me every day I am there."

As they walk together with their horses side by side she glances to him again and grins. "I will happily come to Wakanda, to see it all, including Shuri. But... getting my mother to come, that, is something I cannot guarantee the possibility of. She yet remains adamant of staying precisely where she is as she believes it is against her God sworn duty to leave the shores of our island."

At the last question though, Diana shakes her head. "I did not move to the United States until the formation of the Justice League occurred just three years ago. Prior to that I was primarily based in Paris where I had previously been employed at Louvre in their restoration and preservation department..." She glances down to the trail just ahead of them. "Part of me greatly misses the peaceful of a life prior to becoming a public figure." She admits before she looks back to him. "There was a simplicity there, that I do not think I will ever see again."

Black Panther has posed:
"If her visiting would breach her holy duty, I would not wish to ask that of her, then," T'Challa confirms with a small nod as the two walk through the pleasant spring day in the Texas Hill Country. "Speaking of duties, I believe you asked me a question earlier about challenges to the monarch in Wakanda, but our conversation moved on before I answered it. My apologies for that," T'Challa says.

As they arrive down at the lakeshore, T'Challa leads his horse over, looping the reins over the pommel on the saddle to give the horse a free rein to drink from the lake as he likes. Lincoln moves over to begin taking a drink after the hard exercise.

T'Challa glances back to Diana. "A challenge need only be accepted when the throne is open. When my father was killed, before I took the throne, each of the tribes that comprise Wakanda had the opportunity to send a challenger for the throne. Only one did. A tribe that is isolationist, even to the point of being anti-technology," T'Challa shares.

He says, "The traditional means is a trial by combat. Without the benefits of being the Black Panther. A fight either to submission, or death. I forced the former," he says. "After taking the throne, challenges to the king may still occur. But they must be accepted, they are not automatic. Though we are a parliamentary monarchy, the people have representation as well. A king who rules poorly enough the bulk of the country opposes him, would be hard pressed not to accept a legitimate challenge," he explains.

Wonder Woman has posed:
They both approach the shore again and Diana lets her blue eyed gaze roam across the lake's waters as she hears T'Challa's words. She looks back over to him then, raising her free hand up to pull her dark hair out of her face that had been cast across it by the winds, now revealing that she's smiling. "There is no Holy duty to her decision, it is merely here choice not to leave the Island. She has taken it upon herself to make it a personal rule... it is... part of her belief that she belongs there and only there, as the ruler. Where you are comfortable to find yourself in places outside of Wakanda, she simply is not. For all my mother's many great attributes, she is... a bit controlling, as a detriment to her character. Feeling as though it would all fall apart if she were gone even for a day."

When he explains his people she lowers her eyes and listens while they walk, watching the water rolling up on the shore in the wind powered waves of the lake. "I see." She says then, glancing back over to him. "That would be an eye opening experience to have someone come to you proclaiming to be able to rule better than you... I am not sure how I would react to such a thing, but more than likely I will not be taking my mother's place any time soon. So the burden of being the 'one' in total control is not something I have to put a lot of thought into, I do not think any way."

Black Panther has posed:
Black Panther gathers the reins after the horses have had water, walking alongside Diana again along the trail. "Life was much easier when my father still held the throne," T'Challa say, with a soft chuckle at first, though his expression soon slips into that of a son who misses his father.

"Having the power to see things done as you wish can be a tenuous thing," T'Challa shares with Diana quietly. "When you have the power to have your way as you wish, it is not difficult to slip towards believing your way is the right way," T'Challa says. "In truth I believe I do a good job of listening. But there are times," he says, shaking his head. "If I am truly angered. Greatly angered. Then I can act rashly sometimes," he says.

The Wakandan glances over towards Diana as if eyes searching to see how she reacts to his revealing this flaw in his character. "It is not something I am proud of. And I am afraid it is still something in my character that I need to improve upon," he says, eyes searching the trail in front of him before lifting to Diana again. "I do envy you the peace that you found, working at the Louvre. I wish that was something you could find again. Perhaps a... 'secret identity' to resume such work?" he suggests, a soft smile returning.

Wonder Woman has posed:
When he speaks of his father, Diana looks back to him and she watches the physical mannerisms that spring up on his face, able to tell the emotions that he's experiencing from the topic. "I would have liked to have met him." She says then in a quiet and soft voice. "I am sure he was a remarkable man who left quite a positive footprint in his wake."

"Anger is a difficult emotion to hold rational reactions to while deep within it." She moves on then. "I certainly do not fault you for perhaps not being at your bets when angered. After all, who in this world truly is?"

Its then that Diana lightly laughs at the suggestion of a secret identity. "I fear that that is an impossibility at this stage of my public exposure. My face and... well, I am very well known now simply by my looks. Maybe if I took on a secret identity as a... circus clown, or a luchadore wrestler, I might stand a chance of not being spotted. Oo, or perhaps as a character at a Disney park! That could be fun." She shoots a big grin over to the King then.

Black Panther has posed:
The talk of his father's qualities bring a smile to T'Challa that says more than his words ever could of what he thinks of him. "A wise and gentle soul," T'Challa confirms about his father. "Skilled at compromise, but not afraid to stand his ground when it was needed," he says in a reverent tone.

The list of occupations for Diana cause T'Challa to break out in warm laughter along with the Amazonian. "I think you underestimate the power of a pair of sunglasses and a baseball cap," T'Challa says with a playful wag of his finger. "Why, just a few weeks ago, Steve Rogers and I sat down in a small bar for a drink, wearing such," T'Challa shares. He looks hesitant for a moment. "Though, now that I think of it? We were recognized by a few intoxicated and belligerent fellows," T'Challa admits. "And just as we'd defused it, Deadpool arrived and... well. I paid for the damages he caused," he says with a chuckle and a rueful shake of his head.

They arrive back at the lakeside house, emerging from the trail. "I should think the Louvre, not to mention the Met, the Guggenheim, or most any museum in New York, would take you on in a role that would let you work with the art in a non-public position," T'Challa muses. "Do you create your own artwork, Diana?" he asks curiously as they lead the horses towards the stables.

Black Panther has posed:
T'Challa mentions the festive restaurant for dinner is just a leisurely walk up a trail to the top of the ridge that runs along Lake Travis. He'd mentioned the weather and dinner plans so Diana could bring appropriate clothing. There will be people ranging from casual, to dressed for a date.

T'Challa goes off into one of the bedrooms that has an attached bath, leaving the master for Diana. He showers and dresses, wearing a pair of comfortable slacks and a dark cotton shirt that should be perfect for the warm Texas evening. He adds just a touch of cologne before finally emerging from the room. He walks over to look out the picture window that the lakehouse has with the view of the lake. The sun is still up, the sky not yet starting to turn red, though it won't be too long before the sunset begins. The ridge and the restaurant will give a nice view of the sun setting on the otherside of the lake.

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana had spent time wandering the lovely home to look through it and soak it all in, she'd made more than a few comments about how great it all was and how she'd never spent this kind of time in this particular state in the union. She had traveled to all 50 states in the US, but this was one she'd simply visited a few heavily populated areas before ultimately moving on.

Now, however, she was tepping out of her bedroom wearing an dress the color of an afternoon sky, her hair tied back behind her head and a fresh application of makeup to help accentuate her natural beauty.

She smiles at him as she walks toward him. "You know." She says. "It is quite likely that this place you are taking me to, maaaay not be ready for two members of royal titles to suddenly appear within it." She says with a slight grin. "We may not be ready for the reaction it brings upon us, as well. But it should be fun, either way."

Black Panther has posed:
T'Challa gazes out at the lake, thinking about how enjoyable the day has been. Thinking about how he is coming to appreciate so many of the little things about Diana. The woman's unpretentious way, as ready to enjoy a beautiful but modest lake house as she would be a high end resort.

The sound of Diana emerging turns T'Challa about. The African's dark brown eyes take in the sight of her in the sky blue dress and he seems held by the image of her for a few seconds before finally he moves again. "Diana," he says as he walks over to her, reaching out both of his hands to hold hers if allowed. "You look extraordinary," he tells her in a voice of quiet sincerity.

"I had thought perhaps we might go unnoticed," he says in that smooth rasp of a voice, before T'Challa slowly shakes his head as his eyes are again taking in the full sight of her. "I realize now just how big a fool I was to think you would not be the talk of everyone the moment we enter," he tells her. "Hopefully they can manage well enough though." The Wakanda's eyes meet Diana's, the royal doing nothing to try to hide the warm emotions that show in his gaze. "Shall we?" he asks.

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana shows the man a smile of her own and she nods her head once toward him. "I am ready." She announces then in an calm and soft voice. "And I do not believe there is a person alive who would refer to you as a fool. Or if there is, I would very much like to meet them. So that I might shove them around a bit." She then smiles more lightly to the man before she moves toward the coat rack beside the doorway where she'd hung a light jacket up, a faux-leather jacket that contrasts with her dress, but at least in a nice and stylish sort of way.

"I had considered cowboy boots, hat and jeans, but I thought that I might be pretending to be something I am not a little too much. I would not wish to offend anyone at the dinner tonight, after all."

Black Panther has posed:
T'Challa breaks out in laughter. Sounding out deep, warm peals of amusement as he says, "Oh I assure you, there are several. All of whom it will be my privilege to introduce you to when you come and visit Wakanda." He's still chuckling happily as he gets his jacket as well, though just hangs it over an arm while the other is given to Diana.

He glances her way, obviously imagining her in the Western attire. "I believe there is a custom here at rodeos. Everyone is welcome to dress like that. Even encouraged. Perhaps we might return for such an event. I have been to one, though I was... oh, perhaps 12, at the time," T'Challa tells her as they leave the lakehouse, locking it up before beginning the walk up the winding path that leads away and up the ridge.

"The calf-roping looked so interesting to me. I begged my father to let me try it, but he refused. So when we returned to Wakanda, my best friend and I instead tries to rope young water buffalo," T'Challa tells Diana. "A cow's calf is so big," he says, indicating with his hands the size of the animals at the rodeo. "The water buffalo's calves?" he's indicating something at least three or four times as large. "To say the least, we returned with many bruises, and received stern talkings to." They walk along the path a few more steps before he adds with remembered relish, "But it was still a wonderful challenge."

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana quietly thanks the man for retrieving her jacket for her as though he had some kind of sixth sense, having seen her walking toward it nad taking the queue so swiftly. She smiled at him and has the jacket on in moments. "I... do not think I should start my time in Wakanda by shoving people around, I suppose. Even if they have labeled you a fool. I might have to play my cards more skillfully, in this case." She says with a slight hint of a grin.

She moves to walk with him then and listen to the rest of what he says. "I... think I would do well at this 'roping' stuff, all things considered about my collected skills in life. But. That being said, I would rathe rnot rope small baby animals. Maybe unlawful criminals fleeing the law? That is more my speed, I think." And she's grinning again, more openly now.

Black Panther has posed:
T'Challa looks over with an uncertain expression at Diana's reluctance to begin shoving certain Wakandans around. "Are you certain? My sister, for one, could surely stand to be improved by the experience," he assures Diana in a lighter tone of voice than normal. That slightly crooked smile is given as they walk along the paved path.

"I expect there would be few that would be your equal. Though when you rope unlawful criminals? They just make you give a statement to the police." T'Challa shakes his head and then says, "But when you rope a calf in a rodeo?" He moves his hands down to his waist, spread apart to indicate something sizeable. "They give you an outrageously large belt buckle. It is a /most/ curious tradition," he says, laughing and shaking his head.

T'Challa will reach back over to take Diana's hand after the belt-buckle gesture, if she allows, holding it as the two crest the top of the ridge. The sun is low enough in the sky that it is starting to turn red. Up ahead is a gorgeous, multi-level building with one terrace and balcony after another, all giving views of the lake further below. There is room for dancing in one spot, and there is already a full crowd seated at the tables as they approach.

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Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana has to laugh lightly at the man's words and she has to also shake her head to them as well. "I will not be shoving your sister around." She declares in good nature. "If she has to call you a fool, perhaps she has information that I should take into consideration to re-evaluate my previous statement on the matter." Now she's just teasing the man. She does take his hand when he offers to takes hers and she follows along with him with a smile upon her red painted lips. The view of the sunset and the property they're headed toward are both admired with a sharp intake of breath and an emitted exhale of appreciation. "It is such a beautiful night." She tells him. "This." She looks over to the King of Wakanda and smiles to him again. "This is a wonderful gift you are giving me, a long needed break from... the hectic life of the east coast."

Black Panther has posed:
T'Challa lets out a laugh rich with warmth. "Already taking her side and you have not even met her?" he admonishes with soft playfulness in his tone. "No, my sister is wise beyond her years. Any monarch who is worth his or her salt, should have people around them who will call them fool when they deserve it," T'Challa says. After a moment's pause, "Though perhaps she does it a bit more often than just when deserved," he says with a gentle laugh.

T'Challa pauses with Diana as they get that first view of the place. The clouds provide variations in the colors of the sunset, darker shades against the bright reds, yellows and oranges. "The time that you have shared with me is the far greater gift, I think," T'Challa tells Diana. The veil of propriety that normally shields the monarch's emotions from the world has been lowered since earlier in the day. There is a sense of seeing the truest sense of the man as he looks across to Diana with that air of openness.

"Come, they should have our table waiting," he says with a smile. They are indeed waiting, T'Challa having called ahead to make sure that would be the case. The hostess leads them through the charming place, past tables of smiling faces enjoying the perfect May evening above the lake. Smells of delicious foods, particular with Tex-Mex seasoning, flavorful rather than spicy, waft past as they move to the best table in the house, with a great view of the lake and the dance floor close by. Soft music is playing. People are eating, others are out dancing together. T'Challa pulls out Diana's chair for her, before he takes his own seat.

Wonder Woman has posed:
"I have to help her by sticking with her, it is an unwritten rule." Diana explains about the sister of the King, of course showing a sly grin as well to accompany it. "And you are right, good advisors are a dire necessity for someone ruling over so many others. But of course, one hopes they are tactful in how they offer their advice." She says this before her eyes scan over the restaurant and she smiles at the lovely setting of it all. As they reach their table, she quietly thanks him once again for getting her chair for her, she settles down into it and sits straight and proper as she always does. Her gaze goes around the others around them, she watches those dancing, she also glances to those already eating as she might spy a type of food she would enjoy based on what she sees.

Dianaa then looks back to T'Challa and grins at him. "So where is your giant belt buckle? I would very much like to see it on you." She lightly teases him again.

Black Panther has posed:
Various people looked their way as the couple entered and followed the hostess to their table. There were perhaps one or two conversations overheard along the lines of, "Is that her? I'm not sure, it looks like her?" But so far no one has done more than glance over, more often with curiosity, though one or two with excitement.

Warm laughter is given from T'Challa as he shakes his head about the belt buckle. "Alas, either that custom did not hold in Wakanda, or else it does not apply to roping young water buffalo," he says in an extra rueful tone.

The topic makes T'Challa look curious. "So Texas has their rodeos and such. Wakanda has our own set of traditional competitions. I am curious, do Amazonians have anything of the sort? I know the Olympics date back to Greece though I do not know if that would be something that would have carried to your people. Or do you have your own contest of some sort?" he asks.

Wonder Woman has posed:
Anyone who happens to make eye contact with Diana will get a polite smile before she'll adjust her gaze accordingly. When T'Challa speaks toward her again she looks back upon him and smiles at him as well. The last question gets a bit of a raise of her chin as she considers the answer.

"Ah... yes, Olympic sporting events are a common thing. Races, foot or otherwise. We have horse races and even chariot races now and then as well. Fighting competitions are the most common though. I would say they are also the most popular. Archery and horses would be my chosen favorites, myself. Though I very rarely ever use a bow, I admire what others can do with them and I will often jump at the chance to watch, especially those amongst my people who are 'trick' shooters. They are quite fun to watch. I have loved that ever since I was a little girl."

Black Panther has posed:
T'Challa's attention stays focused on Diana as she shares these bits of the Themysciran culture with him. "I should imagine you fared quite well in these competitions. And with many years to compete in them," T'Challa intones quietly. His head tilts to the side in a way that just starts to hint at playfullness. "And is the award for winning a large belt buckle? If so, and so many years to compete, I should think you would need entire extra rooms to store them all."

His dark brown eyes twinkle in a bit of merriment, only pulling away from Diana as the wait staff come over to take their order. T'Challa will wait for Diana to order, though if she did look to him he would order for her a southwest lemon pepper chicken topped with a dollop of creamy goat cheese that he noticed on the way in. For himself he orders redfish topped with a Ponchatrain sauce, and dirty rice whose aroma were also noticed. And a bottle of wine is added, regardless of who ordered.

Meanwhile the sun is descending towards the horizon, the colors growing even more intense. "The setting is even nicer than I had hoped for," T'Challa says as he looks back to Diana. "This entire day has been one of the best I can remember having in a very long time."

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana lightly laughs then and she shakes her head. "No belt buckles." She says, but then pauses to correct herself. "Though we have exchanged championship harnesses, for weaponry and the like, they do have buckles upon them and they do count in the belt family of attire... So sure, why not." She shows a lovely expression in response to that revelation then before she looks to their server and she does indeed let T'Challa take a shot at ordering her food. She sits on the edge of her seat and her elbows come up to the edge of the table so her hands can fold lightly beneath her chin, to prop it upon them while she looks across at him whilst he orders for her. "You have given me a lovely time away from all my troubles and what problems I have in life, so for that, I am grateful, T'Challa." She offers a compliment to the kind King. "And I believe that everyone in this place has looked at us at least once so far. So I think we have been identified." Now she grins a little once again.

Black Panther has posed:
"So much for thinking being a few thousand miles from New York would be enough anonymity," T'Challa muses as he smiles across the table at Diana. "I really should have brought those baseball caps I was talking about. The ineffective ones," he says, citing his earlier tale of he and Captain American thinking they would prevent their being noticed in a bar. And the bar fight that ensued when Deadpool showed up.

T'Challa peeks about them surreptitiously, the soft brown eyes glancing about before looking back to Diana. "Do you think we will make it through dinner before someone comes by for a selfie?" he asks her, lips curling back in one of those warm, crooked smiles, as if wouldn't bother him much if someone did. "I thought perhaps after we eat, you might enjoy visiting the dance floor. The music seems a bit softer than what the embassy played," he says of their prior ballroom dancing. Indeed, the music is more appropriate to dancing that someone could even call 'swaying'.

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana smiles lightly to her dinner companion's words and she lightly nods her head to them as well. "I do not mind selfies with children, I will always happily take time to let them aproach and ask for them, but the parents? Or adults in general? Well... that can be a bit more complicated." She says with a grin. "But I am sure it is on the way." Her eyes look out to the dance floor and she takes in the sight of those who are already upon it. She nods once to that before looking back to him. "I would be delighted to dance with you." She says as well before letting her hands slip back down to her lap once again.

Black Panther has posed:
The food arrives posthaste. The chicken has sundried tomatoes on it, but the goat cheese is the real winner of the dish. It is melty and has more the consistency of butter than of cheese, but a slightly sharp flavor to it that provides a bit of bite to go with the lemon pepper chicken.

T'Challa's fish topped with the seafood sauce is similarly delicious, and he will offer Diana a chance to try it if she likes. Meanwhile, the sun is slowly setting, dipping down to the horizon to disappear below the distant hills of the Austin Hill Country. Out on the lake a few boats are still about, lightning up their lights as the red sky is slowly giving way to blues and purples, while stars are already coming out overhead. The moon is full, rising higher into the sky with each passing minute.

T'Challa wipes his lips with a napkin when he finishes his meal. "That was delicious," he says. He relaxes for a moment before his eyes move to the dance floor, then back to see if Diana is done with her meal. "Would you like that chance to stretch our legs on the dance floor now?" he asks. Though before an answer can be given, two girls of 6 and 8 come up, as if having waited for the meal to be over. "Wonder Woman? Can we get your picture?" the older of the two asks, holding a phone to take it with.

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana smiles at the food when it arrives and she compliments their server before she indulges in it as does her companion. She offers numerous compliments for his choice in what he'd suggested for her throughout the meal as well.

When the food was completed and the question of the dancing was offered, Diana smiles at the man and is about to respond when the children arrive. She hadn't seen any children here, they must've been behind her across the restaurant, perhaps the server was wandering around whispering to people that she was here? Either way, Diana smiles at each of them. "Of course you can." She tells them. "But first you absolutely must tell me your names." She shows a sideways look to T'Challa before re-engaging the two young ones.

Black Panther has posed:
"Maria," says the older girl, beaming a smile and giving the phone to T'Challa as he reaches out to offer to take the picture. "And I'm Francesca," says the littlest one. "But I go by Frances, because my grandmother is also Francesca and so that way we know which one people are asking for. Even though we call her Gramgram so I'm not really sure why I can't be Francesca too," the little girl says.

T'Challa's smile grows at the young girl's story. "Well, you can show your Gramgram the picture later, unless she is here with you." The little girl puts her finger in her mouth and shakes her head quickly. "She's REALLY far away. Oklahoma. It takes hours and HOURS to drive there."

T'Challa flashes a grin over to Diana. Once she arranges them for the photo, he snaps it and checks the result, then snaps a second just to be sure. "There you go," he tells the girls, passing the phone back.