Not Until We Are Lost

It had been a few weeks since she started training with Diana and since Ray and Felicity had started their tests of her ability. And while she was still a little shaky on the whole control thing, she was making progress. She felt a lot more confident in her ability to control the scream than she had when it had first manifested. She still had an uneasy feeling about how it had come about and where she'd really been in the missing time between the resort and this university, but she tried to focus on the things she could change and accepting the things that she had no control over for the moment.

Between training, testing, and teaching classes, she hadn't had much time for rest in the last few weeks. But that wasn't much different from her normal life, and at least she had the chance to sleep next to Roy when they did get sleep.

She'd made a point to tell Diana about her team and to tell Ray, Felicity, and Roy about Diana. She finally thought it was time that everyone meet up. So she'd invited them all over for dinner. She even promised not to cook because those who knew her well enough knew better than to accept anything she'd made herself. Eventually, she settled for just ordering enough pizza for everyone. It wasn't a fancy dinner party, but the dinner wasn't really the focus of this gathering anyway.

Laurel had a difficult time focusing on work after discovering the sonic scream that came out of her mouth, but she did her best. So far, she hadn't lost control again. She also hadn't found much time or chance to practice control. It wasn't until she was looking over the list of staff members and spotted a familiar name in the physical fitness department. She just had to hope that it was the same Diana.

She found the department easily enough-she'd had the chance to explore the campus and learn it by heart, and she'd sometimes come here to use the gym after her own classes. It didn't take too much work to find out where Diana would be. Laurel found the Amazon leading a class in archery out on one of the fields. She took a seat in the nearby bleachers and watched the last ten minutes of class. If this wasn't the same woman who'd trained her back at the resort, she would be surprised.

Once the students had packed up and started to filter off the field, Laurel pushed off her seat and moved over to the brunette.

"Diana?" there was the faintest hint of a question to her tone. She waited and hoped for the spark of recognition in the other woman's features.

This wouldn't be the first time that Natasha had disappeared into a role to play. At least her role in the physical education department allowed her to keep up with her training sessions. And getting the chance to teach self defense classes to some of the co-eds felt like a worthwhile use of her time. After all, she knew full well that the world could be a nasty place for someone who was unprepared to deal with the physical threats that it posed.

She kept an eye on the news reports of the Avengers that were running around this world. There were a lot of familiar names and faces in them, but there were also some that she didn't recognize. And others.... well, there were some that she remembered as SHIELD files and nothing more. It would certainly seem that this was some sort of mirror world to hers. Similar, but just different enough that it was best to lay low and take notes. And she had a feeling that avoiding her doppelganger and having Bruce avoid his was the best course of action.

And while every so often, students would look at her with confused recognition, most didn't seem to give much thought to the idea of a PE teacher being the Black Widow. She blended in here, and most seemed to brush off the name and the physical resemblance as a coincidence. It was better that way.

Once she'd had the chance to settle into her new role, Natasha took to searching campus for others of their group. She'd had the chance to observe quite a few while on the ship, so there were faces and even names that she recognized. It would seem that they'd been assigned roles as both students and teachers, likely depending on their skill levels. And there was one other person in her department that she'd seen flying around the pirate ship. Natasha thought that it was well past time to introduce herself, so she stopped by Ms. Prince's office one evening. She could have made an appointment, but this felt like it would be better off handled casually. So at a time when she knew the other woman would be in, she headed to the office and knocked.

The pirate ship hadn't been as bad as Diana had first imagined. Long voyages were a common thing to her people, large ships a familiar sight. She also believed firmly in helping where she could, doing anything in her power to ensure people remained safe and she felt responsible for each and every person she came in contact with. She didn't have to feel that way, nobody told her that it was her responsibility but she wasn't the type to just sit back and let something happen without stepping in to prevent it. Between her and Clark, Diana knew the ship would be safe.

Her descent from the Crow's Nest was an easy one, flight made so many things possible. By the time she had gotten to her quarters to sleep, it was only a few moments later. She collapsed in to her sheets and dozed heavily. It was an energetic task keeping clear focus on the waters. But something changed in the duration of her slumber and when she awoke it was different. Everything was different. No longer was she in pirate garb, she was now clad in more modern attire. Clothes she was used to seeing on people in cities like Metropolis for instance. She sat up, pushed the sheets back and cursed Hades probably a little bit louder than she had intended.

But she was alone. A glance around the area told her that she was all by herself in some unfamiliar quarters. The arrangement of the place was simple, it reminded her of modern abodes some called apartments. The floor plan was open, connected together by rooms. Only a door separated the bathroom from the rest of the place. That seemed the only private enclosure. Even the one bedroom was open some to the social areas. A counter blocked part of the kitchen space. There was an oven, a microwave, a refrigerator. Dishes in the cabinets. Utensils in the drawers. Tables and chairs.

On the desk in her bedroom was a laminated ID badge with a lanyard. Apparently she was employed at this place. A Physical Education instructor. She could handle that but it was still very strange. Her closet held modern clothes in a style that suited her. Even her costume was there, complete with her lariat, bracers and tiara. That was a relief.

Dressing in a pair of athletic shorts that stopped at her mid-thigh, a tank top and a track jacket that she left unzipped, Diana placed her lanyard around her neck and ventured out to explore.

All around her there were teenagers and young adults in various stages of activity. Some sat alone studying or reading, listening to music or drawing. Some sat in groups, talking and laughing. Diana knew none of the faces though she was earning attention of any one she passed by. The unfamiliarity was unsettling and she hoped that she had not strayed too far from the rest of the group.

Narrowing her eyes the Goddess paused on a small grassy knoll, placed her hands on her hips and surveyed the area of the quad to search for anyone she might recognize.

She knew the rocking of the water before she even opened her eyes. The sounds of the ship as it moved slowly, listlessly. She knew that they weren't going anywhere by the way the waves rocked it.

In a flash, Sympathy was up and out of the big comfortable bed. She looked around and realized that she was in the captain's quarters, just where she should be. She dressed quickly and burst through the door onto the deck, a great smile on her face.

This, this was where she should be.

This was what she should be doing.

Her eyes scanned and found no sign of the crew, which meant there wasn't one. She was going to have to motivate her fellow travelers. Well, it was a good thing that she could motivate with the best of them. Her crew was always loyal. Unfortunately, the pirate imagined she was going to have to begin with fear.

With her heavy boots, Sympathy tromped to the middle of the deck, making as much noise as possible. She then slammed her foot three times down as hard as she could.

"Get up! Get up! All hands on deck!" Her voice rang clear and strong in the sea air. She felt more alive than she had since she'd started this ridiculous journey.

A hard breath.

Diana squinted her eyes closed tightly for a moment as she inhaled a sharp breath.

When she forced her eyes to open again her vision was at first a blur. Then it was met with sunlight creeping through a porthole in the wall. It was unlike the window she had been so used to seeing, the quadruple panes of glass that made up the beachside view...

A push from the bed and she sat up slowly, mindful of the feeling that something hovered over her head. Her eyes tilted from the window, upward, and she beheld a series of wooden slats with what seemed to be a mattress atop. There was a body there, above her. She could hear the twist and turn of the last remnants of sleep.

Not far beside them another warm body lay restless.

Diana didn't like this at all. Not in the slightest.

They weren't in the resort, this felt safer than that. And the gentle rocking motion suggested that there was a ship of some sort instead of actual ground. Diana knew ships of all sorts, her own people had built such vessels for travel. She was quite familiar with them.

Sitting up, the tall warrior goddess minded the slats and she realized the strange garb she was wearing. It was unlike her usual attire, though somehow she had managed to keep her bracers and the tiara. What had become of her lariat, however, was a good question indeed.

"By Hera..." She breathed, tugging at the tight fitting clothes, the miles of skirting rumpled and coursing up her legs as she moved. What was this trickery?

The silence was thick and it hung in the air like a shroud. Diana could feel it on her skin, the heavy energy. It felt heated in a way, unkind but she couldn't place exactly why. One answer she did receive was not one she had expected nor was it one that made her happy in any way at all. It was far too quiet. The resort seemed abandoned of its usual personality; there was no one waiting to greet them at the front desk, no one serving drinks at the bar. Even the maid was not to be seen nor was the whisper of the squeaky wheel of her utility cart that she pushed as she went from room to room to freshen the linens or gather old laundry. No one to prepare food, the kitchen had been vacant save for a few frozen meals that had once looked freshly prepared.

It was curious and yet frightening how still everything was.

Diana didn't like the feeling she was getting, her skin crawled with it. She shivered and frowned as she padded softly down the hallways looking for anyone that might still be there, staff or current resident. There had to be someone, she doubted she was the only one left on this planet. What was the point in singling her out when she had done nothing to warrant such a reaction.

The gym was empty, Laurel was not there. Diana felt a touch of disappointment that the blonde was vacant from the area. Nothing.

"By the stars..." Diana breathed as she turned. Another few steps and she trekked down the long hallways, heading out toward the pool area. Was someone out there? She had to make sure. Perhaps flying would help her get a better idea if anyone was roaming about outside. But the idea was met with the fact that there almost might be dangerous creatures that claimed these skies. She had seen no birds, no flying creatures yet, but that didn't mean they weren't there.

Pushing open the door to the pool, Diana stepped out into the sun and narrowed her eyes as she peered at the area. Why was it so quiet?

Laurel was going a little stir crazy. Some might say that she didn't know how to take a vacation, which was probably true. Though she attributed her inability to relax and enjoy the scenery to the fact that they'd been brought here by an as-yet-unseen force and so far, there was no way out. She missed her dad, and she was worried that she would have no job to come back to. It didn't help things much that alcohol was so readily available and there were no AA meetings at the resort. She spent a lot of her time with Roy, and that helped as a distraction from other ways she could soothe her anxiety. And when she wasn't with Roy, she hit the gym. Hard. she actually found herself wishing that she could find something that hit back. That would be better than spending her time with a punching bag. Though, she hadn't gotten so desperate that exploring the outside of the wall in search of the spiders as big as a house sounded good. A few more weeks of this and who knew how far she'd go to break the monotony, but she wasn't courting a death wish just yet.

The sound of her knuckles against the bag echoed through the empty gym. It was still strange to her that this place was so empty. After a couple weeks here, she still had nothing but more questions. Working out helped to quiet the questions and worries for at least a little bit, but they were still there.

As soon as she found a way to punch her way out of here, she was going to take it. And she was sure Roy would be right by her side. Likely, the others as well, if they actually found the way home.

Her form while fighting still needed work, but she'd been training hard and had improved a lot over the last year. It was just a shame that she seemed to have rotten luck when it came to trainers. First Ted had landed in the hospital and now she'd lost Nyssa. She and Roy were doing the best they could to help each other, and she just hoped that didn't mean that something was going to happen to separate her from Roy.

From her room Diana made her way back down the hallway. She had been there before and it seemed she was but re-tracing her previous steps. Now, though, the journey was different. She now had her tiara and bracelets, and most of all her lariat. She had left the rope within her quarters lest it be misplaced. There was no use for it here, not yet. They weren't fighting any enemy that she knew and so she had left it behind. It was secure in a place where only she would know and none could find unless they knew her thoughts. A gentle secret, though really any use of the rope would have proven futile. Only she held the key to its power. As did the rest of her gear. Her tiara and bracelets were coveted pieces, they held much of the gifts she had been given. She could exist without them but she wouldn't deny the comfort of the weight of the metal against her skin.

Her feet carried her quickly past the front desk. Instead of veering through the doorway that would take her to the beach, Diana took a different path. A few steps more and she was pushing through the door that offered food and beverage for a weary traveller. She wasn't sure what a 'bar' was, other than a tool one could use to measure or fight with, but it happened upon her the definition as she moved slowly towards it.

There was a man sitting upon a stool, a gruff but good looking man that was muscular. Diana slipped on to the vacant stool next to the one the strange man occupied and instantly a smoky smell overtook her. She coughed. Her head tilted and her eyes found the source of the aroma. She had no idea what that was called. It didn't matter.

The bartender wandered up with a smile and Diana offered her attention. Instantly the man was smitten with her and it was easy to get a drink from him, a water. She knew not what the rest of those bottles held and she was convinced that knowing might not be worth the trouble.

"What is it there that you drink?" She inquired of the muscular man with the smoky smell. It was some strange liquid. A strange brown liquid that she knew no origins of.

Relief washed over Diana like the warm tides and she emitted a long sigh.

Though she has awoken without her usual gear she had discovered that it had been removed yet tucked away in some kind of strange holding place. A vessel shaped just like the shelf it was attached to, and when it spung open it rained its gifts upon her. A good, accidental bump of the shelf revealed the hiding place and she was glad that Hera granted her the fortune of the discovery.

Skipping the bracers onto her wrists, Diana twisted them so that the red stars were visible amidst the perfect silver-colored metal. Her tiara was placed back atop her brow and it felt so good against her skin. The last of the objects was the golden lariat which she was most thankful for. She picked it up from its resting place, swung it about gently and smiled to herself. The rope felt good in her hands and she was blessed to have it once more.

At least now she didn't feel so vulnerable and naked without her things. Once more she felt like the Princess and protector that she was, she had earned her reputation and these things were part of that.

For now, Diana tied the lariat about her waist in a loose manner so it was able to be pulled into action should she need it. But since there was no need for it yet she would carry it with her in such a way. Parting with it again was not an option. Not of her own will, anyway.

Leaving her room, Diana escaped back toward the main area of the resort to explore what else the place could offer and in hopes of perhaps running in to any others that might be as new as she was or perhaps just as confused. Someone here had to know more information, not that Max hadn't been helpful, but she craved more knowledge of the circumstance at present. Maybe it was a fleeting task since she was unsure of the duration of their stay, but knowing couldn't do her much harm. Her instinct was telling her that sticking together was the better option, more things could be done at a faster rate. She needed to find others and see if they had the same mindset. And then, perhaps, they could all figure out what to do next.

The soft padding of footfalls against rich threaded carpet could be heard by anyone that happened to be nearby. Slowly she moved, assessing all that came into her line of vision. Everything she saw she couldn't believe. Bounding on the margins of panic, Diana walked steady down the corridor. Unknown was her destination but her costal blue eyes remained alert nonetheless.

She couldn't recall the last time she had been without her gauntlets, the bracelets bearing red stars that could become weapons should she need them. And what was a Queen without her tiara? It was also vacant from its usual spot atop the crown of her head. No lariat, nothing. It was as if she were stripped of everything she knew she was.

Left only in a red one piece suit, a small ruffle across the chest to make it festive, and golden gladiator styled sandals which crept to her knees, Diana felt bare. Her wrists felt too cold, her forehead the same. Exposed skin crawled with unusual sensations unworthy of her. What was this? Her eyes flickered from one numbered doorway to another. She felt lost amongst the diminishing numbers.

Having awoken in a place unusual to her, Diana was confused. She had no idea where she was, who had brought her here or why. Only when she had met what seemed to be some resemblance of sentient life did she pause in efforts to gain information. "Excuse me," the brunette breathed, earning the attention of the being beyond the desk. "What is this place?" The underlying question that she couldn't bring herself to ask was simple: How did I get here?

She was met with kindness but she knew an avoidance of an answer when one was given. Even without her Lasso she could tell.

Diana nodded at the answer, brow creased in confusion. "Thank you." It was all she could give in response. A push from the desk and Diana turned. She moved down the lobby towards the outside. There had to be better information. She didn't know this place or what it held.

The beach and tide were beautiful, the sea always had been. But that was my answering her questions. What was all of this? Slowly she walked the coast of the shore and waited to see if anyone would arrive that she could inquire more of. She needed to know.