Lorna Dane (![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} tiredofhiding) wrote in ![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small} madisonvalley,@ 2024-10-19 21:17:00 |
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What: Haunted House
When: Oct 19
Where: Waiting in line.
Rating: Lowish but it’s Lorna so potentially some language even though she’s often careful around Dawn.
Lorna had double and even triple-checked that Dawn wanted to check out the haunted houses. While it would be amusing to see other kids scared and freaking out, she didn’t want that for her daughter; however, her little monster was determined. Lorna smirked because the girl was too much like her, but she knew her daughter also knew Lorna would never let anything happen to her. Little did she know Lorna would kill without a second thought and have in protecting her and their species, but that wasn’t something Dawn ever needed to know. Thankfully, Dawn had more than enough claimed family who kept her from not entirely picking up all of Lorna’s bad habits, especially since the girl was a social butterfly and friendly, all things Lorna never was or never would be unless forced.
Her green hair was dyed black since she had felt like it for no reason other than that. Lorna was wearing her standard outfit of jeans, a shirt and a lot of metal jewelry on along with steel-toed boots. “Mommy, do it,” Dawn pouted. Lorna shook her head, “The pout doesn’t work on me, monster. Save that for the ones that do,” she teased her daughter. Oh, it most of the time did, but she was staying strong on this. “What if you lose me in there?” She challenged, and there was some of Lorna showing up. “Then I guess they get you, and I’m out a little monster.” Dawn groaned, hiding her face into Lorna’s side. She only lasted a few moments as someone she knew caught her attention, running off though Lorna had her in view if she needed to pull her back. It was why her daughter had a few pieces of metal on her.
In all of her five thousand years, Diana had never been to a haunted house. There had never been enough time. Nor had it appealed to her after the death of Steve Trevor, a man who had managed to capture her heart. One that she missed day in and day out. He would always be her first love. Something that Barry knew and understood.
Judith, however, had decided that she wanted to check out the haunted house. It wasn't something she thought the young girl would want, but she did. Which meant that she would happily oblige her. The girl might not be her flesh and blood but she would do anything for her. She just hoped that the dome never took her or Barry away from her. Never took Pietro away from her.
Diana heard the jingle of metal, as did Judith, and she couldn't help but smile. Lorna and Dawn were a big part of their family. Even if Pietro hadn't been there in Madison she had a feeling that she'd of gotten to know the woman. That she would've found a way to make friends with her. Even if she is sure she still needed to work on that.
Giving Dawn a smile she kneels down so that she was on the level of both girls, something she had a habit of doing," It looks as though you had the same idea we did."
For Lorna, having siblings from another universe would always be weird, even knowing it was possible; the whole thing was weird. Mainly because of how many times she had wanted that when she was the small-town freak and felt like her father hated her. Only now did she have siblings, even with one gone, and while technically not of the same world, Pietro was family along with Wanda. Along with those connections also came Diana though the woman wasn’t half bad, so Lorna figured they’d get along even without Pietro. However, they may not have interacted unless Dawn had made it happen, as Lorna only had interactions with strangers when Dawn was in social mode.
When seeing who Dawn was running to, she let her hand drop, knowing that Diana wouldn’t let anything happen to Dawn and that she was with people known to her. There was no need to yank her little monster back. Dawn nodded and hugged the older woman before hugging Judith. The two girls spent so much time together that Dawn considered her family, like Adam’s kids. “Yeah, I wanted to see it, but Mommy keeps checking to make sure,” she said to Diana before taking Judith’s hand and bringing her up to where the two stood in line. Lorna shook her head, “Dawn, did you ask or drag her?” Lorna asked, raising an eyebrow. She could see the man behind getting ready to comment about cutting, earning him a glare from Lorna that had made men twice her size shut it down, and this was no different. “Hey,” she said to the older woman when Diana approached. “Seems Dawn isn’t the only little rugrat thinking they are ready for a haunted house.”
Diana would never allow anything to happen to the children. Something would have to happen to her first and that was something that wasn't bound to happen. Not when she always kept her sword and lasso with her. When her gauntlets stayed under whatever clothing she wore. It wasn't really something that she hid from the world. Well, not something that she hid from Madison Valley anyway.
She hugs Dawn back giving a smile even as the young girl grabs Judith's hand. "That's what parents do. They make sure their little one wants something like this. They need to be sure," she tells Dawn watching her grab a hold of Judith's hand. Honestly? The Amazonian wasn't sure that the little girl cared if she was dragged along or not. Not when she actively liked Lorna's daughter.
"Hey," she says standing and looking over toward the younger woman. "No, Dawn is not the only little one to think they're ready for a haunted house," she states. "It's all Judith can talk about, it seems. Having Dawn with her will just make the day better."
If this were back in her world, Lorna would be less likely to have her daughter leave her sight, especially with the number of people who wanted her dead. Then again, the outcome for her daughter was different back home than here. Part of why Lorna wanted Dawn’s father to arrive here rather than go back so they could raise her, something they wouldn’t be able to do back home. But Madison was a different story, and she knew no one would let anything happen to Dawn. Not as worried about certain people arriving here from her world, as she had more than enough people to protect Dawn while she dealt with the problem.
As the two girls stood together, talking, Lorna gave a small nod to Diana. Anyone who knew Lorna even a bit knew she wasn’t exactly a big smiler other than with her daughter. There was a reason she was not on the welcome committee for new mutants back in her world, as it wasn’t her whole thing. Nah, she was more blunt and forward, which was the reason she did training sometimes. “I tried explaining to her, but she’s convinced she’s ready. I feel like some of this might be blamed on some of her uncles, though potentially could be me, who knows,” Lorna was joking. However, she wouldn’t put it past Kenny, knowing how he was, and if he did, she’d make his life hell from a place of love.
“And I know Dawn will be happy to have one of her friends with her. Maybe with the two together, they won’t be as scared, though I’m hoping with it being early in the day and other kids, it won’t be as bad as maybe later.” Lorna knew some of the houses tamed it down depending on the time, hoping this was one of those times. “How have things been?” Small talk was never her strong suit, but hey, she deserved points for trying. Better than what she usually did.
After losing Daryl and Carl both, Diana was grateful that Judith had a friend in Dawn. The little girl loved the other and loved spending time with her. When she wasn't spending time with Murphy's children. She was grateful that Judith had the support she needed in Madison Valley. It was why she hoped the place wouldn't take anyone else from her. That it wouldn't take her, Barry, or Pietro from her. Though she knows that isn't something that can always be helped.
"When I was little I was determined to do things that I shouldn't. Things that worried my mother," the Amazonian states. With her? It had been a bit different than a haunted house. It had been training with her aunt. Something that her mother hadn't wanted. She wanted her to merely stay out of battle. To live her life and learn, read books. Not go up against someone like Ares. Defy the gods. Or head into No Man's Lan. Or fall in love with a man. Something she has done twice now.
She gives a nod," They will probably do everything to be brave, especially with us here." It was how children normally were, wasn't it? Not that she'd actively know. Diana didn't have children of her own but she'd seen so many around the world. Knows that sometimes they put on a brave face for the parents.
"Things have been going rather well, other than those from Judith's world returning home and Billy returning home as well. Judith saw him like an older brother. Past that? Myself and Barry are engaged." Though, they hadn't set a date yet. "How have you been, Lorna?"
“I think most people, when little and even when not, are determined to do things they shouldn’t,” she said with a nod. “I know I sure as hell did, and it only carried into my teen years. Was not the easiest kid or teen to deal with for my aunt. Even now, but I’ve gotten better about that.” Lorna wasn’t good at being told not to do things; however, she was better when around her daughter. There was a reason she was wanted back home for some of the shit she had done, which she owned, but no one cared about the reason. However, she did have more respect for her aunt than she ever did, knowing now what it had been like to keep a child safe due to them being different.
Lorna nodded, “Kids, depending on their environment often want to seem like they can handle anything, especially as stated when someone seems to question or say no. It’s worse, as I’ve seen when siblings are in the mix.” How many times in the Underground did the younger siblings want to do something because of their older siblings? Just like the number of tears she had seen from children who had their parents torn away from them because of their abilities. It was the only reason she had a soft spot for kids, seeing the hardships many went through in their care. Another reason she had chosen to hide Dawn back home.
The most challenging part about this place was the people being sent home. Dawn had been too young to know or remember the ones from their world when they had been here. Lorna had mixed feelings about that. Part of her was glad to avoid the hurt; another part was sad as Dawn didn’t know important people who cared about her, only having Lorna’s stories to help. “Congrats on the engagement,” Lorna said with a small smile, glancing down to see Dawn spinning in circles. “Careful, little monster, before you hit into people,” she said, watching her daughter slow down a bit and wobble from that. “I’ve been fine. Busy with the little monster, spending time with my brother, and working. Nothing all that exciting.”
"My mother did not want me to fight," Diana states, watching the girls before looking over at Lorna. "So, I went to my aunt to train instead. If my mother would not teach me I knew that my aunt would." Of course, things had changed quite a bit back then too. She had lived on an island of women and there was no man in sight. She, herself, was the daughter of a god. Then, came along Steve Trevor and her leaving home. Leaving and heading into No Man's Land.
She listens to Lorna's explanation, at the mention of siblings," Did you have siblings back home? I was the only child on Themyscira. There were no others." Everyone on the island were adults. Amazonian warriors who served their queen. Who made sure their home stayed safe from the outside world. It was why Themyscira was hidden from everyone. No one could get in. No one should've been able to get in, but in the end Steve Trevor had.
"Thank you," she says with a smile. Being engaged was... nice, new. Something that she hadn't truly been able to do with the man who stole her heart so many centuries ago. A slight laugh escapes her, seeing Dawn and Judith enjoy themselves," The last thing we want is for you two to get hurt or anyone else around you." Then she looks at Lorna after a moment," Pietro speaks very highly of you."
“It’s always a good thing to know how to fight, especially for women,” Lorna said, nodding as she watched the two girls before nodding toward her daughter. “I plan to make sure that she knows when she’s a little older, especially when her abilities kick in. While I hope she never needs to protect herself as her father and I have for years, I refuse to leave her at a disadvantage and seem to work as her older self can hold her own.” A proud smile appeared since she was glad that no matter what, Dawn knew how to protect herself from any potential issues, even if Lorna would always do whatever to protect her daughter. She also knew life had dangers, whether you were human or not, so Dawn needed to know. “But I’m glad you had your aunt to teach you.” Lorna wasn’t much for talking about her personal life, especially in the range of her daughter's hearing, not wanting the girl to potentially mishear something, especially if Lorna’s dad ever did show back up again. A part of her missed the man as they had finally started to mend fences, which helped with her new memories and him being from a different world, but still, it was something she would never do back home.
A shake of her head nope at the sibling question before making a face in thought, deciding to answer that differently. “As far as I know, I do not. If I do, they are half as the ones now. But back in my world, I’m an only child.” If she had any siblings, then they weren’t known to her since Lorna didn’t even know if her dad was around or alive. The last time she ever heard from him was when he made a call to get her out of jail, so for all she knew, the man could be dead. So, she had no idea if he had any other children somewhere else in the world. “My mom is dead,” she said, not wanting to get into how, in a way, that was her fault, “and my dad is who the hell knows where, so if I have any like the ones I’ve had here, it’s from his side.” Lorna turned with the line as they moved closer to the entrance, turning again to watch the girls and glancing up at Diana.
“Have you guys made any decisions about the whole thing,” she asked. Usually, she wouldn’t care, but considering Judith and Dawn were friends, Diana being close to Pietro, Lorna could be nice and social when she wanted, such as now. “My only concern is her,” she nodded towards Dawn. “Please, I welcome anyone trying to hurt me.” A laugh because that was a fun day for Lorna when people tried, considering the pain she could cause people. Many didn’t realize the amount of metal they might wear or have in them and what she could do to it if given the right reason to feel anger. “Does he?” She asked with a small laugh. “Probably not many people I know who do that, but he’s a good guy, and I’m glad to have him as a brother.” That was a bit of a lie; the not many people talked highly of her. Somehow, she had made friends around here with no idea how that happened, but back home, yeah, not many people would do that. “
"Where I'm from there are only women. They all know how to fight because they are all warriors, Amazonians," Diana tells Lorna. Which is what made it interesting that her mother hadn't wanted her to fight. The queen should've known that she'd want to follow in the footsteps of the other Amazonians. "I was younger than her when I learned how to fight. Though, I hope that it never comes to that," she tells her. That didn't mean she didn't agree with Lorna. Children should know how to defend themselves, to be able to fight.
She gives Lorna a soft smile," Perhaps some day you'll know. For now? You have a brother who cares for you." One that, Diana knows, would do anything for family. "I am sorry about your mother." She couldn't imagine losing her own. Not when her own mother lived for thousands of years and hopefully thousand more to come. Not that she thinks she would hear word if anything happened to her own. Her own father had not been around. He had helped make her and that was it. She had never, however, met Zeus.
"No, we haven't made any decisions yet. When we do, though, you will be the first person I tell," Diana assures her. She liked Lorna and thought highly of the woman. If anything? The Amazonian princess would want the other woman and Dawn both there. Though, she doubts that it was going to be a grand wedding, but Barry might surprise her. "If anyone did try they would feel the wrath of an Amazon." Yes, she knows they'd have to get past Lorna first, but still. She carried her sword hidden on her person for a reason.
The question has her giving a little smile," He does, as do I. You are a great woman, Lorna. You would've made a great Amazonian too."
Yeah, that was definitely weird to Lorna considering the type of women they were, then not to want your daughter to learn. In her mind, they were the best people to learn from. “Great group to learn how to fight from,” she said. “Yeah, but since this might be the only place she gets to enjoy her childhood, I want her to enjoy it. And she has a mom with a few hidden knives on her, so I dare someone to try to mess with her.” It was easy enough to pull them out with her abilities, and she felt safer with her knives on her in various places. But she agreed that children should, especially since one could never know. In Dawn’s case with both her parents, especially her mother, who is one of the most wanted mutants, it was good for her to know just in case any of the bad guys from their world arrive and learn who she is. A certain agent was at the top of that list, knowing what he had done to her and her friends.
“I’m in no rush as things are rather hectic back home,” and she knew what was waiting back home from other people. Lorna was glad to stay here with her daughter, raising the little one in front of her and being a mom. Which was funny, considering she never wanted kids or to bring them into the world with how it was, but here she was with her little monster. One expensive bottle of alcohol with her boyfriend and surprise. “I do, and I’m glad to have that, even if I don’t back in my own world.” Honestly, she wasn’t even sure how she’d take the news back home if she learned of any siblings. “Thanks, but it’s fine, I was little, and I had my aunt,” who Lorna appreciated more after realizing the reason behind everything she had done, even with Lorna never making it easy on her.
Lorna who was usually a pro at hiding her emotions when they were anything but annoyance and anger with people she didn’t fully know, looked slightly surprised at that comment. “You don’t need to do that, but I do look forward to hearing once you guys have made some decisions.” They were important to her brother, and her daughter was friends with Judith, so in her book, they were fine by her. Honestly, she liked Diana which was high praise from Lorna as she didn’t like most people. “One thing is Dawn is not short on people who’d hurt anyone who wanted to hurt her.” The little monster collected people and treated them like family, even some questionable people like Kenny, who was like family to Lorna even if she’d never say that outright cause of how the two were.
Her mother had her reasons for not wanting her to fight. Something that Diana hadn't found out about until later. When she'd stolen the sword she thought was the God-Killer, only to find out that was her and not the sword. It was a bit complicated where her mother was concerned, if she was being honest. "They are a great group to learn from," She says with a soft smile. If Lorna wanted she would even train Dawn once she was older. That way the young one had more than one way to defend herself. It would take a lot for her not to want to get the girls swords to learn how to use.
"Understandable. If I were you and was in a place where my child could be a child then I'd want that for them too. For as long as possible," she tells her. Every child deserved to be just that, a child. Something that she, herself, never truly got to be. She believes that her mother had tried (in her own way), but Diana had wanted something different. To learn how to fight. To be the warrior her mother and aunt were.
Going back home was always a toss up. Some people wanted to and others didn't. Sometimes things were a bit crazy back home, something she understood. She, herself, wasn't sure what she'd do if she ever found out she had siblings. Well... in a way, she had found out. They just happened to be other gods and not mortal men and women. "Aunts are amazing women." Something she, herself, could attest to.
"I know I don't need to, Lorna, but I want to. You're family," the Amazonian states looking over toward her. Lorna and Dawn would always be family to her. Sure, she was Pietro's sister but Diana liked the woman and she was good in the demi-goddess' book. The mention of how Dawn wasn't short on people who'd hurt anyone who wanted to hurt her has her giving a nod. "The same could be said for Judith. After all, I know that Pietro would raze the world to the ground, as would I."
She watches the girls and can’t help but smile,” I see two little girls who are probably getting impatient with us.” That last bit, however, is a bit teasing.
“I’m sure, and I bet you picked up a lot from that group.” Lorna might take her up on that offer, but not until Dawn was older and knew how to control her powers. The fact that she knew at some point the little monster would have a mix of her and her father’s abilities was something she’d need to deal with. Lorna’s wasn’t as concerning as the other ability Dawn would end up with. Lorna still had some of the burn marks hidden under her clothes from the times she and Marcos hooked up before he had control over his abilities better and wasn’t fearing them, then there was the potential about her blood. Something she’d need to talk with Adam about, considering her blood wouldn’t be normal once her powers kicked in.
Lorna looked at Dawn with a loving smile, nodding. “I don’t want her to ever fear what she is like her father did for years. Or to feel like a freak and must hide who she is like I did, and many like us still do back home. This place with all the different species is where she can be normal and feel right at home when her abilities kick in.” If the town still had no problem with her after almost destroying it when giving birth to Dawn, she doubted her daughter could do anything to have people turn on her. Even if the girl did do something, it was unlikely, but in case, the girl had more than enough people to have her back. However, she saw what her future daughter was like, knew the stories, and wasn’t worried. “Many people here didn’t get those opportunities, so we enjoy trying to give it to our kids.” The best they could, which was easier here than back home for many, even with the shit the dome liked to pull.
“They are. My aunt is a badass, which is something teenage me would disagree with for reasons, but as an adult, she dealt with me and the shit I kept throwing her way. So yeah, the woman deserves a medal,” she said with a laugh. Lorna knew her aunt, while exhausted, never held anything she had done against Lorna, but now, knowing what it was like to care for a mutant child, knowing that life, she could see things from a different perspective than teenage her did. Nope, teenage her thought her aunt was a cruel bitch who wanted to keep the freak hidden from the world. “It’s why I’m glad she’s got so many uncles and aunts around here. As she would back home,” since the mutant underground family was Lorna’s family and even with Dawn not with them, she knew they’d all protect the girl if needed.
Lorna did appreciate the comment and gave the other woman a small smile. “Yes, well, the same can be said for Judith on my end. Even if I didn’t know you guys, she’s a kid, so yeah, I wouldn’t let anything happen to her.” One of the few types of people she’d do anything for, regardless of whether she knew them or not. Adults, she couldn't care less, especially since, in a war, people died. Also, many people wanted her kind dead. But children were innocent, and Lorna would do anything possible to keep them out of the crossfire. Or at least, until the child crossed a line as a certain young girl did back home that Lorna would never be able to move past, no matter what. The screams still haunted her from that incident. Besides that girl, Lorna had a soft spot for kids and always did what she could to help and protect them. Noticing they were next, she called her daughter over as Dawn returned to join the line.
There was a small laugh as both girls came back over. “Probably, but since we’re next, if you want after, you two are welcome to join us in grabbing some food. That’s if the two girls are still up for anything else after this,” she warned, and Dawn twirled as Lorna held her head to keep her from falling into anyone or over. Lorna had no idea how this would go or if Dawn would still want food after, but the offer was there for when the four made it through.
"More from Antiope than the others. Though, watching them all train every day I did learn quite a bit," She states with a bit of a smile. After all, she'd watched the Amazonians train from her little spot up high. Watched them and mimicked their movements. That is, of course, until the one watching her had come searching for her and then she'd ran until her mother caught up with her.
She gives a soft smile," No, no child should ever fear what they are or what they can do." That? Diana agreed with. Children should never have to deal with that fear. Madison Valley had an assortment of people. Those who were supernaturally inclined, demi-gods, and others. Something that many could be grateful for. It meant that they didn't have to hide. That they got to enjoy being themselves.
It doesn't surprise her that the other thought her aunt was a badass. She, herself, thought the same of her aunt. Though, she'd lost Antiope when she was young. Before she'd found Steve Trevor and traveled into No Man's Land. "I'm sure your aunt would've been happy to hear that," she tells her. Though, she nods at the mention of how Dawn had so many aunts and uncles. Children should have the family they want. Or whom they choose as family.
"I know you would. Judith loves you like family," She says watching the girls. That little girl saw a few different people as family. Diana, of course, was someone who would protect anyone and everyone that she could. Women, men, children, and anyone who needed it. This was even seeing the war that she had. No Man's Land hadn't been a great thing to step into.
When the girls come back to them she gives a soft smile and brushes fingers through Judith's hair," We'd like that, Lorna. Thank you." Of course, it would depend on if the girls would be up for it or not afterward. They'd see when the time came.