Literally Pirateninja (shadowcat) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2019-03-29 17:03:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, diana prince (wonder woman), kitty pryde (shadowcat) |
What do you think about the idea of me getting into politics?
Who: Kitty and Diana
What: A lunch date and coming to decisions about the future
When: Recent
Where: Out
Status: complete
Rating: PG
Kitty was feeling a little lonely, in that way where she couldn’t quite put a name on it. Work wasn’t distracting her, the kids were at a friend’s house, and Diana was at work. She didn’t feel like bothering Logan and….
Okay so mostly she wanted to see Diana and she reasoned she could probably come up with an easy enough excuse vis a vis dropping by for lunch. And if it mean watching Diana work in the museum, so much the better- as much as she liked watching her girlfriend work out, she also admired her mind and intelligence.
And Diana looked damn good in business casual.
Today, Diana was wearing a white dress, something that accentuated her dark hair and skin tone rather nicely. Working at this museum was not nearly as much of a challenge as it was working at the Louvre in her dreams, and part of her really wanted to see if she could get a job at the Louvre. She could speak fluent French, among hundreds of other languages, thanks to her dreams.
While she’d been in her office most of the day doing some paperwork, she was currently in the gallery, looking over the pieces on display. She made a note on her iPad she was holding, and when she looked back up she saw a familiar face coming her way. She smiled and went to greet her.
“Well, this is a welcome surprise. Or are you here for the history?” Diana asked, a little gleam in her dark eyes.
God, she loved Diana in a dress. Kitty snapped herself out of her staring reverie, beaming at Diana once they were close. Since Diana was at work, she refrained from jumping into her strong arms, satisfying herself by putting her hand on Diana’s. “I thought you might be hungry, so I brought you lunch. Hopefully you’re not too busy.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you, thank you. I’m never too busy to have lunch with you. Do you know where you would like to go for lunch?” Diana asked. This would probably be the highlight of her day. Diana kind of wanted to work at a larger museum where she’d have more to do and more budget with which to acquire artifacts for exhibits, but she’d worry about that later.
“I had a few ideas,” Kitty said. “But there’s this place with an outdoor sitting area and it’s a bit warm today, so I figured we could eat outside.”
It wasn’t that far away either, so she couldn’t make Diana late. Probably. Unless they got up to other things. Diana did look a little bored and Kitty wondered if she maybe wasn’t feeling super fulfilled. Something she’d have to ask about.
She offered Diana her arm. “Now good?”
“I believe that sounds perfect,” she responded with a warm smile. Diana definitely enjoyed the thought of eating lunch with her girlfriend outside. Best to enjoy the weather and each other’s company when they could!
“Now is good, yes.” She linked her arm through Kitty’s. “You have impeccable timing as I was just about to go have lunch anyway.”
“I love you,” Kitty blurted, in that way she had when her feelings for Diana couldn’t be contained or she was feeling really gay. Which usually happened at the same time around Diana. Diana was, after all, perfect. Kind, but not naive, strong and yet soft, muscular and yet the kind of feminine Kitty found she liked the best. (though a hot butch could make her motor run too).
“Right. Anyway.” She leaned against Diana, falling silent as they went outside and she led Diana towards the cafe.
“I love you, too,” Diana responded with a warm smile. She loved when Kitty blurted things out in that way. While Kitty thought she was perfect, Diana’s opinion was the complete opposite. She wasn’t perfect by any means. And she could certainly be naive, though she hadn’t been as naive as her dream self had been. Though that hadn’t been her fault, her mother had never told her the truth of, well, much of anything so Diana had gone into the world of men with a black and white view of everything. In reality, everything was various shades of grey. That had been a very steep learning curve.
“So how has your day been so far?” She asked as she walked along with Kitty.
“Played keep away with a few hackers,” Kitty said, shrugging her shoulder like it was no big deal. And maybe it kind of was and kind of wasn’t; no one had posed as much of a fun challenge as Skye had. It had almost been boring in comparison. “Did some data entry. Reorganized some files.”
Daydreamed about waking up next to Diana every morning instead of only once or twice a week.
“At least you kept the hackers from getting whatever they were trying to get.” Diana knew that Kitty was talented when it came to computers, and she didn’t think she was rivaled in that department. “Still, an important job. Even if data entry and organizing files are less exciting than playing keep away with hackers.”
“I’m going to reconfigure the servers next week,” Kitty decided. “Make it harder to be found in the first place and then harder to get through. Like a maze. Gonna task someone with breaking in deliberate, too. I expect her to succeed but how hard it is will tell me if I need to worry about someone else.”
Or rather bait Skye into trying.
Kitty let go of Diana long enough to get the door for her. It was the sit down kind of cafe and she made sure to request an outside table, and the waiter left them with a menu.
Diana listened closely. She wasn’t anywhere near as skilled with computers the way Kitty was, but she followed the maze metaphor easily enough. “That sounds like it’ll be an undertaking, but I know you’ll make an amazing server the way you want it.”
When she sat down, she crossed her legs and looked over the menu. “Have you eaten here before?”
“Thank you.” Kitty knew that Diana wasn’t just praising her because they were dating, but that Diana was trying to be understanding and supportive. And that was something she appreciated. Kitty was down on herself enough as it was (and yet contradictorily she could be pretty arrogant), so she needed to hear it from someone else sometimes.
“A few times. I really liked the onion soup.”
“You’re welcome.” Sometimes people just needed to hear that kind of praise from someone else. There were times when Diana got down on herself, but understanding and support tended to go a long way to battling against such feelings.
“That sounds good.” Though Diana wasn’t yet certain if she wanted to go for soup, or something else. A salad maybe? Though there were a couple salads that sounded good and she didn’t know if she could choose between them. Her brow furrowed slightly in that really cute way that happened when she was trying to make a decision.
Kitty absently reached across the table and rested her hand over Diana’s as she perused the menu since she wasn’t feeling much like soup either. There were a few good looking sandwiches to choose from as well as some sides. “I think I was hungrier than I realized because I want everything on this…”
She cut herself off, grinning at Diana as her brows furrowed. “You’re adorable.”
Feeling Kitty’s hand on hers, Diana absently brushed her thumb against Kitty’s skin. Though at hearing Kitty’s compliment, Diana looked up at her. “Am I? I did not think I was being adorable.” Of course, one wasn’t always keenly aware of their facial expressions, or how said expressions may look to others.
“You get this really thinky look on your face when you’re trying to figure something out,” Kitty explained. “And it’s really, really cute. I say that without any bias whatsoever.”
From the glimmer in her eyes, Kitty was well aware of how biased she was, and she didn’t really care. She was a heart a romantic and basked in the ability to be romantic with someone. Especially someone as mindblowingly wonderful as Diana.
“You are definitely biased,” Diana teased with a chuckle. “But I shall simply defer to you on this matter.” She glanced back at the menu, deciding on a salad. She wasn’t a health-nut, but she still enjoyed salads.
Kitty went with a light sandwich, wanting something to do with her hands. If she was given half a chance she’d just keep touching Diana. Or at least talking with her hands. “It’s the truth!”
“I won’t fight the matter,” she stated with a light laugh. Diana knew when to not argue such points. Not that she felt like arguing this one, but still. After getting their orders in, Diana looked at Kitty, just taking the moment to gaze at her girlfriend. She liked taking these moments, memorize the small details of Kitty’s face. These were the things she wanted to remember. Sometimes it felt like she couldn’t quite recall what some people looked like in her dreams because of how old she was and how long she’d been away from them.
Sometimes, it felt like she didn’t quite remember what some parts of Themyscira looked like. And she never wanted to lose that, even if she wasn’t from Themyscira in this life. She didn’t want to forget anything about those who were most important to her in her life.
Kitty’s eyes crinkled when she smiled, and she’d have both laugh lines and worry lines eventually. Sooner rather than later, the way the OC went. She often felt perpetually a teenager in her dreams, as though time kept rubberbanding and resetting her age; so she didn’t feel at all like she was 28 most of the time. Tilting her head, Kitty asked. “Diana? What is it?”
“Hm?” She hummed before she blinked and shook herself out of the little reverie of memorizing Kitty’s features. “I was just memorizing the way you look. The way the light hits your hair and changes its color. The little crinkle at the corners of your eyes when you smile.” At least here they had photography, something that hadn’t existed on Themyscira. So that would go a long way to help preserve the memory of how someone looked. But these little moments also helped that.
Cheeks reddening, Kitty ducked her head before looking at Diana again. Her hair had grown out a bit too long for her current taste, her curls starting to return in force, but it gave her the impression of looking at Diana through a curtain of hair.
“I’ve never been that much to look at. I mean, I’ve never thought of myself as that much to look at. It’s a constant thing, trying to ignore that old self-esteem problem.”
Diana smiled warmly. She loved the curls, though she didn’t care what style of hair Kitty wore. Though if she shaved her head, that might take a little getting used to on Diana’s part, but she would never tell Kitty what to do with her hair.
“You are very much something to look at,” she stated in a warm tone as she set her hand over Kitty’s. “No matter what your self-esteem may tell you, you are beautiful inside and out.” Which was the truth. If Kitty wasn’t beautiful inside, Diana wouldn’t have fallen in love with her in the first place.
Kitty felt her chest ache even as a thrill surged through her at the skin contact. They’d been dating how long and every time Diana touched her it was always a thrill, and a feeling that Kitty never, ever wanted to lose.
She smiled her brilliant smile. “Sweet talker.”
Diana loved that brilliant smile Kitty had, and her own smile widened. “I do my best,” she responded as she gave Kitty’s hand a little squeeze. Though she kept her hand there, wanting to keep the contact.
She was so lucky, and she knew it. As attractive as certain other people might be (okay she had a low-key crush on Skye), Kitty adored Diana with very fiber of her being. And yet, she still felt that irrational fear that it could all be taken from her, or that she’d do something to lose it. Lose the family she had. Lose Leong and Nga, Diana, her friends.
Turning her hand around she linked her fingers with Diana and quashed the panic attack before it could really start. “So anyway, I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”
If Diana’s dreams had taught her anything, it was to appreciate the present moment above all else. After all, one never knew when it would be their last. And after having watched Steve die, she was more than keenly aware at how fragile life was. So she never took any moment with Kitty for granted.
“What do you wish to ask me?” She responded, curious about what was on Kitty’s mind.
That would be a lesson Kitty had had to learn in hers too. Ironically, one she’d tried to tell Logan about, once they’d both gotten past how much those snowglobes had hurt them. She still had hers, and it was nice to look at her friends and good memories, even if it did hurt to do so.
“What do you think about the idea of me getting into politics? Running for actual office.”
Diana’s snow globe had bittersweet memories, though she didn’t hold it very often. It had a safe spot in her closet where it wouldn’t get accidentally broken, but it wasn’t out in the open.
At the question, Diana was actually a little surprised, not having expected that kind of question. But after a little thought, it definitely wasn’t all that surprising. “I think it could be a good idea. You have a good heart and a genuine wish to make things better for people. This world needs more people like that in office.”
It wasn’t like Kitty would ask Diana to marry her. Not until she … got over a lot of issues. But politics had been on her mind for months now, if not longer. And she’d dreamed of realities where she’d gone into politics. Mayor. Even President.
“It would be hard. People would dig into both of us, trying to find things to use against us.”
Of the questions Kitty could have asked her, proposing marriage was not one Diana would have guessed. In fact, she knew that was off the table, so she herself wasn’t even giving it thought. After all, she didn’t want to upset Kitty by even trying to bring the topic up. It was a definite can of worms, and one that Diana was afraid would push Kitty away from her if she did bring it up.
“Pretty sure the worst anyone could hit me with is not being American and having an unknown father.” Neither of those facts bothered Diana. Her mother had never been shy about telling her that her father was never going to be in the picture. Of course, there’d been a time when Diana wished she could’ve known her father, but she grew past it. Plus, if anyone tried prying into finding out who her father was, her mother would undoubtedly shut that down very quickly.
A part of Kitty wanted that, but that was a part locked in a box and buried at the bottom of the sea.
“Oh, expect a lot of homophobia and anti-semitism, too.” Kitty sounded cavelier, though it affected her a lot more than she let on. She did, after all, hit several buttons that really pissed off the bigots.
Some of that edged into her voice. “But it would be hard. But good things are always hard, and just because it’s hard isn’t a reason to not do it. I’d just… really like you at my side.”
Ah yes, homophobia and anti-semitism. While Diana was keenly aware such things were hot-button issues in this day and age, she didn’t necessarily think about them about. “Doing good things are not supposed to be easy. If they were easy, more people would do them.” Or so she thought.
“But of course I’ll be there by your side. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
They were things Kitty lived; more than once since 2016 she’d had to clean up swastikas in her area, and once or twice on her car. But she didn’t like to advertise that much anymore. Her fingers tightened in Diana’s, and she lifted her hand to kiss it.
“Thank you. I love you. I think that will make it all a little easier on me. I’ve watched myself in my dreams and when I do leadership things, I usually try to do it alone too much.”
Diana smiled at her. “I love you, too. And you will certainly not be alone. Though I can’t help but wonder if people will think I’m your girlfriend or your bodyguard,” she mused. It was an amusing thought, considering Diana’s muscles weren’t the kind that were all that easily hidden. Even being dressed up, her muscle tone tended to show through.
Kitty’s eyes flicked to Diana’s arms, and she licked her lips a little as she thought about climbing Diana. Again. For the fifth time in two days. “Why not both?”
Really, Kitty marveled at how Diana could say something and it was like a switch turning on in her body. She squirmed and returned her gaze to Diana’s face. “They’ll all just be so jealous.”
“I can certainly do both,” she responded with a chuckle. And, well, she also perfectly read the look on Kitty’s face and knew what she was thinking. Diana had long since come to understand the effect her muscles had on her girlfriend. “And if they know what’s good for them, they’ll keep the attacks to a minimum if they don’t want to deal with my wrath.”
Her peaceful wrath, that was. Diana could easily tear through an army without breaking a sweat if she wanted to. She did move faster than a bullet, after all.
“Do you want to be my attack dog, Diana?” Kitty asked, as thrilled by the idea of Diana verbally tearing someone to shreds as physically. Diana might be a sweetheart, but she never wanted to be on the receiving end of that kind of tongue lashing. Watching one though? Yes. Yes she’d love that.
“I believe I would, yes.” Diana responded with a nod. She could certainly give someone quite the tongue lashing when she wanted. She was very intelligent as well, which allowed her more ammunition to use against others. When she got in a war of words, there weren’t many who did withstand her attacks.
A slow, pleased smile spread across Kitty’s face as excitement started to build inside her. She knew she had so much to do and plan for, starting with, well, where to start and what to run for. She’d be twenty-nine this year, so it would have to be local office, which she’d start with anyway. In a year she could legally run for US Senate (and the House for that matter), but Kitty, while impatient, was also practical enough to know just jumping into the ocean might give her problems.
She’d been idly considering the possibility for years but considering it and actually doing it were two different things. It helped that, thanks to her dreams and a few related issues she could actually self-fund, though she’d prefer small donors.
“... Guess I’ve got to start making notes, come up with a platform, and figure out my best path to higher office.”
“That sounds like an excellent starting point. And if you need any input or anything, let me know.” Not that Diana was overly familiar with the American political process, but she could probably help with refining Kitty’s platform if needed. Things of that nature. Diana had been feeling that she should be more active in being an activist, especially since she hated to see people suffer for no reason. Perhaps she could find a way to get involved in that which could in turn help Kitty be more aware of where help was actually needed.
“I will appreciate any input you have,” Kitty assured her. “Though it’ll have to be actual advice.” Money was a no-no, and Kitty made a mental note to educate Diana on that whole thing to prevent any accidental issues. She loved Diana and knew Diana would have good advice, but some people might not appreciate that.
“I know that we can start by stealing some of the better ideas from a few of the popular new leftists in the House,” Kitty mused. “Solid ideas that just need a little more detail. A focus on the unfortunate and underprivileged is the right thing to do too.”
Even without the knowledge about money and all, Diana wouldn’t give or take any money to or for Kitty just as a matter of principle. After all, money tended to be the root of all evil, and Diana would prefer to just give advice.
“That would be my first point of advice, focus on the unfortunate and underprivileged. They deserve our help the most.” Socialism wasn’t such a bad thing, but one needed to take steps to achieve things like free college and universal healthcare. One couldn’t simply put those things into existence overnight without building the foundation that would support them. And there were ways to immediately help the underprivileged that were stepping stones to universal healthcare and so forth.
Kitty had the thought that if she ever did run for President, she might have to suggest to Diana that she take the citizenship test.
Or marry her.
But Immigration reform would be on her list and it could be a good example. To say nothing of the whole spending her life with Diana thing, which was something she desperately wanted, if she could get over her commitment issues. Her silence stretched on as she got lost in her thoughts.
If Kitty did ever run for President, Diana certainly hoped that she’d have already taken and passed the citizenship test. Getting a green card was only something she intermittently thought about currently, but it was becoming something she’d consider doing sooner rather than later considering her relationship with Kitty. She didn’t exactly want her visa to run out and have to return home only to leave Kitty here.
Diana looked at Kitty, noting how she seemed lost in thought. “Is everything alright?” She asked.
“Just thinking,” Kitty said, blinking to snap out of her thoughts. “About the future, mostly.” About them. About where she was going to end up.
“Ah, not a bad thing to think about.” It was healthy to think about the future and where things would ultimately go. Planning tended to be a good thing as well.
“Just hoping you’ve got plans to be there too,” Kitty said, an almost worried note to her voice. She wanted Diana there so much that she was afraid she’d end up losing her in the process.
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” Diana responded with a smile. She planned to stay unless Kitty didn’t want her around anymore. But she certainly hoped that Kitty would opt for keeping her around.