Chapter Text
This was definitely something new and loathsome.
From her town car she watched the steady stream of guests make their way into the venue. Fortunately it was definitely going to be a full house. Which unfortunately meant she was going to have to do a significant amount of socializing. She'd much rather be working on her project than rub shoulders with National City's high society. However, as much as she hated vapid conversations Lena was fully cognizant that things were different now.
Post crisis as Lex called it.
The major difference being that he was alive, after she'd killed him. LCorp was Luthor Corp and her brother was in charge of the company once more. He was also now the Man of Tomorrow, the hero he always wanted to be be. The world lauded over him. But Lena remembered who he was. Who he became. While she did agree to go into this dubious partnership with him, there were concessions she had to make for it to work.
The first of probably many being giving a speech at one of his charity galas to provide support for local orphanages.
The irony was not lost upon her.
But Lex promised to look into the newest problem she encountered in her project if she attended the gala on his behalf. Give a speech, do some small talk and maintain the upstanding Luthor image.
After fifteen minutes of mentally preparing for a dull evening, Lena finally stepped out.
The night's cool air hit her exposed shoulders. Her black, slash neck pencil dress hugged her curves in all the right places. Stylish enough, but not so much to draw unnecessary attention to herself. This was a quick in and out event.
The hall was already two thirds full, patrons indulging themselves in Luthor decadence.
Lena herself beelined for a glass of champagne as soon as she entered. She claimed herself her very own cocktail table to the outer edge of the room, hoping that she could make herself as incognito as possible.
Absently sipping on her drink Lena scanned the room, identifying most of National City's elite. No one of real interest in attendance, and anyone who she didn't know, didn't matter thereafter.
Lena's sharp green eyes swept the room again, until they snapped onto something that caught their attention. On the opposite side of the room someone else was also trying to go unseen.
An exquisitely bronzed woman just taller than Supergirl, was doing exactly the same thing she was doing. Lena almost couldn't believe that she overlooked someone like that. Or that the rest of attendees were ignorant to her presence for that matter. Or how could a woman like that could keep such a low profile?
The woman was magnificent to behold. Soft and deeply feminine juxtaposed superlatively with sculpted lean musculature. Her textured bun of hair and backless dress did not leave the ripples of muscles in her back to the imagination. Her long arms that cascading out of the capped sleeves oozed strength and sensuality. Exuding confidence and sophistication within her shroud of anonymity.
At that point, Lena swore she'd never wear a white and gold dress again. She'd never pull be able to pull it off like that.
Lena watched as the woman peered about the room alone. Content to observe everyone interact with one another other.
The woman definitely wasn't from around here. Lena wouldn't not know who such a ferocious woman was. Maybe she was a model, fashion wasn't a thing Lena paid too much attention to. Still, her look was on the supermodel side of the spectrum, therefore surely Lena would have known who this was simply out of sheer popularity. So maybe not a model.
Lena was a scientist at heart. She needed to figure things out, her mind demanded that curiosities be satisfied. And right now her curiosity was itching her brain like a bad rash. Lena's itching halted abruptly along with any respiration when a sultry brown iris caught her staring from the corner of the woman's eye.
Lena could feel her face flush red at the sideways glance, like an exposed peeping Tom. In those five seconds the woman looked at her, Lena knew, she knew she was being watched. Her level of perception was remarkable.
The woman however simply brushed off her voyeurism and continued observing the rest of the guests.
Brushed off Lena's interest. Ignored her curiosity and if anything, only stoked Lena's inquisitiveness even more. Besides this was a Luthor gala, she was a Luthor. She should find out who was the only interesting woman in attendance.
This logic worked her legs into motion, determined to solve this mystery.
Lena's march was interrupted by several attendants who exchanged pleasantries with her. She found herself at each instance glancing to make sure the woman did not leave her spot. Luckily she didn't. She even turned around once to see who Lena was talking to.
The woman was waiting for her to come.
Lena checked herself, this individual was drawing her in like a moth to a flame.
Lena tried to enter the magnificent woman's space as casually as she could. Treating her as she was just another guest. She towered over Lena, despite Lena wearing incredibly high heels tonight and gave Lena a small inviting smile.
"Thank you for coming tonight. Your support makes a big impact."
Her smile faded somewhat. Lena kicked herself for obviously putting her foot mouth for whatever reason.
"I always aim to help those who cannot help themselves. But the truth is, the impact is rarely big. So many still suffer regardless."
The woman's voice was husky with a thick Mediterranean accent. Greek most likely. Each word full of weight.
The Greek woman sighed deeply. "Nevertheless it is important that we continue, each hard fought stride helping those we can. Don't you agree?" her returning smile more hopeful.
"Yes... of course," Lena confirmed, blinking rapidly.
She spoke as though she was someone who had witnessed the world of suffering, come to the conclusion that there was no way to beat it yet still found that she had to fight against it. That even a inch of ground she won she would gladly take. Battle hardened.
If Lena wasn't nervous before she was now. She could feel her throat dry up. Here she was embarking on a simple fact finding mission by making small talk. Now she was utterly disarmed by this woman, who was clearly more serious about this gala's purpose than she was. And at the same time seemingly nonchalant about its overall futility. Confident down to every cell, owning her contradictions.
All this Lena had gathered from her few sentences and yet she still didn't know anything about this radiantly enigmatic woman.
"Are you new supporter of the Luthors' charitable endeavours?"
"No. I haven't been to a Luthor fundraiser in a very long time. Feels like another world actually."
"So what brings you to this one?"
"A friend of mine suggested we meet here."
"Oh and where is your companion?"
"Running an errand, but should be here soon."
Honestly Lena was quite impressed by the woman's candour and discretion. She hadn't evaded any of her questions yet didn't really offer any substantial information. Perhaps it was time to be more direct.
"I'm Lena Luthor," extending her hand.
The woman reached out for it, "Diana."
Lena smirked, "Diana? Just Diana? What like Princess Diana?"
Diana's eye squinted as she smiled widely, "Something like that."
Lena found herself snickering. Her fact finding mission here was a complete failure. Science was like that sometimes. At least she was entertaining.
Maybe a different approach was needed.
"Hello, excuse me, can I just..."
A server stopped behind Lena's back, hors d'oeuvres being distributed. Lena bristled. The sound of the voice alone alerted her to who was currently picking the tray clean.
Diana could sense Lena's anger and raised her eyebrow.
"...these are really good...I'll just have...one more."
As soon as server moved, Lena pivoted on her heel ready for confrontation.
"There may not be enough here to satisfy your appetite Kara."