Meeting with of_clay

[kneel_majorzod]

The last time Zod was at the Metropolis airport, it wasn't the most cheerful experience. But he can't think about that now. Not when he has business to conduct

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[of_clay]

On one level, Diana thinks the airport is an amusingly appropriate place to meet. After all, she is flying in. Just not on a plane. On another level, it's crowded, making it only slightly trickier for her to arrive unnoticed. She does manage, however, with a gratuitous use of speed.

When she exits, the Major may find it not difficult to spot her at all; Diana definitely sticks out of the crowd, not only due to her height - for a woman, anyway - but simply her appearance. Such is the burden of being gifted by Aphrodite herself.

Diana appears to be looking more over people's heads as she walks slowly out of the building and at nothing in particular. Then, suddenly, she turns to look directly at him, a brief flash of confusion crossing her features. She shakes it off quickly and starts toward him.

"Major Zod, yes?"

[kneel_majorzod]

Zod does notice her right away, and his eyes follow her with curiosity from the moment she exits the airport. He's slightly taken aback by her appearance, though only for a passing moment, and when she looks at him, he takes a step toward her and gives her a quick nod.

"Yes. And you must be Diana," he says, extending his hand.

[of_clay]

"I am." Diana hesitates for a moment, glancing from his hand to his face and back again, that same look of uncertainty returning. Perhaps it's merely her youth showing through, as she does seem to be several years younger than Zod himself. Or perhaps it's something else.

It lasts only as long as before and then she shakes his hand firmly. "I am pleased to met you."

[kneel_majorzod]

Brief as it may be, Zod notices the hesitation. And although he doesn't understand it, he thinks it best to ignore it for the time being.

After a moment, he releases her hand and gives her a polite smile. "I am pleased to meet you as well. And I'm eager to hear your perspective on what seems to be our common goal."

[of_clay]

"As I am eager to hear yours," she replies, finally giving him a smile in return. His driver will get one as well as she eyes the car. "There is someplace we can go to talk, then?"

[kneel_majorzod]

"Yes," he says with a nod. "Actually, I think there is a place you should see to fully understand what I have to say."

The driver, sensing his cue, gets out of the car and proceeds to open the doors to the back seat.

[of_clay]

"Oh?" There's genuine interest in her voice and in her eyes. "Now I admit I am truly curious." Diana settles into the vehicle, offering another smile and quiet thanks to the driver.

[kneel_majorzod]

He returns her smile as he slides into the car next to her. "First, though, I suppose I should answer any questions you undoubtedly have about why I'm here and how I came about the goal of saving both our peoples."

[of_clay]

Diana nods. She absolutely has questions. Some of them are pertinent and some of them are the simple curiosity of a girl who is, deep down, utterly fascinated with meeting someone from another world. She barely knows where to start.

"First of all, how did you even come to be here? Was this always your plan, to go to another planet? Was Earth your intended settlement?" She'll stop there. For now.

[kneel_majorzod]

He glances out his window thoughtfully as the car pulls away from the airport. The answer to that question is a bit of a long story in itself.

"There was an experiment of sorts on my planet," he begins softly. "A way to preserve Krypton's people if anything catastrophic were to happen." He pauses and turns back to her before continuing. "Something catastrophic did happen, and I was sent here, along with several others. We've been given a second chance of sorts. My world is gone forever, and I'm one of the few survivors."

A nearly inaudible sigh escapes him as he pauses again. "So no, this was no plan of mine. But now that I'm here, I want what's best for my people. And that is a world in which they can live."

[of_clay]

It's a more somber story than she had perhaps been expecting, but Diana isn't all that surprised.

"So you are refugees." Then she reaches over and touches his hand briefly. "I am sorry for your loss."

[kneel_majorzod]

He makes a movement like a shrug and studies her expression for a moment. "No need. There is no time for grief. I have more important things to attend to. Such as ensuring this planet's survival. I've observed humanity's potential, and I want to help them reach it. To stop the conflict that is tearing this planet apart."

[of_clay]

Diana studies him right back. "Grief is necessary, but it must be done in each our own way." And that matter is let go.

"You are comparing us to your society?" It's an honest question. "Your planet was at peace?"

[kneel_majorzod]

"No," he says quietly. "Far from it, actually. My planet was ravaged by civil war, last I remember. And though I didn't personally witness it, Krypton was eventually destroyed. I fear Earth is well on its way to meeting a similar end. My goal is to prevent that from happening."

[of_clay]

She watches him for a moment before replying. "Do you see similarities to your home in Earth's current situation? You feel we are truly that imminent to destruction?"

[kneel_majorzod]

"Yes," he says simply, meeting her gaze. "Krypton wasn't always in conflict. We were once a proud and powerful race, but many of us became blinded by weakness and ignorance. I see that same inner struggle in humanity."