Fic: Rainbow’s Freedom (Rainbow Prisms Arc) (7/42)
Title: Rainbow’s Freedom (Rainbow Prisms Arc) (7/42)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Kara Zor-El, Hal/Steve/Diana (Hal & Steve do not appear in this chapter)
Series Notes: In the 23rd century, Earth is a technologically-advanced society that practices the ancient institution of slavery. Clark finally learns about his identity and heritage. Will that knowledge tear him and Bruce apart? Meanwhile, Rebellion and Abolition twist and turn in the pageantry of events.
The entire series can be found here.
Genres: AU, Challenge, Drama, Slavefic
Rating: (this chapter): G
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: Kara meets Wonder Woman.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): September 30, 2010
Date Of Posting: September 17, 2011
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1293
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Note: The magnificent story cover is by the wonderfully-talented ctbn60. Thanks so much, luv! :)
"I do not believe in slavery."
Wonder Woman
22 - C.E.
VII
REGAL
Kara walked through the streets of Boston. The city was not like Metropolis or other big cities she had visited here on Earth. While it was the biggest city in the region known as New England, it almost had a small-town feel to the place.
Speaking of small towns, I’ll have to make a stop in Smallville, Kansas. Martha Kent impresses me with her work in the National Abolitionist Society.
She walked on the Common, wondering if she would see Wonder Woman right away. Green Lantern also was usually in residence as well, though he had also been seen across the country, particularly in Central and Coast Cities.
Kara lingered by the First National Bank. Did not the people of this planet have a thing for robbing their financial centers? Was not nearby Charlestown the breeding ground for more bank robbers than anywhere else in the world? And if a bank was being robbed, Wonder Woman would not be far behind.
Of course, bank robbers did not work on her schedule. She gave up waiting and resumed wandering through the city.
& & & & & &
Lunchtime found her at Quincy Market. She walked through the ancient building, smelling fresh doughnuts and pizza and grilled meat. Salads and sandwiches were also on sale, along with ice cream and cakes and pies, the latter redolent of apple, cranberry, and blueberry.
Most of the offerings were native foods, though one booth had added in some off-world treats: French vanilla ice cream sprinkled with Rigellian firesprinkles, Jovaran jewel candy or Andorian sweetbreads.
Kara was interested in the Terran goods. All planets had their cultural favorites, but Earth might have been the most diverse of all of them. The food and drink was as varied as a rainbow.
And the cultures! Earth culture was too diverse to speak of as one. Other planets had societies-within-societies, but hundreds? Or at least it seemed like hundreds.
And this country, this United States of America, seemed to hold the world’s cultures. Kara had visited the Boston Athenaeum and learned about America’s history, intrigued by its turmoil over mixing so many different kinds of people, and yet forging a distinct American identity.
And this city, this Boston, is the birthplace.
Kara walked the Freedom Trail, entered the Old North Church and Faneuil Hall, and breathed in the history, admittedly on the young side.
Silly Humans. They think 600 years is ancient.
She admired the elegant simplicity of Colonial architecture while pondering the course of history.
I must get to the Gettysburg battlefield. The Union’s loss there turned the tide of the Civil War and let to slavery becoming a permanent part of the American fabric.
Kara wondered if Human history could actually turn on one event, but the possibility was there.
She pondered the ramifications while eating a piece of apple pie, appreciating the sweet-yet-tart goodness of the apples enclosed in a flaky crust. A mild commotion began at the other end of the patio and she looked over curiously.
People were eagerly crowding around the statuesque figure of Wonder Woman, Princess of the Amazons.
Kara’s eyes widened. She was impressed by the presence of the woman. Wonder Woman seemed to loom over everyone, but she was not excessively tall. Her musclature was impressive, but not muscle-bound. Feminine curves were much in evidence, but they only seemed to accentuate power, not weakness.
Wonder Woman was a commanding presence, but the people crowding around her were unafraid. If Kara had to describe her in one word, ‘serene’ would have come to mind.
She watched as Wonder Woman smiled and spoke with women, children, and men, setting everyone at ease.
“Wonder Woman! Are you and Green Lantern dating?” asked a young blond girl, bobbing on the balls of her feet as her pigtails swayed.
The Amazon’s smile grew affectionate. “He is a good friend of mine.”
“But you’re not dating?” the girl asked in disappointment.
“We have too many obligations right now to ‘date’.”
“But you’ll consider it?”
“Quit buggin’ her about mushy stuff, squirt,” said a freckle-faced boy.
“Oh, it is acceptable to speak of love,” said Wonder Woman. The girl beamed. “Just know that people value their privacy.” The boy looked smug and the girl stuck her tongue out at him.
Kara marveled at the Amazon’s patience. She stayed on the fringes of the crowd as Wonder Woman spoke about the new wing of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the services offered there, specializing in oncology. The Jimmy Fund was a long-established cancer hospital, but it never hurt to have more weapons in the fight.
Despite the great strides against disease throughout the Empire, there were some diseases that simply could not be eradicated, at least not yet. Cancer was one of those stubborn diseases, constantly mutating and branching out to snare living creatures.
Kara admired the Amazon for her choice of cause, but there was even another cause dearer to her own heart.
“There will be a benefit held for the Sullivan Wing, a magnificent ball at the Boston Athenaeum.”
“We can’t afford that!” pouted a teenaged girl in a candy-striped dress.
“But surely you can afford buttons and ribbons and jewelry,” Wonder Woman said with a smile.
“Cool!”
The crowd murmured as Wonder Woman gestured and a pretty young woman trundled a cart of merchandise over for them to peruse.
“You can buy these in participating stores that carry the pink ribbon.”
The jewelry was a cut above cheap plastic, immediately attracting attention, and nearly everyone bought a ribbon.
Kara sidled up to Wonder Woman’s side. “They seem very eager.”
“People like to support a good cause.”
“Do they support Abolitionism?”
Wonder Woman looked at her closely. “And you do?”
“Most assuredly.” She held her hand out. “I’m Jarine, newly-arrived from Jovara.”
“A lovely planet, so I’ve heard.”
“Very much so.” They shook hands, Kara not surprised at the firm grip. She had, of course, restrained her own strength. Wonder Woman could have taken her grip, but Kara did not want to reveal her power.
“I know that the Jovaran Kings are interested in the issue and there are rumors that they will soon announce an Abolition plan.”
Kara nodded. She had heard that, too. “Yes, the treatment of slaves on Jovara is the best in the Empire, if you consider ‘good treatment’ to be something of note.”
Curious, Wonder Woman asked, “Why would I not?”
“There should be no slavery at all.”
“Ah. Yes, I agree, but the fact of the matter is that it exists. Therefore, we must deal with that fact. It is highly admirable to believe that slavery should not exist. I believe that myself. However, it does exist, so good treatment of slaves makes their lives more bearable. Would you have them suffer until the Day of Jubilee?”
Stung, Kara answered, “Of course not!”
Wonder Woman’s expression was serene. “Good. You are full of fire, Jarine, but must learn how to best use that fire.”
Kara bit down on her anger. She could not afford to offend this woman. She needed her support as a symbol of freedom.
“Have you allied yourself with the N.A.S.?” Kara asked.
“Loosely so. I make no bones about my opinions on this issue, yet I wish to establish myself in the national consciousness first. Becoming a beloved symbol is necessary, and then a strong push will be better accepted.”
“But you still speak out.”
“Of course.” Wonder Woman began to move toward the cart.
“I would like to speak more about this.”
Wonder Woman turned back, clear blue eyes boring into Kara’s soul. “Of course.”
The Amazon turned and walked toward the crowd, Kara wondering if she had made a mistake.
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