Because of the noise, the door soon opened as Steven stepped out to check what was going on. He found one of his n suffering from an electric shock, and another crying out in pain, trying to break free from the grip of a composed man who didn't even look like he was trying.
"You..." Steven frowned upon seeing Arias, but before he could express his displeasure, Diana appeared, hovering behind him. "Oh, Arias, you're here. Good. Please tell Sister Steven he needn't treat like a child and that you are a man of character who poses no danger to ."
Diana was upfront about why she was delaying. What Arias didn't know was whether this was because of Steven himself or the governnt as a whole not wanting Diana to interact freely with others. Whatever the case, Arias played along, letting go of the man's hand before smiling.
"Does he have proof of this? I find it a bit unfair to judge this way when I haven't shown such a character..." Arias feigned confusion at the accusations, playing the role of the victim and making Steven look bad. Steven, however, wasn't about to let this slide.
"Then you will have no problems letting her use the Lasso of Truth on you?" Steven suggested with a smirk, thinking he had the upper hand.
"Lasso of Truth?" Arias once again feigned ignorance, which put a smile on Steven's face. But Diana refused.
"It is rude and unjust to doubt a friend with no proof. I will not perform such an act," Diana said, her tone firm.
Arias had no problem with the lasso but knew that turning the situation in his favor required subtlety. "Thank you for your trust in , Diana, but Steven is soone you consider trustworthy, so I'd like to clear his doubts. If using this Lasso of Truth helps convince him, then so be it."
Arias continued playing the underdog, making Steven appear unreasonable. Since Arias agreed, Diana didn't argue. "An innocent man has nothing to hide indeed, so be it."
She stepped away for a mont to get her lasso. In that ti, Steven checked on his n and called for help before warning Arias. "It's against the law to intervene in official governnt business and harm officials as well. Be prepared for a court date."
Arias stopped playing innocent and looked down at Steven with a confident grin. "Firstly, Diana can attest that we had a eting arranged. It is you who got in the way. Secondly, I acted in self-defense; the hallway caras are proof of that. I only held this man's hand while another attacked and almost tased . Luckily, it was faulty and hurt him instead. Either way, you have nothing on ."
Before Steven could argue, Diana returned with the lasso. He could only frown as Diana placed it gently around Arias.
Now ca the questions. "Arias Markovic, do you have any ill intentions towards ?"
"No, I do not. I seek genuine friendship with you and wish to learn more from you while showing you the fun things of our culture," Arias answered in a dazed manner, bringing a smile to Diana's face.
Steven could see his plan falling apart but tried one last gambit. "Ask him if he has a criminal past."
He had done a background check on Arias and found him suspicious. If he could expose Arias as soone with a criminal history, Diana might distance herself. Diana hesitated, but since Arias didn't protest, she asked the question.
"I do."
Steven was ecstatic, and Diana frowned, but Arias continued. "I killed my own father as a child when I witnessed him murder my mother in cold blood."
In reality, the lasso had no power over Arias. Like all things in life, it was bound by certain laws that made it function the way it did, making it useless against him.
"..."
Both Diana and Steven were unsure how to respond to such a heavy revelation. His answer made Steven feel guilty and childish for what he was trying to do, while Diana felt remorseful for doubting her new "friend."
"Is this enough proof for you, Sister Steven, or will you call his act of vengeance a cri?" Diana was clearly upset with the one person who kept pushing doubts onto her.
Steven had no words to defend himself, but Arias wasn't done. An idea ca to mind.
"It's fine, Diana. I'm just glad the truth is out. But if I'm being honest, I don't trust soone who accuses others without proof. It's only fair that he also answers to your lasso."
"!!" Steven was worried, but he knew he couldn't refuse. Diana, now feeling protective of Arias, began placing the lasso on Steven.
After doing so, she was about to ask the sa questions she asked Arias, but Arias interjected. "Ask him if he's really doing what's best for you or if he's just following orders from his leaders to use you."
Steven panicked but couldn't resist the lasso's power. Diana asked the question, and after a brief struggle, Steven's answer ca.
"I-It's not what's best for her, but my superiors told if I didn't follow orders, I would be arrested and another guide would be assigned to Diana."
Diana's eyes widened in shock, feeling betrayed. She tightened her grip on Steven, her voice cold. "What orders were you given?"
Steven tried to resist, but it was futile. "To report back everything worth noting that you told about yourself or your ho and to convince you to carry out tasks for the governnt, like being Washington's hero and a secret line of defense to the White House should things ever go wrong."
Diana's anger boiled over. Without hesitation, she gripped Steven by the throat and began to choke the life out of him. "You betrayed the trust I placed in you! As per Amazon custom, any sister who betrays another deserves death!"
Diana wasn't joking. Unlike most heroes with a strict moral compass, Diana's culture had its own sense of morality. To her, killing enemies and traitors was normal. Steven, in her eyes, was now a traitor.
The situation escalated far more than Arias had anticipated. He quickly stepped in, pulling her hand away from Steven with strength that far surpassed hers. "Diana, stop! If you kill him, you'd only endanger your ho by making an enemy out of the country. If not for that, then do it for , for doubting my friendship without proof."
Diana glared at Steven, still furious, but Arias's words brought her back from the brink. She felt guilty for doubting him and released Steven.
"Fine, I will spare his life as atonent for doubting you, who had no malice toward . But know this, Steven Trevor! Should you try approaching again, I will forget your laws and take your life. I, Princess Diana, swear this on Hera! Tell your leaders I do not need a guide or fake hospitality. I will place my trust in a real friend, as I should have done before. Let us go, Arias Markovic; let just retrieve my sword."
As Diana left to get her sword, Arias looked down at the terrified Steven and grinned. "You only have yourself to bla."
Diana soon returned, and Arias casually placed his hand on her waist as they walked to the door. As Steven watched in shock, Arias subtly placed his hand on her ass while she was walking out.
"Tell your leaders she's in good, trustworthy hands," Arias said with a smirk before leaving with Diana.
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