A Connoisseur of Fine Wines and Amazons (Marc Dahlmaine)

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The press thought she looked like a goddess as she made her way to the podium wearing her bullet-proof bracelets and familiar golden tiara.  The diadem surrounding her forehead resembled a halo, reflecting the beams of light that danced around her while photographers went crazy capturing the moment with their flashing cameras.  Her long raven tresses bounced in sync with each determined step.  Yes, she was a living picture of angelic loveliness.

In this setting, she was known to the public as Princess Diana, Ambassador of Themyscira -- a respected diplomat for an ancient civilization of women located on an island paradise somewhere within the Aegean Sea.  On the world stage, she was called the “Wonder Woman”, an Amazon warrior, super-heroine, and a beacon of truth, peace, and justice for all humanity.  Adorned with a silk purple toga, her magic belt, lasso, and golden sandals, her presence demanded admiration, respect, and attention.

When she finally reached the podium, Diana stood silent for a moment, her slender fingers curling over the stand’s edges.  Then her full red lips parted and released a strong voice that was heard by the gathered citizens of Gotham City.

“Hola!” she greeted, saluting the audience by crossing her bracelets over her head.  “I am Princess Diana, and I would like to thank everyone for attending this outdoor rally today.  This meeting time has been arranged for me to explain Amazonian views pertaining to the corrections that should be made to Man’s World.”

Suddenly, Diana realized she was falling back on Amazon prejudice, the idea that anything outside of Paradise Island was “Man’s World.”  She stopped for a moment to collect her thoughts.

“Please forgive me,” she finally said, interrupting the awkward silence.  “I am still new to public speaking, and, as you can tell, I still have much to learn.”

Although she thought she had embarrassed herself with her honesty, Diana’s charismatic charm turned her words into a statement that amused her audience.  She was surprised at the rumble of laughter that erupted from the crowd.  The people immediately warmed up to her.

“The Amazons of Themyscira desire for the rest of the world to learn from our example,” Diana explained, once the laughter had died down.  “Although my sisters and I are readily trained in the art of combat and war, we have maintained a Utopian society for thousands of years.  We desire to spread our ideas of peace and order to the darkest parts of the world where crime and darkness thrive and corrupt.”

“Well, you’ve come to the right place, sister!” a heckler hollered from the audience.  “Gotham City is as dark as it gets!  Just ask Batman!”

Laughter erupted again.

“And that is my sole purpose for being here,” Diana responded calmly.  “I’ve come to Gotham City to help fight its criminal element.  However dark it may seem, I strive for a positive outcome.  I’m here to stay.  No matter how long it will take, no matter the trials and persecutions I will face from the sick and deranged criminals who plague this fair city -- Hera help me -- I will endure and prevail.”

At that moment, the conviction in Diana’s voice and the sheer power of her statements stirred the audience.  Her speech was deserving of a thunderous applause, and that’s exactly what she received.

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If Gotham was dark and dreary as this speaker was expounding on, he had yet to experience. Each person he had come in contact had been quite lovely thus far. So as he found himself in the throng of people amassed to watch his Princess speak her message of peace, he had been curious to listen.

But even more had been on his mind. While her dress was quite flashy, her accouterments expensive and customized, he had to wonder who the fuck had told her it was fine to wear that in this cold.

Jaw set, the notion caught hold in him and burned hotly until he could not concentrate on her words, but her well-being. Handlers tended to be morons at times. And as he elbowed his way through the crowds, it was tedium after tedium. The ensuing applause from the audience only gave him more elbows to wade against until he was closer to the podium initially from his first position.

It was only when he could touch the podium did he remove his jacket, and slip his sunglasses from the bridge of his nose to sit atop his head. She should be warm. Perhaps it was because she, too, was a visitor like him. But either way, the urge to make sure she was fine was near-consuming as he slipped his warm shearling coat from his shoulders, and grabbed the arm of the closest looking 'suit', as he explained that she looked like she was about to freeze, despite looking as well put together as she was, someone had overlooked the foresight for protection against the warmth.

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Everyone who was seated on stage watched Marc moving in the audience, except for Diana whose attention was focused on the heckler.  Meanwhile, Diana’s bodyguards, Harrison and Lucas, saw the movement from backstage as well, and poised themselves to react, if the man tried anything that would harm the Princess.

When Diana caught the stranger in her peripheral vision, she didn’t pause or hesitate in any way, but continued speaking as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening.  She had no idea who the man was or what he wanted.  Knowing there were individuals in her employ who were trained to handle this type of situation, she decided not to bring any attention to the matter.  That action would only incite panic in the crowd, resulting in innocent people being possibly hurt or even killed.

Unknown to anyone except for Diana, the magical transformation into Wonder Woman prevented the elements from affecting her in any way.  That is why she could parade around in her costume year-round without catching her death of cold.  The chill wasn’t bothering her in the least; in fact, it had never even entered her mind.  She was dressed in native Amazonian fashion and was just being herself.

When the man reached the stage and began removing his coat and placing his sunglasses atop his head, two plain-clothes policemen in the crowd went and stood on either side of him.  “Just what the hell do you think you’re doing, sir?!” one of the men whispered to him.  Marc was now being seen as a potential threat to Princess Diana.  

Marc explained his actions, but his words fell on deaf ears.  Grabbing Marc by both arms, the two officers escorted him backstage.

[Deleted]

He didn't feel the need to explain to these two men that it was unreasonable for the speaker to be subjected to such chill temperatures. Thin lipped, there was a barely perceptable shake of his head. Clearly she was not the sort one could approach without red tape. A pity. Engaging as a speaker, but unapproachable by the masses.



As the two under-cover officers flanked him, he paused. "Doing the honorable thing." Marc spat back to their query. A twitch in his jaw was the only emotion he betrayed, outraged at this show of lack of caution for Ms. Prince's well being.



His face went blank as he was less than cordially escorted from the dias to backstage. Americans certainly were peculiar. Especially in the face of chivalry. He hoped this sort of chicanary that was going on was a farce, and nothing but.

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By the time Wonder Woman had finished speaking, her curiosity had peaked as to what was happening backstage.  Smiling demurely, she waved one last time to the audience before making a hasty exit.  Her smile disappeared the moment she stepped behind the curtain, no longer in the public’s view.

“For Athena’s sake, what happened out there?!?” the Amazon Princess fumed, walking up on Marc, who was seated in an uncomfortable-looking metal chair.  He was being watched by the two police officers who had escorted him to this waiting area.  To everyone’s surprise, her inquiry wasn’t directed at Marc, the handsome stranger who had shown nothing in his actions to alarm her or cause disruption.  Instead, her eyes flared at the other two men.

“We were doing our job, Wonder Woman,” one of them answered.  “You were in danger.”

“And how do you know this?” the heroine disputed.  “How did you reach that conclusion?  There was no indication of danger.  This man’s actions were not hostile and did not betray him.  You are the ones who are the trespassers!  How dare you conjecture and embarrass me like that in front of all those people.  This is a peace rally, and you demonstrated an improper act of discipline.”

As she spoke, she looked at Marc, wondering what impression he had of her because of this incident.  Although she didn’t verbalize an apology, the compassion in her eyes attempted that task for her.

“Better safe than sorry,” the other man spoke up, raising his voice in behalf of his partner’s defense.  “Our job is to protect you.”

“Do I look like I need protection?” the Amazing Amazon shot back, showing him her bracelets.  She was doing her best to keep her composure.  Her inner rage was caused by her prejudice against men in general.  “No wonder there is so much violence in the world!” she proclaimed vehemently.  “How can I promote peace and unity in this municipality when its citizens do not even trust one another?  This man’s act of chivalry does not brand him a minion of Ares.  I do not know if he has offered you an explanation for his actions or not.  Your condescension towards him tells me that even if he told you the truth, you still would not believe him.”

“How do we know he’s telling the truth?” the first officer scoffed, gritting his teeth and staring down his nose at Marc as if he was low-life trash, even though Marc actually looked like a cover model for GQ Magazine.  “You know the type of unstable, crazy people Gotham City attracts.”

Wonder Woman frowned.  “You want to know the truth?  Then we shall find it,” she told him confidently, fixing her gaze upon Marc.  “Sir, may I use my lasso on you to give your accusers the evidence they are seeking?  I promise no harm will come to you.”

As she waited for Marc’s response, she admired his handsome features and wished they had met under different circumstances.

[Deleted]

Could he have escaped? Yes. Would he? Most likely, yes. But that would have tainted horrifically his entrance to this new city, and to possibly a new beginning. Would he want that? No. A definite no. So for the time being he endured the brutish company of these two men, who deemed him dangerous enough with his jacket to detain, but not to restrain. Peculiar. Yet still there was the hint of a smile ghosting his features, a mask that refused to shift to anger, yet did not stay stoic for more than a moment or two.

But as the speaker trounced into the room where he had been not-so cordially encouraged to sit, he raised a brow. No, it was not he being addressed, but his captors. His sunglasses had been folded and the stem of one side slid to hold on his shirt. Jacket, after being so rudely manhandled was laid across his thighs.

Scoffing at the inept replies given to her, he had to stifle a clicking of his tongue. She was correct in her anger, and her words in chiding the man. They were morons.

All he had cared to do was tend to her needs, and offering warmth was no transgression. If it was, he was certainly in th wrong cityscape. As she turned her glance to his, he wasn't sure what to make of her perusal. He could conceded he wasn't harsh on the eyes. His height and stature reeked of careful dedication. Sadly, his hair did not. It was nearly to his collar in length, and desperately needed a trim.

But the yelling. Blue eyes snapped to the brunette as she was all of a sudden loud, and pissed. She had a clear hard-on for peace, that was apparent. But considering how she was dressed, in gauzy layers and glinting bracelets, she was pretty exposed. Even he could see that. So part of him did give a nod of approval to the guards, even if they were uncouth.

But as she turned to him again, he raised a brow. Lasso? Was he finally going to be trussed up like a holiday ham? Peculiar again, but there were worse things he could imagine to happen right now. And being tied up by a bombshell promoting peace was not a 'worse' thing.

"You may, even though I don't see how that will remedy the foul behavior your guards have shown me, just for my concerns for your well being at this rally." He intoned flatly.

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Wonder Woman smiled at the stranger.  “You will see in a moment,” she simply said, and lifted her hands to show him that she was holding a length of fine, gold-colored rope.  “Thank you for your consent.  In a moment, the truth shall set you free.”

Carefully, Wonder Woman tied the lasso around Marc, made a noose, and gripped it firmly.  Suddenly, the cord began to glistening around Marc’s chest.

“My magic lasso is designed to bypass the untrustworthy nature of man,” she explained.  “You cannot resist its powers.  You must tell me the truth.”

As she spoke, she gazed deeply into Marc’s dreamy eyes.  All the while, since she had arrived backstage, she had noticed his almost constant smile.  He was so handsome and acted so regal.  She wondered if he was royalty in some way.  She loved his accent.  It wasn't Meditterranean like hers.  She guessed it was French.

“Identify yourself,” she commanded, taking a small step backward.  “Then tell me why you approached me and removed your jacket.”

Wonder Woman chose her words carefully.  She wanted him to speak the exact answer that would prove his innocence.

[Deleted]

Her smile was refreshing, but still didn't wash the nasty taste the whole endeavor had left on his palette. The rope she proffered look like some cheap, ill-made prop. But he would humour this woman. For her to speak on such a topic, and to have this level of security had to warrant some treaty of intelligence.

But as she drew close, and was careful to tie the shimmering rope about her, he had to marvel at the chutzpah she possessed, a shiver coursing through the length of his being. At the mention of magic he couldn't hold back his laughter, a short guffaw parting his lips. Truth he would tell. Again, as it seemed he hadn't lied the first time, nor the second.

His laugh was cut short as she locked eyes with him. All laughter was drawn from his face as he realized she was serious. Her first command brought him to a response. In French; his native tongue. <<"I am Marc-Liam Francois Dahlmaine.">>That is who he was. Why did he approach her? Was she daft?

He replied, again, in his native tongue; <<"You possessed no coat, and in a frock of gauzy material. No one thought to warn you of the cold. I wanted to give you my coat, to protect you from the elements.">>

There was no lie, no malicious intent, no anger. He was only guilty of trying to show his true nature of chivalry.

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When Marc and Wonder Woman locked eyes, Wonder Woman felt a connection.  She couldn’t explain it.  All she knew was that she liked it.  A lot.

The heroine thought she had been accurate with her command, but it never dawned on her that Marc would answer in French.  As the words escaped his mouth, she was startled out of her trance.  “Great Hera!” she whispered under her breath.  She understood what he was saying, but she doubted the policemen did.  Luckily, one of the two officers spoke French as well.

“What kind of shitty answer is that?!?” the one officer who couldn’t speak French asked.  “That gibberish don’t prove a damn thing!"

“It does . . . to me,” the Amazon Princess countered, “and that is all that matters.  Now please leave,” she ordered.  “Both of you.  I will not be pressing charges.”

As the men walked off in a huff, Wonder Woman stared back into Marc’s thoughtful eyes and smiled.  “My apologies, Mr. Marc-Liam Francois Dahlmaine,” she said, using his full name to impress him.  “Your cooperation is appreciated.”

As she spoke, she kept gripping the lasso.  She didn’t want to free him from it.  There was so much she wanted to know.  But this wasn’t the right way to get that information.

Removing the noose, Wonder Woman gathered her rope and reattached it to the hook on the right side of  her golden belt.  “It was a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Dahlmaine.  I wish it had been under different circumstances.  Thank you for your concern for my well-being.  I pray to the gods that  you can forgive those men for everything that happened here today.”  As she turned to leave, she added, “And at the next rally, I will make certain to wear a coat.”

The next thing Wonder Woman did was truly miraculous.  She walked back the way she came and disappeared behind the curtain.  A split second later, another raven-haired woman appeared, acting as if she had just seen Wonder Woman.  Her hair was a little mussed and tied back in a severe ponytail.  Although she wore tinted glasses, she was still attractive.  Unlike Wonder Woman, she was dressed in wintry fashions -- a black velvet skirt with a cream and pale-pink overlay.  A brown belt hugged the waist of her black turtleneck sweater.  The rest of her ensemble consisted of ebony tights and boots, long diamond earrings, and a Khaki overcoat.

Her face lit up when she saw Marc.  “Are you all right?” she asked, walking over to him.  “I saw what happened out there.  I came to check on you.  Is everything okay?”

Her eyes twinkled behind the framed lenses of her glasses.

“My name is Diana.  Diana Prince.”

[Deleted]

Marc wanted to see the beauty in this woman. Desperately. But her two guards had tainted the whole ordeal sourly. The treatment of a fellow human being sometimes could throw an entire situation off. A sad circumstance, but truth. And this whole tie him up for the truth. This speaker sure had a kinky side to her.

Raising a brow to the officer who's outburst was unnecessary, he shook his head. Pressing charges? He hadn't been armed. He had a coat. Is this honestly what the world had been coming to? What a joke. But as the brunette in purple offered an apology, he only shrugged.

<<"My cooperation was never in question. Your guards, are a different matter,">> he paused, nodding. <<"Perchance you will look more thoroughly into those that you have as your detail in the future. The pleasure is all mine, Miss.">>

It seemed his chivalry had been taken to heart as she mentioned a bit of common sense. A coat, in winter's chill? What a thought! shaking his head at that, he was glad to be free of her golden noose.

And then she walked away. Leaving him, devoid of guard or her presence. Peculiar is the essence that coloured this whole situation. Quite.

Gather his coat, he drew it on in one smooth motion over his head, and slipping it to his arms. A firm grasp tugged the collar into place, and he was in un-shock as another woman came to him. "I am fine. I am surprised the guards let you back here, considering the hassle they gave me. They must be biased." He said flatly, his narrowed eyes looking over the woman. If she were here for the rally, at least this one had thought to dress appropriately. Even if a skirt was risky in the cold.

"Marc Dahlmaine. My pleasure, Ms. Prince." Offering his hand to her, he hoped this one would not be as peculiar as the other.

"This rally had an interesting message. I am in search of a hot beverage, and perhaps some differing company. Care to join me?" A sandwich with chips, as well as a hot toddy sounded fantastic about now.

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Diana smiled as the handsome Marc Dahlmaine started engaging her in conversation by answering her question and then commenting about the guards being gender biased.

“I do not know if that is a fair assumption,” she stated, gazing around them.  “The crowd has cleared.  It looks like there is nobody here except you and me.”

The observation made Diana smile more broadly.  Then she noticed Marc eyeing her skirt and guessed why.

“Do not worry,” she assured him, smoothing out the collar of his coat.  “I am layered.  I am not cold.  In fact, I feel quite cozy standing here.  With you.”

She gave Marc a firm yet feminine handshake when he offered her his hand in friendship.  Shifting closer, her gaze bore into his.  “Yes, the rally peaked my interest as well,” she admitted.  “I arrived late, but it was okay.  I stood in the back and saw you head toward the stage.  I did not know what was going on.  When I did not see you return, I thought something bad had happened.  I am glad I found you.”

In a way, Diana was being deceptive with her fictitious alibi, but on the other hand, she was also being very honest with Marc.  She was glad they were alone together.  She hadn’t felt this way about a man since World War II when she met and fell in love with Maj. Steve Trevor.  It was love at first sight.  It was good to have those feelings again for someone else in this modern era.

Those feelings stirring within Diana -- was it infatuation?  Love?  There was definitely an unexplained attraction.  She wondered if Marc felt it, too.

When Marc suggested going and getting something to drink, Diana smiled her approval.  “Let us get something to eat, too, shall we?   I have been working all day, and I am quite famished.   There is a tiny bistro within walking distance from here.  I am sure we could both find something there to satiate our . . . hunger.   I am dying for a glass of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti.  At $16,000 a bottle, it is expensive, but it is worth it.  Do you like wine, Mr. Dahlmaine?”

No matter what she drank, Diana didn’t think she would find anything to quench the thirst of desire she had for Marc at that very moment.

[Deleted]

"Then that means the speaker detained me, questioned me, and then left, with no reason for follow through. I am not impressed with her." It was said flatly, dismissively. He said his opinion, and was done. Wiping his hands along the thighs of his pants, he shrugged.

Taking her hand, he did indulge her in a handshake. But post that ritual, he rotated her hand and brought it to his lips. It did not matter if it was gloved, or bare. It was a gesture deeply engrained within him; one of respect he showed to the women he encountered.

"It seems you have wandered correctly to find me. Although I do question the security of this rally. They seem to be greatly biased toward the male gender." Voicing his opinion once more, he cleared his throat, hoping to offer a place for them to eat at.

"You have more sense than the woman who's words you sought out. Come, let us go-" He offered a hand to his lunch companion, when she started to speak. Silencing quickly, he looked on her with interest. A bistro. And knowledge of wine. Perhaps his accent had sparked it, but either way, he was impressed, the raise of a brow as he took her hand, and placed it through his arm.

"You must be a burgundy fan. Reds are quite fine, and that specific wine you mention has garndered prices much, much higher. More nearing upwards of $56,000, at times." It would be churlish of him to mention his profession at this point in the conversation, but he hoped she was not seeking him for a, how did they call it, a sweet father, here in the states. Money held no sway over him, and he hoped he was not being pegged as some simpleton.

"Let us call it a passing hobby, that I have made a dollar or two from in my years. Perhaps you could point us in the direction of this bistro you speak of, Ms. Prince. It would be redundant of me to ask you, if you were a connoisseur of wine, for you did bring up one of the finest, and pricey." And it was tacky to query one on their first meet what their profession was. A seeking status query. A more appropos question on a third, or even fourth encounter.

[Deleted]

Diana was surprised when Marc revealed that he was not impressed with Wonder Woman.  Usually, it was the other way around --  Wonder Woman got all the praise and adoration, not Diana.  She thought it was odd how all of this was playing out.

She thought Marc’s little tirade was charming.  It amused her when she noticed that his facial expression kept switching back and forth from stoic to pleasant.  She wondered if Marc was aware that he was doing that, or if it just came naturally to him.

After wiping his hands on his pants, Marc took Diana’s hand in a courtly gesture.  She was expecting the handshake, but not the kiss.  My, this man was definitely a charmer!  Marc’s actions reminded her of the tales her mother used to tell her when she was growing up on Paradise Island about Hercules.  Centuries ago, Hercules had used his masculine wiles to woo Hippolyta.  He ended up using the Amazon Queen’s emotions against her to steal her magic girdle and enslave her people.  Though Diana was flattered by Marc’s public display of affection, she remained cautious and vigil of his actions.

Diana smiled and nodded when Marc reiterated his unfair treatment by the security officers, claiming gender bias once again.  It was obvious the ordeal had upset him, but Diana didn’t know how traumatic the situation had been for him, or how to rectify it.  She figured that maybe venting about it was the best therapy.

Diana was completely taken aback when Marc told her that she had more sense than Wonder Woman.  Being both women, part of her felt flattered while the other part felt insulted.  With tongue in cheek, she hid a smile, wondering how he’d react if she revealed her dual identity right now.

When Marc offered his hand a second time, Diana gladly slipped hers into it.  Yes, this wasn’t a dream.  His firm grip, the touch of his flesh, the warmth -- it all felt wonderful and made Diana swoon.  She watched carefully as he placed her hand through his arm.

From the arch of his eyebrow, Diana thought she had done something wrong by asking Marc if he enjoyed drinking wine.  It was just a simple inquiry on her part.  She was expecting a “yes” or a “no”, not his detailed knowledge about her favorite wine.  This tall, dark, and handsome man was getting more intriguing by the minute.  She stared at him when he spoke and lost herself in his thoughtful blue eyes.

Diana awakened when he asked her to lead the way to the bistro.  It seemed Marc was a connoisseur of fine wines and Amazons, which pleased Diana more than he knew.

“We make our own wine back home,” Diana told him.  “My hometown is kind of remote and isolated.  I have acquired a taste over the centur –- er, years. When I arrived in the States, a friend introduced me to Domaine de la Romanee-Conti.  I find the taste quite exquisite.  And, yes, I prefer a burgundy wine.  It has a very intense flavor because they leave the skin on when they make red wine.  Also, red wine is better for you because it contains more antioxidants.”

Diana smiled innocently.  Now who was impressing whom?

As they started on their way, Diana hoped nothing would happen to deter her from spending the afternoon with Marc.  Wonder Woman would definitely be a third wheel on this bicycle built for two.

[Deleted]

"It's also a Grand Cru." He nodded. She had knowledge, but most of it was textbook. Basic. Sometimes an expensive red was less impressive than a cheap white. Or a zin. Or a Moscato. It all depended on the circumstance, the company." As they walked hand in hand, he made sure to shield her from the traffic, the slush, and deftly switched hands that they held so that she would be on the inside of the sidewalk, his prescence buffering her from the traffic.

"My family owns their own vineyard. I work there. I am one of the vinters. It is not only a profession for myself, but a passion. Your family must have land to do such an endeavor. I wish them luck." He was curt, but not unfriendly. To be honest, he was rather famished, and in need of an espresso.

[Deleted]

Diana appreciated the kindness that Marc showed by shielding her from traffic, ice and snow, and the elements.  She knew he had her best interest at heart, and she was fascinated when he told her about the family business.

“Yes, we have plenty of land,” she hinted, without mentioning Paradise Island.  “We grow our own food and vegetables.”  She made it sound like it was a commune.

Diana didn’t know if Marc was enjoying her company or not.  He was so focused and determined to get to the bistro.  She assumed his silence and curt answers were due to him being either very bored or very hungry, one or the two.   She tried not to take it personally.

Diana wasn’t used to being alone with men.  She was always in a group setting with them, even in her war days.  Sure, she and Steve Trevor had their moments together, but it had been quite platonic.  Steve had never tried anything funny with her, and had always been the perfect gentleman in her company.  She saw Marc in the same light, but she didn’t want him to replace Steve.

Steve had always desired Wonder Woman’s company and help on missions, and as his secretary (Yes, she had worked for a man!), Diana had helped him in their office at the War Department in Washington, DC.  Diana wasn’t looking for a replacement – a substitute.  Marc was different from Steve.  In Marc, she was seeking companionship, a friend.  This was a different time and a different situation altogether.

Because they were warriors, Amazons usually took what they wanted, but Diana was trying to be civil.  She didn’t think Marc would appreciate being forced to do something against his will.  That’s why she had gotten his consent prior to using her magic lasso on him.  If he had not given her permission, she would’ve let him go anyway.  She was still stewing about the inappropriate actions of those police officers, and she assumed Marc was, also.

When they reached the bistro, the manager welcomed them with a cordial hug (yes, both of them) and took them directly to a table in the back corner of the restaurant so they could have their privacy.  As she went to take off her coat, Diana smiled at Marc.  She was feeling pretty awkward and tried to start a conversation.

“So what brings you to Gotham City, Marc Dahlmaine?” she asked once they were both seated and Marc began perusing the menu.   "And how long have you been a fan of Wonder Woman?”