[22nd January 2011]

[Saint Columba's College, Ballyvourney, Co. Cork, Republic of Ireland]

"Jaysus, she's a feckin babby, but she hits like a ton of bricks"

"Demi-goddess, sure she's tiny...but super strength and all that even at this age" I replied with a shrug back to Sergeant Macklin, or currently Mister Macklin the Physical Education Teacher for our merry little magical school, looking up from my scribble covered school book "...don't say I didn't warn ye all. She'll be mini-Wonder Woman for a while, and then she will be basically her once she gets through puberty"

"Ai, I can see that. Glad of the armour on my shins let me tell you!" he muttered looking back to where the blonde hair Cassandra was enjoying herself now by climbing some of the trees like the hyperactive little ball of energy she was. Apparently she'd made good friends with Swamp Thing's daughter who was currently pouting at not being allowed to 'cheat' by using her powers "...though when hits that puberty you'll need do that magic strength thingie of yers to train her ya know"

'Well, I suspect Wonder Woman will butt in before then' I thought to myself, but gave an amused snort instead as we'd burn that bridge when we came to it "Hmm...well, teaching her to control that power is part of the plan, and I promised to help train her soo...in time, worry about it then I guess"

"Yer been rather blasé and unprepared about that teaching from the sounds of it?"

I rolled my eyes at the faint criticism, holding up the book I'd been writing notes in the past hour "Oi, haven't even got the course plan for this year done, let alone three to four years from now. Why you thing I've been writing all these crap down the past while"

"Drawing doodles so you can get out of real work?"

"Har, Har, Har" I muttered with a sigh, closing said book, bringing my feet down off their perch upon the folding chair in front of the one I was sitting on and rubbing tiredly the bridge of my nose "Nope, since I am to be Super Teaching Assistant Man from Monday I'm making notes on what to cover as part of the basics for the beginners. Anyway; not like I'm allowed go a whole lot of places at the moment anyway"

For the time being I was on lockdown to only 'secure' facilities, as were anyone linked to Constantine, his family, and the whole charging into hell thing. In truth that meant I got to play guardian of sorts to Gemma and Cassie while keeping me away from potential dangers related to an overstretched Justice League and the Team at the same time. Win-win in some peoples eyes I suspected...and one in my own mind to some degree as well since it got me away from dealing with said overstretched Justice League and rolling crisises across the water. Or UN dealing with spaceships...or the Red Lantern Battery over in...or...

'Nope, not my concern right now. Task at hand, and things like getting food' I reminded myself standing up and picking up my 'school-bag' satchel to put the book in "Though I think food, and maybe coffee, might be the immediate plan on my mind to be honest"

"Ye head on in, we're watching the youngsters there anyway so you go..." Macklin replied nodding at the playing children across from us beneath the evening sun "...that, and it'll be dark soon now, lessons are over, and best let'em enjoy themselves for now I say"

I smiled "Thanks Sergeant, yeah doesn't look like they'll want to sit around a boring cafeteria right now when there's tag to be played"

While the place was a renovated school, quasi-boarding school as well, it did have wards and the best security system the State could afford to put on the property to work in tandem with it. They'd only stepped that up in the past week or two, and I had time allocated over the next week to help with the continued additions to those protective spells alongside Doctor Fate. Training as well, because it would be bloody well nice to be able to learn something rather than running about like a lunatic fighting monsters and demons. Considering all the things rearing their ugly head on this crapsaccharine deathworld of late expanding my spellbook's repertoire was a pleasant thought to have as I walked through the nicely remodelled doorway.

This part of the school was a bit faux Victorian and a bit too pretentious for my liking, the wallpaper and wooden finishes over the runes, spell-work, and sigils on the walls certainly gave that look in the entrance hallway. Thankfully passing through the, largely empty for now, main hall into the cafeteria was a much more 'giant rural pub' feel with his plasterwork and old knick-knacks on the walls giving a more homely vibe given off in my view. There were a few students here, one's who'd either elected to stay here and study on a Saturday or like the one sitting beside my own apprentice, waving me over to them, had opted to stay here on a more permanent basis. Strolling over to the two I returned Gemma's wave, hoping into the nicely cushioned seat that her pink haired companion kick-pushed towards me.

"Hey, you're both here earlier than I figured"

"Or you're just late? Maybe that's the reason hmm? Hhhhmm?" Jinx tsked back at me, Gemma nodding in agreement. I gave a snort of amusement, resisting the urge to roll my eyes as I took the stand with the menu off the table. Bit over much for a school cafeteria, but the staff were as much security and barmaids than would be the place in a normal school or college. Certainly people didn't take your order at the table when I'd been in school, or college...or most places like that I'd attended till now...as the smiling woman did for me a few moments before I reply to either Pinky or my apprentice.

"You do know I am your teacher right? Will be anywho, so respect, where's my respect!"

"Teaching assistant actually, haven't made the grade yet now have we? Hmm?" Pinky replied folding arms across her chest and giving a grin at me "...but, you'll get it, when you're teaching us magic powers and cool stuff like that. Right now you're not, so, No..."

She paused "But you've got most of my respect, more than few others. Did Professor Finn rrreealllyyyy sell his soul for wine?"

Gemma huffed, raising her hands and gesticulating wildly them in the air "I'm not making it up! Uncle John told me!"

"Uncle John should shut his bloody mouth when he's drunk..." I muttered before sighing "...but yeah. Really good wine apparently, but yes, and that's why we've *what not to do in magic* and *contract law* as planned course fundamentals. So kids, don't do drugs and don't sell your soul for booze...or anything really. Be better than our current generation...it's not really that hard let's be honest, so I've high expectations for both of you..." I glanced around and coming up nil "...and Timothy too, wasn't he supposed to be with you actually?"

Gemma shrugged, now seemingly content she'd won whatever contest or argument she and the other girl had going on "Tim'll be along soon, he's off in the library reading everything in sight. If he doesn't come soon we'll have to drag him from there kicking and screaming probably..." she nudged pink hair "...oh, and Jinx wants ask you something?"

I glanced at Pinky who huffed now, elbowing Gemma back before folding her arms across her chest again, but looking mildly embarrassed for whatever reason. Getting no response after a few moments of silence I glanced from to the other and gave a helpless shrug "Hmmm?"

My own apprentice rolled her eyes, elbowing the other again gently while silent expressions and gestures were exchange between then before Gemma threw her hands up in the air "Oh come on! Oight, Banana Boy wants come over here ta see 'er, or she see 'im, an' she wanna ask get permission cuz he's a big feckin girl's blouse an' afraid ta ask"

"Kay..." I frowned as Pinky gave another huff of indignation and I tried figure out what this was out "...Banana Boy?"

"Kid Flash, ya know dresses al in yellow, said magic weren't real"

"Ahhhh...O...Kay" I answered rubbing the back of head "...pretty sure he acknowledges magic is real these days, hasn't brought it up anyway with me or Z"

After all it kind of hard to deny its existence in our line of business though I had to acknowledge it wasn't like me and Wallace were exactly best of friends beyond getting on reasonably well as teammates. Hadn't picked up on this anyway "Sooo, what, you want me invite him over or something?"

"No dummy..." my apprentice replied matter of factly "...luik ask your super-duper friends come and see the place like you said before. Cuz we were gonna go see'em luik last time, but Uncle John did...whatever he did an' ye won't tell us...an' now we can't, luik, do that now"

"I'll...try do that, right..." I answered awkwardly, as it wasn't exactly the easiest thing to arrange. Not since it'd only been a day since the healing on Speedy, with checkup tomorrow evening, and we'd got Atlanteans still staying in Dublin Hotels. Then again I could just try arrange a visit for them here and invite the Team along as well "...ok. And you don't want go..."

Jinx sneered "My Dad, now I'm, ya'know, gettin' rewarded and might make something of my life, suddenly wants me home. Nope, nah, not gonna happen. So stayin' here or anywhere not near home till I'm sure he can't find a court send me back. So can't really just hop on a plane an' fly back States side now can I? Here am' a hero, there am' a runaway now aren't I?"

"Ah, yeah, sorry, understandable" I answered watching as my ever present shadow Paula came over towards me apparently having ended her break in the security room to join us "...well, I'll try me best for that and put a request in"

"Good, an where's Cassie? With her Mom?"

"Nah, she's outside playing with Téfé and a few other kids, while Miss Sandsmark herself I assume having a nap or something similar since she was seemingly feeling unwell earlier on"

Being made a teacher on staff helped keep her content with the fact she was also somewhat under quasi-house arrest for fear of attacks upon her to get at her daughter. Cassandra had so much potential, and with magic coming back, Hell being aggressive, and her associated with SHIELD and me it was for the best. At least for the moment, till we got a clearer picture of any retaliation coming at us, or the extent of the damage Constantine's abduction, and new daughter's arrival, had caused we were all defensive assets. Thankfully since all these ridiculous crisis had started hammering home week after bloody SHIELD actually had an expanding staff, and experts like Nabu and Blood, to actually make it work.

Lucky really, since vampires were about in Gotham; enough to get the US Army *finally* sent into the city to restore order and deal with them, and all the super-villain idiots trying to make a try of things now the Justice League was dealing with aftermaths of Gotham and Star City. Oh, and then there were the alien spaceships in orbit because of the aftermath of the baby-eating starfish monsters attack too...far too much going on really. The sooner we got people trained up to defend themselves here, and got not stupid and/or crazy laws in place to deal with the changing world, the better in humble opinion; least then I wouldn't be the first line of 'attack hell!' when things reared their ugly heads. I nodded in greeting as Paula took a seat beside me, giving a friendly gesture in greeting to Gemma and her friend as she did so.

"Indeed she did..." Paula stated "...but it was just tiredness, she takes her new responsibilities very seriously after all, and she was preparing a lesson plan in the staff room when I left security"

"Yeah, joys of starting a school mid-way through the school year and adjusting as we go I guess. Thankfully I'm only a part-time teacher right now"

"A lowly Teaching assistant" I was corrected and rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever Pinky. Magic superpowers are yours for the taking if I teach you, so be nice..."

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