[14th April 2011]

[Wizard's Sanctum, Off the Quays, Dublin City, Republic of Ireland, Pocket Dimension, Earth-16]

"...why I'm telling both of you, and expect ye to keep yer gobs shut; Right?"

"Okay/Fine" echoed back from my Apprentice and Familiar respectively in response to my informing them of the delegation visiting the School tomorrow. Supposedly in secret, but certain people needed to be warned, and that meant Gemma and Maria on my side; especially since Zatanna knew, and she'd be blabbing to them after the event anyway. It also went a ways towards explaining to them why I was putting protective wards on them to handle scrying and technological equivalents.

"Just remember, most of them are going to be like Kid Flash was at the start with dealing magic"

Gemma huffed in irritation "Why are they coming here?"

I shrugged "Because someone in the Irish government is really trying to get some sort of deal, Director Waller wants to show off international something, and, probably, because it's a SHIELD facility with maximum protections that doesn't scream it's a maximum security facility. Fun times, feck I'm even having to show up as myself since it's the school"

'Also, it doesn't reveal the very secret Tropico base, or have us using a Justice League facility...because that would give them a big say in things' I didn't say despite being true. There weren't many SHIELD facilities after all, and even less that we didn't want prospective enemies getting a good look at; here was a less likely target and was, mostly, publicly known about already. It was also the best place to sit down and talk with a potential divine caster, or spontaneous sorcerer that thought she was one, while having immediate access to the less dangerous magic tomes and teachers. I waved it off.

"Whatever, they're going through screening now and they'll be there tomorrow, which is thankfully a Saturday, so not too bad. Seems they've sent over youngins' this time around along with team dress like robots. We're all trying to be super friendly to each other now, so be nice if you get caught on the spoke. That would be you, in particular, Maria, my murderous little ball of hellfire as I really had to fight hard so you get a normal life for things like this"

Both hands made a thumbs-up gesture on John Constantine's demonic daughter, even if the cheerful tone wasn't overly encouraging "Aight, you got it me glorious Mass-tah! Best Fam evaaar here"

"Fam?" I muttered, shaking my head "And please don't try sounding like a valley girl. You're too liverpudlian for that"

[Fine!] the huffing mental whine came to my mind as she sat back on her hands "Now, aren't ya gonna teach anything or jus' tell us how responsible yer gonna be?"

"Yeah John, teaching time!" her cousin, and my Apprentice piped up in agreement, ganging up on me "I'm hungry, and it's dark outside already!"

"Heavens, you're both so demanding" I replied with a sigh, then opening the spellbook before me "Well, then, Gemma we're going to teach you how to arcanely lock a door, window, and other such things with this handy spell. Maria, we are going to test out me cast a spell through our Master-Familiar Bond, so that you actually target the spell I'm casting. Oh, and me try and make use of your heritage to draw upon hellfire in some small measures. I don't expect immediate success, but if we practice now we won't have difficulties in the heat of battle when, well, when such hesitation or spell failures can lead to bad things like death or serious injury"

--

[15th April 2011]

[Saint Columba's College, Ballyvourney, County Cork, Republic of Ireland, Earth-16]

I didn't have to greet our guests at the entrance at least, that was for Security and Doctor Fate to handle, and ensure there wasn't any unexpected complications from them. Perhaps it was because my Patron was somewhat...well, acting in self-interest here and now, and had likely communicated as much to Doctor Fate as to myself. Which right now meant that this Earth-Bet had a serious, nay existential, danger in the background, and that this girl was very much what she said was; though I'd still have to confirm in person, and see what training was needed.

So here I was in the 'restaurant' of the school ensuring there was refreshments, and coffee, good quality coffee, along with drinks to ensure everyone was happy while I met my faith's newest priestess. Oh, and babysat Zatanna, even if she would never let me call it that, as she hovered about me asking questions, and generally trying to find out about what I might know. Her dear auld Da had told her just enough to get her interested, along with a general 'don't get involved' statement; sometimes I wondered if Zatara even grasped what sent his daughter into 'curiosity' mode like this. 'Stay away from John Fortune' meant Zee was likely going to be at me all day, and trying to sneak in with Artemis tonight to my Sanctum to find out more.

"Come on now Zee, patience..." I instructed her a few minutes, my tasks complete, and grabbing a hot mug of coffee for myself "...they're on their way, and you'll get a play by play later. Thanks for your help by the way, your help was appreciated"

"And rewarded with more information on other Earth?"

I gave a huff at her playful punch at my side, easily catching her wrist, then chucking at her pout "Now, now, you'll get told later, and really? Slow and obvious"

"Hmph!" was the reply as she came up against me and...well, it was probably meant to be a ribbing, but it was more pushing up against me "Don't make me use my magic mister!"

"Git, now git I say!" I replied letting go her arm, putting my hand on her back and patting as if to shove her "Work and study to be done didn't you say?"

"Spoilsport!" was the pouting answer, but she moved away, acting like it was just another set of guests being brought in for the tour incoming rather than people from the other Earth. I just shook my head as I strolled over and sat at the table in the 'private booths' waiting on the problem to come. Georgina Snow came over to join me a few seconds later, the little group of foreigners making their way through the main doors, and our resident MI5 secret agent greeting them with me. Of course she gave off a very friendly and 'positive' impression in her white dress, and I was...well, I was John Fortune today officially; all dressed in my 'teaching assistant' civilian garb.

"Stand, sit, stand, sit, up again" I muttered to myself as the brief moment to relax ended almost soon as it'd begun as Huntress gestured at us from across the room. Miss Snow chuckled softly at that, rising more gracefully than I, as we both walked from the table greet our 'guests'.

"No rest for the wicked Mr. Fortune"

I gave a snort at that "Apparently not. I've fallen in with bad company of late it seems"

"Heh, yes your mentor would count as that"

I ignored the further verbal jab, sighing as the large, colourfully clad, party was escorted into the largely empty canteen/restaurant of our fair establishment. For some reason I could not yet grasp they'd brought the Youth Team, and for all their 'Capes Identities are Verboten' three of them were with any disguises and had their civilian identity known on other Earth as Nieces and Aunt. Also the Party Lawyer too, and maybe it because I'd encountered Glory Girl and Panacea in the hospital on the other side of the portal. Minimise the numbers encountering us maybe? Put forward a friendly face?

"...and this is John Fortune..." did Mister Zatara just sigh? "...High Priest of the Shrouded Lord of Nishrek"

"The Herald" Smirky McBlondeFace announced and now I sighed, rubbing the bridge of my nose "...that right Fellow Priest?"

"Right, she's one of ours. Great" I replied straightening up "Sold your soul for power and knowledge, eh?"

"It was a good deal!" came the reply from Tattletale as the others looked on, her arm coming up "Hi Five!"

"Fine" I slammed her hand with my own "Hi Five. Welcome to the club, we have cookies"

My now colleague grinned "Dark Side cookies?"

"Multiversal memes, all fun and game...by the power of the Shrouded Lord" I chuckled, then blinked at the others looking at me, us, in that way that indicated confusion. Beyond the exasperated look on Mr. Zatara's face, and a 'I recognise that phrase' on the face of the white and gold clad Glory Girl "...oh, yeah. Hello! I'm John Fortune, nice to meet you again, I'm otherwise known as Tim the Enchanter, High Priest of the Shrouded Lord"

"I thought you were taller...and older...outside the disguise"

I frowned at the other, super-empowered, blonde who was getting a firm glance from her sister and aunt if I judge correctly as I glanced at 'Armsmaster' and 'Alexandria' as they were called "Uh-huh, but yeah, okay. I'm confirming for official correspondence that, yes, she is a Cleric, I can feel it from here, though I want to have a talk with her first about how exactly this happened"

"This is his, umm...his..." Tattletale in her purple black started to say as I glanced at her, watching her frown, then shrugged "...actual identity, not the fake one he gave us"

I resisted a groan, nodding "Aye, under orders. Open and transparent, and hence why you signed those legal disclaimers"

Not that they had any practical impact on another Earth, but it was someone's idea of a fig leaf as the woman with Superman's effective powerset [but at least the brains to wear a helmet, not just a glamour] looked me up and down "You are younger than we had believed"

"I get that sometimes..." I replied glancing at Georgina Snow and the minders "...now, I do believe I need to talk to someone here and see about explaining how this faith and magic thing works"

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