synthneon | · CALL ME OUT (WINTER) ·

[ How ironic that the Constantine line then would eventually be entangled with a family line that was about saving innocent creatures and protecting them. Karma, somewhere, is having a laugh.

Bruce nods to what she says. He puts his hands on her arms and gives them a gentle rub. Bruce Wayne may have been the playboy, but anyone who works for him would say he cares more about his fellow man than anyone they'd know. Charities, money being placed into systems to help people, doing everything he could to keep up what his parents started. It's made him more than a few enemies in certain circles. ]

Yeah... there's, something very bad happening back home right now. [ He turns his head as he hears the television shut off. Alfred, a step ahead. ] Alfred--

'Don't worry, Master Wayne. I'm already going.' [ The elder man smiles and nods to Rosie as he walks up and past the two. ] 'Miss Rosie.'

[ Then the elder man is gone through the doorway she has come from. Down the metal stairs. The lights turn on as the he descends. ]

'Master Constantine?'

[ Bruce, meanwhile, turns his attention back to Rosie. ] We'll hang up your coat and make sure you have a nice place to sit down. Your father told you who I am?

[ Oh, somewhere, John hopes that bastard is spinning in his grave. A hand short, of course. Then again, he did try to send both John and a young Pooka to Hell, so that would be a nice way of him having to spend all of eternity. Karma should laugh it up in front of him, that'd be a sight.

The gentle rub of her arms makes her bottom lip tremble even more. She's shaking a little all over now, adrenaline wearing down in the aftermath. She nods when Bruce mentions something bad happening earns a soft, frightened gasp. ]

'Papa said to close my eyes but---there were flying monsters. They made horrible noises.'

[ John, having managed to get his wits about him enough to stand, has headed to where he knows there's first aid to be had. He's not daft enough to go rifling through when help is certainly on the way. Blimey, his ears are still ringing, might have blown an eardrum maybe? Shit. ]

Don't start with all that Master business, eh? Rosie, ok? Don't---don't let her come down and see us like this.

[ He managed to get the coat off and out of the way, likely ruined.

Rosie reaches out a grime-covered hand to grip onto his shirt in a small fist. Reaching up, she rubs at a cheek that smudges the tear tracks. Humming a little, her cheeks puff as she blows out a shaking breath. ] 'You're Uncle Bruce. Said if we got separated to hide and you'd find me.'

[ Bruce nods to what she says, motioning for her to take her coat off. He gently takes it from her hold, standing and taking her hand to move her to the living room. ]

I have a friend that might be able to help explain the flying monsters. [ He helps her up onto the couch. Not that she needs the help, but, it's done to show her that he's with her. He kneels down beside her again. A hand comes up to hold hers. ] Uncle, huh? Well, I haven't had someone call me that before. I'm guessing that's why your father sent me this.

[ Bruce holds up the matching bracelet to hers. ] I don't think it looks as good on me as it does you.

[ Alfred scoffs at John's comments. He walks over to where the man has hold himself up at, taking his own coat off and rolling up his sleeves. War and Bruce Wayne himself have made him a expert at treating wounds. ]

'Master Wayne is handling your daughter. As I imagine so will be Miss Prince once she joins us. She was speaking with Master Wayne before you two arrived.' [ Alfred motions for him to take a seat. ] 'Now, let's get you presentable to Miss Rose. Shrapnel, by chance?'

[ It takes her a little longer than usual, but she gets out of her coat to give it to him. She's holding tight to his hand as they go into the living room. Despite being a bit dirty, her pajamas are still mostly okay, even if her shoes are tracking a bit of mud. ]

I don't like them. They were bad. [ Yes, Constantine told her to close her eyes, but kids will be kids. They rarely listen to such advice, even from those closest to them. But then she's distracted by getting picked up and lifted up onto the couch. It separates their hands again but then she settles once he's holding hers, curling her fingers to hold tight as she nods. ]

'So you could find me in my hiding place.'

[ His comment earns a little giggle and she reaches out to touch the other bracelet. When she does, they both glow warmly.] 'It changes if you need it to. Different for other people.'

[ Brace yourself, Bruce, cause she's going to demonstrate if she isn't stopped. And trying to put that shiny little bangle on him now. If she gets that far, it'll take on a more muted tone that suits his overall look. ]

Good, yeah. [ He hisses out a breath as he makes his way over to sit. Face screwed up as he tries to find a position that doesn't hurt, he eventually just gives up and leans forward, easing some of the pressure on his lungs. He offers a hum that turns into a cough. ] Think so, got through the coat. Pretty sure my eardrum is busted.

Some kind of explosion.

Things that want to hurt others usually aren't.

[ He squeezes her hand back and looks down at the two bracelets. So, he was Constantine's contingency plan. Clever. He'll give silent points to the other man for that. Also, wondering waht exactly he did to earn such trust from the other man. Anyone who truly knew what was going on knew how he was involved with the Death of Superman. ]

Meaning I could make it into a really expensive looking watch?

[ Not that he's expecting her to show off - even if he thinks she will. Bruce needs to see what she is even minutely capable of. It's the only way he can have an idea of how to protect her.

Alfred watches how the man walks. It's certainly a major wound, but he doubts it life threatening. He comes to stand beside the man and looks him over through the glasses. ]

'You've been cut open. Possibly by glass or some metal. No wood splinters... you certainly know how to bang yourself up, Master Constantine.' [ Alfred sighs. ] 'You'll need to remove your shirt, sir. Not to worry, Master Wayne has plenty to spare. In the mean time,'

[ Alfred hands him wipe to clean the side of his face with. ]

[ Hope Bruce isn't planning on getting an apology or somesuch out of him for that. He's not planning on offering one regardless. It wasn't his first contingency plan but if the other one fell through (with them leaving and it has for the moment with him hurt as he is) this is what he knew he could trust.

Who he knew he could trust.

Though she doesn't have much to guide off except the watch he's already wearing, she nods and focuses, the bracelet changing to mimic the other accessory. While John wouldn't want her doing too much, especially unsupervised, if it helps to soothe her in the moment it's nothing to worry so much over. ] Want to see another trick?

[ If he could've avoided it, he would have. He barely managed to get them out as it is. He doesn't want to think about the other poor bastards not lucky enough. That's when it finally starts to sink in. London's gone.

London's gone. ]

Oh, well, you know me. Have to go all in. [ He starts to shift out of his shirt, still only in his sleep clothes so it's just the t-shirt and some soft pajama bottoms. After a hiss as he slowly tugs it off, he takes the cloth and start to clean up the side of his face. ] Ta for that.

I think we should keep the tricks down to a minimum. We don't want your father coming up and scolding you. [ He raises his eyebrows with a smile. He takes off the rather expensive watch and replaces it with the one she just morphed. The expensive one is held out to her as a gift. ]

We'll keep this between us.

[ Alfred scoffs at the idea of that. Oh, he's certain that Constantine always goes all in. Which is why he is a particular kind of trouble. Not to mention, a father. Perhaps he could nudge Bruce in the right direction. ]

'Right,' [ the butler glances up at him as he grabs the first aid kit and gets to work cleaning the area, ] 'I don't suppose you have another step in your plan? You may be free from London, but, this will hardly be a place for Miss Rosie. Master Wayne and Miss Diana are very intent on starting the team. Especially now.'

Okay. [ A small smile and a nod as she takes the watch from him. She fiddles with it, little fingers running over the face. ]

I'm good at secrets.

[ Then again, she would be. She's her parent's child.

John tenses, focusing on his breathing a moment when Alfred starts to clean up the cut on his back. From the space he's going over, it's decent-sized. Fantastic. He hums as he thinks. ]

Might do, Al. Not sure what I've got to work with after all that but I'm sure I'm grounded here for a while. [His plan was taking shape, it wasn't ready to put into practice yet. It's why he had sent the bracelet to Bruce. Just in case. ]

I would hope so. Your father and mother are some of the best secret keepers out there. Almost as good as me.

[ John was able to keep the fact that he was married out of the eyes of Batman. It's impressive to say the least. The Sanctuary Network... that's not so much of a secret. Though, Bruce can thank his father for that.

Alfred is muttering something under his breath about men who run themselves too dry to care for themselves. Something more aimed at Master Wayne than John himself. ]

'I'm sure Master Wayne can help you find a place to 'bunker down', as it were. Unless you already have one here in Gotham?'

[ Rosie beams a little at that. She knows how special her parents are, even if papa doesn't always see it. She knows that Uncle Bruce and Auntie Di would have to be very special for papa to trust them as he does.

John was very careful to cover his tracks incredibly well when it came to his family. There are things that can't be planned for easily that would come looking if he didn't. Time will tell if those things are worse than what is currently knocking on the cosmic door.

Constantine hears the muttering but doesn't comment on it. He'll allow Alfred to fuss, even if it only is to ease his daughter's worry in the end. ]

I'm sure I can manage to find something but this is short notice even for me.

[ Which means he needs time. He's not sure what "friends" he still has in this town. ]

· CALL ME OUT (WINTER) ·

❄️ WINTER

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