4975/Germination: I've Got News for You

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Germination: I've Got News for You
Date of Scene: 21 July 2018
Location: Hall of Justice, Metropolis
Synopsis: John Constantine visits the Hall of Justice. He drops some knowledge and doesn't loot the trophy room... this time.
Cast of Characters: Constantine, Zatanna Zatara, Superman




Constantine has posed:
The message from John was cryptic and hurried it read:

John >> Hey Zee, this number still work? Anyhow got news for your friends in tights, want to meet me at their clubhouse so they don't give me the bum's rush.

Regardless of the answer, John, in desperate need of a shower, spotted with blood and smelling like a dive bar's khazi, presents himself at the Hall of Justice. Taking a swig from the flask in his pocket before digging around in his coat for his smokes. In all he looks like he's at the far end of a week long bender.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Zatanna swallows a feeling of irritated inconvenience and responds to John's text with '5 min.' She can only assume that if John Constantine is bothering to text her about this, he's already there and not looking to set an appointment for next week.

And five minutes from that response, Zatanna is outside the Hall of Justice. She's not a full-time member of the League, so she doesn't have to show up in a costume. She's wearing all black, a bodysuit and tight jeans, with magickal charms John would recognize worn as jewelry. She's got style capable of warding demons. "What's up, Constantine?" Zatanna says, sounding like she already doesn't want to know. "I sent a message to the other Leaguers, you know, the ones who actually do this stuff on a full-time basis. So don't get skittery if Green Lantern pops in or something."

Superman has posed:
Kal had gotten the message while at his desk at the Daily Planet. He offered some excuse about meeting a source to get out of his afternoon meeting and was on his way. It was not often that Zatanna called, so he was curious what she had to say. It is not long before he lands at the Hall and goes in search of Zatanna.

Constantine has posed:
John finds his pack of Silk Cuts and pulls it from his coat. "Good to see you too, Zee," he says, knocking loose a cigarette. "Wasn't sure you'd take my call."

To be honest in his current foggy state, he wasn't sure if he'd pissed Zee off last time they'd talked but it was usually a safe bet.

"Green Lantern, huh? You two compare magic jewelry?" he quips as he puts the ciggy in his mouth and lights it with a flame from his finger tip, not bothering to dig up his lighter.

"As to what I'm here for, you feel that disturbance in the astral plane the other night? Well, I found the source of it. Figured the cape and tights crowd might want the skinny."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Zatanna rolls her eyes at the magic jewelry joke, and sets her hands on her hips. She has the look of a woman who's ready to pivot on one heel and walk away at a moment's notice. John Constantine probably knows this look very well by now, specifically coming from Zee.

"I felt it," Zatanna says. "The skinny? Yeah. Of course we want it. Are you just giving it up, though, or is this one of those quid-pro-quo situations, John...?"

Superman has posed:
Kal walks into the lobby and can hear conversation just outside the Hall. He walks past the murals to the doors and steps outside. His brow furrows when he sees Zatanna, hands on her hips, standing talking to someone whose smell will be memorable. He takes in John at a glance and stops beside Zatanna, his cape settling around him.

"Is everything alright?"

Constantine has posed:
That look is very familiar, and John draws an X over his heart, "Cross my heart, I'm here for more than shits and giggles," he says hoping that'd be enough to get her to stick around long enough for his news.

He takes a drag off his cigarette, pushing a hand through the blonde tangles with his other hand.

"Nah, this one is personal, you lot, do for the thing that caused that stir, I'd call it square," he says, before he re-thinks and adds, "On the other hand wouldn't say no to the League owing me a favour."

Then Superman arrives and John fairly boggles, for a brief moment. "You mentioned the Green Lantern, Zee, didn't expect we'd pull Big Blue."

He offers his hand to Superman. "Name's Constantine, came bearing news for you lot, if you've a mind to listen."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Zatanna smiles when the most famous hero on the planet approaches. "Superman!" she says. "This is John Constantine. He's a magician. We run in the same circles sometimes. If he comes in past the lobby, do inventory on the trophy room."

Zatanna doesn't get into the idea of the League owing John a favor. She probably figures that he'd try to call it in later no matter what, so no need to negotiate now. "There was an... event, I guess, a disruption, on the astral plane. John says he's got information on what caused it. And if he's coming to US instead of just sewing it up himself, it's probably gonna be pretty heinous and dangerous."

Zatanna claps a hand on Superman's shoulder. "That's why we're the Justice League, though, right?" She winks. It's possible that she might be trying to irritate John.

Superman has posed:
Kal shakes John's hand. "Please to meet you, Mr. Constantine," he says, trying not to breathe through his nose. "We always try to keep an open mind."

Then he smiles gamely at Zatanna's quip. "We're here to help," he agrees diplomatically. "I don't know much about magic, but if you keep it simple I'm sure I will follow along, with a little help from Ms. Zatara."

Constantine has posed:
There is a "Heh," at the notion he might lift something out of the trophy room. Though he doesn't deny it either. Who knows what might come in handy in his line of work!

This time John is rolling his eyes, when Zee needles him some. "Right, bully for you lot in the long underwear," he says, before shaking hands with Superman.

"Sorry about the smell, long night," he remarks.

Then it's down to business. "So, what Zee said, there was a distruption in the astral plane the other night, a nasty one. See, the astral plane it's partly a pychic realm touching on the thoughts of well, everyone," He gives Zee a shrug at the kindergarten explanation of the astral plane, what can you do with muggles in the room, right? He carries on: "And as long as the number of minds stays stable, the plane is too. 'Cept the other night, something big broke into the astral plane, and dragged thousands of minds along with it, if you want to call them minds, the animal chittering buggers that they were. Set everything off kilter so bad, everyone who's sensitive to it, could feel it."

He pauses and takes a drag of his smoke.

"Anyhow, point is, I think the thing that broke through was one of those fungus things and it dragged the rest of them on in with him."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Zatanna doesn't seem to take issue with the simplified explanation of the astral plane. She's also fairly sure Superman already knows what it is, but getting into a whole thing about that isn't in anyone's interests right now.

Zatanna frowns, the more John goes on. If what he's saying is true, then she was right: it's going to be a heinous, dangerous mess the League gets to help clean up. "You think," she responds, carefully, "or you KNOW?"

Superman has posed:
Kal looks between the two as John talks, taking in Zatanna's reaction. He crosses his arms and looks thoughtful. But he is attentive, waiting for John's reply. Truth be told, he is very happy Zatanna is here right now, because he would not want to try to make sense of this without her.

Constantine has posed:
"Know," John clarifies. "They'd left the plane by the time I went looking but I found their echo, followed it down to where it started."

He pales slightly at the memory and the hand holding the cigarette shakes for a heartbeat before he takes a drag. The images that flashed through his mind at the heart of that echo left him little doubt.

"If you want, take a look in my mind, warn you though, it's not pretty," he says. "Anyhow, like I said, I followed it back as far as I could, don't know where the one that dragged them into the plane is exactly, but I know it's in Mexico."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Zatanna wrinkles her nose at the thought of entering Constantine's mind. "I'll take your word for it," she says. The sorceress turns to Superman: "So, Mexico. Not TOO tough a search, huh? Especially if Flash is on hand."

Superman has posed:
Kal's interest really seems piqued when John mentions Mexico. He regards the man carefully for a moment.

"I think Flash will be very helpful, and so will a certain psychic I know," he agrees with Zatanna. "Tell me more about what you saw, Mr. Constantine. What is this... mind... like?"

Constantine has posed:
"Handy having a speedster around no doubt, pizza always gets here hot," John quips lightly as he butts out his cig on a nearby 'no smoking' sign.

As to the mind. "It was alien," he pauses with a faint smirk for Kal. "Not like you, inhuman, just a driving will and a chorus of chittering echoes shouting back in response. Maddening stuff. But if you've a psychic they might be able to home in better, God help 'em."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Zatanna frowns. None of that sounds good, on any level. She also has to spare a thought for any psychic they make come into contact with what Constantine describes. "They didn't happen to chitter their mortal weakness at you, did they? I know you have a way of getting people to confide those in you, for some reason..."

Superman has posed:
"Anything else you know could be very helpful, Mr. Constantine. Even if it seems trivial," he agrees.

Constantine has posed:
John takes a moment to think, closing his eyes and breathing slow, he opens them after a couple of seconds, "Nothing more than that, was only dealing with echoes not the real deal," a smile for Zee. "Couldn't work my usual charms on 'em."

Then more seriously. "Seein' as the big one dragged the rest into the plane with 'em. I'd say their link is good and strong. Meaning if you take out the big one, it's going to hurt the rest. Like as not that door swings both ways, so if you've got a psychic mad enough, just about any stalk could lead you back to the big one."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Zatanna hooks her thumbs in the pockets of her jeans, and exhales. It's going to be a tall order, but it can happen. And as far as she KNOWS, John has no reason to set them up for a trap. Unless he's one of the mushroom people... but no, that probably isn't the case. Zee hopes.

"Thanks, John," Zatanna says, sounding awfully sincere about it. "This helps. A lot."

Superman has posed:
Kal nods. "It does help," Kal agrees. "And fits with some other things we've learned about the fungus." He holds out his hand to John again. "Thank you, Mr. Constantine. If you see anything else, please let us know."

Constantine has posed:
John gives a proper smile at Zee's thanks, "I do what I can," he says before becoming more serious. "Just make sure you get the bastards for me, their little stunt with the astral plane did some damage."

He shakes Kal's hand. "You're welcome. But 'less I see it in my dreams like to miss it. Going to head home for a shower then passing out for the next thirty years."

Though, John being John, him stumbling over a clue on the way to his nap wasn't impossible.

He focuses inwards for a moment pulling on the subtle tether on his soul that linked him to the House of Mystery and an old door, looking like it belonged to the Addam's Family house appears on a nearby wall. "Going to take my leave, now, 'spect you've got superheroing to do, but if you need me, Zee's got my number."

He heads for the door.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Once Constantine leaves, Zee turns to Superman: "I wasn't kidding about the trophy room, by the way. Don't let him in there. Like ever."