The demon-siblings, assassin and warlock stepped through a portal, dragging along an individual clothed in pure white. Funnily enough, they happened to walk in to the middle of an improvised meeting of several key JLA members- Batman included. That was just their luck.

"Robin, what-"

The Boy Wonder broke of his father's demand with a curt, "We'll explain later."

"Constantine?", Superman frowned, receiving a nod and raised eyebrow in greeting.

By this point, taking in to account the 'prisoner' that was being marched over to the corner of the room (he would be expected to stand there, prisoners did not deserve sofas) and the fact that the demons and Constantine were involved, Batman came to the conclusion that this was a magical thing. Studying the captured individual as he walked, Bruce noted the formality in his posture as well as the condescension in his glances towards his captors. The man's hair was unnerving pale- like platinum, far lighter that Constantine's ragged locks- only serving to complement the creamy beige of his eyes, whose hold flecks sparked in the meeting room's white lighting. This person was not human, not that it came as a surprise when one kept company like the Batman did.

With the porcelain-white man planted in the corner, The Flash made the first step towards finding out what the holy heck had happened, "What's going on? I can't be the only person who doesn't get it."

Ever simplifying the situation, Batman said, "Explain."

They happened to find them in these 'explanation situations' all too often, Damian, Raven and Adyn. Something happened, something the League didn't know about or needed clarification on, and they'd find themselves juggling the task of explaining themselves to the Justice League without giving away too much information. Damian and Raven hadn't wanted the JLA to weigh in in the situation with the Light Council, but it was inevitable that they would have to be included: there was only so much time they could hold the League off for after the attack on the Hall of Justice. Now, they had Constantine. He was damn good at dealing with authority in that easy, 'I-don't-give-a-shit-because-I'm-fucking-badass' kind of way. Plus there was a mutual-respect between him and the League (Batman in particular: John Constantine was quite a fan of the Bat) which may have been aided by the fact that the demon hunter was an adult. Lantern or Batman or The Flash or Wonderwoman (or the numerous others in the League -though Aquaman had been absent for a while, and Shazam was...otherwise occupied-) could not condescend Constantine as both an adult and a powerful warlock.

As a side note, it is important to recognise the differences between a witch, mage, sorcerer (or sorceress) and warlock. Witches, creatures born with the ability to wield magic given training and conditioning yet unable to wield raw magic- the least powerful of the four. Mages, varied in ability depending on experience, an entire race in their own with extreme power given time and conditioning. Sorcerers and their female counterparts, similar to mages but of any possible species, holding the ability to perform great magic, yet needing conditioning to hone their raw abilities. Warlocks, on the other hand, beings born of magic, with it running through their veins, capable of channeling large amounts of energy at will, though able to perfect the magical arts. Some species did blur the lines though: demons, for instance, all possessed some degree of heat/fire control, but few were born with great, raw magical power (though some basic gifts were fairly common). It was a lucky thing that demons lived as telling as they did- skilled magical practitioners were valuable.
And batteries were mentioned previously.

Swiftly reverting back to the situation in the Hall of Justice, Constantine had concluded his explanation of the prior events (Raven had filled him in on the situation whilst they had waited for the leader of the Light Council division to awaken in the shop) and managed to do so in a commendable minute and three seconds. By the end of his offhand recount, the warlock gave the handful of JLA members a smirking grin.

"Now, how's about we pop on down to one of the interrogation rooms yonder and take that geaser with us,", Constantine nodded in the direction on the Light Councilman standing like a scolded child in the corner, "Come watch if you like- I don't reckon this little meeting was too important,", he grinned at Bruce, "Batman ain't got that look on his face yet.

Barry scratched the back of his head, "I'm down.", he shrugged at the other Leaguers. "I'm guessing this is gonna link with the magic-dome-thing we were speaking about."

After a general consensus had been established (during which Batman brooded in the middle of Superman and Cyborg; Hal listened to the few comments between Barry and Diana; and the newcomers observed the discussion) Constantine was shown the way to an interrogation room by Cyborg. It was unobtrusively placed behind a conventional metal door in the hallway -not that he needed to be shown the way-  the captured magician  trudging along in front of Adyn. Hal followed too, leaving the others to sort their shit out. Finalising their makeshift sub-meeting in the other room, Batman, Wonderwoman, the Flash and Superman exited the screens that had previously displayed the information they were reviewing: a spike in alien or other power within the vicinity, resulting in the invisible protective bubble around the Hall to flicker in and out of existence.

Entering the room in due course, Batman strode forward, standing besides his son. Damian didn't look to his father, instead, continued facing forwards. The both of them stood in silence, observing Constantine and Adyn walking in to the room through the one-way window, their faces shrouded in shadows. The rustling of the rest finding space inside the adjoining room (to the one the prisoner was in) disturbed the silence required to hear the interrogation.

Bruce's lips barely moved.

"You're coming with me."

His son's tone was as unaffected as the boy could manage, given the emotional strength required to keep from exploding at his father.

"For what reason?"

"I'll explain later."

"When?"

"I'll explain later."

Robin's head turned to the side, eyes widening for a fraction of a moment as he realised that his eyes were almost at the height of his father's. Talk about a growth spurt. Within the brightened room, Constantine had begun calmly demanding answers from the Light magician, receiving little in the way of cooperation. Damian payed it no mind- Raven would fill him in on the most crucial parts, besides the fact that he'd learnt long ago to divide his attention.

Careful to not attract too much attention from the Leaguers, Damian muttered, "It cannot wait until they've finished with him?"

Batman shifted his eyes, "It's being recorded, and I'll assume that your friends", the word rolled off his tongue in a chillingly challenging manner, "will fill you in."

Amber speckled the electric green as Damian narrowed his eyes, "They will likely need both myself and Raven."

Voice still deadly calm, Batman said, "For what? There is not chance of endangerment with so many watching and ready to help. What use are you in this situation?"

Amber threatened to overrule the green.

"Clearly you know nothing about my standing in he situation!", that had come out a slight bit louder than Damian had intended, and the look on his father's face spelled trouble.

Robin had given him exactly what e wanted.

"Which is exactly why we're leaving. Now.", Batman's eyes thinned and his mouth fell hard-set. "We need to set somethings straight."

Clark was on the verge of interruption the growing tension, watching things escalate from besides the doorway. He apparently wasn't the only one as another Barry and Hal had turned around, having previously been glued to the scene going on on the other side of the glass. Superman sighed as a few more diluted threats slipped from both the Bat and his son before there was a great clang and the boy slammed the door after himself. Batman closely followed.

Raven's eyes lingered on the unresponsive metal door, considering Damian and Mr Wayne's emotions before they left. Both masters of their minds, allowing her only to detect the general moods they were in, neither had emanated any specific feeling. Their overall moods, however, were deeply concerning. Batman retained his calculating self, but with an angry curiosity fuelling him; Damian's mind was far more accessible to Raven (they'd broken many of the barriers between beings) and the remnants of his indignation and frustration hung where he had previously stood, more to concern her, Raven felt a wave of fear mingling with the irritation.

She wouldn't interfere at this point, Damian had so much to clear up and work out with his father. Afterwards, she would see if he needed talking to, someone to relax, or someone to let off some steam with. Azar knew these 'conversations' never turned out well.

As the Councilman within the other room refused to answer another of Constantine's questions, Raven knew she would be otherwise occupied for the time being.

***

The array of colour and light that was Gotham at night became nought but a blur, nauseating to one who hadn't been used to soaring and spinning at unprecedented speeds. Robin was not one of those people. The Batmobile (in its plane form) was as known to him as the back of his hand, the leather of its seats and the buttons by the wheel as familiar as the man steering.

Batman hadn't spoken a word since they'd left the interrogation room. They had made for the Batmobile and Damian had chucked in his katana first before throwing himself in to the seat, refusing eye contact with his father. Bruce had yet to explain himself. The fuming silence ate through the air, building Damian's anger.

At long last (long meaning five minutes) the vehicle came to a sleek halt, the wheels re-emerging and the wings retracting. Glancing out the window, Robin frowned as recognition flared. The Batmobile was pierced upon the roof of a commercial building, just on the outskirts of the Gotham's bubbling business area.

There were two conveniences to this building. One; all lights had been switched off, leaving it to be a tower of blackness. Two, it gave a perfect view of the surrounding area.

Damian's pride stopped his from voicing the many questions he had.

Glad for the insulation in his uniform, Damian sprung out of the Batmobile when Batman opened its hatch, met instantly by cold, still air. One would have expected it to snow in Gotham around this time, Mr Freeze should've had a riot. It wasn't as if Damian hadn't been forced to insure worse conditions before.
Leaning against the glossy hide of the vehicle, Damian crossed his arms, waiting for Bruce to speak.

"Damian, we need to talk.", Batman said at last, his voice carrying in the undisturbed air.

"Tt.You don't say."

Batman stood before his son, maintaining a few metres difference, "There's a lot we have to clear up, I know that. And what happened today only confirmed that.", the cowl hid none of his emotions to Damian: the edge to his voice said enough, as did the frowning of his mouth.

"What do you mean?"

Batman sighed, throwing his hands in the air, "You sneak behind my back and go off with John Constantine of all people! You don't speak to me. You rarely patrol with me. Clearly you don't trust me, Damian. Why is that?", the  'father' tone bled further in to his voice. "Is this about the Titans? Is it this the whole 'preternatural world' that I'm not part of? What aren't you telling me Damian?"

"There is nothing."

"Don't lie to me,", rather than shouting, Bruce surprised Damian by almost pleading, "I'm still your father, I know when your lying. And I know you don't trust me so tell me why."

Meeting Bruce's stern eyes, Damian finally ground out, "It's not about trust."

"Then what is it?!", Bruce had begun loosing his composure. "You haven't been the same since coming to the Manor. You've changed Damian, sometimes I think for the better. You're more mature and open towards the Titans and Dick, but you've distanced yourself from me. Why is that?", he tried, "Is this about your mother?"

That last question started Damian.

"Talia? No- it's not-she-!", he pieced together what he wanted to say. "Look, it isn't about...mother...there is simply", Damian decided to continue, taking the leap of faith forward (he was awed at how he hadn't lost his temper yet, perhaps Raven's calmness had rubbed off on him), "so much that I've kept from you. A whole other side that you don't know and I,", steeling himself Damian let loose, "I don't know how to show it to you. Mother died and you said nothing. I joined the Titans, fought grandfath- him and you said nothing. I almost died again countless times and still you said nothing and left me to the Titans to fix myself! Yes I can't trust you!", he gestured in harsh lines, "There are so many secret I've kept that I can't trust you with because I don't know that you will be there for me! Atrocities I have committed that would make you wish I was not of your blood! But also,", he stopped shouting, "things that have happened that...I don't know who to speak to about. Gods...it's all in disarray...", his domino mask framed soulful eyes, "I can't trust that you won't go like her.

A.N:

I'll leave it there.

A lot of emotion, huh? Don't worry, there's more emotion to come! It wasn't such an eventful chapter, kind of a filler, but still important to link together major ideas.

The relationship between Bruce and Damian has always been rocky, and needs repairing. I assure you, that will happen in due course.

Still, thank you my darling!

-Bats :)