OOM: Travelling with Jemma.

[runningred]

Jay leans on the bar, dressed in his scruffy black leathers. His bike parked just inside the door, ready to go.

He grins to Jemma as she joins him. "Ready to go, Princess?"

Comments

[runningred]

The release is a complicated affair, lifting the ape down and setting him carefully amongst the undergrowth. Chill calls to the others to back the trucks up, taking them back to a clearing where they can oversee the site.

The talking apes on the team, including Suzie stay with the animal, stroking it and calling to the band of gorillas. Little by little, the others come down to check on the injured beast, tugging at him and sniffing him gently. Eventually the silver-back comes. He sniffs and examines before finally picking up the injured male and carrying him away.

The teams in the trucks cheer and Jay comes to sit next to Jemma. "So, what do you think? Time to keep moving?"

[protect_and_survey]

"Yes, I do think so." it's not that she didn't enjoy the release - she's only ever heard about these sorts of things and honestly they were all quite impressive. But that didn't stop her from looking around every few minutes, looking for a glimpse of white and hoping she wouldn't see it.

And then wondering if she didn't see it because she wasn't being allowed to.

Paranoia is helpful in her line of work, sometimes.

"Sorry, this place is absolutely gorgeous, it is."

[runningred]

"Tell you what, We'll head back with everyone and make our goodbyes and ride for Chefchaouen. How does that sound? We can go back to the bar from there if you like?" He can tell she's shaken and he feels very guilty for it.

[protect_and_survey]

She nods, ducking her head - she did ask to go on this adventure, and she feels she's giving a very poor showing.

"That will be fine."

[runningred]

"Hey?" He cups her face softly. "It's your call, and your trip. We can come back another time if you want. It's fine."

[protect_and_survey]

"I'm sorry, Jay - perhaps they're right, not approving field certification." She sighs, straightening her pack and her shoulders. She may not be a field agent, but she's a SHIELD agent, damnit, and she'll go out with some of her pride intact.

[runningred]

"Got nothing to be sorry for, Jem." He offers a little hug.

They say a quick goodbye to everyone, the science team begging Jemma to stay but Jay readies the bike for the ride out.

Chefchaouen is a beautiful city, more Spanish than African, the buildings painted in so many shades of blue.

[protect_and_survey]

... It is really a good thing that Jemma doesn't have to rely on rolls of film anymore - they'd have to stop every few minutes if she did. The city is truly gorgeous, and she's thoroughly distracted from the idea of telepaths.

And then there's the medina, which she can very happily get lost in.

[runningred]

Jay loves the history and depth of the old city and is more than happy to wander with her, taking a few photos of his own. He has no qualms around wandering all day if she wants to, just steering her towards food every now and then.

[protect_and_survey]

Hours later, at a vantage point looking over the city, Jemma blinks owlishly at the setting sun - relaxed and content in the way she wasn't this morning.

"It really is just as gorgeous as they say."

[runningred]

"It really is." Jay wraps a gentle arm around her waist and hugs her warmly. "Thanks for coming with me."

[protect_and_survey]

"Thank you for having me - even if I've been a bit of a bother." The big wide world is a bit more unsettling than she was prepared for... but it was still brilliant.

[runningred]

"No bother at all. It's my fault. If I'd known the sanctuary was a Gorilla City protectorate I wouldn't have taken you there."

[protect_and_survey]

She gives him a dry sort of look - he can hardly be blamed for the actions of an ape with no manners at all, but she's pretty sure that argument could take all night.

"Maybe someday he'll learn his area would have more aid if he'd stop being rude to the guests."

[runningred]

"They're a naturally paranoid race. It's the only thing that's kept them alive and the current leader is... well, insane. All of the ones at the sanctuary are there as refugees from the current regime."

[protect_and_survey]

That earns a tight smile - she'd argue that fostering a ruling class of overtly rude telepaths with no sense of personal boundaries is bound to cause insanity.

"As you say. It still doesn't make me want to help them."

[runningred]

"Forget about them. You won't cross paths with them again." He presses a kiss to her brow and offers her his hand. "Ready to head back?"

[protect_and_survey]

"I think it's time. I'll be in the shower for days." She sighs, but happily - this has been an adventure she couldn't have hoped for.

Telepaths and all.

[runningred]

Jay smiles and bumps her shoulder gently, jumping down from their vantage point. He focuses on the bar and walks to the nearest door, opening it slowly. "Yeah, Milliways." He sweeps her a playful bow. "M'lady."

[protect_and_survey]

"Too kind, sir." She curtsies and, shouldering her pack, heads back to the bar at the end of the universe.

[runningred]

{ooc: shall we wrap this here? Thank you, it's been lovely.}

[protect_and_survey]

(ooc: Works for me. Hurrah, we finished it! :D Do you want to post it in, or?)

[runningred]

{ooc: I'm happy to post it before I log off. Thanks for everything.}