3731/Afterlife: The Emergence

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Afterlife: The Emergence
Date of Scene: 07 October 2020
Location: Harry's Hideaway (Bar)
Synopsis: After Whitehall's demise Jiaying returns to Lance and Bobbi's lives with an offer.
Cast of Characters: Bobbi Morse, Lance Hunter, Daisy Johnson




Bobbi Morse has posed:
There's a small part of Bobbi who could really get used to this vacation thing. Retirement can't be all bad right? no weird excitement, just enjoying life. It's easier when you do it with your best friend and real-version of 007. There is that odd memory of the look Nadia gave her when she told her she has a boyfriend. That awkward silence like 'How can you possibly have a boyfriend!'. Kids.

Back at Harry's Bar. She's nursing a whisky and has her feet up on the coffee table, resting on a comfy couch and thumbing her phone with a free hand, "I'm backing Dragons Eye, shoe in for victory. Also, where are you?" A sip of the whisky. Lance had a point though, simply enjoying each other instead of mixing it with work is definitely a thing she can do. That call to adventure is still itching at the back of her mind though.

Lance Hunter has posed:
Hunter shakes his head, "Superball all the way," he insists coming back to that little couch in the corner with a pint in his hand. "No question."

The last few week had been bliss, just him and Bobs, no distractions, just living life. It wouldn't do forever, both of them had spirits that were a bad fit for the quiet life, but that they had this and they both seemed to be enjoying it was a bloody miracle. "Shove over," he says, as he moves to sit despite there being plenty of room on the couch inserting a little playful friction to the evening. They always had the most fun when they had something to bicker about even if it was only for sport.

Daisy Johnson has posed:
If there was one thing that Jiaying had done while back at the Hydra base was to pay attention. Conversations, tells, that understanding that something seemed to be going on between these two even if they more often than not seemed at odds with one another... And one place had been mentioned. Harry's Hideaway bar.. A curious enough name, but she had made sure to put someone watching in the eventuality both Bobbi and Lance would be seen there again ...

The wait had panned out, the two having been identified and then it was a simple matter of getting there.. And when you had a Gordon ... Well..., that was the easy part.

The door to the bar opens and a familiar face steps in, still scarred as it was before, marring what would be beautiful features. Hair is pinned up in a bun in a traditional, conservative manner, the clothings also more traditionally chinese, a black vest with flower patterns and long dark pants along with slippers. With her is Gordon who may have been given a description by Jemma, those missing eyes a telltale on who it might be along with an unknown man of dark skin, taller than the other two and rather more imposing, carrying a small box in his hands..

She begins to approach, just the faintest of smiles on her lips. A smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes.

Bobbi Morse has posed:
Bobbi shuffles over and grins at him. "So, back left corner. Schrodingers beard. Half shaved, or deliberately groomed his beard that way?," she says making fun of the guys curious beard shape. She also lifts her whisky up to touch glasses with Lance and says, "Superball? I never took you for a Kryptonian fan." More quietly she teases with the addition, "I've met him." A small smirk and then a sip of the whisky again.

"We should do a road trip before I'm back at work," she suggests, "I need to clear my mind before I return to work because when I get back it's going to be lab work and while I really enjoy that, it's not where my head has been for the last few years. I've enjoyed running multiple teams a lot."

Almost a complete non-sequitur she says, "Jiaying," as she notices her entering the door.. followed by someone with no eyes. "What the.." She puts down her whisky and sits up straighter. She is at a loss as to how she could have tracked them down - and if Simmons is to be believed, which she /always/ is, she teleported off of that mini-sub and left them all there on the island.

Lance Hunter has posed:
"'Course you have," Bobbi seemed to meet everyone. "An' road trip sounds nice as long as it's anywhere but San Diego," where Bobbi's mum lived. And he was mostly teasing he just enjoyed having Bobbi to himself.

Then the visitors arrive and Lance stands up, "What in the bloody hell?" his hand moving behind him to where he had a backup weapon tucked just in case.

Daisy Johnson has posed:
"Good evening." Jiaying says in that gentle voice of hers, looking at each in turn. If she is worried? Well, she got worse than being shot while under Whitehall's clutches.. So she just appears calm and serene. "May I join you? I can assure you I am not here to hurt any of you." now that they are closer it's noticeable they are all wearing identical pendants. Pendants that are a match to the one Jacob was wearing back at the base.

"And I am quite glad to see you made it out of there in one piece." Without her help. But she doesn't need to say those things. So she simply waits on being allowed to sit. If anything she is quite polite. That never hurts.

To note that she doesn't mention Jemma. Maybe she doesn't care whether she lived or not.

Bobbi Morse has posed:
Bobbi frowns and stands up too. She raises an eyebrow though. She's met cool customers before - usually they don't survive being cut in to pieces like Jia. "I'm glad you got out alive too," she says trying to see where this is going. "Please, take a seat." She places a hand on Lance's shoulder and then lowers back down to her seat.

A look to Gordon and she says, "This must be Gordon. Nice to make your acquaintance too. I'm Bobbi and this is Lance," she says and motions to the man. She is most certainly on guard though, but a person who can teleport around and hone in on Jia by just a radio call alone may simply be able to find them wherever they are... not a great thought.

Lance Hunter has posed:
Lance sits, hand coming back to his front and resting on his knee, "Good to see you made it out, Jemma's fine too, thanks for asking, get you folks a pint?" he asks her his tone sharply sarcastic. Though he does say to Gordon, "Nice to meet you mate," before seeing what Jiaying had come for.

Daisy Johnson has posed:
Gordon's empty stare seems to go to each of both Bobbi and Lance, as if he could 'see' them somehow, or in a different way. He offers a rather shallow nod but doesn't speak up. It's Jiaying's show today afterall. And for someone who was supposedly away for so long for wherever it is that Afterlife is situated at she appears to be adapting well to leadership, the two others clearly deferring to her. As for the dark skinned man, he eyes Lance more closely, aggressively almost. Maybe he doesn't like people speaking up sarcastically to Jia! But those eyes of his do seem dangerous.

Jiaying graciously accepts the invitation to sit and settles down, one leg folding over the other and her hands resting on her lap. No hurries. "She surviving means she was stronger than you both imagined her to be." she speaks back at Lance, smile deepening. "I am sure you must be glad for her."

But I am here for two reasons. One, to thank you for aiding in my liberation.." she gestures, the dark-skinned man bringing the box over and setting it on the table in front of Jiaying.

Bobbi Morse has posed:
Bobbi wonders what the other man's game is. He has a danger in his eyes and she can already feel he's got a negative opinion of Lance. It doesn't usually take long, but there's something very off about this meeting. As a high level Agent of SHIELD, she hates being in any kind of interview or interrogation where she doesn't already know the people involved and the subject matter as intimately as she can. Better yet: knowing the answers and just wanting confirmation.

"It was the least we could do, you can thank Jemma for putting you back together," she raises an eyebrow, "And perhaps tell us how your friend here does that teleportation trick." No she is not enjoying this at all. "What is the second reason?"

Lance Hunter has posed:
The dark skinned man's eye is met by Hunter and he doesn't flinch letting the man know however much bigger he was, Hunter wasn't going to let himself be pushed around. Though, to keep things civil he gives an upwards nod of his head.

"Our pleasure," he says eyes turning to Jiaying. "Feeling better I hope?" he gives the box a quick look then, curious and concerned.

Daisy Johnson has posed:
"Even if ..." And Jiaying's voice turns a notch darker, colder. "... you had to steal Jacob's essence to do so." The woman leans forward, placing both hands on the side of the box. "And mine." she speaks a moment later. She is focused fully on Bobbi now. For her .., Lance is just an afterthought. (No superpowers no attention from Jiaying!)

"Your .., ascension.., was not done in the correct manner." She explains, "We have a process, one that shows the true blood of those worthy." a soft sigh then escaping her lips, "And because of what you did for me and mine I bring this great honor to you." her eyes flicker. Clearly she considers this moment to be of great significance. Tradition is still a big part of herself. She opens the box slowly, eyes finally going to Lance. "Maybe you'd also care to test for the truthness of your blood." she asks.

The dark-skinned man snorts at that, crossing his arms. Jia then continues. "As for my second reason. My daughter. I believe you know her, yes?"

Bobbi Morse has posed:
Bobbi ooohs softly and glances around the bar. This is not a great place to talk about her 'ascension'. Honestly, no where is except Fury's office. It is classified, so very very classified. She frowns and says, "I will never forget what Jacob did." Giving his life for the right cause is something she understands quite well.. it was what she thought she was doing to save Lance and Jemma after all.

Still, it seems she's stumbled in to some sort of religious belief here.. or may be a cult. That's yet to be determined and she looks down at the box as it slowly opens.. what's in the boooox. "Riight. So tell me about this process, or ritual, that you'd like me to do and then I'll let you know if I want to do it."

The mention of Daisy has her raising her eyebrow again - this time she called her daughter, "As for Daisy - I think we'd best establish some familial connections before we get either of your hopes up. I'd be happy to take a sample of your DNA for testing. Under strictest confidence of course."

Lance Hunter has posed:
Lance as Bobbi becomes Jiaying's focus Hunter naturally switches to back up mode, keeping his eyes open and head on a swivel. When the topic veers into Bobbi's 'ascension' Lance stands, "One sec," he tells the group, and heads over the bar to whisper something to Harry. A few moments later a few waitress come to the other tables nearby letting them know the area was being reserved for a private function and their meals were being comped if they'd kindly move to the other side of the bar. The group is all but alone on their side of the bar within minutes, Lance slipping Harry some money to cover those meals.

He returns to the couch, and shakes his head, "Nah, got plenty of blood testing already thanks to our little island adventure." As for Bobs, he trusts her to make the right calls his job right now is to back her play.

Daisy Johnson has posed:
"Maybe you will feel different once your loved one does so." Jiaying says up to Lance when he returns. Look, she may not expect the whole test to go well.., for Bobbi. Not that it shows in her expression. Perhaps some eagerness, a curiosity to know. She turns the box towards the both of them. "This is a diviner." she explains. Within there's a rather curious piece, geometric shapes in one solid object of some kind of alloy. Alien? Heh... Or maybe simply stylish. "It allows those worthy to reveal the truth in their blood and be properly acknowledged by those that came before them. The process is simple." she says, eyes now on Bobbi. "You but have to touch it."

When Bobbi asks for her blood Jiaying arches a brow. "Doctor Morse." emphasis on the *Doctor*, "I will never allow myself to be under the scrutiny of any type of Doctor anymore, no matter how good their intentions might be." and who can blame her after those years with Whitehall? Her eyes do harden when she says those last words. Clearly something she won't budge on.

"I will be able to assess whether she is my daughter or not once we meet. I only want what is best for her." She says, keeping the diviner just out of reach for now.

Bobbi Morse has posed:
Bobbi looks to Lance and says, "You should get our guests some drinks." Because if she's not going to willingly give a DNA sample, she can certainly get one off of a glass if she takes a drink. She doesn't need blood, saliva will do, may be a stray hair. She's going to call in a full forensics team once this meeting is concluded. Spies.

The matter at hand - the thing in the box. "A diviner you say, how curious," she says looking over the weirdly shaped object, noting its odd material too - not any kind of metal she's seen before.

"And just hooow does it reveal the truth of the blood when touched?," she asks. Seems simple enough. Touch their magic space alloy and make them happy. If this really is Daisy's mother, then she'd like to know more about her. Heck, she's a fascinating Inhuman - she'd like to know more about her and her teleporting friend just for that alone. May be the guy who looks a touch menacing too.

"I appreciate you saying you only want what's best for Daisy, but you have to understand that she is family to me," she says with stern eyes, clearly a protective aunt figure.

Lance Hunter has posed:
"Right," Lance says, stopping short of taking a seat and asking Harry for a round of waters and another pint for him. Water seemed like the likeliest bait, who doesn't drink water? As for the beer? Well, if you think Hunter's going to deal with strange people with stranger powers and not be a little drunk, you've got another thing coming.

He returns with the drinks and stays standing beer in hand after water has been handed out to everone. "Depending on what that thing does, I'll consider testing my blood," he offers to keep the party going and give folks time to drink their drinks and leave all sort of biological bits behind.

Daisy Johnson has posed:
"Faith." Jiaying replies simply before her expression turns amused, "Yes, I am sure that for one with a mind such as yours it must be quite the ordeal. To believe in something beyond what you can see in front of your eyes. But here we are..." She says in that gentle manner of hers. "And I am sure you must be curious. Who knows, perhaps that wasn't even your real power." she muses about the super strength she saw the other woman gain.

"Would I bring you this wishing you harm when I know you have information about my daughter?" She then says. Logic is on her side! Though if it does go wrong.., well.., they may be able to subdue the devil-tongued one more easily too. So it will be a win regardless. Not that she has to share this rather heartless plan with the two lovers..

Jiaying and Gordon do not really touch the drinks, but the big guy doesn't seem to care, picking up the glass with a grunt. "Water, pfff.." he does drink it all down in a gulp though. "You are a bit cheap." he notes of Lance with a grumble.

Bobbi Morse has posed:
Bobbi doesn't raise an eyebrow. That's a tell, one Lance knows. She's switched modes. She know she's being played and has gone poker face. Natasha Romanoff becomes bright, bubbly, friendly when she's undercover. She is extremely personable, but in her normal state of being she is tetchy and distant. Bobbi is the exact opposite. She's friendly when she's in her normal state of being.. but when she goes in to business mode, there's a darkness to her, an edginess. It has served her well over the years undercover in organisations like HYDRA and AIM.

She's not exactly indestructible, but far closer to it than ever before in her life. She can see the flaw in the logical, the big gaping floor that she isn't at all necessary for Jia to hunt down Daisy now that she has a clue who knows her. "Fine," she says. She's not at all surprised Lance would want to give it a go too. "I just touch it? consider this an olive branch - I want to know more about you and Afterlife, and you want to know more about Daisy." She reaches out to touch the diviner.

Lance Hunter has posed:
Hunter can read that tell easy enough but he seems still at ease, Hunter was always just Hunter, even in the middle of combat, it was like his superpower, things not named Bobbi Morse didn't faze him easily. Though he does size up big man again, knowing if something goes down he's that guys first target. "Didn't want to make you feel obligated, this being our first date and all," he says about the cheap drinks. "We can move to the good stuff when our relationship is a bit more cemented," he says, though his eyes are on Bobbi and the diviner.

Daisy Johnson has posed:
The touch has no reaction at first. Just a cold metal really, nothing more to it ... Then a surge, there is clear 'power' there, reaching for Bobbi, a jolt sent up her hand which is then followed by a low hum from the Diviner itself. Jiaying watches attentively for a moment, eyes on Bobbi, waiting ..., and then nothing more. She stays silent for a long while before it's Gordon that finally speaks up, resting one hand on Jiaying's shoulder.

"She is one of us." Gordon dips his head towards Bobbi, the big dark man letting out a gruff as well. Apparently this was quite the big deal for them. Jiaying's expression turns just a notch softer but remains just as attentive as before.

"So it seems. Perhaps part of Jacob still lives inside you." The woman says quietly before she shakes her head, perhaps dismissing the thoughts of seeing the man lying on that bed dead. "What there is to know of Afterlife can be shared once I find my daughter. She is one of us, I have no doubt of this. And I want her with me. The same way you may be able to join us when you are ready." Because she wants to be able to manipulate Bobbi before she lets her in.

The box is still there, open, even if Jia's hands are around it.

Bobbi Morse has posed:
Bobbi places her hand on the device. Nothing... then.. something? oh yes DEFINITELY a something. Her eyes widen a touch and when it dies back down again she removes her hand with concern and looks over it to make sure nothing weird happened to it. "Yeeeah.. right." She narrows her eyes a touch as Gordon declares she's 'one of us'.

Bobbi really wishes she had her SHIELD glasses handy, or that this bar had a security camera, or that there was an ATM across the street - something, anything, to get a physical or biometric scan of Jiaying. If she can't match via DNA they could try from facial familiars but even that might not be possible.

"You have to understand, I can't just take your word for it. I'm not going to get my friends hopes just because you think she's your daughter. I've seen her spirits crushed one too many times. I only need some saliva, not your blood." She looks up at Lance and then back to the diviner, her look indicates she's not so sure it's safe; but as always, she will back his play if he chooses to try it.

Lance Hunter has posed:
Hunter for his part doesn't reach for the diviner, the logic was simple, it may have looked like it hadn't done anything to Bobs but only seconds had passed, if something did one of them should be untouched by that thing to make sure they both got out of it okay.

"That looks really neat, but think I'll pass, mum always said don't accept weird metal objects from strangers" he offers cheekily. "But since Bobs was a sport and had a go, let's have a drink on it then? To Jacob and his spirit living on." He lifts his glass.

Daisy Johnson has posed:
The moment seems to pass, Jiaying closes the diviner box and slides it back towards her, handing it up to the big guy once again. Eyes then narrow in thought, considering Bobbi's words. But in the end her search does outweigh the rest so she takes up the glass of water, looking at Lance briefly and then back to Bobbi. "To Jacob then. For his choice." she brings the glass to her lips and has a brief sip before setting it back down.

Once that is done she gets up to her feet. "Three days." she then says in ways of farewell. "I will expect information then."

She offers a nod over her shoulder to Gordon. It means they are ready to go..

Bobbi Morse has posed:
Bobbi lifts her whisky glass up, "To Jacob. Bravely fought the good fight against Whitehall." She finishes off her glass and then looks to Lance again. A good toast. She feels a subtle tingle in the tips of her left hand fingers. Looking down at it, she knows it has nothing to do with the diviner and everything to do with being behind the curve on whatever Jia is up to.

"Three days," she repeats and looks back at the big guy and the box, then over to Gordon and tilts her head with curiosity.. finally she looks back to Jia and says, "Have a safe.. teleport? back ..home?" Ack, she _hates_ being at a loss.

But even as this conversation is ending and the odds of violence have lessened considerably, she reaches around behind her and on the back of her belt, she touches a small disk. It quietly powers down, the super hot wire it contains, the only weapon she brought, stowing itself safely back in to being dormant. Lance no doubt saw it - but hey, he brought a weapon too!

Lance Hunter has posed:
"To Jacob," Hunter says and has a generous swallow of his pint. Then nodding to the big man, says, "Be seeing you, mate, maybe we'll go for the good stuff next time," he says carrying on the fine tradition of antagonizing the enemy. Or well potential enemies.

There's no comment about the weapons, just a nod to Bobbi as he watch the Inhumans waiting to see if they depart without any further incident.

Daisy Johnson has posed:
"We will." The dark-skinned one promises back to Lance, his voice a rumble, deeper now than it was a moment ago. But yes, there may have been a certain enmity created here. The man steps back and turns to begin walking out with both Jia and Gordon. The woman speaks back to them. "Whitehall, and those like him, are a plague in this world." she says in ways of agreement to Bobbi's words, her jaw tightening for a second...

But then she bows and turns to walk out along with Gordon and the other man.

They step out and through the closing door a bright blue light can be seen. Perhaps that was the teleport..

Silence returns to the Bar, Harry looking at both Morse and Hunter with a raised brow. That looked intense!

Bobbi Morse has posed:
Bobbi stares for a moment as the three Inhumans depart. She turns to look at Lance and then reaches down to her bag and takes out her phone. She makes a few touches and holds it up to her ear, "Agent Morse for Director Gonzales." There's a pause, "Gonzales. It's Bobbi. We need to open a new S.P.O.T. case file. Title it.. Afterlife. I know I'm not on your team right now but I'll be heading in soon, there are things we need to talk about."

She looks back to Lance and that 'i'm sorry but seriously...' expression on her face. "What the hell was that diviner? it did something, it felt like it sent a pulse through my body. I don't know what they're playing at but we're ten steps behind them and I'm not sure I trust her intentions are as noble as she claims about Daisy..."

Lance Hunter has posed:
Hunter's brows rise at the call to Gonzales but he doesn't make a comment about it, not here in public. Though the rest, "Nah, I don't trust her one bit, definitely need to keep her and Daisy apart until we know more about what she wants," he frowns. "Anyhow, know you're done with labs Bobs, but might want to get checked out after touching that diviner thing just to make sure it's not got some sort of hidden effect she's trying to sneak past us."

Bobbi Morse has posed:
Bobbi nods her head, "Yes, you're not wrong about that. If that thing just dosed me up with radiation I want to know about it. I think my body can take it, but let's be real here, I don't _really_ know what my body can take anymore." From her backpack she takes out an evidence baggy and crime scene gloves.

She pulls them on and then carefully poors the remainder of the water out, then places the cup Jia touched and drank from in to the baggy. This all goes in to the backpack and she shakes her head.

"For the record, this was not my fault this time." She lifts a finger, "Not my fault." She looks over to Harry who has that bewildered look, "Not my fault." He returns a half hearted thumbs up as if to say 'its always your fault.'

"This can't wait, so.. rain cheque on the next episode of Marbles?"