”Let me be your ride out of town.
Let me be the place that you hide.
We can make our lives on the go.
Run away with me.”

August 10th, 1890 — Athens, Greece

Kamal hadn't been thrilled when Jo requested a week off less than two months into her work, but had agreed on the promise she would work without complaint through the holidays. It wouldn't be the first (or last) Christmas she spent abroad instead of with her family, and quite frankly that was how she'd grown to prefer it. She no longer fit in well alongside her siblings, for where they were marrying and having children she was working tirelessly across the globe. There were worse things than spending Christmas Eve with only a bottle of firewhiskey for company.

(It was also worth noting that each holiday Jo had missed spending with the bulk of her family was still spent with Saturn, so his absence would likely be keenly felt. Such were the sacrifices she made for her job.)

The trip from Cairo to Athens was a quick one when using magical transportation, a fact she was grateful for as it allowed for more time spent with Zach. Jo wasn't sure what to expect from him (or if she should expect anything) but was nevertheless thrilled to be roaming ancient archaeological sites for anything other than work. It helped, too, that the company was as attractive as Zach. If they remained only friends, which given her track record with men in England was highly likely, then at least she could admire him from afar.

Dressed in what could only be described as an adventurer's outfit, Jo had foregone the dress for a pair of her nicer work trousers and a simple blouse. Her hair was swept into a neat braid on the nape of her neck with the few too short strands loose and tucked behind her ear. Satisfied with her appearance, Jo left her (cheap) hotel and walked down towards the cafe they had arranged to meet at. "Zachariah!" She cheerfully called upon spotting him. "Hi!"

  

Unlike Australia, Zach didn’t need to waste much of his time traveling since he was meant to remain on the same continent. He’d floo’d to London, and, from there, apparated to a very well used portkey location just outside the city bounds. It was with a touch of a discarded handkerchief that he made the short, yet nauseating journey to Athens. Mercifully, this time, he did not lose his breakfast.

He was eager to meet up with Jo, but his first stop was a modest, muggle hotel where he dropped his belongings and allowed himself a few moments to recover from the journey. Although he was growing used to travel by portkey, it never ceased to be unpleasant. If he had more time on his business ventures, he likely would prefer to travel by broomstick or magical carriage.

No longer appearing pale, Zachariah navigated the streets of Athens until he found the cafe they’d agreed upon. It wasn’t long that he lingered outside before he heard a familiar voice. “Ah, Jo!” He moved closer so they wouldn’t need to shout, “I hope your journey was pleasant?” His eyebrows raised just slightly as he took in her appearance. Although he seemed surprised that she opted to go out in trousers instead of a dress, Zach didn’t find it terribly odd. After all, Jo was an archaeologist. Women of that field tended to dress more practically, at least on the job site. Just not often in public. The trousers, however, accentuated the slight curvature of her hips, and Zach found himself watching Jo for a few more seconds than usual.

  

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The choice of trousers seemed the most logical choice given their plans for the day. After all, acting as a tour guide in a dress and corset was a surefire way for her to both trip and overheat. As much as Jo was hoping for this day to end in pleasure, she certainly didn't want to faint her way into bed. Being treated like the delicate flower most English men thought women were was among her greatest dislikes. But, given Zach's less than subtle glance down her body Jo had little worries that he thought of her like so.

Grinning up at him, Jo nodded easily. "It was great, actually. The beauty of flying ships never ceases to amaze me." All of the perks of oceanic travel with none of the seasickness. "And yours?" She gestured towards the cafe to silently ask whether or not he wished to sit or begin their trip. Once the decision had been made she continued, "the portkey wasn't too rough, was it?"

  

"Yes, that way of travel is much smoother than an abraxan drawn carriage." He’d had the pleasure of traveling by the latter exactly once, and it had been a harrowing experience, but more pleasant than portkey. "Do you travel by flying ship often?"

Clearing his throat, he tried to decide how best to answer Jo’s question without thoroughly embarrassing himself. "It was as pleasant as travel by portkey can ever be," Which wasn’t at all, in his book. However, it wasn’t the worst. Once, he’d had to take two portkeys in a day to Russia, and he spent the entirety of the next day laid up in bed. "However, it is quick and allows me more time to spend in your company."

Unless he was fully engrossed in a book, Zachariah wasn’t the sort of man to keep still. He was constantly moving about his shop completing tasks he could just as well delegate out to others. It was with an incline of his head to the street that he suggested they begin their wanderings. It wasn’t often that he lightened his workload to afford more time for recreation on such trips.

"Where is it you would like to go first?"

  

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"Not often at all, unfortunately. The fare from the Americas back to England is usually too steep a price. I usually travel by muggle ship." She explained with a shrug. Jo didn't mind muggle ships too much, as she generally planned her trips according to the seasons (this past year being the exception). Besides, splurging on magic ships was a luxury she didn't often have the coin for. Between the cost of the ship and the hotel here she would be dealing with some financial strain for the next few months, not that she would complain if it meant seeing Zach.

She chuckled softly and nodded knowingly. "Bloody awful, isn't it? Traveling by portkeys?" Jo would sooner walk across the continent before willingly taking a portkey. The single time she had sought one out for her trip to the States had landed her in bed for a week. By the time she had recovered from that illness she looked more similar to a living ghost than her usual vibrant self. "I do appreciate the sacrifice, though." She added. Jo had been bouncing on her toes leading up to this week, a rather strange feeling for herself. She didn't tend to develop such… attached feelings for people at home.

"The Pantheon is up that way a bit. I figured depending on where we had to go to retrieve your books we could visit nearby sites. It's more fun to have no set itinerary, I find anyway." Jo pointed down the street they were walking on as a further explanation. "And if we have free time outside of books we can visit other parts of the country, as well. Corinth is a favorite town of mine."

  

Zach pursed his lips in thought at the mention of the cost of magic ships. Surely, it wasn’t as much to head from Egypt to Greece, but he felt somehow responsible for any debts she might have incurred. He’d have to brainstorm some way to make up for that.

"Yes," he admitted with a laugh at Jo’s commentary on portkeys. In his trade, it was a necessary evil as far as time and expense went. It was a pity he was so terrible on a broomstick; it might have been a good alternative for certain trips.

It was strange to have company. He was rather used to traveling alone, but he fell so easily in-step next to her that he wondered what he had been missing. "I have nowhere to be today. I made sure of it." Although Jo was an accomplished traveler, there was no sense in dragging her to stuffy bookshops on their first day. In fact, he had ensured that there were less than normal stops. Though, he could thank the fact that some of his usual contacts had attended the literary festival, thus sparing him a few visits. "Corinth would be lovely. I’ve yet to visit. I would love to see all of your favorite places."

He meant it. There was nothing more lovely than to hear a person speak about the places and things they appreciated the most.

"I am not expected at any location on a certain day except for one. Corfu on Wednesday. There’s a magizoologist and herbalist pair who assures me the trip will be worth it. Apparently, the flora and fauna there is unrivaled."

  

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Pretties thanks to Olive! <3

It was a delight to learn they had the entire day to explore without any restrictions. Once they were done with the Parthenon she would suggest a few other temples in Athens, and then perhaps floo'ing to a less populated city for dinner. There was that restaurant in … oh, Merlin, she couldn't remember it now, but it was beautiful and right on the water. Surely, there had to be other such places in Greece?

"Corinth, and maybe some of the smaller islands if there's time then." Perhaps they'd abandon their plans eventually altogether and spend the time in bed instead. Although...perhaps if there were a more remote temple…Jo had always dreamt of sex somewhere other than an enclosed space. She'd come close to achieving her dream in Venezuela, but they were stumbled upon. Thankfully, the natives' view of sex was much more lax than that of her colleagues. "I've not yet been to Corfu. Seeing the plant life will be interesting." It would likely be rivaled by the flora and fauna of Venezuela, but Jo wasn't about to spoil the mood by countering him. The only argumentative man she'd ever coaxed into bed was Holsten, and that had fizzled before it could become anything great.

They crossed a busy intersection and were soon standing before the Parthenon. Jo fell silent as she took in the majestic beauty of the towering building. "There aren't such beauties in England." She commented lightly after a minute or two. "Windsor aside."

  

If Zach had been an accomplished legilimens and could read her thoughts, he likely would have blushed from top to toe. He’d always been raised to be the perfect gentleman, and had only shared the odd kiss with a very small selection of young women. Usually only when liquor loosened his senses. He was too excited of their shared interests to realize that he was probably in over his head. Instead, he smiled, agreeable to Jo’s suggestions of visiting some of the smaller islands, intent on making sure she enjoyed their adventure.

When they arrived at the Parthenon, Zach took a breath, holding it until he realized he should probably release it. It was one thing to read about the great Athenian temple in a dusty old book, it was another to linger in its presence. "I’m not sure beautiful is the perfect word for it," He commented, meaning that he thought it deserved a stronger word, but none of the ones in his extensive vocabulary seemed to fit. Awe-inspiring was likely the closest. "Imagine what it must have been like before the explosion." It was already magnificent.

Zachariah, chuckled, amused. Jo was right, of course. England paled in comparison. "England tends to have pockets of natural beauty instead of grandiose architecture. Though, there are a variety of standing stones that make you feel almost insignificant." Which was likely due more to their mystical qualities rather than anything else.

  

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Pretties thanks to Olive! <3

"No, it probably isn't." She agreed. "It's a shame time turners aren't legal." Jo could hardly begin to think of the understandings they would have of ancient cultures were time travel permitted. To think the capability to watch the pyramids being built existed and was not being put to use was an insult to all archaeologists. The actions of Florida Man this past February had only strengthened the argument against their usage, but surely a scientist could be trusted? Jo wouldn't be going back to interact or intervene, but merely to observe. It was a shame — of that she had no doubts.

Without thinking, Jo reached for his hand to lead him up the steps. If he thought the outside of the remaining structure was magnificent then he would only be awe-struck by the inside. "Standing stones are no comparison to this." Zach hadn't seen the architecture that she had, but if he had he wouldn't think stone circles like Stonehenge were breathtaking

  

Zach had also had the passing thought about time turners, especially when he came to the end of research that could not be completed due to lack of findings. How easy it would be to just nip back and peek. "It is. However, I would rather they not fall into the hands of those who seek to cause the world harm." He didn’t wish to imagine what the world would look like if a fierce blood purist got it into their mind to extinguish certain types of people not only from the present, but history.

The hand that found itself nestled into his own caught him off-guard. So much so that he nearly caught the toe of his boot on one of the Parthenon’s steps. While Jo led him to the interior of the structure, Zach glanced down at their conjoined hands with a puzzled, but not displeased expression. He quickly tore his gaze away before she had a chance to notice and allowed himself to be led until they were standing amongst the towering columns whose height he could scarcely estimate.

Upon arrival, he should have let go of Jo’s hand, but there it remained.

"No, they truly do not compare."


Wherein Zach is the Elizabeth Bennet of the situation.

The following 1 user Likes Zachariah Binns's post:1 user Likes Zachariah Binns's post
   Jupiter Smith

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Pretties thanks to Olive! <3

Miraculously, the inside of the former temple was relatively empty. The hoards of people present at her last visit had dwindled to small groups happily and distractedly circling about. She stood, her hand still in his, silently observing the unchanged building. Bits of rock had crumbled here and there, but it remained the same. "I love it here." She said softly. Ancient Greece had been among her favorite civilizations to learn about in school, so much so that she had hoped to work on any restoration projects being done. But, those jobs were far and few between and she was still relatively inexperienced to be working on such an important job.

"They've only just discovered that there are actually two 'Pantheon's. An older, much smaller one, and the monstrously tall building we're standing in." Jo explained as she started walking around the outskirts of the building. She had been part of that team for a few months while one of their archaeologists was recovering from some illness. She'd wept the day they concluded her employment. "They think it was older, though I'm not sure by how much. The team just concluded the dig a few months ago."

  

Zach afforded Jo with a soft smile, "I can see why." It was difficult not to love the former temple they currently found themselves in. It was a somewhat overwhelming feeling to know when one was standing in a place of great history.

"Two? My, that’s a wonderful discovery!" Even if the other was smaller, he had a feeling that it was likely just as grand looking. He walked with her, gaze taking in the architecture, his eyes narrowing slightly to better inspect some of the more crumbled portions.

"Is it also located in Athens" He questioned, curiously, all of his attention on Jo. She was rather captivating when she spoke of archaeology. "Do they know why there are two?"

  

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"Oh! No! I meant here, here. There are two, one within the other." From what Jo read the first was mostly ruins or covered over, but it was still an incredible discovery. She couldn't even begin to fathom how old those ruins were, or why the ancient Athenians were so particular about this spot that a second temple needed to be built. Though, the research papers mentioned the former possibly being destroyed before the first was built.

Jo led him further into the temple towards an area that was still roped off. "It's just beyond those pillars, I think, that's where we were working when I was here." None of the team appeared to be there today, so why it was roped off Jo didn't know. Briefly, she wondered if Zach had the same adventurous streak as his sister. Juliana would've been willing to go explore the second site, but Jo wasn't so sure about him.

Throwing caution to the wind, Jo released his hand and quickly made to hop over the rope and gestured for him to follow. It was better to ask forgiveness than permission, after all.

  

"Oh!" He piped up, delighted. He hadn’t realized she’d meant that both temples were in the same place. Zach’s interest grew as she led him to a roped off area. The bookshop owner tried his best to peer in the dim lighting to try and catch a glimpse at what might lay ahead. He was, generally, a rule follower, assuming the area was roped off for a reason.

Feeling Jo release his hand, he watched with worry as she hopped the rope. The man glanced behind him to make sure she hadn’t been seen. It seemed most of the other tourists were off at the other end of the temple. Just to be sure, Zach very quietly slipped his wand out from its forearm holster and discreetly whispered, "Cave inimicum." A protective charm that would hopefully conceal them from view and keep others from hearing them.

Once he was sure the charm was successful, Zachariah stretched his leg over the rope, seeking to follow her. He wanted to question her, to ask if she thought it wise, but he didn’t want to ruin the day. He’d learned long ago, partially thanks to his sister, it was best not to question a woman when her mind was set on something. Unless she was headed for mortal peril. Surely, the area would be much better protected if that were the case.

"Were you here during the initial discovery, then?"

  

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Pretties thanks to Olive! <3

Perhaps he was as adventurous as Juliana, she realized happily. Jo thought the charm was a bit overkill seeing as the site likely had its own magical protections, but she wasn't about to complain about the added protection. Plus, if the discoveries happened to lead to more developing between her and Zach the added privacy would help.

Once he was over the rope Jo reached once more for his hand and steered them towards the closed up dig site. "Not for long, unfortunately. One of their junior archaeologists fell ill so I covered for them until they recovered. It was only a few months but I enjoyed it immensely. I'm glad I wasn't here for longer, though, for it was only a few months later that we met." Jo said the last bit softer than the explanation had been and squeezed his hand before looking back towards the structure. "Funny how life works."

  

His adventurous streak was a much more cautious one than either his sister or Jo, but, when the conditions were right and he had a little push, it appeared with exuberance. It brought back memories of sneaking around the corridors at night at school. Not that it was something he had ever made a habit of. Though that restricted section was incredibly tempting.

This time, he was a bit more prepared when his hand was grabbed again. In fact, he returned the gesture by fanning out his fingers until they were more comfortably interlaced with hers. The act surprised himself, but it wasn’t something he could readily undo without embarrassment. Why had he done that?

"Y...es. Funny." Zachariah echoed, not so secretly glad that she hadn’t remained much longer in Athens. When she squeezed his hand, he looked up into her captivating eyes, a goofy sort of content smile pulling at the whiskers just below his nose.

Zach cleared his throat, awkwardly "This is...certainly magnificent." Though, it wasn’t clear whether he meant the temple or something else.

  

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