No place like Home (Bailey/Leon)

[Blake Oleander]

It had been several days since they had left Cabal Academy.  Well, since he had left Cabal Academy, Bailey had tagged along for who knows what reason.  Some misguided loyalty?  Fear for his wellbeing?  Maybe she was just trying to keep an eye on him for the Dragons.  It was hard to say.  But he decided to not press the issue, she had her reasons, he'd leave them to her.  It had been a fairly quiet journey, thankfully so.  

But now they were getting too familiar lands.  He knew the woods that they were in, at the edge of their territory.  He suspected it wouldn't be long until they were confronted.  That was acceptable to him.

"You know they will peg you for what you are with that hand of yours."

It was the first he had mentioned it since they had left Cabal. 

[Bailey Oleander]

Thankfully, the road to Territory 63 was a quiet one for the most part. Unfortunately, it also meant that Bailey had time to think and overthink the possibilities of what she might have to go up against - and alone. But at the end of the day, she never turned back, and now Blake's comment brought her back to the present with a small jolt.

"Ah. Yes, I suppose it might." She frowned slightly as she ran through a couple of possibilities through her mind. Finally, she gently stroked the gem of the glove with a finger from her left hand, directing her thought towards the glove. She'd learned on her mission that sometimes communication was possible, but if that wasn't the case or the glove was unable to do anything, she had other ideas.

'I'm sorry. Is it possible for you to take on a more subtle form?' she directed towards the entity.

[Leon]

In her mind she would receive a response.

"I can move somewhere else, or shrink to just the gem, but I can not be removed."

[Blake Oleander]

So she was ignoring him. Well not totally, she was playing with her hand. Probably nervous. He couldn't blame her. He still didn't understand why she wanted to come... It was foolish. But it hardly mattered, they would see what happened as it happened. And in the meantime, Blake would keep an eye out, and an ear out for signs that they were being watched, and to try and identify where the scouts were located.

[Bailey Oleander]

"Alright, I'm going to see about making this less obvious. It'll take a moment." She had no idea what he'd think if the gem moved or the glove shrunk. At this point, Blake would probably just think it was part of her being different, but she had no idea how this was going to look to other people.

'Could you please possibly shrink to a ring on the hand? Or to the jewel and move to my sternum? Something they won't immediately see or suspect. The people here are highly suspicious.'

[Leon]

"As you say."

It would turn to a ring and glide to her finger.

(Distant fan girling from a demon girl.)

Blake would note some ruffling, scouts obviously have found them and are watching.

[Blake Oleander]

His eyes shifted to the rustling. He'd try to count how many were there.

"There is no need to hide from me Brothers. Sisters."

[Bailey Oleander]

Bailey would look up at the sound of Blake's voice, noting the way he was directing the greeting. She'd glance around, wondering if there would be more as she let her hands drop to her sides, once again grateful for the cover they could offer. She made sure to keep them away from her escrima sticks, however.

She'd watch and wait, nervous. These were his people, and more likely to trust what he said over a stranger's greeting.

[Leon]

Two would step out. A male and female each with blades gripped, not drawn, but ready.

"You were not expected. Yet you return... Were you banished from them as well?"

The female would ask. Blake would count one other that he could tell.

In Bailey's mind she would hear.

"There are three more hidden in the tree's. Two have bows drawn and aimed upon you."

[Blake Oleander]

"No. I made a Dragon unleash his full fury and yet I endure. I have come back because this is where I belong, there is nothing for me there."

He would assume others would have weapons drawn upon them, but he did not care. If they struck him down then so be it. His life was theirs to take.

[Bailey Oleander]

The phrasing caught her attention, though at the moment all Bailey did was blink to express her surprise. Blake had always talked about coming home with longing and determination, as much as he had around her. Yet these people had not expected him to return, and claimed banished from Cabal too? A very different story from what she heard, and one that did make her worry.

'And the third?

[Leon]

The two presently showing themselves would quickly converse between them.

"It is not for us to pass this judgement. What of the outsider you bring?"

As for Bailey the response she got from the tree was simple.

~Watching.~

[Blake Oleander]

"She put her life on the line to defend mine. She will bring no hostility to our people."

[Bailey Oleander]

Bailey, who was doing her best to seem as non-threatening as possible, found herself surprised by what Blake said. Surprised, and also pleased. She nodded at his explanation, turning her attention to the two standing in front of Blake.

"My name is Bailey. I have no intention of causing trouble for any of you."

[Leon]

The two would exchange looks.

"Obviously."

Before they turned to the side, not showing their backs.

"You will go to the elders and your fates will be decided."

They would point for them to go first.