Let's Try To Person [Assignment/Squad1]

[Bailey Oleander]

A couple weeks of training had left Bailey used to the concept of being sore and a bit of a walking bruise. But a couple of hours after their training had passed left her with unexpected downtime – and time to think. She didn't know all that much about her partner, barely anything since their first meeting together. They were squadmates, but other than his name and that he had an ability, all she really had was that he wasn't afraid to kill. To cross a line she stayed away from, and focused on it. Even from the first day, he thought she was planning to bludgeon someone to death...thinking about it now still made her stomach flip.

She didn't even know what he'd be like on an assignment, though she felt she could make a guess. But what else? What else about this person she ran into – or rather, he crashed into her – but actually took interest in her improving?

The thought nagged at her enough that the small blonde decided to go and see if she could find her comrade!

Blake Oleander

[Blake Oleander]

Blake wasn't hard to find if you knew where to look. He was out on the campus, his sword at his hip as his body moved through the forms of Tai Chi. His mind focused internally as he let the movements wash over him. He took comfort from his routines, a part of his home that he could cling to even as he was completely detached from it. Turning day by day into something that he despised, became everything he was taught to hate.

His only solace came from perfecting himself as a weapon. A tool of destruction to strike down his enemies. It was his place at home, and by focusing on that he could keep at least that part of himself. He could stay true to the purpose that had been given to him by his people, and maybe in time they would be able to accept him back as their guardian.

[Bailey Oleander]

He was where she expected to find him, training again, sword at his side, as every other time she saw him. Her footsteps slowed as she neared the training field, eventually stopping a short distance away. Like before, she wouldn't interrupt him, watching him going through the motions so smoothy that they seemed second nature. His gaze has the distant look of seeing something no one else could. She wondered where his mind went at times like this, when it seemed peaceful on the surface but the sense of a storm rumbled underneath.

[Blake Oleander]

This time when he noticed her his movements would slow to a stop, finishing the form he was working on so his mind had a sense of completeness at least. Leaving it unfinished would drive him nuts. Closing his eyes he'd take a deep calming breath to compose himself. It was always something with her. But at least she hadn't quit yet. A small point in her favor, even if she seemed wishy-washy and unable or unwilling to commit.

"Yes?"

He was polite as he turned to her, but there was an edge to his tone. She was interrupting him, and she hadn't proven her worth yet. But she was put in his care and it was his job to make sure that she could handle herself. At least that is how he took the partnership. It was a dangerous world out there, and his job was to make sure she learned how to live in it.

[Bailey Oleander]

The gods had cursed him in more ways than one, it seemed. Bailey winced at the tone, shifting back but not taking a step as she shook her head, an apology already on her lips.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt; I didn't know what you'd be doing. I can come back later if you want." Not like she hadn't already interrupted him, a fact she seemed to be aware of as her lips twisted slightly.

[Blake Oleander]

He'd just stare at her, waiting.

[Bailey Oleander]

That wasn't a good sign. Bailey cleared her throat, wondering if the mental bullets of sweat were going to physically show. She let out a small, nervous huff and squared her shoulders, looking up at her partner as she continued against that unmoving expression.

"I just wanted to talk, is all. I don't know anything about you, really. We're partners, right? I know your name, but not much else. I don't even know when a good time to not interrupt you is." She could feel the moment of resolve waver, her words tumbling out by the end until the last part was nothing more but a quiet rush.

[Blake Oleander]

"Any time is a good time."

As her partner, his job was to be at her disposal to assist her. His own feelings on the matter were moot. He was here to prepare her and make her into something that could work on the field. Her schedule was his schedule. He would adapt.

"What do you want to know?"

He'd answer her questions, but he'd not even try to keep the edge from his voice. Talking about his personal life was not something he was fond of. But he'd do it for the sake of the unit.

[Bailey Oleander]

His words and tone said otherwise. Bailey's teeth bit into her lower lip, but she pressed on. If he wasn't telling her no, she'd take the invitation.

"Well, for starters, where are you from?" It was safe to assume he wasn't from Territory 259. Why, she coudln't say. But he just seemed so rough around the edges sometimes, like he wanted ot be anywhere but here. Or was that just Cabal?

[Blake Oleander]

"I'm from territory sixty-three."

If she was familiar with it she'd know that it was a very small territory that was an independent state. They were not beholden to any of the large territories and kept mostly to themselves. They were known as fiercely independent and protective of their people and territory. There was no record of anyone with a Qi coming from their territory and in fact, they've gained a reputation in some circles for being very xenophobic, especially when it came to people and territories that had Qi or utilized Qi soldiers.

[Bailey Oleander]

"Oh." Bailey's knowledge of other territories was hit and miss, but as Blake named off his territory, she found she did know some things about his area. She blinked and did a double take, certain she'd heard wrong, but the look on his face fit, too. "Oh." Her volume dropped with the word, softening as her brows knit together. If he was from that area, then there was a gap in the logic somewhere.

"So you were able to come here?" Her head tilted to the side as she tried to figure it out. Was he looking for ways to counter people with qi abilities? To see how he measured up against them? Or was it something else?

[Blake Oleander]

He frowned.

"Something like that."

He wouldn't say he was able to come here. That made it sound like a privilege instead of what it was. An exile, a punishment for what he was. Or at least, he viewed it as a punishment.

[Bailey Oleander]

"I see." The frown said plenty, enough to warn her off from pressing further. She shifted her weight to her other foot, standing even now instead of leaning back. It was time to change topics, and hopefully at least get his frown to fade. She was maybe level one friendship level, after all.

"So what do you do for fun back home?"

[Blake Oleander]

He folded his arm over his chest. He didn't get what the point of these questions were. He wasn't here to be her friend and she wasn't here to be his. He didn't want to be here, and she didn't seem to plan on staying her herself. So what was the point? They had a job to do and that was it.

How annoying.

"I would whittle when not talking with my friends."

[Bailey Oleander]

She was failing, his irritation more obvious now than before. Maybe she should try a different tactic. Her arms crossed over her chest as well, head tilting to one side.

"So I know we don't actually do anything outside of training and whatever missions we have. But I'd like to get to know you, Blake, at least a little. If nothing else, I'd like to have an idea of what you're like or likely to do if we get separated. What I could expect." That seemed to be something he reacted to more neutrally, at least.