The Passage of the Gods (Bailey)

[Bailey Oleander]

"That would make it difficult." She nodded, understanding the fortune she'd had with her family being intact during the war. From the sound of it, Allen didn't even have that now, regardless of what he himself might want.

"Hmmm." She really didn't want to step on his toes, but the words had merit. She considered Allen carefully, biting the inside of her cheek.

"Well, I guess that depends. Family isn't necessarily just taking someone in and loving them - it's a bond. Maybe it's even shared experiences, for him. I'm not sure how he views it, but everyone sees family differently. It could be that the two of you define it differently." She tucked some of her hair behind her ear as she tried to clarify.

"When my mother remarried, for instance. It was someone new in the family, and it took time for us to accept we would have someone new in our lives. Just because she loved him, didn't mean we were able or willing to accept someone else right away. He's a good man, and I was supported by him as family would be, but he wasn't the person I wanted or needed. There are friends back home I still consider more like family, but that doesn't mean I don't care about him."

[Allen Hollows]

He cocked his left brow.

"I guess that's true. What happened to your father?"

[Bailey Oleander]

Bailey fell silent, chin tucking as she looked to the side.

"Equipment failure." She took a breath and looked back up at Allen as she spoke, her voice softer now. "A lot of the buildings back home were damaged and we haven't had a chance to rebuild as much as we'd like. One of them collapsed on him while he was working on an excavation. We didn't find him until it was too late." She cleared her throat, happy to move forward rather than revisit that memory further.

"So is that why you want to speak to the gods? Find out what there may or may not be beyond what an unfinished record could tell you?"

[Allen Hollows]

He shrugged.

"To be honest...I also have some questions about this place."

He unfolded his arms and stuck them in his pockets.

"We've been having beast attacks, and people trying to take over, invasions, thefts and more. I want to know about what it is that makes Cabal so damn important to me, or to you. Or David. Or the accords. I feel there is more here than we're allowed to see and it's almost like...a calm before the storm. I'm hoping the Gods would be willing to part with that information too."

[Bailey Oleander]

"You might be right," she admitted after a pause. "Still, if that's the case, I feel like you could look into Cabal, as well. Find more information - or the lack - to bring to someone's attention." She tapped a finger against her thigh.

"Actually, I need to follow up with Arianna on a couple of things soon. One of them involved the scorpions. I could let you know what we find out?"

[Allen Hollows]

He nodded.

"I could- but I figure this place has been open for so many years and had so many students with questions pass through it, that if they kept any dark secrets here they'd be found by now. I think looking in other places has to be the way to go."

He brought up both brows.

"Yeah, that would be great!"

He'd reach over and grab a small notepad, writing his phone number in it. He'd offer it to her.

"And I'll let you know if I find anything worthwhile. It might help me if I knew what sort of things you were looking into....?"

[Bailey Oleander]

"I'll be sure to let you know." She nodded and took the paper he offered, her own brows raising at the sight of the phone number, though she still accepted it. She figured she'd reach out to him through the school system or something. Still, depending on where people went in life, that couldn't always be an option.

And then he asked about her own interests.

"Ah. Well, I know you're already looking into it for yourself, but if you have access to speak with one of the gods, I'd like to get an idea of what things are like there for them right now. If there are any major political situations to be aware of, clashes to avoid, things like that. It's still a ways off, but I believe I have a handle on things otherwise. I'm just trying to cut down the guesswork." Another pause as she remembered, lips pursing slightly.

"Or anything you can find on Sean Barker."

[Allen Hollows]

His brow twitched.

Intriguing.

"Sean Barker....I've seen that name somewhere. On David's papers, in his office at home. Is he someone important?"

[Bailey Oleander]

He had her interest now, her head perking at the possibility of a paper trail, though her eyes narrowed at the mention of David Blaze this time.

Suffice to say, she wasn't exactly thrilled with what that could imply.

"Very."

[Allen Hollows]

"I see."

He looked at the clock.

"What if we just....went and asked him?"

David, he meant.

[Bailey Oleander]

If only he meant her target of interest, instead. Still, Bailey watched Allen with a thoughtful expression, mulling over her last conversation with Mr. Blaze.

"I suppose that wouldn't hurt, but I've been given to understand that the Commander is very particular about the way this particular situation is handled."

[Allen Hollows]

He frowned, unsure what that meant.

"I don't follow. You mean he might not want to tell us anything or....?"

[Bailey Oleander]

She really didn't feel like going further into it, but Allen wasn't being rude, just curious.

"It's just a matter of perspective, I suppose," she admitted with a small shake of her head. Still, the man had asked her to trust him, to test him if she chose. Rather than put that aside, perhaps she should, sooner rather than later.

"Unfortunately, there are other things I have to prepare for, but I am willing to speak to him directly about it. Do you happen to remember what papers the name was on?"

[Allen Hollows]

He nodded.

"Up to you."

He'd bite his lip, thinking for a moment.

"Yeah...it was on facility disbursement. Something about how each of that Sean Barker guys facilities would have to be protected by BLZ Tech or something like that."

[Bailey Oleander]

"I see." She mulled over it. "I thought it was an underground facility and labs."  She hadn't seen any signs of the tech while there.  It seemed odd that they would have no access to the way in when they wanted to if that was the case. 

"Well, I'm sure there's something to find.  There have to be secrets still, if we're musing over half-remembered knowledge when there's a perfectly good source to consult."  She nodded, rising to her feet.  Allen had admitted that he ad David weren't as close as he'd like; anything was possible.