This sucks (open)

[Blake Oleander]

"I wouldn't have it any other way. The idea is for them to live on our land and bring them into our people. That wouldn't work if they were not happy with their new home."

[Bailey Oleander]

She nodded, but didn't drop the pen a second time. It was odd to think of him as an Elder, but more so was the idea of him as her elder. Such things would be decided in the future, but still. The man she had fought beside, prodded and plagued with questions, who had looked out for her and helped her train, was offering a solution that would mean ruling over her and her people.

In return, they'd have resources to live off of and grow from, as would 63. What would it be like not to have to force dream from stone and discarded bones?

"Indeed." She picked up the notepad, jotting down a quick list of names as she spoke, turning to face him fully after the third name.

"This may be an awkward time to ask, but," she paused and shifted in her seat. "How are you people doing? They've elected you elder, knowing you are a qi user and that your abilities are not subtle displays. I was originally going to avoid naming anyone they might be more wary of than others, but we do have another that may be useful if they're able to go in person."

[Blake Oleander]

"I don't know. I woke up less than an hour ago to find out the survivors unanimously named me Elder. I suspect the battle has to do with that."

But the deeper hatred of Qi users, and ingrained beliefs. He didn't know. He sighed in frustration.

"I've been dead to the world for half a week. I don't know what happened from the moment I passed out til now."

[Bailey Oleander]

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize they'd call me in so soon after. We can look into it further later after you've had time to take things in." She carefully folded the papers, setting them in her lap as she spoke.

"You don't sound pleased with their decision."

[Blake Oleander]

"It's fine. Time does not stop for anyone."

He raised an eyebrow at her when she commented that he didn't seem happy with this outcome.

"My people have a need for me to fulfill. It is my duty to fulfill it."

he may not have chosen the role, but he'd apparently stepped into it when he made his stand against the Elder.

[Bailey Oleander]

"It's not something I would have thought of, when I first met you. Being the archer, rather than the arrow." She tilted her head to the side towards him, hands folded in her lap.

"But that's also not why I spoke. I know you would do anything for your people, no matter the cost. You were willing to let them strike you down, then and there in the woods when the met us. Your hands never touched your weapons to defend yourself. They are your people.

"But I think this may be something to talk about with you later. You still need rest, I'm sure, and your people will want to see you awake, themselves."

[Blake Oleander]

He lightly shrugged but didn't say anything.

[Bailey Oleander]

Yeah, no, she'd tried not to say anything, but she couldn't.

"No, nevermind. I take that back." Sighing, she shook her head and looked at Blake directly.

"Regardless of what your status is now or what people think of you, Blake, you are my partner. So right now, I'm asking you about you. About Blake Orleander. Not the Elder of 63, not someone who is negotiating for the well being of his people, or the fact that duty has lead to this.

"So what do you think, Blake, honestly? I know it's a lot right now, and I know you have every right to tell me to go out that door and have someone else deal with me as needed. But you are also the one who has gone through everything that you have in less than a week, and now you're here of all places.

"So what do you feel on the matter?"

[Blake Oleander]

"I hate that I'm back at Cabal of all places."

That's about as far as he's allowed himself to get.

[Bailey Oleander]

It was a start.

"Did they say why you were brought here?" Considering what she knew of the territory before the big fight.

[Blake Oleander]

"Our doctors don't know how to treat someone with regeneration and they were causing more damage."

[Bailey Oleander]

"That makes sense." She nodded. "This is the most likely place to find people who could, I suppose. At least the stay is temporary." As opposed to staying until graduation.

[Blake Oleander]

"True."

[Bailey Oleander]

"What else?"

[Blake Oleander]

"What do you expect me to say?"