A Second Chance (Blake/Squad Assignment)

[Bailey Oleander]

"It could have been." She nodded, closing her eye as the mental images took over. "It might have been another attack on Cabal for all we know. Or something else entirely." There'd been enough of the former lately, but she knew some of the others had gone up to Territory 260 to defend it from an attack, as well.

"Regardless of how it happened here, I don't think it would have ended quietly. Not the way they made it sound. They knew that much, at least, even if we didn't."

[Blake Oleander]

He shook his head.

"This wasn't about Cabal and 259. It was about here. This land."

He frowned remembering what Virgil had mentioned. How the land weighed souls to grant its powers. His powers.

[Bailey Oleander]

Bailey looked at him again as he mentioned the territory specifically. Blake seemed certain of it, frowning even.

"For more land, or something else?"

[Blake Oleander]

"This land has a power to it. It blesses... or curses those of us it has judged."

Blake's eyes drifted to his arm, the one that would normally transform.

[Bailey Oleander]

"Really?" It was almost more of an observation or thought than question, though Bailey's gaze went to his arm shortly after Blake's own did. He didn't need to spell out that he believed he was cursed with his qi.

"I see." She shifted, wondering how it might judge her, given what had happened on the field. Perhaps this was a warning in its own way.

"And if one has changed since they were first judged?"

[Blake Oleander]

"They are judged at birth. From what I know the soul is weighed then and there."

He didn't know if it changed and grew with the person. What he did know was he was tormented with pain whenever he fought for his people and honor. That his life was a constant battle with a beast inside of him, gnashing it's teeth as it howled for him to rip and tear. It would be so easy to let go, to let the monster out and rip everyone and everything apart. To dance in the blood of those that surround him. It was a neverending battle, one that he had to constantly be on guard against lest he slips up and give ground.

It would be a battle he fought until his final breath.

[Bailey Oleander]

"I see," she managed after a moment. The weight of his words thickened the air around them. It meant that he wasn't the only one judged. And what happened after the land judged them? Was that part of why they hated qi users so much?

She started to lift her hand, pausing for a moment as she realized that she might be getting a bit too touchy-feely again after what she'd said earlier. She had no idea about the beast within, didn't even know it existed, but she understood a small fraction of the pain he went through for every battle he used his abilities. Every time, a silent judgement and pain, physical and otherwise. And he kept going, kept fighting.

It was one of the things she admired about him. Thinking back, however, she wondered how he could manage to stand being around her. Flaking and running, fussing and worrying. She believed everything had a purpose, a reason for being, but what did that mean for him, and her panicking over shadows?

The hand returned to her side.


"Well, for what it's worth, I believe you are better than it originally judged. You've shown that."

[Blake Oleander]

"Maybe."

[Bailey Oleander]

She gave a thoughtful hum.

"Well then, what do you believe?"

[Blake Oleander]

"It doesn't matter what I believe. I am what I am."

He shrugged.

"I can only do my best for my people."

[Bailey Oleander]

"I suppose so." It was the same as it always was, ever since she met him. Whatever he thought or felt, at the end of the day, his people came first. She'd followed him to her own potential death before knowing that.  It wasn't that she didn't admire his dedication, but it was a life where his own thoughts didn't matter, even if he chose them over his own thoughts at the end of hte day.

"Hey, Blake?"

[Blake Oleander]

"Yes?"

[Bailey Oleander]

Part of her wondered what would happen if she'd listened to him when he told her to go home the first time. If she would be struggling with a bloodline, or if it would remain locked away. If it woudln't, and she'd end up turning on someone or being locked away one day. What would happen if she went home, then or now?

But, like now, that was reflecting on things she couldn't change. She needed to stop fussing about the what-if's.

"Thank you. For your patience."

[Blake Oleander]

He nodded.

"You've come far."

[Bailey Oleander]

She almost smiled at that, almost. If the battle had been less severe, perhaps it would have. Either way, coming from him - the partner who had trained her from their first session, who had had to show her something as simple as disarming an opponent, saw improvement in her. Significant improvement. She didn't know if it was enough progress, but it was something.

She was content to remain silent for a little while before asking, "What will you do now?"