A Second Chance (Blake/Squad Assignment)

[Bailey Oleander]

She almost chuckled again. She knew how much he appreciated her constantly peppering him with questions. Instead, the small blonde shook her head.

"You're figuring out what you're going to do next, Blake. You're voicing your thoughts." Something she was grateful for, even if she didn't say it. "You don't need me to ask questions." She raised a brow.

"Unless you want me to?"

[Blake Oleander]

"No, it's just... unusual for you."

[Bailey Oleander]

"Maybe." Bailey gave an awkward shrug, not really sure what to say to the observation, unable to deny it. She didn't feel the need to apologize for it, either.

[Blake Oleander]

He just raised an eyebrow at her. Maybe? That was coy for Bailey.

[Bailey Oleander]

She tried not to get flustered as he raised a brow at her, cheeks heating a bit under the scrutiny, but not near what it was before. Shifting her weight, she looked up at him, one hand's fingers threading through the remaining grass.

"You were talking about future plans."

[Blake Oleander]

"That's it in the immediate future. Prevent a plague and rebuild our homes and trade. But they will be back, and I will find a way to protect my home and my people from whatever they may send our way."

He'd look up past Bailey toward the field of the dead. Whatever would come his way next would be bigger and worse than the last attack.

[Bailey Oleander]

Bailey tilted her head to the side, leaning back to look at the battlefield on the other side. So many dead. Thousands outside one little village, with the gut feeling that there would be bigger and badder things coming fo him and his people.

"What will you do with them?"

[Blake Oleander]

"Burn them."

[Bailey Oleander]

She closed her eye and nodded. She tried not to dwell on the thoughts of plague and the devastation, feeling laughter bubble up in her chest. She tucked her mouth against her shoulder, forcing it back down like a bitter pill. They deserved better, even if the feeling felt distant.

"That sounds like the best solution." It woudl be faster than building a mass grave, especially when people were still building their homes.

[Blake Oleander]

He nodded.

"Unfortunately we lack the time and people to give them a traditional burial. It will have to do."

[Bailey Oleander]

"True. Especially if another attack can be expected." There wouldn't be time.

[Blake Oleander]

He nodded again.

[Bailey Oleander]

She didn't say anything for a time, finally aware of the goosebumps along her exposed skin. Other than that, she was content to reflect in the silence, leaving her usual questions for another time. The weight of the battle still clung to the air and her thoughts, and though she'd have to go back to the village before long, but not just yet.

[Blake Oleander]

His eyes drifted down again, noting the goosebumps. He supposed she wasn't as used to being exposed as he was. He'd shrug his swords off of his shoulder and take off his tunic top. Tossing it at her.

[Bailey Oleander]

She looked up when she hear the sound of his movements, pulled from her thoughts only to be confused as Blake started removing his weapons. She looked up, noting bare skin for a moment before the tunic was thrown at her and catching it with one hand as she kept her eyes on his face instead of distracted by what was now exposed below.

It took a moment to sink in what it was for, noticing her own chill now that she wasn't distracted. Nodding, she slid the tunic on, moving back slightly to pull it down over her chest and remove the shredded fabric that used to be her shirt, giving him a decent but unavoidable view since he aws standing and she didn't feel like asking him to turn around since her legs still blocked anythign past a lower cut shirt.

"Thanks."