Our people as one (Bailey/GM)

[Blake Oleander]

Blake had finally made the trek to Bailey's home territory.  Opting to follow the advice of Virgil he would approach the territory with just himself and Bailey.  This wasn't a show of force, though he would be armed.  But he came here to make peace and to talk of bringing their people together, not to browbeat them.  His eyes glanced to the side at Beatrice who was happily floating along with him, her fair skin protected by a small sun umbrella as she took in the sights.


Taking Beatrice

[Bailey Oleander]

Bailey was alone with Blake on the trip, silent for now and feeling both pensive and curious as they got closer to home. She remembered Virgil's words and had given her partner a general rundown of the Territory's set up and what was reasonable to expect in terms of attitude beyond the fear. Moreover, she wondered how her family was doing, and hte people she'd known all her life. It had been a while since her last letter to them since the battles.

She didn't know how they would take to the changes in her face, either. So long as the chaos didn't break loose and she lost control, they would hopefully be fine. Jackal rode on her shoulder as he did when traveling, another sign of things that had changed as he fussed over her somewhat.

[Leon]

As the strode in they would notice most people barely registering them as a few were obviously collapsed on the ground near by. Some people using dirty shop rags to cover their eyes and foreheads while they got over whatever heat stroke they experienced at the time. A few people were examining machines with these glove devices that created 3D projections they could interact with to pick it apart and repair.

Finally someone would notice them outright and walk up carrying a huge wrench trying to be menacing, but both Bailey and Blake would be able to see the obvious strain in their muscles from mal nutrition.

"What do you want?"

[Blake Oleander]

Blake would take point and offer the man a small bow.

"My name is Blake Oleander, Elder of territory 63 and I have come to speak with your counsel."

[Bailey Oleander]

Bailey's gaze went over the people she saw literally collapsed on the ground, working with machines, carving their way out of earth and stone. It hurt to come back to this, to see what she had left behind. Cabal felt like a royal getaway compared to this. She'd forgotten how strange it had felt at first when she'd arrived.

She let Blake take point, nodding in greeting and agreement alike as he explained their purpose for being there.

[Leon]

That confused him more it seemed. Their appearances, the small beings with them.

"We don't have anything to offer... It would be pointless to offer resistence... I'll show you to them."

His bluster all but gone as he turned to lead them deeper into the town, to a large factory looking building pumping out smoke as they tried to dig around and find the resources they needed.

Inside they would find a female, and a male working a main station as engineers and scientists came to them with findings... Or lack there of and they set them off on new tasks. The man would point as he decided to go back to his own task.

[Blake Oleander]

Blake looked at Beatrice who would whisper in his ear. He paused a moment before nodding and stepping forward to approach them, slowly making no motion toward his weapons and would offer them a bow.

"Greetings. Am I to presume you two are part of the council of this territory?"

[Bailey Oleander]

Bailey followed along, silently noticing the reaction and not blaming the man in the slightest. They had to look so confusing now, power and companions alike. She felt a small twist of pain in her chest and kept silent as they moved on to where they had been told the Council was.

Once there, she stepped up to being almost alongside Blake, her steps quicker as she caught sight of the man and woman ahead of them, but also knowing this was Blake's precedence as Elder on the line.

"My mother and step-father," she murmured to Blake, a small smile, warmer than the polite ones she normally gave, gaze going over what machinery and people could be seen before returning to parents.

[Leon]

Bailey's mom's face would light up at the sight of Bailey, rushing over to greet Bailey with a hug.

"Oh my goodness, we didn't think we would see you again!"

More snuggling.

The step-father gave a grim nod of respect. Smiling at Bailey as well.

"The counsel is dead... Starvation and sickness..."

He would cough a bit into his right hand.

"We have taken their place for now..."

His voice was grim and without hope.

"It would be best if you go back to Cabal, Bailey..."

[Blake Oleander]

Blake would step to the side to let Bailey have a moment with her family.

"I see."

[Bailey Oleander]

"Hi, Mom, Dad." Her smile widened considerable as Bailey embraced her mother, one of the first reminders of home and what she remembered of it and nodding to both of them. "I'm glad you're both alright." The smile faded at the mention of the counsel - all of them - being dead, searching their faces as they mentioned the sickness and famine.

"Took this place from whom?" What if she'd been here when the fall happened? Would she have been able to help them?

Ironic, then, that Blake had thought to send her here from fighting. Now home was even less safe than before.

[Leon]

"Taken the place of the counsel. After us, there may not be a counsel."

Baileys mom would say pulling from the embrace with a grim look on her face. Looking at Bailey's step-dad she would speak once again.

"The sickness has been spreading faster."

[Blake Oleander]

"A plague? Or a sickness run rampant due to lack of resources?"

[Bailey Oleander]

Her lips pressed in a line at the mention of the sickness spreading. Lack of resources, she could expect, but she knew nothing of a plague in the area, or she'd have found some way to bring something with them or keep it from spreading to her and possibly Blake's people.

She kept her tone low as she spoke to her mother specifically, letting her step father speak with Blake without interruption for one important question, the one other than what Blake asked.

"What about Jared? James?"

[Leon]

Bailey's step dad would address Blake.

"Over working, low immunity, lack of resources... A common head fever could be deadly."

Bailey's mom would respond in a similar low tone.

"Took to the tunnels last night following a hunch about an underground river. They think it's salt water, but could purify it and sell the salt to other territories."