Our people as one (Bailey/GM)

[Blake Oleander]

"Then my offer may be relevant. I wish to discuss absorbing your people and this place into Aurora. Territory 63 as we used to be called. We have water and resources but lack the people to utilize them to their fullest. Where Bailey informed me you had the opposite problem."

He'd glance to Beatrice before continuing.

"I want to make it clear, I am here to make offers. Not threats. And if you choose to decline you will not find me or my people at your doorstep to take it from you."

Since they had a reputation it seemed.

[Bailey Oleander]

At least it was more of what she had expected rather than an unpleasant surprise. She nodded, shoulders easing at the mention of her brothers being safe and doubly so at the fact they were looking into a potential water source. If it was saltwater, it was stil something to work with, more than what they had now.

She straightened when Blake brought up his offer, however, the time for family affections set aside as she nodded in agreement, looking at her step parents. The territory was known for warriors, but she knew he meant what he said, as well.

[Leon]

Bailey's step-dad frowned a bit, though took him at his word.

"What about the aversion to Qi users... I notice you travel with Bailey, but your people have been known to be less than... Accommodating."

[Blake Oleander]

He took a deep breath and glanced over to Bailey before taking several steps back.

"The death of our previous Elder has allowed us to adapt our viewpoint."

His right arm would bubble and grow, cracking and twisting painfully as his sleeve tore open and claws formed. His monstrous arm on display.

"I've chosen to be more accommodating."

Qi use 1

Monster Arm

[Bailey Oleander]

Bailey gave Blake a knowing look, but since no one else moved, she let him do his thing, displaying the first show of qi she'd ever seen from since they'd met: the ability she was now even more familiar with after so much time.

"They've been around other qi users, too, since then," she added with a small nod. "I've not had any problems with them, and no one else has raised any complaints."

[Leon]

The both would look a bit surprised at the action, but shared a glance.

"We have around one hundred people to move, and many of them are sick or dying. Bailey... On your word, we would pack up and make the journey right now, but in your opinion, is it safe, is it possible?"

[Blake Oleander]

Blake would wait and let Bailey voice her thoughts.

Qi use 2

Monster arm.

[Bailey Oleander]

Bailey took the numbers and her own opinion into consideration, nodding once in thought rather than immediate confirmation, weighing what she knew and what she knew they were asking for. It wasn't Blake's honesty, his competence, or his people in question, and in the end, she gave a nod and took a step back, looking both of her parents in the eye.

"Yes, but it won't be without the risks of travel, but that is better than dying here without a chance to rebuild and do more than try to carve our existence out here. There are resources there - real resources. Water. Wood. It would take time to build what we need to accommodate everyone, but there are the means and ways to do that, too. We would have the potential to have more qi users among us, so if we have any newcomers who are against it, that may be an issue, but that's not an actual problem.

"The people are honest, hardworking, and honorable. As is their leader," she added with a glance at Blake, then back to her parents. "In the time I've been with them, I've seen no hostility from them, and they welcome those who are willing to work with them and can offer the same."

[Leon]

Sharing a quick glance Bailey's mom would then pull Bailey to the side for a moment.

"What happened to your face?"

Bailey's step-dad would nod.

"Very well... We will join Aurora. Our only choice for survival at this point, you have my thanks."

He sighed and coughed as he thought of how to explain this to the mass, how many would go, how many would try and stay, how many would possibly die on the way...

[Blake Oleander]

"There is no need for you to send everyone at once. If you wish you may send those willing to travel and when I return I will send people with water and supplies to help the rest of you recover. I would like to see this transition with no deaths."

[Bailey Oleander]

She figured this would come up sooner or later once a decision had been made. Bailey looked away from her mother for a moment, trying to find the best way to explain, then shook her head and looked at her again. It was odd, seeing her so clearly without contact lenses or glasses now. The regeneration had taken care of the need for those, though she was still trying to get used to the fact she now had the exoskeleton obscuring her vision.

"It's complicated, but mostly? It's a complication of my qi. Our family's qi, specifically.  But the good news is that I don't need glasses anymore?" She tilted her head as she looked at her mother with a thoughtful frown.

"Do you know anyone from your side or Dad's who kept to themselves or seemed different from teh rest?" The inflection in her voice reflected the question about her birth father.

[Leon]

Baileys Step-Dad would nod at Blake.

"I will see if there are those strong enough to make the journey and if they wish to leave,"

Bailey's mom however frowned back at her.

"Your father never spoke about his family, and kept that very private besides pertinent information about diseases for safety reasons. My side of the family was mostly scientists and engineers for as long as I can remember."

[Blake Oleander]

Blake nodded.

"That sounds reasonable."

[Bailey Oleander]

Bailey nodded at the explanation, though she wished sh had more to go off of. It was difficult to do so while she was technically here as part of a diplomatic negotiation, even if Blake had it under control. Still, if they were all going to be moving, information could be lost. Or it could just be a poor time for it.

"Safety reasons?" Her volume dropped significantly as a slight frown dared ot show. This was something she hadn't heard of before now. That he was a private person, she remembered, but the deflection felt like it carried more weight suddenly.

[Leon]

Bailey's step dad would leave the building to gather those who had been acting as runners to spread information around town.

Bailey's mom would nod.

"That's the wording he would use."