Private Cover Me Up

[Makai Dashiell]

Wearing | Gear : X | X | X | X | X | L3-37 | Interacting With : Danger Arceneau

"I understand." There was a long pause as he watched the weavers go about their day on the looms. A rhythmic click-clack as they worked, manually pulling down treadle to weave the silks. "I won't ask again."

It had already been a debate for himself and Ellie to ask such a thing and pushing further would get them nowhere. At least Makai would have some frame of reference moving forward. Especially at family gatherings. He would never admit it to anyone but bringing around both Danger and his father at once caused a great deal of stress on his end. The entirety of Life Day he was white-knuckling it, hoping something didn't flare up. At least it seemed on Danger's end she was just resolved to keep things surface level.

"I would say a contract is in order with this textile factory. I like the process is continued the artisanal way with sentients. I can see that quality reflected in the silks we've looked at. Since I've already got a presence here with the kalkite mine this makes perfect sense. Let's go find the owner and see if we can't work out a deal or two."

​

With the deal done - Makai never thought he would find himself in the textile industry - the pair walked outside around a small fountain. One of those closed off, walkable streets between buildings that encouraged those to stop at small shops and restaurants along the way. Ghorman had come a long way but it was clearly still a city of artisans.

"Did Ellie tell you about our joint project in the Slice yet?"

Danger he could tell. His father was the one he was concerned about.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

Interacting with: Makai Dashiell
| Dress x | x | x | x | x | x | X | X |

​

Danger accepted his words with a small nod, one that said she understood far more than what Makai was conveying.

"I understand," she said, and this time there was no edge to it at all.

As they lingered near the looms, her attention drifted to the rhythm of the weavers. The click and pull, the patient repetition. It struck her, not for the first time, how much of life was like that. You pull. You press. You repeat. Eventually, something holds. Or it doesn't. Either way, time keeps working the thread until the sharpest parts soften.

She understood why Makai had asked. Anyone would have, caught between history and hope, trying to make space where two stubborn silences refused to meet. Once, she might have bristled at it. Once, it would have stung.

That edge was gone now.

"It ain't an issue to inquire on it all," she said quietly as they turned away from the looms. "Not now. Not ever. You're free to ask me anythin', anytime."

She gave a thoughtful rather than heavy pause.

"I'm long past feelin' testy about it. That's what time does, I suppose. Dulls the sharpest cuts. Leaves the shape, but takes the bite out of it."

The contract negotiations passed smoothly after that, all clean lines and mutual benefit. When it was done and they stepped back outside, the fountain murmured between them, the street alive with artisans and small, earnest commerce. Ghorman, still healing, still making something of itself.

When Makai spoke again, she listened, then tilted her head slight, the soft waves of deep auburn hair brushing her shoulders.

"Myra mentioned the Slice, said ya'll be looking at buildin' some roots there. Shame that the crazy bits of the galaxy are makin' the core all the more turbulent now a days." She added, only to look at him and say, "Ya'll can come to the farm anytime and stay long term. Although I reckon I do understand the need to keep a place of your own."

In her mind, however, there was plenty of space back at the farm if they wanted to build a home there. It was thousands of acres.

Surely enough space to not feel as if 'mother-in-law' was too close.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Wearing | Gear : X | X | X | X | X | L3-37 | Interacting With : Danger Arceneau

Long ago, before Phoebe was born, Makai had toyed with the idea of building a place near Arkhun Farm on Orron III. In fact he had been considering it when he and Ellie lived in Danger's home after Alric's death, wanting to be close to assist with whatever may be needed. In the end the Centrality project came along and they had wanted to pursue a home on the ocean. Wasn't a deal breaker however, there was a lake that would suit him just fine.

"Let's entertain this idea...."

The half-Galan walked slowly around the fountain, with a focus on getting caf from a stall nearly half way around. There was no rush to his steps as he was thinking the best way to approach the situation. This was, in his eyes, something that took careful planning due to the fact he and Ellie would be living on property owned by Danger.

"Ellie and I build a home on planet. Maybe towards the back of the property or a small complex by the lake. A good distance away for some breathing room."

A small pause, a hand running through his hair.

"What happens when Dad wants to come over? Or gets a girlfriend? Or my Mom?...Hell, maybe Mom gets a boyfriend...or Dad." Makai bumped his shoulder against the Trade Queen's in jest before continuing. "Or Phoebe wants to throw a massive tenth birthday party because she's turning double-digits. Or Persephone wants to get married on the property and bring four hundred of her closest friends? Or Ellie and I throw a massive party for our charity, tents and all?"

Iced azure gaze turned in her direction.

"Or I knock on your door at six in the morning because little Dangeruse Junior has cried all night and I'm starting to hallucinate. Or I tell the kids no cookies for breakfast and next thing you know you have a pack of curly haired terrors ransacking your kitchen."

Slowly stopping, Makai turned to the Trade Queen.

"I also want to consolidate the business to make a headquarters for Aina Holdings so I can be there more for the family. Ellie wanted to do the same in some capacity. Maybe on a moon or nearby planet. I'm saying this because I know how much you value your privacy. There may be more increased traffic caused by the original plans I had. Maybe you've thought of this already, I just think its important to put out there..."

 

[Danger Arceneau]

Interacting with: Makai Dashiell
| Dress x | x | x | x | x | x | X | X |

​

Danger slowed with Makai, the fountain's quiet rush filling the space he had left open. She watched him circle it, watched the way the Half-Galen's thoughts moved faster than his feet, and there was something quietly familiar in it. In the way he was trying to plan and protect everything at once.

Funny wasn't it, how the little blue specked boy had grown into a man. Affection sparked her eyes, and when Makai finally stopped, the Queen of Trade didn't answer right away.

Emerald fire eyes rose, but not to the stalls or the weavers, but somewhere past them. Orron III rose in her mind as it always did, the way the sun sank at dusk, the lake catching the sky and the land broad and wide enough to breathe if you let it. Alric and she had bought and built it to make a home. A real one. Now it was quiet.

"Makai," she said at last, low and even, "you're not wrong to ask. And you're not wrong to worry."

A faint, wry curve touched her mouth as he listed the hypotheticals, the chaos, the birthdays and weddings and partners cycling in and out of orbit. At the mention of six in the morning and hallucinations, she huffed a soft, almost-laugh.

"Let me tell you somethin'." She turned, then gave him her full attention. "Alric and I didn't build that land to be a mausoleum. We built it to be lived around, there's a difference."

She gestured, subtly, as if sketching lines only she could see.

"A house by the lake. Far enough to keep your own sky. Close enough that a walk still means somethin'. That part sits just fine with me."

As for the rest, her shoulders lifted in a slow, easy shrug. "Partners, exes, girlfriends, boyfriends, surprise additions to the family tree -- those are solvable with boundaries and calendars. I've managed worse traffic with less leverage."

Her eyes sharpened a fraction, not cold, just honest as her honeyed drawl continued.

"The only thing I won't have is chaos by default. Parties get planned. Weddings get mapped. Charity events get contracts and noise limits. Children get cookies… after breakfast." A pause. "And if they ransack my kitchen, they'll learn real quick where the good drawers stop openin'."

The edge softened again.

"As for consolidatin' Aina Holdings," she continued, "that part makes sense. Headquarters nearby means presence. Means family stops bein' a scheduled event."

She met his gaze squarely now. "You're thinkin' three moves ahead, and I respect that."

But she knew this was up to Makai and Myra.

"So here's where I land." That drawl floated over him along with her faint smile. "You're welcome at the farm if you like on top of wherever you lookin' at the slice. Build your home. Build your future. Bring the noise when it matters and keep the rest at bay. We write the rules once, clean and clear, and nobody's guessin' where the lines are."

Then, with a faint glint of warmth. "And if you knock on my door at six in the mornin' with a screamin' child and ghosts behind your eyes… I'll take the baby."

A pause then she flashed him a wink.

"But I'll still say no to cookies for breakfast."