Private En Garde!

[Persephone Dashiell]

CITY OF KEREN, NABOO

Keren Select Academy for Young Sentients | Enshid Veruna
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First had been her col'n termi, or a Hapan finishing school. Traveling back and forth to Gallinore had become near impossible, especially with usual hazards in the hyperlanes. Additionally, her parents wanted her to gain skills not only in etiquette but also politics and diplomacy. No where else would such an education be found but on Naboo. Besides, it was a much shorter hyperspace trip from Joiol. Safer too.

Much like her last foray into 'finishing school', Persephone was taking classes on her own time and as she saw fit. She had a long line of private tutors back home and worked the education in on a completely different schedule. Didn't mean she hadn't made friends in the interim. Elio Hallorand was one of those. Tall, blonde, and insufferably handsome. Son of a family who owned an extensive chain of luxury resorts and casinos. All but handpicked by her parents to be a friend. All of her friends had been nearly two years ago. Persephone had overheard them, the need for her to have a certain type of friend given her position.

Elio bounced back to her side of the gym, just as she was pulling on the jacket needed for fencing. His blonde hair was matted down as he took off the fencing mask. Persephone inclined her chin towards what she assumed was her opponent gearing up.

"Who's the new girl? I haven't seen her before."

"Enshid Veruna. Yes, as in that House Veruna." Elio paused, taking off his gloves and speaking in hushed tones. "She joined not too long ago. Word on the street says her mother was in love with a poor man and shunned House Veruna. Father says she was found on the streets." Shoulder shrugged, as if to say he didn't believe it. "Hasn't really talked to any of us. Can't tell if she's shy or thinks we're beneath her."

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[Enshid Veruna]

Persephone Dashiell​

Why did she have to be here? Enshid sighed to herself as she fiddled with her fencing gear. She had at least understood the basics of this. It was somewhat similar to fighting with a knife. It was just a much longer knife and you weren't fighting to survive. You were fighting to get points. It was still a strange thought to her as she swished her weapon for a moment to get a better feel for it. She took in a steady breath, getting ready to stand up with her head up high...Up until she heard the hushed tones, her eyes darting over towards the voices as Enshid cleared her throat.

"...You know I have ears, yes? People have a habit of paying attention when you mention their names."

She tugged at the sleeves of her jacket for a moment, trying to make sure everything was decent. Having all of this fancy gear was a bit extreme in Enshid's mind but then again, how many people were willing to risk their precious children getting an itty bitty bruise? Okay. Maybe it'd be a bit more than just a bruise if something was to go wrong fencing but even still, she had been fought with blades before and was completely fine!

"Also I'm pretty sure it's rude to talk about someone who doesn't even know your own name."

It wasn't like she thought she was better than them. Far the opposite honestly. She felt like she didn't belong here. This was for the rich folk, the fancy folk. She wasn't either. Well, she might have been rich now as a member of House Veruna, but she hadn't even taken a look at any of it. It felt wrong to have money and not give it away. Enshid shook her head to try and ignore that thought as she prepared to get to fencing. She had to remember there were rules for this.

"Also for your information, my mother was the poor one."

Information about her was already being spread...This might be something she'd have to try and nip in the bud. The last thing she wanted was to cause problems for her family.​

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

"It's also rude to eavesdrop on private conversations."

What did this girl have, supersonic hearing? Maybe the gym echoed a little more than she had anticipated. Persephone was a little louder than expected at times. Either way, the damage was done. She and Elio were face-to-face with one Enshid Veruna of House Veruna. It appeared the girl was going to be her competition for the day, or at least for the next few rounds.

Removing her glove, Persephone outstretched her hand towards the new girl, bolding introducing herself to the other.

"Persephone Dashiell, a pleasure to meet you Enshid. The blonde bastard with me is Elio Hallorand." A small chuckle before the teenage boy spoke up. "Charmed, Milady."

A small pause. They were already breaking protocol and proper etiquette. Might as well continue on the line of questioning. The loth-cat was already out of the bag, so to speak.

"So your father came to collect you?"

A note of jealousy entered her tone. Persephone had desperately wanted her father to just even acknowledge her existence. Yet he didn't, instead he tried to give her a dusty, crumpled protein bar. Now she couldn't stand the sight of any type of protein bar. Shaking her head, Persephone tamped those feelings down.

"Miss Veruna! Miss Dashiell! The class is waiting." Their instructor was not pleased.

 

[Enshid Veruna]

Persephone Dashiell

"A private conversation happens between closed doors. Not in public."

Almost straight away however, Enshid reached her hand out to shake Persephone's hand. It was...nice. Someone who wasn't all bowing to her or acting like she was a gift to the planet. Of course, she did wrinkle her nose at Elio's Milady comment. It wasn't something she wanted to hear. It felt wrong. It wasn't who she was. Not who she had tried to become.

"No. He didn't."

That was her only comment about her father. The less she spoke about her family, the better. She couldn't risk giving ammunition to be used against House Veruna. Instead, she slid her glove back onto her hand, stepping over towards her position and getting ready to work on her fencing. Her fingers were itching to get to striking, to get to fighting...but she had to remind herself this wasn't some kind of street brawl. It was not a way for her to get out her frustrations.

"I apologise for keeping the class waiting Ma'am. I just believe that having good chemistry with your opponent allows you both to grow."

It was her...attempt at trying to use sweet words. To be charming. Something she wasn't used to. These classes could be used for more than just education. She could use them to try and build on her social skills. It might be like a pit of vipers...but at least the vipers here were defanged.

"...Ready when you are, Persephone."​