Private Field Trip

[Persephone Dashiell]

"There's nothing wrong with ZikZok in moderation."

She had her back turned, looking at a vendor who was selling grilled meat on sticks. It was a debate if she wanted to try those or have some gluk at one of the stalls. Nose crinkled a little, not liking the idea of having to stop and eat the gluk instead of moving around while they enjoyed their lunch. When she finally turned back to Lysander von Ascania he suddenly appeared with some kind of large waffle in hand. Other hand had a small dipping cup of some sort of sauce.

"No, have you?"

Ever thoughtful, she snagged a napkin from a local vendor and used it to tear off a piece. Not a large piece - she didn't want to just take his food, especially when they had just agreed she would pay. Carefully a piece was dipped into the muja sauce to try. A bite was taken and she nodded, agreeing that it wasn't all too horrible.

"Really good...different than the ones for breakfast some how..." Another bite. "Next food I'm buyin'. Aren't Jedi poor? Can't have you wastin' your credits."

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Persephone Dashiell

"Yeah," he began, glancing down at the waffle nestled in his hand, "I've had them back home on Coruscant." His voice carried a hint of thoughtfulness as he imagined the streets of the massive galactic city where other vendors served them. "At least, that's what I call home now," he added.

Once Persephone had taken a small portion, he too dipped an edge into the sauce and savored the taste. As the flavors danced on his tongue, he felt a sense of relief, as if he had just awoken from a deep sleep. After chewing another bite, he felt ready for something more exciting. "I admit it's not the most thrilling meal, since it's something I kind of eat regularly. I mainly wanted the muja sauce."

"No, not all Jedi," he replied, his voice calm and sincere. "I don't want my credits to define me, but how I serve others one day. Besides, I never feel poor when I'm sharing a meal with a friend." Taking a second to gaze at the array of vendors, he could feel the anticipation building. "Is there anything that catches your eye?" he asked, taking another small bite of the warm waffle. "Perhaps we could try something new together after this?"

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

"Coruscant is home cause of the Jedi, right?"

Persephone always thought the Jedi staying on Coruscant was an odd choice. Isolated in nature seemed more conducive to learning about the Force but what did she know? Center of the universe it was apparently. She chewed the space waffle as Lysander von Ascania spoke, finding it curious the Jedi all had different perspectives. Different interpretations, she supposed.

"With a friend? Don't be so quick to say that. I could be crazy. Or serial killer. Or a Sith."

They slowly started to walk once again, passing stalls. This time she was prepared, paying for their 'something new' while Lysander was occupied with his waffle. A fermented brassica flatbread. The vendor warned them it was spicy as it was made, four neat little square slices in a tray.

She held the tray between them since Lysander had the waffle. Taking a square, Persephone bit into a piece of the flatbread. It was spicy and oddly fermented but also good. Some type of sauce cut a little of the spiciness. Nothing she ever would have purposely tried but it was good enough in her eyes to eat it again.

"Okay...not horrible. Can't say I would try this on my own. I kind of want to dip it in the muja fruit but that sounds even weirder. Maybe not right now. Something to think on."

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Persephone Dashiell

“Yes," he replied, his voice calm. "The new Jedi Order is located there." As he spoke, he found himself scanning nearby vendors, trying to see what they had to offer. "It feels..." Lysander then paused, trying to find the right words. "It feels too big there for me, too busy."

“I often find myself retreating to the training grounds or the library, places where I can actually breathe. I guess those two places are where I truly feel at home.”

“Crazy? Maybe," he continued, tilting his head slightly. His brow lifted at the mention of potentially being a serial killer. He imagined he would've already been her first victim. "But hey, if you are a Sith," he continued, "I'm quite sure I could talk you out of it.”

Calling someone 'friend' seemed to be common among others within the Order back home. It had just grown on him over time.

He walked beside Persephone, casually eating the waffle, while mentally trying to figure out how to step in as she prepared to pay for the next purchase. After failing and moments later when she placed the tray between them, he reached for one of the squares, yet hesitated and watched her take the bite first. When he finally tried his own, he enjoyed the pleasing flavor until the heat surged through his mouth. Even though they had been warned, it still caught him off guard. Determined to maintain his composure, he offered his usual warm smile. “It's not too spicy.”

With a rather graceful flick of his wrist, Lysander offered her the small container of muja sauce. “You can have it. I don't mind.” He paused for a second, then looked back up at her with curiosity. "By the way, where are you from?”

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

"So you're smart?"

Persephone didn't know many teenage boys hung out on the library. Then again, Lysander von Ascania was of a different background compared to some of the boys she had hung around before. It could be assumed due to his family status and background education was a priority for him. Or an expectation. Now that she was with her parents, education was a massive expectation with several private tutors. It only made sense the von Ascania family would feel the same.

Gently taking the muja sauce, she poured a little on top of the flatbread before handing it back. Taking a bit now with the sauce,she made a face. Certainly didn't work the way some flatbreads worked with jams. Still, didn't know til one tried and since she loved fruit, it was worth the try. Shoulders shrugged a little as they navigated to a drink stall. There was a spice on the flatbread and it was beginning to hit the back of her throat.

"Originally? Taris. Now? A few different places. It just depends on where my parents have business interests and how the family feels. Probably will be in one place for awhile now."

Placing credits down for their drinks, she looked at him.

"You go back home often? Or the Jedi have you locked away?"

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Persephone Dashiell

The padawan's gaze shifted momentarily, a hint of shyness flickering across his features as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind his ear. “I wouldn’t say I’m smart, just.. curious." He paused, his brow furrowing slightly as he began to consider his words. "I spend a lot of time studying history and politics. I hope that understanding the many complexities of our galaxy will allow me to better serve it one day.”

He studied her face after trying the flatbread with the muja sauce, noting that perhaps she didn’t like mixing the two.

As they strolled toward the drink stall, Lysander meticulously focused on his waffle, savoring each bite until the very last crumb devoured. Noticing her placing the credits on the counter for the drinks, he couldn’t resist the urge to roll his eyes dramatically before Persephone, a gesture suggesting his disapproval.

The idea of constantly moving stirred a sense of empathy within him. “How does it feel to never stay in one place for too long? It sounds difficult.” He then took a sip of his drink, though the flavor eluded him. “Are there any places that you consider home?” The Padawan’s questions were simply an attempt to understand her experiences and see how they shaped her, which would make her more than just another fleeting encounter in the galaxy. Outside of the regular faces within the order, that was how it felt with most he crossed paths with.

"I rarely ever visit Ukatis now," he then said, his voice steady. “I don’t really miss it.“ It was clear that the landscapes of his home planet were nothing but distant echoes. “But once I find a Jedi master to serve, I know I’ll have more opportunities to travel on missions. Then I’ll be able to explore the galaxy and experience some of the world I’ve been reading about.”

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

"Politics and history? Heavy subjects, you have to the smart for those."

Just note of genuine admiration entered her tone. Certainly not a subject she could excel at. History, sure. Politics? She did not have the patience for such a thing. Nor was she often appreciative of nuance and subtly politics required. She was, in a sense, a wampa in a china shop.

Catching the roll of his eyes, Persephone continued on.

"Mama always said if you roll you eyes enough they'll get stuck like that. I wouldn't risk it."

Taking a sip of her fizzy fruit punch, Persephone nodded sagely when he spoke of not returning home. She understood the sentiment well. Persie did return to Taris fairly recently to recover a few things from where she used to live. If it hadn't been for the items in the safe she would have never bothered.

"I'm from Taris and likewise, no desire to return." A small frown at the thought. "Moving around isn't so bad. So far I've lived in four spots - everywhere we have stayed has its perks and benefits. Three of the places I have a room and closet and a big opportunity to shop and find new fashions. I've got private tutors. I get to see a lot of the 'verse other girls my age don't."

Another sip of her drink.

"We lived on a space station in the Centrality region - the entire family! All six of us. Chaotic but also really fun. I had to share a room but I kind of enjoyed that too? Just don't let anyone know I said that."

Lysander von Ascania

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Persephone Dashiell

A spark of excitement ignited within him. “I guess I’ll just have to get smarter, then," he mused, a grin creeping along his face. “It's about both strategy and understanding the hearts and minds of others. But that’s what makes it exciting for me.” Rather than feeling like a heavy burden, he saw them as new adventures. “Honestly, I’ve only recently discovered that I thrive on challenges," he added.

He offered a nonchalant shrug of the shoulders on her comment about the eye roll. It was a common gesture he used to hide his frustration during long lessons with a few of the Jedi masters. “I’d hope not. I wouldn’t want to be walking around like this,” he said, rolling them once more.

"It sounds like you come from a nice family," he commented, a hint of warmth in his voice then. "I can relate.. I have a big family myself, though, we didn’t have to share rooms." He attempted to find some common ground though it sounded they were both on very different journeys in this galaxy.

Lysander’s thoughts drifted toward the thought of shopping. “I wish I could go shopping now.” The enthusiasm in his tone was evident as he envisioned what the mall here on Challon might be like. He couldn’t help but then chuckle softly. “Though I have to admit, my wardrobe seems to be lacking aside from training apparel. Almost everything now is just appropriate for the Jedi temple and the like. It's all either white or brown lately.” It was interesting to see how fashion differed from each planet. “What’s your favorite place to shop? Or does that change each time you move too?”

An image of him arriving back to the dig site with a handful of bags crossed his mind’s eye. He even contemplated the odds of whether it was actually possible or not to sneak some new designs onto the ship he arrived on.

A larger sip was then taken from his drink as he found himself full of questions. It was oddly refreshing to hear someone else being into fashion, as it didn’t seem common with many of the Padawans he knew, and most certainly not the Jedi Knights. "Would you ever consider making your own clothes or designing a line?"

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

"Sounds like you have a nice family too. Just much bigger than mine." Lysander von Ascania seemed friendly enough, and so was Corazona von Ascania , then it was quite possible the entire von Ascania family was equally nice. Oddly, she hadn't seen any of them at the high society gatherings she had been frequenting, yet there were so many it was easy to miss being introduced to everyone or hearing the introductions at the beginnings.

"All white or brown? Jedi are very boring...If all you do is train, where would you wear your normal clothes?"

Her mind drifted to clothing Balun Dashiell and the challenge that was. If it wasn't a boring brown or cream it seemed they couldn't touch it. Then again, the older teenager seemed to have some hang-ups on modesty and how his clothing fit, so it may be a person specific issue.

"I shop wherever I am because I enjoy unique pieces. Who says we can't shop while we are here? Do you only shop in certain places? Unless you didn't bring a credcard or something... As for my own clothing...Maybe? I interned this summer and the business side was not fun. I had thought about becoming a designer...but maybe it will ruin my love of fashion? Also been learning to draw and paint and art history...so an art dealer in the future also sounds interesting when I get older."

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Persephone Dashiell

"It feels like we’ve drifted apart a bit,” he said with a forced smile. “But even with fewer of us, we always manage to have fun. Our home used to feel as busy as a spaceport when I was younger.”

Lysander pondered her next inquiry, his mind weaving through the rather limited possibilities of a Jedi's color choice. "Perhaps for a simple task like a trip to the marketplace or something," he mused, "but surely it is not impossible to carry the role of both a keeper of peace and a trendsetter."

He hesitated for a moment, his thoughts drifting to the countless designers he had encountered on Coruscant. “I don’t really go to any specific places back home. There are countless designers there—you can find everything. It’s amazing.”

The idea of her becoming an art dealer someday sounded so cool, and he felt a hint of admiration for the ambition behind it. “I think you should definitely pursue it! Imagine sharing your talent with all the galaxy. It might even help others appreciate the beauty in art.”

Beneath the surface of his musings was a practical thought now, one that even made him smirk to himself. Shopping at the mall meant a chance to escape his dirty tunic and indulge in more delicious food. He would then try to seize the moment. “I would totally be down to go shopping if you’re up for it."

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

"Hmm, trendsetting and peace keepin'? Not sure those mix together. If you think they can though....Of course a politician can be a trendsetter and a diplomat, yet I am not sure fighting like a Jedi and fashion mix? Seems impractical?"

Persephone had no idea, of course. She only knew vague military fighting from her history classes. They didn't touch on fashion choices in battle however. Seemed lower on the priority list when one was getting shot at and bombarded. Jedi were quite different than the average military force however.

"Not as exciting as the life of a Jedi, I'm sure. Art dealing."

Still one of those debates she had raging. Persephone was certainly more creative despite having a massive practical side. The pro/con list was being made already. She only had a few short years to slowly start thinking of her decision and how to approach her future.

"We can go shopping. We're already in trouble. Might as well make the most of my limited freedom. Won't be going anywhere anytime after this. I can pick up a few things perhaps, before the allowance gets cut."

Lysander von Ascania

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Persephone Dashiell

“Yeah, I guess a stylish tunic would do much good when a Sith is charging at you,” he mused. He recalled the teachings of the Jedi, and how they emphasized discipline, focus, and inner peace. Some of it felt like it could conflict with the vanity of trendsetting.

“Every painting could also carry a message just like the teachings of the Force. If that's what makes you happy then you should do it! I think that path is exciting in its own way, and maybe not as dangerous.”

While far from his best appearance, her willingness to go to the mall and shopping would be difficult to deny. He hadn’t really put a single thought into the impending consequences of their actions yet, but guessed she would probably face more than himself.

“Hey, if we’re going to get into trouble, we can do it in style now. Right?”

Before long, he guided them away from the food market and stepped back out onto one of the streets. Lysander gazed thoughtfully at the maze of different streets and alleys ahead, trying to decide which path would lead them to the mall. Closing his eyes for an instant, he focused on the energy one would find at a mall—the energy, the thoughts of shoppers. His connection to the Force was still growing, and he found it challenging to filter through the noise and chaos around them. But he felt he had a good idea of the direction. Nodding his head, he turned to Persephone. "I believe it’s this way."

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

"You think they have your wookie-thing at this mall?"

Persephone let him navigate, sipping on her drink as they walked. While she had the flatbread and a piece of the waffle, but could still easily eat. If she was going to get in trouble - and trouble she was going to get into - Persie wanted to try everything imaginable during her last hours of freedom.

Distinctly the shopping mall loomed ahead, massive with crowds of beings milling around outside. She would have to strategic on this trip in looking for a few pieces. Not that she was certain on finding anything.

"So how long have you been studyin' with the Jedi?"

Lysander von Ascania