Private Mandatory Leave of Scrutiny

[Liin "Tera" Terallo]

Embarrassment is not something so easily overcome. I know this, for I had gone through it in school. But what is far worse now is that I am adult, and it is all seemingly out in the public. Now normally I ignore rumors and tabloids for the make believe that they are. But when even my employer believes the lies? I just cannot allow myself to be the subject of ridicule and so easily found by others wanting the latest scoop. It is better to be where the public are not permitted to go.

I need to distance myself from the rumors and what they consist of. I can still attend meetings elsewhere via holo as others have done. And as far as I am aware, there is nothing pressing out there that needs me to be present in person. So that leaves me free to just bury myself in my work in my laboratory. At least there, there no one is trying to make assumptions about my personal life. At least there at my laboratory there is no one trying to pry into my personal life. I can keep the focus away from me and just on the tasks at hand. My internal walls and emotions can remain protected and in check.

But I need to let Mister Dashiell know. I cannot just fire him, for that would be cruel and unjust. Plus it would also encourage more rumors to fester and grow. So instead I come up with an alternative and send Mister Dashiell a message via the holonet:

~Mister Dashiell,

I write to inform you that I am granting you paid leave for the foreseeable future. I plan on working in the laboratory for some time. In light of that your services are not immediately required. I encourage you to spend the time well with your family.

I will inform you of any changes.

Director Terallo.~

The more formal that it sounds, the better, just in case my communications are somehow hacked into. I can only hope that they are not. Yet I also hope that Mister Dashiell takes this sudden change without question. Afterall, he is still going to be paid.

Tag: Balun Dashiell

 

[Balun Dashiell]

~Mister Dashiell,

I write to inform you that I am granting you paid leave for the foreseeable future. I plan on working in the laboratory for some time. In light of that your services are not immediately required. I encourage you to spend the time well with your family.

I will inform you of any changes.

Director Terallo.~

Dashiell Cottage.

Balun Dashiell sat cross-legged on the soft rug in the heart of the cottage's living room, his attention divided between the datapad in his hands and the small figure wriggling nearby. Kellan, his infant son, lay on his tummy atop a playmat scattered with textured toys and brightly colored sensory pads. The little one kicked his legs and lifted his head with quiet determination, experiencing the strange delight of independent movement. Every gurgle, every shift of weight had Balun's gaze flicking up instinctively—watchful, protective, and quietly captivated by the boy's curiosity.


Though Lia had been an incredible help so far, Balun was acutely aware that she remained the personal assistant of Makai and Myra Arceneau Dashiell . He didn't want to rely on her longer than necessary. With that in mind, he'd already sent a message to Matsu Ike , inquiring about the possibility of acquiring a Xantha-class Biot for more permanent care—something personal, something tailored for Kellan's wellbeing.


Life, lately, had taken on a quieter rhythm. Slower, steadier. Balun hadn't seen Falentra since their duel aboard the orbital station over Kesh, and he hoped the message he'd left her with had been clear enough. In her absence, and with the sudden responsibility of fatherhood shaping his days, he had set aside his former ambitions of mastering the Force. Those pursuits felt distant now. What mattered was here—making the cottage a real home, a sanctuary for both himself and his son.

Dashiell Retrofit™ remained in motion, its shipyard in orbit around Kesh running smoothly under the watchful eye of a well-trained staff. Balun, meanwhile, oversaw operations remotely, stepping back from the minutiae and empowering his senior team with temporary raises and increased responsibilities. It was a necessary shift—he could no longer be everywhere at once. His priorities had changed.

A chime from the datapad broke the quiet hum of the room. Balun's brows rose slightly as he tapped to open the notification. The sender's name brought a flicker of surprise: Liin "Tera" Terallo . He hadn't heard from her since the last tense gathering between the Hutts and the High Society Guild.

But as his eyes scanned the message, surprise gave way to curiosity.

It wasn't the kind of message he had expected. He'd assumed she might be on the move again, her schedule packed and her need for security renewed. That was how it had always been with Liin—quiet, discreet, professional. She was someone who drew little attention unless she chose to. In the time they had worked together, their relationship had remained strictly business, never veering into the personal. In many ways, it had made things refreshingly simple.

Still, Balun lingered over his reply, pausing between lines, giving thought to the tone and wording. Eventually, he began to type:

---

Liin,

Thank you for letting me know. I'll gladly take this time to focus on my son, though I want to be clear—my current circumstances will not affect my ongoing commitment to your contract.

Should you require security services again, I remain available and ready to assist. Otherwise, I imagine we'll next meet at the upcoming High Society Guild gathering.

Wishing you continued success with your work, and I hope you're well.

Regards,
Balun Dashiell

---

Satisfied, he read it over once more, then hit send. A glance toward Kellan—who was now babbling softly to one of his plush toys—brought a faint smile to Balun's face. Whatever changes lay ahead, he would meet them head-on. One message, one breath, one moment at a time.

 

[Liin "Tera" Terallo]

I read over his response more times than I probably should. He started it off by addressing me so informally. If anyone was hacking into my messages; then they would assume that the rumors were true. Which of course they are not.

Further in the message he seems to assume that this sudden paid vacation is due to him having a child. It was not, however. Even if he was childless, I would still make the same request. He could spend time with his father, or his brother and sister, all of which I will be hard pressed to avoid as well. At least none of them frequented New Cov.

As for when the next Galactic High Society gathering will be? I am uncertain. With the fall of two Empires, the dust needs to settle before others will rise to take their place. That should give enough time for those rumors to be forgotten. Afterall it is not as though I am sought after by the media or anyone else. And they all hopefully have short attention spans.

For his last comment about my work and my health, I know how to respond to that one. And that is only to touch on the subject of myself very, very briefly.

~Mister Dashiell,

I wish to assure you that your current circumstance has not affected my decision. Our contract still stands. It is just on pause at the moment while I remain at home.

I have neglected my projects and I wish to focus on them for the time being.

Thank you for the well wishes. Enjoy your time off.

Director Terallo~

I send the message and then lift up my glass of wine, finishing off the liquid contents that help to dull my emotions and fortify them behind a metaphorical stone wall. The less that I can feed the rumors; the better.

Tag: Balun Dashiell