Private One Last Time

[Liin Terallo]

Going through forbidden territory was not easy for me. Not emotionally at least. Yet just as I had travelled through Black Sun territory and others far more dangerous; I had done so while keeping my identity hidden. Fake credentials, a dark wig - even wearing slacks instead of the skirts and dresses that I was known for - all of that was to better maintain my secrecy.

Mister Dashiell had given me co-ordinates to his home for a meeting. I could not risk public transport to such a private location and so I had made the simple request from Mister Dashiell's father for an escort. Such a request was dutily respected and granted, and I know that some day I will pay him back for it. But until then I will limit such favors to the bare minimum, for it will keep my tab to an amount more easily managed.

The transport arrived at his residence swiftly and easily. Although I knew deep down that this meeting was going to be the complete opposite. I have tried to prepare myself for it, yet doing so has only increased my anxiety and nerves. Still, I bury those feelings deep down, preferring to come across as more stoic than anything else.

As the transport's ramp is lowered, I give the instructions for my escort to wait there for me. Afterall I do not expect this meeting to take long. And the easier my escape from it, the better.

I approach his residence quietly, having disguarded my disguise, and allowed myself to distract myself with the architecture. It looks to be far more comfortable than a lot of the places that I had been staying in lately. So I hope that that is never taken for granted.

Once at the door, I hold my breath and give it a knock.

Tag: Balun Dashiell

 

[Balun Dashiell]

ONE LAST TIME
The Dashiell Estate, Jhaessa Prime, Ilyndraal.
Liin Terallo

The invitation had been sent, and over a matter of days, Balun had been informed that Liin Terallo was underway for Jhaessa Prime.

Truthfully, Balun had wanted to get Liin to visit the planet for a good while now, not because of it's affiliation to the High Republic but due to it's being largely underdeveloped and holding so much yet to be documented, explored and utilised. Thus far, the Capital City, Meridian, was the sole settlement that had been entirely completed, taking years in its construction, design and settlement by refugees and citizens of the Galaxy seeking a peaceful place to live and do trade. Though he doubted that Liin would ever agree to it, Balun could see a potential life here for Liin and her work, regardless of his feelings toward her recent scientific discoveries.

Kellan Dashiell wasn't home, the young boy having gone out with his caretaker droid, Vesha Daruun. This was by design as Balun sought the privacy to meet with Liin without interruption, no matter how innocent. He had tracked the vessel's progress, having his father, Judah Dashiell , to thank for her discreet flight. Thanks to the technological marvels of Dashiell Incorporated™ and no lack of financing, Liin's arrival was as timely as it was subtle.

Balun answered the door, having already been notified of the ship's arrival. He wore plain civies, a pair of loose fit black pants and a white t-shirt. Opening the door, Liin would be greeted by a smile from her old friend, glad to see she had entertained the invitation if nothing else. "Liin, come on inside", he encouraged her while stepping away from the entrance and gesturing for her to accompany him into the living room.

The estate was, naturally, lavish and large. They would move through the lobby and down the main hallway that entered a corss-section, moving in either direction deeper through the residence. Leading her directly ahead, saving the tour for now, he entered the grandiose lounge with Liin and tow, revealing expensive yet comfortable seating. Several couches and single-seaters facing the wall of Transparisteel that looked out across the beautiful green plains and hills of Ilyndraal.

"Make yourself at home. Would you like anything before I get comfortable? Drink or food?" he asked casually, speaking to a friend and not a former employer or business colleague. He seemed relaxed and pleased in her company.

Jedi Master: Ala Quin
Major Faction: The High Republic
Sub-Faction: Jhaessa Prime
Conglomerate: Dashiell Incorporated™
Subsidiary Company: Dashiell Retrofit™​

"Speech"
'Thought'​

 

[Liin Terallo]

I did not release my held breath. Even as the door opened. Throughout this entire journey I had expected a far different demeanor to greet me. The tone that I had read from his messages were short and stern, giving me the certainty that today's meeting was going to be anything but pleasant. Yet what answered the door surprised me. There was no anger or malice. There was no resentment. There was not even an acusitory glare. Instead there was only kindness....

It was not until he led me inside that I quietly released my breath. Although the tension in my muscles remained. So much so that I felt a little stiff instead of poised. But I could not relax. Not yet.

"Some wine, if you have any, please. Or some other form of liquor would be suitable." If anything was going to make this meeting go any easier it would be wine or some sort of stiff drink. If I can numb the emotions, then that would be all the better. "You have a lovely home," I remarked before sitting myself down on one of the single chairs. I was glad for the large transparasteel window, for it offered a terrific distraction with the view.

Tag: Balun Dashiell

 

[Balun Dashiell]

ONE LAST TIME
The Dashiell Estate, Jhaessa Prime, Ilyndraal.
Liin Terallo

"Wine, I can do", Balun smiled before moving towards the adjoining room, the living area separated by an open bench and shelves offering a window into the kitchen through the centre. Disappearing into the entranceway to the kitchen, Balun grabbed two glasses, one for wine as well as a bottle so Liin could help herself, and a smaller plain glass for himself, followed by a bottle of whiskey. If there was drinking to be done, Balun wasn't someone to pass up an opportunity to join.

"I'm not a wine kinda guy myself, but I always keep some for guests. Not that I've ever had anyone else stay here outside of the family," Balun explained as he wandered back into the living area and set the bottle of wine and the wine glass on a small table nearest to where Liin had chosen to seat herself; "It's good to see you again. It's been a long time. Obviously, you've been busy, but take some time to relax. I was hoping we could catch up properly," He suggested, soon moving over to one of the couches and almost falling into it with a lazy and carefree demeanour, his bottle of whiskey unopened and safe from spilling any of it.

"Aside from the vid that I saw, which we don't need to get into right away, how have you been doing?" Balun asked as he leaned forward and placed both the bottle of whiskey and his glass atop the coffee table in front of him, soon pulling a packet of cigarro's from his pants pocket and placing one to his lips; "Mind if I smoke?" he asked out of consideration. In most cases, he would just light up, but he wasn't the type to ignore the comfort of others.

Jedi Master: Ala Quin
Major Faction: The High Republic
Sub-Faction: Jhaessa Prime
Conglomerate: Dashiell Incorporated™
Subsidiary Company: Dashiell Retrofit™​

"Speech"
'Thought'​

 

[Liin Terallo]

Well there is some wine at least. That in and of itself was a good sign for me, as small as that may be.

"Thank you." I poured myself a glass while he sat down, knowing that it was far easier for someone to say to relax, than it was to actually do it. Especially now. I had been living on the run for a lifetime, it feels like. So relaxing did not come easily for me. It was almost a foreign concept.

I took a sip from my wine while he spoke. The Dashiell's had always been welcoming to me; giving me nearly everything for nothing at all. Yet I always did what I could to ensure that whatever they did for me I would pay back with interest. My pride does not allow me to accept charity so readily, even if the gestures are not meant in that way.

The moment that he touched on the subject of the leaked video, I dropped my gaze. I can feel the lecture waiting patiently to enter the conversation. But for now I just placated the smalltalk that he decided to pursue, wondering if it was some kind of strategy that he was employing.

"You may smoke if you wish." It was his home afterall. And more often than not he did smoke when in my company, as those that had taken up the habit often did. "I am doing...all right, thank you. I have avoided any hunters, as well as anyone trying to get close thus far. I will soon relocate again and stay clear from the holonet for a while." I allowed myself another sip of my wine. "How have you been?"

Tag: Balun Dashiell

 

[Balun Dashiell]

ONE LAST TIME
The Dashiell Estate, Jhaessa Prime, Ilyndraal.
Liin Terallo

"Always busy, always needed somewhere for something", Balun chuckled, having answered her redirection, soon lighting up his cigarra and easing back into his seat. "If you're looking to relocate, there's always a place for you on Jhaessa Prime, you know?" he soon replied, cutting straight to the suggestion that the planet, his planet, could offer her refuge.

"This place is safe and always open to you. It's a passion project of mine, though it's progressing slowly. A massive endeavour trying to build a fully inhabited and successful trade planet, and I'm stretched so thin between the Order and my company, but nothing on this world happens officially without my input". Dashiell Incorporated™ was the name on the books, but Balun was the primary contributor, and it was his hard work and dedication that had headed up the development of the world hidden in the nebula.

Contrary to how it might appear, the offer wasn't being made impulsively. Balun had considered how it might work, thought about setting Liin up with a secure place and role in the world, including financing her scientific ambitions with a lab and equipment through the business contacts that he had dealt with in the past.

"Financing wouldn't be an issue; I'm more than happy to go the distance for my friends. Were it something you would be interested in pursuing, just let me know. Your work could continue, protected and unimpeded by political influence" Balun leaned forward again and poured himself a glass of whiskey, only topping it up quarter way, seeing as he was drinking it straight. "It's just an idea, though, never any pressure Liin. An offer with no strings attached, between us".

Jedi Master: Ala Quin
Major Faction: The High Republic
Sub-Faction: Jhaessa Prime
Conglomerate: Dashiell Incorporated™
Subsidiary Company: Dashiell Retrofit™​

"Speech"
'Thought'​

 

[Liin Terallo]

"Running a world is never easy," I interject; my knowledge coming from my own experience. But that too was a lifetime ago. There was so much of a difference between back then and now; that it was almost as though I have lived two different lives.

"I will think about your offer, thank you." Although in truth my decision was already made. I had to turn it down. I could not put the peoples' lives here at risk. I was still being hunted, afterall. Hunted by those that wanted to either end my research by any means necessary or exploit it. Not to mention it was within the territory of the foreign occupiers of New Cov. Staying here would be like putting salt in the wound of both myself and other Covie alike.

What will I do after my research is completed? I do not know. In the same manner that I do not know if I will even survive long enough for it to be completed. That will just have to be a bridge to cross later when I get to it. If I get to it, that is.

I have another sip of my wine, using that gesture as a bit of an excuse for my silence. Although my parents would be chastizing me quite a bit if they could see me being unable to properly carry on a conversation. "You will have to forgive me. I have gotten far too used to being alone by myself. I feel as though my conversational skills are severely lacking today." Of course there are some unspoken reasons for that as well. And I am certain that we will be getting to that topic soon enough.

Tag: Balun Dashiell

 

[Balun Dashiell]

ONE LAST TIME
The Dashiell Estate, Jhaessa Prime, Ilyndraal.
Liin Terallo

Balun nodded, soon taking another drag from his cigarra as Liin Terallo sipped her glass of wine. Her response to his offer wasn't surprising, expecting that she would inevitably turn him down, albeit politely, as that was her nature. That he had made the offer was enough for Balun. Were she to ever find herself in a desperate position where Republic Space appeared a safe refuge, she knew where to find him.

As for the expectations of social etiquette, frankly, Balun didn't have any. "There's nothing to forgive. We're just two friends here, Liin. I didn't invite you here for a business proposition, but to see how you are and how I might be able to help, if and where possible. Your work seems to have gained a lot of interest..." he replied, encouraging the conversation forward with the fact they both knew to be true.

"I'm not intelligent enough to understand the science behind it all, but I know how it feels to be looking over your shoulder every ten minutes of the waking hour", he spoke softly. If there was any sign of resentment or disapproval, he kept it hidden. Balun didn't want to lecture her, not when he would be painting him out to be a hypocrite in doing so. No, it was concern that drove him, and a need to know more about what she had been dealing with, and whom.

"Are you still under the protection of the Diarchy?".

Jedi Master: Ala Quin
Major Faction: The High Republic
Sub-Faction: Jhaessa Prime
Conglomerate: Dashiell Incorporated™
Subsidiary Company: Dashiell Retrofit™​

"Speech"
'Thought'​

 

[Liin Terallo]

He might not have invited me here for business or what have you; but I am not accustomed to lounging around in someone elses home. There is a certain protocol that must be followed. My parents drilled that into me since I was old enough to understand. I have only ever fully relaxed and let loose when I was alone and felt safe enough to do so. And that has not been the case for quite some time. Instead I am constantly on edge.

The wine might help with that. Or maybe it will not.

As soon as he mentioned my work gaining some interest, I tightened my jaw while expecting the lecture to happen next. But it did not. Instead he seemed to show a bit of empathy.

I did not know what to say in my response. I did not need everything to come out all wrong. Nor did I need myself to just divulge everything to him. No one needs to know everything. That could only put them in danger.

"No. I am not within their protection any more. I left them because I did not want to endanger them. They have enough to deal with and their own lives to lead." That all was partly true. What I left out was that history was repeating itself. Once again people were assuming that I was in a relationship with a bodyguard; creating a love life for me that I had not asked for. It was just as embarrassing as it was the first time around. I had to get away from that. "But I am fine. Really. This is only just temporary. And my promise to you will still be upheld."

Tag: Balun Dashiell