Private Parachute

[Makai Dashiell]

CRYSTAL COAST

Avenar , Crystal Coast

Wearing | Gear : X | X | X | X | X | L3-37 | Interacting With : Myra Arceneau Dashiell
​

Macrobinoculars in hand, Makai stood on the shore, head titled back as he observed some bright, colorful squawking birds. His father had taken up birdwatching and in this moment, he could see why. The antics of the feathered creatures could be interesting and hilarious all at once. There was something peaceful about wandering the marked nature paths of the resorts and taking in the flora and fauna. So far he had even been able to see some marine life from the shore, although he did have plans to go on a glass-bottom boat ride later to view corals in the more restricted diving areas.

Avenar took nature and its preservation seriously, meaning some places were off limits.

Dressed in tropical trunks and a white linen shirt, Makai felt like the ultimate dad on vacation. In a way, he was. He had booked their tropical shack on the beach for their anniversary-slash-getaway from the kids. Phoebe and Kellan were adorable but a small handful, coupled with their work schedules it sometimes made it hard to have a real conversation without a little terror interrupting to give them all important facts on salamanders or My Little Ropo episodes.

Lowering his macrobinoculars, gaze swept the sand, looking for unusual seashells or stones. Even on a romantic getaway old habits of finding little shiny bits died hard. Iced azure eyes flicked to his wife and grinned.

"...and here we have the rare Myracus Arcenauics." Voice dipped into a hushed high galactic basic accent. "Studying her surroundings, soon she will command her husband to travel elsewhere. The male, knowing his place, will follow, looking for shiny stones to gift her in attempt to mate."

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x | Tag: Makai Dashiell

Myra looked up from where she had been lazily combing her fingers through the warm sand, one brow arching as she caught the tail end of Makai's makeshift silly documentary narration -- the nerd.

As she rolled her eyes, a slow grin spread across her face.

Without missing a beat, the heiress rose to her feet with all the theatrical dignity of royalty, dusting the sand from her cover-up, and strolled over until she was standing directly in front of his macrobinoculars, completely blocking his view.

"I'm terribly sorry to interrupt your research," she relayed with exaggerated sympathy, leaning in just enough to steal a quick kiss, those grey eyes of hers dancing in mirth. "But you've made one critical error."

There was no missing how her smile turned delightfully impish.

"The female doesn't command her husband anywhere." She slipped her hand into his, already tugging him down the shoreline. "She simply starts walking."

A glance over her shoulder sparkled with laughter, dark wavy hair dancing in the breeze.

"I will have you know it will take more than shiny stones for an attempt to mate... pretty seashells will need to be included!"

 

[Makai Dashiell]

CRYSTAL COAST

Wearing | Gear : X | X | X | X | X | L3-37 | Interacting With : Myra Arceneau Dashiell

Fingers interlaced with hers effortlessly, allowing himself to be 'drug' down the beach. Eyebrow arced at her words, clearly skeptical of the suggestion she merely started walking.

"Walk away she says as her husband's hand is entrapped with hers." Another small scoff. "Also when have you not been commanding?"

As he was being drug down the shoreline, he didn't have time to look for these 'pretty seashells' mentioned. Since when did she like seashells? Perhaps it was a joke.

"So I borrowed that mansion on Naboo, put in the work to get into your pants, and you're saying I could have just brought some 'pretty' seashells and some shiny rocks? Years later she tells me..."

Picking up his pace to draw up beside her, shoulder bumped into hers teasingly.

"What are your plans? Besides drag me down this beach like a woman with a singular focus? I have thoughts but have yet to see the aforementioned seashell."

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x | Tag: Makai Dashiell

Myra tossed her head back and laughed, the sound carrying away on the sea breeze as the Heiress cast Makai a look that was equal parts innocent and entirely unconvincing.

"I cannot believe you think so-o little of me," she declared, placing a hand dramatically over her heart. "I would never manipulate my husband."

Oh she was really hamming it up now. Chalk it up to having a daughter who took after some rather dramatic means of expressing herself.

"I am simply presenting him with exceptionally good ideas until he realizes they were his all along." At his mention of the mansion, she snorted, her freckled nose giving a slight wiggle in amusement.

"Makai Dashiell, if you think a couple of shiny rocks would've gotten you into my pants, you have grossly underestimated the amount of flirting you had to survive first."

She playfully bumped him on the shoulder before she bent to scoop up a pale spiral shell from the damp sand, holding it up triumphantly.

"Ah-hah! There, see!" she announced. "Proof that I had a destination in mind. Fate really." Then, with a playful grin, she slipped the shell into his shirt pocket.

"What to do? Oh that is easy, I intend to do absolutely nothing... except monopolize my very handsome husband for the rest of the afternoon." she teased him, the seabreeze ruffling her mahogany hair and sending the soft waves dancing in the breeze.

"Come on, how often do we have some time to ourselves hmm?" she added, once again interlocking her fingers with his.

"Oh I know, have you've given any thought to potential names for the next five kids we have?" the devilry in her eyes was absolutely hilarious at that quip, Myra waiting on Makai's reaction.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

CRYSTAL COAST

Wearing | Gear : X | X | X | X | X | L3-37 | Interacting With : Myra Arceneau Dashiell

Making a face as she presented the seashell, Makai didn't say anything as she seemed rather pleased with herself. Considering they were on a beach, one relatively untouched, finding a seashell wasn't exactly fate. Seemed like an inevitability. Either way the one she placed in his pocket would find a promenent place in his collection.

Listening to her plans for the afternoon, he allowed himself to be pulled along. Fingers squeezed hers back. Perhaps he could convince her to go for a swim. Although judging by her hair looking a little too perfect out in the wilds of nature, it may not be a possibility.

Just about to suggest they take a boat ride, eyes went wide at her next sentence.

"NEXT FIVE CHILDREN?" Words came out a little louder and a little higher pitched than he expected. "Does that include the one we're actively trying for or is that just a bonus?"

There were times he couldn't tell if she was messing with him or not. Of course they had spoke of a larger family but that was well before Phoebe came along.

"I,uh, did you forget dear how ill you get when growing our children? Granted we just have the one but I suspect history will repeat itself...repeat that five more times, barring no multiples. Given our current spacing between...you're...that's quite the journey. You're not forgetting about Persephone. Then I suspect we will have Kellan until he is thirteen at minimum."

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x | Tag: Makai Dashiell

Myra couldn't help laughing out loud at Makai's reaction. The panic in his voice as it cracked, the startled incredulous expression over his face. He had gone a shade pale; she swore that his scales had also momentarily lost their jewel-like luster in his incredulity. Oh my word, she thought to herself as she continued to laugh, having to let go of his hand entirely as she couldn't help doubling over as she clutched her stomach.

"Oh blessed Inari, your face," she gestured at him still unable to recover, tears beginning to gather at the corners of her eyes.

"I swear I thought you were about to start calculating how many bottles of Hydroaid you would need to survive in your head." With considerable effort she waved away his concerns about the nausea as though dismissing some tiny inconvenience.

"Now, now..." she managed, still giggling. "As if we don't have the funds to throw at the symptoms to make them comfortable now."

With a deep breath and a rake of her free hand through her thick hair, the heiress straightened just enough to grin at her beloved.

"We simply need to live near the ocean. The salt air helped, remember? Truly, how bad could it be?"

The look on his face somehow became even more alarmed. Mercifully, Myra took pity on the poor Galan as he mentioned Persephone and Kellan. He wasn't wrong, and Myra sobered a bit.

"Alright, alright..." she said, patting his chest reassuringly. "Not five children."

She let the silence linger for exactly one heartbeat before an impish side glance betrayed her.

"Just one at a time." Then she darted backward down the beach with a laugh, already anticipating the wonderfully exasperated look she was about to earn.

"I thought you wanted to coach your own Gravball team!"

 

[Makai Dashiell]

CRYSTAL COAST

Wearing | Gear : X | X | X | X | X | L3-37 | Interacting With : Myra Arceneau Dashiell
​

"I'm glad I can amuse you."

While he didn't admit it, Makai was calculating how many bottles of electrolyte replacer he was going to need for such a task. Cases worth. Yet here was his wife, doubled over laughing as if he has just told the funniest joke in the universe, tears pricking at her eyes. He swore he heard a gasp for air before the rebuttal of his concerns started.

"We had enough funds for the symptoms last time, in case you forget you're the heiress to Arceneau Trade Company. Yet your head was still in a bucket." Hand came to pat his chest as his continued. "Plus we live on the Farm now...away from the ocean. Just good old fashioned lake water."

Makai wasn't sure if they wanted to go back to Joiol. They held the property there, no reason to give it up. More the current state of the galaxy he preferred to be tucked away, especially if Ellie was going to be pregnant. He would still be travelling for business and preferred his family, especially now that they were caring for Kellan, to be under the radar. Probably a rebuttal they could spend a few months on some beach planet in the Tingel Arm.

Ellie scampered down the beach like she was a teenager again. He shook his head and slowly started to follow, answering her question.

"Gravball has nine players on the field. Nine." Makai was certain that was fuel for the proposal she just raised. "Do I want five? Of course. I just want to ensure one, you're fine and can handle it and two, we kind of space them out enough to enjoy the terrors. Each time knocks you out of commission for awhile."

Probably another argument win for his wife ; having them now while their parents were still young enough to help.

"As for names...Of course I have a list...uh....Opal. Sadie. Sybil. Meredith. Elsie. River. Fisher. Silas. Elliott. I'm sure there's more I have floating on there, putting me on the spot."

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x | Tag: Makai Dashiell


Myra slowed her escape down the beach at the mention of nine, turning around to walk backward with an expression of absolute delight.

"Ooo... " she gave a slight, if comical, wince. Okay, so maybe her joke ran a little too bold. Makai might actually take her up on that offer! And odds were her mama and Judah wouldn't mind that at all. Both of them had said in their own way they always wanted big families.

"Alright, that may be a bit too ambitious. Don't give mama or your pa ideas. They'll try to convince you otherwise," she teased, still grinning as she let him catch up, slipping her hand back into his. The teasing softened at his concern, however, her thumb brushing over his knuckles.

"I know," she murmured, because she did. Being pregnant with Phoebe had hardly been an elegant affair. "And we'll be sensible about it. One tiny terror at a time."

Although the joke she had made on hearing what names he had in mind only made her own eyebrows pucker up high as she gave him an incredulous blink. Now it was her turn to perhaps be teased with a joke.

"Makai, that's nine names! And you got all panicked when I joked about five!" Now she laughed, "Okay, just how long is this list?"

Although, to be frank...

"I do like River. Sadie too."

 

[Makai Dashiell]

CRYSTAL COAST

Wearing | Gear : X | X | X | X | X | L3-37 | Interacting With : Myra Arceneau Dashiell
​

Too ambitious.

Ellie was talking as if they were planning on going on some whirlwind mountain climbing adventure rather than creating, birthing, and raising children. Nine, apparently in this case.

"Not intentional at all. Besides, you keep forgetting about Starlight. Remember our first born? Phoebe would be very upset right now if she knew you kept forgetting about her."

Their daughter inherited a flair for the dramatic from Ellie. Grin broke out as she asked how long his list was. Not very. The half-Galan considered it just being prepared. They had gotten lucky with naming Starlight right off the bat. Phoebe's name suited her and they had agreed quickly. He suspected at one point there would be some back and forth - but only if she wanted a Makai Junior in the future. Definitely didn't need that.

"There may be a few more on the list. I'll save them until needed." Makai pulled her closer, placing a quick kiss on her cheek. "River and Sadie are top picks. Somehow I would like honor Dad in the future. Judith maybe for a second name...Jude just sounds...incomplete, like a nickname already."

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x | Tag: Makai Dashiell

"I am not going to forget about Phoebe." Myra gave Makai's arm a light shove, although the smirk on the Half Galan's face immediately told her that he was teasing. Stormy grey eyes narrowed his way anyway, because he deserved at least a little retaliation for that one.

"Mhmm... keep it up Makai Dashiell." She sang even if her voice didn't hold a single note of real admonishment. After a brief chuckle, Myra took a deep breath as they continued along the shoreline, enjoying the sea breeze even as her expression softened at the thought of honoring Judah.

"I'd like that. I'm sure your pa would end up shedding a tear over it." Her smile turned crooked. "But I like Jude as well. Could perhaps add a middle name that complements it."

Twin brows perked thoughtfully as the heiress looked over at him, taking the time to admire the way his tousled hair framed his face and the sunlight glinted off the irridecent blue hues of his scales over those patches that she knew like the back of her own hand.

"What middle names do you have in mind?" Then, before he could answer, she lifted a warning finger. "And before you try recommending Rose again, remember how ornery Mama got at that suggestion."

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Wearing | Gear : X | X | X | X | X | L3-37 | Interacting With : Myra Arceneau Dashiell
​

"Wow, you're really putting me on the spot. Trying to lock down names two through five with all possible variations huh? Got to have a list so when you start birthing them out rapid fire we're ready?"

A teasing tone but it was clear he opened a can of worms. Maybe not a bad thing but Ellie was through that door and barreling down the hallway. There was no stopping her now, even if he changed the subject. Yet once again they were on the same page about honoring his father so perhaps they would breeze through her list just as easy as before.

"Jude could be good with the right middle name. Dad would have a stroke."

Speaking of strokes, he was determined to get a variation of Rose in. Danger would have an absolute fit. Found that out the hard when he suggested their first born would bear the middle name Rose. Colette had been chosen instead in honor of the Arceneau matriarch. Signature boyish grin was flashed in her direction, a sign he was up to no good.

"Oh no, I've evolved. Gotten wiser." Finger rose to tap his temple. "We go at it sideways. Rosalind. Rosabel. Rosalie. Rhode, for a boy, don't think she would suspect that one. Other than that the usual suspects. Alric. August. Esra. Maybe sneak in an Elspeth among my variants of Rose. I think we picked well last time. I'm not concerned, really whatever makes you happy and is befitting a Dashiell-Arceneau heir."

Eyebrows raised and he gently nudged her.

"Looks like I've got some work to put in."

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x | Tag: Makai Dashiell

"Rapid fire?" Myra shot back as she gave him a look somewhere between amusement and offense, head canting to the right before a laugh errupted out of her.

"Are you really talking like I am about to start launching Dashiells out of an assembly line? Please no, there will be a respectable amount of recovery time between chidlren thank you very much."

The conversation was half teasing and half serious to say the least, although the little grin tugging at the corner of her lips suggested respectable remained negotiable.

But it was Makai's increasingly creative attempts to sneak Rose past her mama that had the heiress shake her head at him. Rosalind. Rosabel. Rosalie. Rhode.

"Rhode? Really? Mmm no." She shook her head, not at all swayed by that version. Still, the brunette considered names as they walked, fingers comfortably intertwined with his. But the mention of Alric did send a warm rush through her in fondness of her father and that Makai was willing to consider that as a name. But mentioning using Elspeth drew a shake of her head.

"No, not Elspeth. We do not need a junior." She joked, only to add after musing, "If you really want a Rose, maybe we compromise with another flower. Something Mama cannot accuse you of trying to sneak past her." Her nose scrunched thoughtfully. At least until his comment about having to put in the work registered and she came to a pause, giving the Half Galan a half smirk.

"Work to put in?" Those grey eyes slid sideways toward him before dropping deliberately down his figure and returning to his face.

"Careful, my love." The smile that followed was pure trouble. "You are starting to sound awfully ambitious for a man who nearly suffered heart failure when I said five."

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Wearing | Gear : X | X | X | X | X | L3-37 | Interacting With : Myra Arceneau Dashiell

"Didn't say there wouldn't be. Some of us are trying to be realistic. We've got one down and four to go, there's only so much space to give."

Eyebrows raised as if to challenge her, to dare Ellie to say he was completely wrong in his thinking. All in good fun but he had no reason to doubt her sincerity. Makai had seen before when she had stated something others thought as a joke and it ended up being her goal.

Head tilted in thought at the suggestion of picking a flower middle name as a way to skirt the wrath of Danger Arceneau. It made sense and something she may not figure out until the second one with a nature inspired name. If ever. An excellent compromise and it showed his wife was already thinking three steps before him.

A dangerous position to be in.

"I see your not so-subtle checking me out. Eyes up here." Another boyish grin at his teasing. "I'm a very ambitious man. I'm just trying to decide if we have three more, so total of four, so when you're..hmm...forty or so and say 'just one more' we end up with five or for four now and being in the position of a man with six kids."

Iced azure gaze slid over to her.

"Tell me I'm wrong."

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x | Tag: Makai Dashiell

Myra opened her mouth... only to close it. Then open it again as she narrowed those stormy grey eyes at oceanic blue in a knowing squint.

"...Okay, so maaaybe you have a point." The admission came begrudgingly, because she did not particularly appreciate that smug look already forming on his face.

"And hey, it is hardly my fault my husband is a hunk in scales and flesh."
With a little huff, she hooked her arm through his and continued their walk.

"You are far too oblivious about your good looks. And for the record, you like my not-so-subtle checking you out. I have witnessed at least a tenfold increase in the most ridiculous short shorts you can find for swimming and running." The heiress couldn't help but wrinkle at the memory.

"The last pair had tiny bright yellow flying fish over a neon blue ocean, Makai. There was barely enough fabric for the fish to fly anywhere."
Still, her teasing softened as she leaned against his arm.

"One more would not be so bad. Besides, we could time it nicely so Phoebe has a sibling close enough to really grow up and have fun with. Kellan is there, of course, but..." Myra shrugged slightly. "I think having your own sibling is different."

Maybe she was projecting a little. She had Rue now, but growing up as an only child had left its own little mark....With a deep breath, she inhaled again, and then she looked suspiciously up at him.

"But if forty-year-old me asks for another one, you are absolutely forbidden from saying, 'I told you so.'"

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Wearing | Gear : X | X | X | X | X | L3-37 | Interacting With : Myra Arceneau Dashiell
​

"I do like it. Good to know I can still keep your attention. Not sure what I'll do when my looks fade." Arm slipped around Ellie to draw her close, chuckling at the mention of his odd shorts collection. "I just ordered some with pickles. Those fish shorts were more than long enough, thank you very much. I can stop wearing them. Shorts to my knees and all."

Teasing stopped when she mentioned having a sibling. He felt the same with Balun, if circumstances were different and he got to grow up with his half-brother. Being an only child had been odd, coupled with Ellie being his best friend and both of their childhood challenges. Phoebe was a great kid and he could easily see the connection his wife was making with Kellan paralleling their own lives.

"How about two more? Three total. It'll quiet Thirty-Seven and his grand plans for the family. Three is just enough chaos for us to both chuckle at and be exhausted by but not overwhelming. I think its a great compromise"

He stopped walking and held out the hand that wasn't wrapped around her back. An offering of a handshake as if this was a business deal.

"Acceptable terms?"