Private The Babysitter's Club

[Persephone Dashiell]

APPROACHING JAKKU

Sometimes in life one had to sacrifice quite a bit in order to get somewhere. Persephone was no stranger to sacrifice.

Yet sometimes a line was crossed. During her research during her project concerning the Ashlan Crusade, Persephone had crossed a good bit of information. Objects that could lead to her garnering influence within the archeological and historical community - all before even stepping foot in university. Jedi knowledge was sought out across the 'verse, often leading to big payouts.

She had credits. Reputation was the currency needed.

Which lead to her tracking down some horrible vagabond to assist her with the task. In her mind it would be simple. She the brains and this guy, Darryl or something, would be the hired muscle. Yes, in addition to agreement of Darryl keeping all the credits she also had to pay for this escort service. "Babysitting" is what Darryl called it. Persephone took fencing lessons. Her blaster use needed....work. Zee could only do so much and often overrode sense of adventure with protecting her.

Sitting in the co-pilots chair, Persephone did none of the actions to assist. She didn't even know the basics of flying.

"Darryl, my research states there should be some kind of shed north of the Valley of Eremite. I know you're the professional but I think flying over it will attract undue attention..."

Spoiler

Location and holocron used with permission from Jon. Bounty in progress for this holocron.

Drifter | Brooke Waters​

 

[Drifter]

​

Kalee's Shadow
Persephone Dashiell

Drifter leaned against the bulkhead like the galaxy itself was taking too long to get to the punchline.

Black leather creaked under his folded arms, songsteel plates catching the dim cabin light in cold, sharp flashes. That polished, polarized helm reflected Persephone back at herself, showing a perfect little mirror of her own poised, well-bred impatience, while every angle of his stance radiating unspoken sarcasm.

And then... finally, thank Inari the Revier, she finished talking.

Drifter gave a slow tilt of his head in a deliberate incline, like he was weighing which part of her speech to pick apart first.

When his voice finally came through the modulator, it carried that unmistakable mix of dry amusement and the kind of charm that dared you to be offended through that slight modulated vibrato from the voice modulator of his helm.

[ First off, sweetheart, it's Drifter. Not Darryl. Never Darryl. ]

He gave a pause long enough to let the correction land.

[ Second, there are a few rules if we're running around together. Rule one: I call the shots on where we go and how we get there. Rule two: if you see me draw my blaster or do something you think looks 'unnecessary,' you don't ask questions. You follow my lead. And rule three-- ] his visor angled toward her, catching the curve of her frown in flawless reflection, [ --if you ignore rules one and two, you'd better be faster than me when things go sideways. ]

He straightened just enough to push off the bulkhead, boots ringing against the deck.

[ These are just the basic rules but I may tack on more depending on just how much trouble we get into. Capish, Princess? ]

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

"The name" Persephone paused for dramatic effect, much as he did. "is Persephone. Per-seh-fuh-nee."

The teenager phonetically sounded out her name as if she was speaking to her younger sister who insisted on calling her "Ersie". Trouble was Phoebe was a literal toddler who was still learning to speak. This....overgrown man-child was an entirely different story considering his prefrontal cortex was already developed. It meant he was making deliberate choices.

Regarding the 'rules' they weren't entirely unreasonable. Persephone wasn't paying Drifter Darryl to keep her alive. No, she was paying for the escort to the potential artifact. For the chance to really put her potential skills to the test. She was coming to find discovering artifacts was work that required boots on the ground and creative thinking to get there. With those two boxes checked, she would nervously attempt the first step on a long road ahead.

"If you are to draw your blaster am I to draw mine and shoot as well?"

Herself and Zee had did a few test shots in the woods back on Joiol. She could point at a target. Squeeze the trigger. Not guaranteed to hit anything but practice would make perfection.

Drifter | Brooke Waters​

 

[Drifter]

​

Kalee's Shadow
Persephone Dashiell

That polarized helm tilted just slightly, reflecting Persephone back at herself, every hint of her teenage indignation staring right back at her.

Oh this was going to be good. Beauuutiiiful. Nothing like a prissy one that is that fixated on her letters, he mused, watching her as she spoke real slow, like she was teaching a child his letters. He didn't move. Didn't fidget. Just let her have her dramatic pronunciation lesson while the faintest air of amusement rolled off him.

When she finally stopped, his voice crackled through the modulator, smooth, easy, carrying that lazy scoundrel's drawl.

[ Per-seh-fuh-nee, ] he repeated, as if testing the weight of it. [ Got it. But if we're running from blaster fire, don't expect me to sound it out. ]

He leaned a little closer, helm canting toward her.

[ And to your question, no. If I draw, you find cover first. You don't need to win the fight. You just need to stay breathing long enough for me to win it for you. ]

He pushed off the floor with his boot and had his chair spin him forward with all the flourish of someone with far too much overconfidence in himself.

[ So, now that we are done with this spelling bee, how about you tell me just what kinda artifact we hunting? ] his head tilted back toward her, a grin in his voice, [ 'Ersie. ]

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

Ersie. There was no possible way he could know she was called Ersie at home.

She could roll her eyes. Or remind him to call her Persephone. Instead she was going for the resting b.itch face look. The type that was nearly stone and took no amusement in his little quips. Persephone truly didn't and even if she did, it wasn't wise to engage. Dealing with him was like dealing with a petulant Loth-Cat demanding it's owners attention.

"We are hunting a holocron Darryl. It's a small device that Jedi used to record their ramblings. For some reason, they are extremely popular. Well protected and well sought out. Rumors trace it back to this ramshackle shed in the middle of a desert. The rumors could be right or could be horribly wrong. From what I understand, Jakku seems to be a popular planet for them."

Shoulders shrugged.

"If its not here, its on Tython but fairly certain the Sith recently wiped out a good portion of their hidey-holes."

Drifter | Brooke Waters ​

 

[Drifter]

​

Kalee's Shadow
Persephone Dashiell

Drifter leaned back in the pilot's chair, boots kicked up like he owned the place. His voice came lazy, but with that familiar edge of mockery.

[ Drifter. Drift–er. Like driftin' from place to place, where the wind and the credits'll land me. Come on, Ersie, I'm sure your folks paid for a top-tier healthcare plan to keep those pretty ears workin' in perfect order. ]

He snorted, the sound half amusement and half disbelief, rolling his eyes under the reflective visor before turning back toward the controls. Not touching a damn thing, though. No -- he was clearly waiting on something, hands just resting like the ship could fly itself.

[ Oh, I know what a holocron is, princess. And you're in luck, I've been to Jakku. Did a drop-off not too far back. ]

He stopped there, looking around the cockpit in a way that suggested someone else was supposed to chime in. No one did.

[ Sooooo, anytime you're ready, ] he said to the empty air, not even glancing at Persephone.

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

EN ROUTE?

Persephone didn't make a comment back to Drifter Darryl despite the overwhelming desire to do so. It was like fighting with a small child - you would never win and in the end, look like an idiot yourself for arguing with a three year old. Instead he turned to the controls and so did she, wanting to observe the procedure. Plus, less motion sickness potential when taking off for hyperspace.

Then she waited. Nothing was happening, not even the sound of the engines warming up. Odd.

Did Darryl expect her to fly? Quite possible. He did seem like a bit of a diva. Despite not knowing how to fly, she would take matters into her own hands. Unbuckling her restraints, Persephone moved to trade places with Zee, speaking as she did so.

"Zee, take my spot and begin take off procedures to Jakku. You know the coordinates, get us close to them but not too close so we can observe before going into the area."

[ Of course Miss Persephone. ]

A bit of an awkward move and Zee was now sitting in the co-pilots chair and she behind, settling in. Once they had taken off she would review the bit of research she had found.

Drifter​

 

[Drifter]

​

Kalee's Shadow
Persephone Dashiell

[ Oi oi oi, no touchie-touchie! ] Drifter barked, wagging a finger at Persephone and her droid like they were unruly kids about to stick their hands in a socket.

Then the cockpit speakers purred to life.

[ Do not touch my controls, ]a husky feminine voice drawled, smooth and low like a Zeltron lounge singer three drinks deep.

Not his fault. That was Kai's doing. She'd been the one to give Alex that voice modulator.

[Yeah, no. Alex doesn't take kindly to backseat pilots,] Drifter said with a shrug just as the ship's systems whirred awake. Engines hummed, sensors lit up, the whole bird giving a gentle shudder as preflight checks rolled on their own.

[ You could've spoken up sooner, Alex, ] he called, leaning back and lacing gloved hands behind his head.

[You were too busy running your mouth. I didn't want to be rude,] Alex crooned back, smug as ever.

[ Yeah, yeah, ] Drifter snorted. [ Anyway, she'll get us where we're goin'. Just sit tight and let her work. ]

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

"I didn't know your bucket of bolts needed that long to start up. My apologies."

The droid brain of the ship, Alex, was most likely following orders from Darryl. Persephone just hoped if they were getting shot at or a lightsaber thrown at them then the vessel would move faster. It was difficult to tell - Darryl seemed the type to find it funny by cutting it close for no reason. Perhaps he was suicidal. She, however, was not and self-preservation was vital in this case. Perhaps a little more vital than the holocron they were about to attempt to recover.

Given she was now quite literally in the backseat, the teenager pulled out her datapad to watch ZikZok holos on silent. Darryl shouldn't need to bother her on the trip.

Drifter​

 

[Drifter]

​

Kalee's Shadow
Hyperspace
Persephone Dashiell

[ Whoa, whoa, whoa! ] Drifter threw his hands up, twisting in the pilot's chair for that polarized visor to glare at Persephone like she'd just insulted his own mother.

[ Do not call Alex a bucket of bolts. Respect her, okay? Dead serious. ] His visor tilted toward her, and for once, the joking tone dropped. [ Last thing I need is her reminding me this is exactly why she doesn't want me takin' these gigs. ]

From the speakers came a throaty harrumph, rich with indignation in that same seductive voice.

[ Hmmph. Somebody around here needs to learn I'm particular about who I let in my ship. ]

Drifter sighed, shaking his head as if Persephone had already lost the argument.

[ See? You've gone and wounded her pride. Which means I'll be hearin' about it for the next three parsecs. ]

The ship gave a low rumble as the stars stretched thin, hyperspace swallowing them whole. Drifter leaned back again, arms folding behind his head.

[ Anyways… ] he dragged the word out, letting it hang while the hum of hyperspace filled the cockpit. [ You still haven't told me much. Where on Jedha, what're we expectin', and what kinda holocron we're after. Some of those things can be bad. Or good. Or just downright terrible. ]

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

Slowly, and looking extremely annoyed, Persephone looked up from her silent ZikZok holo. Was Darryl being serious? The very first words out of her mouth had been the location they were after. She had been expecting him to input the coordinates and make a plan from there. Persephone was realizing perhaps she should have hired a more competent bounty hunter for this job. A hazard of trying to do things cheaply.

"You must have the attention span of a gnat." Disappointment colored her tone and was written all over her face. "As I mentioned at the start of this, when I first sat down on this illustrious vessel, that the location is a small shed or shack north of the Valley of Eremite. Given it is a holocron, we can expect Jedi to try to stop us.

Drifter​

 

[Drifter]

​

Kalee's Shadow
Hyperspace
Persephone Dashiell

[ Wow. Aren't you just a bucket of sunshine. ] Drifter replied back. Not the kind of personality he wanted to hang around. They were paying him to get her there, make sure she lived, and get her back. Fine. Things could be left at that.

Without further ado, the man drew his feet off the piloting console and set them on the floor. He immediately goes to his feet, and with two fingers, has a goodbye salute.

[ Good to know. You can just stick around here until we get to Jedha. If you are hungry, there is the good o'l brown bag in the galley you can eat. Standard sandwich, bag of chips, and some dried fruit. Sorry, no fruit juice box for you, Princess. But there is plenty of recycled water. ] he informed her, already making his way out of the cockpit towards the corridor. He'd much rather go searching for what he knew from his own databases than try and pry it out of Lil Miss Hoity Toity.

Seriously. Some rich kids were more little brats than those born to royalty. And he should know -- he's was one 'em.

[ Toodles. ]


Hours Later...

Kalee's Shadow jumped out of hyperspace just at the edge of the Jedha system. Thanks to gool o'l Princess, Drifter added the approximate coordinates and let the rest of the mapping get processed by Alex.

Took another hour or so before the Shadow's engines sent billowing clouds of sand, grit and dust in the air as it shuttle settled down. The Hunter picked the typical set of necessities needed -- which was really a little bit of everything.

'Cause unlike what Ms. Know-it-all said -- it wasn't just Jedi that went deep diving for holocrons. It was Sith too. And any good treasure hunter looking to make some extra credits with loot.

[ Alright princess, here we go. Get your gear and your pink water bottle. We heading out. ]

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

Brown bag? What were they, destitute school children? Either way, Persephone stayed out of his way and Darryl seemed to stay out of hers. It gave her time to do more research on her own, what she could find anyway. Part of an enclave, this little shed. At least, that was what the research was pointing towards. It could also be on big nothing and a potential trap. Why the Jedi would have traps? Maybe to keep others away from where they really were.

Persephone put a poncho on, pulling the hood over her head. Layers to keep herself from burning and drying out in the sun. Rucksack on her back, extra water and her blaster on her hip hidden under the poncho. Zee was even wearing a dark colored poncho, although his faintly tinted pink limbs still stuck out.

"Hey, how did you know my bottle was pink?!" Maybe her pink nails. Or faint pink lipstick. Or her faintly pink droid. She pushed him on the shoulder much in the manner of a sibling. "Look at you Darryl. Smarter than I gave you credit for."

Drifter ​

 

[Drifter]

Persephone Dashiell

​

Drifter's boots crunched against the grit as the shack came into view. Sandstone walls crumbling, wood half-rotted, and a door that looked like it was surviving on sheer stubbornness.

At Persephone's jab, he didn't miss a beat.

[ Of course I'm smart. Brilliant, really. Don't look so shocked, princess. ]

His senses stretched wide, scanning for anything with too many legs waiting to cause trouble. The watering hole nearby offered nothing more than stringy plants and muddy water.

Drifter tipped his head toward the sagging door.

[ Well, either this is a Jedi treasure trove, or we just found the galaxy's saddest fixer-upper. Alright... here we go!]

And with that, the man gave the door a light kick.

It crumbled on the dot.

[Huh... well... that was anti climatic.]

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

PROPERTY BROTHERS : JEDI EDITION

Persephone noticed the way Darryl perked up when she complimented him. Internally, she rolled her eyes. It brought to mind something her Mama said ; Male egos and fruit got a lot in common, they both bruise easily. At the time she had zero idea what the woman meant. Now that she was older and had interacted with a few boys, wasn't that the truth.

Darryl kicked down the door, hell a breeze could have, but it turned out to be a lot of nothing. Or so it seemed. Carefully, worried about falling through the floor, Persephone made her way to the fireplace. She noted the bloggin oil lamps, the stack of wood. Clearly no electricity.

"Someone took that Jedi vow of poverty seriously...what a surprise."

Getting on her knees, she motioned for Zee to hand her a torch so she could look up the chimney. Seemed a logical place as any to hide valuables, especially since the firebox seemed clean.

Drifter | Brooke Waters​

 

[Drifter]

Persephone Dashiell​

Drifter leaned against the cracked doorframe, arms crossed, visor tilted like he was watching a comedy act instead of a search for ancient Jedi secrets.

[ What a surprise, ] he mimicked with a snort. [ Princess finally notices poverty exists. Careful crawlin' around down there, though at least it seems the floor ain't too bad... but if a sinkhole pops up, I ain't diggin' you out. Not without hazard pay. ]

He gave the place a glance, unimpressed. Old Holo lamps, rotten wood, dust thicker than his patience.

[ Whole lotta nothing. If this is where a Browncoat came to hide their treasures, no wonder they got wiped out.]

When Persephone called for the torch, he clicked his tongue, leaning in just enough to be a nuisance.

[ Yeah, sure, chimney. Real brilliant. If you find roasted marshmallows up there, save me one. ]

His tone was smug, but his fingers stayed close to his blaster, senses spread thin. Empty shacks rarely stayed empty.

None the less, he spread out his senses, trying to discern if he felt anything that would pull on the Force.

Surprisingly. Something did.

[ Huh.. well... look at that. Something is around here.] he muttered, walking forward as the Hunter narrowed down on sensing where that light in the Force was comign from.

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

Persephone knew soul-crushing poverty all too well. Back where she was from the shed would have been considered one of the nicer places to live - it was rodent free, had a door, had a fireplace to heat and cook on. Lot more than most. Still, as much as it was eating her up inside to call out Darryl on his comment, she didn't.

Instead Zee handed her a flashlight and she looked up. Something was taped to the inside of the chimney. Carefully she reached up and pulled it down, two pieces if paper folded in thirds. Very old and fragile, just by first look. Opening up the paper she began to read a letter to a 'Jorus'. Barely half-way down the note she came to realize it wasn't just any love letter, but quite a saucy one. Eyebrows shot up and she blushed a little, coughing at the mention of what this Alna was going to do upon their reunion.

You go girl.

Still red faced, Persie quickly put the letter back in the chimney and stood, moving to see what Darryl was up to. Looking around still. The teenager was beginning to think things could potentially be outside. Buried in the sand. Under rocks. In the outhouse. She had brought along a collapsible shovel as a just in case.

"Come on Zee"

She went to walk back out into the desert. Maybe it was time to flip some rocks around, put Zee's optical sensors to use.

Drifter ​

 

[Drifter]

Persephone Dashiell​

[ well I guess someone was dumb, or lazy enough to use the chimney as a hiding spot. ] Drifter chirped out with the amused sardonic intrigue only a scoundrel like him could sing out like a proper peanut gallery participant.

However it was the sudden flush that tinted pretty little rich princesses’s face after reading whatever note she pulled out that interested him the most.

Never mind that she called her droid to go follow her.

[ Ooo, so whatcha find there Ersie? Looks like it was something interesting enough to get you all flustered. Come on have at it. Whatcha find? ] he nagged with the incessant smart ass tone some punk brother would sing to his bratty younger sister.

He followed her out, still keeping a look out, but this time he wrapped his gloved hands behind his helm as he strutted behind her, still tossing out quips left and right, his polarized helm shining the retreating image of Persie with her droid heading to the outhouse.

[ come on, was it a treasure map? If it is and it’s going to the outhouse, that’s one way of ensuring no one goes digging for your goods. Oi, making me go into some ol man’s shit pile is extra capesh!]

Might as well squeeze this gig for as much as it was worth.

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

CAN YOU DIG IT?

"If it was a treasure map, don't you think I would have kept it?"

Darryl was not so bright. Then again, this was the man who thought seventy percent plus forty percent equaled one hundred percent. She was working with, if she had to guess, someone with a lot of attractive physical features and not a lot of brains. Sadly, Persephone had yet to meet a man that had both. Perhaps it was some type of cruel trick of the universe where one had to choose - or not choose, in her case.

Ignoring his complaints about the outhouse, she carefully opened the wooden door, casting light in on the privy. A wood toilet-like set up. A few sad looking rolls of toilet paper. Some magazines to pass the time. A dusty mirror on one end. Hands on her hips, she took in the sight, thinking with Darryl buzzing about in the background like an annoying mosquito. Joke was on him, she had a toddler sister. If Persephone could drown out Phoebe she could drown out a man child.

Ocean blue eyes kept staring at the toilet box, would anyone in their right mind go digging around such a thing? Stepping back into the brilliant sunlight,she turned to Zee.

"Zee, can you dismantle the toilet box for me? Maybe this guy hid it around there, worth a shot as any."

[ Of course Miss Persephone. ]

Drifter​

 

[Drifter]

Persephone Dashiell​

Drifter leaned against the doorframe of the outhouse, visor gleaming as he gave a low chuckle.

[ If it was a treasure map, princess, you can bet your last credit I would've pawned it by now. Might not be a genius, but I sure as hell know how to cash in. ]

He made a show of peering past her shoulder, then snorted.

[ Inari the Reviver save me - - if the great Jedi wisdom is sittin' at the bottom of a toilet box, then the galaxy's even more doomed than I thought. ]

With a sigh, he finally pushed off the doorframe, one gloved hand lifting lazily. The air shifted, dust motes swirling as the wood toilet creaked and rattled, lifted just an inch off the floorboards by his telekinesis.

[ See? Look at that. Helping. Brilliant, really. Don't say I never did anything for you. ]

The box hovered toward the side with a groan, every joint squealing like it hadn't been moved in centuries.

[ Careful with that, shiny. If somethin' crawls out of there, you're takin' the first bite. I'm not wrestlin' a privy monster today. ]

Then, under his breath but loud enough to carry:

[ Knew I should've asked for hazard pay on this run… ]