Private Way That I'm Going

[Makai Dashiell]

Wearing | Gear : X | X | X | X | X | L3-37 | Interacting With : Myra Arceneau Dashiell , Danger Arceneau , Casteel Mer'taal


"I'm a little concerned where this tracking device is going to go..."

Makai reached over and poured them another round of champagne, ending the talk of tracking devices in order to make the most of their time at the resort.

EMPRESS TETA - LATER

The sun shone brilliantly overhead, casting a warm glow over Alric Kuhn's final resting place. A massive tomb and shrine but also over the years, a brilliant garden oasis in the middle of the city. Well manicured green lawns, abundant red roses, a reflection pond. While solemn, the grounds gave an air of peace and a place to reflect and gather while visiting. Over the past two years, Makai and Myra had poured in multiple resources to restore and expand the space after the Dark Empire blockaded the planet.

Now, they were facing a similar threat. More evil loomed closer to the Core, casting a shadow on the occasion. There was the very real possibility this would be the final time the Dashiells and Arceneaus would be able to visit for some time. As such Makai had brought nearly everyone ; even young Kellan Dashiell , but that may be more due to his brother thinking he needed to be in every battle.

Standing in the central courtyard, Makai was speaking on some of the measures being put into place as a failsafe. The half-Galan hoped they wouldn't need to be used, but he didn't need a repeat of last time.

"We've got a small shield generator going in, mainly to keep debris from falling onto the grounds like last time. Right now we have sentient gardeners but I've also ensured there are droid gardeners and cleaners too. If folks can't come to work....well, I don't want anything to fall in disrepair. Now...doesn't mean opposing forces won't come here and steal or pillage...Maybe security is needed..."

He went thoughtful, wondering if they should get droid security. As he was debating, a little voice piped up. Phoebe stood with her arms raised at the side of Danger, looking expectant.

"Mimi, pick me up." A small pause, as if Phoebe was debating. "Pwease."

 

[Judah Dashiell]

Slightly removed from Makai's presentation, but close enough to hear and see the plans being presented, Judah thought the concerns prudent.He stood next to Casteel, the pair were catching up before they had reached the center courtyard. Both being busy, they hadn't seen each other in some time, although messages were frequently exchanged.

The old salvager was holding his grandson, Kellans little face tucked into his neck as he talked. With the young boy dressed in slacks, a button down shirt, and dress shoes it was a far departure from what the little guy was used to when he was with his father. Judah saw it beneficial, much like he did with Makai. The sooner children were exposed to the business and the corporate lifestyle the better - he considered his children and grandchildren more than capable to continue his legacy in business.

As he stood listening to Makai, Judah took in the sight around him. The family was growing rather than shrinking - a blessing he didn't think he would ever see. The potential for the future was bright for himself but also for Danger. Judah still worried about her, despite what others thought. Despite what had happened. He knew this gave her purpose, fretting over 'the kids' or using a guiding hand to help Phoebe with a task. This was her element.

Some said Danger was born to be in business. Yet not in his eyes. Danger had been born to nurture,to oversee the next generation. It was where she shined the brightest.

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

Persephone sighed lightly, cautiously sneaking a glance at Casteel from time to time. It was completely unfair that every attractive man was blonde. She hated blondes with a harsh passion. Yet...they always were the ones with the best facial features. The best fashion style. It was like a disease she couldn't shake. Everywhere she turned there was a cute one that caught her eye.

Not that she entertained such silly notions anymore. Boys? Who needed them. Just more heartache to deal with.

Having been called back from her internship, Persie had joined the family outing to Empress Teta. First a day of exploring with Myra, Phoebe, Rue, and Danger that had been a real 'girls day' while Makky was busy with Mining Guild conferences. An extravagant dinner at Monroe's last evening, where even Casteel and Judah had joined them.

A lovely time. A boisterous time with friends and family. Yet she had overheard from her parents the potential of Empress Teta falling once again. Rumors of resistance cells forming. Of families evacuating children in advance, or buying goods to settle in and face a long occupation.

Standing next to Rue, she was trying to enjoy the moment.

"Rue, between you and me, it should be criminal for Casteel to look that good." Voice was low, as not to disturb Makky's presentation on next steps.

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

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

Myra's hand stayed in Makai's, fingers laced tightly as she looked out over the reflection pond. The water shimmered with light, scattered by red rose petals drifting gently along its surface. It was a peaceful place that Myra felt in her heart was a wonderful resting place for the man who had saved her life back on Drumund Kaas when she was eight years old from the rampant Black Hive virus that had killed her biological parents as they had tried to protect her. Now this way they could protect him.

She drew in a quiet breath, letting the peace of the garden steady the ache in her chest.

"He would've liked this," she murmured at last, soft enough for only Makai to hear. "It's exactly the kind of legacy he deserved."

Then came that little voice, sweet and sharp enough to tug at the edges of Myra's heart. She turned, blinking down as Phoebe raised her arms and added that practiced "Pwease," to Danger Arceneau . The corners of Myra's mouth curved with affection, then she laughed with a shake of her head.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

Interacting with: Makai Dashiell Judah Dashiell Persephone Dashiell
| Dress x | x | x | x | x | x | X | X |

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Danger's gaze lingered on the roses.

Deep crimson, blooming proud in the Empress Teta's sun, their velvet petals shivered just faintly in the breeze. It was a peace hard won. One she never quite trusted to last.

A slow breath passed through her nose, her features schooled but softer than usual. There was sadness in her chest, the kind that didn't ache like it used to, but still hadn't faded. Maybe never would.

Alric Kuhn had been many things. Complicated. Brilliant. Exhausting. A damn fool some days. But he had also been hers once, and she'd loved him with a fire that still glowed in her bones.

Now she stood here, in the garden that bore his name and legacy, listening to his daughter and the boy who'd grown into far more than a ward speak of shields and safeguards like the galaxy hadn't shifted beneath their feet too many times to count.

Makai...

Danger tilted her head just slightly as she watched him speak, her eyes narrowed with that flicker of affection she didn't voice out loud. He'd stood tall after the funeral, after the chaos, after the thousand little fractures that tried to shatter the family left behind. And he'd carried Myra through it. No one had to tell her that. She saw it in the way her girl leaned into his steadiness now.

Alric woulda been proud, she thought. Even if he would've made a damn mess trying to say so.

Phoebe's voice tugged her from those thoughts, soft and certain as a sunbeam through clouds.

"Mimi, pick me up."

A pause.

"Pwease."

Danger blinked, lips curling around a smile before she crouched down slow, the hem of her tailored jacket brushing the warm stone beneath her.

"Well now," she murmured, arms sliding around the tiny girl with practiced ease, "how could anyone resist manners that perfect?"

Phoebe giggled as Danger rose with her in tow, the toddler's arms looping around her neck. The weight was small, familiar. A comfort, like the scent of wild jasmine drifting in from the edges of the garden.

She held the child close, letting her eyes wander the courtyard one more time to Judah, ever quiet and watchful; to Persie, leaning in close to whisper into Rue's; to Kellan, restless already in Judah's arms. Family. Strange, broken, stitched together family. But hers. Still standing.

And for today, at least, that was enough.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

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

Fingers gently squeezed Ellie's as she spoke, low enough so he could hear. The little project to restore the final resting place had been sort of a joint one, with input from Ellie when they visited regularly with Phoebe. Makai had taken most of the charge though, overseeing the plans and putting crews into place. Small, incremental changes over the last few years.

"Sadly I couldn't fit in the nerf paddock. Not enough room and I doubt the old biddies on the zoning committee would appreciate a herd of livestock in the middle of Teta."

Tucked securely against her grandmother, Phoebe latched onto the idea of nerfs. She had naturally seen nerfs. Knew about them from her books and toys and various cartoon series. Brilliant blue eyes looked around, as if a nerf was to appear and perhaps she could pet it.

"Nerf?"

"Yep, Grandpa had all these nerfs....guess who had to take care of them? Papa." Makai chuckled and shook his head. "Maybe next summer you'll spend it taking care of the nerfs too."

Clearly a three year old couldn't take care of nerfs. Yet he had privately played with the idea of ensuring his children enjoyed summers at the Farm in the same manner he did. He would have to talk to Danger and Ellie about the idea but there was a small certainty it would easily be agreeable. Even if they only spent a few weeks in the idyllic setting.