Private What the Water Gave Me

[Makai Dashiell]

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

As Ellie listed off his attributes versus one pair of leggings, he rolled his eyes. She had a point but perhaps she was missing his as well. There was no way some of her choices didn't reflect wanting to be seen.

"I'm a grown man but I'm also a young man who is madly in love with his wife. Excuse me if I get a little distracted by what she wears." With a boyish grin, the half-Galan took a playful swat at her backside. He would pay for it later but for now it was worth it. "Also, I didn't even know you were on Maramere, I expected a nice visit with your mother. I wasn't even convinced to come out of the shower until El-Three gave me a pep talk."

At the mention of sensors and relays, Makai gave her a look that all but screamed really?! .Thumbs went around the straps of his rucksack straps to indicate she wasn't dealing with an amateur. Removing the bag, Makai unzipped it and began to pull out bits of technology. One was a small, spherical device, part drone, part droid, part weather balloon.

"You have such little faith in me."

Programming the device to sink with his comm, everything collected would have to be transmitted within range. There was no HoloNet or DarkNet in these parts - at least not yet. Depending on where they ended up it would be one of his first priorities.

"What are you thinking so far?"

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

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

Myra yelped softly at the playful swat, spinning on her heel to shoot him a wideeyed stare that was only half offended.

"Makai Dashiell!" she scolded, though the smile tugging her lips ruined any real attempt at being stern. "You keep that up and I'll push you into the nearest swamp puddle. And don't tempt me because I saw at least three on the way down."

Still that little boy grin softened her instantly. The heiress stepped toward him, hooking her fingers lightly into the front of his shirt and gave him a tug and a quick peck of a kiss.

Course, he had to show off revealing the compact drone device and her brows lifted, impressed despite herself.

"Alright, fine, you pass." She nudged his arm. The drone blinked to life, rising with a soft hum before drifting off through the ferns, transmitting data in wide sweeps. Myra watched it for a moment, then turned her gaze back to the world around them.

The hills rolled outward in soft curves, the grass bending under a warm mineral-scented breeze. The lavender moon cast everything in gentle violet light. Water glinted somewhere beyond the ridge and there were strange bird calls echoing faintly through the canopy ahead.

"…I think it's beautiful," she said finally, if a little thoughtfully, "Untouched. Quiet but alive. 'Course, with this kinda light, how well are you going to do with your eyesight?"

She stepped closer beside him, shoulder brushing his as she surveyed the horizon.

"I know for a fact you'll need some sort of body of water near by. So let's see what we can find that fits that." Although they couldn't drift too far.

Turning towards him, they began to walk.

"So, if we were to settle down here, what ideas do you have for the type of home you'll want to design this time around?"

The setting was completely different from a cliffside compound on Joiol. How would this one be different?

 

[Makai Dashiell]

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

"The eyesight is questionable when it gets dark, well-lit conditions is fine. I've been wearing the glasses nearly full time so I don't forget when it matters. Bigger question for me is what time of day is it right now? Does the nebula always keep it this color even at night....hell is it night right now? If it stays like this I will be fine. Phoebe hasn't shown any signs of struggling yet, I worry about her more than me."

She could potentially 'grow' in to bad eyesight from her distant Hapan genes. Or there was enough of Ellie in her genetic makeup to let her skip the night blindness. Only time would tell.

"I don't need a body of water. A swimming pool is fine too. Just more of a nicety."

Hand took hers as they walked. Ellie was determined to look for a body of water either way. Given the nature of the current landscape there was bound to be a ocean somewhere on the planet. They were barely starting to scratch the surface.

"Maybe a forest estate...stone and timbers that echo nature. Large fireplaces? Maybe something that reminds us of the Naboo mansion we stayed at? Ideally somewhere close to an ocean, best of both worlds, but I won't mind if its not. Probably rocky beaches out here. If any." Brow furrowed as he thought more. "Maybe a basement with extra guest rooms for our parents. Sure we can build guest cottages and we will, but if we move so far away I know them, they will want to visit and be part of action instead of in their own private space."

Shoulders shrugged as they worked to get up one of the larger rolling hills.

"Anything that makes you happy. Something that will allow our family to be safe and grow."

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

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

Myra walked beside him her boots sinking slightly into the mossy earth and her fingers warm interlaced within his. His voice drifted easily in the lavender light, but his last words made her pause, turning at him with an affectionate expression.

"That's all I want too," she murmured. "A place where we can breathe. Where she can grow up without the Core breathing down our necks. Where we can build something that's ours again..."

She watched him as he talked about her eyesight, about Phoebe's, about the shifting colors of the nebula hanging over. His concern touched something deep in her, and she lifted his hand to her lips, brushing a kiss over his knuckles.

"You know… I might not see well in the dark, but I see you clearly," she said with a quiet smile. "And that's good enough for me. But yes, let's keep an eye on what the nights look like here. If the nebula keeps everything this bright, Phoebe might be just fine. And if she isn't, we'll adjust. We always do -- if anything, we have the ability to tug a small space station in orbit for a bit to really get an idea of how the seasons and climate are before we fully break ground."

They reached the crest of the hill and the area opened up beneath them in a sweep of green, gold, and violet. In the distance Myra caught the faint shimmer of water just along tthe horizon.

"There," she said, pointing. "That looks like a shoreline. Maybe not oceanside estate right away… but it's promising."

She listened as he went on, describing the kind of home he envisioned. Forest estate. Stone and timber. Fireplaces. Something reminiscent of the Naboo getaway they'd used as a way to just regroup and refresh and... well... finally get to know one another better. Guest rooms, basements, places for their parents to feel included.

She smiled and her expression brightened the slight scattering of freckles becoming more apparent with the broad smile.

"I love all of that," she said, squeezing his hand. "A forest estate near the water… somewhere with wind moving through the trees and space for Phoebe to run wild. Somewhere that feels warm in winter and alive in summer."

A faint blush rose on her cheeks as she added, "And yes, a big kitchen. And a library. And a balcony where I can have caf in the mornings and watch sunlight hit the water."

Her eyes turned stormy silver as she met his gaze.

"Maybe even a studio for my paintings or office space for you. A place where you can brood properly without me teasing you… too much."

She nudged him playfully, then looked out over their potential future with a breath of quiet wonder.

"It doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to be ours."

 

[Makai Dashiell]

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

"Agreed. I worry about Phoebe and the future terrors. Ideally I don't want the galaxy breathing down her neck so quickly, the pressures of being the firstborn granddaughter of Danger Arceneau. I think you and I grew up too fast. I don't want that for them."

Hand gently squeezed hers. Having Phoebe grow up too fast was one if his biggest concerns. He had been thrust into situations to grow up ; his mother leaving, Ellie getting sick, watching his father struggle with it all. The half-Galan had no regrets but he felt grown before his pre-teen years. There was nothing he wouldn't do as a father to ensure the same fate didn't happen to his Starlight.

Cresting the hill, an shoreline came into view. Whether it was massive lake or ocean it was difficult to tell but it was something. As Ellie built on his vision, he smiled. There was a benefit to being on the same page. It meant they rarely fought about the little stuff - save for kitchen countertops. Iced azure gaze met hers, pleased she was equally buying into the vision. A shared future that would be all theirs.

"A big kitchen? You're starting to cook?" A harmless joke. Ellie wasn't helpless, he just was the one who typically made their meals. Something he genuinely enjoyed doing.

"So I'm hearing library, art studio, a balcony off our bedroom, a man cave you can shove me in when you get tired of me." Shoulder nudged hers playfully and he let go of her hand, instead reaching behind her shoulders and drawing her close to his side. "I like the sound of all that."

"A space station sounds great. Start our journey sooner than later. Once our home is built and the city is built for the employees we can turn the space station into a trading post. I bet there isn't one nearby and we are close to that hypergate. A Mara TibX refueling station with all the bells and whistles. Pioneer our own hub out here, really draw in outsiders looking to make their own marks as well."

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

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


Myra's let out a soft sigh that wasn't sad but ful as she listened to him speak of Phoebe and the little ones they hadn't yet met.

"I know," she said quietly. "I don't want her growing up performing for the galaxy. Or becoming the next Arceneau headline before she even learns to braid her hair."

Her fingers tightened around his.

"You and I had still had to become adults too young, even if our parents did their best to try and shelter us. Let her be messy. Curious. Silly. Let her be a child without the weight we carried."

She leaned lightly against him as they crested the hill, and when the shoreline unfurled below them, her lips parted in quiet awe. Lavender light rippled over the water's surface, turning it into a shimmering sheet of metal and rosy gold.

"Oh… Makai." Her voice softened in awe. "If that's a lake, it's the biggest I've ever seen. And if it's an ocean… even better."

His teasing about the kitchen pulled a laugh from her as she ellbowed him lightly.

"Oh hush. I can cook. I just choose not to because you enjoy being the domestic god in our household." She raised her chin proudly. "And I excel at letting you shine."

When he listed off her wish list, shoulder nudging her, she let out a mock gasp.

"A man cave to shove you in? Please. If I wanted you out of the way I'd send you on an errand for fossil hunting."

But when his arm slid around her shoulders to pull her in close her teasing melted. She fit easily against him and let her dark head rest against his shoulder as she looked out over the shimmering expanse.

"But yes," she murmured, "I want all of that. For us. For our family. A home that feels like a beginning instead of a continuation."

His talk of the space station brought her gaze back to him, eyes brightening with that spark she always got when business and adventure collided.

"I like that plan," she said. "...kinda reminds me of when we lived with mama at the other station during our run in the Centrality."

She slid her hand to his chest, fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt.

"And I love the idea of giving people a place to start new. The galaxy is messy right now. If we can build something people can dig roots here… something hopeful… people will come."

Her lips curved into a slow smile as the wind carried the scent of water to them.

"So," she said, tilting her head toward the shimmering shoreline, "shall we go take a closer look at our future? Or do you want to stand here and imagine your man cave a little longer?"

 

[Makai Dashiell]

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

The half-Galan tuned his head to kiss her temple as they stood staring, a soft smile at the title of 'domestic god' of their household. He did enjoy cooking and while he would never admit it, he was a little particular about the way things were done. Not that he didn't appreciate when Ellie cooked him something, but by this point it was well ingrained habit. He had been cooking since they were teenagers.

Arm brushed lightly up and down her shoulder as she talked, her hand curling into the fabric of his shirt. A quiet moment. One of those few and far between moments when there was no comm bound to go off. No boisterous little toddler to cling around their legs. No teenager bounding down the stairs with a harebrained idea. Not that he would trade it away. Sometimes it was nice to stop and remember at the end of the day it all relied on the two of them, to enjoy one another.

Beginning instead of a continuation. He liked that. Ellie was always the more eloquent one.

Just as he was about to reply as such, an eyebrow arced as she mentioned the glimmering water in front of them, off in the distance. Ellie wanted a closer look. To a normal person, it could be taken at face value of really stopping to investigate further. Innocent. Innocuous. Yet he knew his wife. He knew their sordid history.

"Missus Dashiell." Makai did his best impression of being shocked. "I do believe you are implying we skinny dip in that fine body of water. Have you not seen me naked enough today? Incorrigible, I should have done my research better before marriage. Too late now, this isn't in the divorce clause."

A fake, suffering sigh before a slow smile appeared, squeezing her shoulder.

"I knew I'd rub off on you. Let's do it."

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

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

Myra's jaw fell and her eyes went wide in pure indignation before laughter burst out of her. The lavender light caught the silver in her irises as she pointed at him sharply, wagging her finger back and forth just as he deserved.

"Absolutely not. No. I did not imply skinny dipping," she declared, each word punctuated with dramatic emphasis. "Why is it that the moment you see a lake, river, puddle, or sentient moisture, your first instinct is to strip? You are one bad suggestion away from becoming a half-Galan streaker in a nature documentary."

She leaned closer, giving his chest a little poke.

"And we do not know what is living in there. For all we know there is a very hungry fish ready to take a bite out of your precious bits. I am not raising Pheobe and Persie alone because you got overeager and underdressed."

Still laughing, she pressed a kiss to his cheek before stepping past him, boots crunching on the mossy incline as she pointed toward the ridge.

"What I meant," she said with exaggerated patience, "was that we should look at the actual shoreline, genius. The sand will tell us if this is volcanic, glacial, or erosion based. Which, shockingly, is not code for 'take your pants off.'"

She shot him a teasing glance over her shoulder. "Though the fact your brain jumped straight to nudity does say something."

 

[Makai Dashiell]

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

There was an exaggerated roll of his eyes. Ellie was always dashing his dreams of stripping down and just jumping in. He loved the water. Didn't want to get his clothes wet, why not just take them off? The half-Galan had never shied from nudity and he wasn't sure where he got that from. Had to be a free spirit somewhere on the Kai side, his grandmother always seemed a bit of a firecracker.

"Please, nothing has remotely happened to it. The only thing close to nibbling was - nevermind."

A knowing grin went in her direction, deftly stepping out of her range as Ellie continued to speak to him as if she was asking their daughter to put away her toys. Amusement danced in his iced azure eyes, trying not to give her an advantage by laughing at the 'genius' comment. What were they? Teenagers again? The entire interaction was starting to feel like it.

"Volcanic, glacial, or erosion based? Wow I did not expect foreplay on this trip. With this kind of language how could my mind not go to nudity? Its been nothing but the Myra Arceneau thirst trap since we landed."

Snorting with laughter, he advanced down the mossy hill at a clip, passing her up. Teasing her, his hand went to his belt, as if he was going to unbuckle it.

"Can't stop me if I get there first!"

​

Reaching the shoreline and breaking through the trees just ahead of his wife, Makai gave a low whistle. Bioluminescence. Head craned back towards the sky, judging.

"Also I'm guessing its sunset. " A small pause, teasing her. "Hurry before I lose all control and splash in butt naked."

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

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

Myra froze mid-step when Makai reached for his belt. Her grey eyes widened, then narrowed, only to widen again as she spluttered out a very undignified, "Makai, do not --"

But he was already bounding down the hill like an overexcited tooka, the moss barely holding under his boots. She threw her hands up as she let out a half-laughing groan.

"You are a menace!" she cried out, quickening her pace after him.

She crashed through the last stretch of brush just in time to see him standing at the edge of the water, awash in the glow of pure bioluminescence. The shoreline shimmered in streaks of blue and cyan, each ripple sending a pulse of light across the sand.

Even she couldn't stop the way her breath hitched in awe. It almost reminded her of the cave back at the farm they used to skinny-dip in.

And how cold it had been, too.

"It's… beautiful," Myra murmured, coming to a stop beside him. Although his teasing cut through the awe.

Myra inhaled sharply, then slapped a hand over his belt buckle with a mock glare.

"Absolutely not. You are not traumatizing the local ecosystem on our first visit," she said, voice low with pure warning.

She kept her hand firmly pressed to his belt, leaning in close enough that her lips brushed the shell of his ear, her voice dropping into that soft, dangerous tone she reserved only for him.

"Behave, Makai. Explore the shoreline first. Then we can talk about your tragic inability to keep clothes on around water."

Myra's grey eyes danced with mischievousness as that smile remained dangerously amused.

"Besides," she murmured, stepping past him to kneel by the glowing surf, "this is far too pretty to waste on your naked chaos. Come look at this."

She dragged her fingertips through the illuminated sand and watched the light bloom beneath her touch, glancing back up at him with a look that was part wonder and part challenge.

"Now this is foreplay, Mr. Dashiell. Science!" she teased, before adding with a slight frown, "I wonder if this is a specific blooming event or something constant?"

It could be due to algae, tiny plankton, or something else.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

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

Makai was pleased that his teasing had just enough hint of seriousness to back up his claim. He was thoroughly amused by her reaction, treating him as if he was going to disobey all orders. Smirk graced his features as her hand left his belt buckle, tone and smile both dangerous. Two could play at this game though.

"Keep that up and your two year plan of not getting pregnant is going to be very short lived."

A small look of warning of his own as Ellie drifted to look at the bioluminescence. It was beautiful, especially against the nebula. Something he wanted to stop and enjoy but work and duty called. Moving closer to his wife, Makai removed the rucksack once again, digging around for some vials and collection tubes. Grabbing a handful, he passed one over to her.

"One way to find out. We can get these analyzed back closer to home. Or maybe Thirty-Seven can work some of his magic, sometimes he surprises us."

Makai scooped one vial of sand with the bioluminescence and another of just the plain, dry sand. Just in case. It wasn't as if once they left the Slice it was easy to return. Better to get everything needed now.

"Also curious if its just this beach or if there are more oceans, all the beaches. Could be something ocean-wide, an organism that evolved. Algae that feeds off all the plant life and moss around here. Or maybe just this is a seasonal thing. Won't know for awhile I fear."

Capping his vials, Makai placed them into a small holder so they wouldn't get broken on their adventure. He then took a vial of water for analysis. If he couldn't swim this time then definitely next time.

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

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

Myra gave him a slow, incredulous stare over her shoulder at his very pointed warning. Her cheeks flushed despite her best effort and she huffed out one disbelieving laugh.

"Makai Dashiell, if you get me pregnant because you cannot keep your trousers on near a pond, I swear I'll make Thirty-Seven supervise your blue specked butt in all your showers for the rest of the year."

But there was no heat in her threat. Only fondness, affection, and that familiar spark that lived between them no matter what planet they were standing on.

She knelt beside him as he dug into the rucksack, accepting the small vial with a thoughtful hum. The glow of the bioluminescent sand reflected along the curve of the glass, lighting her fingertips with soft gold.

"Alright," she murmured, sweeping a small portion of the glowing sediment into her vial with careful precision. "Let's see what mysteries our new home is hiding."

Myra kept flicking her attention between Makai and the shoreline as she worked. There was something adorable about watching him in this element: focused, analytical, curious. The same man who'd threatened skinny dipping moments ago was now completely absorbed in the science of their would-be world.

It made her smile.

"Seasonal bioluminescence would be incredible," she said quietly as she admired the blue white waves. "Imagine our home overlooking water that glows half the year? It would be gorgeous. Wine nights over looking it?"

Now they were talking.

She capped her vial and then secured it into the kit. Rising to her feet, she brushed off her palms and stepped closer to him, the warm glow casting soft shadows along his jaw.

"And even if it's only this beach," she added, slipping her hand into his again, "we already found something special on day one. That's a good omen."

Her gaze drifted to the far edge of the shoreline, where smooth stones formed a natural curve toward a darker cluster of trees.

"We should check the tree line next," she said. "See if there's freshwater runoff or signs of animal paths....anything that might tell us what else lives nearby."

Her tone shifted into something lightly teasing once more.

"And if you behave for the rest of this trip, maybe -- just maybe -- I'll let you take a swim next time we come back. With clothes optional."

She squeezed his hand as she gave hiim a smile that was all soft and wicked all at once.

"But only after the water tests say you're not going to lose limbs."

 

[Makai Dashiell]

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

"A very good omen."

Samples collected, it was his turn to be amused. Her hand had slipped back into his and she animatedly started talking about finding freshwater runoff and animal tracks. When did his wife start sounding like a nature documentary? Hand gently tugged hers, beginning to take some steps on the shoreline towards the curve of the beach and the dark stand of trees her gaze had been focused on.

"When did you start learning so much about wildlife habits? I hope you're ready to defend me, our luck we're going to find the wildlife that doesn't want to be found and has sharp teeth and claws."

Makai made no illusions that the planet wasn't potentially dangerous. Wild cats or bears would be his guess as an apex predator in such a land. How else would the ecosystem balance? There would be an overabundance of rodent-like creatures if there wasn't something eating them. Maybe a species of large hawk if not a land animal.

"If I behave? We both know that isn't going to happen so I'm going to toss out all notions of swimming for awhile then, swim trunks or no swim trunks."

Ocean waves gently lapped against the shore as they walked, bioluminescence casting a blue glow around them. The lavender sunset had sunk into the horizon now, leaving the glow cast by the nebula and the closest purple-tinted moon.

"I left the mapping equipment in the cargo hold. If we decide this may be the planet once its daylight I'll pull them out and put them to work. I brought a DarkNet relay too in case that needs to be deployed. We're in a communications dead zone."

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

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

"Well...one is confined to a bed for months on end with a stomach that revolts at the mere thought of standing, one must find entertainment somewhere," Myra replied with a wry grin. "I became a scholar in two highly distinguished fields. Nature ecology… and the Real Housewives of Kuat. Highly educational, both of them."

She squeezed his hand as they approached the treeline, her smile softening. The glow from the nebula made everything look touched by starlight. It was absolutely beautiful.

When he spoke about daylight, mapping gear, relays, next steps… the practical foundation beneath their dream, she nodded with an affectionate pride warming her chest.

"Good. Once the sun's up, we can get a real sense of the place," Myra replied. "But tonight? Let's just do one last sweep and then head back. Phoebe's going to have the time of her life analyzing that glowing sand with you."

And because knowing their daughter, Myra's grin grew wider at the thought.

"And we both know she'll be offended if we start building a new world without her supervision."

She stepped ahead of him into the first stretch of shadow beneath the trees her fingers trailing lightly along the bark of a twisting trunk.

"And before we even think of mapping out communications grids, I should probably check in with Mama. If she finds out we discovered a bioluminescent shoreline on a potential colony planet and didn't tell her immediately…"

She shot him a faux-grave look over her shoulder. "She'll assume we died. Or eloped again. Neither scenario ends well for us."

She reached back for his hand, lacing her fingers with his as she guided him a few steps deeper beneath the canopy.

"Alright. Freshwater, tracks, anything unusual… then straight back to our ship before you get any naked ideas."

A small smirk curved her lips.

"Come on, Mr. Blue Speckeled Butt -- Let's finish our sweep and go home to our Starlight."

 

[Makai Dashiell]

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

"So you're telling me I have an incredibly sexy nerdy wife." Shoulder brushed hers. It was his turn to toss the 'nerd' word around in her direction. "Next pregnancy you're going to tell me you became a professor of literature while laying there. Oh and cataloged all the episodes of Love Atoll."

Makai chuckled at the thought. It only made sense she had to occupy her time somehow. Being bedridden all those months did leave her with plenty of free time to spare. Next time would certainly be a interesting adventure with Phoebe thrown into the mix. Hand squeezed hers as Ellie mentioned their little Starlight and doing one last sweep.

"She wants to be in the mix of everything. Its adorable and hilarious but also a touch annoying at times when I'm on business calls at home. I can't be mad at her though, she definitely is a velcro kid which I don't mind. Starlight is very attached to the both of us."

Yet her next words caused him pause. Eloped again. Again?! There wasn't even a first time.

"Hold on there. Again? Again?! I married you properly. Now the proposal I did fumble a little, I agree." Makai paused, incredulous she would imply they skipped off into matrimony without telling anyone. "However when you were hanging out in our bed enjoying your post-sex glow I was being interrogated by your mother on my intentions to marry you and what our married life was going to look like. I was answering questions about bills and children!"

The half-Galan scoffed.

"Then I thought you might want a big wedding but we had a very lovely sunset ceremony in the greenhouse with a al fresco reception. Dad took a week to string all those lights. I cried during our ceremony. I spent weeks trying to figure out my vows. Don't even give me this 'we eloped' business."

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

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

Myra stopped dead in her tracks at Makai's rising indignation, trying her best to not laugh outright by biting her lips.

Again? Again?! he repeated behind her, voice full of outrage, and that was it.

A giggle burst out, then another, until the heiress let out a full snorting laugh that echoed off the glowing shoreline. She had to brace a hand on her knee while the other was wiping at tears that had begun forming at the corners of her eyes.

"Oh Inari..." she wheezed, before straightening up, "if anyone heard you right now, they'd think I accused you of stealing the wedding cake and fleeing the planet."

But then he pushed on, ranting about her post-sex glow, and she whipped around so fast her ponytail snapped across her own shoulder.

"Excuse me?" Myra demanded, grey eyes flashing silver as one brow arching high as the nebula behind her. "Are you complaining about my post-sex glow? Because last I checked, that glow is a compliment to your performance, mister."

She stepped closer, poking a finger into his chest.

"So unless you want me spreading rumors that your stamina is purely decorative, I'd rethink that tone."

But of course, her smirk melted into something fond and wicked as she continued walking, tossing her mahogany hair back.

"And bills and children? Please." She waved a hand. "You talk to my mama more often than I do. All you had to do was blink and she'd start planning the nursery."

She lifted her chin giving him a look that was equal parts challenge and affection.

"You were not suffering... you were basking in the approval of Danger Arceneau, which most beings would sell a kidney for."

She slowed her steps as the sand shifted beneath them, letting him catch up before adding with an innocent flutter of lashes, "And technically, if the greenhouse ceremony was small enough....some might consider it eloping…"

She glanced sideways.

"…if one wanted to provoke one's very overdramatic husband."

The grin that followed made it clear she absolutely, unmistakably wanted to.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

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

Apparently his little rant was hilarious to her. As she wheezed and laughed over his words, the half-Galan merely shook his head. The fact that she found this amusing made him smile, but he wasn't about to let her know. Besides, he had to set the record straight. No way the only daughter of Danger Arceneau would have been allowed to elope.

"Spreading rumors? Who are you talking to about our bedroom habits that would even be remotely interested? Thirty-Seven? He's the one who put me on a routine to increase that stamina you love."

When it came to her mother, he shook his head. Of course Danger loved him like son but there was a line there to ensure that he had the best interests of Ellie in mind. A mother's concern. When push came to shove, Ellie was her daughter after all. He had just been a cute 'stray' in a sense. Makai had no illusions that Danger would put her foot down if she didn't want the union to happen those years ago.

"I don't know about planning the nursery. Remember we scared her with talk of what would happen if we had three sons? After the entire issue with Castie being pushed aside? A valid concern at the time....perhaps I should have said three daughters. More realistic given some of my Hapan lineage....I also get the impression of us wanting a big family surprised her...could have read that wrong..."

No surprise Hapan males would have evolved to produce more daughters, given the society in the cluster. Makai relished being a 'girl dad' though, frankly he found himself to be good at it, in his opinion.

"If you have this sudden desire to elope maybe for our five year anniversary if you're so inclined to run away and say some vows. This overdramatic husband wants to make sure his easily amused wife gets what she wants. If that wish is stealing a cake and running off in a white dress..."

Shoulders shrugged. Once had been enough for him but he was open to the possibility. Renewals seemed odd when they were committed and had a child. Now a second honeymoon? He was all for such a thing. Two weeks relaxing in sand and surf wouldn't be something he snubbed his nose at.

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

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

Myra burst into laughter again, shaking her head at the sheer dramatics radiating off him.

"Alright, alright. No eloping," she conceded, grey eyes flashing and still grinning. "But I'm absolutely cashing in on a two-week second honeymoon. Preferably at a spa, with hot stones and no comms."

She shot him a crooked smile over her shoulder.

"Come on, Overdramatic Husband. Phoebe's probably already bullied the EL Three and Thirty Seven into matching jewelry."

They started the climb back up the rise, her hand finding his naturally.

"Life Day's coming fast," she said. "Are we braving the full family gauntlet or taking the sane route and celebrating in smaller pieces?"

IT was time to think over how they were going to dance that particular dance.

"And what about Mama, your pa, and Balun? You know if he's not included, he'll sulk until spring."

 

[Makai Dashiell]

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

"Honestly I hope she made us matching bracelets too. Time got away from us for a little bit out here, all worth it."

Hand clasped in hers as she reached out. They weren't finished just yet. By daylight they would let Phoebe out to explore and stretch her legs. Additionally, he would pull his equipment out from the cargo hold and deploy as much as he could, including a DarkNet relay buoy. Otherwise they would have to return in order to get the results on climate, current weather, and the rudimentary soil and air conditions.

It would let them keep planning through Life Day. Speaking of...

Makai winced a little. There was a small part of him that wanted to be selfish. To relax on Life Day in his pajamas with a cup of caf as Phoebe opened her gifts and then demanded they be put together or batteries placed inside. Another part, the realistic part, knew his daughter would benefit from having family around. To build those memories. Plus, he couldn't bear to think of Judah or Danger spending the day alone - well his father more than anyone in this scenario would be alone.

Taking a deep breath, as if mentally steeling himself, the half-Galan finally answered.

"Let's have everyone over on Life Day. I'll uh, make a standing nerf roast and the trimmings. It will be chaos but uh, its for Phoebe. Hopefully everyone behaves..."

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

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

Myra caught the inhale the moment it left him. IT was in that subtle sort of bracing breath he always took when he was preparing himself for family chaos. With a softening expression, Myra slipped her arm through his without a word, hugging it close as they walked.

"It's going to be fine," she murmured, giving his arm a gentle encouraging squeeze.

"Mama and your pa will be far too busy fussing over Phoebe and Persephone to start anything. They won't have the energy to interrogate you or reorganize our kitchen. Again."

A small smile curved her lips as she continued, voice warm and a touch wry.

"It's Balun I worry about. He'll either show up fashionably late with a gift wrapped in the wrong holiday paper… or arrive early with a datapad full of questions about your Slice project."

The thought clearly amused her.

"But whatever happens, we'll make it work. Phoebe and I will bake cookies, and Thirty-Seven and El-Three can provide entertainment." She chuckled. "Though knowing them, 'entertainment' will be a dramatic lecture on proper frosting ratios."

They crested the rise, and their ship's soft lights grew brighter through the trees. Myra let the quiet settle for a moment as she let the weight of the day ease out of her shoulders.

Then, with a small spark of mischief returning to her voice, she added, "Speaking of celebrations… I heard Ukatis is putting on a massive Life Day festival this year. Fireworks, night markets, music, the works."

She turned to him, her mischevious grey eyes shining at him even as her dark brows perked up in interest.

"Maybe we sneak away for a day? Let Mama spoil Phoebe rotten while we buy gifts and actually have a little time to ourselves."

Full lips curved into a wider smile.

"A small date, before the galaxy and our families descend on us. What do you think?"