Private You Belong in A Museum

[Makai Dashiell]

NABOO

Wearing | Gear : X | X | X | X | X | L3-37 | Interacting With : Balun Dashiell | Kellan Dashiell | Phoebe Dashiell

"Eight years. Five-ish to thirteen, if you're trying to do the math."

Makai was aware Balun was trying to be respectful and not pry too much. His gaze fell to Phoebe once again, watching as she leaned over a log with Kellan to view the crystalflies. Just behind the log was a small puddler for the flying insects, some zooming in to land and slowly flap their wings as they stopped to drink.

"Of course. You have too, she came when you brought Nouqai to visit the entire family a few years ago. Mom is going to even watch Phoebe so Ellie and I can celebrate our wedding anniversary." Of course there was Lia, but Makai viewed the droid more as backup than a full-time carer for days at a time. "Maybe figure out what you would do with the information before hiring that investigator. Not sure if anyone can answer that but you. Bit of a personal decision."

Talk turned to business and and Jhaessa Prime. How much of a presence he wanted was the question. Something he would have to debate over the next several weeks and review the direction he was going in. Or the direction of the business. The direction of his family too. Realistically there were only so many projects he could take on in the coming years.

"I'll let you know. I may end up just buying the mining rights to certain areas and sitting on them for now. I'll have to evaluate the direction we're going in once I get back to Joiol. Pencil me in for buying the mining rights for the moment - never pass up those opportunities."

 

[Balun Dashiell]

YOU BELONG IN A MUSEUM.
INVENTORY: Spacer Apparel.
TAGS: Makai Dashiell & Pheobe <3.
PRESENT COMPANY: Kellan Dashiell (3 years old).

​

"Grist, that night feels like so much longer than just a few years ago to me..." Balun muttered under his breath as he turned to glance back towards Kellan and Pheobe's direction. However, in truth, his mind was reeling over mental imagery of the night they were all under the one roof at the Dashiell Compound back on Joiol, Nouqai and the whole of Balun's family being introduced to her as if their future was as bright as ever. If only he had known the reality of what was to follow.

"Sorry, man, it probably seems pretty chit of me, but later that night was when Nouqai and I had our fight. It was the last time I saw her, before she turned up on our doorstep and she handed Kell over to Dad," he explained, apologising for the fact that he had mistakenly forgotten that Makai's mother had shown up that night, although he hadn't known who she was at the time.

It wasn't until he had asked Judah who the woman, with blue streaks in her hair, was that their father told Balun that Thessa Kai was Makai's Mother. The night had been such an event, and with so many of them there, Balun had been distracted with Nouqai that he had missed the moment when Thessa had first arrived, thus not being formally introduced.

"Are you happier for it now?" Balun soon asked curiously, glancing back Makai Dashiell ; "Having her in your life and everything. I'm guessing now that it's been so long and she's still around, you obviously forgave her for everything. Whatever happened with her, I mean," Balun continued, trying not to sound entirely insensitive but also trying to gain a sense of understanding, and perhaps an idea of what could potentially be on the cards for his prospective future.

"I don't know what the situation was with Thessa, but my Mom left me with the Jedi instead of going to Dad for help during the pregnancy or to take me on afterwards. That gave me a very blatant impression that she wanted nothing to do with me, and it also seemed like she wanted nothing to do with Dad. So chasing after someone like that...Y'know?" he rounded his feelings off with a rhetorical question, not needing to be agreed with or otherwise, but rather finding the fact that he was even having this discussion with someone to be instead lifting. Balun hadn't spoken to anyone about his mother since the first meeting with Judah, and that discussion had gone down like a Hutt diving Mon Cala. Straight down.

"Speech".
'Thought.​

 

[Makai Dashiell]

NABOO

Wearing | Gear : X | X | X | X | X | L3-37 | Interacting With : Balun Dashiell | Kellan Dashiell | Phoebe Dashiell

"I...I really didn't have a choice."

Makai realized that sounded harsh and unforgiving. There was so much nuance to the situation it was hard for those looking outside in to truly understand his journey. A very long and arduous journey that he had undertaken. The half-Galan wasn't sure Balun would truly understand even if he completely filled his brother in. A feat that would take far longer than watching their respective children explore a museum.

Not knowing how to exactly reply, he was silent for a long moment, debating how to approach. It was two wildly different circumstances and Makai was trying to figure out what could apply to his brother.

"Meaning more....I could continue on my self destructive path. Obviously I knew better than anyone else what was best for me, right?" Makai chuckled a little, shaking his head. "...or I could do something different. Its not easy - like making a sword. I've been held over the fire and struck and molded, questioning why."

Gaze left his brother and focused on Phoebe, pointing out a crystalfly to Kellan.

"So without letting go in some aspects in life, I wouldn't be here. Phoebe wouldn't be here, Myra wouldn't be my wife. I had to let go of the disappointment of missed opportunities and hurt and pain associated with my mother being gone. A long journey but without it I would be avoiding the entire galaxy, spearheading a mining project in the Pacanath Reach."

Shoulder shrugged slightly, remembering the day Danger Arceneau came to finish kicking him in the proverbial ass.

"In your situation I find it odd she never stuck around to collect support. Not like Dad wouldn't have paid....she would have been loaded, even if she didn't want to keep you. Your mother would have had to be aware he was rich. So I can understand why you wouldn't want to bother. Could be a nightmare."

 

[Balun Dashiell]

YOU BELONG IN A MUSEUM.
INVENTORY: Spacer Apparel.
TAGS: Makai Dashiell & Pheobe <3.
PRESENT COMPANY: Kellan Dashiell (3 years old).

​

Balun couldn't relate. He wanted to—to be able to tell his brother that he understood how he felt and give Makai a sense that he wasn't alone in how he felt, but the simple truth was that he couldn't provide that without lying, and so he merely fell quiet as he considered how to respond. Makai Dashiell 's voice had wavered with a vulnerability that Balun wasn't accustomed to hearing, and seeing his brother in this light, while wishing he hadn't had to go through all the hardships that he had faced, it was comforting to see that Makai felt safe enough to open up about these things with him.

The two brothers had always engaged in playful banter, a sense of brotherly rivalry when teasing one another, yet it was never taken out of any absolute seriousness. Balun had always enjoyed how they could play around and laugh, and take things easily. Life wasn't always so serious and dark when he and Makai hung out, unlike when he spent time with Judah Dashiell , often winding up in discussions about his life and where he was heading, as well as what he planned to do with his future.

Today, however, Balun was glad to see that their often humorous and jestful banter had not given Makai the impression that Balun wasn't capable of being there for his brother when it counted the most: in ways far more meaningful than calling him out on his abundant love of rocks.

"If it's any consolation, Makai", Balun began to respond, clearing his throat for a moment as he attempted to sweep the hint of emotion that tempted to sound in his voice, "Nothing against Dad or our family or anything, but you've started your own family now. Phoebe won't have to worry about any of this. You're already doing a better job, both you and Myra. It doesn't change what you've gone through, I know, but..." he paused as he took a moment longer to find the appropriate words to conclude his thoughts; "You've broken a cycle, so to speak. Your girl will never know anything but the life of a family that adores her and will support her throughout every bump and hurdle of her life. And I've got your back every step of the way, bro".

Balun smiled as he held his brother's gaze for a moment longer, sincere in his support. Makai was someone who Balun would always stand beside, much like his father, despite Judah and Balun butting heads regularly; though this wasn't anything unusual for a father and his sons.

Judah's life experience taught him to learn from his mistakes, hoping that Bale might avoid them, while Balun, on the other hand, was too stubborn to allow his old man to dictate how to live his life, even if it sounded like a lecture. Their poor father would often have to wait for Balun to ask for help, lest he approach a discussion with tact.

Looking back to the younglings, Kellan and Phoebe, Balun inhaled deeply as he considered the hard truth: "Breaking the cycle is the best we can do to turn things around, really. Not for ourselves but for them", he gestured towards their kids, giving a shrug of his right shoulder. Uncharacteristically for Balun, the comment sounded surprisingly intelligent. "We can't do much about the chit that happened before us, but we can make damn sure they don't screw it up for their own kids further down the line, right?" he chuckled softly.

"Speech".
'Thought.​

 

[Makai Dashiell]

NABOO

Wearing | Gear : X | X | X | X | X | L3-37 | Interacting With : Balun Dashiell

"Yikes. You act like I'm about to jump off the roof of this museum."

Makai chuckled, greatly amused. He didn't quite expect Balun to understand. Even if the other was filled in detail-by-detail he doubted an understanding would even be found then. Two different upbringings and vastly different mindsets. Even as Balun spoke of 'breaking the cycle' it was clear Bale was talking more of himself than Makai. As if he was trying to work through his own issues with a mother who had abandoned him at the doorstep of the Jedi.

Shaking his head, he clapsed his brother on the shoulder, leading him down the path closer to the kids. If given enough time, Phoebe would never leave the gardens. He knew the little insects were fascinating to her but there was more to see, including a small part of a museum where children could learn through more hands on means. They weren't on a strict timeline but there were a few things to finish seeing - especially since he wanted to tire Phoebe out for her nap.

"You'll do alright by Kellan."

 

[Balun Dashiell]

YOU BELONG IN A MUSEUM.
INVENTORY: Spacer Apparel.
TAGS: Makai Dashiell & Pheobe <3.
PRESENT COMPANY: Kellan Dashiell (3 years old).

​

"Oh, Grist no", Balun snorted an abrupt laugh, shaking his head and raising his hands palms facing Makai openly in a gesture of apology, "Nothing that dramatic. I guess I'm just not used to hearing this side of you, man," Balun admitted, trying to explain himself. He hadn't meant to go off on a tangent as if his brother needed some sort of counselling, but he'd been caught up in the depth and meaning of their conversation.

"It's sort of difficult for me to imagine you, and Dad, for that matter, to be in a vulnerable or delicate place emotionally. I feel like ever since I became a part of this family, the two of you have been keeping me upright, you know?" Balun tried to express it differently, speaking more honestly than he would have had it been anyone else he were talking to; "Don't tell anyone else this, but it's not something you expect when the people you look up to show a fragile side to them. Not that you're not allowed..." he added, soon doing a double-take as he suddenly began to overthink what he was saying, as though perhaps he were now digging himself a hole too deep to climb out of.

When Makai Dashiell gripped his shoulder, Balun glanced back at his brother with an awkward, lopsided smirk. Not the over-confident (mask) version of himself, but the more at ease, somewhat sheepish and idiot-feeling sorta guy that he could be when he'd done something dumb. The kind words about raising Kellan didn't go amiss, but he hadn't been thinking solely of his son. He'd been trying to be there for his brother, trying to be something more than just a pain in the ass that he felt he was for the family at times.

"It's not like I can do worse than his Mom, I suppose", he replied pessimistically. He snorted a quiet laugh, not finding it amusing but needing to move on from the comment as soon as the words had left his lips. He shouldn't have said it, no matter how true it might have been.

"Speech".
'Thought.​

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Wearing | Gear : X | X | X | X | X | L3-37 | Interacting With : Balun Dashiell , Phoebe Dashiell, Kellan Dashiell

"You look up to me? Must have a sad pool of role models to pull from."

Makai chuckled and shook his head. The admission left him a little frightened and a little sad for his half-brother. He wasn't holding up any pillars of the family nor did he consider himself some role model for others to follow. Either way, he was going to leave it at that and not dive any deeper into such an admission.

"I mean you could do worse. Don't a lot of Jedi cut off their offsprings hands? Or is that a holodrama thing? Ellie and I watched this holofilm once, seemed limb loss was high."

Shoulders shrugged, not worried on getting a real answer as they approached the kids. Little heads were still craned up looking at the crystalflies, with Makai scooping up Phoebe, the young girl giving a squeal of laughter as he did so.

"Me too Uncle Mak!"

The half-Galan picked up his nephew with his free arm, now toting both of the toddlers. As they walked out of the garden and into the museum once again, cool air blasted down upon them. His eyes searched for directions to the chidrens area and he inclined his head in that direction so Bale knew where to follow.

"Papa, can we have ice cream?"

Ice cream. Phoebe was a massive ice cream addict, partially due to his bribes.

"Sure, Uncle Bale says he's going to pay for an extra big cone."

 

[Balun Dashiell]

YOU BELONG IN A MUSEUM.
INVENTORY: Spacer Apparel
TAGS: Makai Dashiell & Pheobe <3.
PRESENT COMPANY: Kellan Dashiell (3 years old).

"I mean you could do worse. Don't a lot of Jedi cut off their offsprings hands? Or is that a holodrama thing? Ellie and I watched this holofilm once, seemed limb loss was high."

Balun stopped and turned to look back at his brother, wondering if Makai Dashiell was being serious in his question, a look of utter perplexion soon followed by an abrupt laugh as the absurdity of the concept struck him. "What? No...-Grist, that's morbid," he replied, shaking his head in disbelief mixed with amusement, moving to continue to walk alongside Makai as they looked to return to the younglings.

"No, the Jedi used to have this custom of taking in young prospective students and discouraging familial or personal ties outside of the Jedi Order for the duration of their early life" He explained, recalling what he had read from the archives on historical practices of the Order; "This was done to discourage students from emotional vulnerability, as strong attachments were seen as a distraction from the commitment required to fulfill ones training and become a Jedi Knight...." His words fell quiet for a brief moment, allowing his brother the time to consider his explanation before Balun would reiterate: "These were older practices, though. From what it appears, they don't seem to practice such restrictions any more".

Balun was thankful for that, too, given that he was training under a Jedi Master at the time. He couldn't see Ala Quin ever actually requiring him to cut ties with his family, and truth be told, that would have been a deal breaker, were he training alongside the Jedi of the past. For all his hopes of completing his training, there was nothing worth that high a cost. Even his ambitions and dreams.

"And yes, believe it or not, I look up to you. That really shouldn't be such a surprise. You've been part of this family far longer than I, and you have your life together far better than I do. You and Myra have the picture-perfect family, and your business sense is flawless...-Just to name a few points," Balun smirked, soon turning to look over to Kellan Dashiell as he and Pheobe both moved towards them, and demanded to be carried by his brother. "See what I mean", Balun exclaimed, as if to reinforce his point that Makai was a great role model for others, both of the kids appeared to want his full attention.

"Ice cream, huh?" Balun smiled, turning to look at Pheobe with a broad grin, "That sounds like the best idea I've heard all day".

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

"Speech"
'Thought'​

 

[Makai Dashiell]

NABOO

Wearing | Gear : X | X | X | X | X | L3-37 | Interacting With : Balun Dashiell


"The lack of emotional attachments sounds like a recipe for psychopaths."

Makai looked skeptical that this was an older practice. Yes, he had seen Jedi with families but how attached were they? When push came to shove, where did the loyalties lie? Makai suspected it was with the Jedi versus family, but he assumed it was a case-by-case basis. Something he would privately keep an eye out with in regards to his brother.

"Our 'perfect' family took a lot of work Bale. These types of things just don't happen by chance and if they do....then it is questionable if they will last. In our case we can't get a divorce - you better believe we made sure this was for real."

Carrying both kids, Makai viewed it as practice when his second arrived. Building 'dad strength' as he called it, carting around the kids was just one way to easily do it. The half-Galan suspected his brother wouldn't understand so he didn't bother explaining his reasoning on that front, but chose to look at it another way.

"He's a little kid with little legs, of course they want to be carried and spoiled. I'm happy to oblige."

Again, Makai suspected his brother wouldn't understand. Ellie and the girls were his wildest dreams come to life. Kellan, while loved, was just put upon Bale at a younger age than himself. It wasn't a subject he would broach unless his half-brother needed to speak about it.

 

[Balun Dashiell]

YOU BELONG IN A MUSEUM.
INVENTORY: Spacer Apparel
TAGS: Makai Dashiell & Pheobe <3.
PRESENT COMPANY: Kellan Dashiell (3 years old).

​

Balun gave a peculiar smile, unsure if he was hearing something in how Makai Dashiell responded or if he was overthinking it. For a second, his brother almost reminded him of their Father, Judah Dashiell , but with the two younglings held in either arm, Balun's gaze fell to his Son, who caught his eye, the two locking eyes and causing Balun to smile warmly to his boy.

Kellan held his father's gaze, offering a small smile. He couldn't be certain, but Balun, for a split second, felt as though his Son was looking through him. The way the boy's eyes were glazed, as if Balun was standing in his general line of sight, yet Kellan's mind was taking him elsewhere. He tilted his head slightly, craning to one side as he studied his son while Pheobe seemed entirely focused on the news of ice cream.

"What flavour would you like, Kell?" Balun asked as they continued walking together.

Kellan heard him, blinking once before truly looking back at his Dad. "Mm...Any kind?" he asked as if there might be some restriction on what flavours there would be available, causing Balun to smirk and glance to his brother. Balun didn't precisely know what would be on offer, but he shrugged and answered him with his best guess: "Whatever they have, whichever one you see that looks best. Coruscant Cloud, Milky Way, Tenebrae Truffle...All the main ones we like, I'm sure".

They were on their way out of the Crystalfly enclosure by this point, Balun more or less following his brother's lead as he wasn't familiar with the Museum in the slightest. The discussion seemed to spark a new conversation between the little ones about which flavours they preferred most, leaving him to turn back to look around the Museum some more.

The feeling of being out with his Son, with no ulterior motives or needs arising to bug him, was easy to appreciate. No business dealings, primarily thanks to his Commlink being silenced, and making precious time for those who mattered most. Here, there were no life or death decisions to be made, no one trying to kill him and not an ounce of violence present in the strangers who passed them by. He had his Son, his Brother and his Niece, and for once, it seemed like they had all the time in the world together.

That should have been enough for him...

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

"Speech"
'Thought'​