Private Babysitting Duty

[Persephone Dashiell]

Planet : Wukkar | Capris Halcyon

​

There was an advantage to going out on business with the family. In between boring business meetings, rubbing elbows, and the fake niceties that everyone put on, there was freedom as well. Freedom in the form of wandering a bit, seeing the 'verse, and most important was the varied shopping districts she was now privy to explore. Today she got a little more freedom than normal ; Makky was finishing up down the street with a business deal. Drinking and talking about those boring niceties she had mentioned before ; sports, their wives or girlfriends, galactic politics. Again, boring.

So she had traversed down to the high-end boutiques on the block, not far from the restaurant she had just from. Thirty-Seven stayed behind to help with business negotiations, not that she needed a chaperone. Persephone was used to taking care of herself. Besides, this was a high end district on a heavily populated planet. In her experience, that meant lots of law enforcement and lots of busy-bodies who didn't want riff-raff in the uppercrust areas of the city. This was a basic rule no matter what planet one was on.

She already had made a first purchase, a very bright neon pink pair of combat boots. Persie was already excited to wear them, perfect for her upcoming busy summer travel schedule. The teenager girl popped into the next shop, curious to see what one-of-a-kind items she could find and wear, looking for the unusual.

Persephone had no idea that she wasn't the only one looking to take something. Her no-good Pirate Daddy, Ezekiel Dashiell and her dearly departed Mama had made some enemies along the way. Her deceased Mama owed a lot of folks a lot of credits, and when she died wasn't anything to collect. Bounties had been set out, the thought process being Persie was now in the fold of the wealthy branch of the Dashiells. Perhaps some ransom money could be procured to make up for all the trouble caused along the way.

If not...

 

[Capris Halcyon]

That was a child. Like an actual child.

Capris tossed a look down at her holoprojector in confirmation. The description had only included questionably vague details, omitting the fact that she happened to be tracking down some pre-teen with a shopping addiction this entire time.

With a sigh she slipped her hand back into an open pocket. She needed to stop taking jobs with so much guess work. Admittedly the girl had a pretty wide radius for shitty behavior, but this toed her limits.

Dressed in plain civilian clothing, with a generously spacious coat to hide her arm, Capris slipped into the store after her bounty. By the sound of her briefing, she hadn't been the only one sent after Persephone, that meant trouble.

With a glance Peresphone's way, Capris pretended to take interest in a clearance section, offering a genuine wince as she turned over the price tags. Yeah she'd stick to whatever three outfits she had on rotation. With a defeated sigh, the bounty hunter pretended to take notice of the pair of shoes poking out from Peresphone's bag.

"Pretty boots." Capris commented a bit suddenly, with a twinge of uncertainty. She'd never really figured out how to talk to children, they intimidated her big time. "They're uh- a good color."

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

Head was down as she browsed the racks. Every so often she would pick something up with her free hand, examine it, and debate as if mentally trying to figure out where and how it would fit in her wardrobe. When it came to her current clothing, Persephone had a iron clad memory, having everything sorted by color and season. She couldn't wait til she got a real closet and her own space. Sharing with Rue Arceneau was cool an' all, but the girl clearly did not understand the importance of fashion.

Someone was talking to her. Not the bored looking sales clerks, clearly counting down the minutes until they closed in roughly two hours. No, it was a young woman, also browsing through the racks of extensive warm weather fashions on deck.

"Oh, thank yous! I love pink an' thought they'd be perfect for summer. Gotta have a variety, ya know?"

Persie looked over the young woman.

"Yous like neutrals and blacks though I can see. Can't go wrong there's I suppose."

Capris Halcyon

 

[Capris Halcyon]

A compliment? Capris’s eyes widen with undue theatrics, as if Persephone had pulled a gun on her rather than simply take note of a few wardrobe items.

“Oh.” The bounty looked ahead a bit dumbly, “Thanks.”

Capris typically ran with the assumption she looked drab and unapproachable most days. But whatever, the kid was playing nice.

Capris regarded the young girl before her a moment. She looked so…untroubled. As if her concerns only extended as far as her closet. As much as she realized that probably wasn’t the case, Capris couldn’t help a small feeling of self-reproach.

“Your parents give you free range with their credit card or something? You don’t seem to be here with anyone?”

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

Oh, she found someone that wanted to talk to her.

Persie was still getting used to the entire 'small talk' bit. In her world, when someone wanted to talk like this,they were usually trying to swindle. Or divert attention. Or pick pocket. Deep cobalt blue eyes narrowed at the woman once she had mentioned parents giving her free reign with a credcard. Her ears definitely perked at that ; was she about to be robbed?

The teenage girl didn't have much left and she had a mean left hook. Go ahead and try.

"Whats it matters to yous who's I'm with and what's I got? Ain't none of your business."

At that the bored looking sales clerks perked up, their gaze drifting to the two women.

Time to be a little tougher. Persephone was used to this, being on the defensive and ready to throw down if needed. Although, this was a nicer part of the city, and she didn't want to embarrass Makky by causin' a scene. Yet if she had to, then she had to. In fact, if the woman kept bothering with her Persephone would call in Makky to assist.

Capris Halcyon

 

[Capris Halcyon]

Wrong thing to say. Noted.

Capris winced at Persephone’s retort. In hindsight maybe it was bad to lead such a suspicious question. “That’s.. true.” She agreed, raising her hand in an attempt to pacify the situation. “It’s just strange to see a kid shopping by themselves. You’re like what…9, 10?”

Clearly the older girl had literally no concept of age.

“Sorry I’m just- I’m out of my depth here.” She awkwardly motioned to her outfit as evidence. “-And struggling to wrap my head around the fact a kid has better grasp on fashion than I do.”

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

Persie gave a deadpan stare at the other. Who did the person think she was?! The teenage girl couldn't decide if the woman was being a busybody and looking for her guardians or genuinely curious. As she explored the galaxy more, it was difficult to tell some of the nuances at play, especially when it came to higher-society functions.

Back in the Lower City on Taris, Persephone knew exactly where she stood. Everyone was out for themselves. No one helped another, not unless credits were involved. Socialization was kept to a minimum outside the socially designated areas ; brothels, bars, gamblin' halls, everyone put on a show in those places. In the streets it was nothing but keeping your guard up.

"Ten years old. Really?"

Brows knit together. Did she look that young? No, not at all.

"Lots'a folks got talents no matter what their age. Somethin' to think about."

Shoulders squared. Persephone would take her leave now.

"So's...uh...have a good night."

Capris Halcyon