Private Cupcake Chaos

[Persephone Dashiell]

"Still can't believe yous of all people is a Jedi."

Persephone was still bewildered by the fact. She didn't think the woman was lying to her either, why lie about being a Jedi? It didn't seem that great of a life to her so lying was just stupid on that front. In an upscale district such as this, Persie didn't think the old ' I'm a Jedi' line would do anyone any favors. Maybe a politician.

"Yeah, pirates. I was on a public transport back to where we is stayin'. They ended up hurtin' my boyfriend, who really wasn't my boyfriend at the time...still....my friends got hurt. They tried to take over the ship. Rob folks maybe? The Jedi kids on board made it hard for 'em, those are my friends. Lucky Thirty-Seven here."

Persie paused to hook a thumb back to the droid.

"Called in Arceneau Trade security and we's escaped."

Corazona von Ascania

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Some days I can hardly believe it myself.

Cora's lips pulled into a tight smile. There was a wistful sort of humor in the line of her mouth. She wasn't sure where the noblewoman ended and the Jedi began.

Her expression shifted into something harder at the mention of pirates.

"You poor thing – and your friends, too." She frowned, "I can imagine that must've been frightening. I do hope that your friends are well." Her eyes wandered to the droid poised behind Persie, but then-

"Next!"

Lost in the conversation as she'd become, the cashier's summons swiftly pulled Cora back to reality. She turned and took a step forward, eyes roaming over the display case. It was nearly empty by now. Cora paused and tilted her attention back towards Persie. With one hand, she gestured for the girl to join her.

"Which would you like?"

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

BUTTER + BATTER

Persephone was waiting patiently outside while Corazona von Ascania was called next. Yet the blonde woman motioned her forward, ushering her inside with her. Thirty-Seven waited outdoors, seeing no need to cram himself into the tiny space while the girl he was watching made her purchases.

By the time she entered, there wasn't much left. No more cupcakes for Iko Vel but there was a second item ; a little cake with fruit. They were about as big as the jumbo cupcakes the establishment normally offered. Persie knew he would like that equally as well,and besides, it was the thought that counted in the moment.

"Just one of those, please. Whatever she is buyin' yous can add to my bill."

Credcard was fished out of her designer bag and she slid the little card over towards the cashier. It was clear ; Persie was paying for the both of them.

"Oh no Miss Cora. I insist. You pick out everything yous would like...not that there's much available. Uh, excuse me Miss?" Persie was trying to get the attention of someone behind the counter. "Do you have any lemon bars in hidin'? My friend could really use one."

A sigh, as if the baker hadn't been asked this a million times already, and disappeared into the back.

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Persie pointed to the little cake, decorated with a few meticulously placed berries atop ribbons of cream and a dusting of powdered sugar. Cora nodded in approval.

Then, the girl offered to pay for them both - not only offered, she pulled her card out and slid it across the counter.

"Oh, please, allow me-"

Cora fished through her own bag for her credit stick, but Persie cut her off with her own insistence, even flagging down an employee to procure a lemon bar.

"You really don't need to- I insist-"

As the baker disappeared into the back, Cora placed her credit stick on the counter next to Persie's card. While it was true that she no longer had access to the family funds on the royal treasury, Lady Velvet sales kept her somewhat comfortable. Ish. There was also her pride, too.

She visibly perked when the employee returned, lemon bar in hand.

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

Persie looked at the credstick, then looked to Corazona von Ascania , back to the stick before her eyes settled back on the blonde woman.

If looks could kill, Cora would certainly be wounded. Persephone was mildly offended that the woman had placed her form of payment next to her own.

"Excuse me, you think I ain't good enough to pay or somethin'?"

Ocean blue eyes looked the blonde up and down once again as she did in line. Not Miss Cora thinking she was just a common street urchin. Due to her less than stellar background, sometimes she felt as if she didn't fit in anywhere at this point.

Would Cora treat her the same way if she hadn't mentioned being raised by her guardians? If she didn't have the backwards accent?

"I insist Miss Cora. I ain't above fightin' you over it either."

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Cora was taken aback by the intensity of Persephone's gaze. It only took a moment to understand that in her own attempt to be properly generous, she had made a misstep.

Still, she nearly balked as the teenager sized her up. While she lacked the more pronounced musculature of her fellow Jedi, Cora was lean and physically capable. But that...wasn't the type of combat that Persie was inching towards. No, it was something more familiar – a battle over who could be more gracious and polite.

Cora lifted her brows and raised both hands in defense. "I yield," she declared with a note of mirth, and retrieved her credit stick from the counter. A smile began to tilt her lips. The bake shop employee chose to wrap their items first, glancing up from her work to see how this would play out.

"I don't think that you're not good enough to pay. I just...well, I supposed that being older, that task would naturally fall to me." Cora sighed, her smile broadening in sheepish amusement. "I've eight younger siblings, so I'm accustomed to taking the lead."

Whether they wanted it or not.

"I do apologize if I've made you feel bad, Persie. I would be very grateful if you paid. But-" she raised a finger, "on the condition that I will be picking up the cheque next time."

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

"Great" Persephone said brightly as the bake shop employee took her credcard to complete the transaction. Sadly for the employees, there would be no brawl between a fourteen year old and Jedi Knight. That would have been something for the ages.

"Eight siblings? Your Mama and Papa didn't have no holodramas to watch instead? They needed a holovision in their room."

Eyes were wide and dark hair danced as she shook her head. The employee handed Persie her credcard and two small brown kraft paper bags with their purchases. The teenage girl passed Corazona von Ascania 's over to her, ensuring the bag handed off actually had the lemon bars. The pair moved to leave ; others were waiting for the meager selection after all.

"Ain't no need to apologize...but....Yeah, you's can pick up the tab next time. Maybe we can have iced caf or somethin'. Or...I don't know, yous more than welcome out on Joiol. That's where I'ma 'bout to live an' all."

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

Crisis averted – and Cora barely suppressed a snort at Persie's observation regarding her large family. Part of her wanted to insist that having multiple children wasn't atypical for a noble Ukatian household, but even in that regard, the Ascania brood was fairly big.

"Who knows," she murmured with a wry note, "I don't even know if they like to watch holoseries."

Never mind the fact that her parents had separate bedrooms. Cora never thought much about what was going on behind those doors.

She smiled at the employee, then at Persephone as she accepted the bag.

"Thank you, Persie. You're a very kind young woman. Perhaps, once this is all over," she gestured widely to the bakery, which looked a bit odd, "we can have iced caf of Joiol."

It felt nice to have something to look forward to, even if it was something as small as good conversation while grabbing a drink. It helped Cora focus on the idea that there would be an after Coruscant for her. For the both of them.

"Do make sure that you get offworld soon. Oh, and if anyone give you trouble – do not hesitate to make use of my holonumber."

Persephone Dashiell