Private Kickin' It on Kavan

[Persephone Dashiell]

KAVAN

Casaana | Endara Ski Lodge, Kavan ​

With her family vacation cancelled, Persephone found herself looking for alternatives on a quick getaway. Her guardians weren't too keen on letting her drift too far outside the Hapes Cluster often, so with hours of research on ZikZok and the HoloNet, Persie finally found an acceptable alternative. Edara Ski Lodge was a beacon on the harsh landscape, a place where in the know Hapans came to relax and take in snow-related activities and fun. So far she was enjoying the peripheral benefits ; hot cocoa, lounging by the fire, and cute outfits.

She couldn't go to the ultimate ski lodge without looking the part. Coats, thermals, boots, an entire snowsuit all had been commissioned from Chi Chuchi , some custom pieces and others sources from boutiques and designers the Pantoran fashionista worked with. Persephone thought herself resourceful at times finding unusual and unique pieces but Chi always went above and beyond for her.

Standing on a snowbank in a very fashionable lavender snowsuit, her hair braided back, she had a small dash skimmer leaning against her leg. She was busy putting on safety equipment required in order to ride them. As far as she knew they were somewhat dangerous, a gift from her to her guardians on their wedding day. 'Course they didn't get a chance to use them but why let them go to waste?

With her guardians unable to come on her ski lodge trip, Persie called up a friend to accompany her. Lucky Casi was on the 'approved friends' list that her guardians had set forth. With the Dark Empire causing trouble for corporations, there were just certain things she couldn't do. One of those was travel. The other was who she could interact with. She was at least thankful Casi was up for some fun and adventure and could get away from her studies for the weekend.

 

[Casaana]

The flurries of snow whipped up by the Star Commuter reminded Casaana of a line in her preparation homework about the tendency for assassinations to have 'cooled off' in the Hapes Cluster, and she smiled at it. There had also been warnings about an old mistrust of Jedi, and cautions not to be found out if possible. Which the girl was fine with, since she still took every opportunity to ditch the flappy robes of the Jedi. Today she was dressed in layers of clothing from a thermal undersuit to long sleeved shirts, a wool sweater, and surplus field jacket. Below the waist, she still wore her usual cargo pants and combat boots, just with the undersuit beneath and two pairs of socks. She'd been going for a 'rugged teen on her own' look like in the holos while staying warm and not wearing anything that she'd mind getting wet, or muddy, or ripped up. Now she shifted self-consciously, even on public transport she felt under dressed compared to some of the people around her.

She'd been to lodges before on wilderness retreats, and had jumped for the chance to get away for a bit with her old friend, but she was starting to feel like she'd misunderstood where they were going and what it would be like. Surely Persephone wouldn't need a bodyguard at a resort? Even in Hapes that was just silly, definitely stretching the excuse for the two of them to get together again, right? Serruptisouly, she felt for the slim blaster she had tucked under her shirt and then the end of her lightsaber in the bag next to her. Still where she'd shoved it three days ago before boarding the passenger liner to Kavan.

Turning her gaze as for forward as she could, she strained to peer through the narrow window for a glimpse of the lodge. When she finally did her eyes practically bulged out. That was the lodge? It was practically a resort! A really expensive looking one. Hopefully her line of credit would get her inside, she could just pretend to be eccentric! Yeah, they totally wouldn't judge her based on the obvious thrift shop finds she wore. Persie hadn't.

That was the one bright spot as Casaana slung her back and picked out her suitcase from the overhead as the commuter began disembarking, getting to see her friend again. And she said she'd had a surprise, something really fun, guaranteed to love! Stepping off the vessel, she was immediately blinded by the light reflecting from the snow, and she was forced to squint as she fished around her pockets for her flash glasses. Finally able to see, Casaana started following the others up the path to the resort-lodge when she spotted a familiar face futzing about with some kind of belt atop a hill. "Persie!" She cried out, running over to give her friend a big hug. "It's been so long I've missed you!!!!"
Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

Persephone wasn't one for large displays of affection. Or, she used to not be. Living with Myra Arceneau Dashiell and Makai Dashiell ,she was getting a little better at letting her emotions show when appropriate. Even crying! And hugging folks a little more. Overall, the young teenager was slowly coming out of her hardened shell, it was just taking some time.

"Casi!" She set the set the dash skimmer down, coming to met her Jedi friend half-way. "I missed you too!"

The teenager pulled her friend into a huge hug. It was hard to find teenage girls her age who wanted to actually hang out and do fun things. Boys were fine enough, like Iko Vel , but sometimes she just wanted to hang out with a fellow teen girl and gossip in between having fun. Casaana fit that bill, plus she was slightly older and very cool in her eyes. Effortlessly cool. Persephone tried and didn't even reach an iota of teen girl coolness.

Maybe someday.

Letting the dark haired girl go, Persephone stepped back to look her over. A huge grin spread over her face, excited for the snow adventure they were going to embark on but also to see her friend once again. She couldn't wait to sit in their room together and hang too, to try to catch up on what the Jedi had been up to. Hopefully nothing dangerous.

"Your outfit is so haut ton, very jealous. You always look so cool Casi." Persephone shook her head, as if to say how lucky. "How are you? Have you been staying safe?"

 

[Casaana]

Casaana laughed at that, "No?" Actually, she was feeling a little cool after the overly warm interior of the commuter now that she was out in the heat-stripping wind. She just didn't feel stylish compared to everyone else's casual finery and expensive accessories. Some of the chronos she'd seen on the transport were probably worth more than an entire year of her allowance. She hadn't been keeping safe either. But she appreciated that Persie liked her outfit and gave her a smile. "Been good though, you? And your suit is nice too!" She added not wanting to forget to return the compliment. "So, where are we staying, and what's with the board?" She asked as she eyed it up.
Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

"What'da mean, no? No you ain't been safe? Ain't the Jedi supposed to watch over you 'cause you're a kid?"

Disapproving look was written all over her features. It was clear Persephone didn't approve of Casaana putting herself in danger for...what she wasn't so sure. It seemed the Jedi were keen on killing off all their youngsters. Culling the weak so only the best became tip-top Jedi? Persie didn't know how their ranking system worked or if danger was seen as a good thing and got them into higher ranks quicker.

"I'm....okay...." She drifted off and focused back on their conversation. "We're staying in the lodge. Hotel? The big structure right behind us."

Persephone picked up the board once again. A second one with safety gear was ready for Casi when she got settled in and ready to have a little fun. Hopefully a little fun. She was worried their time together would be boring for a Jedi. She was just a regular teenage girl who did very basic things. Casi was anything but that.

"You ride these. Think you're up for explorin'? If not ready to at least go fast along the snow?"

 

[Casaana]

Ride them? She'd heard of these! And seen people riding similar on the ocean along the beach, but those had been bigger. Looking over what Persie had, they looked more like skimboards, something she definitely hadn't been allowed in the Temple on Kaskyyyk. You make a few messes and zap a few people with a training saber and suddenly nobody trusts you. "Heck yes!" She said with a wide grin and went to pick up the second. The shifting of her weighty backpack and the bag in her other hand brought her up short. "Maybe I should get checked in and drop off my stuff first. You got reservations for both of us, right?"

Picking her way through the snow, she hoped so. This didn't look like the sort of place that'd open up to young girls traveling alone, not without trading on her Jedi status and she'd had three different lectures alone on why that'd be a bad idea. Plus there'd been a whole anti-bribery and corruption class that warned against trying to leverage ummm.... 'non-standard perks.' See? She remembered!

She stomped her feet where she'd seen others doing so upon entry and noted that the textured stone was heated, melting the snow into little rivulets that ran away through little channels. Inside the rest of the place was just as amazing down to the smallest detail and Casaana tried not to look too amazed as she made her way to the counter with Persie swishing alongside her in her snowsuit. "Hi, Casaana Grey," she introduced herself using the traveling name the Jedi had given her and forwarded to the Dashiells. "I'm staying with Miss Dashiell."

In the lift after going through the check-in process and getting her key card (she'd rolled her eyes, fancy people), Casaana leaned back against the wall, suddenly tired, as the floors ticked by. "I need a hat. And the fresher." She complained to her friend.
Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

"Of course!"

Even without her current studies at her col'n termi , Persephone knew it was bad manners not to ask her friend to come all this way and not cover all expenses and put her on the room. The hotel would be expecting Casaana just as much as they were expecting herself. Persephone had already checked in and put her bags up, she had just been messing around with the skimmers outside so she didn't look like an idiot once Casi arrived.

Inside the turbolift, Persephone nodded, agreeing with Casi. It wasn't a terribly long trip if Casi was staying near the Core with the Jedi but it was still taxing. She could easily understand that, especially since Casi said she hadn't been staying out of trouble. Persie knew first hand once you stopped and got to relax a minute, things would get tiring. She had been so tired upon coming into the care of the Dashiells that she had been thankful for the lazy days on Miss Arceneau's farm.

"Hat? I should probably put one on too....good thing I braided my hair."

Turbolift climbed higher but stopped somewhere in the middle of the hotel. The doors slid open and the two teenage girls exited into the hallway. Persie knew where to go and took the lead towards their room.

"You wanna take a nap or something? I know you been busy."

 

[Casaana]

"I'll be fine after splashing some water on my face." She said with an apologetic look for the boards Persephone was carrying. "Sorry, I know you wanted to get out there right away." When the door to their room opened she was blown away. Slightly stunned, she walked forward into the room and looked around in amazement. This was, by far, the nicest room she'd ever have stayed in. And it was big! Even the bed was big! Tossing her bags onto the one that looked unclaimed, Casaana bounced around the room in excitement, checking out every little feature, the view, even looking under the bed. "This place is amazing Persie!" She beamed before ducking into the fresher and doing the same in there before freshening herself up and splashing the mentioned water across her face.

Drying herself off with a hand towel, she pulled a dark eyeliner pen from her pocket and lined along her lashes. Maybe it'd help with the snow glare? Then she took some silver hairpins to fix her hair back and to the sides. There! Ready.

Breezing back into their room, Casaana checked to see what Persephone had been up to and rearranged her bags. Her friend had already seen her lightsaber and even her in action fighting pirates, so she wasn't shy about taking it from her bag and sliding it into her jacket where she liked to keep it while incognito. "Ready!" She announced, as she pulled on a knit beanie cap taken from the same bag and fitted her shades. This was going to be so much fun.
Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

Persephone quietly sat on her bed and looked at ZikZok holovids while Casaana went and freshened up. She sat on the edge, already having explored the room when she got to the planet earlier that day. It didn't seem like Casi took too long, or maybe it was the fact Persie had been absorbed in scrolling through holovids. Either way, she looked up when the teenager entered and slipped the phone into her pocket.

"Great!" Persephone pulled her own knit cap on and sunglasses, ready to hit the surrounding landscape, skimmers in hand for the both of them.

---

Back out into the resort grounds, they were standing on a small hill overlooking several winter activities ; skiing, tubing, boarding. Given how fast the skimmers were, they were to stay far away from the crowds, not wanting to slam into someone. Especially herself, Persie was sometimes clumsy and it was bad enough knowing she was going to wipe out.

Focus was on getting on the last pieces of safety equipment - elbow pads, knee pads.

".....you've been having to spend a lot of time on that Jedi ship for kids? I know I ain't 'supposed to know but Iko told me."

 

[Casaana]

"And be stuck in a can breathing recycled farts? Ew no!" Casaana squealed playfully while buckling the helmet on over her beanie. She actually wasn't sure what ship Iko had told their friend about, there were a few Jedi training vessels and so far she'd managed to avoid them all. A few days on a transport were usually enough to make her go stir-crazy like she'd been about when she'd met Persie the first time. She couldn't imagine living on a ship. Tiny rooms, strict schedule, not being allowed to touch anything. She breathed deep of the crisp air to fill her lungs with the scent of life. "Planets are better, stuff actually changes on them and you aren't cooped up. Like ships might have a track or a running conveyor, but it's not as good. Plus the food." She made a face that gave her opinion on that topic. She was probably supposed to tell her not to talk about things like secret Jedi ships, but Casaana was more than happy to have someone 'in the know' to vent to.

Shaking the snow off her boot, Casaana stepped onto the waiting board Persephone had given her, only for it to lean all the way over as she tried to put her weight on it, casing her to step off before falling. After a few more laughing tries where the skimmer went every which way to resist her, she looked to her friend. "How do you do this?"
Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

"Oh...okay."

The more she talked to these Jedi kids the more confused she was. Iko stated they had to evacuate on this ship and either move around or stay on Fondor. Casaana was in some kind of 'no way' it seemed to either idea. Maybe it was because her friend was a little older. Seemed once a person reached sixteen or so they had more freedom, that went for if you had the Force or didn't have the Force.

Yet it was back to fun and the dash skimmers. Persie picked up her board and looked at it.

"Not sure....I know your feet are supposed to lock in, y'know? So you ain't fallin' off and the like....Guess you gotta have some strong muscles to stand up straight? May not work for me then."

Working out? Sweating? Not her thing.

 

[Casaana]

Deciding on safety given how crafty this skimmer board was, Casaana reluctantly put on the grave belt and fed the strands around her thighs like a climbing harness, unaware that Persephone was trying to work out what being a Padawan was like with incomplete information. The Padawans had been evacuated from Tython after the Empire had attacked, and that had been aboard the Prosperity. Casaana hadn't been there, even before her move to Kattada, but expected to visit it soon. And she was only 14! 15 if her birthday was a few months earlier than the day she'd been found at the Chalacta temple, it was a fuzzy area for Casaana.

"No idea." She replied as she picked up the board to examine it closer. Turning it off and dropping it back into the snow, Casaana stood on it and wiggled her feet into place before the locks grabbed onto her boots. "There!" She proclaimed, leaning forward and back, compressing the snow under her as she 'got a feel for it.' "Now to..." She toed the activator and the repulsors quietly lifted the girl a few inches into the air. "There we go!" Once on, the board was surprisingly stable as she slowly drifted in a mostly controlled circle around Persephone. "Do it like I did, it's easy once you're on."
Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

"It doesn't look easy."

Persephone placed the skimmer on the snow and mimicked her friend, wiggling her feet in place much like Casaana just had. Before she could complain about hers not liking her, the skimmer's foot rests locked around her boots. Persie wiggled around a little more top get a feel of standing on the skimmer. Odd to her, but it could be worse. Toe activation gently lifted the skimmer into the air, internal stabilizers kicking in and helping smooth out some of her fears.

"Okay....maybe a little better."

The teenager experimented leaning around, using her body weight to navigate the dash skimmer through the air. As eager as she was to explore, getting a feel for the device was also critical. No reason to slam into Casi because she was over eager. Persie did her own little zig-zags around the spot they had set up in.

"Ready? Just down this hill to get a feel first....then I got some ideas in mind."

Not waiting for an answer, Persie leaned forward to accelerate and was soon zooming down the hill on her skimmer.

 

[Casaana]

Fantastically intuitive, the board seemed to be reacting to what Casaana wanted to do almost as she thought to adjust her weight or how she leaned. Slewing the back around, she took off after Persephone as she zipped down the hill. Arms back, knees bent, she felt the wind pulling back at the hair peeking from under her cap as it rushed over her face. At the end of the hill, she twisted the board sideways as if it were a terrestrial snow board and it applied counter-thrust to being her to a hovering stop. Casaana hung there for a moment before falling back into the soft snow powder, laughing as her feet were held up by the board.

This was something she'd been missing without even realizing it. Closing her eyes, she inhaled the crisp mountain air and looked up at the blue sky hemmed by gray clouds. There'd be snow later and she could sit and drink hot chocolate with a friend and enjoy or tell stories. Enjoying the moment of possibilities, Casaana pushed herself back upright, pulling the board back under her. Waving her arms, she called out "Persieeee!" and zipped over to circle her. "I don't think I ever want to stop flying!"
Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

Unlike the effortlessly cool Casaana , her stop wasn't as graceful. Persie swung out next to a tree and had to grab the branches to help her slow down. Which caused white, puffy snow to fall down all around her and a bit down her back of her snowsuit. The teenager shivered and tried brushing some of the snow off now that she was standing still. Meanwhile, Casi was zipping around like a natural. Well, she had been too until trying to stop. Something to keep practicing.

"You look good! A real natural!"

Persie pushed off from the tree and was hovering again. She did an experimental move to go forward and stop again. A little jerky, and she did tip forward a bit, but she didn't fall and that was important. Could she repeat the action at high speed? Only time would tell but she was willing to try. Wouldn't know til they put it to the test.

Instead, she pointed towards the woods, a clear marked trail in the distance. It appeared recreational snow vehicles had been on the paths recently. Persie didn't know if it was off limits but it looked like the perfect place to take the dash skimmers without fear of knocking down a skier or three.

"Let's hit those trails! Really explore and see what these things can do besides going down some hill."

 

[Casaana]

"You're doing good too!" The young girl shouted back as she watched Persephone try a few experimental movements. "Relax into it and just let it take you where you want to go." She suggested like her driving instructor told her. Different circumstances, but it seemed applicable. For her it had taken losing control to learn it, to trust the process. For driving and other things.

At Persie's suggestion, Casaana drifted closer to her to peer down the trail. "Well if you're sure you're not going to hit a tree then... You're it!" She yelled out and tagged Persie right as she hit the thrusters on the skimmer. Turbothruster whining, she zoomed down the trail through the woods. To her it was like taking a speeder with the top down, better even since she had the freedom to move and follow the motion throughout her whole body without being confined to a seat. Looking back, she checked to see how Persephone was doing, narrowly avoiding a tree that she swerved around. Mollified, she slowed a bit and decided to keep watch of where she was going.
Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

Relax?!

"Easier said than done." Persie muttered, relaxing her shoulders a little as if that was going to make the situation magically alright. It did not. It wasn't the fear of hitting trees so much as looking like a doofus while on the board. No way in any circle of hell that she was cooler than Casaana and Persie didn't want the older teenager to start looking at her as some uncool burden.

Nope, she had to learn quick and keep up quickly.

Leaning forward, Persie let the skimmer pick up speed as she hit the trail. Not enough - Casi was still in front - but enough to make it look as if she wasn't an overly cautious dweeb. Her friend took that moment to look back and she gave an awkward little wave, as if to say yep, still back here as she twisted around two groups of trees.

At least she hadn't fell yet, there would be a disaster.

Approaching Casi, Persie nodded her head to the left. Off that way was the mountain chain and a valley the trail ran through along the now frozen river. There would be less trees for her to run into and maybe they could really open up the skimmers.

"That way, in the valley! Come on!"

For once, Persie playfully bolted past her friend.

 

[Casaana]

Laughing, Casaana followed her friend, glad she seemed to be enjoying herself more. They swooped into the valley, Casaana sweeping back and forth in a long 'S' curve as she picked out rocks or trees to cut around like the downhill race skiers. The cold air seemed to burn in her lungs, in the edge of being painful, and she wished she'd thought to bring a scarf or something for her face. The undersuit was nice, but Persephone looked so much more comfortable in her windproof snowsuit than she was in her used gear and mostly second hand clothes.

Coming to a stop again, she took a moment to look around and really feel the valley they were entering. Even in winter there was so much life, just sleeping under the surface of the snow. Casaana wanted to take a moment to appreciate it.

Seeing Persephone was getting pretty far out ahead of her in the valley below, Casaana picked out a path along the frozen river where the ice ensured no obstacles and ripped after her friend at 95 km/h as the wind pulled at her and whipped the loose material of her jacket down her back as she raced to catch up.
Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

Whipping along the frozen river, Persephone wasn't paying attention to signs or boundary lines as they went down exploring. She had figured it was all resort lodge property and it wasn't like they were interfering with anyone who was skiing. So it was natural to miss the sign nailed to a tree on both sides of the frozen river, the mountains looming all around them.

EDARA LODGE HUNTING PERSERVE
BLASTER RIFLES IN USE
USE CAUTION
​

She had took note of the white and black bold sign,but was going far too fast to read it. No matter, Persephone assumed it was most likely a warning to watch for skiers and snowboarders zooming around the mountain in this area. Not for wild,dangerous animals.

Casaana

 

[Casaana]

The signs were completely missed by Casaana in her eagerness to catch up with her friend. She streamlined her body, pulling her arms in and leaning forward until she came up behind Persephone. She considered zooming past, but worried about her turning across her own path, so she settled for a more casual pace that matched Persephone's. Soon enough, the river emerged from the trees and in the field beyond were a scattering of giant beasts. Casaana pulled to a stop and took a moment to admire the huge creatures as they tromped through the snow, using their tusks to scrape it aside and bare the dead or resting vegetation beneath. Across the snow swept openness, a cluster of low cabins sat.

The buildings looked empty to her, no smoke rose from their chimneys or light shone from the windows. As Casaana pushed a few loos strands of her dark brown hair back under her cap, the lowing call of one of the beasts caught her attention. It was looking up to her from its distant place in the herd. Even from this distance she could feel its eyes looking up at her, and then its head swung towards Persephone.

Persephone Dashiell