Private Landslide

[Makai Dashiell]

"No alcohol stash. Took it out when my arm got hurt, didn't want to mix painkillers and whisky. Seems like a recipe for disaster."

Especially since I already feel bad enough.

As she mentioned Ellie talking about him so much that Danger would be ten times richer, he rolled his eyes. It was exactly the same type of talk she did to 'hype' him up over something silly. An attempt of a mother to inject a little self-confidence, as if what she saw would make the entire 'verse see him in the same light.

Makai turned slightly and found his caf mug from the morning, a little bit of liquid still left behind. He silently passed it over as a makeshift ashtray.

Words bounced around in his head, unsure if the fault really lay with both himself and Ellie. Makai wondered if Ellie had gone into further detail with Danger about the situation. Given the surprise by their hormone fueled teenage exploration, Makai suspected she had been tight lipped.

Weren't girls supposed to be more open with this type of stuff with their mothers? He found it odd.

"I sent the message right after my arm got damaged...I....I just didn't think I was going to make it, wanted her to know at the very least."

Shoulders shugged.

"Dad eventually came to visit and thats when he said Ellie has a boyfriend. So I guess thats why she hasn't bothered with me. Sounds like she's happy, finding a boyfriend and all, so why bother with the weird scaley childhood nuisance?"

 

[Danger Arceneau]

"Thank you,honey," Danger replied, quickly taking the mug to flick the ashes into it. One crisis averted at least.

Makai thought Danger was kidding. She caught the roll of his eyes, the shake of disbelief of his head as if she were humoring him. However, there wasn't any mirth or exaggeration in Danger's gaze. Whether or not the younger Dashiell believed her, well, that was up to him. No use wasting her breath on something Makai wouldn't even consider until he finally figured it out for himself.

Which begged the question: How could they stop this foolishness and talk to one another again?

However, those thoughts were tossed to the wayside as Makai clarified the timeline of such an important comm message to Myra. Her hand froze midway as she brought the cigarillo to her lips.

"What? When you were injured? Two weeks ago?" Danger blinked several times, cogs turning in her mind. Feline eyes subtly grew wide.

Oh, gorram it!

Danger grimaced and gave a heavy sigh. Things were starting to click together. It wasn't just the accosting from Blythe that Myra had been upset about. It had been receiving that message from Makai on top of that. Depending on the time, before or after, the huttslime had attempted to have his way with her. It was starting to make sense why Myra was adamant about letting it go. To not make it public. Knowing how Myra over-escalated every what-if scenario, she likely thought it would get back to Makai.

The Queen of Trade set the mug beside her and deeply breathed, having to bite her tongue at the well of frustration and anger at Blythe De'taar rose again. She would have to reach out to Judah to ensure he didn't Touch base with Makai and some how managed to get Blythe to pay in a way that it wouldn't ever get back to Myra.

"No Makai, I can assure you. Myra isn't dating anyone right now. She had been..." couldn't get past the actual dating part as much as Danger hated to admit it, "But she ended the relationship. And it certainly didn't last long." Danger mused if she should even bother saying that she ended it shortly after Makai was injured.

"I just hadn't told your pa the news because things had become ... hectic." getting Myra the attention and therapy she needed quickly to process had been important. Thankfully, now she was spending time with Judah to try and, hopefully, open up more with him.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

"What? When you were injured? Two weeks ago?" Danger blinked several times, cogs turning in her mind. Feline eyes subtly grew wide.

"Yeah, roughly. Spent time in a kolto tank, bored and letting my mind wander, so I'm not sure. I know I'm basically healed but just trying to reorient myself back to regular life."

Makai noticed the subtle changes in her features, thinking something but not sharing. He had no interest in prying, no doubt in his mind it might had been something his father said or possibly mentioned.

There was a small nod at the news that Ellie wasn't dating anyone at the moment. That things had gotten hectic and news had slipped by the wayside. Makai figured unless the man in question knew his father, there had been no reason to alert Judah to any changes in relationship status immediately. Add in the fact his father had been busy coming to see him, it all made sense.

"Hopefully she didn't take the break up too hard."

He of all people knew how Ellie could get. Well, at least how she used to be. For all he knew she could be totally different from the girl who wore her emotions on her sleeve.

Despite hearing the news, there was no way Makai was going to reach back out to her. There was only so much rejection one could take before it became masochist. Makai decided to navigate the conversation away from the subject in general.

"Sounds like you've been busy. I told Dad I was fine, you shouldn't have wasted your valuable time coming out this way. Could have been a holocall. While you are here you'll have to check out the survey progress."

 

[Danger Arceneau]

Danger had to take another inhale of the cigarillo to prevent herself from cursing a blue streak regarding the gorram bucket of giju Myra had to deal with because of that pissant Huttslime.

At this point, Danger had a clear understanding to a degree that whatever happened between Myra and Makai was a misunderstanding and they both thinking the other didn’t want them in their life when it was anything but. Makai was every inch his father’s son; if he said he was starting to ficus staying out here, he meant it. Perhaps it was time to grease the wheels so he’d consider otherwise.

“Of course I’d come,” she told him, smoke streaming from her mouth. “You think I’d hear you got hurt and not come check on you?”

The look she gave him indicated that he should know better.

“Well, in any event. I reckon there is more then meets the eye regarding Myra not messaging you back,” Danger saw how Makai was trying to navigate it elsewhere, but Danger wasn’t gonna stop while the iron was hot.

“If she ain’t responding best action would be to ask her in person. You of all people should know that she can get her mind tied up in all kinds of knots. Might be something she can’t say in comm as much express in person. She spent years with only you as her voice by her side when she couldn’t talk. Wouldn’t be surprised if this were something of the same .”

 

[Makai Dashiell]

"Perhaps. I'm not sure why she just can't respond with a simple hello."

He had made the first several attempts at making contact. Even wrapped up in her head, Makai would have expected Ellie to at least send something in response. It didn't seem like her not to, especially given the amount of time that had passed between them since the argument.

He shifted uncomfortably under her gaze, reading between the lines of her words. He should visit. They should meet in person and hash it out. In some ways, it made sense to him. For a long time he was the spokesman for the two of them, even silent Ellie had made her needs known, at least to him.

However, there was an inordinate amount of time that had passed. They weren't kids anymore. Ellie could speak for herself. She really didn't need him, at least in his mind.

"We should meet in person but... I don't know. I don't know if I can handle another rejection from her. Cuts deeper than I first expected."

Hand ran through his hair again, mulling over the situation.

"What would I even say? She probably doesn't want me to call her Ellie at this point anymore. I'm sure a lot has changed."

It was clear he head struggling greatly to make a decision. There was a deep breath and he just shrugged.

"I will think about it but... I'm not sure."

 

[Danger Arceneau]

"Well, reckon it is better to face a 'go to the nine hells' than live with the 'what if' rattlin' in your head like a Buzzadder in the grass." Danger said plainly, although a notable shadow was growing over her face as her percolating thoughts about the past and regrets came to mind. What-ifs and maybes.

"You don't want to end up wonderin' down the line if things would have been different if you took one last chance twenty years later..." she sighed, shoulders dropping as she exhaled slowly. The redhead mused momentarily, looking at her cigarillo for a moment.

"If you do decide to, just be forthright with her. You've both danced around the bush, it seems, with expectations and your tomfoolery as kids that I reckon things got mighty confusin' on what is what and who is who and just exactly where each of you are placed in each other's hearts."

It was as good as it would get without Danger pushing it and causing Makai to buckle up in the other direction. While most might see it as being manipulative, Danger saw it as providing options for the younger Dashiell.

"As it is, why don't you at least try gettin' back near your pa and me? I'd love to see you more often. If you are that keen on musin', why not at least spend some time in that apartment your pa got you after you graduated University? " brows rose in curiosity, "Have you ever gone to see it?"

From what Judah said, Makai had gone straight from graduating to deep diving into work with the workaholic tendencies that could put the elder Dashiell to shame.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Twenty years ago? Based on his age, Makai wondered if Danger was subtly referring to his working theory that his father and the Trade Queen had some type of love affair. No one to gossip with, he could only bounce ideas off of himself and thus far, there were more yays than nays on the issue.

“I will consider it. Maybe if we could meet with you or Dad present.”

Preferably both. Childish perhaps but there would be less chance of a meeting dissolving into a massive argument. He figured such a reunion would either go surprisingly well or horribly wrong right at the start.

“Oh, yeah, the Palanhi place comes with strings attached. Dad wants me to work the business side of things. Eventually I would like to but no doubt I'd run into Ellie. Got to figure that out first…in the meantime I've decided working out here is good for me. Lots of time to myself alone. Interesting new planets. Getting to see the process from the ground up.”

Arms crossed across his chest once again. He would think more about a potential meeting later. A nagging feeling was telling him not to bother. That it would just bring more hurt. Something definitely to mull over.

“I miss you too. I miss hanging around the trade stations. All good things come to an end though, I suppose.”

 

[Danger Arceneau]

“Makai, do you realize how many worlds and folk live in a system, much less a sector or a galaxy?” It was starting to seem a little incredulous that Makai was willing to cut ties and stick to backwater worlds just to avoid the minute chance of running into Myra.

Of all the — Jen mei nai-shing duh fwo-tzoo!

“The chances of you even bumping into the same sector, much less the same system, world, or station is…” at this point all Danger could do is shake her head. Stupid is as stupid does and it was clear Makai, much like his daddy, seemed fixed in their ways with the stubbornness of a Wookiee itching to pay a life debt.

“Know what. You’re grown, balls dropped, and all man now, able to come to your own determinations and ‘pinions. Do what you will. You ever need anything’ just let me know. I’ll stand by whatever you decide to do; ain’t gonna love you any less.”

There was only so much Danger could do and she knew that. At this point, Makai was an adult. If he wanted to tuck tail and hide, that was his prerogative.

Course if months passed and he was still being as stubborn as a bantha fixing to stay put, Danger had no qualms talking to Judah on how to best grease those wheels.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Of course the galaxy was massive. Danger was forgetting one key element ; Salacia and Arceneau Trade did business. While there were billions in a sector, there were thousands of employees in one sector. To him, this greatly cut into the chance they would run into one another. Their parents were friends, wasn't like it was a mere casual business acquaintance.

Makai couldn't make a decision today. That much he knew.

"Thank you."

Stubbornness was setting in more with each passing moment of the conversation. He was still willing to consider a meeting, but it had to be on his timeline. Pushing him towards a yes or no wasn't going to be a fruitful endeavor.

While Judah may have thought he got the stubbornness from Thessa, it was clear he had his father's same 'its personal' streak when push came to shove.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

“Well, in that case,” a flick of the half inch of ash to the mug again.

“You got anything else percolating in your mind? And I don’t mean Myra.” She clarified, holding her cigarillo close to her face but not quite with reach if taking another drag.

“Haven’t had a chance to properly talk to you in a long while. What else you’ve been up to?”

There was no avoiding the defensive stance he took. It wasn’t that Danger was asking him to make up his mind now. Just planting a seed. However if this all came to a head all of two weeks, plus him hearing from Judah about Blythe, thinking Myra was off elsewhere with someone, well odds are Makai’s mind was also just as tied up in knots.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

"Nothing really.....Corek Junior and I went out and had fun at a casino. Not really my thing but we had fun. I guess he's trying to escape the Corek legacy or something, out wandering the galaxy. Oh, I got another loth-cat to keep me company on the shuttle. Judgy little creature."

Makai didn't have much going on in his free time. It was work on top of more work. He finished his reports for the day and either tried to catch a graviball game on the holonet or did some work in his journal, often both. There were no vacations, no interesting personal updates.

"What about you? Busy with your charity work? You mentioned projects with Dad? What do you two have going on, anything exciting?"

 

[Danger Arceneau]

Well at least it appeared that Makai was still trying to be somewhat sociable. Danger swore that if Judah didn’t have expos, galas, and events to mingle for work, he wouldn’t do much outside staying at Celestia station for entertainment.

Actually, thinking about it, Danger had yet to hear hide or hair of the elder Dashiell having any other close friends or even dating. At least anything that Judah would have told her about during their monthly chat and dish sessions regarding work and life.

Although to be frank, considering how he’d been tight lipped about his marriage when she first met him, it wouldn’t surprise Danger to find out he just never bothered to tell her anything regarding his personal life.

That would track for Dashiell men if this conversation was anything similar with Judah; find out years later what actually was occurring in the Dashiell’s life.

It was mildly irritating but not a dealbreaker.

“Casinos are fun. Good to hear you are meeting’ your friends from school and the fraternity. You should try to do some more of that. Maybe visit them and see what they are up to.” She recommended.

Finishing up her cigarillo, Danger gave one last drag then dumped the vice into the mug, where it sizzled.

“A large charitable project of extensive interest between me and your pa. One would say will have a resounding’ impact on what could potentially be billions of lives. Still in the plannin’ processes but we hope to get a good idea how to fine tune a plan of action shortly,” if one considered how both heirs were going to be directly responsible for each of their parents corporate legacies on an intergalactic level… yeah, Myra’s and Makai’s ability to work with one another will be at risk.

“How ‘bout we continue that tour and we get somethin’ to eat?” She shinned him a warm motherly smile, as if to say that regardless of the topic she’s just happy to be here with him.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Makai wasn't surprised to hear the news about the charity work. Ever since he left the house, his father seemed interested in various pieces of charity events and causes, involved more than just donations. The half-Galan knew Danger had been involved in various organizations for awhile, so perhaps the Trade Queen had rubbed off on him.

"Oh. Yeah, sounds interesting. Let me know how that goes."

Little did he know that the project really was about.

Makai offered his arm again for the tour, there wasn't much to see. First up on the tour was the large room where the holoprojecton of survey progress and future sites was held. Interesting perhaps only to himself.

However, there wasn't much on the tour. An Outpost, it was clearly more focused on function rather than trying to impress. Should Salacia focus their expansion areas in this vicinity, a remodel or expansion was sure to be in order.

"How is everything at the Farm? Has Mr.Kuhn bought a herd of nerfs yet?"

 

[Danger Arceneau]

The outpost was interesting regarding what it was supposed to do in function and practice. However, as much as Makai enjoyed being out and about discovering whatever sort of rock, crystal, ore, or mineral took his fancy, Danger honestly thought that this was wasting Makai's true potential. He could do so much if he only applied himself, too back that Makai hadn't discovered that the way he was able to put in effort and focus required clear goals and a fire in his ass to motivate him.

"Going well. However, you aren't far off the mark. Alric's got his head wrapped around findin' the perfect nerf steak." Danger rolled her eyes in amusement.

"So now he's lookin' at breedlines, marbling, feed, and what have you. He spends hours upon hours in his office researchin' information. It would not surprise me if he should soon start travelin' the galaxy trying to buy the breeds he wants for his own breedin' program." It was something that amused Alric at this age, and at least it meant he wasn't out and about as much. It was a low-stress hobby. With his health, Danger had been concerned about him overstraining himself. If the Tetan wanted to try his hand at hobby nerf breeding, all the more to him.

"Otherwise, doing well. Him and me there now for a few years now, save the holiday fetes." Myra had moved out years ago, taking up residence in a small home by the sea in Chandrilla.

"You're more than welcome to come stay anytime. Your room is still as you left it."

 

[Makai Dashiell]

"Perferct nerf steaks you say? Must have Dad over all the time then trying the samples. Its good Mr.Kuhn has a hobby, maybe I need to come over and taste the results."

Makai wasn't surprised to hear that Ellie didn't visit much. He had pieced together enough to gather she was incredibly busy. Not to mention the fact the Farm most likely held too many memories for her to go back. Not just of him either. Years of being sick and stuck on the planet in her youth, Makai suspected she wanted to travel and make up for time lost.

"Really? Its still the same? No way!"

Growing up, he and Ellie lived right across from once another on the farm in a bedroom that was bigger than some apartments. Makai had filled it with weird rocks from the Farm, comic books, graviball cards, and whatever odd knick-knacks had caught his fancy. Considering Makai had lived there for years, the room had become a space of his own.

Entering the map room, a holoprojection of the Pacanth Reach and surrounding areas came to life. Makai wasn't the only survey crew out there and the holoprojection was constantly being updated remotely, new information popping in even as they stood there.

"I will make time to visit. I love the Farm, its basically home to me. Plus, I want to see these nerfs."

 

[Danger Arceneau]

"Yes, well, we don't get to the perfect steaks until after the nerfs have reached the age to process. So, it's a lengthy program." However, Alric was having fun with it.

At Makai's bemusement at his room left exactly how he last saw them, Danger chuckled. "It's your room, honey. Why would I change it? We're always happy to have you around. " she gave a look around the map room, reviewing the display of vast hologram arrays and screens, landing at the holoprojection of the Pacanth Reach.

"You've said it now; I'll hold you to it. Best hear you're comin' to visit sooner rather than later," Danger teased makai, bringing her hand up to rub at his back anew. Goodness, how he's grown! Danger mused to herself.

Unable to help herself, her hand came up to ruffle his hair again, "Goodness, I can't believe how much you've grown." she really couldn't. It just brought a tear to her eyes.

"Alright, so before I turn into a waterin' pot, what have you been doin' out here?"

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Makai thought his room had been changed due to lack of visiting the farm. Granted, the Arceneau-Kuhn family wasn't hurting for space at the massive farm-like castle, but still, didn't mean the room wasn't slated to be changed out to something more neutral.

"Oh, I don't know. Its your house, not sure if you would want just a random room filled with my things. I'm pleased to hear its still the way I had left it. Maybe I can look at my schedule, visit you next month?"

While he wasn't a farm kid like his father, time at the Farm had given him an appreciation of various bits of agriculture. Days with a sick best friend sometimes meant leaving her to sleep or recover, allowing him to roam the grounds and talk to the droids and workers about the land. Sometimes he would jump in to help, toss hay or feed some of the animals, much to the amusement of his father.

Hearing her musing on how much he had grown, Makai chuckled and slipped his arm around her in a half-hug once her hand ruffled his hair, squeezing tight for a moment.

"Just a bit taller. Shoulders a bit broader. Other than that, nothing new."

Holoprojection swirled gently, tilted at an angle to show the entire system and important hyperlanes. Planets were of various colors on the map.

"Surveying worlds for expansion. See, my main goal is to create my own mining empire, take over Salacia's mining division and the helm of Sedna and its oceanic mining. Out here, we've already found amazing resources, even a gas giant."

Excitement colored his tone as he spoke.

"So eventually we will jump into new ventures like asteroid and gas mining. Thats a later expansion date, right now its drilling on land, extracting ores and minerals."

 

[Danger Arceneau]

"Done. I can clear my schedule any time next month, say the word." Danger wasn't kidding. Ever since Makai Dashiell came into her life, the Queen of Trade would change her schedule on a dime to spend time with him. It would be wonderful to catch up at the farm and really see Makai take some time off. Maybe get a better read on him.

Enjoying the half hug, Danger smiled and then took the time to listen in on Makai's plan. It was good to hear the passion in his voice regarding the mining expansion. Auburn brows rose regarding wanting to take over Sedna and its oceanic mining.

"So reckon your interest in geology gave you that itch to expand Salacia's mining ventures?" she grinned, using her hand to move the array and take a better look at the options.

"I've got a majority stake with Mohc extractives, so maybe we can collaborate on a few things. We've done a few things regarding gas extraction with fuels that might help you not have to bump your way in the dark regarding that rather than starting from scratch. "

 

[Makai Dashiell]

"Sure, I can give you the date before you leave."

Where Makai had been hesitant to visit beforehand due to the worry Ellie would show, he felt confident with the fact his visit would be uninterrupted given the information the Trade Queen had dropped. Seemed as long as he wasn't visiting during fete holidays everything would go well.

Talking about the expansion and mining was probably the most animated and excited he had been in awhile.

"The interest to expand is two-fold. One, yes, because of my interest in geology and love of talking about minerals and ores and just deep diving into caves without a care in the world."

A slight pause.

"More importantly, taking an interest in the mining side of Salacia and handling all fo Sedna's ventures gives me a chance to step out of Dad's shadow and be my own man. Salvage is interesting, but that is his thing and I don't want to compete with his legacy. I truly believe the expansion will push the company into the next level."

Makai mulled over her proposition with the extractives company, any jumpstart would be insanely beneficial in the new venture.

"Great. We can speak more about it when I visit the Farm? I'll send over the reports I have, show you the scope of the gas extraction."

 

[Danger Arceneau]

"I can see why you'd want to make sure this expansion works out from the ground up," Danger murmured, impressed. Judah said Makai was wasting his talents out here, but it was clear the elder Dashiell didn't see the bigger picture regarding what Makai was attempting to do. Granted, there was still no denying that Makai had, in fact, run away to the Panach Reach to avoid Myra, but he wasn't wasting his time. He had a goal, although it didn't require him to oversee every single survey site personally.

That was work that could easily be delegated elsewhere. Makai could instead be networking, events, local and sector mining guilds -- all of the deals and connections he'd have to make to get this to expand properly.

Deep diving into caves without a care in the world was.. well, sticking his head in the sand. Danger could only hope Makai could see that he could do so much more than just that.

"That sounds good. I've several other contacts with a few guilds that you may want to chat to." She offered, tossing him a smile,"Don't worry, you'll have to work for it, but it would give you some experience outside of cave diving if you want to really make this work. We can chat more at the Farm about how growth like this looks like to you and what sort of project management schedule you are using to break these down into small goals within larger ones."

She gave him a pat on his shoulder, "Can't be cave diving all your life Makai. Seems like you got some mighty big goals. To reach those you'll need to start thinking what steps you need to do next to achieve them."

"Alright, I'm ready for that meal... and a drink." She chortled. "What sort of poison do ya'll have this neck of the woods? Please don't say Naboo ale," she shuddered.

"Corellian is better."