Private Letters To The Heart

[Iko Vel]

It was a bizarre feeling for Iko to have work that he had actually felt was useful. To feel like he was learning something new and valuable, but that's what this internship had been teaching him. Valuable life lessons, things important for his future and it had slowly but surely been growing his confidence. Sure, he still saw himself as a bit of an idiot but he was a capable one now. There were some things he actually could do right without messing up. It wasn't exactly what he had expected to be working on. The childhood dream of being a Hero and someone well known through the Galaxy was a pipe dream for him but he had accepted that now. He had something far better than that dream. As much as it was hard work, the life and education he was getting was better than he could have expected. The most important thing he had gotten though was his relationship with Persephone Dashiell . He'd be lying if he said he didn't miss her, because of how long he had spent during the internship away from her. After all she was one of the only constants he had in his life, after the passing of his father.

Though he had finally gotten some time to himself to relax. Iko had managed to get most of the work done and decided that trying to get in contact with Persie would be a good use of his time. Of course, he didn't want to risk calling her. If she was busy, or he ended up getting caught, it would probably be used as an excuse to keep them apart for longer. So instead, he worked on making a letter. Writing wasn't exactly something he was used to. Sure, he knew how to read now but Iko was always more of a verbal person than a visual one. Putting words down on something for people to see, as opposed to speaking them out loud for people to hear made no sense to him. It was a perplexing way of communicating.

"Hello Perse! i hope you are doing okay on your internship with Miss Arcen...Arces...Miss Danger! i am doing well right now. i miss you a lot. work has been hard but it is also fun. i thought i should send you a leter to talk. it is hard to write though. words are hard to spell right. if you want to do something when we are off our internsips, just ask!"

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

Persephone was busy. While her parents saw fit to go off and have an extended honeymoon and then head back to work, the teenager was hard at work with Browncoat Industrial. During that time, she was staying with Danger Arceneau and Rue. Not exactly unusual, My-rah and Makky left her in the care of the redhead before but never for weeks on end. It was driving her insane.

Whereas her parents gave her a small amount of freedom, no such luck currently. Rue was having the time of her life - taking swimming lessons, eating ice cream daily, running around barefoot outside, meticulously keeping up with graviball for Makky. Yet what was she doing? The internship. Summer reading. Ballet lessons. Fashion.

If you asked her, she was better off during the normal school year!

Late at night when she finally sat down at her datapad, the teenager was overly excited to see a message from Iko Vel .She hadn't heard from him in some time, but suspected he was just as busy. With Snacky in her lap, Persie formulated a reply.

---

Iko!

I'm doing alright. Busy - you'd think I was free labor or somethin'. Wait...haha. How are you? What does Salacia have yous doin'? Metal stuff? You should be in your element. Shouldn't even be thinking about me!

Writing is hard? Iko have you even been doing your summer reading? If I gotta read you do too....although, we have different tutors and education plans but still! Plus, we're typin'. Can't be that hard. Yous ain't got no autocorrect on yous device?

I guess we can do something together. Suppose it depends if yous still like-like me.

---

 

[Iko Vel]

Reading was more difficult than Iko expected. Squinting as the message popped up and he tried to wrap his head around some of it. So Summer had two ms in it...He didn't realise that. There was a lot he didn't realise. Mostly that he was actually meant to be reading and not using the reading material as a tool to help himself fall asleep faster. That wasn't fun. The actual working was fun. Getting to use his hands. but having to use his eyes? His brain? That was hard work.

Even typing was hard work for him! But at the end of the day, it was work he was willing to go through to try and get through for Persephone. Though from the looks of it, it seemed like she was having fun. At least, it didn't sound like it was too hard for her. Though a part of him did frown when he read that he shouldn't even be thinking about her, and cracked his knuckles to get ready to get back to typing. Ignoring the part about him being in his element, because that wasn't what he thought was important right now.

I think abowt you all the time! isnt that what were meant to do? or have you naught be thinking abowt me? your the reason i can deal with all of the boring stuff!

whats autocorect anyway though? i just hit the leters and watch them pop up. some of the leters come up red but i thought that was just how theyre meant to look

and what do you mean if i still like-like you? i havent said i dont did i? your great! i cant tell you how great you are over text

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

Persephone rolled her eyes at Iko's message, despite the fact he wasn't here to see it. Perhaps it wasn't the best idea to write with Iko, but for now it was all they had. She supposed they could talk over a comm but that would make for some potential logistical challenges. Plus, the adults in their lives could overhear and being like any other teenager, she didn't want that.

Moving from her desk, Persie flopped back in bed, working on a reply to Iko Vel .

---

Did I think about you? From time to time. Really thought yous forgot about me so I was angry for bit. Guess yous could consider that thinkin' about someone? Yous wrote me back and said you still like me. I still like you too, I even have Snacky sittin' on my bed.

Click the red squiggle lines on the words. Yous think I know half these words? Sort of. Unlike you, I've been doin' my readin'. I might even get used to it...though it ain't like those steamy romance novels I've been sneakin' away from My-rah when she ain't lookin'.

Tell me more about metal. Salvaging. What kinda things have yous seen?

---

 

[Iko Vel]

Whats?! I could never forget you. You're the person who's changed my life for the better. Without you, I'd still be with the Jedi and probably going through like...super trauma. But nah! I only have like...normal trauma. Less like a super hero and more like what an actual person would have...I'm glad to hear you still have Snacky!

Wait. Why'd a novel be steamy? I thought you were meant to keep stories away from water because they aren't...waterproof. And why can't you just ask for the books? Sneaking them away from someone is stealing!

Oh! There's been loads of different metal that we've been salvaging. It's fun trying to figure out how to get it without going too far with the risks and causing people to get hurt. It's like one big puzzle, all balanced atop of each other! If you don't take out the right piece at the time, everything will come collapsing down on itself! People could get crushed, could lose a limb! It's...strangely fun. But I think that's only because I'm not in charge. It's probably stressful for the people in charge.

With that, Iko tapped away. It was a lot more...easier to talk now that Persie had reaffirmed that she liked him. It was also nice to have someone to talk to this about as he squinted at the keypad. It was still hard to type, but every now and then he was hitting the redlines to try and change his words. He was learning, slowly but surely how to text.

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

Every time she opened a message from Iko Vel it was something different. This time, concerned about her 'stealing' novels from Myra Arceneau Dashiell .Persie rolled her eyes as she read further, sighing. She probably should be getting ready for bed, another long day tomorrow, but she yawned and started to type back to the teenage boy.

---

'Normal trauma' is good I suppose? Better than whackin' the head off some innocent in battle.

The novels are steamy cause they are romantic! I ain't goin' to ask for 'em cause I ain't supposed to be readin' 'em. You want me to get in trouble? I wouldn't be able to do anything! I don't even think I'd be able to breathe! So I sneak the books, read 'em a little, place 'em back on the shelf, rinse repeat. That way it ain't gone for long, if its missing Myra will just think she's gone temporarily crazy.

Crushed?Lose a limb? Iko Vel you best not get crushed. Or crush anyone else. I can't be seen datin' some crushed limbless boy! Then what will I do, huh? You better be safe or I'm going to come smack you.

---

 

[Iko Vel]

Iko couldn't help but give a small chuckle as he read through the messages. There was still a part of him that missed seeing her, but this was a good enough compromise in his mind. It was weird to him, to want to be near someone. Most of the time, he was fine running around doing his own thing but now that he was...maturing, yeah, that's the word, he realised how important other people were in life. He shook his head to try and dismiss that thought however as he prepared to start typing a response back.

Come on! You know me! Would I really risk losing a limb? Plus I mean, you could be seen dating a limbless boy. Imagine how much good press you could get out of it. "Persephone Dashiell out of the kindness of her own heart dates poor crushed boy! Look at how kind she is." Come on! You have to agree that sounds like it'd be perfect.

Though if I'm being serious, what I'm trying to focus on is reducing the risk that workers have when it comes to salvaging. They have families the same as us, and I can only imagine they've had the same conversation we've just had with their loved ones. So...it's my responsibility to try and make sure they stay safe.

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

Persephone rolled her eyes before typing back.

Yeah, it would be a lot of attention dating a crushed boy. Yet like that singer...Skylar Quick and her nunaball boyfriend Gravis Kalsee, its just a total public relations relationship. Just tryin' to get enough press to get a name out there. I ain't famous. I'd have to wait until I was a semi-famous designer then date your crushed, broken body.

Glad to hear you're tryin' to be safe an' all.

Can I visit? Or is it too dangerous? I mean...if you're out there it can't be all that horrible.

Iko Vel

 

[Iko Vel]

"...Who's Skylar Quick? You know I don't listen to music. I'm not big on all the stuff that people like. I think it doesn't sound good most of the time...And hey! You're famous to me! You're the best looking Persephone in the Galaxy! That proves you're famous.

I guess you can visit. You'd need permission. And then they'd probably say if it's safe enough for you to come along or not. I'm only tryin' to be safe though because I know you'd not be too happy if I ended up getting hurt..."

Iko tapped away, rubbing at his eyes for a moment. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't somewhat tired, but talking to Persephone was worth staying up for a little bit longer. Sleep could wait. She couldn't. Well, she could probably wait but since he hadn't talked to her for a while he felt like he should at least try to talk to her a bit more.

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

Maybe I'd be too much of a distraction. Especially for you. We can meet up soon and do something. Once you finish the internship, mine is nearly wrapped up an' all. Can't see you being out there too much longer - we got to get back to our academic studies. Which means you best start reading and absorbin'.

Let's plan to do something before the learnin' starts again. I don't know what. Depends on where Makky and My-rah let me go. I'll let you know.

Her own eyelids were getting heavy. Persephone had been ensconced her in bed, relaxing and typing away with Iko Vel . Really, if the romance novels were to be believed, she should have made him wait. Make him sweat it out. That wasn't her style though. It seemed cruel when he really didn't do anything wrong.

Getting sleepy.

 

[Iko Vel]

Hey! You won't be that much of a distraction! Wait...Is that a compliment or an insult...I don't know actually. But yeah! I can't wait to see you again. I don't want you forgetting about me! I mean, I can be pretty forgettable. I think...Not sure where we could go and do something before we head back to our studies though. There's no big events going on that I know of...Or at least I ain't paid attention to anything...

Iko felt himself getting more and more tired himself, but he was doing his best to fight off the eventual slumber. He hadn't had this much fun in a while, even if it was just through talking to Persie. But as soon as the next message came through, the young lad couldn't help but give a sigh of relief. If she was tired, then he wouldn't need to worry about going to sleep himself now.

You should go and sleep then. I'm not gonna vanish if you sleep. This isn't like a dream...or maybe it is?