Private Mess Is Mine

[Makai Dashiell]

[ Nothing is burning Sir. ]

Makai looked at the droid, as if to silently will Thirty-Seven to just shut up. While nothing was burning, he re-basted the roast nuna and double checked on the gomgourd pie. Everything looked fine and if he had to estimate, well on his own personal timeline of trying to time each element of the meal perfectly.

Picking up the glass of wine, Makai looked out the large windows and out on the lush green treetops. Traffic went by on a nice, orderly line, flowing in and out of the major cities of Kashyyyk. Wrist turned toward himself to look at the time, a frown. No messages had been received either.

Makai wasn't worried yet. Thirty--Seven would have immediately mentioned if something had gone wrong, if there was a major delay on Ellie arriving in a timely fashion.

It didn't stop him from having a pins-and-needles feeling while he waited on her. They had been apart awhile, since Naboo. While there were holocalls and virtual HoloFlix watch parties and messages throughout the day, it wasn't the same as being together in person.

Grabbing his wine, he glanced to Thirty-Seven.

"I'm going down to wait for Ellie. Get a little fresh air. Keep an eye on things for me."

Turning around, he came face to face with her.

Broad grin broke out and he immediately set down his wine on the counter, rushing to pull the heiress into a hug. Makai squeezed tight, lifting her off the ground briefly in a touch of over exuberance. He used to do it when they were teenagers, which always prompted cries to put me down Makai Dashiell.

With her feet back firmly on the flooring, Makai didn't give her a chance to protest. Lips met hers with a searing passion, hand sliding to rest on the back of her neck as he deepened the kiss, no intention of releasing her quite yet.

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

If Makai was expecting Myra to chide him for picking her up, squeezing her tight enough to pluck her off the ground, and then kissing her senseless, he had another thing coming.

Tit for tat, Myra met Makai in that kiss with a fervent desire that matched his own. She tilted her head into the kiss, got on her tippy toes, and kissed him with every ounce of desperate emotion the heiress felt at their departure and, now, the blissful giddy reunion. His hair tickled the sides of her face, and she smoothed her hands up over his firm shoulders, up his neck past that patch of jeweled scales, and plunged them into thick, chestnut locks of hair as if Myra could pull him closer. The way Makai kissed her felt like a brand, like he was tattooing himself under her skin.

The pair should have known with El-Three and Thirty-Seven, privy to their heated reunion kiss, that the peanut gallery commentary was going to overflow- and boy, did it ever.

[ I recant my statement, Sir. Something is burning-- your libido. May I recommend moving your reunification mating rite to the master bedroom? It would be prudent to ensure no accidental deployment of bodily fluids is cast onto the meal. ] Thirty-Seven came out bold.

EL-three was no better.

[ Mistress, as your bio-signals are indicating a spike of arousal and a favorable release of oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin, it would be prudent to speed up the logistical deployment required for the planned scene recreation. I shall take care of the details right away. Please continue, undeterred; I shall see to every detail to your specifications.}

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Eyes snapped open.

Brows furrowed as he carefully pulled his lips away from Ellie's,listening to the commentary from both of their droids. Joint droid? The only thing separating El-Three and Thirty-Seven was the final programming, each was tailored to their unique needs and personality traits.

"When did your droid become a smart ass like mine?"

Lips brushed her temple, their reunion kiss cut short by the commentary of the pair, despite El-Three imploring them that continuing on their previous trajectory would have been just fine.

[ Don't stop on my account Sir, my programming is more than capable to keep your meal at an optimum level. If historical data is any indication, your encounter should be relatively short. ]

Chosing to ignore Thirty-Seven in this moment, hand slid around her lower back, pulling Ellie back close to his body once again. The unique scent of honeysuckle-and-citrus that was Ellie had a very comforting effect, like coming home at the end of a log day, the time spent apart highlighting the heady scent more than usual.

"Scene recreation? Got some big plans for us Ellie Arceneau?"

Hand sailed up her back, head tilting down to kiss her once again, unable to help himself. It was getting increasingly harder to spend time apart, to go days or weeks without touching her, without feeling her comforting warmth along the length of his body.

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

"OhmygoshEl-Three!!!" Myra uttered a muffled squeak in mortification. A heat wave of embarrassment rushed up her neck and face, flushing it a brilliant red to the roots of her mahogany hair. She should have remembered to pull off the Pharma-Tech bio patch from her abdomen earlier. The heiress typically kept it on to ensure El-Three would be able to monitor her biosignals in the event of a forthcoming attack. Although oddly enough, since Naboo, she hadn't had a close call.

As it was, Myra took the blessing in disguise in avoiding explaining what plans El-Three was referencing when Makai took to kiss her again. The jammy taste of currents coated her mouth, and Myra couldn't help the hum of pleasure, pressing soft curves against the firm planes of his chest. On tippy toes again, Myra tightened her grip on Makai again, wanting to cry at just how right it felt to be back in his arms again.

She missed him so, so much.

The droids' ocular receptors dimed and then glowed again. They were communicating. Plotting. Had either Makai or Myra glanced in their direction, they might have seen an aura radiating from the pair as if they were pleased with themselves.

[ I shall continue with the preparations. Please continue your reunification mating ritual outside the kitchen and dining room. May I recommend the settee in the library while I finish preparations? ] El-Three relayed, already making his way out of the kitchen towards the large bathing chamber beside the master suite.

[ I shall baste the Nuna roast and ensure optimal moisture and juiciness are achieved. From my calculations, you should not take long to do the same, Sir. ] Thirty-seven quipped out, already moving towards the oven as if the matter was settled.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

I knew I should have planned this a little better.

Makai hadn't taken into account the amount of time they had been apart, how quickly they tended to escalate one another. However, what was putting a bit of a damper on things, was their droids and the commentary from the sides.

Breaking away from Ellie's lips, he was equal parts amused and annoyed. Amusement couldn't be shown to Thirty-Seven however, it would embolden the droid far too much.

Arm remained around Ellie as he turned towards Thirty-Seven, annoyance written on his features. While the idea of skipping off to enjoy an amorous moment together was tempting ,Makai also really,really didn't want Thirty-Seven to time his performance. Thanks to the data in his intelligent chronometer, Thirty-Seven had far more information on him than he appreciated.

"No, no settee."

At least not right now.

Makai gently squeezed the heiress, offering a teasing grin. Mirth danced in his eyes at all the dirty quips and teasing jokes he had primed, yet he held back for now. No need to give El-Three and Thirty-Seven fuel for their fire.

"We're going to keep to the schedule and eat first. I am hoping without interruptions from both of you."

Attention turned back to the mahogany haired woman.

"How was your trip in? Your time without me?"

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

As soon as Makai ended the kiss, Myra gave a pouty grumble in protest. Truth be told, she wouldn't have minded, but having both protocol droids here as an audience was mortifying enough with their side commentary. A hand came up to her flaming cheek as Myra did her best to compose herself abashedly. Blinking rapidly, she nibbled at her lower lip and studied Makai. Of course, she was lost in the mirth dancing in the bright grey-blue hue of his eyes. Oh there was devilry in his grin. So not fair to look this gorgeous.

"Ahh," right, answered Myra. You can do this. The trip in. "Oh!" she stammered, flushing again, brushing her hand over her hair. "No issue. I wanted to arrive with enough time to ensure I had everything ready."

As for the more important answer.

"I missed you," Myra admitted, coming back around to wrap her arms again around his shoulders. While the dining room smelled amazing with the savory scents of roasting Nuna, sweet bubbling pie, and cheesy goodness, underneath it all, at this distance, Myra could still smell the salt, musk, and herby-minty scent of Makai she had so dearly missed. The hoodie she'd stolen from Naboo had eventually waned in his smell, despite how often she wore it nightly, much to El-Three's discontent that she should wash it after two weeks.

"Very, very much," she murmured, coming close and pushing herself up on tippy toes again to nuzzle his cheek with her own. Makai had shaved that morning, so his jaw was smooth against hers. It was still crazy to consider he was here with her, arms wrapped around her. The past few months had been a whirlwind yes, but oh soo unforgettable. While both were well aware that Judah and Danger had stepped in to toss them together on Maramere, the end justified the means. While Judah's question on if she could have a last chance would she take it came to mind, Myra wasn't sure if she would have taken the steps needed to reach out Makai so soon after that discussion on Corellia. Certainly not in the wake of her broken relationship with Blythe and the hovercoaster that came afterward.

As for work -- "Busy, while we have an Arceneau Trade Station here on Kashyyyk, we are also trying to build up a large industrial waypoint near Hypergage Sarka for storage of goods and to facilitate MaraTibx the creation of more regional headquarters around the galaxy." That is why after Naboo, it seemed as if there was a relentless stream of administrative work. Not to mention interviews for her new delegate assistant.

"I managed to find a new assistant to take a role much like Aeri does for mama." Myra relayed, bringing her hand up to unconsciously run her fingers through the chestnut waves of Makai's hair. It was a series of cafunes, stroking and combing the shaggy length back into place. Relational grooming, the freedom to do so as his lover.

Not that Myra hadn't done the exact same in the past. It was just... different now.

"How about you?"

 

[Makai Dashiell]

He listened to her plans for MaraTibX, the interviewing of a personal assistant to help her more. While they both had the protocol droids he had found sometimes it was difficult to get others to negotiate with Thirty-Seven or El-Three for whatever reasoning. Some people, like his father, would rather just deal with sentient beings.

"I think I missed you more."

Makai teased, grin accompanying his words at the false competition. Now that they were together, officially dating, officially lovers and more than just best friends , being apart for long stretches was incredibly difficult. They had reached a point where they were seamlessly melding back together, easily picking up body language and unspoken cues once again.

Tempting as it was to state his case for them to move in together again, Makai knew he couldn't push the issue. The half-Galan would carefully continue to drop crumbs, knowing full well when she was ready they would make a place of their own.

"Very busy. Met with the Casteel and the guys at the country club. Sold my place on Palanhi to Harlon. Dealing with supply issues, had to go out to Metalorn and apply some pressure. It's like I've been criss-crossing the galaxy."

Hand came to tuck a strand of loose hair behind her ear as he continued, unable to go for long from touching her at this point.

"Negotiated another contract, this one for asteroid mining. Not sure when but they want me out there for over a month."

Before she could protest,just as her eyes were widening, Makai quickly continued.

"That won't be happening. I'll be there to ensure things get started and run smoothly, but I'm far too busy and have too beautiful of a girl waiting on me to be out in the black."

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

Myra was sure she would feel her stomach drop to the floor when Makai mentioned a contract in asteroid mining that would last over a month. Why couldn't he have led when he wouldn't be overseeing it, just getting it started first? For a moment, she swore the blood drained from her face before the younger Dashiell managed to clarify the situation.

The glower that began to form over Myra's brow faded into a mouthy pout, then ended as an abashed grin and rock of her heels in a back-and-forth motion. Hearing Makai say she was his beautiful girl waiting for him out in the black and that he wouldn't go was enough to make her feel giddy again.

Preening under his ice-blue affectionate regard, the Arceneau heiress mused over what he'd done since she saw him last. An arch of a brow at the selling of the home on Palanhi. Trying not to look too pleased on that front was hard. Myra was easy to read for Makai, so that drew a notable amount of mirth from the Half-Galan.

"Oh, how did it go with Casteel at the country retreat on Empress Teta?" by now, her fingers had gone sailing down to the nape of his neck, where her fingerpad was doodling idle circles against the short tufts of hair at his nape.

Thirty-Seven was busy overseeing the remaining time for the food. As Makai had timed it well, their lunch would be ready to serve shortly. Meanwhile, El-Three had indeed left for the master bath. He was busy humming to himself as he made his way toward a smaller luggage bag Myra had packed earlier. Opening it up, he began to pull out several series of tapered candles of various lengths. There was even a delicate, embroidered, and beaded robe similar to the Wilds Witch had worn in the scene.

[ Ah, yes. The Duanaan bath scene. ]

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Hands rested on hips, fingers flexing against the fabric of her skirt. He had noted the color when he had first spotted her ; gray. Ever since he had noted it as his favorite color and the reasoning why, he noticed she wore the color more, no doubt to catch his eye.

Ellie could wear a burlap bag could catch his eye.

An internal grimace when she mentioned the country club with Casteel. Makai had been lucky they were apart afterwards, the medic droids had done wonders on his cut and black eye but the shadow remained for a few days. It was easy enough to hide on holocall but in person her keen cashmere eyes would have caught it quickly.

"Not too bad, we had a productive talk."

After literally drawing blood, Makai had turned to Casteel for assistance, needing the blonde man to give up the name of Ellie's prior suitor.

Blythe Mer'taal.

He had already done a great deal of research into the bastard. The son of some Baron on a backwater planet that still literally engaged in wooden vessel duels. It had taken a massive deal of self-control not to cancel all of his plans and not hunt down Blythe to 'have a word'.

Doing so would have cut into his time with Ellie. It wasn't worth it, the half-Galan could bide his time for a little longer.

[ Sir, Mistress Arceneau. I need you both to decide if you will continue this mating ritual or sit down for your meal. ]

"We're sitting down for the meal, Thirty-Seven. Don't worry, calm your servos."

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

“Why does he keep saying that?!” Myra exclaimed, grey eyes wide in mortification regarding said ‘mating ritual.’ Her blushing face having everything to do with her embarrassment than any particularly spicy thoughts. Really, really.

Clearing her throat, Myra gave a nod at hearing Makai and Casteel get along. That was important to her. He’d helped her all this time in the past six years but Myra also figured that Makai may be a bit uncomfortable with Casteel being her longterm contracted Companion. While nothing ever occurred between them, Myra could see where Makai may misunderstand. To hear things went well between them made her feel better.

If she only knew the truth.

“Did you cook all of this?” Myra asked, watching Thirty-Seven start to remove the Nuna roast from the oven. It sizzled where the juices had dribbled underneath. Myra’s mouth went dry and her stomach made a loud gurglely sound. Her free hand immediately went to press over it, embarrassed anew.

“Sorry I guess I am hungry,” she admitted sheepishly. Makai just laughed and kissed her temple, before leading her towards the dining room.

[ My advanced condolences, Miss Arceneau.] Thirty Seven relayed, setting the roast pan down on a trivet.

[ Should you be allergic or find gomgourd distasteful. Let it be known I attempted to remove it from the menu.]

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Upon hearing the words 'mating ritual' once more, Makai removed his intelligent chronometer, setting it down on the kitchen counter as he went back for the wine. While it wouldn't cut down on the commentary, it would at least make him feel a little better.

"I did. I even made a gomgourd pie which Thirty-Seven thinks will kill you off. If you have a sudden allergy, I suppose he will be right."

Makai assisted her with her chair, pausing to pour her a glass of the red wine. When they had been together alone on Naboo, Makai would serve her plate. Since Thirty-Seven had taken over and snarked with his comments, he was content to take a back seat.

Sitting across from her, he flashed another smile.

"Thanks for spending early Life Day together with me. I know it hasn't been easy to find the time to be together at times."

An understatement.

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

“Not allergic. Smells devine though” Myra took note of Makai removing his intelligent chronowatch, making a mental note after this to excuse herself to the refresher and pull her Pharmatech bio-patch off. After El-Three’s embarrassing review of her oxytocin and dopamine levels, the heiress didn’t want a repeat.

Actually perhaps it might be better to get both protocol droids off the premises and answering work calls or reviewing potential assets in the system that might be of interest. Keep them busy and out of hers and Makai’s hair.

Enjoying having Makai around for Lifeday, even if it was a few days earlier, was a joy Myra had every intention of latching onto. Previously, they’d normally would have either had lunch with both families when they were younger, being allowed to sneak off and do what they would after depending on the area they decided to have a meal.

“I missed doing this,” Myra admitted, face delightfully flushed in pleasure. She took the glass of wine and took a sip. The full fruit and the black currents were back; a full taste of what she’d nibbled off Makai’s lips.

“You going on your fishing trip with your pa again? Where will it be?” She wasn’t sure if that was still a thing, more so as she was aware of the tensions between the two regarding Azula and Judah dating.

“Has your pa called you regard in’ all of that with Zuly?” Last she asked, Judah still hadn’t. It worried her. Myra knew she would have to make an effort to stop by Celestia and figure it out for herself if it continued.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Life Days in their youth had been much like the other major events or holidays the Arceneau-Kuhn and Dashiell families got together for. A meal of some sort, dissolving into the adults discussing business or gossiping about various bits of news in the 'verse. This meant he and Ellie would slink away to do something on their own, having the most fun when they met on a different planet to celebrate.

"I missed this too. Remember when we had Life Day on Lianna and went to that pop-up ice skating rink in the city? I fell so,so many times. Little kids were lapping me."

Winter weather, ice, and snow weren't his forte. Ellie had gracefully taken to the ice, leaving him to cling to the wall with the desperation of a man clinging to life on a cliff edge.

A nod at her questioning regarding the fishing trip. It was the first time in the tradition that he was absolutely not looking forward to going. For the first time in his life, tensions had been high between himself and his father. It was bothering him, feeling as if he had been abandoned by the only parent that had been a constant in his life.

"Yeah, we're still going. Bestine IV this time around."

It wasn't the fact his father was dating someone, not at all. Makai was grown, well out of the house, and understood the need to want some companionship. It had been the execution, the way he had found out, the secrecy. Makai didn't want the dirty details, merely a heads up.

He didn't even get that, instead floundering like an idiot.

"No, he has not." Ellie would be quick to pick up on the tension in his voice, his posture, despite trying to remain neutral. He didn't want to ruin their limited time together.

"No message. No holocall. Nothing."

It bothered Makai on another level. Being with Ellie, Makai would have expected an invite from his father for the both of them to get together for dinner, to at least check in on the pair on that front. It was one thing to snub himself, but Makai found it odd that Ellie was also on the outs, not having any information either.

"I guess I have to bite the bullet and address the issue during the fishing trip. Trapped on a fishing yacht together, thats going to be a real fun time."

He was half-tempted to ask to spend time with her parents instead.

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

Myra enjoyed recalling the ice-rink and the silliness at skating circles around Makai while he struggled. He'd been so cute. Snow in his hair and arms flailing everywhere. But oh, how great it was to have him cling desperately to her for balance. Honestly, Myra did her best to try and continue having Makai latch onto her. Holding him tight and constantly holding his hand, tumbling down to fall on top of him, close enough to kiss -- A blush rose over her cheeks again in memory.

That pleasant, giddy feeling faded, however, when Makai's expression soured to one regarding the topic of his pa, Zuly, and their status on discussing the matter.

There was no missing the tension that lined the edges of Makai's eyes or the pursing of his lips as he detailed the fishing trip plans with Judah. He was hurting. Not in the physical sense, but in how a son feels at feeling a sense of abandonment from his father. Even before Makai's ma left, Makai had been at Judah's hip from one auction, expo, or boardroom meeting to the next. They were two peas in a pod, and after the tragedy of Thessa's disappearance, they were all each other had left.

Judah not providing some measure of explanation or details regarding where such a relationship stood would be enough to make Makai feel as if he were a dingy caught in a storm, unsure of what came next or if help would be on the way.

Myra reached out with her hand, sliding her smooth palm over his tanned, rough hand, giving him an encouraging and loving squeeze. While she may not be able to give him the peace or stability a conversation with Judah could provide, Myra at least wanted him to know she was here in whatever capacity.

"I know it's hard, but do try to listen first," Myra spoke from her own experience regarding reconnecting with Makai. "It... can be hard to talk about things, uncertain how to start or how to convey them properly..." Myra bit her lower lip, aware she was projecting herself upon Judah. Yet she couldn't help it, not after Judah bared himself in the most vulnerable of ways. In a method that she could not relay to Makai, for it was an intimate confession given to her alone.

"... and if needed, cool off and then try again." With her other hand, she brought the glass of wine up to take a sip. Around them, Thirty-Seven was moving to set the plates. He had carved the Nuna roast, artfully arranged the scalloped cheesy tubers, and all accompaniments with the flair of any five-star restaurant.

"Thank you, Thirty-Seven," Myra murmured in gratitude, only to follow up with, "Would you and El-Three please power down for the night? We'll be fine on our own now. Should anything arise, we'll get you online."

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Makai squeezed her hand back and offered a smile, grateful for her reaching out. He was going to be perfectly fine in the long run, in the short term it had taken the wind from his sails, leaving him adrift.

Tossed into work and spending time with Ellie had made the entire situation easier to deal with. It was going to be that focused, sustained time together with his father that was going to be an issue.

[ Of course, Mistress Arceneau. El-Three and I will power back on mid-morning tomorrow. ]

An eyeroll. If Makai had asked for Thirty-Seven to power down, there would have been raging protests and pushback from the droid. Typically the pair followed Ellie's requests, most likely due to El-Three being her droid before they had reunited.

As the droid exited, Makai continued where he had left off.

"Oh, I will. I don't mind him seeing anyone, I really don't. It makes sense, he's still relatively young and I never expected my father to be alone the rest of his life. That is an impossible ask."

Hand gave hers a reassuring squeeze again before sliding away, picking up his fork to start their meal. Thirty-Seven had done a decent job plating and presenting what he had cooked,even artfully arranging the roasted winter vegetables.

"I just don't appreciate the way it has been handled, is all. Imagine if I didn't tell him about us? I purposely made a trip after Maramere and talked to him and your Mom. Then I blocked off time and talked to your father in person. I would have liked the same effort."

Idly looking back, Makai's meeting with Alric had made more sense now that he knew the truth about Blythe. The line of questioning. The deep, probing personal inquiries. He had chalked it up to overprotective father of a rich heiress at the time.

A shake of his head.

"I'm okay though, I'm good. I just want to spend time with you and catch up, I'll let you know how my conversation with him goes after Life Day."

"Any big plans with your parents? I have a gift for them I'll need you to deliver if you don't mind."

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

As Makai spoke, he conveyed his frustrations as much as his understanding that it made sense for his father to seek companionship and even a relationship. Judah had raised Makai on his own with Danger’s help, but that wasn’t the same as being in a relationship with another in the most intimate of ways. It wasn’t just intimate relations, but the ability to find peace and companionship that friendship nor Judah’s workaholic tendencies could provide. The elder Dashiell likely felt he had it at one point with Makai’s mother, enough to marry her and have a child of their own. It must have been a sore pill to swallow after trying his best only to have it crumble.

Myra quietly ate her meal, listening to Makai explain how he’d preferred Judah had handled it, when he made a revelation regarding the aftereffects of Maramere and what he’d done in the immediate.

"I just don't appreciate the way it has been handled, is all. Imagine if I didn't tell him about us? I purposely made a trip after Maramere and talked to him and your Mom. Then I blocked off time and talked to your father in person. I would have liked the same effort."

Wait what? Grey eyes swirled into smoky clouds of confusion, the heiress setting her fork down by her plate.

“Wait a moment,” she held her fingers up, needing a pause. Searching Makai’s face for the answer she already knew in her heart, she asked incredulously, “You talked to momma and Judah after Maramere?”

A few blinks then she added,” And my father? About what?”

 

[Makai Dashiell]

"Of course I did."

Makai paused, reaching for his wine. It was easier to tell her about the conversation on Celestia Station rather than the one he had in the office of Alric Kuhn. It was going to be a delicate balancing act of giving her enough information of what was spoken of but also assure the young heiress her parent's line of questioning was to be expected.

Especially after Blythe. It was crystal clear now why, despite knowing the Arceneau-Kuhn family since he was a toddler, a firm line had been drawn when it came to courting Myra Elpseth Arceneau.

"On Celestia Station, I spoke to my father and your Ma, mainly to your Ma. I requested a schedule change to ensure we had time together, as well as the ability to escort you to social events as Danger saw fit. Additionally, I had to ensure I was serious with my intentions, explain where I planned on living and the next steps in my career. It was then Dad put me into overseeing all mining operations. Your Ma had her own terms, which I strove to meet quickly,"

A pause as he picked at a piece of the cheesy tuber creation.

"I suspect we will have another conversation regarding you, us, in the short future."

Makai moved onto the next topic ; her father. That conversation had been calm but firm, Alric meeting him man-to-man about what it meant to take on dating Ellie. They had locked away in his office on the Farm, with Makai answering honestly as possible, even when he felt the questions delved into more than personal territory.

"As for your father and I, nerf farming."

A quick joke, one Ellie may not understand. Before they had reunited, Makai had spent some time with her parents, and he and Alric had visited the nerf fields for a bit of farm boy talk.

"In all seriousness, we spoke of his concerns and what the reality looked like in terms of courting the sole heiress to Arceneau Trade and Vanir Technologies. Just touching on my personal philosophies and things such as responsibility, marriage, knowing where my place would be in the grand scheme of your life."

He offered a reassuring smile.

"Your father just wanted to see my insights as a man, rather than what he knew of me as a boy is all."

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

Myra's mouth parted in surprise only to close shut. To say that she was stunned was putting it mildly. Sure, Makai had indicated to Maramere that the option he was fighting for was for them to be together. When the heiress had asked him what that looked like, Makai had indicated he would need to change his schedule to spend time together and that their relationship would be one of spending time with another, to be each other's shelter in the storm, that the mere presence of the other would be able to help them get through.

Think about it: our conquering the business world, nights in your bed.

Myra's face immediately flushed; this time, however, it had less to do with embarrassment than it did with the provocative thoughts presently teasing her mind-- like the Dunaan bath scene. Myra shifted on her seat and took a larger sip of her wine.

"Oh... I ... Didn't know you did that." Myra stammered, trying to gather her bearings. Her fingers played with the stem of her wine glass. Another conversation regarding me soon?

What would that entail?

Then, the mindblowing thought of Makai talking with her father and how that would have gone. In the wake of Blythe's idiocy and Myra's terrible choices, she could only guess the gauntlet her father may have put Makai through.

"I'm sorreh... if my father may have seemed overly stern or protective." however, the line of conversation did pique Myra's interest.

"So... what did you tell him?"

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Makai was eating his food as she mused, mildly surprised by how it turned out. It seemed the holonet and ideas for providing a decent holiday lunch had been correct ; now he would just have to learn to expand on it. Maybe a standing roast next year?

Brows furrowed a bit at her actions, the anxious touching of the wine glass stem. He wondered if she felt his actions had been too quick, too soon? It had been necessary to convince her parents, to request the schedule change, to show his seriousness.

"Oh, its not an issue. I'm sure I'll be just as stern and overbearing when our daughters bring someone home."

With the Blythe revelation, he got it. Even before, Makai had understood the questioning and hoops was less about him and more about ensuring he was serious about Ellie instead of looking for a good time.

"Well...lots of things. It was a long meeting."

Fork was put down and he picked up his wine glass, musing over his meeting with her father, what he wanted to share. They had yet to touch on personal philosophies surrounding relationships and marriage and family in much depth, it had been surface level.

Considering it concerned her, it was best to start there, to share the same insights as he did with her father.

"Relationship dynamics being a big one. I touched on our shelter in a storm talk, and I believe it is a key to success long-term. This..."

Makai motioned with a hand between them for a moment.

"...isn't supposed to make our lives harder or more stressful. We're a partnership, here for each other. Now that doesn't mean we won't fight and disagree, but rather we turn to one another first, we know we can find solace and safety with one another always."

Wineglass swirled as he thought, drifting back to the conversation.

"Just as important, our dynamics as a couple. It is important to know when to lead and when to follow, like dancing. No one person always in charge but being so in-tune to being flexible, to know when a softer approach or backseat is needed. We can't push and pull against one another, its counterproductive. I think we do well in this regard honestly."

"Which I told him I think is spun from our childhood. I knew at a young age, when you were sick, I was secondary in that moment. Everything else was pushed to the wayside, you were the focus. There's a time when one partner has to carry all the weight, whether they want to or not."

"How you respond to that is the test. As I told your father, I've had my test in that regard. I know what I can handle, I know my place in your universe."

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

To some degree, Myra had understood back on Maramere that Makai had been earnest about convincing her that he did love her and wanted to be more than best friends, actually to have a relationship. At the time, it felt as if it had all been a dream. To see him standing there at the atrium, processing his presence, then hearing that he had loved her all this time and that she had to decide what came next. They wasted six years in indecisive actions and miscommunication; Makai wasn't willing to let that continue or fester.

Truth be told, had it been any other scenario, the odds were that Myra may have overthought the situation and talked herself out of being with Makai. Perhaps she'd convinced herself that she wasn't good enough or that her more recent terrible decisions with Blythe somehow made her unworthy or, irrationally, tainted by his actions and her own stupidity.

She may not have wholly believed he would stay, perhaps fearing that some action she took or said would cause him to leave. Yet the heiress hadn't fully grasped just how seriously Makai had taken the next steps to follow through. It wasn't to say that he hadn't done his best to achieve what he wanted as a teenager and a kid, but seeing Makai like this, explaining it all, the who and the why, and the reasonings behind it.. well... It was really hot.

Who knew that Makai having goals and doing his best to reach them with a singular purpose, all the more enhanced that it revolved around ensuring every success in their relationship, would be such a turn-on?

Maybe it was because, for the better part of Myra's life, she had tried when she was younger - if unsuccessfully - to convey and reach her own goal to one day marry Makai Dashiell as she had declared to her parents at age ten.

In the rear of Myra's mind, she knew this likely really dealt with the circumstances revolving around Makai's parent's marriage and subsequent divorce. Hearing how his ma's departure - twice- had affected him made so much more sense now than how he acted as a teen. Toss in what Judah told her as well, and who could blame either on where they stood?

"I... didn't realize you were thinking of all that," Myra confessed, her forefinger lightly circling the rim of her wine glass in contemplation. Every day, Makai was showing her just how serious he was about them, how the younger Dashiell wanted to make it work. That he wanted to spend his days and nights with her, holding her close, making her laugh, making her feel whole. If Makai was her vice, then he was the most addictive of spice, giving her such a high that Myra knew that now, if he ever left her, it would kill her.

"So... what is it that you can handle?" wide grey-blue eyes swirled in their smoky hue, rising to meet the arctic ice-blue of Makai's own. Wondering then what his limit was. What couldn't he handle? Part of her wanted to know, but another was still afraid to hear what he'd say.

"... your place?"