Private Old fashioned training

[Persephone Dashiell]

"I think Cassie don't know how to take you. Most people don't know how to take Cassie, so I think y'all just clash a little.Neither one of yous is annoying, calm down."

Persephone rolled her eyes again. Of course Iko Vel went straight to being annoying as the root of all causes. She hadn't been annoyed yet, if she had been they certainly wouldn't be here holding hands and walking around the streets of a city on Fondor. She was quite relaxed, in contrast to being on edge and worried if she was doing something correctly. Granted, there had been a lot of blushin' and a bit of embarrassment, but overall that was more on her than Iko or anything else.

"I ain't worryin' about you dyin' from heart disease."

Wanting not to dwell on the deaths of both her Mama and potentially Iko, she gave a small chuckle before going quiet, wondering how quickly to move to the next subject. Any subject at this point, she didn't want to let this be some type of dark cloud on their time out together. They only had so much time before havin' to return to Makky.

"Yous got any plans while recoverin'? Anything fun? Besides the knife makin' and all."

 

[Iko Vel]

"Yeah but I meant...the more I exercise, the more time I can spend with you. The 'ealthier I am, the better, right?"

Iko who was normally relaxed, was more just nervous about messing up. Normally he didn't have a care in the world but for once he had someone who's thoughts were important to him. Which was weird. But he shook his head, trying to relax as Persie asked if he had any plans. Hm...

"Nothing too specific, y'know. Might try to do some...simple exercises with the Force. Can't do any actual exercise. Might try to do some research on your family...Since I should actually check to see if I'll like any of it. Put some thought into it instead of being a yes man. Probably watch a few 'olo-vids. Gonna mostly be in the apartment since I don't 'ave much of a reason to be outside, y'know? Shame the trainin' droid doesn't 'ave a personality put into it. Then I could talk to the guy..."

He rubbed his chin in thought at that. To be fair, him and Persie could probably still talk over the net so it wasn't like he'd be totally bored. Just...slightly bored. Maybe he should find a ball to bounce against the wall whilst he was in recovery.

"What about you? Minus studyin' and stuff. Gonna...sew anythin' neat?"

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

"You could always program the droid while you're layin' there."

She was trying to give Iko Vel a few ideas on what he could do while he was trying to recover. Persephone didn't know much about droid programming but since Iko already built or refurbished the thing, she figured he might have an idea on what to do. Or how to do it. Or look at a ZikZok and figure it out and go from there.

"Me? Oh no, I need one of those bust forms to sew....My-rah is a real good artist, she's been teachin' me how to draw so I can draw my own designs an all. That's first, can't be sewin' much without a good idea. So's practicing my drawin'...uh, do we have any other plans? I mean, followin' Makky around on days he takes me with him."

Life had leveled out to a normal cadence for her. Studying. Learning the business. Spending time with the family. Contacting her newfound friends across the holonet to check in. Fashion stuff.

"Oh. I'm goin' watch the Alderaan Fashion Awards an' all that stuff. Red carpet and what folks is wearin' too....Besides that, talk to yous. I'll have time inbetween all my normal stuff, plus during my downtime. I don't think we's going anywhere this weekend, so it will be quiet once I get back to Centrality."

 

[Iko Vel]

"Yeah...But if the stuff goes wrong, who's gonna be 'ere to 'elp me?"

Iko teased slightly as they walked side by side. Listening to Persephone talk about her plans. Something about the Alderaan Fashion Awards? Well...Iko wasn't too into fashion, but if Persie was going to be watching it, maybe they can watch it together. Not in person, but they can talk about it together over the Holonet or something. It'd be nice to hear her voice he supposed.

"Sounds nice. I'm sure it won't be long until we see something of yours on the Fashion awards."

He broke out into a grin at that. As much as someone might have thought he was teasing Persephone about that, Iko was being totally honest. He believed in Persephone's skills that much, even though he hadn't seem them before...Maybe that's what she meant when she said Iko was all sunny. He was always trying to cheer people up at the end of the day.

"Who knows, I might be able to be one of the models for it. I know how to pose. Totally."

Indirectly, he was trying to change the subject and make it a bit more cheery after the dark cloud that was hanging over them from talking about Iko and Persie's mother dying. Ain't no way Iko was going to dwell on that. He had too much cool stuff to try and make before he kicked the bucket at the end of the day.

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

"Oh. Um, I'm sure it will take awhile. To be...in the fashion awards. I ain't even really got started yet, that's one of my first steps..uh..workin' this summer. Miss Ar-sin-new is goin' to be having me do stuff with fabric an' all that...not quite sure yet. Guess I'll know when I start."

It was a little unclear, although she would be working under Browncoat Industrial, and they made weapons. They hadn't really dug deep or far into the situation and Persie was in no rush.

"We's can watch the fashion show together...er...while talkin'. I mean, sure you's can pose real good but....it ain't exactly excitin'. If you ain't into it, you're gonna get bored real, real quick."

Persephone had learned that quickly. She had forced Makky to sit and try to watch the Cet Gala, basically one entire red carpet of fashion and celebrities and designs all following one theme. Then they all went inside for some part normal folks weren't allowed to be a part of. Tickets were expensive, and one had to be invited to even purchase the tickets.

Maybe some day. A goal to work towards.

Iko Vel

 

[Iko Vel]

"I know it'll take a while. And I'll be there with ya, every step of the way supporting you Persie. You've got this. I know it."

Iko kept a grin on his face at that. He was willing to support Persephone no matter how long it might take. He was in as much of a rush as Persephone was and was willing to wait. It just meant he had more time with Persie, right?

"I'll admit. I ain't into fashion that much. It's not really my thing. But if you like it...It's only fair I should at least watch some of it with you, right? 'Cause even if I don't end up likin' it, we still get to talk about stuff. And you can tell me all about how good the...sequins are and stuff. It also means when something I like is on, you 'ave to watch it with me."

He teased, sticking his tongue out towards Persephone, chuckling away to himself. He probably wouldn't do that anyway. Maybe there were one or two things he'd want to watch but...Holo-vids had never been a huge part of his life if he was being honest to himself.

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

Every step of the way? Persie gave him an odd look at that, curious. Her fashion journey was going to take years. Did that mean Iko planned on staying around that long? It was best not to think about it ; keep expectations low so she didn't get incredibly disappointed later on. Sounded like a good plan to her, don't over think these things.

"We don't have to do everything together. It makes some sense though, to talk about it.....uh, but not too much."

If Persie had to explain every step of the way about fashion she might get a little annoyed. Award shows and watching things over the HoloNet together was fine. Sitting inside a fashion show, watching models go down the runway? Nope, that was prime time to be in the moment and be in awe of the designs walking past her.

"Yeah, I can watch what yous wanna."

If all else fails she could be like Makky and just fall asleep. Her big brother barely lasted half an hour during their Perry Cooper movie night before he started to "rest his eyes". How he didn't find the plot engaging she didn't know, who didn't want to see a series of holos about a boy going through the trials and tribulations of school life?

Iko Vel

 

[Iko Vel]

"N-No! I don't mean everythin' together...I just meant...to get to know stuff the other person likes, y'know?...I ain't sayin' I'd watch every fashion thing with ya. Just...this one. Since it's a big fashion thing. And I know fashion is important to you and all...which is why I promise you, I Iko Vel, shall not fall asleep watching it. I will stay awake the entire time."

Oh boy. Iko didn't know how much he was going to regret that promise. But he meant it at the end of the day. Everything Iko said, he was always trying to mean it. Lying just ain't in his nature. Well, it was, but never to his friends. Braze, Persie, Casaana. None of them. He wouldn't lie to any of them for a single second, even if it was to spare their feelings!

"Ya don't need to worry about any other shows though. Like I said...fashion is your thing. Not mine. I don't want to ruin it for you. Same way I wouldn't expect you to watch any forgin' stuff with me...which is good, 'cause I'd probably ignore you for the show. I'd be too into the zone. You'd have to flick my head or somethin' to get my attention."

Slowly but surely, his nerves were fading. Iko was going back to his usual chatty and hyper energetic self. Well, hyper-energetic, minus the pain in his leg but it wasn't like they were running around. He was starting to treat the date as just...him and Persie hanging out, instead of it being some big important thing.

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

"Best of luck not fallin' asleep. You might wanna start buyin' energy drinks and trainin' yourself to stay awake. I ain't gonna hold it against yous though, it ain't meant for everyone. If you fall asleep, you fall asleep. Ain't nothing to worry about."

Plus, if Iko Vel fell asleep that meant she could enjoy at her leisure. It wasn't as if she was going to be upset. Now if she was talkin' to him about somethin' important and he just fell asleep on her, well, that'd be more of a problem. She didn't expect that to be any type of issue, Iko didn't seem the type to zone out if they were havin' a real conversation.

"They have forgin' shows? Well....I guess theys got somethin' for everyone out there. 'Sides, I wouldn't bother you no ways. Or flick you. Or bother you."

Persephone didn't like to be bothered, so she expected others would most likely feel the same. If she was enjoying something then it was kinda her own thing, like her own free time to enjoy herself. That was new to her. She didn't get a chance to have these kinda of luxuries back on Taris. So for now, she was fully going to enjoy herself.

 

[Iko Vel]

"Come on. I'll be able to stay awake! I've survived 'istory lectures in the Jedi Temple...Do I remember what they were sayin'? Nah. But I do remember imaginin' havin' lightsaber battles in the rooms. Zoom, zoom! Swoosh!"

Iko moved his arm through the air, pretending to be using a lightsaber before shrugging his shoulders afterwards. Honestly, he never saw the appeal in lightsabers. He used to, when he was younger but there was something about the idea of using a lightsaber that felt so...clinical. If Iko was going to fight someone, he wanted it to have weight. To have impact.

"Well...I think they'd 'ave forging shows? I ain't actually watched much. Most of what I've learned has been through mistakes. Accidents. A lot of my lessons, you'll be able to see on my 'ands."

At that, Iko gently pulled his hand out of Persie's, and turned it over so she could see a few of the various marks and scars he had on his hand. Places where he'd missed the metal he was working on, places where he had accidentally burnt himself, alongside a few knicks and scars from accidentally cutting his hand messing around with them.

"...I probably shouldn't 'ave shown you those. Now it might make 'and'oldin' all weird..."

He rubbed the back of his neck at that, letting out a chuckle. As much as the thought did make him a bit nervous, it wasn't something he was going to cry about. He just had to treat this as like a normal moment between the two of them.

"I don't make as many mess ups now though. I learned a lot through my mistakes.."

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

" Iko Vel !"

Persephone took his hand back and looked at it, not amused. It was clear it was just the trials and tribulations of learning how to forge and smith. However, she had other things to say about the status of his now healed injuries. It was silly but Iko himself said he didnt make as many mistakes now, meaning he still made some. And that meant his hands were in the line of fire.

"If yous keep hitting your hand like this I ain't gonna have nothin' to hold!"

Looking over his hand again,she let out an exasperated sigh.

"You ain't got not stick to hold stuff with?"

 

[Iko Vel]

"Oh. Erh...The stick doesn't 'elp. A lot. Just be grateful I 'aven't messed my 'ands up from grindin' the metal off. Then you'd really 'ave nothing to hold."

It had taken Iko off guard to have Persephone use his full name like that, as he let out a few awkward chuckles. It was true that he'd have to take better care of his hands now. In the past, the only purpose for his hands were to make things. To make weapons to use, to practice fighting, but now? He had hands to hold. And he needed his hands for that.

"Don't worry. I'll be a lot more safer now. I mean look, I didn't make a single mistake makin' your knife for you! 'Cause...I wasn't being serious about the whole blood, sweat and tears I put into makin' it. There was probably some sweat...not sure if there was any tears though. There was definitely no blood though. 'Cause that would just be...gross."

He wasn't normally one to care about gross stuff...but he wanted to do his best to try and be clean around Persie now. Or cleaner than he normally was. If he was actually able to end up staying with her family, he was going to make sure to have a clean outfit every day! No! He was going to make sure he had at least three clean outfits. Yeah. That sounded right...Now where was he going to get the outfits from though...That was a small flaw in his plans.

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

"Hmm, you keep mentionin' this cryin', I'm startin' to think it happened."

Persie gave a bright grin, teasing him. Accidents would continue to happen, and realistically she knew Iko Vel was being careful as possible. He seemed quite focused on forging so it wasn't as if he was being reckless with the hobby. She could worry, right? Thats what people who liked one another did, worry about 'em.

So it made sense she would worry about Iko.

"You think we gotta go back soon? I kinda lost track of time...don't think we do..."

She looked to the sky, as if that would tell her anything. Persephone lived in the Lower City, sunlight was a rarity. It wasn't as if she could guess time well from the sun positioning, maybe if she had grew up on the surface.

 

[Iko Vel]

"...If we do 'ave to go back soon, we can just say we got lost or somethin'...'cause I'm enjoyin' just talkin'. I didn't expect any of this today...but I am actually super happy about it."

Iko apparently ignored the teasing...Though he had his own little grin on his face as he raised his other hand and gently tapped Persie on the nose to try and catch her off guard before taking his turn to tease her.

"Also see. You 'ave a perfectly bright grin. And I like it a lot. I need to find more ways to get you to smile, hm...Are you ticklish?"

He teased away, though the ticklish part wasn't something he'd actually mess with. The lad didn't like being tickled himself and he would never do that torture to anyone else. He glanced up towards the sky, frowning as it did seem to be getting late...Maybe he should actually start taking Persie back since he didn't want to get her in trouble.

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

Persie thought it was best not to tempt fate and turn around, literally, and begin their journey back.With Iko Vel still not up to full speed just quite yet it was going to be slower going. Couldn't mess up on their first time trying to actually do something "official". She would never be allowed back out into the universe on her own ever again!

"Ticklish? Uh..no...idea...let's not try."

Her luck she would have some kind of weird reflex and end up punching Iko right in the face. Completely on accident, like some weird tick. Persephone herself was a bit odd so such a reaction wouldn't out of the realm of improbability. She wasn't going to take some kind of chance with it.

"More ways to get me to smile? Well, looks like yous got your work cut out for ya."

 

[Iko Vel]

"More ways to get me to smile? Well, looks like yous got your work cut out for ya."

"Well, yer worth the work that I'll need to put forward to get ya to smile. I'll show you there's reasons to smile...like me!"

He gave two thumbs up with a grin. It wasn't like he had an ego. He was just trying to actually get Persephone to laugh, before taking her hand back into his and starting to make their way back to his apartment. He'd probably have to stop paying for it soon, if he wasn't going to be staying in Fondor. Rent was pointless if he wasn't going to be staying there.

"Erh...I know this is like...the first one for both of us, but do you think this was a nice date? I liked it. I might...try to do some...research for another date. Need to make sure the second one is nice as well, right?"

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

Persephone laughed then promptly rolled her eyes at Iko Vel and his antics. Granted it was typical teenage boy antics, but in the end it was nice for her to be a typical teenager. Not caring too much about the heavy things in life, allowing for more frivolous thought.

"I had a real good time. I imagine they all might not be great but...it's okay, long as we're together we can make fun, right?"

Persie paused, thinking.

"Wes can think of something to do together. Maybe... I dunno, an amusement park or...head out to eat...or a museum or somethin'. It won't matter, I promise."

Slowly walking back to Iko's place, she was sad to depart, but also knew it wouldn't be the last time they saw one another.