Private Winds of Change

[Makai Dashiell]

Wearing | Gear : X | X | X | X | X | L3-37 | Interacting With : Myra Arceneau Dashiell

"To be fair, we were also left alone at business parties and forced to gossip about those in attendance."

Which had lead to his past time of eating crab cakes and rating an event based on their seafood selection. Something he still did to this day, although the gossiping and made-up stories about fellow attendees was now saved until he was at home. Although the situation was like comparing two fruits, Makai wasn't sure he would let Persephone wander an important event alone, at least not yet.

"I'll remember the eyeroll though so bring back a poundcake and I can feign ignorance as well. Although I don't have the powers to hear an eyeroll, just see them, but I tend to believe my wife so..."

Carefully scooting closer to the caf machine, he attempted to make his morning caf one handed. Not a difficult feat but when tired, it tended to be a little bit of a struggle. At lease Phoebe wasn't at the overly wiggly stage yet where he had to balance a squirming baby.

"So, its been a month. You've thought about what we've mentioned?"

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

Hear an eyeroll? Really?

"So you two escaped a farm only to come live on a farm? Or vineyard. Whatever you want to call this place. A rural area."

Persephone looked at both of them as if they were crazy. She didn't understand why anyone would want to come back to a boring rural life when they had grown up that way. She had lived in the city all her life and the vineyard, the compound was certainly not it. Quite used to a bustle of people and constant noise. Here all she heard was the ocean and various wildlife.

"An hour? It takes fifteen minutes to get there by speeder....how about an hour and a half?" Negotiations may not work, but she could try either way. Yet just as her negotiations began, of course Makai had to ask about if she had done her research. Begrudgingly she had - but didn't think in the chaos of life they would remember. "I did...but I want to do it under my own terms. Over the holonet and I pick the person. I don't want to sit in an office starin' across from them."

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x | Tag: Makai Dashiell

Myra arched a brow, the corners of her mouth twitching as if fighting back a smirk. Escaped a farm only to come live on one -- Persie's knack for dramatic flair was as sharp as ever. She leaned back against the counter, folding her arms, her gaze flicking from the teenager to Makai, who was bravely battling the caf machine one-handed like some sleep-deprived hero.

"Technically," Myra drawled, "we didn't escape anything. We upgraded. This farm comes with better oceanic views and your custom walk in closet thats almost a whole suite in itself."

Phoebe gave a soft sigh against Makai's shoulder, her tiny face scrunched like she was already judging the conversation. Myra reached out, brushing her daughter's downy hair before shifting her attention back to Persie's attempt at negotiation.

"An hour and a half, huh?" Myra tapped her fingers against her arm, considering. "Tell you what...check in after an hour. If all's well, you get your bonus thirty minutes. Think of it like a trial period."

She let that hang there for a moment, arching her brow again, because life was all about compromise, or at least convincing teenagers that it was. But then came the pivot, the casual deflection to the real topic: the research. Myra's expression softened slightly, though she didn't let go of the firm undercurrent in her voice.

"Your terms are fine," she said after a beat. "Holonet, your pick. But the point isn't just picking someone. It's actually talking to them."

Her gaze locked with Persie's, steady and sure, the kind of look that said I see you, even when you're trying to hide.

"Trust me, staring across from someone in an office isn't a requirement. But pretending you don't need anyone to talk to? That's a trap." She shrugged, casual but with weight behind the words. "And you're smarter than that."

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Wearing | Gear : X | X | X | X | X | L3-37 | Interacting With : Myra Arceneau Dashiell , Persephone Dashiell

Fighting the caf machine like his life depended on it - because it really did - Makai finally was starting to figure out this one handed thing. Creamer and sugar added, he sipped his caf while Phoebe sighed against him, content but also seemingly judging the back and forth exchange. He was keeping track of the back-and-forth himself, highly amused at Persie's assessment of their current living situation.

To be fair, the location and styling of the home were a call back to his time spent on the Farm as a child and teenager. However, he also chose such a lifestyle for privacy and relaxation. Something he didn't expect a teenager to understand in this moment. They typically didn't want to retreat from civilization and recharge.

"This is a great place. Plus, look at it this way, Ellie and I are creating tradition. You and Phoebe can moan and groan about escaping a farm only to wind up living on one again in your old age."

Staying out of the village outing conflict, he was just too tired to argue on fifteen minutes or thirty, there was a hint of surprise that Persephone actually put her research in. Maybe she knew they would have hounded her and followed up. Slight progress there. She had been running around on her own for too long.

"Its good you decided on something. When I wake up a bit and you return we can walk through setting it up."

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

"I'm never living on a farm again after this. Breaking the cycle. While the closet is nice, and thank you, its still a farm."

Nose wrinkled at the thought. Even a grand estate much like many of those with means had didn't appeal to her. A nice penthouse in the heart of the city was more her speed. Someday she would escape to such a life, maybe even sooner than she thought. No doubt Myra and Makky were going to make her go to university - she could just pick one in a giant city.

Not pleased with the terms of being set loose on the village, she supposed it was better than sitting around all day around the house listening to Phoebe cry. What trouble one could get into in a small village was far beyond her but she supposed those were the rules.

"Sure, check in after an hour."

Another skeptical look.

"Yeah. I'll talk. Don't worry. Why would I rock the boat?" Her fashionable mug full, Persephone started edging closer to the doorway, ready for this conversation to be over. "I'll be sure to bring back stuff from the bakery..."

Myra Arceneau Dashiell Makai Dashiell​

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x | Tag: Makai Dashiell

Myra watched Persie over the rim of her own caf mug, one brow raised, the ghost of a smirk playing at her lips. Breaking the cycle. She almost laughed. As if every teenager didn't swear they'd never be like their parents, only to wake up one day and realize they were wearing the same brand of boots and making the same exasperated noises when getting out of a speeder.

"Uh-huh," she murmured, sipping. "We'll see."

She didn't push, though. Persie could plan her grand escape to city life all she wanted because Myra wasn't here to crush dreams. If anything, she just wanted the girl to feel like she had options. And right now, the biggest win was getting her to talk. Even if it was just a yeah, yeah, I'll do it, stop looking at me kind of thing.

Phoebe stirred against Makai's shoulder, making a tiny, disgruntled noise before settling again. Myra glanced at the baby, then back at Persie, catching that telltale inching toward the door. The teenager was ready to make her getaway, but Myra wasn't letting her off that easy.

"Good," she said, setting her caf down and leveling Persie with a look. "Because if you don't check in, I will send El-Three to check up on you and your droid. And no one wants that."

She let that hang for a second, giving Persie just enough time to picture a protocol droid stomping through the village, blaring reminders to call home in a polite yet somehow deeply mortifying voice.

Then she grinned. "Bring back something with chocolate."

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Wearing | Gear : X | X | X | X | X | L3-37 | Interacting With : Myra Arceneau Dashiell Persephone Dashiell

Makai took his first sip of caf, listening to the exchange, and that's when Phoebe decided she would give a disgruntled cry. Apparently not enough attention on her in the moment. Caf was set down, hand went to rub along her back. Apparently he was going to learn to love old, stone cold caf throughout the day.

"I'll send Thirty-Seven for good measure. Both of them teamed up would be a disaster for not only yourself but the village."

He wasn't sure if he wanted to unleash such a disaster upon the locals. His hand reached for his caf once more only to have Phoebe cry in protest. Maybe once she got to sleep he could try again. He felt her settle back against his shoulder - for the moment.

"Pound cake too, the whole loaf." What was a singular slice going to do for him? "Be safe out there."

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

"Because if you don't check in, I will send El-Three to check up on you and your droid. And no one wants that."

"You wouldn't dare!" Persie sing-songed as she slowly eased out of the kitchen, caf tumbler in hand. Mentally she was debating if she wanted to change or keep the casual weekend look going. Probably keep the casual weekend look and effortlessly cool chic. Combat boots didn't quite seem appropriate and that was a shock even for her to admit.

"See you guys later...stay amazing!"

Buttering up both of them as she carefully slid out of view and all but bolted from the door? Of course. Was it going to work? Doubtful. Both seemed too tired to even entertain some of her more colorful ideas.

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x | Tag: Makai Dashiell

Myra huffed a quiet laugh, shaking her head as Persie made her dramatic escape, all charm and mischief wrapped in teenage bravado. The see you later… stay amazing was a nice touch. she'd give the kid that.

"She thinks she's slick," she murmured, watching the door swing shut behind her.

Phoebe let out a tiny, disgruntled noise against Makai's shoulder, as if already developing opinions about her older sister's antics. Myra reached over, running a gentle finger down the baby's back.

"You'll figure it out soon enough, little star," she whispered. "Arceneau women are trouble."

Leaning back in her seat, she wrapped both hands around her caf and took a deep sip before it could reach officially undrinkable status. Across from her, Makai made another valiant attempt at reclaiming his own cup, only for Phoebe to stir again, threatening another protest.

Myra smirked, lifting her own mug in a mock toast. "Welcome to fatherhood," she teased. "Hope you like lukewarm caf and negotiations with tiny terrorists."

She gave another chuckle and shook her head.

"Well, at least I'm glad she is researching therapists. We can bring it up again in a week or so."

"Any news on your pa? I heard in passing the situation on Hapes is dire." couldn't miss it with how it was on the holo news everywhere.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Wearing | Gear : X | X | X | X | X | L3-37 | Interacting With : Myra Arceneau Dashiell

"Quite the little protestor. Not sure if she's looking out for my caf consumption or just wants to be the star of the show. I think she's already taking notes from Persephone."

Giving up on his caf, Makai switched positions so she could cradle more securely against his chest, silently praying his heartbeat would lull her to sleep. With any luck it was inevitable, the infant had just eaten so a bit of a nap was (hopefully) on the horizon and he could attempt to have caf again.

"I've been waiting nine months to spoil her, its alright. I think she's still a little upset about being kicked out of her personal spa."

Phoebe squirmed around a little, head turning closer to him as he spoke. In true infant fashion, she was squished up, as if forgetting she actually had room to stretch her limbs now.

"I am too. See if she decided on anyone then we can reach out and set up all the back end and get it rolling. We will work around her tutoring schedule but also make sure it takes priority. We pay enough for her tutors that they should be flexible."

"Any news on your pa? I heard in passing the situation on Hapes is dire."

"No, I haven't. He went to check on the gemstone mines for me considering the strife in the area. I'm a little concerned but considering how difficult communications can be..." Makai looked down at Phoebe. "Grampa is kinda ornery, isn't he? So I think I feel more sorry for the Hapans."

Gaze lifted to meet Ellie again.

"ArcDash has been working in the area. Evacuating the childrens hospitals."

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x | Tag: Makai Dashiell

Myra let out a soft snort, setting her caf down before it could slip from her tired fingers. "Oh, she knows she's the star."

She reached out, brushing her fingers over Phoebe's impossibly soft cheek, watching as the infant's tiny face scrunched in some silent debate. Nap or more theatrics? It could go either way. Myra had learned fast that babies had an unpredictable sense of timing, especially when it came to sleep.

"She was living in luxury," Myra mused, smirking as Phoebe curled tighter into Makai's chest. "Perfect temperature, free room service, no loud siblings trying to steal the spotlight. Can't blame her for having opinions."

Settling back, she ran a hand through her hair, exhaling at the mention of Persie's educational plans.

"I'll follow up with her later, see if she's actually given it any real thought or if she's just trying to keep us off her back. Either way, we'll get it set up."

Her expression sombered at the news regarding Hapes and ArcDash evacuating the hospitals.

"How are the evacuations going?" she asked, uncertain if she really wanted to know or needed to know just to make sure. This particular subject was heavily colored by her own experience and her past.

"Need any back up from Arceneau Trade?"

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

Persephone took off with Z0U-1 or 'Zee' as she referred to her bodyguard droid. She had taken the liberty of giving the droid a pinkish-purpleish hue, which while unusual and did stand out, made her feel a bit better about having the droid around. It looked less menacing and more like a personal assistant or protocol droid of sorts, which was more acceptable in her mind.

Zee parked the speeder at the edge of the village in a designated lot and they were on their way, walking along the broad wooden sidewalks that overlooked the ocean. Despite the small size, it was a bustling place due to the fish processing plant on the far end. Vessels came in from all over the area to bring their catch. Not only processing plant, but also frankly due to the rural landscape the villages were few and far between. For most residents, it was this or nothing.

[[ Mistress Persephone, may I remind you we only have forty-five minutes til check in? ]]

"Zee, look, I don't need to reminders. Forty-five minutes is awhile away. Come on, I need to stop at the general store first."

The largest building besides the plant, the general store had everything from basic groceries to hardware to fishing supplies to feed and medicines for the local livestock. It was basically the one stop shop for the locals. A small bell dinged as she entered and Persephone made her way to the service counter, greeted by a middle aged woman.

"Ah, Persephone. I see you got my message your package came in." She turned and rummaged through a shelf full of packages before handing over a padded envelope. "Here you go. Think its anything good in there?"

Pulling out her credcard to pay the fee for getting something sent to the general store, Persephone nodded. "I hope so, been waiting awhile. I'll see you later, thank you."

"Say hello to your folks for me!"

As they walked out, Persie was ripping open the package, hoping this was the answer to what she had been searching for. Moving closer to the railing overlooking the ocean, she pulled out the contents. One holoimage of a shaggy man taken at a spaceport, walking down a ramp, labeled Ezekiel Dashiell . The second item was a datastick.

Having saved her allowance, she had Zee hire a private investigator to find her no-good daddy. Apparently that investigator had hit pay dirt.

"This scruffy looking bastard is my father? Mama must have been drunk..."

[[ To be fair Mistress Persephone, nearly all Dashiells have some element of scruff, if I may so myself ]]

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Wearing | Gear : X | X | X | X | X | L3-37 | Interacting With : Myra Arceneau Dashiell

"You should go lay down before the other sibling returns to crash through the house."

Often not realistic, but they had some time before Persephone came back. It was an 'off' day for her, her education would be resuming in a few days. With all the chaos swirling around the home with the arrival of Phoebe a week off seemed fitting for the teenager to ease in and transition.

"We will. Might lull her into a false sense of security."

Talk turned to the Hapan cluster. Things had gotten so bad they had suspended Persephone's finishing school lessons, not wanting her anywhere near the area. It was bad enough the miners and businesses were still operating. Despite being on paternity leave, he had personally went over potential evacuation and contingency plans for all workers. That included sending extra security to his sites.

"Not bad. Getting the pediatric hospitals evac'd with the help of nuns. The children are staying at other places in the cluster and I just hope that's good enough. Don't want them too far from their parents. That could turn into a disaster but some don't have anything to go back to....making sure the medical treatments continue and that they are safe is highest priority. Isn't Arceneau Trade already helping with the Hapan crisis?"

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x | Tag: Makai Dashiell

Myra sighed, rubbing her temple as the weight of it all settled in. "Yeah, we've been involved since the start -- but mama is taking care of that. Supply runs, temporary housing, medical shipments, whatever we can move in and out without getting caught in the chaos." Her fingers drummed lightly against the table. "Problem is, it's not enough. It never is."

The situation in the Hapan cluster was spiraling, and the thought of children being separated from their families made her stomach twist.

"Keeping the kids close to their parents is the right move, but if the situation gets worse? You might have to start pulling them out entirely." She didn't like the thought, but she'd seen enough disasters to know how quickly 'bad' became 'irreversible.'

Her gaze flicked to Phoebe, now dozing against Makai's chest, completely unaware of the galaxy's troubles. Myra let out a slow breath. "I'll talk to the ATC teams, see what else we can push through. If we need to relocate more people, I'd rather have the infrastructure in place now than scramble later."

She ran her fingers through the thick mass of mahogany hair, musing.

"Have there been any refugee points of contact other than Arkun, the Eve Foundation, and Arcdash? With as much of a refugee crisis the ongoing wars multiplied, I am not even sure if the worlds we are working with are even taking any more. I've heard of the Alliance trying to submit a bill but didn't know where it landed."

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Wearing | Gear : X | X | X | X | X | L3-37 | Interacting With : Myra Arceneau Dashiell

With Phoebe asleep, Makai was going to make another run for his caf. Carefully he moved along, keeping one arm still as he picked up his now cold caf mug with another. Dumping out the old there were slow, deliberate motions to the pot of caf. He poured a refresh then moved to grab creamer. The little infant stirred, moving her little limbs in her sleep in protest. He stopped all movement before carefully trying again, looking at Ellie for a moment.

"No, it never is."

Makai had a few ideas regarding the refugees but it would take collaboration and time. Of which they may not have much of on either front.

"They've been working with the Nuns of G'aav'aa'roon and now there is an oprhanage we are funding run by Jedi Shan .So there's been some places for the true orphans, ones we can verify as having no where truly to go. I have considered reaching out to governments in the Tingel Arm, in Wild Space. There are small planets who may want some refugees to bolster their population but that is always tricky. Some may want to go but some will be attached to staying in the Hapan Cluster, which creates problems."

Phoebe settled, Makai poured creamer and carefully stirred, not wanting to wake the infant. If he was guessing right, they had about forty minutes or so until she was in an active wake period again.

"There was an Alliance bill? This was...recent? Before or after Phoebe was born? I don't remember reading anything about it but we've been struggling for a few months now so, its understandable."

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x | Tag: Makai Dashiell

Myra leaned back in her chair, arms crossed as she considered Makai's words.

"Before Phoebe," she answered, voice low, not wanting to disturb the fragile peace of a sleeping infant. "Just before. It was buried under other legislative nonsense, but I remember catching parts of it. Something about increased funding for refugee resettlement, but with a lot of bureaucratic strings attached."

Her fingers tapped absently against the table. "If you reach out to governments in the Tingel Arm, you're going to have to weed through the ones looking for cheap labor versus the ones who actually want to help. I'd bet half of them just see displaced people as a workforce solution." Like the Trade Federation.

It was bleak, but she'd seen it happen before -- entire communities shuffled around like pieces on a dejarik board, their survival dependent on whether some distant official saw their value as people or numbers.

She exhaled sharply. "Still, it's an option. I'll dig into the bill, see if there's anything salvageable. Maybe if ATC pushes for emergency provisions, we can move more resources without getting tangled in red tape." Her gaze flicked to his barely disturbed caf.

"Drink that before something else happens. I don't think I can watch you pour another one out."

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Wearing | Gear : X | X | X | X | X | L3-37 | Interacting With : Myra Arceneau Dashiell

"Huh, I don't remember that. Then again, pre-occupied with wedding and other things. I feel the refugee situation wasn't as bad but Coruscant was then and since that is their capital, this makes some sense."

Listening to his wife, he didn't want to remind her to slow down. Phoebe was barely a week old, Ellie was still recovering and would be for some time. He wanted her to relax and focus on herself but to argue the point was a waste of his breath. Once a refugee herself, Makai already knew this was more personal for her. Realistically, he also knew she could relax in bed and scour through the bill.

"It is an option, there is no one answer to this, in my opinion. ATC pushing to at least provide emergency provisions or shelter might be a solution. A patchwork one but..."

Reaching for his caf, Makai finally managed to take a sip. Phoebe didn't stir and thankfully she had seemed to fallen into a deeper sleep against him.

"My apologies Missus Dashiell, however your daughter is very demanding. Reminds me so much of her mother."

A grin from across the counter and he dared take another sip. Maybe he would have to invest in one of those mugs that kept liquids hot for hours on end.

 

[Myra Arceneau Dashiell]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x | Tag: Makai Dashiell


Myra smirked, arching a brow as she leaned forward, arms resting on the table. "Oh? Demanding, am I?"

Her gaze flicked to the peacefully sleeping Phoebe, then back to Makai with a knowing glint. "Funny. I seem to remember a certain someone insisting on handling every single vineyard deal personally last year, despite already having a full plate. Sounds like a familiar trait."

She let the moment linger, eyes twinkling with amusement before sighing. "But yeah… patchwork solutions are better than none. If we wait for a perfect answer, people will slip through the cracks."

She reached for his caf mug, fingers wrapping around the warm ceramic as if debating stealing it. Ultimately, she just nudged it an inch closer to him. "Drink it while it's still hot. We both know you're on borrowed time before she wakes up and demands an audience again."

With that she gave a small sigh. "Okay, let's get some rest and wait for Persie's update. If she's late we'll sic El three and thirty seven at her — I hear thirty seven has updated his hololift music collection — he just might give a spectacular show if he starts singing his way to locate her!”

 

[Makai Dashiell]

Wearing | Gear : X | X | X | X | X | L3-37 | Interacting With : Myra Arceneau Dashiell

"I remember it a little differently." He paused, watching his wife settle in to say differently. "I was merely being picky because is this, from what I can tell, this is the home we will presumably be raising our children in - barring any galactic issues. If I'm going to be spending time here for the next thirty-plus years I want things to be a certain way."

Figuring she was going to steal his caf, he leaned over and kissed her, careful not to disturb the sleeping infant. His plan was going to be to try to successfully transfer the girl to a bassinet. Makai wasn't too confident in his plan but perhaps practice in this situation would eventually turn into success.

"Right, get a nap in before the little demanding princess requests both of us in her presence. Before Persephone comes back and regales us with a tale of how she should still be in the village. Before something disturbs this relative quiet, because it will. Maybe when we both get a little more rest together we can dive into the refugee stuff. Really interested to read that bill I just found out about."

Demanding as a newborn was and how he was to be on paternity leave, there were stretches he was awake on duty with Phoebe where he had time to read or research. Even if they could unlock a small portion of the puzzle, it would be better than not attempting anything at all.

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

“Now we gotta figure out how we’re going to go find him.I mean,the datastick will give me an idea.”

Persephone was walking along with Zee on the streets, brainstorming. She had yet to review the datastick, having to wait until she returned home. Which meant once she visited the bakery she was most likely going to cut her trip short.

Or would that be too suspicious?

[[ Mistress Persephone, may I remind you of the art gallery function presented by the Galactic High Society.Your ballet tutor arrives tomorrow. Your history tutor will be expecting an update on your Ashlan Crusade project. Not to mention your parents are home near constantly while they are taking care of young Miss Phoebe. ]]

“So you’re saying the art gallery event is my only chance for escape? I find that hard to believe, I’ll have to check my schedule in further detail…”

Persephone was suspicious of the droid. It seemed Zee was holding back. Wasn't he on her side? Unfortunately for herself, Zee was a companion she was forced to have.

Brow furrowed as they entered the bakery, the rich smell of pastry and caf permeated her senses, reminding her any real planning and action would have to be done at home.

Quickly she purchased the requested baked goods, not even contacting to see if she could stay out later. There was plotting to be done.

---

Faint mechanical whirring approached the half-closed door. Metallic hand came to knock but decided against it at the least second, instead sticking his head through the opening.

“Mistress Dashiell?” Vocabulator lowered, spotting the sleeping infant. “Mister Dashiell?"

Myra Arceneau Dashiell | Makai Dashiell ​