Private About Time

[Amani Serys]

It had been some time since Amani had been in the Coruscant Temple. She had been hard at work on a long-term mission to the Outer Rim alongside the Vonnuvi Enclave. Though she had time to keep up with family matters on Alderaan, focusing on her work with the Enclave kept her out of NJO business for a good while. It only seemed natural that the person to greet her upon her long-awaited return be Valery.

Amani's ship descended over the Temple hangar, and she descended the ramp to find the Sword waiting for her. Carrying herself with a refreshed sense of purpose, Amani offered a smile, "You been standing there all day just for me?"

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's amber eyes sparkled with warmth and playful reproach as she watched Amani step off the ramp. Her lips curved into a teasing grin. "And you're going to keep me waiting longer for a hug?" she quipped, opening her arms wide as she stepped forward. Before Amani could respond, Valery pulled her into a tight, affectionate embrace, the kind that spoke of years of close friendship and missed companionship.

As they parted, Valery rested her hands lightly on Amani's shoulders, studying her face. "It's been way too long," she said, her voice tinged with both joy and concern. "You've been off saving the Outer Rim without me, huh? How have you been? Tell me everything — there's so much we need to catch up on."

She gestured toward the Temple's exit, her pace light and casual as they began to walk. "I've got tea ready, and we're not leaving a single story untold." Valery gave her friend a sly smirk, but her eyes reflected genuine excitement to reconnect.

Amani Serys ​

 

[Amani Serys]

Amani outstretched her arms in return, but couldn't react in time to the swift bear hug she was then pulled into. She resigned to settling herself into it, returning the hug (albeit with much less force). It was strange to think of how many months it had been. The last time she was away from the Jedi for so long was when she had taken a multi-year hiatus between her time with the Silvers and the NJO. Not that she had been entirely disconnected this time, after all, much of her work was done with her enclave, "Good to finally see you again." She grinned.

"You could say that," She quipped, "Lots of community building. Restoring settlements, even building a few from scratch. Planting gardens, purifying water sources, the works. There's a lot of places out there than don't have the infrastructure we do here." She smiled genuinely, and nodded, "It was nice. Meaningful work." It was more fulfilling than battling supervillains and imperial regimes, as necessary as that was. "Part of the Vonnuvi's refugee population resettled in the process. " Her smile faded slightly, "Though I'm sure it'll only be a matter of time before that population grows again."

There was always another threat around the corner. It was part of the reason she was back at the temple again. The Jedi couldn't afford to have the Chief Healer gone any longer.

"How are things here?"

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's grin softened as she stepped back, her hands resting lightly on Amani's shoulders. "That's amazing work, Amani. I'm glad you feel it has been fulfilling," she said warmly. It was likely a nice change of pace as well, away from the battlefields that had drawn the Mirialan in ever since Tython.

She then nodded, her expression serious but encouraging as Amani mentioned the refugees. "Considering our current situation, I'm expecting more to come, too." Which only made it even more important that the Vonnuvi Enclave helped so many of them resettle. It was an endless struggle, but a vital one.

At the mention of the Temple, Valery sighed, crossing her arms loosely. "It's been busy. Missions, threats, politics… the usual. But we've held strong. I'm just... worried," she admitted, "The Dark Empire and Sith Order have both become more threatening, and now another group of Mandalorians is causing trouble, too."

Amani Serys ​

 

[Amani Serys]

"Considering our current situation, I'm expecting more to come, too."

"Yeah…" Amani affirmed wearily. She rested her hands on her hips, her gaze tracking the familiar landscape around them. Both darksider factions continued to cause trouble, that was no surprise. And to top it off, there was a new Mandalorian problem. Amani rolled her eyes, "Figures." She tried to suppressed her prejudices, though to see this sort of problem arise so soon after the last Mandalorian war couldn't help but make her feel as if her old perspective had been justified.

"So what are we doing about it?" She asked plainly.

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

"We're strengthening our defenses and have made attempts to weaken our enemy," Valery began, though her expression betrayed that the results hadn't been quite as favorable as she had hoped. "We severely weakened the Dark Empire when we stopped them at Coruscant. They haven't launched any major invasion since. But still, the Alliance failed to liberate Tython." It had been a bold strike to try and remove the Dark Empire from the Core. A risk.

But they had proven too well-defended on the ancient Jedi homeworld.

"The Sith Order is the bigger threat, but we're in a stalemate at the borders. Though I expect that'll likely escalate again soon, given recent skirmishes."

Valery paused and let out a soft sigh, "As for the Mandalorians... that conflict is only just beginning. We managed to bring Onderon into the Alliance before they could strike, but I fear a battle there is inevitable."

Amani Serys ​

 

[Amani Serys]

Amani's brow furrowed, and her expression wrinkled in distaste. She was irked to have missed another conflict at Tython. Especially knowing the Empire were the ones in control. Every second they were was a disrespect to the history of the Jedi, and to Amani's own upbringing. "Sounds like we've got our hands full."

"Has there been any open hosilities with the Mandalorians yet? Is there any chance to talk them down?" Probably not, given past experiences, but if they could take it off their plates, that would make the other two problems much easier, "Any indication where the Sith Order might be looking to hit us next?"

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery nodded solemnly as Amani spoke, her expression carrying the weight of the discussion. "There has already been open hostility with the Mandalorians," she explained. "A battle on Onderon and its moon, Dxun. The Alliance managed to secure both, but it was hard-fought. These Mandalorian crusaders are relentless and have shown no willingness to negotiate peace. Every engagement with them has been brutal and unforgiving."

Her amber eyes flickered with a brief, pensive light as she continued, "In the past, I believed there was room for discussion with some Mandalorian groups. The Mandalorian Enclave, for instance, had members who sought cooperation or neutrality. But these crusaders? Their intent is clear — conquest and domination. I don't believe there's any reasoning with them this time."

Valery sighed softly, her gaze distant for a moment before she refocused on Amani. "As for the Sith Order, any Southern border world is at risk. Their forces are heavily concentrated in those regions, and they've already tested our defenses with smaller skirmishes. We've been fortifying those worlds, preparing for what feels like the inevitable escalation. The Southern systems are our best guess for where they'll strike next, but with the Sith, it's never certain."

Her voice grew steadier as she leaned forward slightly, her fiery gaze locking onto Amani's. "We can't spread ourselves thin, but we can't afford to underestimate any of these threats. It's a delicate balance, and one we'll need to face together."

Amani Serys ​

 

[Amani Serys]

"Right," Amani nodded, recalling mentions of such action on the news. "Well, at least it's pretty cut and dry this time," The Jedi had a long history of trying to reason with unreasonable enemies. But it seemed evident this time that the outcome was more or less determined for them. If the Mandalorians would not value peace, then the Jedi would fight.

"Do we have any allies in the fight? Beyond our own worlds?" It was something that often seemed missing these days. The Galactic Alliance, though big and powerful itself, was often on its own.

Valery Noble​