Private Back in The Saddle

[Nienna Vess]

Valery Noble

Nienna hadn't been to Coruscant in some time...

The towering spires, the endless sea of metropolitan existence.. it was all she had known about the planet. Yet, in the wake of the brutal attack from the Dark Empire, she stood at the foot of the Jedi Temple wondering where things had gone wrong...

The legendary Senate building was still rubble, and she could only look upon it with despair... had they gone so wrong? Or had the Force told them that they were led astray? She knew not, but had hoped that perhaps, just perhaps, her meeting with Valery would help her find some guidance.

In truth, Nienna felt somewhat at fault for the destruction. She had spent entirely too much time away from the Order, as it were... and though it was in search of greater enlightenment, Nienna could not help but to think that it was folly. The livelihood of those she had sworn to protect had been put to the torch, torn asunder by the machinations of those with ill intent. The very thought disgusted her... perhaps something this meet could shed some light on as well.

She should have been here... the thought kept crossing her mind like a recurring nightmare. So many innocents dead...

How does one bear such a burden?

She turned her head slightly to Val, and with a half-genuine smile she would simply say...

"I'm glad you came."

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's gaze was somber as she approached Nienna, feeling the weight of devastation all around them. Coruscant's fractured skyline stood like a testament to the darkness they'd faced. She could sense Nienna's anguish, the regret of time lost, and the pain of not being there to defend what they'd sworn to protect.

"Thank you for reaching out," Valery said, her voice carrying warmth and understanding. "I know how hard it is to return and face everything that's been lost, but it's also good to see how much progress has been made already." The Jedi Temple had been restored and it wouldn't be long before the Senate building was either.

It reminded her of the day she found her old Temple in ruins after waking from stasis, only to have it rebuilt by Kahlil Noble as a surprise.

Taking a deep breath, Valery looked out over the ruins again, then back to Nienna with determination shining in her amber eyes, "Come on, let's walk and talk. There's a lot to discuss, and I'm here for whatever guidance you need."

Nienna Vess ​

 

[Nienna Vess]

Valery Noble

"It is my duty," was all she could mutter in response to Valery's initial comment. She never questioned the sincerity of it, but the guilt that she felt outweighed any measure of acceptance that Val could offer.

"Progress, yes... yet so much is yet to be rebuilt."

Her eyes drifted back to the distant ruins, their presence a stark reminder of her own failures.

"A walk would be nice..."

They proceeded on their walk, and throughout it Nienna felt distant. Had she grown so far from her own? She shuddered at the thought, though Val would see none of it. She would opt to keep the common stoic composure of a proper Jedi master, and would look to Val with that same level of stoicism.

"There is little to be said about what has happened, so perhaps we may discuss what has yet come to pass. How have we assisted the people? Do we have a plan moving forward?"

She showed no yearning in her voice, but one attentive enough would be able to sense it nonetheless.

"And... how many did we lose?"

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery walked beside Nienna in quiet understanding, feeling the weight of loss and regret that lingered between them. She listened closely, sensing the unspoken ache in her friend's heart, and when Nienna finally voiced her questions, Valery's gaze softened.

"We've done our best," Valery began, her voice low and steady. "The Order and the Senate have worked together to provide aid, rebuild homes, and support those who lost everything. The resilience of the people has been remarkable, but it will take time for Coruscant to heal. Luckily, there are some ongoing efforts to provide more aid. A new bill is in the works, and our current Chancellor has also laid the ground work for humanitarian aid back when he was still a senator."

When Nienna asked about their losses, Valery's expression grew somber. "We lost many. Civilians, soldiers, and Jedi. Friends, students, mentors. Each one is honored and remembered." She paused, meeting Nienna's gaze. "We carry them with us, not as a weight but as a source of strength. They drive us to protect what's left."

"As for numbers... we still don't know."

Nienna Vess ​

 

[Nienna Vess]

Valery Noble

"People are remarkable like that. They can go through countless tribulations, and somehow find their way to the other side."

It was a statement made with a sort of half-sincerity. There was truth in her words, but there was a part of her that couldn't help but to look upon the works of the Sith and see only loss. Her gaze drifted away for a moment as she processed Val's words, her mind considering the future.

"I am glad that progress has been made, no matter how long the healing may take."

Her steps paused for a moment, her head hanging as she considered her next words. Yet, only a short sentence could be produced.

"I... I should have been there."

The guilt had now become apparent, for she couldn't hold it back any longer. She had her reasons for leaving Coruscant. Good ones. Yet, that nagging feeling in the back of her mind just wouldn't let go. Perhaps if she had been on Coruscant during the attack, not as many lives would have been lost. Perhaps she could have done something... anything...

She shook the feeling away, resuming the walk as her eyes finally met Val's once again.

"Apologies, it's all just so... overwhelming."

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery paused as Nienna's steps faltered, her friend's words carrying the heavy weight of guilt and regret. She watched as Nienna's gaze dropped, her own expression softening with empathy. The pause between them allowed the silence to stretch, not awkward, but filled with the understanding of shared burdens.

"You shouldn't apologize," Valery said gently, her voice steady but warm. "Feeling overwhelmed after everything that's happened is only natural. It's a reflection of how much you care, of how deeply you feel the loss." Her amber eyes searched Nienna's face, offering reassurance without judgment.

Valery's steps resumed alongside Nienna's, the rhythmic sound of their movement grounding the conversation. "I won't pretend to know exactly what you're feeling, but I do know this — none of us can be everywhere, no matter how much we wish we could be. You weren't there during the attack, but that doesn't mean you haven't played a vital role in helping those who survived. And there's still so much more we can do for them."

Valery offered a small, encouraging smile. "What matters now is what we do going forward. How we honor those we've lost and how we continue to protect the galaxy. That's what truly defines us."

Nienna Vess ​

 

[Nienna Vess]

Valery Noble

Nienna's eyes would link with those of her comrade, a glimmer of appreciation sneaking its way through her conflicted gaze. The Grandmaster had not become so from her skill with a lightsaber alone, nor through her talents in the Force. Such a position required empathy, understanding, and a way with words. It was why Nienna had reached out to her directly.

"Thank you. It is easy to forget that in times like these."

Straightening her posture, Nienna let out a long sigh, as if trying to expunge her innermost doubts in a single breath. Closing her eyes, she took a moment to simply linger on the Grandmaster's words, allowing herself at least a moment of solace within the moment.

"You are right... all that is left is to move forward how we can."

Opening her eyes, she began walking alongside the Grandmaster, her movements holding a slightly more confident swing to them as she spoke.

"Tell me what we know of this new Empire... I heard troubling rumors. Whispers have moved, carrying the name of Solipsis with them. Is it true? Has he returned?"

The battle of Tython during the Second Great Hyperspace War was not easily forgotten by those who had fought upon the world. Nienna could remember the cries of the wounded, the shrieking of starfighters, and the pain of her old master. She had only been an apprentice, then, and perhaps too eager of one at that. But that seemed like a century ago, now... though there would likely never be a time that it wouldn't feel like just yesterday all the same.

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's expression grew more serious as Nienna asked about the new Empire, the warmth in her amber eyes giving way to a quiet intensity. She walked in step with her comrade, her tone steady but edged with the weight of what she was about to say.

"The new Empire is... complicated," Valery began, choosing her words carefully. "It contains remnants of the Maw, warlords from scattered Imperial territories, and other groups that have united under a common banner. Their goal is the same as always — dominance. But their methods and leadership seem to be in flux."

She paused, letting the words sink in before continuing. "As for Solipsis... yes, he returned. When the Dark Empire began to take shape, his presence was felt again, and it sent shockwaves through the galaxy. For a time, he rallied their forces, strengthened their resolve when they invaded the core. But..." Her voice dipped slightly, her tone cautious. "He has vanished again. There are no confirmed reports of his death, and his absence has left a void."

She stopped walking for a moment, turning to fully face Nienna. "What I'm most concerned about is who or what will rise to fill that void. Solipsis may have been their figurehead, but the dark side always finds a way to empower new leaders, and the galaxy rarely gets a reprieve from their schemes."

Her eyes searched Nienna's face, gauging her reaction. "That's why we have to be vigilant. The whispers of his name still carry fear, but the true danger lies in what comes next."

Nienna Vess ​