Private Bite to eat - Food for thought

[Connel Vanagor]

Hungry!
TYTHON
KITCHEN

Bark

What?

Grrr

Excuse me? Who’re you talking to?! It may sound like he was getting mad, but anyone who knew Connel knew he never did with his best friend. Who? Who else but "Buster"? If you didn’t, all you had to do was see their exchange. Connel knew exactly what Buster was wanting, and Buster knew as well.

Sit… siiiit… good boy. With that, the Shadow gave his best friend a piece of cured meat as he went back to kneading the dough he was putting together. [/COLOR]

Grrr

Laughing Will you give me a minute? Here… here take some cheese. Taking one of the small blocks of cheese he had out and putting it on the ground, Connel knew that would keep Buster occupied while he rolled out the dough and began putting his … their dinner together. He sensed a shift and smirked.

Now be on your best behavior… we’re about to have company…

Valery Noble • TAGS​

 

[Valery Noble]

​

The door creaked open with the slow hiss of pressure equalizing — and in stepped Valery, hair pulled back in a loose braid, travel coat draped over one shoulder, and a small, tentative presence just behind her.

"Aurra," she said gently, glancing over her shoulder, "You coming in?"

A tiny blonde head peeked around Valery's side. Aurra, six years old and clearly unsure whether this counted as an official mission or a very big detour. Her small hand clutched the hem of her mother's coat, but her wide blue eyes immediately locked onto the most important thing in the room.

"...Doggy," she whispered.

Their eyes met — girl and beast — and an invisible line was drawn. Aurra stepped forward, cautiously at first, then with increasing bravery until she was standing just a few feet away, hands clasped behind her back.

"Can I pet him?" she asked, voice soft but hopeful as she looked up at Connel.

Valery smirked and stepped further in, eyes flicking to the rolling dough and the warm scent of food settling into the air.

"Hope we're not interrupting," she said, giving Buster a small nod of respect. "She's been asking about him since we landed. I figured it was time she met your… partner." Her tone was amused, but warm. Valery leaned casually against the frame of the door, arms folding loosely.

Connel Vanagor ​

 

[Connel Vanagor]

Hungry!
TYTHON
KITCHEN

When the door opened, the pup’s attention was laser focused on it. He soon trotted around the island to see who was coming in and promptly sat down. A big smile on his face and his tail (and butt) going a parsec a minute, he was all too happy to welcome them.

Master Noble! Come on in! Don’t mind us, we’re just making something to eat. A cool little doughy dish they make on Mindabaal called “Peatzuh”.... He looked down, as Buster was living up to his “Wigglebutt” nickname. ... and you must be the world famous “Aurra”? It’s a pleasure to meet you.

Buster showed, yet again that he knows more than he is letting on, giving Val his “nod”, which was hopping up on his hind legs and waving his paws before sitting back down. When she asked if she could pet him, he half nodded with a smirk and winked. I don’t know… I don’t think he wants to say “Hi”.

THAT set the pup off as he started hopping up and down, whining hopefully and looking back and forth between Connel and Aurra. Connel looked over at him,Well do you? More excitement. Of course you can! Be nice though!

Buster of course tore around the island and STOPPED right in front of little Aurra and became a perfect little gentleman, waiting for the little one to make a move(Feel free and involve him all you like ). Connel watched for them for a moment as the Grandmaster explained what was going on. Anytime she wants to come by and say “Hi” or take him to play, or whatever, she is welcome. He wasn’t trying to be forceful or anything, but Buster was a very social boi.

As he put the “peatzuh” in the oven, he turned around If you’re hungry, I made more than enough. He clearly looked like he wanted to ask something, he did was holding back as if not to be pushy.

Valery Noble • TAGS​

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Valery chuckled under her breath as Buster did his little hop-and-wave routine, that bushy tail spinning like a repulsor fan. "That's quite the welcome," she murmured, casting a glance at Connel, brow slightly arched in amusement. "He could give Jedi a run for their credits with those social skills."

Aurra, meanwhile, had frozen mid-step when Buster started hopping — not in fear, but wide-eyed awe. She let out a tiny gasp, her little hands flying to her cheeks. "He waved at me, Mommy…"

Valery smiled softly at her daughter's wonder, then gave the tiniest nod, encouraging. "Go on," she said gently.

The girl took one step, then another, until she was close enough to crouch in front of him. Tiny fingers reached out — careful, slow — and brushed through the fur on his head. "Hi, Buster," she whispered, like she was meeting a Jedi Master. Her other hand followed, gentle and deliberate, scratching behind one ear.

Buster, of course, melted.

Valery watched the interaction unfold with a warmth that softened her usual edge. She looked back toward Connel as he turned from the oven, the scent of that so-called "peatzuh" starting to make her stomach realize it hadn't had a proper meal in hours.

"You really shouldn't tempt me with food," she said with a faint smirk, stepping further into the room and shedding her coat. "But… since you've clearly made extra and this smells incredible…" She trailed off with an amused shrug, sinking onto the edge of a nearby chair.

Aurra was now sitting cross-legged on the floor, fully engaged in a whispered conversation with Buster about whether he liked tauntaunts or not.

Valery rested an elbow on the table and looked back at Connel.

"You were going to ask something," she said quietly, sensing the hesitation he'd tried to mask.

Connel Vanagor ​

 

[Connel Vanagor]

Hungry!
TYTHON
KITCHEN

He’s helping me break out of my shell every day. There was a time that Connel was almost unable to really converse with anyone, but this little pup has been an ice breaker, a buffer, all balled up in a furry little ball of love and fun. He smirked at the two little ones in their sudden conversation as Val observed just how great the aroma was.

Well, like I said, I made more than enough, so… When she made the ever astute observation that he wanted to ask something, he chuckled, but checked the peatzuhs, dual because one was already in there. Picking up the edges and looking under, he pulled it out (on a flapboard) and put it on a cutting section of the island. That definitely caught Buster’s attention, but he did not leave the attention of little Aurra.

Don’t look at me like that, you know what this is. Cutting the disk into slices and making four plates, the ooey gooey cheesy flatbread was still steaming as he offered them to everyone. All cheese, good for little ones, be it pups or little girls.

Well… I wanted to ask this somewhere else, but… Devaron… you barely made a sound… is that a skill or just experience? He asked out of genuine wide eyed (though his eyes were of normal size) curiosity. I know I’m not a true Shadow, and I don’t mean that to be self-deprecating, I just want to keep learning, you know? Keep evolving.

Taking a cut of paper towel and dabbing it on top of the dish, he threw the now somewhat greasy piece of paper in the recycler. I mean, I owe so much to my father… but he can’t teach me anything more… at least not relevant to my path, you know? A far cry from the troubled young man he was only a short while ago.

Valery Noble • TAGS​

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Valery accepted the plate with a nod of thanks, the rising steam already curling around her face. She didn't bite just yet. Instead, she let her fingers rest against the warm ceramic as her gaze lifted to meet Connel's.

"You're not wrong. It's a skill," she said after a moment, "Refined over time. Anyone can learn to walk quietly with enough practice. But doing it under pressure? In armor? With half a dozen hostile sensors pinging your every move?" She tilted her head slightly. "That's where experience becomes instinct."

Aurra giggled behind her. Buster had flopped dramatically onto his side, tail wagging like a metronome. Valery's mouth curved softly at the sound, but her eyes stayed on Connel.

"I wasn't cloaking myself on Devaron. Not fully. Force Cloak bends light and sound. True invisibility." Her fingers tapped once against the table, as if marking the difference. "But that takes a lot of focus. You break your concentration, you break the cloak. What I did was simpler. Practical stealth. Body control. Breath discipline. Sound mapping the terrain before you even take a step."

She finally took a bite of the peatzuh, and her brows lifted in approval. Molten cheese, crisped edge, a hint of seasoning. "Okay," she murmured with mock seriousness, "I get the hype now."

Setting the plate down, she leaned back, eyes warm.

"You don't need to be a Shadow to learn it. You just need time and a good reason to move without being seen." She glanced past him, to where Aurra now had Buster lying across her lap like a weighted blanket.


"If you're serious about evolving... I can teach you."

Connel Vanagor ​

 

[Connel Vanagor]

Hungry!
TYTHON
KITCHEN

Connel was busy cutting up Buster’s piece into bite size chunks, but leaving the crust whole (he loves it whole) and setting it aside as Valery was explaining. He made it clear that he was listening though. It was astounding really to think about. Walking quietly was one thing, she was gliding with every step, and not the type when a woman is “all dolled up”. That is crazy. In a good way, to be sure.

Looking at Buster for a moment, and recalling little Aurra’s question to him that the Shadow had overheard, he pulled the datapad on the counter to within reach while still paying attention to the Grandmaster explaining “practical stealth”. Pressing a few buttons on a “shopping site”, he picked up the pad and turned it so she would see. It was a “pet costume” shop and Taun Tauns were on the list clearly as he pulled it up and enhanced the picture for her to see where she was.

With a chuckle, he put it down and then glanced her way again as she took a bite. Right?

Slipping the plates down next to Aurra and Buster, he straightened up and as Buster looked up for permission, he nodded. Go ahead, but don’t steal. Almost instantly the contents of Buster’s plate were gone, and Connel was busy sliding more onto it from what he had already prepared.

Then when she offered to teach it to him, he couldn’t contain himself. Really?! That would be GREAT! Composing himself, Vanagor took a bite and chewed on it for a moment before speaking. I mean, I don’t want to take your time away from others. I mean, you have a lot on your plate. I am busy a lot too… but whenever possible.. yeah!

Bark

What? Looking down at Buster, still excited.

Yap

No! You had two! And crusts!

Grr

With a sigh and a laugh, Connel ripped his crust off and gave it to Buster who went back to hanging around Aurra. She was just too cool!

Anyway… yeah… if and whenever you can… that would be great!

Valery Noble • TAGS​