Private Blossoms of Hope

[Briana Sal-Soren]

Wearing: XoXo
Equipment: Lightsaber
Location: Lake Country, Naboo
Tag: Valery Noble

The warm sunlight cascaded over the lush landscape of Naboo, bathing everything in a warm, golden hue as a delicate breeze whispered through the grove of weeping willows, their slender branches swaying in graceful unison and forming a protective canopy around the majestic edifice that stood in their midst. Once a mere vacation retreat, the lake house had become the new haven for what remained of her mother's family, a respite after the unforgiving Cataclysm had razed their ancestral home of Evenfall.

Clad in a gown that flowed with the grace of Naboo's blossoms, Briana stood at the precipice of the crystalline lake. The tranquil waters, disturbed only by gentle ripples, mirrored the ebb and flow of emotions that danced within her heart—a symphony of relief and great trepidation intertwined. Her old Master, the woman she considered kin, was returning after weeks of absence—weeks that'd been filled with the ominous void of silence. Rumors of Valery's torture and all she'd endured, had reached Briana's ears, her mind conjuring up the most dreadful images that blended together with the unknown fate of her parents through days on end. But as she stood there, the warm sunlight kissing her face, Briana felt a glimmer of hope that she desperately clung to. Valery was alive and on her way, ready to meet her at this very spot.

If Valery could endure the unimaginable, then perhaps her parents possessed a similar strength.

Hearing the sound of a soft hum in the nearby distance snatched her from her thoughts, grounding her back into the present. Turning, she could see the approaching figure of whom she knew to be Valery, and felt her breath hitch. Her unmistakable presence in the Force was a beacon of warmth and familiarity, eclipsing the weight of her worries that now paled in comparison to the sheer happiness that overcame her. With a smile of unmatched joy she raced to meet the woman, completely unconcerned with decorum as her gown billowed around her like a pale silk cloud until their inevitable collision, her arms encircling Valery in a tight embrace that conveyed the depths of her relief. Tears of joy welled in Briana's crystalline eyes, her voice quivering as she spoke, "You have no idea how worried I was! I'm so glad you're okay."

 

[Valery Noble]

Naboo

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Outfit: Dress | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Tag: Briana Sal-Soren

Valery had for once not chosen to fly to Naboo herself, but rather take public transport. It was still weird to "take it easy" but she had promised her husband that she wouldn't put any unnecessary stress on herseld, and take as much time as she needed to fully recover. It was sadly just a lengthy process, and even with Kahlil and Vera helping her out so much, it was not easy. So in an attempt to let the mind heal, Valery decided on a small trip to meet with someone she considered family.

She had no interest or energy to meet with other Jedi or even some of her friends, but Briana, Iris, and her other Padawans were always the exception.

After eventually leaving behind the spaceport, Valery caught a taxi ride to bring her closer to the lake, but still insisted on walking the rest of the way. She had always loved to be in nature, and few things were more relaxing than going for walks. Usually she preferred them with husband and kids, but today she'd have some other amazing company. It made her feel joyful, so she quickly began to hum a melody of her own people while she walked along the path.

Until she spotted her.

Valery stopped and froze immediately, and already felt tears welling up in her eyes. She didn't move, she didn't call out, and just opened her arms wide to invite Briana into a tight and warm embrace. "I know, and I'm so sorry for scaring all of you," Valery said, her voice cracking up while she tightened the hug. "It's good to see you again, Bri. I really missed you." She pulled back for just a moment to look her former student in the eyes, and she smiled.

She already felt so much better.

 

[Briana Sal-Soren]

Wearing: XoXo
Equipment: Lightsaber
Location: Lakehouse, Lake Country, Naboo
Tag: Valery Noble

Briana's voice trembled slightly, mingling with tears and sniffles as she mustered the strength to respond. "Hey, don't go apologizing now," she spoke, gently pulling back from the embrace and endeavoring to summon up that inherited Corellian charm, coaxing forth a wistful smirk. "You're still standing and that's more than enough. It's just," she continued, attempting to infuse her words with a mix of warmth and lightheartedness, "promise me that you won't go disappearing like that again. I don't think my heart can bear the weight of another vanishing act."

She reached out to grasp Valery by the hands, giving them a gentle squeeze and guiding pull towards the lake house standing behind them amidst the lush landscape. "C'mon, let's head inside," she suggested, "you've been through enough, what'dya say we let the worries of the galaxy fade for a little while?"

With a nudge she escorted Valery up the stony pathway and passed the threshold of the lake house, the grandeur of the ancestral home unfurling before them in a harmonious blend of opulence and taste, a testament to the refined sensibilities of the illustrious Ee'everwest lineage. Intricate tapestries, meticulously woven by skilled Naboo artisans, adorned the walls, each one a capturing various facets of the planet's rich history and vibrant culture. Scenes of regal celebrations intertwined with depictions of idyllic landscapes, figures in traditional garb dancing across the fabric, breathing life into the tapestries' beauty.

Sculptures, hewn from gleaming marble, graced the spacious halls, acting as sentinels of artistic brilliance. Amongst them was the family's patron goddess, Shiraya, tall and resplendent, her form sculpted with meticulous attention to detail that sought to capture the essence of her divine grace. A reminder of the family's deep devotion to their ancestral roots and traditions.

Briana glanced at Valery, watching as she absorbed her surroundings. "Welcome to what's become my family's sanctuary," she murmured, her voice filled with a modicum of reverence and pride. "Before my family made their permanent residency at Evenfall, several generations called this place home. A lot of my family's heritage was enshrined here before the Cataclysm, and what could be salvaged from the wreckage of Evenfall was brought back to this place. A lot of this stuff is... centuries old."

Before they could go any further, a figure of striking beauty emerged at the top of the baluster. "You must be Valery," she greeted warmly, winding down the staircase to greet them, approaching the duo with an otherworldly grace and an aura that exuded motherly comfort. "I've heard so much about you." a soft smile lighted over her dusky visage.

"This is Sera," Briana interjected, "She's been with our family for several generations and was like a second mother to me and my siblings growing up. I asked her to come and attend to whatever needs you have. Anything you might want... Sera will make sure it's taken care of."

"Happy to be of service."

 

[Valery Noble]

Naboo

​

Outfit: Dress | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Tag: Briana Sal-Soren

The smirk on Briana's face and the strength in her bright blue eyes brought a gentle smile to Valery's face, and despite a few lingering tears, she couldn't stop herself from chuckling. "I promise. I... can't ever do that to my family again." She knew how it had affected the kids, but they were kept relatively in the dark, or were just too young to understand everything. Kahlil was who she worried about the most. The anger, his will to tap into the Dark Side to do anything he could to save her... he had even told her how much he needed her to keep him in check.

She could not abandon him every again.

Briana then gently took Valery's shaking hands, and as she squeezed, Valery gained back some of her composure. A deep breath was taken, before she finally nodded in agreement, "That sounds wonderful, Bri. Thank you so much," she said with a smile, before following Bri up the stony pathway, and into her ancestral home. Valery had no words that could even begin to describe its beauty, as she looked around — it was straight from one of her dreams. If Valery could ever pick any place to live, it would be something just like this.

"It might be old, but it's... amazing. Sure beats my little apartment," Valery smirked and was about to follow after Bri again, when another presence appeared. Valery blinked, not recognizing the woman at all, but when Briana told her that she had been with the family for generations, things started to click. She was a servant here, very different from the Hapan servants she had... admired... at Teyla's place. But she felt warm and inviting, which was exactly what Valery needed right now. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Sera," Valery began.

"Could I uh, maybe have a glass of water?" She didn't want to ask too much, but that felt like it was easy enough. "You didn't have to arrange all of this for me, Bri. But... I appreciate it a lot."

 

[Briana Sal-Soren]

Wearing: XoXo
Equipment: Lightsaber
Location:
Tag: Valery Noble

"Please," Sera responded, bowing her head gracefully. "The pleasure is mine, Master Jedi." with a sweeping gesture, she ushered Briana and Valery into one of the adjacent rooms.

Stepping inside, the room offered spacious ambiance with its painted, high-vaulted ceilings. Long cushioned chaises were positioned near wide windows to offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, and a table in the center of it all was outfitted with a colorful bouquet of exotic fruits and vegetables - their hues ranging from deep purples to vibrant oranges and luscious greens.

"Make yourself comfortable," Sera suggested, "I'll fetch your glass of water right away." With that said, the HRD retreated, leaving Briana and Valery to enjoy the tranquil space, the soft rustle of her footsteps barely disturbing the hushed atmosphere.

Briana smiled, waving her thanks to Sera as she departed before turning back to Valery. "We wanted to make your visit as special as possible. To both me and Brandyn you're like family, you know?"

 

[Valery Noble]

Naboo

​

Outfit: Dress | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Tag: Briana Sal-Soren

"I wish I could stay at a place like this for a week with my family," Valery said with a chuckle, as she looked around. Each new room they entered somehow managed to surprise her all over again with how beautiful it was. So the thought of spending some time in a place like this with family to relax and enjoy a vacation would be a dream coming true. Perhaps one day, she'd be able to settle down somewhere with Kahlil and enjoy the peacefulness of a home like this.

Valery then flashed Sera a smile when she left to get some water, and turned back to Briana. Her emotions weren't as overwhelming anymore, but there was still a lot of relief visible in her eyes. For a moment that lasted far too long, Valery had wondered if she'd ever be able to see the people she cared about again.

Briana would always be among those people.

"You're like family to me as well, Bri," Valery said with a warm smile. "I've always been able to count on you, and... I'll always be very grateful for that." From being stabbed in the gut by Kaahlil, to believing to have lost her husband and now this — Briana had never once failed to support her through difficult times. Similarly, Valery would always be there for her as well.

Like true family.

"How uh, have things been here for you? I hope Brandyn hasn't been too difficult," Valery said with a chuckle, before a sudden grin took over. "And still dating soldier boy?"

 

[Briana Sal-Soren]

Wearing: XoXo
Equipment: Lightsaber
Location: Ee'everwest Estate, Lakecountry, Naboo
Tag: Valery Noble , FYI: Brandyn Sal-Soren , Lossa Darcuhl

Briana felt a warmth in her chest at Valery's words. "You've always had my back, too." she replied with a smile, touched by the sentiment. The bond they shared was special, one that had grown strong over their time together and was sure to continue flourishing now that the Jedi Master was safely home.

There weren't many people that Briana could say she trusted implicitly, but Valery had always been one of them, especially after all they'd been through. "You know, Val," she began with a small, knowing smile and tilt of her head, glancing around at the sculptures and artwork that decorated the room, all a reminder of her family's grandeur and history. "this place could always use a little more chaos to liven it up and my Mom is always saying how quiet things are now that all her 'babies' are grown up. So, when you're ready for that week with your family - just say the word." Carefully, Briana adjusted the edge of her gossamer gown before settling into one of the plush chairs beside the window overlooking the panoramic views of the lake, gesturing for Valery to join her while motioning to some of the snacks that'd been elaborately laid out along the table. "Help yourself to whatever you'd like." she told her, rolling her eyes playfully at the mention of Aiden, a rose hue of color spilling across her cheeks.

"Yes, I'm still seeing Aiden—or as you like to call him, 'soldier boy,' thank you very much. He's away on duty right now, but he'll be back in the next few weeks," she murmured, her cerulean eyes narrowing briefly as she considered all that was on her plate. The upcoming ceremony—an engagement she felt ill-equipped for but was thrust upon her due to circumstances—the relentless task of preparing her young padawan Lily for her future role in the Jedi Order, her parents' unexplained disappearance, Cybelle's secret that she'd tasked her with keeping, and worst of all—Brandyn's erratic behavior that'd first become noticeable during Lossa Darcuhl 's hospital visit. Briana inhaled deeply through her nose, running her slender fingers through her dark locks of carefully curled hair. "We might try and get away, just the two of us, after I've finished commemorating the ceremony for the Cataclysm—location yet to be determined. But, things have been... manageable, considering. And by 'things', I mean 'Brandyn'." she grinned, opting to avoid the topic of her own life for now, popping a tart piece of plum in her mouth. "So, tell me what you think of Naboo? A lot different since the last time you were here. What have you liked most?"

 

[Valery Noble]

Naboo

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Outfit: Dress | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Tag: Briana Sal-Soren

"Really?" Valery asked, clearly quite happy that she'd allow her to come here with the whole family. Sure, she'd have to be careful that the kids wouldn't break anything, but they'd all love it. "I appreciate that a lot, Bri. I think Vera would love to play princess here, or just enjoy the scenery with Kahlil and I." She smiled very lovingly and raised a hand up, to tuck aside some of her long locks behind her ear.

"I could even take the triplets for walks and-" she stopped, blinked and chuckled when she realized that she was about to rant away about how lovely it would be. "Thank you," she decided to add, but she wasn't just going to gush over her family and the idea of vacations here. As soon as she mentioned Aiden, Valery noticed a little shift in Briana — the rolling of her eyes, the gentle blush that colored her cheeks.

It made Valery grin from ear to ear.

"I'm glad to hear it. You seem really happy, so I hope it all continues to go well," Valery then said with a smile, while she made a little mental note to herself. It wouldn't be too hard to help Briana meet her soldier boy, right? The GADF often requested Jedi for their missions, and as the Sword of the Jedi, Valery assigned them when the missions involved combat.

Ideas were already forming in her mind.

"Brandyn hasn't been difficult? That's a first." She smirked and nodded along, "If you need any help with anything though, you can always let me know. As for Naboo... I've enjoyed just being away from the busy Coruscant. I grew up in a jungle, so being in nature is where I feel at home. It's why I'd really like to go for walks here with my family."

 

[Briana Sal-Soren]

Wearing: XoXo
Equipment: Lightsaber
Location: Lake Country, Ee'everwest Estate
Tag: Valery Noble

The swell of enthusiasm in Valery's voice as she imagined what a vacation with her family might look like at the Estate, stirred something deep in Briana—painting images of sun-soaked afternoons and echoing laughter through the grand hallways—memories of her own childhood resurfacing. "Of course," Briana smiled warmly, eyes flickering over the room that had seen countless gatherings over the years. "this place was meant to be shared with family and friends. Besides, how could I deny Vera the chance to play Princess?" she chuckled, "You and Khalil deserve the break."

An affectionate smile wreathed her lips when her own happiness came up, reaching all the way to her cerulean eyes as she permitted herself a moment of introspection over the journey she and Aiden had undertaken together. Both of them had been in such dark places when they first found each other—Briana burdened by the aftermath of the Cataclysm and Aiden wrestling with the guilt and heartache of his fallen comrades. Yet, in each other's presence, they found solace and unexpected healing. It was an inexplicable connection that seemed to thrive and flourish with every precious moment spent together—a magnetism that rendered her utterly powerless to resist. Not that had any desire to do so. "We'll see how things go," she tried to deflect coyly, though there was no mistaking the heartfelt warmth resonating in her voice. "But so far it's been... wonderful."

Valery's mention of Brandyn's lack of difficulty prompted a smirk from Briana. "There's a first for everything, right? Maybe the Force works in mysterious ways after all?" she quipped, "But yeah, don't worry. I know I can count on you, if need be."

Relaxing in her seat, Briana gave a nod of agreement with Valery, "It's definitely a breath of fresh air to be away from Coruscant," She sighed appreciatively, fingers tapping a contemplative rhythm against the armrests. "If you'd like, we could go for a walk together now? The gardens are huge and in full bloom right now, or we can go to the waterfalls? Get an idea of some of the places you can take your family when you guys come here?"

It was then that Sera's voice chimed in, gracefully drifting towards Valery and presenting her with a cool glass of water. "Your aunt Alora and I went to the falls just the other day," she offered, "If you don't mind my saying, then I'd suggest taking her there, first. The falls are an absolutely breathtaking sight, and the sound of cascading water has a soothing quality that could ease even the most troubled minds."