Private Catching Up

[Everest Vale]

Outfit: Personal Armour
Equipment: Lightsaber, Bracelet, Earrings, Seer Stone, Wayfinder's Flare, Atrisian Dancer, Engagement Ring
Companion: Isari
Tag: Valery Noble

The gardens of Snowpeak Sanctuary were quiet except for the soft voices of children, their silvery hair catching the late morning light. Eve sat cross-legged in front of them, her posture relaxed, her single silver eye warm and bright. Beside her, Isari snoozed gently, blissfully content.

"So remember, little ones," she said gently. "The Force is not something far away. It's in the wind across your cheeks, the strength in your heartbeat, the way you feel each other beside you. It flows through us, and with us. All you need to do… is listen."

The group of mostly Echani younglings nodded, some more solemn than others, before they all bowed their heads in thanks. Their class tender clapped her hands softly, urging them to rise. One by one, the children filed out of the garden, whispering to each other about what they had felt, about what they hoped to learn next.

Eve exhaled a quiet sigh as the last of them disappeared through the archway, leaving her alone amidst the marble paths and the gentle fragrance of mountain blossoms. She tilted her face up toward the sky, the peaks looming in the distance, and let herself be still.

It was then she felt it, soft but thoroughly unmistakable. A presence she knew as deeply as her own heartbeat. A warmth she had not felt here in some time.

Her lips curved into a smile.

 

[Valery Noble]

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

"They really seem to like you," Valery said softly, as the last of the younglings disappeared through the archway. A smile curved her lips as she stepped forward from the path where she had lingered, arms folded loosely while she watched. "They were hanging onto every word you gave them."

She chuckled and began to walk over to her former Padawan. There was pride in her gaze, a warmth that had been there from the moment she had first felt Eve's presence in the Force. "I wanted to see you like this," Valery admitted, her orange eyes never straying. "Teaching, guiding… standing as a Knight in your own right."

She stopped just a step away, her smile softening into something more personal. "You've come a long way, Eve."

Everest Vale ​

 

[Everest Vale]

Outfit: Personal Armour
Equipment: Lightsaber, Bracelet, Earrings, Seer Stone, Wayfinder's Flare, Atrisian Dancer, Engagement Ring
Companion: Isari
Tag: Valery Noble

Eve's lips quirked into a little grin, though it soon melted into the kind of smile that came only when she was truly at ease.

"They're really cute," she said softly, silver eye glinting with fondness. "And bright. They've only been here a few weeks, but already they feel like they belong. Orien's been incredible with helping organise their stay. I couldn't have done, really, any of this without him."

Her gaze drifted briefly over the marble paths and quiet gardens, as if still in disbelief.

"I can't believe how quickly this place has grown. I never thought I'd be teaching younglings so soon… let alone having a Padawan of my own already."

From her resting place, Isari stirred. The silver-furred fox padded over with graceful steps, tail wagging the instant she recognised the familiar figure in the gardens. She circled once before pressing closer to Valery, a soft chuff of greeting leaving her.

Eve pushed herself up from the stone, her expression softening further as she approached. She opened her arms without hesitation, folding Valery into a warm, lingering embrace, slow and steady, the kind reserved for someone she loved dearly. When at last she leaned back, her hands stayed on Valery's arms, steady and tender.

"It's amazing to see you," she said, her voice low, almost reverent. "Are you well, Master?"

 

[Valery Noble]

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

Valery's smile widened at the soft chuff, and she crouched down to greet the silver-furred fox. Her hand brushed gently along Isari's coat, fingers combing through the fur in slow strokes before she gave the creature a final affectionate pat. "It's good to see you too," she said warmly, before rising again.

She then returned Eve's embrace, arms wrapping firmly around her former Padawan. It lingered for several heartbeats, carrying with it both her pride and the affection she had always felt for the young woman. When she finally leaned back, her hands rested briefly on Eve's shoulders before she let them fall.

"I am well," Valery said, "The family is too. The children keep me busy, but I wouldn't have it any other way." Her smile lingered, touched with warmth, though there was a trace of longing in her eyes as she added, "It has been too long since we've had the chance to just sit and talk, though."

She tilted her head toward the garden's quiet paths. "What do you say we share some tea and catch up properly?"

Everest Vale ​

 

[Everest Vale]

Outfit: Personal Armour
Equipment: Lightsaber, Bracelet, Earrings, Seer Stone, Wayfinder's Flare, Atrisian Dancer, Engagement Ring
Companion: Isari
Tag: Valery Noble

"Agreed," Eve said warmly, looping her arm through Valery's with an easy familiarity. Together, they stepped out from the gardens, Isari padding along behind them, and made their way into the enclave café.

The air inside carried a comforting mix of spiced brews and fresh baking. Eve glanced up at her Master with a sly twinkle in her silver eye.

"I can't believe you didn't bring my favourite baby boy along," she teased, the playful tone carrying through the gentle hum of the space.

They strolled toward the counter, where Karla, the café's tender, greeted them with a fond smile. An older Echani woman with silver hair tied neatly back, Karla had the kind of presence that made the café feel more like a family kitchen than a refectory. Beside her, a glass case displayed an irresistible array of homemade cakes she and her daughter had baked that morning: lemon drizzle still glistening with syrup, rich layers of chocolate sponge dusted with powdered sugar, a soft honey cake whose golden crust promised a sweet melt, and spiced loaves flecked with candied fruit. The scent alone was enough to make one's mouth water.

"The usual, ma'am?" Karla asked, her tone light but knowing. Eve's grin widened.

"You know me too well, but just a small slice today. And a pot of deychin for two, please." Then she turned back to Valery, her smile softening again. "Would you like a cake? Karla's cakes at the best in the galaxy." Karla grinned shyly.

 

[Valery Noble]

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

Valery chuckled at the teasing, giving Eve a playful nudge with her arm as they walked together. "Eryx is with his little sister and his father today," she explained, her smile touched with warmth. "They need their time together too, and I think it will do him good to bond with them without me hovering nearby."

Eryx, after all, did love to focus all of his energy on his Mom.

She followed Eve into the café, taking in the comforting scent of spice and sugar. Her gaze lingered on the display case, lips curving into a small grin at the sight of the cakes. "I think I'll have to try one," she admitted, glancing between Eve and Karla. "It would be a shame to pass up something that looks that good."

Her orange eyes flicked back to her former Padawan, "You always know the best spots, Eve."

Everest Vale ​

 

[Everest Vale]

Outfit: Personal Armour
Equipment: Lightsaber, Bracelet, Earrings, Seer Stone, Wayfinder's Flare, Atrisian Dancer, Engagement Ring
Companion: Isari
Tag: Valery Noble

Eve smiled, the lightness between them easy and familiar. The two of them soon had plates in hand, her own with a generous slice of lemon drizzle, the glaze still shining under the café lights, while Valery chose her own.

They settled at a small corner table, steam curling up from the pot of deychin as Karla set it down with her usual quiet efficiency. Eve let her gaze linger on the spread for a moment before looking back to Val, a mischievous warmth in her eye.

"You know me," she said, voice low but playful. "Tea and cake is serious business. When we set this place up, I had to make sure we'd have the best. Karla's been incredible. She's really made the café her own. Cakes like these don't happen anywhere else," she concluded with a rather serious nod.

Her grin softened into something more thoughtful as silence drifted between them. She rested her chin in her hand, eye slipping off to the window, the snow-capped peaks just visible beyond the glass.

"I never thought I'd be here so soon," she murmured. "Teaching, leading… It's all... happened so fast."

 

[Valery Noble]

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

Valery smirked over the rim of her cup before setting it down, her orange eyes warm as they lingered on Eve. "I can't say I'm surprised," she said with a certainty only a former Master could have. "You've always had the potential to lead, to build something of your own. Seeing it come together like this only proves what I already knew."

She let her gaze wander briefly across the café. The glow of the lights, the scent of cakes, the soft hum of voices, before returning to her former Padawan. "I'm proud of you, Eve. It may have all happened quickly, but you've carried it with strength, and it shows. Watching you step into this so naturally… it means more to me than I can put into words."

Valery's smile softened, touched with genuine pride. "You've done well. Better than well."

Everest Vale ​