Private Emptiness

[Valery Noble]

The Bastion

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Ship: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsaber
Tag: Shan

"Alright, we'll be heading out but nothing crazy this time." Valery looked at Shan while she got seated in the Bastion's pilot chair and offered a smile. Kahlil Noble would kill her if she brought him into danger, so instead, they were going to explore something where the thread wasn't too great. It was still tied to the Sith, but it was no longer being used by them.

She was certain of that.

"We'll be heading to Thule to look into an abandoned Sith facility. I did some early reconnaissance and there won't be any Sith waiting for us there. But we could run into other surprises. Luckily, you have long learned how to shield your mind." She chuckled and plotted the hyperspace coordinates into her computer before taking off.

"It'll be interesting to go back there. Years ago, Kahlil and I cleaned out an old lab he built there. It's during that mission that we discovered our Dyad."

 

[Shan]

Location: The Bastion
Objective: Investigate Sith Facility
Equipment: Lightsaber - Blaster
Tags: Valery Noble
​

"You say there's nothing crazy Master Noble, but I feel like that's always a good way to jinx things." Shan broke out into a small grin himself at that as he got himself settled into his own seat, making sure everything was ready. They were potentially going to be walking into a trap, or something that was pretty dangerous either way, especially when Valery mentioned how it was lucky that Shan had learned to protect his mind. If only she knew how lucky he was as he turned his attention out of the windows to watch the emptiness of space.

"I'd say learning how to protect my mind has been more vital than anything else I've learned so far. Soresu would come pretty close though." The Padawan chuckled for a moment, tapping his lightsaber for a moment before going back to his own thoughts for a few moments. "I plan on making a...more unique lightsaber in the future though. Something that is more personalised to me, as opposed to the one I currently carry." He had never actually made his lightsaber with a plan in mind. It was just a typical lightsaber, but now he wanted to make something that would play to his strengths, of being someone who wanted to protect and heal. His current lightsaber could be used for healing...but he wanted to make a new one that could protect.

"I don't know much about Force Dyads. I know they're like...a bond between two people in the Force. The concept of having one always seemed interesting to me, but at the same time it seems...scary. The Force already connects us all of us together, but to have a more...entwined connection than that? It is...terrifying."

 

[Valery Noble]

The Bastion

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Ship: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsaber
Tag: Shan

Valery nodded in agreement, "Shielding your mind is always the first step when dealing with Sith or anything tied to the Dark Side. You can't physically protect yourself if they corrupt your mind, after all. As for a lightsaber..." she paused and smiled as she thought about the creation of her own weapons for a moment. How that had gone from just the basics after her Ilum trial, to something more unique and fitting for her later.

"It used to be common that a Padawan's lightsaber was simplistic, but Knights would develop something more unique and personalized. I don't think you need to wait for knighthood, but definitely spend time thinking about what you need from your lightsaber. If you need help, I did study with the Artisans for a few years, so I can craft pretty decent hilts." Her current lightsabers had been built by her too, and she had built her Padawan's lightsabers on occasion as well.

On the topic of Thule, Shan seemed most interested about her mention of the Dyad. It made her chuckle, and she did agree with most of what he said. "It was scary for us at first too. It means you're essentially one in the Force, and that intimate bond is not something anybody else is really used to. We know from each other what we feel or think if we focus on it, no matter the distance between us. That part was a little scary, and so were the few times we accidentally teleported to each other."

"That's how we found out — we were fighting a Hydra and ended up teleporting to each other in a moment of need."

 

[Shan]

Location: The Bastion
Objective: Investigate Sith Facility
Equipment: Lightsaber - Blaster
Tags: Valery Noble
​

"Exactly. Without proper protection for my mind, I doubt I'd be here today." He kept his attention on the space outside of the Bastion, listening to Valery discuss about how a Knight would make a more unique and personalised lightsaber. It made sense, they'd have had time to experience what they were good at. What would fill in the gaps that they'd be able to fix with a lightsaber. The Mirialan frowned in thought for a moment, staring out into the emptiness of space as he was trying to wrap his head around what he wanted to say specifically.

"I want to lean towards making something that can still be used, even without the blade being ignited. Something that I can use to defend myself or others without having to ignite the blade. I've noted down a few ideas back at the Temple." Most of the ideas he had made had a few issues if he thought about them in detail. Mostly that if he made the design he wanted to go with, it'd be quite unwieldly without using two hands...but that wasn't too much of a problem. As long as he still had his basic saber with him, he could always fall back on that if he needed to. It was just materials that would be a struggle for him now. "I already have the crystal though. I found one, alongside Cora and Braze."

"I'd never want to have people know what's going on in my head. There's been...a lot more things I've been keeping secret recently." It did partly remove the point of things being a secret, if you said you were keeping secrets, but Shan trusted Valery. "A lot of things have been on my mind and considering how much they've confused me, I don't want someone else to get confused. Not that it matters anyway, I'm pretty sure I don't have a dyad with anyone, so I'm safe."

He kept a small grin on his face, though he did tilt his head at the idea of teleporting to people in their time of need. The Force did work in plenty of mysterious ways at the end of the day. "Well. It seems like the Dyad can be a useful tool as well to protect the both of you. That's always a...good thing."

 

[Valery Noble]

The Bastion

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Ship: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsaber
Tag: Shan

"Use it without the blade ignited? I believe I've seen lightsaber hilts with integrated blasters before. Give it a stun setting, and it could be useful. But I'm curious about other ideas you have?" Valery's lightsabers were pretty standard in that regard, though the crystals and some of the materials used in their construction weren't commonly available. It's why they had only been made well after she became a Jedi Master.

When she was ready to collect these crystals and request such materials.

"If you had a Dyad, you would know. They're also extremely rare, so I wouldn't be too worried about being in one," Valery assured him with a chuckle. "But if you ever do meet someone and that bond forms, don't worry. You do get used to it after a while, and there's something good to it as well. Though for Kahlil and I, it might help we're partners too."

"Oh yeah, the dyad has saved my life many times before. We do take more risks, knowing we can fall back on it, but it's often very useful. For you, even just the normal bond between Master and Padawan will already be powerful, and you will likely develop bonds with others close to you as well." Even with Valery, if he spent this much time around the family and working with her on missions.

 

[Shan]

Location: The Bastion
Objective: Investigate Sith Facility
Equipment: Lightsaber - Blaster
Tags: Valery Noble
​

"No, no. I wasn't thinking of a blaster. I was thinking more of...well...having it be almost like a blunted blade. Which opens up to reveal the blade when I need to use it. I feel like being able to have the blunt force would help with some situations, against threats that are lightsaber resistant, or if I want to take someone out non-lethally, without needing the blade." Shan frowned as he spoke, feeling like his explanation still made no sense but it was the best way he could think of describing it. It would probably require a few moving parts, but it also meant that it could be disabled...which is why he was leaning towards being able to use it as a weapon, even without the blade.

Though he then turned his attention back towards Valery as she spoke about the Dyads again, and Shan nodded at the information carefully. "I just don't like the idea of someone knowing my thoughts, unless I want them to. Like I trust you, Master Kahlil, Ko and Cora but there's still things I don't want to tell you." He kept a frown on his face, thinking about the different ways a Dyad would both be able to help him but also make it harder for him in life.

"I think I'm close to some people already. Not sure how close I am to my other Padawans though...That does remind me. I wanted to ask you for advice for a...friend of mine." Shan's mind went back towards Ko for a moment before looking back over towards Valery, sighing to himself. "They had to fight someone who was similar in age to myself. But they weren't a Sith. And well...they're the opposite of me. Whereas I'd have tried to redeem them, he thought there wouldn't be enough time and so...he killed his opponent. I'm just worried of how he must be feeling right now. He reminds me of that Jedi we fought in some ways..."

 

[Valery Noble]

The Bastion

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Ship: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsaber
Tag: Shan

"A blunted weapon can work, though always be careful with it too. People underestimate just how lethal or how much damage a blunt weapon can still do." For hitting limbs or trying to get aggressors to stand down, it could be useful, but the second there was a need to start hitting heads with a blunt weapon, they often become just as dangerous as more directly lethal weapons. Though, Valery was sure that Shan would be careful with it all.

She didn't need to tell him that it could easily cause lasting damage.

"That... makes sense," Valery then said regarding the Dyad. "I suppose it's really just different for me because Kahlil Noble and I are married. We don't have secrets for each other, so the bond doesn't really change anything for us." She smiled a little, thinking about it all again. The way it had formed, the way it developed — it almost made her believe there was such a thing as destiny, and that she was meant to travel through time in stasis to meet him.

Or perhaps that was just the silly romantic in her, as he liked to call it.

Valery then listened as he asked for advice, and explained how a friend had felt that he was forced to take a life. She frowned a little but nodded in understanding, "Well, it's important to give him some space. A true Jedi reflects on the people they kill in the line of duty because it's not something we should take lightly at all. He might need that time to think. But if you believe he might not be giving it the attention it deserves, I'd approach his Master about it."

"They tend to understand their Padawans best."

 

[Shan]

Location: The Bastion
Objective: Investigate Sith Facility
Equipment: Lightsaber - Blaster
Tags: Valery Noble
​

"Exactly. I just wanted to make a weapon that is less...maiming. I feel like with a lightsaber, you have no option but to cause at least some kind of damage that would be near impossible to heal. Whereas with a more blunt weapon...It feels like I'd have more options open to me." He understood that it could potentially still cause plenty of damage. Broken bones weren't exactly fun to deal with, but when the options were a broken wrist, or a cut off hand? He was pretty sure he knew what most people would pick at the end of the day.

He tilted his head as Valery spoke more about the Dyad. He couldn't quite understand how the concept of marriage would make it easier not to keep secrets from them. In fact, he thought it would make it harder. But at the same time, he hadn't really ever been close to someone, in the way that Valery and Kahlil were close to each other. He turned his attention back to the emptiness of space, a frown on his face as he tried to swim through his thoughts. There were plenty of things on his mind still but being able to talk about them was slowly but surely helping him to deal with them.

Shan could understand giving Ko time to deal with the things he has done. It was just a case of him being worried about the Kel-Dor. "I see. I was just worried for him. I was telling him about Nyaeli and how I'm hesitant to think if what I did was right...and so he told me about killing the person on Chaldea. He did seem surprised though, when I told him I thought he was stronger than me." The Mirialan broke out into a small chuckle at that, shaking his head. "Since I feel like it's easier to spare a life, than take it."

 

[Valery Noble]

The Bastion

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Ship: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsaber
Tag: Shan

"You do, but blunt weapons should be treated equally as carefully," she reaffirmed one last time before dropping the subject. If any Jedi would make good use of a blunt weapon, it'd probably be Shan. He doesn't want to hurt anybody if he could help it, so he wasn't going to suddenly use a blunt weapon to cause permanent injuries or head trauma. At least, not intentionally — he'd still have to be careful with it.

Valery then listened more to what he said about his friend and his own situation, and offered a gentle smile. For as young as he was, he certainly was wise too.

"It depends. Taking a life, knowing you're saving a lot of people doing it... was never too hard on me. I'd still reflect on it and make sure it actually was necessary, but it gets hard when the answers aren't so obvious. But in the heat of the moment, you have to make a decision and sometimes if you don't act quick enough, you'll be the one getting hurt or killed, even if there's possibly a way out where nobody dies."

"It's what makes our jobs so hard, but so important too. We always have to try to be better and do what's right."

 

[Shan]

Location: The Bastion
Objective: Investigate Sith Facility
Equipment: Lightsaber - Blaster
Tags: Valery Noble
​

Shan nodded. He could understand the concept of having to treat a blunted weapon the same as a more lethal one. There was more ways of things going right, not going the way you intended. He could always end up hitting someone in the wrong spot, or doing some kind of damage that wouldn't be easily treated compared to a lightsaber wound. It was strange to think about if he was being honest, but then he turned his attention back over towards Valery as she started to talk again.

"My issue is just...figuring out what's right. Master Kahlil told me to just stop thinking about it. Which is easier said than done if I'm being totally honest. I'm just used of thinking all of the time, so just...stopping all of that and going off my instincts feels wrong. I know it might be the right thing to do however." He shrugged his shoulders at that, staring off into the distance of space and sighing to himself afterwards. Why did things have to be so hard? He missed being on Nar Shaddaa. Things were so much simpler

"My instincts want to save lives. To protect. It's why I'm going to train to be a Doctor once I'm a Knight. Just...take some time away from the Order to learn. I don't want to have to rely on the Force if I want to save people." Part of Shan felt like that was ridiculous. He shouldn't just abandon the order but at the same time it wouldn't be abandoning at the end of the day

 

[Valery Noble]

The Bastion

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Ship: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsaber
Tag: Shan

"It might be the right thing to do, but we're all different. Instincts can also drive us to act on emotion, and that isn't the right thing to do for Jedi. So there are times when you should think before you act," Valery said with a chuckle. "I think it's more that you shouldn't worry about it so much. You're learning and that involves making mistakes and figuring things out for yourself. What's right or wrong to you will change too..."

She paused for a moment, considering whether or not to tell him, but after a moment she sighed and nodded, "There was a long time when I believed no Sith could be redeemed, or that it wasn't worth the risk. Just purely because of how I was raised and trained within my Enclave."

"Now I'm married to a former Sith Prince." She smirked a little, hoping it'd make sure the mood wouldn't get too heavy. This was serious stuff, but there was no reason to stress out.

"That's also a great idea — Jedi shouldn't rely on the Force entirely, and it'll be a good learning experience. I'm sure Kahlil will be very supportive of it."

 

[Shan]

"Heh. What's right or wrong to me is already changing...You'd never have caught me learning how to pilot a ship, fighting someone in the past, but that's changed. I don't enjoy it. I know there's some people who love to fight. To spar with their lightsabers, to get stronger. But for me? I prefer to train my mind. Train the Force..." Shan turned his attention over towards Valery however as she started to talk about her beliefs and how she used to believe Sith weren't redeemable. It made the fact she ended up gettting married to Kahlil amusing, as Shan let out as mall chuckle.

"I still need to bring up my idea of not using the Force as much to Master Kahlil. There's a few things that I'm afraid of...disappointing him over things. I'm not used to erh...supportive male role models." As much as he was worried about Kahlil, there was one thing that Shan was sure that Kahlil would probably never do to him. He didn't expect Kahlil to ever pull on a gun on him the way his father did so..."I want to learn as much as I can...but I also want to impress people. There's been a couple of times where I feel like...I haven't done anything right."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

The Bastion

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Ship: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsaber
Tag: Shan

Valery smiled warmly at him, "Kahlil and I have been married for a little over 10 years now, so... I know him." Both because of experience, and because of their incredibly deep bond. "He'll be very supportive of your idea to not use the Force, as long as the reasoning is sound. Jedi shouldn't abuse the Force, and being very minimal with it follows the original tenets." She smiled and hoped that would ease his mind a little bit about the topic.

But there was a bit more she wanted to say about Kahlil Noble .

"Kahlil is very protective of his Padawans and cares a great deal about you. You won't ever upset him if you tell him how you feel or what you need in your training. The only way to disappoint him is to block him out when he's trying so hard to protect and train you. Remember that, as your path continues."

"He will always want to help you find your way."

 

[Shan]

Shan raised an eyebrow as Valery said how her and Kahlil had been married for over ten years, and he just broke out into a small smirk. "I hope you know him after ten years Master Valery. Otherwise I'd be a bit concerned about your marriage." The Mirialan decided to joke about with Valery that, but listened to her as she explained how Kahlil would always be supportive of his ideas to not use the Force, as long as they were reasonable ideas. It made sense to him as he also listened to how the only way to disappoint Kahlil would be to block him out. Now that was going to be a bit of a difficult thing for him to prevent himself from doing it.

"I see. I see. I'll always be grateful for him and your aid." Shan sighed at that, running a hand through his hair afterwards. Their help was something that was always going to be helpful to him, especially when they were a better pair of parental figures than his own actual parents. But he wasn't going to comment about that, just turning his attention back to the window.

Valery Noble