Private Gala's Secrets

[Valery Noble]

Gala

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Tag: Kahlil Noble

"I'm glad to hear that," Vera said, her tone very much like her mom's when it concerned family. She was always going to do her best to separate emotion from duty, but when her family was being threatened in any way, she couldn't really stop the way she felt. Just like mom and dad, she had to protect the people she loved so much.

Whether that were her parents, Aris or the triplets.

Her mind shifted away from all of that when people showed up though, and they carried weapons. She was ready to stand tall and confront them, but when her dad stepped in front of her, she did hide away a little. Not because she was overly scared, but she knew that her father wouldn't want her to get hurt.

At his question, Zarel gritted her teeth, but ultimately relented and lowered her weapon, "You two should be more careful walking here. We thought you were a scouting group of the Hill People," she said, clearly frustrated with the two.

"Why is that bad?" Vera asked, and the woman just looked more surprised than annoyed now, "Because we're at war. They aren't good people, kid. You two are lucky to have left their domain alive."

 

[Kahlil Noble]

They're at war?

Kahlil briefly glanced back towards where the Hill people were, a frown clear on his face. That was a drastic change from just tension. Whatever Valery had done here to help the people seemed to have been forgotten, as he doubted she would've left them at war with each other. His gaze lowered to Vera, just watching her in a bit of silence before he just smiled. It was clear she wasn't frightened or worried.

"When we visited the Hill People they didn't seem hostile at all. I'm not sure why there's war, but the Jedi who came here once would be saddened to know the people are fighting again. In her place, we'll help bring an end to it, mm?"

The question was more for Vera, who he glanced down towards midsentence.

"Jedi are Peacekeepers first and foremost, after all."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Gala

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Tag: Kahlil Noble

"Our people have always been fighting," the woman said as she turned to Kahlil. "What you are referring to was the time when another force of evil attacked our planet. The tribes came together, aided by your Jedi, and we resisted them. Since then..." she looked off into the woods and sighed deeply.

There had definitely been conflict.

At her father's question that followed, Vera blinked and looked up with a proud smile, "Mom would like that too, and we're Jedi!" she echoed before looking at the woman.

"The Hill people respect us because my Mom saved them," Vera added, clearly with a tone that showed just how proud she was of having an awesome mom and dad. "If you stay close to us, they will not attack you and we can all talk."

The woman raised an eyebrow and looked at Kahlil, "Really? You want this child to lead us there? What if it's just a trap?"

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Since then?

That was centuries of fighting then. Kahlil frowned deeply. He doubted they even remembered why they were fighting to begin with. Vera was right though, so long as the Hill People knew it was them coming, the others wouldn't be shot.

Not that he thought these two were the two to bring for peace talks.

"Padawan Vera knows a lot more than you give her credit for. Jedi even at a young age are quite skilled at keeping the peace. However, are either of you actually capable of discussing that? Do you lead the people of this city?"

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Gala

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Tag: Kahlil Noble

"We are not political representatives but-"

<Babe your sword is a dick.>

"Hmmm..." Vera hummed right through everything and everybody before she looked up at her dad, "We can bring the Hill people back with us, daddy. We show her that it's safe by leading her to the Hill people, and then we lead the hill people in the city to show them the same!" Vera grinned at her own idea and Zarel just stared at the kid.

She wasn't sure if she should be annoyed or find it adorable. Either way, the plan didn't sound too bad if the hill people cooperated.

"What if my people and I are attacked?" Zarel asked to be safe.

"Dad and I are Jedi, so we will protect you on this diplomatic mission." She giggled and looked up. "Right, daddy?"

 

[Kahlil Noble]

<I.. What?>

Kahlil blinked rapidly, glancing off towards nowhere for a brief moment before clearing his throat. Whatever Valery was talking about, he'd have to figure out later. Right now he turned his gaze to Vera, giving her a simple nod. What she suggested made sense, though he truly doubted just getting the people to meet would bring an end to what seemed like a century long war. Perhaps, though, that was just his own experience with his people speaking.

Under his father, the Epicanthix had always seen their wars through to the very end.

"Whatever happens, we won't let people die or get hurt."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Gala

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Tag: Kahlil Noble

"Focus, dad," Vera said with a smug grin straight out of his own book. She couldn't hear or feel mom the same way he could, but she knew exactly when they had their moments. It made the Force rise, and in its flow, she felt her mother's presence too when she focused on her dad. Almost as if they were the same person for just a moment.

A dyad, they had called it.

"Whatever happens, we won't let people die or get hurt."

"Mhmm, we promise and Jedi don't break promises," Vera said with a big nod, but as cute as it was, the woman still seemed a bit skeptical. Her planet had been plagued by skirmishes or all-out war for a very long time. Now a child was going to bring change to it all?

Then again, she did say that she had a lot of respect from the hill people.

"...fine," Zarel said with a reluctant sigh. "But please, don't also make us rely on your daughter for protection. I'm sure she can be a good diplomat, but she's too young to be a fighter, no?"

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"If you're assuming I'm going to let my daughter be in danger, let alone be the one to handle that danger, you've grossly misjudged who I am." Even if they didn't know him, there were far too few cultures in this galaxy where they'd use a child as young as Vera as a shield. And he certainly wasn't one of those people. He kept a calm smile, but no, he wasn't pleased with that suggestion or concern.

It was insulting.

"She is, however, more than capable of taking someone down if she has to."

Just in case they thought it might be a good idea to threaten her.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Gala

​

Tag: Kahlil Noble

Vera blinked, looked up at her father, then took his hand gently with her own and squeezed. She had seen mom do it a lot whenever something was up, so why wouldn't it work if she did? Vera's eyes then met his, and she offered him the brightest smile she could, just to make sure he knew it was okay.

Not that he needed it, but she wanted to help everybody.

"If they're mean, I'll kick their butts," Vera said with a nod. "Dad taught me how to." Her voice was full of Epicanthix pride now, and it showed in her eyes too. That orange part of them, that chaotic fire she had from her mother, burned brighter than it had before today.

"Very well, let's get going," the woman said, and with that, the group turned around and headed straight into the Hill People territories. As likely was to be expected, it didn't take long before the Hill People intercepted them, but this time it wasn't the village's leader bringing them in for a warmer welcome.

A small group of warriors with weapons appeared, and tension in the Force began to grow. Vera stood ready to say something, but she seemed just a little nervous, and felt need for her dad giving her that slight nudge to do something.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil blinked slowly before glancing down as Vera squeezed his hand. And he smiled in turn. She was a lot stronger than he continued to give her credit for. Then again, he was her father. And he'd never stop wanting to protect her.

When they arrived, Kahlil took stock of everyone. The people he was with, the Hill People they'd just left. All to make sure no one was pulling a gun. They were armed, but he didn't sense any lethal intent. Yet.

Which was probably why Vera had frozen. The tension, it was one thing to talk about peace, another to help it. So he reached out, gently patted the top of her head. She's the daughter of the one who helped them so long ago. She would be able to help them now.

"I'm with you."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Gala

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Tag: Kahlil Noble

"I'm with you."

Vera blinked, looked up at her dad when he patted the top of her head, and offered him a bright smile. Her Mom and Dad were the coolest Jedi in the whole Galaxy, and they believed in her. Dad always would, and it's that offer of strength and confidence that had Vera stand tall, much like how her mother sometimes needed his support.

"Thanks, dad," she said before she stepped forward and drew all the attention to herself.

"A long time ago, my mom came here to protect your people," she began proudly, and both the Hill people and City people listened intently. The elder came out of his quarters, and more civilians decided to listen to this Jedi. Both because of what the Jedi had already meant for them, and to find out why a child was given this responsibility.

"She brought all of you together to fight the Sith, so you can live. She lost friends and got hurt herself, all to make sure you can live in peace." That's what the Jedi did after all, but she still managed a look over her shoulder at her dad — as if she was looking for his approval. "My mom is still alive, and she would be sad to know that you are all fighting each other."

"So, please, come with my dad and I to the city and stop this."

The Hill people looked among themselves, deeply struck by the words of the little Noble. The Elder, after a long moment of whispers and silence, stepped forward and looked at Kahlil.

"Will you guarantee our safety if we go, Master Jedi?"

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil would be beaming if it wasn't such a serious situation.

Though, he was beaming anyway, but he'd deny it afterward. He let Vera be the one to speak, only giving her an encouraging nod as she looked back with the intent of reinforcing the idea that she could do this. She could. He trusted that much. The only time he did speak was when the elder stepped forward. Kahlil simply gave a nod.

"I try not to stress my role, but you've the word of the Shield of the Jedi. I will not allow harm to come to any."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Gala

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Tag: Kahlil Noble

"Very well, in that case I will go," he said with a respectful dip of his head. It did still put him on edge a little to have to potentially put his life in the hands of two Jedi he had only just met. But if they were relatives of Valery and connected to the people who had given their lives to protect Gala, then there was nobody who deserved that trust more.

"You must be very proud of her," the man then added as he looked down at Vera, who was smiling brigthly now that he had accepted. "She reminds me of the stories I heard and data I studied about your wife." He chuckled and looked up at Kahlil again.

"I can't promise that we'll be able to put aside our differences so quickly, but you have my word that I will do my best to honor your wife and her legacy," he said, his gaze shifting to the little Noble again. Vera was so incredibly happy that she did something like this. She really felt like a Jedi now.

"That would make mom happy, but dad will help too. He's the coolest Jedi ever," she said with a big grin for her father.

"Let's head to the city, help these people and find stuff to tease mom with!"

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"Incredibly, but this is just the first step, not the finish line."

It was too soon to let his pride in how well Vera had just handled herself dictate how the rest of this would go. Getting the two sides to speak was still the prime objective. And hoping the talk would go well.

There was still a lot to do.

"Focus, Padawan. The fate of so many still rests on what we do next."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Gala

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Tag: Kahlil Noble

"That much is true, but I'm hopeful that we can get somewhere. Thanks to your daughter," the man said, hoping his words would fill the father with pride and, of course, make Vera smile a little too. Few things in life brought as much joy as a kid's happiness, and he could tell there was something special about Vera.

Just like the rest of her family, it would seem.

"I knowww, and I'll focus," Vera promised after walking back over to her dad. "But I know you'll still find something for Mom anyway," she said with a sly giggle.

Vera then turned around, waited for everybody to catch up, and started to walk out. By her father's side this time, for as brave as she had been, it was a little scary. Staying close to him made her feel comfortable, and she could feel that it made him feel less tense too. Not that Dad was scared, but she knew he wanted to protect her.

"Dad? What do we do if they don't make peace?"

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"We keep trying, but we can't make them accept peace. They have to want it. Though, I imagine they do. There are few people in this Galaxy that want only war." Not none, though. Even the Epicathix weren't against fighting and war. Their people back home were different.

But he couldn't say they all agreed.

"Whatever happens though, we'll be here to help. Just stay close."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Gala

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Tag: Kahlil Noble

"Then we'll make it work," she said confidently. "They don't want war, but they know nothing else. We'll help them see it." She nodded a little to herself but then lingered on something he said. Mom and Dad always wanted her to stay close and often wanted her to hold hands even if it wasn't that dangerous.

At least, not anymore to her.

"You worry about me," she said but with a smile. "But I will protect you too, daddy." As cute as it sounded, her eyes made it clear she was being dead serious for once. A start contrast to her usually chaotic behavior, but it had been a more common shift in the young Noble.

She was taking more and more after her father.

"I can see it when danger comes, but also when it comes to you, Mom... Aris... the triplets. Even when it's very far away or when you are far away." She looked up and ahead while she walked forward. "I will not let bad things happen."

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil watched her for a moment as they walked. This time, he didn't hide the proud smile he had for just how mature Vera truly was. He reached down to ruffle her hair, briefly, before looking ahead.

"We'll protect each other, then."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Gala

​

Tag: Kahlil Noble

"Hey!" she called out, her tone awfully close to her mother's whenever he messed up her hair. "I've gotta look toughhhh," she said, her cheeks puffing up a little while she looked at her father. The ruffling was something she actually liked, but other people were walking with them, and she wanted to be cool.

Like Mom and Dad were.

"Look, the city!" Vera then called out, as the large towers and fancy buildings appeared. It made her wonder just how the Hill people could stand up against them, but that wouldn't matter anymore. She was going to bring peace to this planet, together with her dad.

"I don't see danger. The people won't shoot us!" she stated proudly.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"You will always look tough, little star."

Kahlil bit back a larger laugh, instead smiling warm as he looked ahead to the city. This was where it was going to get difficult. Dangerous, even. He stayed beside Vera, but took a position near the front to make sure he was seen.

That's what mattered right now.

"Good. That's a start. You two, go tell your leaders what's going on. We'll wait here."

Valery Noble