Private Special Nut Mix

[Colette]

Colette had been on Coruscant for a short amount of time with an errand to run and yet it was enough to make her miss the clean air of New Cov. The planet might have been actively trying to get her dead, but she'd take that over a planet such as Coruscant that was itself dead on any day of the week.

There was a lot of things that had happened in the last few weeks, if not months. From having murdered someone, to several dinners and a lot of time with the kids to help forget about it, to having it resurface a bit on a mission with Knight Vyres. And then on top of that, between history lessons and a brief visit to her old home, a lot of emotions in general had wrecked the poor girl's nerves and brought about an overwhelming measure of both distress as well as joy.

It wasn't fair to most of those around her to attribute each part of that journey to Valery, but if there was anything or anyone who had been a constant and instrumental presence in all of this it was her. From the way she lifted Colette out of her mind to help with the children to the way that she and said offspring tormented her over the FULLY NATURAL and TO BE EXPECTED conflict of having experienced her first ever crush… There was a lot that had happened.

And so to celebrate, Colette did what she knew best to do. She created a small bowl of trail mix just for Valery with a few ingredients that reminded Colette of her. It had started with a small handful of berries from the area around that cave by the waterfall but eventually derailed to a some more eccentric pieces such as dried up seaweed from Pamarthe. It was a thoughtful gift in Colette's eyes, and something that Valery herself would have made for the kid too, no doubt.

But instead of trying to find a good time to give the gift, Colette had made a bit of an effort for the master to come get it herself instead. She had placed it in the courtyard of the home, on one of the terraces that they often sparred on top of. Colette was on one end of said terrace and on the other end was an empty seat, a cushion placed in symmetry sane as where Colette sat. In the middle of it all stood the bowl of trail mix.

Once Valery arrived, it would be quite clear what Colette wanted. First, to give a gift, and second to spar. Or at least so she hoped, Colette had never been quite so good at clearly communicating her wishes to others and this was entirely out of her comfort zone given how surprisingly indirect it was.

It was a new and exciting time to be alive, or something. Actually, the more she thought about it the more the knot in her stomach began to tighten. Actually, maybe this was a mistake. Actually, maybe this was a really, really big mistake. Maybe she should have—

Valery was approaching up ahead. Colette pushed her thoughts aside and straightened her back. The smile was easy enough to put on, but oh man was the kid nervous that this would send some sort of weird vibes.

Oh god, it definitely was, wasn't it? Damn it. She should have given the nut bowl a cushion too! Of course!

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Coruscant

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Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Colette

"Huh..."

Valery blinked and looked down at the bowl of... are those nuts? Valery could appreciate a good nut, and there were some other ingredients she liked, too! Her fiery eyes shifted from the bowl over to Colette, who almost seemed a little nervous. Valery just offered her a warm smile and walked over to pull her into a one-armed hug, while the other held onto the bowl.

"Did you make this? It looks great!" Valery pulled back and held the bowl between them with quite a smile on her face. Whether it was fantastic or not, just the effort alone really warmed her heart. With the choice of ingredients and everything around it, she knew that her Padawan put some serious thought into it.

It was a gesture she wouldn't forget.

"Let's bring it inside, and maybe we can do a little more training? You seem eager to do something today," Valery said with a knowing smirk.

 

[Colette]

Valery Noble

Colette nodded, she had indeed made this. She returned the hug and even leaned into it a little before she let out a small chuckle to stave off the realization that she had been overthinking this whole situation. Of course Valery would appreciate it, and yet again it would seem that Colette was simply assuming the worst of her own social ability.

"Oh, yeah, I was thinking of a spar." Colette admitted rather sheepishly and rubbed at the back of her neck, much like Valery had come to realize that Red from back home did. "With everything that's happened I just sort of wanted to get back to normal again."

"I've brushed up a lot on my defense."

"And, I mean, it's also a really good way to get to those emotional spots that I bury deep below?" That part made Colette chuckle at herself for a moment, showing an almost unusual amount of self-awareness. "When you're ready, of course."

Her eyes set on the nuts where they were. Down there. On the floor. Just a bowl of nuts. A nut bowl. She chuckled to herself once more.

"The nuts are already dried, so… I don't think a few more minutes in the sun will do them much harm."

 

[Valery Noble]

Coruscant

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Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Colette

"A spar, hm?" Valery smirked a little at the idea. "We can do that." Much like Valery when she was younger, Colette drew a lot of strength from being able to train and just empty the mind that way. Though what she said about burying emotions was a little concerning, especially because Valery had always done that as well.

Often with disastrous results in the end.

"It is a good outlet, yes, but it's also important to talk about those things. Which... I know is hard, and often very unpleasant too, but sometimes it's necessary." They had already done a lot of talking, luckily, so for today she didn't really mind sparring at all. It'd be a fun distraction for them both.

She could focus on eating nuts later.

"Alright, let's get to some open space and we'll start. Show me what you got~"

 

[Colette]

Valery Noble

Colette nodded, this was indeed a spar and when she caught that slight frown on Valery's lips and the lecture on talking about things she gently raised her hand as if to ease her master's mind and show that she understood what she meant.

"I know, I know." She laughed. "I am able to talk about it, but it's even easier if I am tired too."

She led Valery to an open area somewhere around the house. It was still outside but she made sure that the terrain was uneven enough that it wouldn't just be the usual surface. The grass was padding, and that was besides the point that Colette very much doubted that there weren't some small part of Valery that wouldn't mind bruising a little more than just the kid's body, but just a little.

Colette certainly didn't mind bruising Valery's ego every now and again, and it was only a fair exchange if they could both do it. The two prepared themselves with a formal salute to show their respect for each other as opponents before Colette adjusted her saber so that it was far less lethal than usual. Bruising was one thing, death or loss of limbs was a whole other ordeal neither of them wished to experience.

Now, how early would Valery play that stupid phasing card?

Colette made a run for the master and swung wide at her midsection with a dive onto her knee as if she fully expected she would pass straight through her master at some point. Learning the way that she had been taught did have that slight effect on the moves she utilized and how she positioned herself.

But Valery knew that well enough already.

 

[Valery Noble]

Niv Hani

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Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Colette

"Good, I just wanted to make sure." Valery smiled caringly and followed Colette to where she wanted to spar today. They'd have their duels in the training rooms on Coruscant, sometimes they'd spar within the New Cov arena, but sometimes it was nice to try something a little different. Around the Noble house in the beautiful fields of Niv Hani seemed like a great place for some sparring.

"Let's see how far you've come." Valery reached for her lightsaber and ignited the violet blade, though at a lower setting to keep it from being able to cause harm.

Then, she waited.

Colette made the first move and closed the distance to strike at her Master. Valery was quick to respond, and raised her blade at an almost perpendicular angle to block Colette's attack, "You're wondering when I'll phase, aren't you?" Valery asked with a smirk, just to mess with Colette's mind a little. Hopefully, it kept her busy enough to miss the fast follow-up sweep coming down towards the top of her right shoulder.

Valery was going to start fairly slow and simple, but she had plenty of tricks ready.

 

[Colette]

Valery Noble

“No,” Colette said and raised her blade to catch and deflect Valery’s blade. “I am expecting it.”

That made more sense in her head, but this was not the time for worrying about what was the right thing to say. The idea of a spar was not just to tire herself out but to force her to focus on what mattered, not getting hit; or using the right words. At least that was her working hypothesis and so far it seemed to work.

Because the words that had passed between Colette’s lips had been some real headass stuff to say.

To fight Valery the key was in the footwork. She was agile, she was capable of making herself immaterial, and she liked to jump around. Colette on the other hand liked to remain grounded, she preferred the advantage of the low-ground because the air was something that left you vulnerable. It took more to reach down than it took to reach up, at least in combat. There was also the fact that as her instructor, Valery held both a mental and physical advantage over Colette.

That meant thinking on her feet, that meant while she couldn’t ever be truly unpredictable it was what she had to strive to become.

In a throwback to their first ever spar, Colette swung for the master’s midriff but turned her saber off before they locked blades and then turned it back on in an effort to reach behind her master’s blade. Yes, it had been called a routine that was generally frowned upon, but when one of them could turn into Valery-shaped smoke, the field had to be evened by any means possible.

And would Valery try to attempt that particular move, Colette readied herself to plunge her hand into the master’s stomach and keep it there until she asked to kindly rematerialize once more.

 

[Valery Noble]

Niv Hani

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Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Colette

"Expecting it? What if I don't phase at all?" Valery continued, but it didn't seem like Colette was going to take the bait. As long as she felt forced to keep it in the back of her mind, however, Valery was satisfied. Not because she cared about 'winning' in training — that was never the purpose of it — but because she wanted to make this spar feel as realistic as possible. In a real fight, there were so many uncertain factors that could distract a fighter, and she'd have to manage them then as well.

This would be good practice for some tougher opponents.

A flash of danger in the Force alerted Valery to an imminent attack, but there was far more to it than what she saw at a first glace. Her gaze, as always in combat, shifted into the Force, and tried to read the currents just a few steps ahead of her. Colette's swing came, and did pass her guard, but as the Padawan likely expected, Valery phased.

A fist came through her midsection right after, but Valery jumped away with explosive force, and re-materialized up into the air, before coming back down.

"Very clever, but I'm not immobile when I phase," Valery said, and with Colette's attempt at dealing with it, she began to wonder if she'd figure out the real drawback of the ability. It wouldn't show right away, especially not because of how early on she had just used her little trick, but it was going to become more apparent soon.

"Try again," Valery taunted, "Put pressure on me."

 

[Colette]

Valery Noble

"You will." Colette said, clearly not buying the idea that Valery wouldn't phase. While there was no winning a spar there was still a lot of fun in trying to outsmart someone more skilled than yourself. Valery had twice the amount of years of skill than her, or several thousand depending on how you looked at it. How was she supposed to feel anything other than excited to be doing this right now?

From the way the two had engaged before it was clear that Colette put a lot more effort in controlling herself and the environment she was put in rather than actually confronting her opponent. Her focus was always on how she could position herself and how she could take any advantage away from whoever she was facing.

Sure enough, Colette went straight through her master like a breeze across the plains.

"You still had to waste more of you energy and focus than if I did nothing." Colette fired back and went back into stance again before she let on a barrage of attacks on Valery.

"I have been," She said between strikes. "Thinking." Colette swept for Valery's waist. "About family." She swept for her leg but changed for the shoulder in a very spontaneous stance-switch. "Lately." As a flourish she finally backed off, reached behind her back for the canteen on her belt before throwing a small bombardment of water at Valery to deflect. Of course, she had a fancy lightsaber so it wouldn't short-circuit it, but it would distract her (hopefully) for the kick that Colette made at her foot to hook and pull her to the ground. "And you."

Colette dodged back and prepared for a response.

 

[Valery Noble]

Niv Hani

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Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Colette

"That's the key," Valery said while their blades clashed against, and an exchange of strikes and parries followed. "It's not always about every move making direct impact." Whether it was Trakata, phase, or any other skill, there was more to using them than landing hits. Phase messed with the mind of an opponent expecting it, even if it didn't result in a crippling blow. Trakata, in this case, had forced Valery to use more of her energy.

"Sometimes you're playing the long game."

Valery blinked as Colette threw water at her, but she didn't spend much time watching it evaporate against her blade. A kick was aimed at her leg, and managed to hook around it. But rather than resist or jump, Valery rolled as soon as she landed on the ground, and distanced herself from Colette, who had chosen to retreat herself as well.

"Oh yeah? What's on your mind?"

Valery had jumped back up to her feet, and moved back in to keep up the pressure with faster-paced attacks. She wasn't jumping around or doing anything too crazy — she was merely using her strength and speed as an advantage. Just to see what kind of tactics Colette would try.

 

[Colette]

Valery Noble

The clashing of blades was exhilarating. Despite having a very anti-violent belief there was no denying that preparation for facing it was one of those things Colette enjoyed quite a lot. This wasn't so much competition as it was relaxation and entertaining.

Valery kept a good pressure and Colette put up a defense that rose to the occasion. The kid had no idea how long she had been with the Jedi now, but she had most certainly spent a lot of it on saber defense and control, and especially even more so after the incident that she and Valery had experienced together.

Which in a sense was what tied it all together. Pamarthe, Ophus V, and all the other places where Valery had been there for her during.

"Everywhere I go people keep asking what my 'official' last name is." Colette complained in between blocks as she arched one of Valery's blow over and away. "And I don't have one."

Colette extended her hand with a firm push through the force.

"I was wondering if I could use yours." She exhaled and took a few steps back. "As a formality."

"... I don't… Really have any other family anymore, and you have been kind to me. And Vera too, and Kahlil as well."

 

[Valery Noble]

Niv Hani

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Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Colette

"You're doing great," Valery said with a grin as their blades continued to clash. At this point, she had fallen into a rhythm, and wasn't really pushing to land hits, nor was she allowing Colette to land one against her. It was about flow and training the mind and muscles to act without a need to think about everything. It was relaxing, and Colette was doing amazing at it too, which wasn't all that surprising.

The Sword wasn't going to have a Padawan who couldn't defend themselves.

Then, Colette said something that stunned her, though in the best way possible. The telekinetic push shoved Valery back, after she didn't even seem to consider raising a defense against it. She just stood there, blinked, and looked her Padawan in the eyes. She wanted to use her last name?

She wanted to be a Noble?

"Colette..." Valery let her blade disengaged, and closed the distance to wrap her arms around the young woman for a hug. "Of course, you can," she said softly, but loud enough for Colette to hear.

"You're part of our family," Valery said, and she could already feel Kahlil Noble giving his approval through their bond. Similar to when she had given her approval when he had found Aris in his pod, those few years ago.

 

[Colette]

Valery Noble

Admittedly there was a small part of Colette that expected Valery extinguishing her blade and coming right for her to be a part of the spar. Not because she thought that Valery would use such a cheap tactic but because she had been told to expect the unexpected. But instead of trusting her gut on this one she trusted the force, and the force said that Valery was emotional at this very moment.

"Thank you." Colette whispered and leaned into the warm hug. "I—" She stammered and decided not to clarify that technically it was out of necessity and technicality. If Valery was okay with letting Colette into the Noble family proper then she wasn't going to argue against it. If anything it was even better than simply using the name.

"I promise I will do everything I can to live up to it." She said as they separated. "You have done so much for me, and I just…"

"I want to repay you somehow."

 

[Valery Noble]

Niv Hani

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Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Colette

Valery just smiled and tightened her hug a little, before they separated, "You're already more than good enough, Colette." She never wanted her to think otherwise, so her tone was a little more serious, though still warm. "The kids already look at you as their sister, and Kahlil and I... well, Padawans are always close to being like our own kids. But you've really become part of the family, and we'd love to have that be official."

Of course, even though Kahlil gave his approval through the Dyad, she still wanted Colette to go talk to him. To get a hug from her adoptive father, and really feel accepted.

"We should probably go tell Kahlil and the kids, hm? Vera will probably not leave you alone for a bit," Valery said with a chuckle. She was going to be so excited to have Colette live at home, be there for dinner every night, and so much more!

 

[Colette]

Valery Noble // Kahlil Noble

Well, that much was true. Vera and Colette had a strange kind of bond. Admittedly it was only strange because Colette didn't know what a 'sister' was truly meant to be, but that was probably beyond the point. Valery's children were really important to Colette because she felt a sort of guardianship over them and had ever since the master had been taken when they were young, and despite the dark circumstances Colette still had fond memories of falling asleep with Vera in a fort made of pillows knowing that the kids were all safe.

Yeah, actually, maybe this was where Colette belonged after all. She smiled at Valery.

"I think that sounds amazing, actually." The two of them began to walk on over to the house before Colette stopped and hurried back to get the bowl of Special Nut Mix that she had made for Valery. "Can't forget my bribe for the family."

As the two of them entered the house she would let Valery do the rest of the talking. Kahlil was certainly aware of what was playing out, but the kids didn't. It was up to the mother however she wanted to play this one. Colette was just happy to be along for the ride.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil was already waiting. The bond Valery and him had was far closer than the normal Force Bond. In some ways they were just one person, sharing thoughts, emotions. He could feel everything Valery felt. The joy, the humbleness, excitement. The kids weren't there yet, though. Not immediately. Kahlil had sent Aris and Vera to take the Triplets outside for a quick walk and play in the back yard. There were things to talk about.

He smiled calmly from the table where he sat.

"Come, sit. Both of you."

Valery Noble | Colette

 

[Valery Noble]

Niv Hani

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Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Colette

Definitely can't forget the special nut mix.

Valery waited for Colette, then dipped her head as soon as they reached the house. She could already feel Kahlil there, waiting for them. As soon as she entered the home, Valery smiled back at him and quickly walked over. Her arms came to rest around his neck, and she really pushed her lips into his cheek for a loving kiss. A little sign to show just how happy his acceptance had made her, because this really meant the world to her.

"Hey, love," Valery began while she gestured for Colette to have a seat. "Well, uh, you already sort of know..." Valery continued, and for some weird reason, there was a hint of nervousness to her voice.

This was exciting, but also different. Sure, they had adopted Aris but that was a very different situation than adopting Colette, a young woman who already had a whole journey behind her.

"I just... think it's good for us all to be on the same page. Adoption is a big decision, after all." She smiled and looked between Colette and Kahlil to see how they'd both react to it all. Colette had been her Padawan, so while she knew kahlil very well, it wasn't quite the same.

"Oh we got some nuts too!"

 

[Colette]

Valery Noble // Kahlil Noble

Oh gosh, it got very formal. Or so it felt like to Colette. Maybe it was her own nerves or maybe it was Valery's but there was certainly something right there in the air that made Colette at least a little bit, well, intimidated if she was being honest.

She took a seat in front of Kahlil and Valery. She had done so during dinners before but this was kind of like, well, she imagined it was one of those 'job interviews' that she had heard non-jedi people had. Interviews where people had to prove or otherwise convince someone else that they deserved to live.

"Right." Colette chuckled and felt just slightly uneasy about it all of a sudden. "The galaxy likes it when people have a last name." She said and shifted in her seat. "I… Was thinking that I could maybe use yours."

"Your family is as close to one that I ever really got, and… It just didn't feel right to not, you know… Ask first."

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"Master Noble."

Kahlil gave a patient looking smile to Valery this time, letting his gaze linger on her for a moment before he looked back to Colette as she sat down. Explained her case like she was on trial. That wasn't at all what he was intending this to be, though, perhaps it might help with the side of this that was still vastly important. They were Jedi, all three of them, after all. "The relationship between a Padawan and their Master is very much like family. I care for my own as if they are my children, but the reality is that they are still my Padawans. There will be times Master Valery won't be able to be both your Master and your Mother. There will be times you both will have to put being a Jedi before being family."

He stood then, stepped over beside Colette before crouching down with a warmer smile. He reached up, ruffled her hair just a little.

"So I'll be sure to spoil you when she can't. That's what parents are supposed to do, after all."

Valery Noble | Colette

 

[Valery Noble]

Niv Hani

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Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Colette Kahlil Noble

"Master Noble."

Flick.

Valery struck the back of his head with a finger-flick, and squinted at him. Of course, what he said after that was right, but she couldn't help but feel he was being cheeky with her. Valery's hand then settled on his shoulder, she squeezed, and looked between him and Colette — their daughter. It brought a smile to Valery's lips, and she turned to look at her husband again with a lot of appreciation.

"He's right, and it can be hard to be a Jedi above family, but it'll be a good challenge for both of us." She then watched Kahlil crouch down for a little moment with Colette and she felt a lot of warmth in her heart over it.

"Right now, though... no Master Noble," Valery said with a chuckle and an eyebrow waggle to Kahlil, just to make sure he knew she'd rebel and be difficult. "We leave that for when we're on duty. Just... Mom and Dad, or whatever you like to call us." Colette often called her by her first name, and she was still okay with it, too.

"Hey, love? Do you think we should call the kids back over? We'll also need to get her a proper bedroom and everything. No more guest rooms for her."