Private Spiraling Descent

[Talon Barova]

Location: Spira
Tag: Valery Noble

Memories of how the beautiful resorts of Spira used to be on everyone’s lips. They planned to spend a week or two relaxing, but sadly as Talon came to realize that the Jedi often didn’t plan on spending time in Spira. Or perhaps with everything going on lately it was difficult for them to even tease the luxury let alone think of it. In truth the seasoned Jedi had no plans himself to consider the thought.

”But… since I’m here, I might as well take the opportunity.” If there was anyone who’d fit the description of a Jedi who had been running ragged, Talon would certainly fit the bill. His green eyes, which used to be filled with vitality and a dose of mischief, lit up upon seeing the lapping waves from his private balcony. The sun glinting from the vast water across the horizon as if the stars sparkled with life. His tattered robe, in a state of patch or three and the sleeves were frayed, had been discarded upon the back of a lounge chair. The warm breeze of salt brushed against his face as the dark circles under his eyes spoke of his restless state.

If it wasn’t for the movements regarding the Dark Empire, Talon would likely still be in the Outer Rim searching in vain for his former Padawan. A young twi’lek who had succumbed to the seduction of the dark side. Consequently, the once innocent boy had committed one atrocity after another in the name of an unknown master that eluded Talon still. Whether it was by infecting a ship full of the Blackwing virus that turned all of the crew members into carnivorous undead, or unleashing the Sithspawn both old and new upon the frontier settlements outside of the Galactic Alliance’s reach. Talon had to endeavor and even correct his mistake by putting an end to such monstrosities before it could spread further out.

Valery had been there for part of the journey at least, but as her attention was drawn back to the more critical affairs of the galaxy. Talon had at least kept the Jedi Order informed of his movements and what had transpired. To him, it was essentially chasing ghosts as Talon searched high and low for the fallen Padawan. For the knight had found the child once, but in Talon’s hesitation he attempted to bring Padawan back to the Light. An attempt that the twi’lek took advantage of and made his escape. Tracking the boy had proven to be fruitless, but Talon still kept searching anyway.

”Speaking of, I need to make that report…” The man muttered to himself as he pushed off from the railing and turned towards the lounge table where a datapad was located. He scooped up the device as the man proceeded to lay down on the chair with his boots kicked up. Once he produced a card from his pockets, the man inserted the encrypted card into the datapad, and as he entered the password to access the card that contained hundreds of reports including photos that he had taken in the past year came to view.

”I really wish I could drink right now, but I know that I’d never get this done once I start.” Though he had rented a room in a hotel, it wasn’t necessarily a pleasurable cruise so to speak. It was to serve as something of a rendezvous point for meetings and whatnot as it was closer to Typhon and the neighboring planets that fell to the Dark Empire. Not that Talon ever had to use the rendezvous point before, but he had informed the Order of his travel to Spira before he had arrived. In the meantime, Talon must slave away albeit reluctantly sober as he began writing his report.

 

[Valery Noble]

The soft hum of a speeder echoed beneath the golden Spira sun as Valery guided it through the familiar streets, her fiery gaze flicking briefly toward the waves that stretched endlessly along the shore. The scent of salt filled the air, mingling with the faint aroma of tropical flowers, and for just a moment, she let herself breathe it in.

It’s been too long.

She had spent time on Spira before, but usually for the sake of relaxation. But today, she had arrived to help another.

Her mind flickered back to the messages they had exchanged, to the grim details of his reports, the weight he had been carrying for far too long. She had been there, in part, for his search — but when the war demanded her presence elsewhere, she had no choice but to step away. He had kept searching alone.

Now, she was here.

The speeder slowed as she pulled up outside the hotel, a quiet, elegant retreat that stood in contrast to the war-torn edges of the galaxy they had both spent too much time in. With a soft exhale, she stepped off, adjusting the drape of her casual attire — lighter fabrics, something more fitting for Spira’s warmth but still practical.

Valery moved with purpose through the hotel’s corridors, weaving past vacationers and hotel staff until she reached the door she was looking for. She hesitated, just for a second, listening for any sign of movement inside. Then, raising her hand, she knocked firmly.

Talon Barova ​

 

[Talon Barova]

Location: Spira
Tag: Valery Noble

A powerful yet familiar presence graced upon the man’s mind. Much like the respite of a summer rain on the smoldering ashes of a forest. He had truly been away from most of the other Jedi for far too long. Longer than he’d like to admit. Of course, most people saw him as the drunkard that certainly didn’t uphold the stigma viewpoint of how Jedi must conduct themselves at all times. Unlike some of the others however, Talon never had to fear slipping into the dark side no matter how close to it he was. For he knew himself better than anyone, and was content with himself. Even as his own mistakes lingered in the forefront of his mind.

The report was halfway finished when Talon heard a brief yet firm knocking on his door. Last time he had seen the Grandmaster herself was when they located a ship that had gone missing in the Outer Rim. Only to find that the crew was infected by the virus as they kept trying to ram into Talon’s ship. That was certainly a tale for nightmares to exist, but Talon could only hope that was the worse that his former Padawan was capable of. His mind played back how the boy kept spouting about power, and how Talon was ignorant of what the dark side could offer.

Such things were best dwelled for another time, he decided. Preferably with a drink or two in his hand. His shoulders relaxed from the tension that had unknowingly remained for a long time. The large hand turned the datapad’s screen off as the card ejected from the device. The approaching sounds of his tattered boots could be heard, and despite how light he meant to be in consideration for the people downstairs. They were still heavy from the weight he carried. After he double checked through the monitor to ensure that it was exactly who he thought the visitor was. He mustered the charming warm smile as the jedi pressed the button to open the door.

”Fancy meeting you here, Master Noble.” It was perhaps a bit formal considering how he used to be around her. Or rather he simply tried to watch his words out of respect. Or maybe he simply hadn’t drunk any liquid courage yet. Who knows, but one thing was certain from Talon as he stepped to the side for Valery to enter. He wasn’t exactly a great liar as the subtle hints of his mental state might have given him away from body language.

”You know, I think that I can only recall my visit in Spira twice in my lifetime, but I can say that this trip certainly got a lot better.”

 

[Valery Noble]

Valery arched a brow, smirking as she stepped past him into the hotel room. "Oh? And here I was thinking Spira itself was enough to make any trip worthwhile," she teased, her voice laced with amusement. "But I suppose I'm glad to be of service."

Her fiery gaze flicked over him, taking in the familiar weight in his posture, the subtle tension that never quite left his frame. She had seen it before — felt it in the words he had sent her. Talon carried more than most, and even with that easy smile of his, she knew better than to think he had left those burdens behind. But for now, she let the moment breathe.

Her smirk softened, warmth flickering in her gaze. "It's good to see you again, Talon."

She moved further into the room, glancing around briefly before settling her focus back on him. "Though, I have to say… I half-expected to find you passed out on a beach somewhere with a drink in hand." She chuckled, tilting her head. "But I suppose you're keeping yourself busy instead?" Her gaze flicked to the datapad, the one he had just powered down before opening the door.

Business before pleasure.

Talon Barova ​

 

[Talon Barova]

Location: Spira
Tag: Valery Noble

The man might have indulged in such vices before, but as of late he simply hadn't been in the mood to drink anymore. Whether that was a touch of irony or not remained to be seen. Of course he had only turned to alcohol as a form of escape from his guilt, and through that escape it turned into something of passion. A notion that traditional Jedi would likely frown upon, but Talon always thought that they had a stick shoved up there or something.

”Well, you'd be correct in that had you arrive an hour later or so.” Talon admitted as he pressed the button to close the metal door with a hiss. The mechanical click of a magnetic lock in place. A form of habit really, despite Spira was supposed to invite warmth and relaxation. Talon couldn't afford to be vulnerable, not even here. Or perhaps that was just how thorough he was as the motion was as simple and fluid as second nature to him.

”It’s good to see you too, Val. I… assume that things haven't been going well lately?” Even while drunk, Talon was particularly sensitive when something was afoot. His tattered boots were soft on the lush carpet before they lightly tapped on the tiled floor in the kitchen area. There wasn’t much for provisions as Talon had just gotten the room not so long ago. The timing that Valery had was impeccable to say the least. But as he fetched some refreshments that were surprisingly non-alcoholic. He made two of them.

His eyes occasionally shifted over to the Grandmaster, observing her stance and behavior. She was always a difficult one to read correctly as she rarely, if ever, let her guard down. Not even those fiery eyes that had seen such horrors that wars had to offer, nor the countless battles that calloused her hands. Yet through all of that, there was still a measure of tension that never quite left her shoulders. A hypocrite that he might have been, but Talon knew that she wouldn't call him back unless the situation had truly grown dire.

 

[Valery Noble]

Valery watched as Talon moved through the space, his motions smooth, practiced — habitual in a way that spoke of a man who never truly let his guard down. Even here, in the warmth of Spira, where the waves should have washed some of the weight from his shoulders, he still locked the door without thinking, still carried himself with a quiet, lingering tension.

She understood it.

His question pulled her attention back, and she let out a soft chuckle, though there wasn't much humor in it. "Things could be better," she admitted, shifting her weight slightly. "The war is..." She exhaled through her nose, shaking her head. "Well, it's war. You know how it is. One battle ends, another starts. And if it's not the Sith, it's something else."

Her gaze flicked to him, and despite the weight of her words, a genuine smile tugged at her lips — small, but real. "But I'm holding up."

It wasn't a lie. Talon had seen her in worse states before — burned out, exhausted, carrying too much all at once. But now? She was tired, sure. But she wasn't unraveling. She accepted the drink he handed her with a nod of thanks, rolling the glass absently between her fingers before looking back at him. "I know you didn't come to Spira for the view," she mused, her smirk returning just slightly. "So tell me, Talon — what's next?"

Talon Barova ​

 

[Talon Barova]

Location: Spira
Tag: Valery Noble

In contrast, Master Valery appeared to have been holding up better than he was. The ironic unspoken question was whether Talon would be better off drunk or not, but that was to be decided for a later thought. Their hands briefly brushed against each other when Talon handed her the drink, and his thumbnail was notably cracked albeit healed from the time he narrowly escaped from a rampaging rancor. The drink provided some relief as he tilted the glass to his lips. Allowing the coolness offers some succor to the smoldering embers in the core of his body.

”War never changes unfortunately, but I will continue to hope that one day these wars will become a distant memory.” That was all that could keep someone going even through the dire times, hope. Even if it seemed to be a distant dream, only they could turn those dreams into their reality. Alas that charming smile of his faltered slightly when Valery inquired what was next. He was certain that she had read the reports that he had given to the Order, but it was best to just summarize it.

”That is certainly a good question. As it would turn out, my… former, Padawan had aligned himself with the Sith Order. He’s also been the culprit who orchestrated packs of Tuk’ata to tear through the villages and other small towns in the Outer Rim. At first I thought that perhaps he was transporting the beasts from their native planet, except there wasn’t a ship big enough to transport all of them. Not without witnesses from seeing it ironically.” Talon expressed with a grim look on his face, the frayed lines along his tunic evident as he walked over to sit along the edge of his bed. Drink in hand as he couldn’t figure out how the Padawan was able to do all of that destruction without alerting anyone of the beasts’ presence.

”I found him on Sevarcos after he drove a rancor mad, but I had two choices as the rancor headed towards a mine; and the Padawan went the other direction. I tried to convince him that the dark side was not the answer he hoped it would be, but… he didn’t listen to a word I said.” Talon paused as he could imagine anyone in his shoes would’ve likely gone after the Padawan, dragging the twi’lek boy by the leku if necessary. But Talon knew that would just end in a repeat as before. The man downed the last of his drink before he settled the empty glass onto the side table.

”After I stopped the rancor, I lost the trail as it was heading into the Sith Order territory, so I returned here. Hoping that somehow I can help however I can on your side of the galaxy.”

 

[Valery Noble]

Valery listened in silence, her drink forgotten in her hands as Talon spoke. She could hear the frustration in his voice, the weight of a Master who had done everything he could and still lost his Padawan to the Dark. It wasn't just about failure — she knew that all too well. It was about the choice.

She exhaled softly through her nose, her gaze flicking to him as he drained the rest of his glass. "You did what you could, Talon," she murmured, steady and certain. "And you're here now, ready to help where you can." There was warmth in her tone, a quiet reassurance. The war never stopped, but neither did they.

But… not tonight.

A small smirk pulled at her lips as she finally took a sip of her drink. "And while I could absolutely use the help," she mused, tilting her head slightly, "I think for now, you should take a breath." She gestured vaguely at their surroundings — the gentle hum of waves outside, the quiet, the moment of peace that felt so rare these days. "The war isn't going anywhere. And neither is your Padawan." Her smirk softened just slightly, her gaze steady on his. "We'll have our chance at him again. But until then…"

She leaned back against the counter, crossing one ankle over the other as she took another slow sip. "Maybe it's time we remember what it's like to not be in a war zone for a little while." Her smirk deepened just slightly as she raised her glass toward him in a small toast. "Think you remember how to do that?"

Talon Barova ​

 

[Talon Barova]

Location: Spira
Tag: Valery Noble

Valery had the right of it about the war not going anywhere in particular. Whether it was one thing or another, there was always a war brewing somewhere in this galaxy. He wanted to say that his Padawan was going somewhere. To a place where the vice-like grip will continue to hold the young man in its dark clutches until the last of his life was drained. Either by the hands of another, or his own. Talon hoped to stop his Padawan before the kid ventured too far in that he wouldn’t be able to climb out, but is anything it seemed like his efforts had only driven the former Padawan deeper into the darkness.

Perhaps it was better to simply leave it in the hands of the Force to guide him on a better path. It was arguably the only thing that could get the new Apprentice to change his mind, assuming he wasn’t too drunk on the prospect of power. He mulled over the thoughts that continued to haunt his mind, but perhaps that was precisely what Valery meant.

”I certainly can’t argue with that. Though I’ll try not to drink as much as I used to.” Not that he wouldn’t mind feeling the typical buzz of being drunk. It’d at least chase away the problematic thoughts for the time being, but perhaps that was precisely why he turned to alcohol in the first place. To run away from his responsibility, and from his mistakes. Well, Talon was done running as he smirked in response with a raised empty glass to Valery.

”My memory is quite fuzzy, but I can at least manage that much.” Granted the last time he had stepped away from war was… well, when he turned to drinking and stopped being a Jedi in the first place. At least this time he doesn’t have a mind to repeat that phase again.