Private Tiny Visitors

[Valery Noble]

Vera's multicolored eyes flickered with curiosity at Efret's words, and for a moment, she hesitated. The way Efret brushed past the topic so quickly caught her attention, and she couldn't help but wonder what lay beneath the statement. With Eryx giggling happily on Efret's knee and Yvaine snuggled close in her arms, Vera couldn't imagine why Efret thought motherhood wasn't in her future.

"Why do you say that?" Vera asked softly, her tone gentle but inquisitive. "You're so natural with them. I mean, look at Eryx — he's already smitten with you," she added with a warm smile as the little boy clung to Efret's arm.

Before Efret could reply, Vera walked toward the kitchen cabinets, her enthusiasm for the golden milk undimmed. "And don't worry about the ingredients," she said with a chuckle, pulling out the spices one by one. "Mom and Dad love cooking, so the pantry is always stocked. We've got milk, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, and honey right here."

As she set everything on the counter, Vera turned back to Efret, her expression softening. "You'd make such a great mom, you know. The way you connect with them… it's special." She glanced at Eryx and Yvaine with a smile before looking back at Efret. "I think anyone would be lucky to have you as their parent."

Her voice was steady, but the sincerity in her words was unmistakable.

Efret Farr ​

 

[Efret Farr]

Efret waited until Vera had said her piece, smiling softly as she did. "Well, thank you," she answered when she could. "I'd love to be a mother, but raising a child..."

The archeologist lowered her hand for a moment, raising it again when she had rethought her coming words. In some ways, parenthood—specifically, motherhood—had always struck Efret as a responsibility that was incongruent with the rest of a Jedi's livelihood. That opinion would stay in her head, though; she didn't want to offend parents like Val or their children like Vera. Of course she wasn't against the existence of the latter. Instead, the whole idea rose a philosophical question for her.

By making a lifelong commitment to raising their own blood, could a Jedi still remain equally committed to the much larger galaxy and her people?

Maybe theoretically, but Efret doubted her ability to.

"I'm so busy now, making sacrifices for people dead and living. I know your mother finds time and energy to do everything, but I don't think I could."

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

Vera paused for a moment, letting Efret's words settle. Her eyes softened as she turned back toward her friend, her hands pausing mid-motion as she reached for the honey jar.

"That's completely okay," Vera said gently, her voice warm and understanding. "Being a parent is hard, I imagine. Something you should only do if you feel ready and confident about it."

She smiled warmly, glancing over at Yvaine and Eryx, who were now cooing and gurgling at each other. Yvaine reached out with tiny fingers, brushing against Eryx's arm, which sent the little boy into a fit of giggles. Vera's smile brightened as she watched them, her heart full.

She moved back to the counter and began whisking the golden milk ingredients together with ease, her voice playful now. "And besides, you can always borrow these two if you ever want to test the waters." She chuckled, nodding toward the babies. "They seem to like you enough already."

Yvaine let out a tiny squeal, and Eryx followed with a louder coo, as if to agree. Vera laughed softly, glancing at Efret with a look that was equal parts teasing and affectionate.

Efret Farr ​

 

[Efret Farr]

A laugh shook Yvaine very softly as it rolled through the master's body. "That's a very astute observation, my dear," she teased Vera. As much was true, but it wasn't exactly a difficult conclusion to draw. Despite her own playfulness, Efret smiled, thankful for Vera's understanding and grace.

She pointed towards the spiced milk. "Good. Now bring it all to a simmer." She'd wait until Vera put the saucepan on the range to ask, "Do you know the benefits of drinking or eating turmeric?" Her smile turned into a bit of a smirk as another joke came to her. "Besides happiness."

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

Vera giggled softly, her multicolored eyes sparkling with amusement as she set the saucepan on the range, turning the heat to a gentle simmer. She gave the mixture a quick stir, the golden milk already starting to release a comforting, spicy aroma.

At Efret's question, Vera tilted her head curiously, her lips curving into a playful grin. "I can't say I do," she admitted, her tone light. "But if it tastes good and makes me happy, that's already a win in my book."

Her grin softened into something more genuine as she turned her gaze toward Efret. "But you've got me curious now. What's the secret behind turmeric? Is it going to give me superpowers or something?" she teased, her eyes flicking back to the bubbling mixture with a sparkle of excitement.

She gave the golden milk another careful stir, then added with a little laugh, "Or is it just going to make me immune to my siblings' endless chaos?" She glanced over at Yvaine and Eryx, who were still happily cooing at each other.

Efret Farr ​

 

[Efret Farr]

"Kind of," Efret allowed to Vera's first question with a tilt of her head. "It's a superfood with magical properties." She began counting off on her hand as she signed. "Anti-inflammatory, protects gut health, supports cognition, help digestion, even enhances mood.

"But it doesn't absorb into the bloodstream very well. That's why it's necessary to pair it with black pepper for most benefit."

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

Vera's eyes widened with exaggerated awe. "Magical properties?" she echoed, grinning as she gave the golden milk another lazy stir. "That sounds awesome,"

Her gaze flicked to Efret with open curiosity, her grin turning thoughtful. "How do you know all this stuff?" she asked, tilting her head slightly. "Did you study it somewhere, or are you just secretly a food alchemist?"

She waggled her eyebrows, clearly amused by the idea, but her interest was genuine. Efret knew a lot, and Vera was always fascinated by how people learned the things they did.

Could help her one day.

Efret Farr ​

 

[Efret Farr]

Efret grinned at Vera's excitement. "Well, it depends on who you ask. Some people say it's just biology, but to some cultures, including mine, turmeric is sacred.

"It's an ingredient in a lot of Lorrdian food," the archeologist explained. "A Jedi recruiter came for me when I was eight years old. My mother had taught me a lot about cooking by then, but, for one, my help was limited to certain tasks and, for two, I forgot most of what I knew as soon as I stated training here on Coruscant." For Efret, Jedi training had been so demanding that it had been almost impossible to devote any time to a pursuit that wasn't meditation, study of Jedi history, or Force or lightsaber drills. She hoped that the experience was a little more balanced for Vera. "When I was knighted and started studying to become an archeologist, I also started studying Lorrdian culture, including cooking, to reconnect with my heritage. I learned what I had forgotten and more."

Her smile took on a mischievous quality. "But I like food alchemist."

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

Vera listened, her usual bright energy settling into something softer as Efret spoke.

She couldn't imagine it — being taken away from her family at eight years old. No more breakfasts with Mom. No more quiet moments with Dad. No late-night stories, no hugs before bed. It was just... gone. Replaced with training, drills, and a whole different life.

Her fingers tightened slightly around her cup.

She was lucky. She knew that. Her parents were still a part of her life, still guiding her, still there. And hearing Efret talk about forgetting parts of herself just to survive Jedi training?

That didn't sit right.

Vera's gaze flicked back to her, warmth returning to her grin. "That's really cool," she said honestly, "Not just that you got to reconnect, but that you learned even more."

She tilted her head, watching her with open curiosity. "Do you ever cook for other Jedi? Or is it more of a personal thing?"

Then, her smirk returned, mischief glinting in her multicolored eyes. "Because Food Alchemist Efret has a pretty fun ring to it, and I'd totally be first in line if you ever start a little kitchen somewhere."

Efret Farr ​

 

[Efret Farr]

A little kitchen somewhere.

That sounded like something to strive for.

"I used to make and freeze homemade meals for archeological expeditions," Efret replied to Vera's question about if she ever cooked for other Jedi. "It was fun to share my culture with any work partners, if I had any. I don't have time to do that anymore so my team and I eat mass-produced rations. The last person..." She trailed off, thinking about whether or not to continue. "...I cooked for was Master Edo. I should cook for someone else someday."

She took a short sip from her cup. Her smile when she set it down on the counter was not as forced as she was expecting it would be a moment ago. The healing properties of turmeric. Golden milk rarely failed in making her happy. "What's your favorite ingredient and taste? I prefer to not cook meat. Would a vegetarian dish be agreeable for you?"

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

Vera's grin widened, the warmth in her expression only growing. "Well, if you ever feel like cooking for someone again, you should totally come over sometime! Mom and Dad both love cooking—Dad especially—so we could all do it together. I bet they'd love it."

And the little ones would love to have Efret come over, too!

She leaned forward slightly, propping her elbows on the counter, her multicolored eyes bright with enthusiasm. "And yeah, vegetarian is totally fine! Honestly, I love beans. Any kind, really. They're just—" She gestured vaguely, as if that somehow summed up her entire opinion. "They go with everything, and there's, like, a million different ways to make them taste amazing."

She smirked. "So, Food Alchemist Efret, think you could work some magic with beans?"

Efret Farr ​

 

[Efret Farr]

Rajma Masala came straight to mind.

Efret nodded. "I certainly can. And will." She paused and looked down, taking a few moments to adjust Yvaine in one of her arms. "Once my team and I finish relocating the Temple Collection, I'll come back to Coruscant, and your family and I will cook a nice meal. Or you all can meet me on Fondor. I have temporary quarters there."

As she took another sip of her golden milk, she glanced at the chronometer widget on her wristpad's tablet screen. A surprised hum worked its way out of her throat, though she wasn't aware she had made a sound. Much more time had passed than she had expected. Val was bound to pop back in any minute now. "It's been such a treat to spend this time with you, Vera."

She glanced down once more, her gaze moving from Yvaine to Eryx. "You two too," she added before booping them both on their noses.

Valery Noble
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