Private What about the forests?

[Colette]

Valery Noble

An embarrassed chuckle parted Colette's lips.

"No, nothing like that." She said and shook her head. "Been running the cadences, the circuits and the spars. Too busy to do anything like that. I liked what I had with Shan, but…" She shrugged. "It was a nice distraction. I want to focus on other things."

The smell of the fire, the crackle of the embers. Yeah, this was a good life.

"Might end up needing it one day. I get the feeling I'll be knighted soon," She said and gave Valery a knowing smile. "And after that I'll probably have to take on more responsibility."

"My... Vow means more to me than anything else. It gives me purpose."

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Wedding Ring

Valery chuckled, nudging Colette's shoulder lightly. "I was just teasing." A smirk curled at the edges of her lips, but there was warmth behind it. She hadn't expected some big, dramatic confession, but it was always fun to poke at her daughter a little.

Still, she listened — really listened — to Colette's words. The mention of her past relationship with Shan, the way she spoke about her training, the certainty in her voice when she talked about her Vow. Valery felt a quiet swell of pride.

"You're right, you know," she murmured after a moment, the firelight dancing in her amber gaze. "You're close. To Knighthood." It wasn't just about her skill in battle, her discipline in training — it was the way she carried herself, the way she spoke. She was ready.

She smiled, tilting her head slightly. "And I'm glad your Vow means so much to you. That you take it seriously." Her voice softened, just a little. "You're a good Jedi, and I'm very proud of you." For a moment, she just let that sit between them, the quiet weight of those words settling in the crackling warmth of the fire. She was proud. More than she could ever really say.

Then, with a mischievous glint, she exhaled, stretching her legs out. "But," she added, smirking as she cast a playful glance at Colette, "Until then, I'll still make you run laps. We're not quite done just yet~"

Colette ​

 

[Colette]

Valery Noble

"I know." Colette spoke through her grin as Valery 'apologized' for her prodding. It had been her dedication from the start that had endeared Valery to her enough to bring her on as an apprentice and padawan, after all.

And then, the weirdest thing happened. The compliment made Colette look away for a moment with a happy smile growing on her lips.

"Thanks." Colette said with a bashful hint of red coloring her cheeks. "That means a lot."

"Until then I'll still make you run laps."

"Oh please," Colette intersected before Valery was done speaking. "I do those laps by myself at this point, and probably even faster than you - no force involved."

"I'd have you lapped two times over by the end of the day and you know it."

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Wedding Ring

Valery's smirk deepened, but there was something softer beneath it — something undeniably warm. She had caught it. That brief moment when Colette glanced away, the subtle dusting of red on her cheeks. And that? That meant just as much to her as anything else.

She didn't say anything about it, though. She just let it settle, let Colette have the moment.

But then — Colette challenged her.

Valery blinked once. Then, she laughed — an open, bright sound, full of amusement and just a little bit of oh, you did not just say that. "Ohh," she began, stretching her arms behind her head as she cast Colette a knowing look. "You're getting bold now, huh? Thinking you can outpace your old Master?"

She exhaled dramatically, shaking her head. "You might be close to Knighthood, but I've still got you beat, sweetheart." The smirk that followed? Pure challenge.

She grinned. "You're not ready for me just yet~"

Colette ​

 

[Colette]

Valery Noble

Colette laughed out loud at Valery's defiance.

"I was walking before you even stepped out of that freezer box you called home for the last four thousand years." She shot back with a cocky grin. "You might have been the hottest shot in your time, but I'm the new generation - given time I will outrun you, just watch."

She exhaled a happy smile.

"But… Yeah. Close to knighthood and all that."

"Not sure I feel like I've grown that much, but at least it will… I don't know? Look good?"

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Wedding Ring

Valery couldn't help but laugh, shaking her head as she reached out and pulled Colette into a warm side hug. "Oh, sweetheart," she grinned, squeezing her affectionately. "The day you outrun me... will be a happy day." She smirked, tilting her head slightly. "But don't expect me to make it easy for you."

Valery was always competitive, but she was also a proud Mother. The idea that she'd watch her kids slowly take over made her feel incredibly warm inside.

She let the moment settle for a beat before nudging Colette's side gently. "And trust me," Valery said, her voice dipping into something softer, "It's not just about looking good, Colette. You have changed. You've matured, grown stronger, learned things your way. Knighthood isn't about being perfect — it's about being ready for a certain level of responsibility."

She leaned back slightly, studying her daughter with quiet pride. "And you are."

Colette ​