Private Where Paths Cross

[Valery Noble]

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

The morning light cut began to shimmer in, thin beams slipping through the dense jungle to paint the stone walkways of the New Cov Enclave. For Valery, it was a familiar sight. Of all the temples and outposts scattered across the galaxy, this one had always felt closest to being home. The sounds of the jungle, the rhythm of life outside its walls, and the work that filled its halls gave the enclave a heartbeat.

Today, though, her focus was not on work. A name had been crossing her desk more often in the past few weeks, tied to efforts both in the temple and beyond it. Malora Varis. She had heard of the woman's arrival through other Jedi, and more recently through whispers of the help she had already begun to offer. It was enough to catch Valery's attention, and curiosity was not something she ignored.

Curious about this woman, she moved down one of the inner corridors. Valery let her presence reach outward, seeking the familiar spark she had been told belonged to Malora. She hoped to find her quickly.

It was time to meet this new arrival for herself.

Malora Varis ​

 

[Malora Varis]

WHERE PATHS CROSS​

Location – New Cov Jedi Temple
Objectives – To be dated. . .
Tags – Valery Noble
Paraphernalia – Lightsaber, outfit

​

Unison, a foreign concept on this accursed planet, born of idealistic thoughts and a place to cultivate. If this even could be called such a thing, the walls were nigh on leaking, her bed had been strangely uncomfortable. Though, it was her will, she was the naive supplicant begging for a lot within this shallow galaxy. Yet that realisation did not quite buy her comfort at this time, so as the jewellery slid on her wrists and the lightsaber was attached to her leather belt, her lips solely repeated the mantra that this would in time bear its fruits. Malora then grabbed the holo-tablet from her table and departed from her modest chambers. Her fingers tapping the screen as her golden gaze trailed the headers on the newspapers, conflict between guerrilas, an arranged wedding, the scandal was minimal.

In time, the Pantoran crossed a handful of initiates, from footmen to Padawans or the like -- Aimlessly strolling about, seeking a task to still their lust for action or adventure. "Adorable," Malora murmured, before pinning her head back down towards the Imperial articles. A truce may have been the closest word for it, for the action was stagnant from her side. Her heart longed for the political feasts and the waltz between daggers and charm, where she could exhaust her potential, not be stuck combing through repeated events until their words had reddened her sclera. Her eyes lingered on the device, so much so that her senses caught the obstacle (if one could even call the former Grandmaster that) a moment too late. She collided with her without a word of excuse.

"Ugh, I am sorry, dear." Malora took a step back, her hand gliding over her layered robes as if any dirt lay upon them. Only once that was finished, did she look upon the fellow Jedi Master. "My mind was distracted by this article on..." She let out a deep breath before checking the headline of the text. "A Jedi Padawan's leaked holo-diary." Her blue cheeks flushed an indigo as she knew that sounded closer to a lie than the truth. "Right."

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[Valery Noble]

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

The sudden bump drew Valery's steps to a halt, but instead of irritation her lips curved into a smirk. She glanced at the datapad, then back up at Malora with a flicker of amusement in her orange eyes.

"A Padawan's holo-diary, hm? I can only imagine what kind of scandal you've uncovered there," she teased, her tone carrying just enough playfulness to take the edge off the awkward moment. "Hopefully nothing too embarrassing for them, or you may end up with half the enclave chasing you down for reading it."

She let out a soft chuckle and shook her head before taking a small step back to give Malora space. "But no harm done. In fact, I should thank you. This saves me from having to search half the temple." Her smile warmed as she folded her hands loosely in front of her.

"You're exactly the person I was hoping to find. Malora Varis, right? I've been meaning to introduce myself properly."

Malora Varis ​

 

[Malora Varis]

WHERE PATHS CROSS​

Location – New Cov Jedi Temple
Objectives – To be dated. . .
Tags – Valery Noble
Paraphernalia – Lightsaber, outfit

​

To think the former Grandmaster only found levity in her lapse, clearly a person forged for the battlefield rather than the intricacies of court. Though a grin would not befall her, she dismissed the comment about the terribly inappropriate headline with the flick of the wrist. "If they are thus far bothered by a diary of a young Padawan, then they have no place here." A harsh word, but ultimately the truth from her eyes. In a place where inaction was indeed a flaw, chasing after leaked documents was a waste of resources. Yes, one she ultimately chased herself, but it was not as if she had much else to do?

Her mind was drawn back to the conversation as Master Noble expressed her interest in meeting her. A bemused smile drew itself on her indigo lips as she clasped her hands together. "It is always pleasant to hear people wanting to meet me." Malora confessed in part-jest, before her gaze rolled over the woman's rather commanding stance. "Need I remind you we are not on a battlefield, Master Jedi?" Her smirk grew into a brief grin, before it faltered once more. The corridor felt crowded as a handful of rebels paced through it, nigh on bumping into the two. "Though to be entirely honest, the quality of life here must be on par with that of a warzone... So, you found me, is there something you require?"

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[Valery Noble]

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

Valery's smirk lingered, "Believe it or not, this is me relaxed," she admitted. "So one can only wonder what I am like on an actual battlefield, hm?" The playful edge in her voice softened the words, but there was no hiding the truth in them either.

Her gaze drifted around the corridor, watching the rebels moving through the enclave with supplies in hand. The noise, the bustle, the smell of the jungle beyond the stone walls... it was all familiar. A grin tugged at her lips. "New Cov is rough around the edges, yes, but I grew up in places like this. The jungle has always been part of my life, so this temple feels like home to me. I know that isn't true for everyone, but I find comfort in it."

She turned back to Malora, "The real reason I was looking for you, though, is that I could use some assistance with an assignment. You've already made yourself known here, and I would like to see firsthand how you might fit into the Path's work."

Malora Varis ​

 

[Malora Varis]

WHERE PATHS CROSS​

Location – New Cov Jedi Temple
Objectives – To be dated. . .
Tags – Valery Noble
Paraphernalia – Lightsaber, outfit

​

The amusing remark about her presence on the battlefield shifted her grin back into a smile that did not quite reach her golden eyes. "Why yes, I have no intention of ever meeting you on the battlefield. I -- on the other hand -- much prefer to wage wars with words, not with swords," the Pantoran admitted, though there was the briefest hesitation lacing her tone. Master Noble was a renowned figure among the many layers of the galaxy's society, and it felt almost indecent to make a double-edged jest about warfare. Still, she allowed the barb to linger only for a moment before her ears twitched at the mention of New Cov's history. "I pity you in some sense, though I picture after so many years you must be delighted to set foot here again. A return to your roots, mayhaps?" she added, carefully tempering her tone to dismiss the earlier edge of hostility that had slipped into her voice.

Her thumbs began to fidget against each other, her thoughts a whirlwind in her mind, before she nodded as though convincing herself. "Do not tell me we are to jump straight into action. I would not want these robes to be sullied by mud or… ugh, blood." The last word escaped her lips with discomfort, a sliver of it running through her at the unwelcome reminder of the side effects battle and/or war brought. She exhaled once, composing herself, and attempted to improve the bad impression her word may have left. "Though, you are the leader here, and I am certain there lies a wise judgment in your mind." Her gaze drifted across the surroundings, silently praying her words did not mark her defiant or anything else too swiftly...

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[Valery Noble]

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

Valery's smirk returned at the remark, and she inclined her head just slightly. "Wars with words can be just as dangerous, depending on who wields them," she said, her tone laced with her own touch of amusement. There was no offense taken, only acknowledgment that Malora had her own way of approaching conflict.

At the mention of roots, her expression softened. "You are right. The jungle has a way of always calling me back. I may have traveled far, but places like this feel familiar in ways I cannot ignore." For a moment her gaze shifted toward the stone walls, listening to the distant hum of the jungle beyond, before she looked back.

The jungle had its edge, but so did she.

When Malora spoke of mud and blood, Valery chuckled, shaking her head lightly. "You can rest easy. I am not dragging you into battle today, so your robes are safe. We still have time to prepare." She folded her arms more loosely across her chest. "The task I had in mind is more diplomatic in nature. If all goes well, you will find it far more suited to your strengths."

Malora Varis ​

 

[Malora Varis]

WHERE PATHS CROSS​

Location – New Cov, Jedi Temple
Objectives – To be dated . . .
Tags – Valery Noble
Paraphernalia – Lightsaber, Bodysuit, Outfit

​

Defiance danced on her tongue, declarations supporting her stance rather than the former Grandmaster's. For were conflicts not ignited with verbal provocations, with failed negotiations? And did the charisma of their leaders not empower their sides toward certain victory, or defeat? Diplomacy, words, they all lay the foundation for the thrill of battle others so vehemently sought. Wars were based on words, and no matter how sharp their foe's blade may be, it shall never match in strength. A forced smile lingered on her lips, the lightest twitch of its corners a crack in her façade.

The ruminations of distant histories echoed throughout the corridors... Whilst the Pantoran found little fondness in life without luxury, the song of the Force yet chimed the gentle solace of Valery's reminiscing. Yet its sharper chords were not lost upon her listening ear. New Cov and its inhabitants were not graced in eternal sunlight, and its shadows must linger elsewhere.

Upon the mention of their quest being without crimson or flame, the twitching of her lips halted. A faint wave of relaxation washing over her as she remained in place. "Then let us pray you shall not grow fatigued by endless diplomacy." The blade within her words was not veiled, nor need it be, their stances may oppose one another, indirectly or no. "So what is the conflict today? Must I meddle in the affairs of squabbling soldiers, or has another Lord not kept to his marriage bed?" Her arms crossed over one another, expectantly eyeing Master Noble for a flicker of an objective.

"Surprise me." Malora's words lacked the hostility of before, as if begging for a risqué or merely intriguing strife to sate her.

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