Private Who is Katherine Holt?

[Kahlil Noble]

He had a feeling.

Kahlil's expression darkened just a little as they were pulled along by the young version of Katherine. Worse, he'd changed the original memory by showing her kindness instead of what actually happened. He knew that wasn't real, but to see her scream had him far more worried what they might have to do to help her. This wasn't like when he was trapped on the Wellspring.

They wouldn't be able to change anything here.

"Let's hide, yes." He forced a smile as he nodded to Katherine and followed. They were on a script now, they just didn't know the lines.

Valery Noble | Katherine Holt

 

[Katherine Holt]

Location: Katherine's Mind - Katherine's Hometown
Tags: Kahlil Noble | Valery Noble

“Bad people.”

That’s all the little girl said as she guided them towards the nearby building. She didn’t have the strength to push open the door, but she slipped inside the moment there was a large enough gap. From there she peaked out from behind the door, watching what was to unfold.

“They take us away…”

A strange mist formed roughly around the area the trio had been standing previously. From it a crowd formed, their attire making it all too apparent that they were civilians. A few of them were holding weapons; a couple blasters and a rifle. But none held themselves with any real confidence.

What followed was a tense silence, as the crowd’s collective gaze seemed affixed ahead of themselves. Their expressions grew increasingly concerned as the sound of marching grew louder by the second.

Much like the civilians, another wave of mist blew through the area. This time it formed into a mixed group of individuals. All of them were women of varying races, each and every one of them adorned in the same armour.

The insignia of the Sith Empire was clear to see.

At the front of the group however was a raven-haired Zabrak, wearing armour different to the others. Her yellow-ish orange eyes swept across the gathered crowd.

“I am Lady Moirai, Matriarch of the Sith Valkyries.”

The same name that had come from Katherine’s possessed lips, except the voice did not match.

 

[Valery Noble]

Niv Hani

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Tag: Kahlil Noble Katherine Holt

Valery placed her trust in her husband's judgement and followed after him. With an outstretched arm, she pushed open the door for the little girl to enter, and also started to close it behind them again. She left it slightly ajar, just so they could look outside and watch the rest of the scene unfold.

This part, they couldn't change.

Through the mist that formed, Valery saw figures appear. Civilians at first, armed but clearly shaken, followed by warriors with a darker taint about them. She didn't recognize them, but she had seen enough of the Sith Empire over her life-time to know where this was going.

Sith Valkyries?

"Love, have you dealt with these before?"

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil's gaze narrowed as they watched from the doorway. "I have. Never interacted with them, but I know who they are. They go and find people who can be Sith and take them." Whether they wanted to go or not. Whether they'd survive or not. They were the head hunters of the Sith Empire, and some of the most frightening Sith to see.

And it only confirmed what he thought this memory was.

"They're going to take her."

Valery Noble | Katherine Holt

 

[Katherine Holt]

Location: Katherine's Mind - Katherine's Hometown
Tags: Kahlil Noble | Valery Noble

“...They’re going to take most of us.”

The misty visage of Lady Moirai stepped forwards a little, addressing the assembled crowd further.

“The Sith Empire is at war with the traitorous New Imperial Order.” It was impossible to not hear the absolute venom in the Zabrak’s voice. “And as you are no doubt aware, your lovely little planet sits along the border between our territories.” The crowd broke into a fit of commotion, mostly confirmations of what the Sith had said. “You know what awaits you, what your inevitable fate will be. But…it doesn’t necessarily have to be so.”

Now, that caught everyone’s attention.

Moirai’s mouth almost split into a grin, but she refrained and kept a neutral expression.

“We offer a number of programs and institutions for those with desirable skill sets. We can offer you accommodation, security and financial incentives.” The Zabrak let the crowd talk amongst themselves a little more. “This also applies to your children. Especially those that have a connection to the Force. The choice…is yours.”

As the crowd huddled together to discuss matters, Moirai turned on her heels and walked back to her fellow Valkyries. Out of earshot of the civilians, but just within the hearing range of the hiding trio.

“Your orders, Matriarch?”

“Send for a transport, I imagine we’ll have a good number joining us.”

“And the rest?”

“Burn it. Burn it all down.”

 

[Valery Noble]

Niv Hani

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Tag: Kahlil Noble Katherine Holt

"Can we stop them?" That's the only question that came to mind. Valery felt plenty confident that she could take them down with Kahlil's help, but this wasn't reality. They were in someone else's mind, where the normal rules of the Galaxy didn't always apply. Would they be forced to watch someone being taken away?

Or could they do something about it?

The people were promised protection, or the ability to protect themselves, in the upcoming war. But Valery knew this to merely be the manipulation of Sith. It showed as much when the leader ordered to burn everything down if they didn't agree to join their Order.

"We have to do something..." Valery said, her jaw clenched and her hands tightened into fists.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

It was a memory. It was a vision. He knew what these usually dictated for them, the observers. They were in Katherine's head, and a misstep could actually harm her. If these were her actual memories, if they changed it would it fracture her mind? Prevent her from waking? He gritted his teeth before he glanced down to the young Katherine beside them.

And blinked. If this was just a memory, she shouldn't have been interacting with them to begin with.

He smiled after a moment before reaching down to ruffle her hair. "You already know what happens. There's no changing the past. When you wake up, this will all still have happened to you." She was aware. Of them, of what was going to happen. His smile turned to a grin as he stood and reached down to take out his lightsaber and ignited the green blade.

"But why don't we make this a dream instead of a nightmare for you to wake up from?"

He kicked open the door then, raising a hand to bring down some of the Valkyries under an impressive weight. Not to kill, but certainly to immobilize. "This time, we save you."

Katherine Holt | Valery Noble

 

[Katherine Holt]

Location: Katherine's Mind - Katherine's Hometown
Tags: Kahlil Noble | Valery Noble

Where the Nobles’ attention was on the Sith, the young girl’s were instead on the civilians. Two of them in particular, as they stepped out away from the crowd. A man and a woman, the former sporting a familiar hair colour.

"Think about it, we can finally feel safe, and not fear we’ll wake up to our home being attacked.”

“But do we have any skills they’d find useful?”

“Maybe, maybe not. But who says it has to be us that they find desirable?” The pair paused for a moment, their gaze shifting over to the house the trio were in. But their eyes didn’t settle on the door, but rather the upstairs window.

“Hmm, we could potentially find work after the move.” The woman said, rubbing her chin in thought. “But depending on how many credits they provide, we could just live off that.”

“Well then, let’s pack things up! Pack it all up, get Lorelei and jump onto the first transport out of here.”

The young girl’s attention broke when she felt a ‘shift’ in Kahlil. She turned around to look up at him, a smile on her face and letting out a small giggle as he ruffled her hair.

“I was wondering when it would finally click.” The reality was, the memory’s real version of her was currently one floor above them, curiously peeking out from the window.

Kahlil’s sudden action sent everyone on alert, but before the Sith could do anything, several of their number were pulled to the ground. A few remained standing, but could still feel the shift in gravity.

“Enough!” Darth Moirai’s voice boomed out across the area, hair and eyes igniting in orange flames as she shifted into her spectral form. The aura she gave off allowed the nearest Valkyries to rise to their feet.

“In order to reach your Katherine, you must carve a path through this memory.” Said the little girl, her eyes falling upon the Sith, before looking back up at Kahlil then over to Valery. “She needs you, for old doubts have surfaced anew.”

 

[Valery Noble]

Niv Hani

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Tag: Kahlil Noble Katherine Holt

"Then we shall carve that path."

With the door kicked open and several Sith flattened against the ground, Valery burst from the building with her eyes alight. She raised a hand and a nigh explosive wave of light expanded from her with the strength to purge even the most corrupted. It was rare for her to throw so much into a fight, but this one mattered.

This one was for Katherine.

"Now, babe!" While the cleansing light had hopefully been blinding already, Valery turned to the heat within her heart, and unleashed an inferno at the Sith. The air and ground burned, and the heat advanced towards the Sith, but under no circumstance, could it burn her beloved.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"The thought was there, but I didn't want to risk harming you."

He smirked down towards the girl. The echo of Katherine, as it turned out. He hadn't expected this to be the same that had brought them here in the first place, but then again, they all were the same person. "You sit tight. These kinds of Sith aren't going to be enough to stop us from helping you." That was the important part to him. This version, guardian, whatever she might call herself, she was Katherine.

Not someone different. Not someone separate.

Kahlil stepped out beside his wife as he raised his hands. There was a lot he could do here, he knew. But he didn't want to tarnish Katherine's memories with any more blood. Runes flared all across the plaza before he lowered his hands. It was the complex system Valery had only seen once before. In a flash of light the plaza was suddenly empty.

Disintegration. He wouldn't let Darth Moirai taint her dreams any longer.

Valery Noble | Katherine Holt

 

[Katherine Holt]

Location: Katherine's Mind - Eye of the Storm
Tags: Kahlil Noble | Valery Noble

The Valkyries let out an almost banshee-like scream just as the wave of disintegration met them. Within the blink of an eye they were gone, the plaza left vacant as the civilians had long since fled out of sight. There was nothing but silence, with flecks of ash falling to the ground.

Which promptly dissolved beneath both Kahlil and Valery, plummeting them down into an abyss. For a time as they fell, there was nothing, just an endless darkness no matter what direction they turned or faced.

But then the glimmer of something started to shine from below, one after another until there was practically a sea of them rising up to meet the Nobles’ descent. As they began to pass through them, it became apparent what they were.

Crystals.

Within a few of them, glimpses of memories could be seen in the reflections.

A redhead teen huddled in a corner, rocking herself back and forth. “They left me. They abandoned me. Threw me out like trash…”

The same teenager being surrounded by others her age, only for the group to be broken up by two girls. One of the two; a brunette, helped her back up onto her feet. “...I’m Eleanor, and this is Caroline.”​

The three girls formed a bond, watching one another’s backs throughout their studies and training. Ending at them being part of an assembly, officially graduating as Sith Valkyries.​

Standing before a towering figure, one who had long silver-grey hair, and a pair of large white wings; Lady Moirai. Though their surroundings looked more old-fashioned and traditional. “In the next couple years you three will be entering adulthood. And as my Daughters, you shall be embarking on your own paths.” Caroline and Eleanor departed from the scene, leaving only… “Lorelei, stay for a moment. There’s something I want to discuss with you.”​

That was the last memory before gravity seemed to return to the Nobles. A flash of light blinded them for a moment, and their feet finally landed on solid ground once more. This time they were inside a cave, where on one side there was a fire crackling, and on the other a waterfall that was no doubt concealing the entrance.

Although neither Noble had much time to look around, as the waterfall suddenly parted. A figure moved through it; a translucent barrier protecting them, only to pause as their eyes fell upon the pair.

Katherine’s eyes widened for a second, before sharpening with suspicion. She grabbed her spear and slipped into a stance, ready to fight.

“Oh no, I ain’t falling for this trick again.”

 

[Valery Noble]

Niv Hani

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Tag: Kahlil Noble Katherine Holt

As quickly as the fight start, it ended.

Valery's eyes widened at the sudden loss of gravity, but in this realm of dreams and nightmares, she felt no true danger. Her eyes shifted around, taking note of the crystals instead. The memories that played out within their reflective surfaces. She frowned, her gaze shifting between husband and crystals.

Where was this going?

As the thought entered her mind, the two Nobles suddenly found themselves steady on their feet again. She looked around and saw what appeared to be the inside of a cave. She heard the sound of rushing water from one end, and felt the warmth of a crackling fire on the other side.

Where were they?

The sound of the falls being interrupted had Valery's gaze turn swiftly, and there she was. "Katherine..." Valery said with a relieved sigh and emotion in her eyes that threatened to spill over.

"This isn't a trick."

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"This mostly isn't a trick."

Falling was something Kahlil wasn't used to. Not like this, but he didn't linger on the uncomfortable weightlessness of freefalling through his Padawan's memories. He had no illusion that wasn't what was going on, though now that they were here, facing her, it got a little clearer. She was trapped here in her own memories, likely because of what that woman had done.

"We are real. Hopefully you are too. A lot of this is depending on you now, Katherine. We want to help you wake up."

Valery Noble | Katherine Holt

 

[Katherine Holt]

Location: Katherine's Mind - Eye of the Storm
Tags: Kahlil Noble | Valery Noble

“Prove it.”

Katherine did not ease up in her stance, not in the slightest. She stared down the Nobles, her eyes full of suspicion, caution and fear. Her hands trembled slightly as she held her spear, but caught it a second later and reaffirmed her grip.

The winged Padawan looked worse for wear, to say the least. She was dressed in the same clothes she was back in reality, but the jacket was missing. The bottom of the shirt had been roughly torn, revealing a makeshift bandage wrapped around part of her abdomen.

Katherine’s face, wings and hair were matted with blood, dirt and mud. The latter of which had been cut shorter, and not well either. Where her long red hair had previously fallen past her shoulders, it now barely touched them.

Any attempt from either Noble to approach Katherine, saw the redhead step back immediately.

She was scared of them.

“Prove it.”

 

[Valery Noble]

Niv Hani

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Tag: Kahlil Noble Katherine Holt

"Katherine..."

Valery reached down to take her husband's hand — Katherine looked like she had been to hell and back. To see any of their Padawans in this condition was downright painful, and she expressed it by finding comfort in her partner. A small sign of the woman she was, but perhaps not enough to convince Katherine.

She needed a sign, and Valery had an idea.

A risky idea.

Without another word, she closed the distance, not with a weapon drawn or any malicious intent, but just to wrap her arms around Katherine. If there was one way to project her warmth and care for someone, it was a hug. "It's really us," Valery whispered, hoping that she wasn't about to be stabbed and that Kahlil would help convince his Padawan.

She needed him, more than anything.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

She was fighting against her own mind.

A sad sort of smile had formed on Kahlil's face as he watched Valery step forward to try and embrace Katherine. She was retreating, of course. Whatever she'd been experiencing, it likely was the people she trusted betraying her. Her fears, insecurities. He didn't move, rather just watched Valery for the moment. She was going to possibly upset the poor girl, but he didn't see a better way forward himself.

Katherine Holt | Valery Noble

 

[Katherine Holt]

Location: Katherine's Mind - Eye of the Storm
Tags: Kahlil Noble | Valery Noble

With each step back, Katherine’s eyes flickered between Valery and Kahlil. There was a look of recognition, not of them, but of the scenario that was playing out before her.

“Not again…not again…” She muttered repeatedly. The suspicion in her eyes quickly dissolved, only to be replaced with fear. Her hand began to shake, and for a few moments her spear remained poised to attack, but soon fell limply to her side.

“I can’t do it again, please…I can’t.”

She kept moving away from Valery, until the Padawan could go no further. The butt of her spear clanged against the stone wall behind her.

There was a moment as Valery approached, a pause as she stepped onto the threshold, that last bit of distance that would still allow Katherine to attack. Instead, the winged Padawan looked the woman in the eyes. Unfettered fear in Katherine’s eyes, but mixed within it was also hope.

A desperate hope.

Hope that this wasn’t a trick, that they were real.

Valery closed the last bit of distance, and Katherine did nothing as the Jedi Master hugged her. The Padawan gasped, eyes widening with realisation. A second later the spear dropped from her hand, allowing Katherine to wrap both her arms and wings around Valery.

“It’s really you…” She glanced over to where Kahlil was standing, and stretched out an arm and wing towards him, once he was close Katherine did not hesitate to pull him into the hug too. “Y-you’re both really here.” The Padawan’s voice trailed off into a torrent of sobs and tears.

 

[Valery Noble]

Niv Hani

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Tag: Kahlil Noble Katherine Holt

Valery didn't stop.

Every Jedi would one day encounter a fear they needed to confront head-on, and this was one such moment for Katherine. She backed up more and more, scared that the people she trusted most would be here to harm her again. But Valery didn't relent, and managed to close the distance and wrap herself around Katherine for a warm embrace.

Valery was stubborn like that.

In a nigh instant, she could feel Katherine's fears fading away. Wings and arms wrapped around her, but one thing was missing. Perhaps the most important thing of all — her Master. With an outstretched arm from Valery as well, she beckoned her husband over, and perhaps there was even a gentle nudge through the Force to hurry him along.

They all needed this moment.

"We'll always come for you, Katherine. No matter what happens."

 

[Kahlil Noble]

The moment Valery was able to finally hug Katherine, Kahlil stepped over in turn to pull them both into a hug. Memory, thought or not, it didn't matter. Right now he was just happy to see Katherine awake and aware. After everything that happened, he couldn't help but be happy now. "Again, kind of. This is all in your head after all, but we're here, outside. Waiting for you to wake up."

Valery Noble | Katherine Holt

 

[Katherine Holt]

Location: Katherine's Mind - Eye of the Storm
Tags: Kahlil Noble | Valery Noble

Katherine was all smiles as the hug broke, giving the Padawan an opportunity to wipe away her tears. “I’ve been in here for what feels like ages, but it’s probably only been a few days in reality.”

She walked over towards the campfire, a wave of her hand had a few logs materialise around it. The winged Padawan sat down on one of them, and let out a heavy sigh. “Sorry for being so...” Katherine’s voice trailed off as she failed to find the words.

"When I first arrived here, and before I found this quaint little sanctuary, I was on the run constantly. Being hunted down by her. Eventually I found what I thought was a safe space, enough to let exhaustion settle in and fall asleep. Next thing I know, I’m waking up to you both.”

Katherine’s gaze fell upon Valery. “You approached.” And then to Kahlil, “and you watched.” The redhead stared into the fire for a few seconds, a look of frustration on her face. “I should’ve known, even then! But I was just so…desperate to not be alone.”

Eyes looked to Valery again. “You stabbed me,” back to Kahlil. “And you well, let’s just say berating me would be putting it mildly.”

The Padawan’s face scrunched up as she felt the emotions trying to surface again, instead she pushed them back down.

“Only way I was able to stop it was by killing you both.” Katherine closed her eyes, shaking her head lightly. “Really should’ve known then, in reality you would’ve kicked my arse across the galaxy, twice.”

She let out a chuckle, in a vain attempt to lift the mood.

“Once I found this place, and set up some runic protections, I was able to find some measure of peace to meditate.” Katherine paused, taking a breath. “And I discovered something.”