Private You've Got a Friend in Me

[53507]

You've got a friend in me ​

Location: Niv Hani - Noble House
Objective: Hangout With Valery
Tags: Valery Noble


The warm summer air caressed her exposed skin, soft and gentle like a whisper, but despite the pleasant evening, Katarine couldn't stop fidgeting with her dress. She'd chosen to forgo the traditional Jedi robes today, trading them for a simple white sundress and a pair of sandals. It was an effort to feel normal, maybe even human, but it only made her feel more out of place. Just in case, she'd tucked her robes into her travel bag, knowing there was a good chance she'd end up back in them by nightfall.

It had been a few months since she told Master Noble she needed time, time to think, to breathe, to step away from everything. Since then, Katarine had been wandering from one Jedi site to the next, quietly searching for something, answers, purpose, a sense of belonging. It was a pilgrimage, though she wasn't entirely sure where it would lead. Still, she held onto the hope that it would help her find her place in the galaxy.

Now she stood at the doorstep, ringing the bell with a small breath of anticipation. Her deep green eyes scanned the familiar surroundings. She had been here once before, for dinner with Valery and Khalil, but tonight she suspected it would just be Valery. The invitation hadn't specified, and part of her wondered if the Grandmaster simply wanted to check in, to see how she was holding up.

It was thoughtful, unexpected, maybe, but deeply appreciated.

 

[Valery Noble]

The sound of the door chime carried through the house, and Valery turned her head from the kitchen, where the scent of fresh tea lingered in the air. She wiped her hands with a towel and walked toward the front door, already suspecting who it might be. A quiet evening had settled over the Noble homestead, and for once, she was alone. Kahlil had taken the children out for a while, giving her a rare moment of peace.

When she opened the door, the smile only grew.

"Katarine," Valery said, her voice warm and filled with welcome. She stepped forward without hesitation and pulled her into a gentle hug, holding her for a moment longer than a simple greeting required. "It's good to see you."

She stepped back and looked her friend over, taking in the dress and the nervous fidgeting. No comments, no judgment. Just a soft expression that said she understood more than words could convey.

"I'm glad you came," she said, her tone calm. "Come in. I made tea, and there is a breeze coming through the balcony. It's quiet tonight." She stepped aside, gesturing for Katarine to enter the home that had seen many guests but always had room for one more.

Katarine Ryiah ​