Private Devil in the Details

[Nida Perl]

| | | C O R U S C A N T

After a proverbial mountain of paperwork, Nida had been given clearance to visit the temple on Coruscant. So why was she nervous?

It had been a long, long time since she'd visited the Jewel of the Galaxy; before she'd fallen victim to her father's mind control and defected to the Sith. The last time she'd been in the beating heart of Alliance territory, Nida had murdered Senator Far Zhas. It didn't matter if she'd drawn a blade across the slaver's throat in defense, as her comrades would attest to, but a murder was a murder. A stain she would not, could not wash away.

Years had crept by. Thirdas and Kyra had wrenched Nida from Carnifex's grasp, and she stood trial for both her desertion to the Sith and the murder she'd committed, almost ironically, as a Jedi. Looking back, perhaps that was a tendril of darkness burrowing into her mind that had been there since birth. Perhaps she had simply been a novice monk, and for lack of a better word, human and scared.

After her trail, Nida passed through a series of deprogramming sessions. Once it was determined that she was no longer an immediate threat, she served out her sentence in Sunspot prison. Her release was highly conditional and she'd been under strict watch, until gradually being allowed to move about of her own accord. Backwater planets became her home, and she'd drifted from one slum to the next as a traveling doctor. Soul-searching on remote worlds could only take her so far, and she'd ended up with the contact information of one Valery Noble .

"She does things like this all the time. She's good."

Surprisingly, the connection came from Yula. What her sister had been up to all this time, Nida did not know. Apparently she'd housed the Jedi Master during a delicate period.

Staring up at the newly constructed temple, Nida felt her anxiety surge before tamping it down again. Her breath steadied. What if someone recognized her? Someone who thought ill of her, or wanted her dead? No small few were dissatisfied with the outcome of her trial, preferring a harsher punishment for her crimes.

There were a lot of reasons to be nervous.

 

[Valery Noble]

Outfit | Weapon | Appearance

Location: Coruscant | Jedi Temple

After receiving a message from Yula about Nida and her situation, there was no way Valery could decline the request for help. Not only because helping others was something she did as a Jedi, but Yula had offered Valery shelter during one of the most difficult times of her life when she had learned she was pregnant shortly after her partner fell to the Dark Side. The roof above her head, the support, and the people around her had made it so much easier to get through those times.

She'd never forget that, so helping out a relative was the least she could do.

Of course, Valery took this seriously, so after arranging the meeting, she looked into what had sparked the trial and time in prison. It was a complicated case but it was also time to look at the future and leave the past behind. That was ultimately what this meeting was going to be about — accepting what happened and finding a path forward.

"Nida Perl?" Valery asked after she had left behind the Temple and moved down the large staircase to meet with the new arrival. Seeing the pink skin, it was unlikely that it was someone else, but it never hurt to confirm, "I'm Master Valery Noble, it's a pleasure to finally meet you. If you'd please come with me, I'll bring you into the Temple and we can talk more."

She offered the woman a warm, friendly smile and gestured for the large doors up ahead, "I hope the trip here wasn't too bad?"

Nida Perl ​

 

[Nida Perl]

Nida could tell who Valery was simply for the way she descended from the temple stairs. This woman emanated strength and authority, but also a gentle and fair disposition. In the Force, she felt like a beacon—something inside of Nida relaxed as she was greeted.

Yes, she was aware that some of her inklings had likely been Yula's influence. The elder Perl had described the Jedi Master while boosting a speeder, and though her words hadn't been particularly eloquent, she got the impression that Yula was quite fond of Valery.

With a slight bend of the knee, Nida bowed her head briefly. "A pleasure to meet you as well, Master Noble. Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today." This Zeltron was far more soft spoken and demure than her sisters; she'd surprised many with her sudden pivot to the dark side.

"It was pleasantly uneventful." She returned Valery's question with a ghost of a smile. "It was been quite a while since I've set foot on Coruscant." A pause to swallow back the repugnant memories. Idly, she spun the engagement ring on her finger. "The new temple looks remarkable. I'm sorry to hear what happened."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Outfit | Weapon | Appearance

Location: Coruscant | Jedi Temple

When she made her approach and got a first look up-close, Valery briefly paused — Nida definitely reminded her of Yula, but that entirely faded the moment she spoke. She was soft-spoken, polite, and seemed to have a very calm demeanor. Not that Yula wasn't polite, but she was, well, Yula.

"Of course, it's my pleasure," Valery answered with a smile before she began to lead the Zeltron up the long staircase of stone. Just outside the Temple, at the plateau near the entrance, were grand statues of Jedi long gone, greeting those who were about to enter its beautiful halls. Valery's eyes glanced up at them for a moment before she looked back at Nida.

"It has been difficult for many, but years have passed since the attack, and we finally feel the tide of the war is turning in our favor." She stopped right at the entrance and turned back to her guest, "But we do really need every bit of help we can get, and that's why I'm very grateful that you decided to reach out."

There was a brief pause.

"Yula has told me about what happened, what you've gone through, so I know all of this isn't easy. But part of being a Jedi is to accept the past, learn from it, and move forward just a bit wiser than before. So while I won't stop you from talking about what happened if you feel it's necessary, I'd like this meeting to be about the future."

"An introduction to what I hope will become something positive in your life."

Nida Perl ​

 

[Nida Perl]

As they ascended the staircase, Nida nodded along with Valery's explanation. News of the sacking of Coruscant had filtered to remote areas of the galaxy, even as simply as passing news. Nida had been well aware of the protracted war between the Alliance and Maw, and she struggled to remember a time of peace in the core.

"You…would like for me to help?" Brow creased, her words thrummed with disbelief. Nida had been encouraged to reintegrate with the galaxy, and part of the reason she'd come to the Alliance was in attempt to make amends for her past misdeeds. Though formerly trained by the Silver Jedi, the order had undergone a period of reconstruction that pulled them further from the galaxy's affairs. There was an undeniable link, too— her sisters had friends (and a lover) among the NJO.

"Sorry, I just- it's not that I don't want to assist. I'd love nothing more than to return to my work and begin serving the galaxy again. It's just…it's been a long time."

How do you know that you can trust me?

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Outfit | Weapon | Appearance

Location: Coruscant | Jedi Temple

"You…would like for me to help?"

Valery blinked and tilted her head slightly while she looked at the woman. It wasn't hard to understand that after everything, she felt unsure about a lot of things in her life. But Valery wouldn't have invited her here if she didn't believe that things could get better and that she could help as a Jedi once again.

"I know it has been a long time, but that's why you're not alone in this," Valery hoped to assure her. "By coming here and showing that you're committed to this, you've given me the trust I need to help you take the next steps. We don't expect you to just shift back into Jedi duties as if nothing happened — we'll help you adjust and it'll be alright."

She offered a smile and finally turned around to bring Nida inside the Temple. It still hadn't opened officially, so it was rather quiet, but that was likely not something that bothered her in this case. "Hmm..." she hummed and looked over her shoulder, "Would you like to get some tea or coffee while we talk a little more?"

Nida Perl ​

 

[Nida Perl]

Nida regarded Valery with wide violet eyes. Her past was no secret—certainly not to the Jedi Master who'd agreed to meet with her—yet she still felt embarrassed by it. But if she had Valery's trust, then she'd do her best not to betray it.

It was like healing from a wound. Intellectually, she knew that things would likely even out and feel normal in time. But the process could be painful, and at times, disheartening. Such was the way when you were trying to sort out your demons.

"Tea would be lovely, if possible. Thank you."

Her smile, though somewhat forced, had a genuine lit.

"Have you...ever met someone in my position before, Master?"

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Outfit | Weapon | Appearance

Location: Coruscant | Jedi Temple

"Tea it is," Valery said, her smile even warmer now that she had felt that her words had sparked something. It was a small step, and there was still a lot to do, but each moment forward was an important one to remember.

Walking into the mess hall, Valery greeted several other Jedi with quick bows of her head but moved over to the kitchen area to prepare some tea while they talked. "Well, not exactly the same position, but similar ones," Valery said with a nod before she thought back to those memories.

"I helped someone who had been mind-controlled into committing serious war crimes. They were imprisoned and I trusted them to help me prove their innocence. Then there was another Jedi Knight who was wanted in the Alliance, and I helped him clear his record and return to the Jedi as well."

She paused and blinked, "I suppose I have some experience, yeah..." she smiled sheepishly and filled up a cup of tea. Sliding it over to Nida, she continued with a smile. "In all of those cases, I was only a guide though. Much like them, you've shown the willingness and as long as you stick to this, everything will be alright."

Nida Perl ​

 

[Nida Perl]

As Valery went about preparing tea, Nida stood by awkwardly. She was used to being busy, working with her hands. The conversation gave her something to chew on, though.

If there was one comfort to be taken from all this, it was the fact that her situation was not all that rare. The depth and breadth of her crimes may have been a bit out of the ordinary, but countless Jedi had tasted the Dark—fallen to it, even—and made recoveries. Some full, some not. Surprisingly, that piece of wisdom had been imparted to her from her own mother. It was rare for Joza Perl to speak critically of her time as a Jedi, but Valery's own experiences had lined up nicely and reinforced that it was possible.

Accepting the cup with a grateful smile, Nida wrapped both hands around the vessel and simply reveled in the heat. "Thank you." She fought back the urge to probe for the circumstances around these other wayward Jedi—what kind of war crimes? Who was the source of the mind-control? Why had they been wanted?

These questions buzzed around her mind for the sake of curiosity, gossip even. It would be impolite to ask. Yula would have asked. Nida was not as brazen as either of her sisters. Tilting her head, she inhaled the fragrant whisps of steam curling from the surface of the tea.

"If I can be selfish for a moment—what I want most is to work. I've spent countless hours in the infirmary at the Silver Rest, and have pulled more wounded bodies than I can count out of active war zones. Once I am trusted again—if that day were to come—" She was careful here, caught in the brief surge of adrenaline that came from admitting her desires. Nida reigned herself in with a cautious sip of tea and the reminder that she was here on a trial basis.

"—I would like to be useful again."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Outfit | Weapon | Appearance

Location: Coruscant | Jedi Temple

"I don't think that's a selfish thing to ask." Valery poured herself a cup of tea as well but just held the warm cup between her hands for warmth, rather than taking a sip already, "I know sitting still too long is frustrating, and you want to help others again. That's not selfish at all," she said with a smile before she finally took a sip from her tea.

While her circumstances were very different, Valery did know what it was like to not be able to do your work because of reasons outside your control. It was incredibly frustrating, and made each day feel like an eternity filled with guild and regret. So one way or another, she wanted Nida to go back into action.

"You mentioned working in an infirmary? We could really use more healers helping out. For a long time, we only had a handful at most," Valery said while she thought about the absolute pain Amani Serys must have gone through after Tython. "Maybe our halls of healing are a good place to start?"

She could ask Amani to keep an eye out and help her along, and check in regularly herself. It did mean even more work on her friend's plate... but maybe another lunch would make up for it?

Nida Perl ​

 

[Nida Perl]

Nida hung on Valery's every word- every movement of her hands as she fixed herself a cup of tea, every subtle change of her facial expression. She was waiting for the Jedi Master to tactfully wash her hopes of returning to active duty away. Why? Because Nida's guilt dragged her down further than even she could see.

But Valery seemed amenable to the idea- encouraging, even. Nida kept waiting for the other boot to drop.

"I've heard of the Halls of Healing." She nodded along, recalling the stories from her sisters. "I have plenty of experience as a field medic and healer." A pause, perhaps to temper her perceived skill level. "Though, I still have plenty to learn. After I was deemed 'well' again, I spent time in the outer rim as a traveling doctor. Along with treating injuries and local illness, I've delivered more babies in strange conditions than one could imagine."

She smiled here, hesitant and awkward at the many memories of helping laboring mothers give birth in mine shafts, swamps, and the like. Life, uh, finds a way.

"I don't think there'll be much use for obstetrics at a Jedi temple, though." She laughed softly. Pregnant Jedi we're not unheard of, of course. Valery certainly knew that.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Outfit | Weapon | Appearance

Location: Coruscant | Jedi Temple

"There's always something new to learn, but the extra hands will make such a huge difference," Valery said with an encouraging smile, "Knight Serys is a close friend of mine, and perhaps our finest healer, but I know how much the workload is on her. My Padawan is a healer as well and I had to force her to stop working to go on a small vacation with me because of how it affected her."

The reality was that while the number of Jedi was growing, the number of healers was still quite limited, and the war often demanded their specialized skills to handle the terrible injuries some returned with. And unlike those who made a name for themselves at the frontlines, healers rarely got the recognition they deserved.

Not that it bothered them — they would always help people who needed it.

"I don't think there'll be much use for obstetrics at a Jedi temple, though."

Valery snorted in response, "Yeah, I can safely say I didn't even consider a Jedi Temple when I was pregnant. Your sister's apartment was all I had and looking back, I wouldn't have changed a thing." Well, except for maybe having her partner with her.

Nida Perl ​

 

[Nida Perl]

Nida brightened a bit. Valery's words were encouraging, hinting that she'd be able to start working sooner than imagined. The lack of NJO healers might have been a blessing in disguise— for Nida, at least.

What Valery said next prompted Nida to sit up straighter.

"Oh! Yula did mention that you stayed with her on Denon for several months. I didn't-" Maybe Yula had mentioned the Jedi Master's pregnancy and that tidbit had been lost in the information shuffle. Or muffled from the roar of a speeder bike engine.

"You're a mother! That's wonderful…" She trailed cautiously, suddenly remembering that Valery had said pregnancy. Not all pregnancies ended in a healthy birth, or a birth at all, but Valery seemed unbothered. In fact, the tone of the conversation was somehow lighter. Perhaps it was safe to assume that all had gone well.

Though, Yula's apartment likely counted as a strange condition akin to underground mines and swamps. She kept that thought to herself.

Raising the cup to her lips, she took a slow sip. After savoring the warmth of the tea, she spoke.

"You seem like a very accomplished woman, Master Noble." There was an unmistakable note of admiration in her tone- a powerful Jedi Master and a mother? Impressive.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Outfit | Weapon | Appearance

Location: Coruscant | Jedi Temple

"I did, and while it was an... interesting place to stay during pregnancy, Yula, Dagon, and everybody who visited to help really made such a difference. In the last month of my pregnancy, my partner found me again, so I didn't give birth there, but I'll never forget what your sister did for me."

Not many got to see Valery cranky, let alone have to deal with it on a daily basis, and she was quite certain all the weird food cravings were never going to be forgotten either, but despite all of that, they also had a lot of fun.

After taking a small sip from her tea, she smiled at the compliment that followed, "I'm very happy with where I am in life, even if it's really busy at times," she acknowledged with a nod, but she felt a little bad about the conversation having shifted more to her, so she decided to turn it back a little.

"Once you get started as a Healer here, what are some goals you have in mind for yourself? Doesn't have to be related to your work here, but I'm sure that with your life stabilizing, you might have ambitions as well?"

Nida Perl ​

 

[Nida Perl]

Nida let out a sudden exhale, relieved to hear that Valery did indeed not give birth on the couch of an apartment that was practically soaked in tibana oil. She loved Yula, she really did—but her sister was as Outer Rim as their grandfather, with a long history of smuggling and running with a questionable crowd. Still, that lifestyle enabled Yula to leverage contacts many Jedi would not otherwise have. "I am glad that she and Dagon were able to assist you." She smiled; it was good to hear that Valery was able to share her pregnancy with her partner, even if it was at the tail end.

"Personal goals?" The question came unexpectedly for Nida, but she recognized that it shouldn't have. It was a typical part of a getting-to-know-you conversation, especially when you were being assessed by a Jedi Master.

Hands cupped around the mug of tea, she looked down in thought and found the gleam of her engagement ring. That triggered a blush, and she reached for the piece of jewelry, idly spinning it back and forth. It would be alright, wouldn't it? Valery had a partner and a child. Some Jedi refrained from attachments, but others married and had families. Her own mother had left the Jedi in order to raise her children and focus on her business; yet she had left on good terms and maintained strong ties with her comrades.

"I would like to further my skill as a physician." That much was obvious—who wouldn't want to get better at their position? "I…am also engaged. My fiancée and I have always dreamed of having a family of our own, so seeing you maintain your work as a Jedi while being a mother…well, it makes that seem…attainable."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Outfit | Weapon | Appearance

Location: Coruscant | Jedi Temple

"They really did."

Valery smiled and focused on her tea for a moment after she had asked Nida the question. With the warm cup between the palms of her hands, she raised it up for a short sip and listened to Nida's ambitions. The desire to grow in her field made sense, and she was confident it would happen over time. But the mention of being engaged and starting a family really got Valery to smile brightly all over again.

Starting a family had been Valery's dream as well, and actually managing it made her the happiest she could be. It always felt good to meet others who were lik-minded.

"Oh, that's wonderful! It's definitely doable, but I'll admit it's tricky. My husband is currently stuck at home to recover, so our daughter always has a parent with her, but we've been through more challenging times. It's... difficult to know that your kid might really want to see you or even need you, and you're out there in the Galaxy risking your life," Valery said but she didn't want to end this on a somber note.

"I wouldn't change it for anything though. Coming home to my little star is... there's nothing better."

Nida Perl ​

 

[Nida Perl]

Hesitant at first of what Valery's reaction would be, Nida regarded the Master Jedi with starry eyes.

"I appreciate your honesty." She said with a soft smile. "My mother stepped down from her position in order to raise her family and further her career on Zeltros. I can imagine that any path with children will have its challenges. That of the Jedi is no exception." Valery's experience wasn't deterring, but comforting. It could be done.

Her mind pivoted to another matter-

"Your husband- is he alright?"

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Outfit | Weapon | Appearance

Location: Coruscant | Jedi Temple

"Children are never easy to take care of, but... few things in life feel more rewarding," Valery said with the proud smile of a mother who couldn't be happier with her kid. "I'm certain you and your partner will make it work as well. And if you ever need advice or help, you can always reach out to me," she said with a sincere tone.

Valery herself really wished she had known people who could have given her advice with some of the struggles she went through, so offering it now that she had the experience felt like the right thing to do.

The conversation topic then shifted back to her husband, and she nodded in response, "He'll make a full recovery but I'm not sure if he'll go back to actively working as a Jedi yet. There's a chance he'll stay with our daughter at home while I do all the crazy stuff out there," she chuckled.

"But he's very supportive and won't hesitate to do anything to get me out of trouble."

Nida Perl​

 

[Nida Perl]

Nida flushed, smiling awkwardly—but genuinely—as she warmed he hands around the cup and drank in the aromatic scent of the tea along with Valery's words. She'd been headed for marriage, then likely motherhood before the Sith had derailed her life. It was strange to think that if things had not changed, her own child could be playing with Valery's daughter right now.

"That's good- I'm glad to hear that he is doing well. I can imagine that your daughter is happy spending time with him." She offered a soft, almost knowing smile to Valery—though Joza had done her best to provide and nurture her children, she was often away at work. Having a second parent to help run the household would have made things…easier. Still, Nida did not regret her childhood.

"It sounds like you two have a wonderful dynamic. Thirdas is very supportive as well, and has been incredibly patient during my recovery."

Valery Noble