Private Doctor's Orders

[Gil Horn]

Location: Coruscant | Coruscant Lower Levels
Tags: Valery Noble

"Are you sure you are alright?"

Gil glanced over at the Coruscant Security officer, her dark blue and brown uniform almost blending in with the muck and debris of the lower levels. Her voice came through a modulated filter, heavily distorted to keep her identity secret, but Gil had met each of the security officers before the mission was set to begin. Gil nodded his head to her, a small smile tugging the corner of his mouth as he did his best to ignore the dull pain that washed over his body.

"I'm perfectly fine," Gil said, putting as much will and strength into the words as he could. In truth, he was not certain. He had recovered for the most part from the wounds received on Adras, and had finally completed the work on his new replacement limb. The cortosis and chromium arm felt cold against his body, and the weight felt unfamiliar to him, almost dragging at his body. The medical personnel had told him he needed more time to adjust to the new limb and finish his recovery, but Gil had disagreed. He had deactivated the medical droid assigned to watch him, and made his escape.

On the way out, he had caught wind of a Lower Level Security operation about to be launched requesting Jedi support. Gil had volunteered at the gate of the precinct house, and now they were about to launch the raid. The gangers they were raiding were apparently dealing in illegal spice infused substances, highly addictive and driving up addiction across several blocks in the lower levels. Their profit was rising as dependency grew on the altered substances, but so were the death rates.

"We have movement," a voice said over the teams shared comm channel. Turning his gaze, Gil watched as the warehouse across the street began to open up, a rolling shutter door pulling up into the top of the wall and revealing a group of three men holding snub nose blasters. A cargo speeder pulled up near the opening, a large metallic box in the bed of the speeder chained down with what looked like excessive caution Gil thought. Several heavy lifter droids came out and began to unload smaller containers and finally the large container, disappearing inside the warehouse.

"The drop is confirmed, get ready to move in."

Shifting his weight, Gil pulled his saberstaff from his belt, holding the still unfamiliar weapon loosely in his hands. It too was a recent construction for Gil, and several training sessions at the temple still had not gotten him fully used to it. The warehouse door slammed shut, and the speeder sped off. A waiting patrol unit would stop it around the corner from the warehouse.

As one, twenty Lower Level Security officers began to advance towards the warehouse from all sides, blaster pistols held at the ready in their hands. Gil moved with the main breaching detail heading towards the loading bay door. They fanned out to either side, readying breaching charges. Gil took a few steadying breaths, centering his mind and blocking out the pain he felt across his body.

"Breach breach breach!"

The explosives went off, smoke filled the alley Gil and the security forces were in, and as one they rushed through the opening, Gil igniting his emerald lightsaber blades as he charged into the warehouse.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Double-Bladed Lightsaber

Perched on the edge of a dimly lit rooftop overlooking the chaotic scene below, Valery's amber eyes locked onto the warehouse as smoke poured from the breached doors. The sharp hiss of her controlled breathing mingled with the faint hum of Coruscant's lower levels. She had traced Gil's trail down here after receiving word of his unceremonious departure from the medical bay — and it hadn't been difficult. The Force itself seemed to whisper his location to her, the flicker of his presence unmistakable amidst the darkness of the underworld.

Her jaw tightened as she watched him charge into the fray, his saberstaff igniting in a vibrant blaze of emerald light. The sight of him wielding the unfamiliar weapon stirred a mixture of pride and frustration within her. She admired his determination, but his recklessness, especially so soon after getting hurt, left her conflicted.

Valery shifted her weight slightly, the toes of her boots brushing the edge of the rooftop. Her presence in the Force remained muted, her intent to remain unnoticed for now. She wasn't here to intervene recklessly or embarrass him in front of the Coruscant Security team. But she was here to ensure that Gil didn't push himself beyond the limits of his recovery.

For now, she decided to just watch.

Gil Horn ​

 

[Gil Horn]

Location: Coruscant | Coruscant Lower Levels
Tags: Valery Noble

Gil was the first one through the breach, his lightsaber darting up to deflect a blaster pistol he had not even seen. A smile crossed his face as he deflected another half dozen shots, providing cover for the security personnel as they came rushing through the opening and returned fire. Even if his body was not fully recovered, his mind and his connection to the Force were as strong as ever. He sent a few more bolts back towards their stunned attackers, two of the gang members falling when the bolts struck them in the chest.

Pivoting on one foot, Gil fell in beside the security guard from earlier. She was crouched behind one of the recently unloaded crates, using it to prop her blaster up as she fired shots into the second level of the warehouse. Around them, the security personnel were quickly securing the main level of the warehouse, half a dozen gang members on the ground either dead or wounded, and a dozen more being cuffed to the ground.

It was going much easier than Gil had expected.

"I am gonna move forward," he said, shouting to be heard over the echoing blaster fire in the warehouse. "Take them out when they pop their ugly heads up."

The security officer nodded, signaling the other officers of the plan a moment before girl leapt over the crates. He landed awkwardly, the weight of his new arm throwing off his balance, but he recovered quickly, deflecting blaster bolts as he moved towards the stairway at the far side of the warehouse. Gang members shouted and screamed as the security officers slowly began to pick them off and before long Gil was rushing up the steps to the second level.

A gang member tried to block his path, but a quick slash of his saberstaff sent the two pieces of the man tumbling towards the floor. Jumping over the railing, Gil came face to face with the gang leader. Vecker Nash, a pudgy twi'lek with yellow skin, bared his sharpened teeth as Gil as he fired two point blank shots at the Jedi. Gil sidestepped them both, stepping into the range of the blaster and cutting the barrel in half. He then delivered a spinning kick that sent Vecker Nash stumbling back.

Gil was on him in a moment, one emerald blade held under the gang leaders chin. "You are under arrest," Gil said, the hum of the lightsaber accenting his words as he looked the man in the eye.

Vecker Nash shook his head, a dangerous motion given the lightsaber at his throat, and tapped a button on a terminal he was leaning against. The Force rushed into Gil's mind, warning him of danger a moment before the large crate that had been brought in sprung open. A red figure crouched in the middle of the crate, its heavily muscled form bulging as it rose to its full height. For a moment, he thought it was another of Heron Crawl's abominations. Flashbacks of the event in the cave system played in his mind, but as Gil looked at the thing, he realized it was much more mundane than those abominations, though no less deadly.

It was a karking Gundark. A gundark wearing plated armor and what looked like a shock collar. As Gil watched, the security officers on the ground turned their attention to the beast, but their blaster bolts just bounced off its armored plating. Grimacing, Gil delivered a quick punch to Vecker Nash's temple, knocking the twi'lek out and sending him sprawling to the ground.

Gil leapt over the railing, dropping towards the floor of the warehouse and rushing towards the gundark. He watched as it picked up a security officer, the mans arms flaying before he was slammed into the floor of the warehouse, the audible snap of the mans spine echoing in the sudden silence. Gil launched himself forward, bringing his lightsaber up and slashing down at the gundark's back.

He miscalculated his momentum and swing. The blade slashed against the armored plates of the gundark, lower than Gil had been aiming for, and drew the creatures attention. Before Gil could jump back, a massively armored hand snapped out and grabbed him, before hurling him through the still smoking hole of the warehouse to slam against the opposite wall of the alley.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Double-Bladed Lightsaber

From her perch, Valery's amber eyes tracked the battle below, her jaw tightening as she watched the chaos unfold. Gil was holding his own — his connection to the Force was sharp, his movements deliberate, but the misstep with the Gundark brought a shift in her demeanor. The sight of him being thrown through the air and slamming against the wall caused her heart to clench, her protective instincts flaring to life.

Enough.

Without hesitation, Valery rose to her feet and stepped off the rooftop, her body plummeting toward the warehouse floor below. The Force surged through her like a wave, softening her descent as she landed gracefully amidst the chaos. The sharp echo of her boots meeting the ground reverberated through the space, drawing the attention of those still standing.

Her presence rippled out like a storm, commanding attention.

Straightening, Valery's hand moved to her weapon, and with a sharp hiss, her double-bladed lightsaber ignited. Twin violet blades snapped to life, casting an ethereal glow across the debris-strewn floor. The sound was unmistakable — a warning and a declaration all at once.

She began to walk forward, her steps measured, her eyes locked on the towering Gundark as it turned to face her. The monstrous creature's armored frame and predatory gaze made it a formidable foe, but Valery's expression remained calm, even cold. The Force burned brightly within her, a steady current of resolve.

"Gil," she called over her shoulder, her voice steady but firm, "Let me handle this."

The Gundark roared, its thunderous challenge echoing through the warehouse. Valery raised her saber in response, her blades spinning with a flourish before she settled into a combat stance. The hum of her weapon resonated through the air, a promise of swift and decisive action.

"Let's dance," Valery murmured, her fiery gaze narrowing as she prepared to face the beast head-on.

Gil Horn ​

 

[Gil Horn]

Location: Coruscant | Coruscant Lower Levels
Tags: Valery Noble

The impact against the alley wall tore all the air from Gil. Stars danced in front of his eyes, and the impact as he fell to the ground did not clear anything up. He rolled onto his back, grimacing against the pain. Something felt broken. He was not sure what, but as he tried to push himself up to his feet, a lancing pain shot through his ribs. Yep, something was definitely broken.

Opening one eye, Gil glanced up at the armored gundark as it tore its way through the warehouse door, the silver plates dully glowing in the illumination of the under city. It lowered its head, long ears flopping side to side as it roared at Gil. Spittle flew from its mouth, and only a quick Force bubble kept the worst of it from getting in Gil's face. The stench was intense as he looked at the gundark, and with a grunt, started to push himself to his feet to face it.

The sound of the Grandmaster activating her lightsaber, and her all too familiar voice in the alley drew a resigned sigh from Gil. The calvary had arrived, and a quick glance at Valery's cool, collected face was enough to tell him that the talk down he got after this would likely be worse than anything the gundark could do.

The thought made Gil wince, and he inclined his head to Valery. "Valery, fancy seeing you here. I promise I have this under..." Gil's words were cut off as the gundark swung at him, and he had to dive to the side to avoid the blow. The attack had been done as an afterthought by the creature as it focused on Valery, clearly the more imposing threat. Its predator driven mind locked in on the one thing keeping it from an easy meal, and with a roar, it charged forward, one armored fist lifted up to batter the Jedi into the pavement.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Double-Bladed Lightsaber

Valery's amber eyes darted toward Gil as he attempted to rise, her expression equal parts exasperation and concern. At his half-formed attempt to claim he had the situation under control, only to be interrupted by the gundark's casual swing, a wry smirk tugged at her lips.

"Under control, huh?" she called out, her tone dry but laced with a flicker of amusement as she sidestepped the gundark's lumbering charge. Her lightsaber spun in her hands, its twin violet blades casting a brilliant glow that seemed to push back against the oppressive dimness of the alleyway.

"There are better ways to get my attention, Gil," she added, her voice steady even as she focused on the gundark before her. Its massive frame towered over her, muscles rippling beneath the armor plates as it roared its challenge. The beast was fast for its size, its arms like massive battering rams, but Valery's calm focus in the Force allowed her to anticipate its movements.

As the gundark brought a fist crashing down toward her, Valery leapt into the air, her form a blur as she flipped over the attack. She landed lightly on her feet behind it, her lightsaber slashing out in a precise, controlled strike against one of its limbs from behind, hoping to cripple it.

But it wasn't enough.

The gundark spun with surprising speed, one arm swinging wide in an attempt to catch her off guard. Valery ducked beneath it, her movements fluid and graceful as she closed the distance again. Her double-bladed saber whirled in her hands, carving an intricate defensive pattern as she probed the creature's weak points.

"Don't get yourself even more hurt!" she called to Gil, her voice sharp but not unkind. "I can take it."

Gil Horn ​

 

[Gil Horn]

Location: Coruscant | Coruscant Lower Levels
Tags: Valery Noble

Don't get yourself more hurt.

Those words rang in Gil's ears louder than his own heartbeat. They were the same words everyone had been telling him for weeks while he recovered. They were the last words he had heard from two Jedi, friends Gil had known for years, before they left on a mission. Gil had found out about their deaths that morning. He refused to sit back while others kept fighting, kept putting their lives on the line for the Galactic Alliance and its people. For the New Jedi Order.

Coming up from the dive he had launched himself, he watched as Valery fight the gundark. The monster was tough and fast, but so was the Grandmaster of the New Jedi Order. She fought the creature head on, holding her own against a threat that many younger Jedi would have been outmatched to face. A challenge Gil had let himself nearly lose with his haste.

Taking a few tentative steps forward, Gil charged as the gundarks exposed side as it fought against Valery. As her violet blades clashed against the armor of the creature, sending sparks showering in the air, Gil struck. Taking two quick running steps, Gil threw himself forward, running up the side of the wall using his momentum and the Force to propel him vertically, flying through the sparks. As Valery struck low, keeping the gundarks arms busy, Gil lashed out. The beast was just beginning to turn its head to look at Gil as his armored boot slammed into the side of its head, knocking it backwards and sending it stumbling back.

Landing with a slide, Gil brought his saberstaff up in a guard position, eyeing the creature warily as he called out to Valery. "I know you can take it, but I won't just sit back and watch."

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Double-Bladed Lightsaber

Valery's amber eyes flicked to Gil as he landed from his daring maneuver, her expression a mix of admiration and restrained frustration. The gundark stumbled backward, its towering frame swaying as it attempted to regain its balance. The Force rippled with tension as the creature roared again, its fury directed at both of them now.

"I appreciate the assist," Valery said, her tone sharp but laced with a trace of approval. "But I meant what I said, Gil." She pivoted smoothly, her double-bladed saber spinning in a defensive flourish to deflect a wild swing from the gundark. "You've got nothing to prove to me. Or to anyone else."

Her gaze remained locked on the beast as it lunged forward, its massive fist slamming into the ground where Valery had been a split second earlier. She darted to the side, her movements a seamless blend of grace and precision, and lashed out with her saber, aiming for an exposed joint.

Valery surged forward again, her movements a blur as she closed the distance between herself and the gundark. She became a whirlwind of violet light, drawing its attention away from Gil and giving him an opening to reposition or plan his next move. Her strikes were precise, aiming for weaknesses, but the creature's durability was formidable.

"Let's end this, together," Valery added, her voice steady with determination as she prepared to coordinate their efforts. If he wasn't going to back down, might as well make sure they fought efficiently.

Gil Horn ​

 

[Gil Horn]

Location: Coruscant | Coruscant Lower Levels
Tags: Valery Noble

"I have plenty to prove to myself," Gil said, launching himself to the opposite side that Valery went to try and confuse the gundark. The creature was fast, and as Gil had learned earlier, its armor seemed to have some kind of resistance to lightsabers. What that resistance was he was uncertain, but it made the battle at hand more complicated. As Gil watched, Valery darted in and slashed with her blade, aiming for an exposed joint. The blade strike rang true and the flesh of the gundark parted, but the sheer size and strength of the monster kept it moving.

"They must have pumped this thing with stims," Gil said as he ducked under a flailing strike, stabbing up and through the creatures exposed arm. This blow too did not seem to faze the beast, and Gil had to use the Force to push himself backwards to avoid a follow up strike.

Sliding to a stop, Gil nodded his head as Valery finally accepted his help, grudgingly as it might be. The gundark was tough, and while it was fast, it could not seem to track two targets at a time. Gil guessed it might be its predator instinct, only able to focus down on a single target for prey. They could use that.

"Let's take turns here," Gil said, rushing forward. He made no discreet moves towards the gundark, running straight at it and waving his blade through the air to keep it focused. Just as the gundark turned to strike at Gil, he hurled himself to the side, pulling the gundark towards him with the Force and leaving its side open nearest Valery's position.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Double-Bladed Lightsaber

Valery moved like a shadow, her violet blades cutting through the dim air as she mirrored Gil's strategy. As he darted in, drawing the gundark's focus with bold, sweeping gestures, she shifted to its blind side, her eyes narrowing in concentration. The beast's raw power was formidable, but its predator instincts were its weakness. It couldn't handle being outmaneuvered.

"Got it," Valery said, her voice sharp with focus as she followed Gil's lead.

As the gundark turned toward him, its massive limbs reaching to swat him away, Valery surged forward. Her lightsaber spun in her hands, the violet glow illuminating the exposed joint where Gil had already struck. She delivered a precise, arcing slash to the same spot, carving deeper into its vulnerable flesh. The gundark roared, its rage now split between them.

Not enough.

Valery darted backward as the beast flailed, giving her just enough space to act. She extended her free hand, her fingers splayed as the Force surged through her. Her gaze flicked to a large console half-embedded in the warehouse floor, its frame twisted and battered but solid. The metallic groan of tearing durasteel echoed through the space as the console wrenched free under her command.

"Gil, now!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.

With a swift motion of her arm, she hurled the console directly at the gundark. It slammed into the creature's side with a thunderous impact, driving it off balance and exposing its other flank entirely. Valery immediately stepped aside, giving Gil a clear opening to exploit the momentary vulnerability.

"Finish it!" she called out, her lightsaber raised and ready, prepared to cover him if the beast somehow retaliated.

Gil Horn ​

 

[Gil Horn]

Location: Coruscant | Coruscant Lower Levels
Tags: Valery Noble

It was hard to miss the opening Valery made.

As Gil moved back to give her an opening, he saw and felt her use of the Force on the console. He was moving even before the console struck the gundark, his steps slamming down the alley as he hurled himself forward. As the gundark stumbled forward from the impact, Gil threw his legs forward, landing on his side and using his momentum to keep sliding forward. He lashed up in a spinning, whirling pattern that delivered half a dozen cuts to the gundarks body in the space of single moment.

Gil came up on the other side of the gundark, rising to his feet and with an almost dismissive backwards cut, cut the tendons of the gundarks legs. The beast howled in pain as first its side and chest were cut open, with the follow up cut sending it collapsing forward. It tried to get up, but accumulated wounds prevented the creature from bearing its own weight, and it let out a pained whine, the first not aggressive sound the gundark had made.

Gil stepped forward, and with a quick slash of his blade, put the creature out of its misery. Glancing up at Valery, Gil watched her for a moment before nodding to her. "Thank you for the assistance."

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Double-Bladed Lightsaber

Valery watched as the gundark collapsed, its massive form shuddering with its final, pained whine. The violet hue of her lightsaber cast sharp shadows on the walls as she stepped closer, her eyes fixed on the creature until Gil delivered the final blow. Its death brought a strange silence to the warehouse, the chaos of their fight lingering in the air like static electricity.

She exhaled slowly, the adrenaline still coursing through her veins. But when Gil spoke, his calm gratitude cutting through the stillness, Valery's fiery gaze snapped to him. Her eyes narrowed, her frustration barely contained.

"What were you thinking, Gil?" she said, her tone sharp enough to cut durasteel. Her double-bladed lightsaber deactivated with a hiss, and she clipped it to her belt as she approached him. "You could've gotten yourself killed."

Her expression hardened as she gestured to him, her voice low but laced with anger. "Escaping from the medbay? You're still recovering. Charging into something like this — it's reckless. You know better."

Valery crossed her arms, her stance firm and unyielding. "You're lucky that thing didn't tear you apart before I got here." She paused, taking a slow, steadying breath before her tone softened slightly. "I know you're capable. But next time, think about what you're risking — not just for yourself, but for everyone who's relying on you."

Not just the Jedi, but also the people who were here with him.

Her eyes lingered on him for a moment longer, the frustration in them giving way to something more measured. She turned away slightly, her hands falling to her sides. "Let's head back before something else finds us."

Gil Horn​

 

[Gil Horn]

Location: Coruscant | Coruscant Lower Levels
Tags: Valery Noble

Gil deactivated his saberstaff, clipping it to his side as his eyes narrowed slightly. "The life of a Jedi is one of self sacrifice and commitment to aiding others," Gil said, shaking his head in frustration at himself more than anything and glancing back at the warehouse. The remnants of the Lower Levels Security officers were picking themselves back up from the brief rampage the gundark had caused before it followed Gil into the alley, and with a sinking feeling in his stomach, he saw the remains of the female officer he had been speaking with earlier among the dead.

"I won't sit back and watch as others put their lives on the line for what we believe in," Gil said, looking back at Valery and standing his ground. "These men and women relied on me, but I was not strong enough, not fast enough. How can I help anyone if I can't even help them? Why should they rely on me..."

Gil grimaced as he brought his hand up to his side, feeling what he suspected was a bruised and broken pair of ribs. The combat adrenaline was beginning to wear off, and the pain was starting to make itself known to him again. Perhaps he had pushed himself too far.

"Fine," Gil said through gritted teeth, straightening up. "How did you find me anyway?"

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Double-Bladed Lightsaber

Valery's amber eyes blazed with a mix of frustration and fiery resolve as she stepped closer to Gil, her arms crossing tightly over her chest. Her calm, measured demeanor from earlier had given way to an unmistakable edge, her voice sharp as she replied.

"Sacrifice?" she echoed, her tone cutting like a blade. "Gil, what you did wasn't sacrifice — it was recklessness. Sacrifice implies that there's something to be gained, a greater purpose served. What did you gain here by pushing yourself into a fight you weren't ready for? You didn't just endanger yourself — you put them at risk." She gestured sharply toward the warehouse and the aftermath of the battle, her gaze hard and unyielding.

"These men and women relied on you, yes. But do you think they'd choose to rely on an injured Jedi who can barely keep himself alive? They deserve better, Gil. They deserve someone who's prepared, someone who can actually protect them. And if you can't be that Jedi right now, then you need to step back and let yourself recover. You help them by helping yourself first."

Valery's voice softened slightly, but only just. "A Jedi who refuses to take care of themselves is worth nothing to anyone, Gil. You don't prove your worth by running into every fight while broken — you prove it by knowing when to fight and when to heal."

She exhaled sharply, running a hand through her hair to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside her. "As for how I found you..." Her gaze met his, unwavering. "You think I wouldn't notice your presence from across the city? You think I wouldn't sense you, as raw and determined as you are, diving headfirst into danger? I care about all Jedi, and I will always be able to find you if I try."

In part, her training as Shadow helped, but also her pure stubborness and protectiveness.

Her expression finally softened, a faint trace of her earlier warmth returning. "You're capable of so much more than this, but not if you burn yourself out before you even have the chance to grow. Let's go. You need medical attention, some rest and a meal, and then you'll be taking out Gundarks on your own before you know it."

Gil Horn​

 

[Gil Horn]

Location: Coruscant | Coruscant Lower Levels
Tags: Valery Noble

Gil followed Valery's gesture back towards the warehouse, his eyes staring unblinking for several moments as her words sank in like a cold dagger. The frustration and anger Gil felt still lingered in his mind, but he grudgingly agreed with what Valery was saying. These officers had expected to fight beside a Jedi at their best. A Jedi that would have been capable of doing what had to be done, and making sure that they got home alive.

They needed a better leader.

Gil nodded his head, a show of resignation as he set off after Valery. Knowing your own strengths and weaknesses, and who to rely on when you were lacking. These were important lesson Gil stewed on as he listened to Valery speak.

A smile crossed his face as he heard her talk about being able to track him from across the city. She was strong in the Force, but more than that, she truly did care. It probably did not hurt that she had training as a Shadow. Covert infiltration and information gathering were their wheelhouse of expertise.

"Very well," Gil said, a sigh escaping his lips. "I swear though if they assign me another protocol droid as a nurse I will jump out the nearest window. As for gundarks..." Gil grunted, spitting up a wad of blood on the ground. "I think I will pass. You can take the next few, I am injured after all," Gil said, clapping Valery on the shoulder as he made an exaggerated shuffle towards the head of the alley, mimicking an imaginary crutch to support himself.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Double-Bladed Lightsaber

Valery sighed softly, some of the tension leaving her shoulders as she walked alongside Gil. The fiery edge in her amber eyes softened, replaced by something warmer, though her expression still held a trace of exasperation. She glanced his way, her lips tugging into a faint smile at his exaggerated shuffle and grumbling about protocol droids.

"You have a flair for dramatics, you know that?" she teased lightly, reaching out to gently clap him on the back in return. "But seriously, Gil. I'm glad you're listening. I just don't want you to get hurt."

As they neared the end of the alley, Valery's demeanor shifted further. She reached out to rest a hand on his shoulder, her touch firm but comforting. "You're going to get stronger, Gil. You're already on the path. And next time, you'll be ready for whatever the galaxy throws at you. Just… don't make me chase you down again, alright? I might not be as nice about it."

She smirked faintly, the spark of humor lightening her tone. "Now come on. Let's get you patched up." They could talk more back at the Temple or even grab a meal.

Something to ease the tension after this fight.

Gil Horn​

 

[Gil Horn]

Location: Coruscant | Coruscant Lower Levels
Tags: Valery Noble

Gil paused in his theatrics, nodding his head to Valery as she spoke and rested a hand on his shoulder. She cared for her people, the New Jedi Order as a whole. It was one of the many reasons why she was the right choice to be their Grandmaster, their leader in these trying times, and, Gil had to admit begrudgingly, their babysitter. It would be a warm day on Hoth before Gil admitted that last part though.

"Say what you will about Corellian's," Gil said, a smile on his face, "but we know how to listen. Whether we actually remember what we have been told..." Gil shrugged his shoulders, glancing up and down the street they were on. There were many onlookers now, it was hard to miss everything that had been going on in the warehouse. More security officers were arriving on scene, establishing a perimeter with holographic crime scene tape.

A thought came to his mind as a different feeling began to register to Gil. Hunger.

"There is this nice little food stand a few levels up from here," Gil said, glancing up as if he could see it through the constant air speeder traffic and jumbled and intersecting pathways. "Well, it was there. I found it when I got thrown off a speeder when I was a Padawan. Excellent spices in the food but not much cushioning for your fall."

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Double-Bladed Lightsaber

Valery let out a soft laugh, shaking her head at Gil's Corellian charm. "Say what you will about Corellians," she replied with a smirk that forced her lips to spread, "I just see them as trouble."

Her gaze followed his as he glanced upward, her expression softening when she noticed the way his demeanor shifted. Gil had a way of blending humor with a quiet resilience that she couldn't help but admire. Despite everything he'd endured — and caused her to endure — he still carried himself with a certain unshakable spirit.

"A food stand that's memorable enough to talk about years later?" she teased, folding her arms. "Well, now I have to try it. Though let's make sure no one's throwing you off a speeder this time."

Her tone lightened further as she gestured down the street. "Lead the way, Gil. After that fight, I think we both deserve something good to eat. And I'd love to hear more about how you 'found' this place. Sounds like there's a story there."

She offered a small, encouraging smile, ready to follow wherever his storytelling — and appetite — would take them.

Gil Horn​

 

[Gil Horn]

Location: Coruscant | Coruscant Lower Levels
Tags: Valery Noble

Gil smiled, gesturing grandly towards one direction on the street and setting off. Memories came flooding back to him as he thought about that particular mission, and he shook his head wryly as he began the retelling. "It started out as a simple little supply run with my Master. She had a contact down in the lower levels that got her equipment from the Outer Rim. Items that were," Gil cast a wary glance as the security officers as they passed the line, "shall we say less than government standard."

They came to a turbolift, one of many dotted along the lower level streets that provided access from one section to another. A line had built up waiting for their turn to head up, and Gil joined the line, folding his arms across his chest. "Well, when we were walking out, we hear on a nearby holonet terminal that there had been an assassination attempt on a senator. Not one of the big political leader ones, just a backwater senator. Some of his local constituents were not all that enthusiastic about the last election. Word comes down the assailants fled the scene in a green and yellow speeder. Low and behold, what do we see fly by when we walk out of the store."

Gil mimicked the motion of a speeder flying by, shrugging his shoulders. The line moved forward, and the two Jedi were able to squeeze their way into the turbolift, shooting up several levels before emerging on a less densely packed street.

Stepping out Gil started walking towards a series of stalls lining the road further up, dozens of alien species eagerly moving from one stand to another. "My master, being very proactive, decided we needed to act then and there. So, as the speeder came to a stop to turn a corner, she picked me up and threw me at the speeder. Aggressive recon she called it later. Her aim was good, my grip was not. Slid right off the side of the speeder and fell two levels to land here," Gil said, coming to a stop in front of a stall manned by a Rodian. As the vendor caught sight of Gil, she narrowed her eyes, her ears twitching in annoyance.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Double-Bladed Lightsaber

Valery listened intently as Gil recounted his story, her expression shifting between amusement and disbelief. Her amber eyes sparkled with barely contained laughter when he mimicked the motion of the speeder and described his master's aggressive recon. She couldn't help herself — the image of Gil being thrown at a speeder like some kind of projectile was too much.

"Aggressive recon, huh?" she said, shaking her head with a chuckle. "Sounds like your master had an... unconventional teaching style." She wasn't one to really judge, though.

As they stepped out of the turbolift and into the bustling street, Valery's gaze wandered to the market stalls. The vibrant array of species, smells, and colors brought life to the lower levels in a way that felt almost out of place amidst Coruscant's usual chaos. But her attention was quickly drawn back to Gil as he came to a stop in front of the Rodian vendor.

When the vendor narrowed her eyes at Gil, Valery's smirk deepened. "Let me guess," she said, crossing her arms as she looked between Gil and the Rodian. "This isn't the first time you've been here, is it? And judging by that look, I'm guessing you're trouble sometimes?"

She shot the Rodian a warm smile, trying to disarm whatever tension lingered between them. "Don't worry," she said to the vendor, her tone light and playful. "I'm here to make sure he behaves himself this time. And... to try whatever it is that makes this place so memorable."

Gil Horn​