Private Doctor's Orders

[Gil Horn]

Location: Coruscant | Coruscant Lower Levels
Tags: Valery Noble

Gil winked at the Rodian vendor, a smile on his face as he fished out a few credit chips and dropped them into the Rodian's extended hand. Bad relations might be on the table, but almost everything could be overlooked in the name of credits. Thank the Force for the free market economy of the Galactic Alliance. Plus, Valery vouching for him seemed to go a long way. Apparently the attractive and confident woman was more reliable than Gil's natural charm.

How rude.

"We will take two of the Number Three specials," Gil said, indicating with a finger at a picture on the side of the cart. As the vendor began to get the food ready, Gil turned back to Valery, folding his hands into the pockets of his robe. "My master was an unconventional Jedi. She never had a teacher herself. She was independent minded and did what she did to defend her people on Kashyyyk. It was only in the last century or so of her life that she joined organized Jedi organizations."

Gil took the food as the vendor handed it to him, passing one of the rather uninviting looking bowls filled with green and orange half liquified matter. He handed the second bowl to Valery, a smile on his face. "I find it best not to judge the food of other cultures too much. Take a deep breath and dig in, the taste really takes over." To emphasize his own point, Gil dipped the spoon that had been in the bowl down, and shoveled the first bite into his mouth.

"One of my masters unorthodox methods of teaching was to make me come here an apologize to the family that ran this stand," Gil said, indicating the Rodian with a wave of the spoon. "Their grandad ran it when I made my dramatic introduction, and my master ensured that I always came here at least once a month to apologize. Take responsibility for my actions she would always say. At a certain point the food started to grow on me."

 

[Valery Noble]

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

Valery raised an eyebrow as Gil handed her the bowl of mysterious, half-liquefied green and orange matter. She tilted her head slightly, inspecting it as though it were some kind of science experiment. The steam rising from the bowl carried an aroma that wasn't entirely unappealing, but it was definitely unique.

"Take a deep breath and dig in, huh?" she echoed with a smirk, glancing up at Gil as he confidently took his first bite. His obvious enjoyment did little to ease her skepticism, but she couldn't resist the challenge. Valery was no stranger to trying unfamiliar cuisines during her travels across the galaxy, and she wasn't about to let Gil see her hesitate.

With a small shrug of resignation, she dipped the spoon into the bowl, scooping up the brightly colored mixture. She took a deep breath, as instructed, and popped the spoon into her mouth. The flavor hit her all at once — tangy, spicy, with an odd sweetness that lingered on her tongue. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise before she swallowed.

"Huh," she said, pausing to let the taste settle. "That's… actually pretty good." She dipped her spoon back in for another bite, her expression lightening as she ate. "I can see why it grew on you."

As Gil explained the story behind his monthly trips to the stand, Valery's gaze shifted toward the Rodian vendor. There was something endearing about the way his master had insisted he take responsibility for his actions — and even more so about the way he had embraced it.

"Your master sounds like she was a handful, but it's clear she cared about teaching you the right lessons," Valery said, her tone softer now. She took another bite, savoring the unexpected but oddly addictive flavors. "It's not easy to admit when we've made mistakes, let alone keep coming back to make amends. Sounds like she instilled something important in you."

Her amber eyes flicked up to meet his, a playful glint returning to her expression. "Though I have to wonder if she ever imagined this place would become one of your favorite food spots." She chuckled, gesturing with her spoon toward the bowl.

Gil Horn​

 

[Gil Horn]

Location: Coruscant | Coruscant Lower Levels
Tags: Valery Noble

"Master Ohognh had her methods, and rather unorthodox they might be, I believe that she was one of the best of her generation." Gil took another spoonful of the liquid, his eyes watering for a moment as the familiar taste and waves of memories went over him. It had been difficult to think of Ohognh since her passing, but recent events with Crawl made the memories all the more painful.

Nodding his head, Gil tapped the spoon on the edge of the bowl. "Responsibility and a drive to commit to be the best you can be. As Jedi we have a duty to not only uphold the values of our Order, but to stand as beacons for every man, woman and child in the galaxy. We cannot ask them to be the best they can be if we do not do the same ourselves. As Jedi, we have an obligation to stand above what would be considered average or expected. Lead by example you could say."

Turning, Gil dropped a few extra credit chips into the vendors tip jar, giving the Rodian a smile as he turned to begin walking away. "The lesson she taught me I hope to instill in the next generation of Jedi. My own Padawan learner, Kuhbee is already shaping up to an excellent young Jedi. In time I am sure he will be a shining star of the Order."

Gil turned to look back at the vendor once they were far enough away, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "As for the food...well, you can get used to anything really. Plus, growing up on Corellia, most of the food had that oh so welcoming taste of industrial run off in it. Something with this much spice," Gil held up the bowl, "is a true treat."

 

[Valery Noble]

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

Valery listened attentively as Gil spoke of his master, her amber eyes reflecting a quiet understanding. She could hear the weight of his respect and the deep impact Master Ohognh had left on him. As he articulated the ideals of responsibility and leading by example, a faint smile tugged at her lips, resonating with his words.

"I'm certain that she's very proud of the Jedi you've become, hearing all of this," she said with a warm sile.

As Gil mentioned Kuhbee, Valery's smile grew. "It's not always easy to mentor the next generation, but it sounds like you're doing a great job. Jedi like Kuhbee need strong guides to help them navigate this galaxy and uphold those values we all strive for." Especially now, during times of war and conflict.

Her gaze followed his to the vendor as they walked, and she chuckled lightly at his remark about Corellian food. "Industrial runoff doesn't exactly scream culinary delight," she teased, holding up her own bowl of spicy, tangy broth. "I can see how this would feel like a treat by comparison."

She took another bite, letting the mix of flavors settle on her tongue before looking back at him. "It's funny how food can tie into lessons and memories like this. Every bite is a reminder of where you came from, what you've learned, and the journey you've taken."

Her expression softened as they walked, the chaos of the galaxy feeling a little more distant in this shared moment. "It's good to find those anchors, especially in a life as chaotic as ours."

Gil Horn​

 

[Gil Horn]

Location: Coruscant | Coruscant Lower Levels
Tags: Valery Noble

"I know she would be proud..." Gil said, a frown crossing his face as he discarded his empty bowl into a nearby bin. "I have done everything I can to uphold her ideals and beliefs, but there will always be the worry that I do not carry on her legacy, not correctly anyway. She was a powerful figure, and she affected to many lives. If it hadn't been for Tython..."

Gil took a breath, calming the wash of emotions that threatened to bubble up to the surface. Gil had not been at Tython. He had been pinned down halfway across the galaxy, but everyone knew what happened there. Ohognh had been part of the New Jedi Order task force deployed to help hold the world. She had always talked to Gil about visiting that world. In her travels across the galaxy she had always been so busy, so occupied with things, but she had desired to one day see the homeworld of the Jedi.

A world that had become her grave.

Turning his mind away from that grim train of thought, Gil nodded his head at Valery's other words. "Corellia was an interesting place, and I miss it sometimes, but not enough to go pay it a friendly visit. I have built too many connections elsewhere to go back, but I will always be that street rat Corellian kid at heart. That is my anchor no matter how crazy this galaxy gets, how insane."

 

[Valery Noble]

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

Valery slowed her pace slightly as she listened to Gil, her expression softening as he spoke of his master and the weight he carried. She could feel the depth of his emotions, the unresolved ache that lingered in the shadow of loss, and her amber eyes glimmered with understanding.

"Carrying the legacy of someone you admire so deeply is never easy," she said gently, her voice low but steady. "But from what I've seen, you're honoring her in all the ways that matter. It's not about being perfect or following every step exactly as they would have. It's about carrying their values forward, adapting them to your own path, and using them to guide and inspire others." She offered him a faint smile, her tone tinged with warmth. "That's how legacies truly live on."

Her gaze flicked toward the bustling street ahead, the sounds and sights of the city creating a hum of life around them. "Tython..." she murmured, her voice quiet and reflective. The memories of that devastating battle still echoed in the Force, and her expression darkened briefly.

Valery shifted her focus back to him as he mentioned Corellia, her smile returning but with a more playful edge. "A street rat Corellian kid, huh?" she teased lightly. "I can see it — quick reflexes, sharp wit, and a natural talent for finding trouble." Her smirk widened before her expression softened again.

She reached out briefly, a comforting hand on his shoulder as they continued walking. "It's a chaotic galaxy, but you're not facing it alone, Gil. You have your anchors, your Padawan, your friends... and the strength to keep going. That street rat Corellian kid turned into a Jedi Knight who carries hope and responsibility forward."

Gil Horn​

 

[Gil Horn]

Location: Coruscant | Coruscant Lower Levels
Tags: Valery Noble

Gil let a small, almost shy smile tug at the corner of his lips as he walked alongside Valery, her words echoing in his mind like the hum of a lightsaber in the stillness of meditation. He tilted his head slightly, looking down at the black-gloved hand that once bore the mark of his failure, and now, perhaps, the resilience he'd forged from it.

"She always said it wasn't about the destination, but the journey," Gil said quietly, his voice carrying the weight of reflection. "Master Ohognh believed every step we take, every stumble, every victory, is what shapes us. I've tried to live by that, even when it feels like I've tripped more than walked." His eyes flicked to her amber gaze, a flicker of gratitude shining there. "Hearing it from you, though... it helps. Sometimes the legacy feels heavier than the saberstaff I carry."

Her teasing pulled him out of the heaviness, and he chuckled softly, a touch of his old Corellian charm lighting his expression. "Quick reflexes, sharp wit, and a knack for trouble? Guilty as charged," he replied, raising his gloved hand in mock surrender. "Though I'd argue the trouble usually finds me. Corellia does teach you how to stay on your toes, especially when you're running with a crew of kids who think stealing hydrospanners is a fun day's work."

Her hand on his shoulder grounded him in the moment, and he gave her a small but genuine smile. "You're right, though. Chaos might be the rule in this galaxy, but there are still people like you, like my Padawan, who remind me that I'm not alone. That even if I'm that street rat kid deep down, I've still got something to give. Something to fight for."

He glanced ahead at the bustling street, the life and motion a stark contrast to the calm they'd found in their conversation. "And maybe that's what it's all about. Taking the chaos, the pain, and the hope, and doing something with it. Carrying it forward; not just for those we've lost, but for the ones still here." His smile grew slightly as he looked at Valery. "Thanks, Valery. For reminding me of that."

 

[Valery Noble]

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

Valery's amber eyes lingered on Gil as he spoke, her expression warm but contemplative. His words struck a chord with her, not just because of the weight they carried, but because of the truth she saw within them. When he finished, she allowed a moment of silence to stretch between them, the bustling sounds of the city filling the gap before she spoke.

"You're right, Gil," she began softly, her tone carrying the conviction of her own experiences. "It's not just about carrying the weight of those we've lost. It's about turning that weight into something meaningful. Something that honors them, but also moves us forward."

She glanced toward the crowded street ahead, where life swirled around them in vibrant chaos. "This galaxy can feel overwhelming — the chaos, the loss, the constant need to fight for every step forward. But every person we help, every moment of peace we create, it ripples outward. It's easy to forget when you're focused on the next battle, the next challenge, but those ripples... they matter."

Valery's lips curved into a soft smile, her hand dropping from his shoulder to rest briefly at her side. She then gestured lightly toward the street ahead, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Come on, let's see where this chaos takes us next. Who knows — maybe we'll find another ripple to start."

Gil Horn​