Private Flames in Motion

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Red Epicanthix Dress

Valery's smile was warm and affectionate as she nodded to Aris. "Alright, let's go," she agreed softly. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder before turning to lead the way back home.

The moment they stepped inside, a flurry of excited footsteps thundered down the stairs. The triplets appeared, their faces lighting up as they spotted Valery and Aris. "Mom! Aris!" they shouted in unison, their voices ringing with pure joy.

Before she could say a word, they swarmed around them, tiny arms reaching up for hugs. Valery laughed, wrapping her arms around them as best she could. "Well, look who missed us," she teased, her eyes sparkling as she glanced at Aris. "I think they might be more excited to see you than me."

Aris Noble ​

 

[Aris Noble]

In a feat very much like his father Aris lifted all three of the triplets up in a hug, smiling warm and happy as he did once it was his turn. There was something truly freeing in the dance, something that had clicked in his head about who he was and what he could do. The worry and fear of bringing harm to his family if he didn't stay in control had faded. He simply was, and that's what he needed to know, to remember.

"I've been away a lot more, haven't I? I'm sorry, you three. But I'm here now."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Red Epicanthix Dress

The triplets practically climbed over Aris, their excitement bubbling over in three distinct ways. Aeryn and Adam tugged at his sleeves and laughed, their energy boundless as they each tried to grab his attention.

"Aris! Let's play!" Adam said, bouncing on his toes.

"Yeah!" Aeryn chimed in, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Aurra, on the other hand, clung quietly to his side, her arms wrapped around him as she gazed up at him with wide, admiring eyes. Her voice was softer than her siblings' but carried a sincerity that tugged at the heart. To her, he was more than a big brother — he was a figure to look up to, someone who always seemed so strong and great!

Valery stood nearby, watching the scene unfold with a warm chuckle. She was about to add something else when the sound of a baby's cry drifted down from upstairs. Eryx's wails, insistent but not frantic, immediately captured her attention. Her expression softened further as she glanced toward the stairs. "Sounds like someone else wants attention too," she murmured, glancing at Aris with a knowing smile. "I'll go check on him. You've got your hands full here."

With that, she headed upstairs, her footsteps light and measured as she moved to soothe the youngest member of their family. Downstairs, the triplets continued to chatter and cling to Aris, their joy filling the house with warmth.

Aris Noble ​

 

[Aris Noble]

Aris just snickered as he nodded to the trio, even Aurra. Of the three, she was always the one closest to him because of his quiet demeanor and enjoyment of reading to her. It showed a vast difference between her and Adam and Aeryn, in how they behaved and played. So he would play with them! As best he could to try and include all three, given how different Aurra was from her fellow triplets.

Though about half way or so through playing with them he blinked, then reached over to take up his datapad.

Hey, Zaiya. Mom's making burgers tonight and I asked if you could come by and she said yes! She makes the best, so, I want my burger buddy to confirm it. So.. Yeah! Come by! The shuttle at the temple should bring you here no problem.

Then he clicked off his datapad, smiling as he went back to playing with the triplets.

Valery Noble | Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Aris Noble Valery Noble

Zaiya was excited.

Finally, Doctor Nova had responded to Dr. Izak's request for the Lovalla Researcher's permission for Zaiya to reach out and discuss Lovalla culture and any questions Zaiya may have. The mated pair was deep in Wild Space, so communications take several weeks to patch through, but now that she had permission to contact Dr. Nova directly, it meant she could ask her and her mate any questions she had on Lovalla that she couldn't find by researching. It would be a direct line to hopefully fill in a lot of the blanks that Zaiya felt she'd been juggling.

Giddy with excitement, she was just about to send a message back to Dr. Nova thanking her for this opportunity, when an incoming one booped on her datascreen.

Oh! It was a message from Aris.

Immediately, a ripple of joyful light blue flickers went dancing over her rosy golden skin. She opened the file, then read the message.

Hey, Zaiya. Mom's making burgers tonight and I asked if you could come by and she said yes! She makes the best, so, I want my burger buddy to confirm it. So.. Yeah! Come by! The shuttle at the temple should bring you here no problem.

The excited grin immediately blossomed over the Padawan's face. Burgers, Aris, and hanging out eating at his parent's place? That sounded awesome! -- at least until Zaiya recalled that she was still a bit nervous about making sure she didn't make a bad impression around Aris's parents. She wanted to show that it hadn't been a mistake to take a chance on her and help her into getting into the Jedi Order -- especially after being caught sneaking into the temple years ago...

No, no. It will be fine. Zaiya told herself. Besides, if Aris said his mother made the best burgers, Zaiya was even more curious to try them. They had gone through several restaurants and diners on their list, so that was high praise from Aris.

With an excited shoulder shimmy, Zaiya quickly typed up a reply.

[[ You got yourself a burger buddy for the day then! I got awesome news for you too! I'll tell you all about it once I get there. ]]

With that, she hit sent and immediately went off to see what she should wear -- sure, she was just coming over for a meal, but she still wanted to look cute and make a good impression!

Especially when Aris noticed, and he'd start to blush!

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Red Epicanthix Dress

Valery descended the stairs with Eryx cradled lovingly in her arms, his small hands reaching up to tug at her long bangs with a gurgling laugh. She chuckled softly, brushing a hand over his fine hair to settle him, though his fascination with her hair remained relentless.

"Alright, alright, little one," she murmured, her voice filled with warmth. "Mommy needs those to see where she's going."

Her smile lingered as she entered the living room, where Aris was deeply immersed in play with the triplets. Aeryn and Adam were darting around with boundless energy, each vying for his attention with their favorite toys, while Aurra stuck close to his side, occasionally smiling at her siblings' antics but clearly content just to be near her big brother. The sight filled Valery's heart with quiet joy.

"Thank you for playing with them, Aris," Valery said softly, her voice brimming with affection as she swayed gently with Eryx in her arms. The baby let out another happy squeal, his tiny fingers curling around a strand of her bangs. Valery chuckled again before her gaze shifted back to Aris.

"I'll go ahead and get started on the burgers," she added, her tone warm and teasing as she walked toward the kitchen. "I better make sure everything is perfect. Wouldn't want to disappoint your 'burger buddy.'"

Her eyes twinkled as she said it, and she gave him a knowing smile before stepping into the kitchen. The scent of sizzling spices and freshly prepared ingredients would soon fill the home, adding another layer of comfort to an already joyful evening.

Aris Noble Zaiya Ceti ​

 

[Aris Noble]

Aris blinked. Then, blushed. He'd only ever texted or messaged Zaiya the whole burger buddy thing. Did he know how embarrassing it was deep down and didn't want to announce it aloud? Yes, very likely. Hearing his mom say it herself? He could crawl in a hole and die from the sheer embarrassment. He nodded his head slowly, trying not to let that embarrassment bleed through any more than the burning in his ears.

"Sounds- good, mom. She uh, should be here soon."

Thankfully his attention was pulled back by the triplets, and the smells of the burgers Valery was making. Did that lessen the embarrassment? No, but it did eventually make him forget enough to relax and smile bright once more and keep the triplets entertained.

Zaiya Ceti | Valery Noble

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Valery Noble Aris Noble

It took a little bit longer to decide what to wear, but Zaiya finally decided on an off-the-shoulder white blouse and grey travel shorts. Something cute but still functional for traveling that didn't cry out JEDI PADAWAN, but more aligned with her age while keeping her arms and legs free to show off as much color shifting and glow effects as possible!

A quick, messy ponytail that made it seem like she didn't take fifteen minutes to do it - it did - and just the lightest touch of tinted lip balm and she was ready!

The time it took to reach Niv Hani went fast, with the Lovalla Padawan using the travel time to reach out to Dr. Nova to introduce herself and follow up with some questions. It would take a few weeks for it to reach the Deep Space Research Vessel and for Dr. Nova to write back, but Zaiya was just as excited about it.

It was evening by the time Zaiya arrived, the low rumble of the shuttle engines dying down after it landed. Domxite was on her shoulder, and with her trusty satchel, the Lovalla practically bounced her way out down the ramp.

This was going to be fun!

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Red Epicanthix Dress

Valery stood in the kitchen, a soft hum escaping her lips in the form of a Keshian melody as she worked on shaping the burger patties. Eryx sat in his high chair nearby, his tiny legs kicking excitedly as he watched her every move. His fascination with her was boundless — every motion of her hands, every sizzling sound from the pan, every savory aroma drifting through the room seemed to captivate him completely.

"Are you my little helper today?" Valery asked playfully, glancing over her shoulder at him. Eryx responded with a giggle, his chubby hands slapping the tray of his high chair as if trying to help. "You're doing great, sweetie," she teased, flashing him a warm smile before turning back to the task at hand.

The pan on the stove began to hiss as the first batch of patties hit the surface, the delicious scent of sizzling spices and seared meat wafting through the air. Valery flipped one with practiced ease, her ponytail swaying slightly as she moved. Eryx's wide green eyes followed the motion, a small squeal escaping him when she flipped the next.

"You think Daddy can flip them better than me?" she asked, feigning offense at his giggles. "I don't think so." Her voice was filled with warmth and humor, and Eryx responded with another happy squeal, his tiny fists waving in the air.

Valery wiped her hands on a towel and moved closer to him, crouching down to gently tap his nose with her finger. "You better save some energy for dinner. We have a guest. She’ll want to see you, too," she said softly. At the mention of Zaiya, she glanced toward the window, catching the faint sound of a shuttle landing outside.

"Speaking of which," she murmured to herself, standing up and placing the final patties into the pan. The kitchen was alive with warmth and the rich smell of cooking, and Valery felt a deep contentment as she peeked out the window to catch a glimpse of their guest stepping off the shuttle.

Aris Noble Zaiya Ceti ​

 

[Aris Noble]

Aris eventually settled down with the triplets. Play had tired them, but not to the point of sleeping. He didn't want them napping with Zaiya came by. It- felt odd to him now that he thought about it. All this time she's been his best friend, but Vera was the only one of his siblings that he knew she met. Grant it, he didn't know Colette and her had talked before, but his family were what he truly treasured.

He should've brought her here a lot sooner.

The sound of the shuttle had him sit up a bit in alert before his smile grew. He glanced to the trio, engrossed in the movie he'd put on for them, and smiled more. Yeah, he definitely should've invited her over sooner. Better late than never though, as he got up carefully to avoid any interruptions before he went to greet Zaiya at the door. He did so with a big ol' smile, practically and very much almost ripping the door from it's hinges in his brief burst of excitement. He didn't though.

Mostly because he had before and they replaced those hinges with something far sturdier.

"I- uh. Hey. Come in. By the smell, burgers are almost ready. The triplets are watching a movie, so- .. I dunno what we're supposed to do now I guess uhhh wanna watch the movie a bit? Or we could go help with the burgers. Mom's in there cooking so-"

Zaiya Ceti | Valery Noble

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Valery Noble Aris Noble

"I- uh. Hey. Come in. By the smell, burgers are almost ready. The triplets are watching a movie, so- .. I dunno what we're supposed to do now I guess uhhh wanna watch the movie a bit? Or we could go help with the burgers. Mom's in there cooking so-"

The door swung open, and all of Zaiya's nervous energy evaporated in an instant. There stood Aris, his wide grin crinkling the corners of his eyes, his excitement practically radiating off him. Zaiya couldn't help but bounce on the balls of her feet, matching his grin with her own beaming one. The colors on her skin bloomed into a vibrant palette of golds and rosy pinks, flickering like starlight over her arms and cheeks, though the deep coral blush gave away her flustered thrill.

"Hi!" she blurted, the word tumbling out before she could think, her voice higher pitched than usual, a hand waving quickly in front of her in greeting. Domxite poked their head over Zaiya's shoulder, popping out of the satchel.

"Oh, Domxite is with me." she told him, hoping that wouldn't be an issue. Zaiya stepped inside, her gaze darting around the warm, bustling home. The air buzzed with the soft hum of a holoscreen in the background and the faint clatter of kitchen activity.

The rich, savory aroma of grilled meat drifted out to meet her, and Zaiya's stomach gave an audible grumble in response, making her a little embarrassed as her hands went to cover her stomach as if that would quiet the noise. As if! Not with Aris's sensitive hearing. The blush intensified even as her mouth watered, and she quickly snapped it shut before she embarrassed herself by drooling.

Questions hit her all at once, a flurry of options spinning in her mind. Should she say hello first? Help out? What was proper etiquette for visiting your crush slash best friend's family home when said family was full of Jedi legends?

"Oh, umm --" She floundered, her colors flickering into uncertain greys before steadying into her usual cool blues. Then it hit her. The easiest way to settle in was to do what she loved most: helping. And it didn't hurt that it involved food.

"We can help your mom!" Zaiya finally decided, her tone bright with purpose.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Red Epicanthix Dress

They were not going to make it very far.

The triplets, as ever, were the family's first line of defense — inquisitive, adorable, and impossible to bypass without a thorough inspection. Aeryn stood in the hallway, hands on her little hips, her orange eyes squinting up at Zaiya with all the intensity of someone trying to decide if they liked a new flavor of candy.

"Who are you?" she demanded, her tone almost accusatory but undeniably cute.

Before Zaiya could answer, Adam darted up beside his sister, "Are you one of Daddy's Jedi friends? You look like one!" His big silver eyes sparkled as he studied the swirling colors flickering across Zaiya's skin, clearly fascinated.

Meanwhile, Aurra peeked over the backrest of the couch, her head resting on her arms as she observed the interaction. Her expression was more reserved but no less curious. She tilted her head slightly, her eyes flicking between Zaiya and Aris as if silently trying to decipher some unspoken secret.

"Are you here to play with us?" Aeryn then asked, as she tried to piece things together.

Back in the kitchen, Valery remained blissfully unaware of the interrogation in progress. She flipped another burger with precision, her ponytail swaying as she worked. Eryx, still seated in his high chair, babbled happily and clapped his little hands, utterly captivated by the rhythmic motions and the tantalizing smells of dinner being prepared.

"I love your little giggles," Valery said warmly, turning briefly to tickle Eryx under his chin. His giggles filled the kitchen, mixing with the sizzling sound of the pan. For now, she continued to focus on the task at hand, trusting that Aris and Zaiya would find their way soon — assuming, of course, they survived the triplets.

Aris Noble Zaiya Ceti ​

 

[Aris Noble]

And like that they were set upon by the most blood thirsty of predators. The triplets. More specifically, the pair who seemed to have some kind of Force Bond was now watching and waiting for an opportunity to strike. And they found one. Aris blinked in surprise at Adam's question before he.. Pouted. Just a little. The fact his own brother's first assumption was that Zaiya was one of Kahlil's friends and not his own kind of made him.. Sad?

Nah, not sad. But it showed how little he really involved his friends with his family.

"This is Zaiya. My friend."

He glanced to Aeryn, blinking.

"We were gonna help mom cook."

Zaiya Ceti | Valery Noble

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Valery Noble Aris Noble

Zaiya couldn't help the bright smile that spread across her face, her patterns rippling with hues of soft teals and blues that shimmered like sunlight on water. Meeting Aris's siblings made Zaiya slightly nervous, but the excitement bubbling up in her chest far outweighed the nerves.

These were Aris's siblings, the triplets he always spoke about with a mix of affection and amusement. And now, here she was, standing in front of them, the half dozen bracelets and cuffs on her arm jingling as she waved hello.

"Hi, I'm Zaiya," she said brightly, leaning down slightly to match the triplets' eye level. Her tone was warm and friendly, as if she'd been waiting forever for this introduction.

Zaiya shook her head, her earrings catching the light with the movement.

"Yup, I am Aris's friend," Never mind that he didn't qualify her as 'best,' but that was okay. "But I am also a Jedi Padawan," she said, tilting her head to smile at Adam and Aeryn.

"I do missions sometimes with Master Kahlil and the Grandmaster, but today, I'm here with Aris."

Her gaze drifted over to the couch, where Aurra was peeking at her with quiet intensity. There was something different about her, like the Force moving in subtle, intricate patterns around her that it didn't with the others -- like with Adam and Aurra, she could feel the strength of their connection. How curious! Zaiya offered a small wave, her curiosity piqued.

"Yeah, we are going to help your mom with the burgers, " Zaiya said, her cheerful tone softening slightly as she addressed Aurra, "but I'd love to play with all of you after if you like."

The thought of so many siblings one could play and hang out with was so strange but such a blessing for Zaiya to see; her kind very, very rarely ever had more than one child, so seeing three of Aris's siblings in front of her tugged at her heart at how blessed Aris's family was to have so many family bonded connections.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Red Epicanthix Dress

Aeryn's orange eyes lit up as Zaiya introduced herself, her earlier intensity melting into pure excitement. "You're a Jedi Padawan? That's so cool! I also want to be a Padawan!" she exclaimed, her little hands clapping together in delight. Adam, not one to be outdone, bounced on his toes, his silver eyes practically glowing with enthusiasm.

"Do you fight bad guys with your lightsaber?" Adam asked, his voice filled with awe. "Can you show us?!"

Aeryn giggled, turning to Zaiya with a grin. "Yeah! Maybe after you help with the burgers, we can do Jedi stuff!" The idea of learning anything remotely connected to the Jedi world seemed to thrill them both.

But as Aeryn's gaze flicked back to Aris, her grin faltered. Her sharp little eyes noticed the faint pout on her big brother's face, and without hesitation, she darted over to him and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist.

Aurra, still perched on the back of the couch, watched the exchange with a small, knowing smile before hopping down to join her siblings. "I think Mommy is waiting," she said in her quiet, thoughtful voice, her hand tugging lightly at Aeryn's sleeve.

With that, the triplets scattered, their chatter filling the hallway as they planned their next adventure.

Finally free, Aris and Zaiya were able to make their way to the kitchen, where Valery was still at the stove, flipping burgers with practiced ease. The savory aroma of sizzling meat filled the air, blending with the soft babble of baby Eryx in his high chair. Valery turned slightly at the sound of their footsteps, her amber eyes lighting up with a warm smile.

"Looks like you survived the triplets," she teased, her gaze flicking between the two of them. "It's good to see you again, Zaiya."

Aris Noble Zaiya Ceti ​

 

[Aris Noble]

"A Jedi strives not to use their lightsaber whenever possible, Adam. It's important." And he didn't want the triplets to start trying to play with lightsabers at their age. The last thing they needed was one of them getting hurt. Or worse, another fruit ninja escapade like he did with Vera and Seszil. That he certainly wouldn't be able to live down. He blinked as Aeryn hugged him though. The pout shifted back to a smile as he gently patting the top of her head.

They were always more aware than he thought.

Aurra, even more so. He glanced to her as she spoke up and nodded his head before he guided Zaiya to the kitchen.

"Hey mom. We survived, yeah. Aurra seemed to pick up on it even. She's really good at noticing things. Anything we can help with?"

Zaiya Ceti | Valery Noble

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Valery Noble Aris Noble

Zaiya gave a nod of her colorful head in agreement with what Aris explained, adding herself, "Yeah... I actually prefer to not have to use my lightsaber unless I absolutely have to. I actually enjoy using different types of tech and abilities to try and incapacitate if needed... "

In the midst of it all, Aurra provided the gentle reminder about Valery waiting in the Kitchen. Zaiya had to stop herself from adding more details, already flushing, realizing that she could babble on and on with the triplets in her excitement when they were supposed to be helping out their mother with cooking.

Her face flickered with shimmering corals over her mottled spots, and she added, "Oh, sorry, I get a bit excited talking about it."

With the triplets scattering Aris led her over to the kitchen, where the yummy scents of grilling meat and veggies hit the Lovalla's nose before she saw them. Already, her mouth was watering again.

"Hmm, yeah, I noticed that too." Zaiya replied to Aris regarding his young sister.

The sight of the Grandmaster of the New Jedi Order with her youngest seemingly in a cosy domestic scene was a comfortable one to take in. It made Zaiya smile, the medley of colors responding in natural contentment over her rosy golden skin. It made her relax a bit more.

"Same, Grandmaster Noble," Of course, just because she felt a little more comfortable didn't mean that Zaiya wasn't going to try her best to be respectful, even giving a little nervous bow in greeting, using Valery's title.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Red Epicanthix Dress

Valery chuckled softly at Zaiya's formal greeting and the nervous bow that accompanied it. She set the spatula down for a moment and turned fully to face her son and his companion, her warm smile never fading. "Feel free to just call me Valery here at home," she said gently, hoping to put her at ease.

She glanced back at the sizzling burgers on the stove, flipping one more patty before turning off the burner. "The burgers are just about done, but if you two want to help, you can pick out what toppings you'd like. The veggies and sauces are over there," she said, motioning toward a nearby counter stacked with fresh ingredients.

As she spoke, a soft, almost imperceptible coo came from the high chair nearby. Valery turned her head to find baby Eryx staring at Aris and Zaiya with the most exaggerated squint his little face could manage. His chubby cheeks puffed out slightly as he narrowed his greem eyes, clearly displeased by the sudden competition for his mom's attention.

Valery smirked and shook her head. "Oh no, here we go," she said with mock exasperation, stepping closer to the high chair. "Eryx, they're here to help, not steal Mommy from you." She leaned in to give him a quick kiss on the forehead, her tone softening. "You'll always be my little prince."

Eryx responded by cooing again, though his squint remained firmly in place as he turned his tiny glare toward Zaiya. Valery glanced back at the Lovalla and Aris, her amber eyes sparkling with amusement. "Don't take it personally. He's just a little possessive of me. Right, Eryx?" she teased, giving his round belly a gentle tickle, which earned a small giggle from him despite his attempt to maintain his serious expression.

"Alright, let's finish getting these burgers ready," Valery said, turning back to the counter. "What toppings are you two thinking? Cheese? Lettuce? Extra pickles?" Her tone was light, welcoming them to dive into the task while Eryx continued his vigil, his baby-sized jealousy on full display.

Aris Noble Zaiya Ceti ​

 

[Aris Noble]

Pick out the toppings, then?

Aris chuckled lightly, glancing to Eryx as the boy pouted in their direction. He simply bowed his head in a silent apology before he stepped past to start handling the toppings. Chopping, mostly, as he plucked out a chef knife to start cutting everything into the right size for the burgers. He was still trying to figure out how best to get things tasting, but he was certainly quick and probably too good at portion sizing.

"Cheese and tomatoes are my favorite. What are you thinking, Zaiya?"

Valery Noble | Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Valery Noble Aris Noble

While the Grandmaster told Zaiya it was okay for her to call her by her first name in her home, it still felt a little weird because, well, Valery is the Gramdmaster, but nonetheless, Zaiya nodded with a smile and replied, “Okay!”

Now it was a question of how many times she would stumble over herself trying to call her Valery and not Gramdmaster.

Eryx, of course, drew the Lovalla’s attention by his suspicious squint and amusing baby glaring pout at her direction, more so when Valery explained that it was because he was being a little possessive.

“Hi Eryx!” Zaiya waved, giving a wide smile as friendly ripples of gold and blue tinted shimmers cascaded over her mottled spots. But the toddler only had eyes for his mother, even shot her another little amusing cheeky narrowing of his eyes. All of a sudden, a thought came to mind.

Wait, is that how I acted before with Azzie? Now that made Zaiya contemplate a bit alarmed and embarrassed. It was a good thing Valery had tasked them to help with the toppings.

“Cheese and tomatoes are yummy,” Zaiya agreed, moving beside Aris to help out - but first washing her hands! Then she grabbed a cutting board and the lettuce to shred for the burgers.

“But I also like lettuce too… and slices of avocado… and ooo sometimes a fried nuna egg when it’s gooey in the middle!” Talking about it made her even more hungry amidst the yummy aromas. Once again her tummy gave an appreciative and anticipatory rumble. Zaiya blushed and hoped it wasn’t too loud to hear — well for anyone else other than Aris’s super hearing!

“What about you Gra — Valery?” Zaiya corrected herself, more coral tinting her face.

“What do you like on your burgers?”