Private Look to the Future

[Nolan Knightfall]

Coruscant – Knightfall Tower – Personal Office
Direct: Valery Noble || Indirect: N/A
NPC(s): Elias Xavier, Arthur Sterling​

The rebuilding of Coruscant, initiated in the wake of devastating conflicts and invasions, had slowly begun to transform the battered metropolis back into the vibrant capital it once was. It was symbolic of the city and its citizens' resilient spirit. Knightfall Enterprises and its charities assisted in the repairs of Coruscant and the aid and welfare of its people. However, on Nolan's mind, his concerns focused far more on the undercity of Coruscant and the the damages that occurred down there. How many died, how many were displaced, how many had turned to looting to survive. For the time being, Coruscant would require the careful focus of not only Nolan.

But another hidden away from the public eye.

Gazing out the windows of his office, Nolan's eyes scanned the towering cityscapes. So much work remained to be done but now it was now far less than before. The city was healing. And part of that healing required his presence and talents as owner and businessman of Knightfall Enterprises. Sitting down at his desk, his hands began operating the console in front of him. Examining the various facets of his company under Elias's care, the Rich One began to take notes and drafting documents. His work continued for the next hour before his attention drew itself to somewhere else. With the reconstruction of Coruscant, that meant properties were more likely to sell at a lower price. While Knightfall Enterprises had endeavored to utilize those recently acquired properties for the good of Coruscant and its disadvantaged, those properties could also be utilized to develop other ventures below the surface.

Ventures that may help Coruscant in the future. Especially if he were to operate here in the meantime and not be nearly as reclusive regarding his public appearances.

However, that came with its own set of issues as well. With his gradual emergence into the public eye, the spotlight began to shift once more onto him with its ever-watchful glow—tracking his every movement now more than ever before. And there were those who had taken notice. The attention was not limited to his more private ventures.

It also affected his public persona's outings as well.

A message chimed on the console. Elias.

[Mrs. Valery Noble is requesting your presence.]

Case in point to his relationship now with the public. A few moment paused before Nolan typed out a response.

[I'm busy. Besides, I have other meetings to attend.]

What the grandmaster of the Jedi would want with him would remain a mystery. Perhaps support from him. They had enough support from the government and their allies. His aid and resources were better spent elsewhere. Besides, he had declined her previous requests to a meeting or, more accurately, his staff declined her previous requests. Even the Sword of the Alliance was not important enough to warrant the Generous Host's attention and charity. Anyone else may have made time in their schedule for her.

Not him. Not when there were far more important matters for him to attend. It also sent an important message to anyone and everyone. No matter how important or connected someone may be, Nolan Knightfall chose whom he decided to grant audience, or it was the simple matter of fact that he had more important matters to attend.

[She's in the building. And I don't believe she's taking no for an answer this time.]

Few, like her, were tenacious enough to work through or around the planned excuses and his "busy" schedule. Most became satisfied with resolving their business with Elias. Nolan had put the man in charge for a reason: to be the trusted CEO handling daily operations and meetings while allowing the Knightfall Successor more time for himself. However, Mrs. Noble remained adamant to speak with him directly. Nolan drew in a long breath before sending one last message. A change in tactics would be required here.

[Send her up in five. I'll handle her. Continue taking a look at those notes I sent you.]

Perhaps he could work this into his favor.

——————————————————————————————​

Nolan's staff would guide Valery Noble towards the front entrance of his office. From inside, the doors opened as the Generous Host ushered the Jedi Grandmaster inside. His posture perfect and his smile carrying that subtle, easygoing charm.

"Mrs. Noble. This is a surprise. You're welcome to sit down, if you would like," Nolan offered as he allowed the Noble into the room before the doors closed behind the pair, "Would you like a drink? Tea? Coffee? Water? My staff can collect whatever you may need."

Working through the motions of hospitality and manners for someone of his status, his eyes gently yet quickly scanned her person through the periphery of his vision as he made the gesture. Her posture, micro-expressions, and even her armaments—however few or many she held on her person. All of this information briefly yet effectively studied and compartmentalized within his mind's perfect memory. He would need to add this information to his personal codex.

If she caught him studying her, any look sent her way would be interpreted as the more hedonistic side of his personality briefly flickering into the picture. After all, what other reason would Coruscant's Most Eligible Bachelor study her if not because she was attractive to look at?

A perfect cover.

"Oh, where are my manners?" Nolan offered a firm hand out along with a formal introduction.

"Nolan Knightfall. Pleasure to meet you and to finally make your acquaintance."

Exuding effortless confidence, the Rich One slid his hands into his pockets and lifted an eyebrow as he inquisitively met the Grandmaster’s gaze—a subtle, unmistakable expression of his benign curiosity.

"How may I help you, Mrs. Noble? What brings you here to Knightfall Tower?"

A reasonable question for this unanticipated meeting.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Dress

Valery entered the office with quiet confidence, her posture elegant and proper as the doors slid shut behind her. Dressed in deep crimson, the elegant lines of her sleeveless gown traced her figure in deliberate simplicity — sophisticated, yet unpretentious, much like the woman herself. The gold accents along the neckline and waistband glinted softly under the overhead light, catching just enough attention without ever begging for it.

A surprise, he'd said.

She didn't roll her eyes. Didn't smirk or bite at the bait. But Maker, she wanted to. Instead, her brow arched just slightly, and her lips parted into a polite, if somewhat dry smile. It wouldn't be a surprise if someone had returned my previous requests, she thought, but she decided against voicing that out loud.

She stepped further into the office, amber eyes sweeping the space briefly before landing back on him. The way he looked at her — practiced, calculated, lingering — didn't go unnoticed. Nor did it rattle her. If anything, her smirk deepened, just slightly. Nolan Knightfall was a handsome man, and he was very aware of it.

"Water would be lovely, thank you," she replied, her voice warm but professional. She reached for the offered handshake, her grip firm, her gaze meeting his with unwavering clarity. "Valery Noble. Pleasure's mine."

Once the formalities were done, she took the offered seat, settling in with an ease that belied how much her presence here was deliberate — and anything but casual. After a brief pause, she rested one hand lightly against her knee and tilted her head slightly.

"I came to talk about opportunity," she said. "The Core is in Alliance hands again. That means more rebuilding, more restructuring, and more eyes watching where money and power move next. You've already positioned Knightfall Enterprises in the right places, so there is much to gain."

Her fingers tapped gently against her leg. "What I'm proposing is simple. We find a way to support each other's goals — yours, through influence and reach. Mine, through ensuring the right people get what they need."

A short pause, then her gaze sharpened just a touch.

"I'm not here to pitch a charity. I'm here to talk strategy. And I think that benefits both of us."

Nolan Knightfall ​

 

[Nolan Knightfall]

Coruscant – Knightfall Tower – Personal Office
Direct: Valery Noble || Indirect: N/A
NPC(s): Elias Xavier, Arthur Sterling​

As Valery took the offered seat, Nolan pressed a small button on the communicator sitting on his desk. A small transmission powered on.

"Ms. Miraval, could you fetch my guest and I a pair of glasses and a pitcher of water? Thank you."

The device powered off as soon as he removed his finger before briskly walking over to his seat behind his desk. Situating himself comfortably yet with a focused posture, Nolan's fingers touched together as his piercing blue eyes remained fixed on Valery Noble. He listened as she spoke. She wished to help further his goals. Further influence and reach, especially of the good and noble kind, would be invaluable to his enterprise. However, Valery Noble was mistaken. She thought her goal separate from his. That to ensure the right people get what they need was not within the purview of his plans for the future.

However, it would be best to not tip his hand. If she thought him more a bleeding heart than a philanthropist, she might use that knowledge against him or manipulate him. His company had remained a neutral entity and avoided devoting too many resources into military aid. Medical aid, communication relays, and shielding were one thing. Even the "weapons" his company developed for security measures were strictly non-lethal.

That would be as far as his aid would extend. To save and protect lives, not end them. And the New Jedi Order were akin to a military themselves. Even with their different sects, each member of their respective order carried a weapon that could easily kill.

If directly backed, how would it speak to his company's reputation?

It was his company's policies and moral fiber that kept it a neutral entity amongst the different political factions and able to operate on such a widespread basis throughout the galaxy. That neutrality allowed him to help people through working alongside the military rather than directly funneling resources. If something went wrong, it allowed minimal public relations backlash if he needed to pull support and/or operate independently without military aid or cooperation.

Any military contractor would have to play ball by his company's rules. Even the New Jedi Order.

However, even as beneficial as Valery Noble's plan might be for both of them—if Knightfall Enterprises actively supported and aided the Jedi, how would a message like that be received by the rest of the galaxy? Especially when that neutrality allowed his other endeavors to operate unimpeded?

To answer those questions, he needed to know more, and it started with asking questions.

"If you don't mind me asking, Mrs. Noble, who would those 'right people' be?" his gaze remained steady and neutral as he peered at her over his fingers before asking a second question.

"And how exactly would your proposed plan benefit my company and its mission?"

He decided to lay down a small wall. A test to see if Valery Noble had accounted for certain factors.

"After all, there's been a fair amount of public backlash with the events your order has involved themselves in. The Hapan Crisis for example," Nolan spoke, utilizing the news' title, even as dramatic as it sounded, "So you can understand why I may be concerned for my company's image and reputation. Not to mention, it would stand to reason the Order's influence and reach has diminished as well after such controversy."

A brief pause followed before the doors opened behind Valery Noble. Stepping through was a secretary carrying a tray with a pitcher and two glasses of water. She easily set the tray on a table in front of Valery before handing Nolan a glass.

"Thank you, Miraval. That will be all for now," a small smile and a nod followed.

The secretary nodded back before leaving the room. Nolan's attention returned to the Grandmaster. There was a hint of curiosity but also careful calculation as he readied to hear the further details on her proposal.

"I do have further questions, but I'll save them after your proposal. However, I believe these points are quite important to cover."

Then, he went silent. The floor was hers. He simply set the stage and a brief obstacle in her path.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Dress

Valery didn't move immediately. She simply watched him as he laid out his objections — measured, careful, every word curated like a man who had been playing this game far longer than most. Her fingers curled lightly around the glass once it was offered, and she brought it to her lips without breaking eye contact.

She didn't drink. Not yet. Instead, she smiled. A soft thing — not condescending, but deliberate. "Reasonable concerns," she said at last. "If I were in your position, I'd be asking the same questions."

She placed the glass down, folded her hands neatly in her lap, and straightened a touch in her seat. Not stiffly — just enough to emphasize that she was stepping into her element now.

"The 'right people' I mentioned aren't soldiers, and they're not Jedi. They're the people of the Core. Coruscant, Prakith, Empress Teta. Even worlds deeper in Alliance territory that are recovering from war, displacement, or fractured infrastructure." Her gaze sharpened — not unkindly, but with the intensity that came from conviction rather than politics.

"As for the Order's reputation — I'm aware of the headlines but I'm not concerned about our influence. What I'm concerned about is the people living on the planets that were under Dark Empire control. Those people will need help now, and that's all I care about. And that's where you can help."

She paused briefly, then continued, "The companies, organizations and whoever else decides to invest and help will reach headlines as well, and advertise themselves as a force for good. That alone is worth a lot, but positioning your company assets on these important planets is undoubtedly going to help you as well."

Nolan Knightfall ​

 

[Nolan Knightfall]

Coruscant – Knightfall Tower – Personal Office
Direct: Valery Noble || Indirect: N/A
NPC(s): Elias Xavier, Arthur Sterling​

Not soldiers. Not Jedi. The people of the Core. An interesting distinction she put forth, and one he kept in the back of his mind as he continued to listen carefully. Mrs. Noble's proposition indicated he could assist in the restructuring and redevelopment of the Core Worlds formerly under the influence and reign of the Dark Empire. However, his suspicions were not yet assuaged. There was something she was leaving out of this whole arrangement.

And he intended to find out exactly what it was.

"That is all well and good," Nolan conceded for a moment before countering, "But all you're offering right now is strategic advice on how to run my family's company."

His gaze met hers. While she sharpened in intensity with conviction, his own remained neutral. Almost nonchalant if his focus and demeanor did not remain resolute underneath her gaze. Her conviction did not make him falter nor did it inspire him. It was commendable, perhaps, but he could not showcase that here. Not until he had all the details.

He continued his point, "There must be something specific you want from the company."

He leaned in a little before clasping his hands together. His eyes searching her face for any micro-expressions of a lie, even a small one.

"What is it? And what are you offering in return?"

A reasonable question. If this meeting had been solely about what his company should do in the upcoming future, then this would be a relatively short appointment. And perhaps a waste of time that could have been spent on his other endeavors.