Private Proposals

[Alicio Organa]

"It's sad how the Galaxy works sometimes, and you either play the game to win, or you can forget about helping people."

That was certainly how it seemed.

Not that Alicio had to be happy about it. "Yes, but... that doesn't mean we can't write our own rules. Eventually." Maybe, one day, he could help change the game. Even if it were only by a little.

Of course, Alicio was quickly distracted by another topic. He gave the Jedi a sharp grin. "Must have slipped your mind," he returned, taking another bite of his bread as he let Valery talk. Of course, he'd heard rumblings of a new boyfriend, but he wanted his information straight from the source.

"A secret agent, and a Jedi, reconnecting after a long time apart? Coaxing him back to the life?" Alicio continued his sly smile. "Sounds like quite the romance novel." Alicio allowed himself one last chuckle before sobering quickly. There was always something that stole his joy. This time, he tried not to voice it.

"How does Vera like him? Has she blasted him with a water gun, yet?" He tried to reclaim some of that joy.

- Valery Noble -

 

[Valery Noble]

Coruscant

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Outfit: Commission
Appearance: Link
Tag: Alicio Organa

Valery's eyes instantly narrowed at his grin, knowing that it was now her turn to endure some teasing or poking for details. At the comment of their 'story' so far being like a romance novel, she rolled her eyes though, "We did get close in quite the magical way, with a dance that drew the attention of the entire room to us, and a kiss to solidify it all," she said with a blush that easily conveyed the strong feelings she had for him. Of course, she wasn't going to mention how their dance had been at a slaver-owned casino they were trying to infiltrate.

All missions had their distractions.

But right after his first comment, she noticed the atmosphere changing just briefly. She didn't understand why or what could be on his mind, but the shift to Vera helped bring things back to normal a little. "She hasn't blasted him yet, but she did give us both a death glare when I brought him home the first time to meet her. It faded quickly though, and she really loves him now." Valery let out a soft sigh and sat back in her chair.

"It worried me for the longest time. It's... not easy to get with someone when you have a kid already and so much... baggage," she frowned and looked at the bread for a moment, but didn't really feel all that hungry anymore. "But he has been very supportive and loving, so I hope he and I can go all the way someday, like yourself and Amani."

"But one small step at a time."

 

[Alicio Organa]

Valery's elaboration only served to prove the Count's point, as his grin became even more teasing, somehow. "Are you sure you aren't just reciting the synopsis of the last book you read, Val?"

His poor mood, a darkening at the edges of his mind, wasn't so easily forgotten as Vera entered the conversation once more. Something he smothered with a small smile. "I'm glad. One more friend for Vera."

"It worried me for the longest time. It's... not easy to get with someone when you have a kid already and so much... baggage. But he has been very supportive and loving, so I hope he and I can go all the way someday, like yourself and Amani."

"That's good," Alicio offered, feeling perhaps a bit out of his depth. He'd never talked about relationships like this before. "I'd like to meet him, soon. Maybe if he's at Vera's party." The Count nodded. It wasn't just anyone that could woo Valery Noble. "He sounds like a good man. Especially for an SIA agent."

"Maybe we can swap stories about our Jedi Council Member girlfriends." He laughed, but his heart wasn't in the joke. His thoughts were elsewhere.

"Well... I think that's all I wanted to talk with you about, Valery. Do you have any questions for me? Anything I can help you with?"

- Valery Noble -

 

[Valery Noble]

Coruscant

​

Outfit: Commission
Appearance: Link
Tag: Alicio Organa

"Oh he'll be there," Valery said with a grin, "He's uh... living with me now, so there's no way he'd miss her birthday, and hopefully, he'll really be much more than just a friend to her." Vera needed a father, and she knew Aldric could be one. He was already taking that role on, and she couldn't begin to express her gratitude for it. Even now, she still couldn't believe that she had found someone who wasn't just interested in her, but also in taking care of her daughter and helping handle all of the emotional baggage within the Noble family.

He was simply special.

"And I know what I said about the SIA, but they are mostly good people. Just the organization and its leadership can be... questionable," Valery said with a sheepish smile. "So I definitely encourage you to meet him and you two can talk all you want about us." She grinned at him, hoping to make it clear they were very thoroughly talked about as well.

Something she had to pick up again with Amani soon.

At his question, Valery tilted her head slightly and narrowed her gaze, "No... but are you sure that was all? You seem a little conflicted? Worried?" She wasn't quite sure how to put it, but felt certain he understood what she was getting at. "Is it about Denon still, or something else?"

 

[Alicio Organa]

"He's uh... living with me now, so there's no way he'd miss her birthday, and hopefully, he'll really be much more than just a friend to her."

Alicio raised a teasing eyebrow, but didn't interject. It was one more reason to root for Valery's happiness- it would give Vera a father again.

Val's continued statement on the SIA coaxed a knowing nod from the Count. "I'll... keep that in mind," he said, wondering at the hidden meanings behind the Jedi's words. "I'm sure it'll be a blast."

Still, that hesitation.

Which the Master decided to address. Time to put his skills to the test.

"...Yes," he finally said, taking a bit of effort to say. "I'm sorry, Val. But Denon is bothering me. I'm finding it a little difficult to talk about... normal things... when there's a planet's future in our hands. I'm interested, and I'm really happy for you, I am, but... I'm anxious." He looked into Valery's eyes, as if to search for understanding.

It was a lie.

Recently, Alicio had been developing his connection to the Force. Scrying into the future came easier to him now, as he developed what it meant to be... him. In battle, his new strength saved his life from immediate danger, but peeking further was often more trouble than it was worth.

When Valery talked about Aldric, Alicio felt pain, heartache, echoing to him from the Future. And he knew, knew, that he shouldn't interfere. Meddling with what could happen might only make things worse, or bring about the pain in the first place.

Besides, the future was fluid. He just had to trust.

He stood up, and began to wrap up the rest of the bread for Valery to take home.

"I think I'll feel better once I've had a few hours to work on it. See you at Vera's party?"

- Valery Noble -

 

[Valery Noble]

Coruscant

​

Outfit: Commission
Appearance: Link
Tag: Alicio Organa

When he looked her in the eyes, Valery connected on a somewhat deeper level for a moment. She too, understood the present and future quite well, but her own skills were far more refined specifically for combat and lacked the depth he had and the depth one day Vera would develop if she continued to focus on her visions. Right now, all she could tell was that something disturbed him quite significantly, but at the same time, he did not explain it.

He hid the truth behind something else that bothered him, and her empathic skills picked up on it.

"Of course, and yeah... I'll see you at the party," Valery said, now with a gentle but noticeable frown. What could possibly be going on that he couldn't even share it with her? They've known each other for a while now, she trusted him and Amani with her daughter's life each time they watched over her, and now there was something he felt couldn't be discussed with her?

It left her extremely conflicted.

When he offered her the bread, Valery accepted it and stepped close to pull him into a tighter and longer embrace than before. Maybe it wasn't because of her that he couldn't talk about it — maybe this was more about him, and if so, she'd want to at least show that was there for him. "Please take good care of yourself and Amani, alright? You two both work yourselves to death, so enjoy the time off you get."

Valery pulled back and offered a soft smile, "I best get going now, though. It's date night, and I have to get ready," she tried to joke, but it felt a little forced all of a sudden. "I'll see you soon."