Private Restoration and Reflection

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

The soft rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of birds filled the air around the ancient Jedi Temple on Caamas. Once a place of peace and wisdom, it had suffered the ravages of time and war. Now, under the leadership of Kahlil and the aid of other Jedi, it was slowly being restored to its former glory.

Valery sat alone on the steps of what had once been the temple's grand archives. The pale stone was weathered but sturdy, and the scent of fresh earth and wildflowers wafted on the gentle breeze. In her lap rested an old, worn book she had uncovered during the excavation of the archives. Its pages were brittle, the ink faded, but the stories and illustrations within spoke of a time when the Jedi thrived on Caamas, guardians of peace on a lush, vibrant world.

Her amber eyes scanned a faded sketch of Jedi Masters standing in front of the temple, their expressions serene and confident. She traced the edges of the drawing with her fingertips, her thoughts drifting between the past and the present. Though she cherished these quiet moments of reflection, her mind couldn't settle. Sitting still, even now, wasn't in her nature, and the subtle restlessness gnawed at her.

She shifted slightly, one hand resting over her still-flat abdomen, the other holding the book steady. She was a few weeks into her pregnancy now, and though the physical changes were minor, the weight of responsibility already pressed heavily on her mind. It wasn't just about taking care of herself — it was about preparing for the life growing within her while balancing her duties to the Order.

Valery let out a soft sigh, the serenity of the moment clashing with the unease she felt. She wanted to help more with the reconstruction, to be out there lifting debris or guiding the younger Jedi in their tasks. Instead, she was here, trying to force herself to rest.

The sound of approaching footsteps pulled her from her thoughts. She didn't need to look up to know who it was — his presence in the Force was as familiar and comforting as the Caamas breeze. A small smile tugged at her lips as she waited for Kahlil to join her.

Kahlil Noble ​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"I can feel you practically bouncing from down in the temple, you know."

Kahlil chuckled lightly as he settled behind Valery, letting his arms drape over her shoulders as he leaned down to kiss her cheek. Then peered to the book she was looking over. Curiosity, mostly. "They from your time? Masters you knew before you got frozen, by chance?"

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery smiled as Kahlil leaned down, his arms draping over her shoulders and down her chest, his presence immediately easing the restless energy that had been building inside her. His kiss on her cheek was warm and familiar, drawing a soft chuckle from her lips.

"I'm not bouncing," she replied playfully, tilting her head slightly to meet his gaze. "Just… reminiscing." Her amber eyes flicked back to the pages in her lap, her smile softening as her fingers lightly traced over one of the images. "These are Masters I used to know. It's strange seeing their faces again after so long."

She glanced to the side, her hand resting on a nearby stack of books and old datapads she had been sifting through. "I've been going through all kinds of old files. There's so much history here, so much we can learn from." Her voice carried a mix of nostalgia and excitement, though a touch of wistfulness lingered in her tone.

As Kahlil’s gaze wandered, it inevitably landed on a particular book sitting next to her. Its spine bore a title, and just below it, the author’s name was neatly printed: Valery Noble. Realizing it was there, Valery blinked and suddenly avoided all eye contact.

She should have hidden it away.

Kahlil Noble ​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

So much to learn from indeed. Kahlil's expression softened as he nodded his head. It was always difficult to see them, these people who were once in her life before. She'd had a nightmare about it all. But, he couldn't help but smile that she wasn't letting those thoughts weigh her down. So much so that his gaze drifted to the book and he had to d a double take on the author.

And smirked. A very wide, wide smirk.

Without a word he snatched it up, flipping it open to start reading aloud. Oh yes, he was going to start teasing her on this now, with all she'd teased him on with his nerding out. There was no escape.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's heart swelled with warmth as she felt Kahlil's steady presence beside her. The way he always knew how to bring her restless energy to a calm made her love him all the more. His quiet support, his gentle strength — they were the foundation that kept her grounded, even in moments of uncertainty.

How did I get so lucky? she thought, her fingers still gently tracing the edges of the old images in her lap. She could feel his love radiating through their bond, and it filled her with a profound sense of peace.

But then, in an instant, that peace shattered.

"H-Hey!" Valery gasped, her amber eyes widening as Kahlil's hand shot out, snatching the book from her side. She scrambled to her feet, her cheeks flushing a light shade of pink as she watched him flip it open with that all-too-familiar smirk plastered across his face.

"No, no, no," she stammered, her voice laced with both panic and playful exasperation. She knew exactly what was coming. The book, written by her in the days of the Old Republic, covered various artifacts she had collected. Some were old texts, others were powerful Artifacts. All of them were nerdy.

"Kahlil!" Valery's voice rose an octave as she lunged forward, her hands outstretched. "Give that back!"

Her cheeks burned even brighter, and with a determined gleam in her eyes, she decided words alone wouldn't save her now. Without warning, Valery jumped at him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and her legs firmly around his waist. "Give it back!" she demanded, her voice a mix of laughter and mock indignation.

Kahlil Noble ​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"No, no I don't think I will, Lorekeeper Noble."

Kahlil just smirked, holding the book overhead even as she clambered onto him. He simply had longer arms, after all. So he kept reading, finding one of the very passioned entries in particular to speak on. All with the widest grin imaginable. It was a thrill to know she had such interests that weren't born through their dyad. He'd actually talk to her about it in length.

But right now he had ammo, and he was going to take his shots.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery groaned as Kahlil easily kept the book out of her reach, his smirk only growing wider as he continued to read. "Kahlil!" she whined, her laughter bubbling up despite herself. She tightened her hold, her legs squeezing around his waist as she stretched her arms as far as they could go.

"You're impossible!" she huffed, determined to retrieve her precious book. She leaned closer, her fingers just grazing the edge of the cover. "Give it back, or I'll—"

Her threat was cut short when a small piece of paper fluttered out from between the pages, drifting lazily to the ground. Both of them paused, Valery freezing mid-climb as her amber eyes followed the paper's descent. Her face turned an even deeper shade of red as she recognized the familiar outline of the image.

"Oh no."

The paper landed face-up, revealing a more intimate picture she had hidden away — one from long before she knew what it was like to be intimate with a man. For a second, there was silence. Then Valery's eyes darted back to Kahlil, her mortified expression clear as day.

Yep, she had hidden that away in the archives.

Kahlil Noble ​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil just raised a brow as he glanced down to the image that had dropped. And smirked. Just a bit. "You really were a pretty.. Romance driven Jedi then, huh?" But that's all he said on it. Instead, he looked at the book, smirking more as he flipped to another page. "Let's see what else you've got tucked away in here, mm? Maybe you found yourself a love artifact of sorts to use."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's face flushed a deep crimson, her mortification plain as she glanced down at the image. It was innocent enough, but knowing Kahlil had seen it made her cheeks burn even hotter. "I-It was the only way I could express some of my feelings back then," she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper. "There wasn't exactly room for that kind of thing as a Jedi."

Her arms tightened around his neck, but her squirming intensified when he continued flipping through the book, his smirk growing with every turn of the page.

"Kahlil!" she protested, her voice a mix of laughter and exasperation. "Stop looking through my-" Her words cut off when he turned to a page detailing an artifact labeled The Oasis. Notes filled the margins, describing its miraculous healing properties, but Valery's heart sank as he kept turning.

And then he found it.

Her stomach twisted as his eyes scanned the next section. Maps, annotated charts, and detailed entries filled several pages, all centered around a single artifact: a rumored compass meant to guide someone toward their soulmate. Scattered among the more formal research were her personal notes, written in a smaller, more vulnerable hand:

"What if it's real?"

"A guide for the lost."

"Maybe this will help me find where I truly belong…"

Kahlil Noble ​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil just stared at this entry. The teasing stopped for the moment, all together honestly, as a softer expression took over. He reached up, gently ruffling her hair as he snapped the book closed. "Looks like you didn't need this artifact at all." He let his hand fall from her head as he looked over the cover instead. The moment would pass of comfort and love, and his grin would eventually return.

"So, Lorekeeper Noble. What did you end up getting into while you were writing this journal? Asides from a growing adult collection, I mean."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery watched the book close, but there was no victory cry, "It was just… something I hoped for at the time," she admitted softly, her embarrassment clear. "Back then, I didn't think I'd ever find someone who could make me feel like I belonged. Someone who could..." Her words trailed off as her amber eyes finally met his, filled with affection despite her flustered state.

"...Someone like you."

She held his gaze for a long moment and smiled.

But then, as Kahlil's grin returned with his usual teasing remark, Valery rolled her eyes and smacked his shoulder, her tone shifting to playful indignation. "Adult collection? You're impossible," she huffed, though the laughter threatening to bubble up betrayed her.

"I spent a lot of time hunting artifacts, most of them tied to Jedi history. The Oasis, that healing artifact? I think it's still here somewhere in the Temple." Her expression grew more thoughtful as she continued. "But there was another artifact I searched for relentlessly. It was said to connect people with fragments of their past, allowing them to relive specific memories or moments as if they were real. Like stepping into a dream, but fully aware and in control."

She glanced back at him, her voice taking on a more contemplative tone. "Imagine the possibilities — revisiting old lessons, understanding forgotten truths... or even reconnecting with people long gone."

Kahlil Noble ​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Yeah, he couldn't tease her about her love for him. Of all the things he would absolutely tease her on, it just wasn't one of them. It was too wholesome. It just, mattered to him too much. Though, this other object she spoke of, his expression stilled some, frowned even. "It sounds dangerous. A mind too easily swayed by the need or want to relive these moments could end up disillusioned with reality. Are you sure this is something we should find?"

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery’s playful demeanor softened as Kahlil’s concern settled over her. His frown and the weight of his words made her hesitate, and she lowered her gaze for a moment, her fingers lightly brushing against the closed book in her lap.

“You’re right,” she admitted quietly, her voice more timid than usual. “It could be dangerous… and I wouldn’t want anyone to get lost in their past.” She took a deep breath, her amber eyes lifting to meet his again, filled with a mixture of vulnerability and longing.

“It’s just…” Her voice wavered slightly. “I’ve always wished I could talk to my parents again. Just once.” She offered a faint, almost apologetic smile. “There are so many things I never got to say, so many questions I’ll never have answers to.”

Valery let her hand rest over his, drawing strength from his steady presence. “But I know it’s not something we should pursue lightly. I just… sometimes, I can’t help but wonder what it would be like.”

Kahlil Noble ​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil blinked slowly before his expression softened all over again. He reached up, ruffling Valery's hair. "Well, so long as people understand that it's just the past and not something to live in, I don't see the harm in visiting old memories to learn from, or find closure. Maybe I'll reach out to some Padawan's to get them searching for it, mm?"

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery blinked up at him as he ruffled her hair, her lips parting in playful exasperation. "I don’t think we’ll need Padawans for this one," she said, her tone carrying a hint of mischief. "I know exactly where it is."

Her amber eyes sparkled as she leaned closer, her voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "You did say you wanted me to get back to Lorekeeper work, right? And let’s not forget you’re a bit of a nerd yourself, love." She smirked, nudging him lightly with her elbow. "Imagine the two of us tracking down a legendary artifact together. It’ll be like an old Jedi holonovel — the Lorekeeper and her charming, bookish sidekick."

Yep, it was her turn to tease.

Her smirk turned into a grin, but it quickly softened into a loving gaze. "So, what do you say? Shall we go on a little adventure?"

As she spoke, her hand reached up to smooth her ruffled hair, and her expression shifted to one of mock warning. "But if you keep messing up my hair, Kahlil, I’ll find an artifact that’ll turn your hair green for a week." She raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the playful banter.

Kahlil Noble ​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil squinted for a moment before letting out a sigh. "I figured some Padawan's could because it sounds like an ultimately harmless artifact could be good experience for them." They couldn't just do everything together, after all. And yet the idea of being her bookish sidekick was as interesting as it was funny. There was little about him that suggested bookish, after all.

"One last adventure before you end up bed ridden with the baby. I can agree to that. Though, don't you think I'd rock emerald bangs? I think I would."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery tilted her head slightly, her amber eyes narrowing with a playful challenge as she met his gaze. "Not everything has to be a learning experience for Padawans, you know," she said, her voice light but carrying a note of sincerity. "This artifact… it's part of my history. It's something I was connected to long before the New Jedi Order, and that's why I want to be the one to find it. I know you like giving Padawans things to do, but they're not lacking in assignments and I also want to go on my own adventures with you, without having to feel bad for not including Padawans again."

She reached out to gently take his hand, her fingers lacing with his. "Besides," she added with a sly smirk, "I plan to keep doing field work until my body tells me otherwise. No life-draining runes or dangerous duels, I promise. But adventures like this? I'm not ready to give them up yet."

It was also healthy to stay active during pregnancy, as long as the body allows it.

Her expression softened as she leaned closer, her free hand brushing over his cheek. "One last adventure together before the baby comes sounds perfect to me."

Then, her gaze dropped to his hair, and a mischievous glint sparked in her eyes. "But emerald bangs?" She tilted her head and pretended to consider it for a moment before shaking her head with a grin. "Mmnope, I don't think so. Not your look, love."

Kahlil Noble ​