Private Snacks, Secrets, and Service

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Wedding Ring

The journey toward Valery’s hometown was a peaceful one, the soft rustle of the lush grass beneath their feet accompanied by the gentle breeze that carried the scent of wildflowers. The fields stretched wide, their vibrant green fading into the hazy blue of distant hills. Valery walked beside Kahlil, her hand reaching for his, a quiet reassurance that he was there with her.

The walk gave her time to reflect, and after a moment, she glanced up at him with a curious smile. "So," she began, her voice soft but tinged with intrigue. "What did you think of my parents?"

She was very curious for his opinion of both of them, but especially her Mom.

Her amber eyes searched his face as they continued walking, the question not just about his opinion but an unspoken hope that he'd felt the connection she had wished for. The wind tugged at her dark hair, but her focus remained entirely on him.

As they crested a small rise, the village came into view, nestled in a large valley surrounded by rolling hills. Simple wooden houses with sloping roofs formed neat rows along winding cobblestone streets, their windows adorned with flower boxes spilling over with colorful blooms. A clear lake sparkled nearby, its calm surface reflecting the surrounding landscape like a mirror. Children laughed and played by the shore, their voices carrying on the breeze, while smoke rose lazily from chimneys, hinting at home-cooked meals and warm hearths.

Kahlil Noble​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"I see where you get it from."

Her gremlin habits? Her sure fire way to be herself and proud of it? Her taste in men? Yes. Kahlil just chuckled as he squeezed her hand as they walked into town, his gaze turning up as he looked about the town all over again. It was different so far in the future, that much was clear. But he could see the bones, here and there. The structures that were, rebuilt or simply preserved.

It was fascinating.

"They were wonderful, though. How parents should be. How I hope we are to our children. Inspiring, to say the least."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Wedding Ring

Valery arched an eyebrow, her lips curling into a playful smirk as she glanced up at him. "Get what from?" she asked, her tone daring him to say it out loud. The mischievous spark in her amber eyes lingered as she mulled over the possibilities. Was it her gremlin-like habits, her stubbornness, or — most likely — her taste in men? Tall, strong, nerdy... The thought made her chuckle softly.

Her smirk softened into a warm smile as she leaned into his side, her hand wrapping around his arm. She rested her head against his shoulder for a moment as they walked. "But you know," she murmured, her voice quieter now, "You're the best father those kids could ever ask for. They love you so much, and I do too." Her fingers tightened around his arm in an affectionate squeeze.

As they reached the edge of town, the simple charm of the place unfolded before them. Keshian villagers moved about with purpose, their unique, oddly colored eyes catching the light in ways that seemed almost ethereal. Some greeted each other warmly, others tended to market stalls overflowing with local goods, and children darted through the narrow streets, laughing and playing without a care in the world.

The town’s atmosphere was both tranquil and lively, a blend of simplicity and vibrant community. Valery’s gaze swept over the scene, but it didn’t take long for her attention to fixate on a particular spot ahead. Her senses sharpened, and she could practically smell the savory and sweet aroma of her favorite snacks from a small shop nestled near the center of the main street.

"There it is," Valery said, her pace quickening slightly. Her eyes lit up with excitement as she tugged Kahlil forward. "I can already smell it. Oh, this is going to be so good!"

Kahlil Noble​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"The fact you can smell it so clearly is amazing to me. Super pregnancy powers, perhaps? Next you'll start breaking out silverware like Aris used." The first couple of months once he'd settled down from being all wrapped up in that blanket he'd destroyed a lot of things just holding them. The panic it brought Aris himself was.. Minimal, considering how little emotion he seemed to feel during those early days.

It was Valery herself that helped him out of it. To learn himself, learn how not to be afraid even though he didn't know that's what he'd been feeling. It was why without a doubt in his mind that Aris was a mama's boy, and he couldn't be prouder.

"Lead the way, my beautiful wife. We'll follow your nose."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Wedding Ring

Valery chuckled softly at Kahlil's joke, squeezing his hand a little tighter as she leaned into him. "Super pregnancy powers? Maybe," she quipped, a playful gleam in her amber eyes. "Though I don’t think even that would let me handle Aris’s silverware tricks."

Her playful demeanor softened as her thoughts drifted to her eldest, and she glanced up at Kahlil with a wistful smile. "You know," she began, her tone quieter now, "Sometimes I miss those days when Aris was so little. When he was still figuring out his strength and breaking things left and right. He needed me so much back then." Her voice wavered slightly, a mix of nostalgia and pride.

"But now..." Valery paused, her smile deepening. "He needs me less and less, and while that’s exactly how it should be, it’s bittersweet." Her amber gaze flickered to Kahlil, shining with emotion. "I’m so proud of him. Of the young man he’s becoming. But he’ll always be my baby."

Her words hung between them for a moment, warm and sincere, before she gave him a gentle tug forward. "Come on," she said, her tone lightening as the enticing aroma of food grew stronger.

As they stepped into the shop, a warm voice greeted them. "Kahlil, back again!" An elderly Keshian woman with shimmering purple eyes emerged from behind the counter, her weathered face brightened by a welcoming smile. The shop was small but filled with the rich scents of roasted spices, freshly baked goods, and sweet confections. The air was thick with warmth, both literal and figurative, and Valery’s mouth immediately watered.

Her amber eyes widened, and she inhaled deeply, a delighted smile spreading across her face. "Oh, this smells so good," she murmured, her voice almost reverent. As the scents of her favorite treats washed over her, her eyes glistened with joy. "I’m not crying," she said quickly, her voice a little shaky as she looked at Kahlil with a grin. "You’re crying."

Valery glanced at Kahlil, her hand still in his, and her smile softened. She might miss some parts of the past, but moments like this reminded her that life kept bringing new joys.

Kahlil Noble​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"We raised him to be a good, strong kid. And he seems to be." Kahlil just had the most.. Loving smile. That was the word for it, to describe it. The boy he'd brought home, a clone meant to be empty of thought or consciousness, that he found with the intent to close down the project only for the boy to have been awake. Alive. And for Valery to have accepted him in that moment, that exact moment Kahlil picked him up and realized he wasn't just an empty body.

There was no hiding how happy Kahlil was to be married to her.

They made it into the shop shortly after, where Kahlil smiled warm to the shop keep, nodding his head. "Oh yes. Wife in tow this time as well. Wanted to maek sure she got her snacks as soon as possible."

He squeezed her shoulder briefly before letting her go so she could explore. Find the snacks she'd want.

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Wedding Ring

Valery caught Kahlil's gaze and immediately felt her heart flutter. That smile of his — so warm, so full of love and pride — was, in her eyes, the most beautiful thing about him. She didn't think twice as she stepped closer, her hands gently cupping his face. "You," she murmured softly, her voice full of affection, "Have the most beautifully dangerous smile." Without giving him a chance to protest, she leaned up and pressed a kiss to his lips, lingering just long enough to make her feelings crystal clear.

When she pulled back, her cheeks were slightly flushed, but her grin was playful again. "Alright, snack time!" she declared, pivoting toward the aisles with a little bounce in her step.

As Valery wandered through the shop, her eyes scanned the shelves with delight. It wasn't long before her gaze landed on an old favorite — crystallized fruit drizzled with sweet syrup. Her amber eyes sparkled as she plucked a box from the shelf and turned toward Kahlil.

"Oh, you have to try these," she said, holding the box aloft as if it were a rare treasure, "These are so good."

Meanwhile, the shopkeeper had struck up a conversation with Kahlil, leaning comfortably against the counter. "You've done well," she said with a knowing smile, her purple eyes flicking toward Valery as she wandered. "That one's got fire in her, and I see the way you look at her."

As Kahlil turned to her, Valery froze. Caught mid-act, her cheeks flushing as she looked at him with wide, innocent eyes. She had already reached into the box to grab one of the deliciuous snacks, while they hadn't paid for them yet.

Kahlil Noble​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil blinked at the sudden kiss, but smiled fondly shortly after. He didn't stop her from going right for her snacks, even though the temptation was there. Never get between a pregnant Valery and her snacks. His gaze did drift from her as the older woman spoke up, and he practically beamed with pride as he nodded his head in agreement. "She does. It's wonderful. And-"

There was a pause as he heard a crunch and chewing. Kahlil blinked as he glanced to Valery, who was already feasting. A chuckle escaped this time as he nodded his head.

"And we'll be sure to pay for that, and a couple more."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Wedding Ring

Valery froze for a moment, her cheeks puffed out like a guilty loth-cat caught raiding the pantry, stuffed with the sweet crystallized fruit. She blinked at Kahlil, her amber eyes wide with mock innocence, before muttering around her full mouth, "What?" Her voice was slightly muffled, but it carried her signature playful defiance as she promptly popped another piece into her mouth and went right back to munching.

The older Keshian shopkeeper chuckled softly, her purple eyes glimmering with amusement as she watched the exchange. "You two make quite the pair." She leaned on the counter, her smile warm and approving. "And it’s good to see her so happy."

Valery, now halfway through the box, wandered back toward Kahlil with a mischievous grin. Still chewing, she pinched one of the crystallized fruits between her index finger and thumb and held it up to his lips. "Here," she said, her words slightly garbled from the snacks in her mouth. "You have to try it. So good."

She wiggled the snack, waiting for him to give in. Her amber eyes sparkled with playful mischief, her expression daring him to resist, even as her cheeks remained adorably puffed with the treats she couldn't stop eating.

Kahlil Noble​

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil just let out a little chuckle as he did end up taking the snack for himself, chewing idly. He'd actually finish eating it before glancing again to the shop keep. It was good she was so kind about this. Then again, who wouldn't be in this case? It was a good snack. He blinked, chewing it more before he let out a full on laugh and gently ruffled Valery's hair.

"Careful, I'll want these for myself you know." He flashed a grin before he dug out some credits to properly pay for the snacks. And a couple more containers worth. They'd be gone in a week if he was lucky, but better to stock up as much as he could. "Lets get these and get home, yeah?"

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Wedding Ring

Valery beamed when Kahlil ate the snack, her delight evident as she licked her fingers clean from the sticky syrup coating them. "See? Told you they were good," she teased, savoring the lingering sweetness on her lips. Her satisfaction was short-lived, however, as Kahlil's hand ruffled her hair, messing up the sleek ponytail she had so carefully done earlier.

She squinted up at him, poking his chest with a sharp finger. "I may be pregnant, but don’t think for a second that I won’t fight you," she quipped, her voice a mix of playful warning and mock offense. Her amber eyes sparkled with humor, though, betraying the amusement she couldn’t hide.

The shopkeeper burst into laughter, her mirthful voice filling the room as she leaned against the counter. "Oh, you two are just priceless," she said, dabbing at her eyes. "You better watch out, young man. She’s got that fire in her eyes, especislly with a baby on the way."

But the lighthearted moment shattered as the shop suddenly vibrated from a distant explosion. The laughter died out instantly as a second, deeper thud followed, and then another. The glass jars on the shelves trembled, some rattling against each other, and the once-warm shop filled with an uneasy silence.

Valery’s expression changed in an instant. The smile vanished. Her amber eyes flicked to Kahlil, filled with worry.

"What’s going on?"

Kahlil Noble​