Private Social Call: Valery Noble

[Efret Farr]

"What are you doing, Toric?"

The Kessurian male looked over his shoulder at Efret and Nirrah. He was kneeling in front of an open cargo crate, and was taking items one by one from a pile he had created nearby and packing them into the box: tubes of nullification resin, bundles of brushes, magnifying glasses wrapped in cloth, and various other small analysis instruments. It was obvious what he was doing. What wasn't was why.

"We're gonna get told to pack it up," he said matter-of-factly. His rose a hand in an attempt to stop her brewing reply. It worked, for now. "Don't. I know it."

She leaned to the side against the doorway leading into the supply room of the long tent. A smart-alecky smile took over her features. "Is that right?" she asked rhetorically. "Reading the grandmaster's mind from sectors away. Impressive."

He had finished putting a few things into the box as she spoke, so now stood and crossed the room to stand closer to her. "Very funny."

She almost beamed, clearly proud of herself. "I know."

"I just have a feeling."

Then her smile grew serious, consoling. She stood up. "Yes," she agreed. Again, as much was obvious. He wouldn't be preemptively packing the camp's things unless he truly thought that the grandmaster was coming all this way to tell them to give up on Field Camp Nu's mission and return to the Core. Granted, she could be, but that was out of character and thus highly unlikely. It was more likely that Toric had his own feelings about this venture and they were turning into fears now that they were expecting a visit from Valery. "About what we're doing and how we're doing. Don't project that onto Val."

"But we haven't—"

It was she who now interrupted him. Guessing what he was about to say was easy. Not only was it was evident in his body language and in the Force, but she was also little-e empathetic to the sentiment he had almost verbally expressed, for it has occurred to her too. They had come here with hopes of doing two things: recover and cleanse lost Jedi artifacts, and nullify Sith ones. They had yet to do either. But— "Is that our fault? Is that anyone's fault? No. So don't worry." She reached out to take his hand, held in for a few moments, and let go to sign again. "We'll find the type of artifacts we came for in time."

"We just need to start winning battles."

Efret sighed and closed her eyes for a long moment. "Please don't mention that unless Val does first. And come away from that." She indicated the cargo crate behind him.

And so they found something else to do while waiting for Val to arrive at the field camp.

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery stepped into the camp with an easy smile, her gaze moving between Efret and Toric. She noticed the tension in Toric's posture — the way his shoulders were slightly hunched, his jaw set — and wondered if he was worried about her arrival. Perhaps he thought she was here to monitor their progress too closely, or even worse, to cut their work short.

Or perhaps he was just nervous because of who she was.

Sensing his unease, she offered a reassuring smile. "Thank you for having me on site today," she said warmly. "Projects like these are challenging, and every step matters. I just wanted to check in, see if you need any additional support, and... well, offer a friendly face." She understood how hard the war had been on progress in other projects. Jedi were often called away, supplies were more limited and morale wasn't always the best.

All the more reason for her to visit.

Her gaze softened as she looked to Efret. "This mission is important, not just to the Order, but to all of us who care about preserving the light and healing the wounds the Dark Side has left behind. I believe in what you're doing, and I want you to know you have my full support."

With a gentle nod, she added, "If there's anything you need — more supplies, assistance, even just someone to talk things over with — I'm here for that." She extended her smile to whoever was with her, and continued with a smirk, "I'd even love to get my own hands dirty if I could help somehow."

Efret Farr ​

 

[Efret Farr]

Unbeknownst to the grandmaster, she had already been a great help. She didn't need to get her hands dirty to dig the kind of hole she just had. With just a first few sentences delivered with a calm disposition, she had laid Toric's concerns to bed. And he already felt so much better for it. Efret could tell even without looking at him that he seemed lighter; her Empathy was no longer picking up on his nervousness and pricking at her efforts to remain calm.

Toric wasn't the only one with doubts, but he was the only one between the two of them that had shared them. Efret kept hers to herself for weeks. She didn't see why that had to change.

The chief curator nodded her head and fisted hand. "Yes, I know," she began. She would even if Val had not said as much aloud. Val was and always would be a hands-on leader. That's what made her successful, inspiring, and loveable to Jedi and non-Jedi alike. "I'll keep that all in mind, but we'll try not to ask much of you or the rest of the Order. Our mission is to deal with this aspect of the war so that everyone else can focus their energy and supplies elsewhere." She glanced to Toric, then back at Val. "That said, we do have some questions for you. Come inside."

With that, Efret turned on her heel to lead them back to the long tent.

Toric took up a pace beside Val. "Tea?" he asked. "Caf?"

Heavy plastic flaps were rolled and tied up from the lightweight durasteel frame of the tent's entrance. A couple meters from there a long, picnic-style table ran the length of the main room of the tent. At the end, one door and another set of flaps lead into two other sections of the tent. Two females were already sitting at the table: a Sith Pureblood and a Rodian.

"Knights Pipma Groti and Kili Zsoke." There was a good possibility that Val was well aware of the names of those on Efret's archeological crew, but it case she didn't, or needed a reminder, Efret made one-sided introductions. They didn't need to be told who the grandmaster was. "Sodus is at the Temple museum. We'll give him a call."

Pipma nodded. "The line's open. We're just waiting for him to get on."

Efret motioned for Valery to sit one one bench and then slid onto the one opposite so that she and Nirrah could see her easily.

Valery Noble​