Private The Silver Strands of a New Beginning

[Everest Vale]

It was shaping up to be a warm morning at the temple. The soft early spring sun made its slow pilgrimage across the sky's first quarter, awakening a gentle, cool blue overhead. Despite the temple being a part of a planet-wide metropolis, there was an undeniable stillness here, and even the gentle sound of birds overhead. Everest Vale looked up to catch a brief glimpse of their silhouettes shimmering in the sunlight. Since arriving on Coruscant, she had struggled to get used to how different everything was compared to Eshan. The city was loud and busy. Eve had never seen so many people before, and it was a sobering contrast to the gentle slopes and rivers of her homeland's southern woodland regions where she had grown up. Even Eshan's capital felt like a village compared to this place.

A week had gone by since her arrival at the Temple and she was still getting used to it all. All the new names and faces, inductions, timetables, registrations, tours, assemblies... It was a lot, but she was doing her best to keep up with it all. On this day, however, she finally felt she had some time to herself again, and she had made her way to the temple's main courtyard to savour some silence for a while. She sat below the shade of the magnificent uneti tree, its leaves rustling gently against the soft breeze that moved through the courtyard. The tree thrummed softly against her in a way she couldn't quite put into words, but she knew that it gave her a sense of calm. She looked curiously up at it for a moment, and it almost felt as though it sang to her in dulcet tones of rest and peace.

Her eyes scanned the courtyard. Across the other side a class of Padawans were being instructed in something or other, whilst all about were scattered the occasional student who had the same idea as her to savour the morning warmth and stillness. She looked down at the papers clutched in her hands - timetables and book lists - and she sighed. She was missing home. She was missing her mother. Aside from the brief exchange of holomessages upon her arrival on Coruscant, she hadn't spoken to her since. She hadn't managed to make any friends in any of her classes yet either, and that was getting to her. The bustle of the planet, the enormity of the temple itself, and so many new strangers. It was almost enough to make her want to run all the way back to Eshan, back to the safety of home.

Eve breathed in sharply through her nose and exhaled just as intently, blinking out a sparkle that threatened to surface from her eyes. No, she would do her best. She would do her mother proud. She nodded, as if telling someone other than herself. Lost in thought, she dwelled a little more on Eshan, and then on what might come with her time on Coruscant, so deeply that the courtyard seemed to melt away a while.



Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery walked the length of the courtyard with her usual grace, the warm morning sun casting a soft golden glow on her features. Clad in her typical jumpsuit, the Grandmaster carried an aura of calm confidence. She often found herself wandering the courtyard during moments of quiet, offering her guidance to those who seemed to need it most.

Her steps slowed as her attention settled on a young woman seated beneath the sprawling uneti tree. Valery recognized her immediately, though they had not yet met. Everest Vale. The name had crossed her desk along with the other new arrivals, and Valery had made a mental note to keep an eye out for her. The girl's father, a Jedi Knight who had vanished on a mission into Sith space a decade ago, was a name she hadn't forgotten.

The uneti tree's gentle hum resonated in the Force, a soothing melody that Valery had grown familiar with over the years. It seemed to reach out to Everest, calming her, grounding her in the present even as her thoughts drifted elsewhere. Valery approached quietly, her footsteps soft against the stone path, not wanting to startle the young woman.

When she was close enough, Valery paused and offered a warm smile. "Mind if I join you for a moment?" she asked gently, her tone as soothing as the breeze that rustled the leaves above. She gestured to the ground beside Everest, her presence calm and inviting.

As she settled herself onto the grass, Valery let her fiery gaze linger on the young Echani for a moment, studying her with a quiet kindness. "Padawan Everest Vale, right?" she asked, though she already knew the answer. "I've been meaning to introduce myself. I'm Master Valery Noble." She gave a small, reassuring smile, and awaited her response.

Everest Vale ​

 

[Everest Vale]

Suddenly snapped from her daydreaming, Eve's eyes widened, and she found her posture suddenly straightening up and tensing into some kind of formality. The woman didn't need to introduce herself at all, for anyone across Alliance space would recognise those golden eyes and scars anywhere, whether they were Jedi or not. She wasn't just faculty at the Temple, but the Grandmaster herself. Eve caught her breath in her mouth as she spoke again to her. She knew her too? It took all she had in her to stop herself from trembling.

"I... Y-yes, Master," she said timidly. "E-Eve," she added, eyes finally meeting hers. Up close, she had a much softer feeling about her compared to the overly heroic and fierce portrayals on the posters and holo-sheets she had seen of her. Her smile set her at ease a little, and for a moment there was stillness again as she bashfully smiled back. "I just got here a week ago... from Eshan," she added, hoping that she wasn't coming across as either uninterested or uninteresting.

Her thoughts turned a moment back to her home, and as she did the papers in her hand slipped as the breeze returned with a vengeance, blowing them out of her grip and up into the air. Eve gasped, and she leapt up to reach for them.
"S-sorry!" she exclaimed in needless apology as she chaotically tried to pluck them back, the breeze seemingly conspiring against her. Oh Eve you've really done it, she thought to herself as she panicked about reaching for the papers. Now you look like a total idiot in front of her.

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's warm smile never faltered as Eve straightened up and stammered through her introduction. The tension in the young Echani's posture was palpable, but Valery's presence remained calm, like a steady flame in a storm. "Eve, it's a pleasure to meet you," she said gently, her voice carrying an almost motherly reassurance. "And welcome to the Temple. Adjusting to life here can take some time, but you're doing just fine."

The breeze suddenly whipped through the courtyard, and Valery's fiery gaze shifted to the fluttering papers as they were swept into the air. She watched Eve spring to her feet, her frantic attempts to grab the loose pages drawing an amused chuckle from the Grandmaster.

"No need to apologize," Valery said with a smirk, as she crouched down to help her pick up some papers. "Sometimes, the wind has a mind of its own. It's good practice for quick reflexes, though."

Valery rose to her feet, brushing off her hands and offering Eve a reassuring look. "It's okay to feel nervous, you know," she said, her tone soft but steady. "You're not the first Padawan to feel overwhelmed meeting someone new. But this—" she gestured to the courtyard and the Temple around them, "—this is your home now. A place to learn, grow, and make mistakes. You'll find your footing soon enough."

Her fiery gaze settled on Eve once more, her expression brimming with kindness. "So, tell me, Eve," she said, her tone lightening. "What brought you to the Jedi? Was it your own choice, or something you were encouraged to explore?"

Everest Vale ​

 

[Everest Vale]

Pink flushed Eve's cheeks as she bashfully collected what the Grandmaster had caught for her. When she thanked her, it came out as barely a whisper. But it was her words that followed that suddenly put her at ease. The tone of her voice reminded me of her own mother. She was strong and so naturally wise, just like Master Noble seemed. The sense of respite and calm washed over her in a way she couldn't explain, but she accepted it as control of her breathing slowed.

"Thank you for saying," she finally managed, at last the true light in her starting to shine. She closed her eyes for the briefest of moments and reminded herself of the lessons of her people; to find solace and quietude within to act as a lighthouse against the night; to listen to the ancestors of old to inspire that same grounding they so masterfully maintained; to remember to be kind to oneself. She exhaled slowly, forgetting for a moment where she was, before her surroundings emerged again into her awareness. She looked to the Grandmaster and a warm smile emerged at last.

Master Noble brought the conversation back to her, and thoughts of her father came to her.
"My father," she started. "He was a Jedi Knight, he even studied here too." There was a sense of pride beginning to swell in her gentle voice as the memory of his photos flashed in her mind. "He... When I was little, he didn't come back." It was still a deep, unresolved wound that threatened to make her cry, but she bit her lip in rebellion and forced herself through it. "He was my hero. I always wanted to..." But she couldn't quite finish. "My mother always supported me. She helped get me here. I miss her, but..." Eve knew she probably wouldn't see her again for a long time. "But I'm here now," she finished with a little nod, more so assuring herself than anything.

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's fiery gaze softened further as Eve spoke, her words carrying the weight of loss and hope intertwined. She listened intently, her warm presence offering a steady foundation for the young Echani as she shared her story. When Eve hesitated, Valery's kind smile never wavered.

"Your father would be proud of you," Valery said gently, her voice steady and filled with sincerity. "Not just for being here, but for carrying his legacy with such strength and courage. It takes a lot to step into this path, especially when it's tied to someone you've loved and lost."

She paused, giving Eve a moment to breathe and process her emotions. "It's also okay to miss your mother and to feel uncertain about what lies ahead. You've already shown great strength by making it this far, and you don't have to face these challenges alone. That's what the Jedi are here for — to support each other as we learn, grow, and heal."

Valery crouched slightly to meet Eve's gaze more closely, her expression full of reassurance. "And if you ever need someone to talk to, whether about your father, your training, or anything else, I'll always make time for you." Straightening up, Valery smiled warmly again, a glimmer of pride in her eyes. "You're here now, and that's a big first step. One day at a time, we'll make this place feel like home."

Everest Vale ​

 

[Everest Vale]

The compassion and strength in the Grandmaster's voice as she spoke cut straight through her. She hadn't realised it up until now, but it was exactly what she needed to hear. As she spoke in gentle words to her, Eve looked downward to conceal her face behind her hair, as suddenly she cracked from the weight of the love and space being offered to her, and with a single exhalation through her mouth, she felt the tears streak down her cheek. She delicately covered her mouth in humility as she accepted the moment for what it was, finally at ease with all that was offered from Master Noble.

Giving herself a moment, she politely wiped her cheek and composed herself, flinging her hair back out of her face. Her eyes had reddened a little, but she was feeling better now that the week-long tension had finally broken. With sparkled eyes, she smiled at the Grandmaster, this time with a newfound confidence that surprised her as it warmed across her face.

"Thank you, Master Noble," she said with a certain seriousness. "I'm feeling much better." She wanted to say more, but the words would not come to her. "I think I have a class coming up," she said suddenly, checking the timetable amidst her papers. Her finger scanned down until it reached the upcoming slot. "'History of the Order'. Classroom A46. Master Noble, do you know how I might get there?" The thought of navigating through the huge temple complex still intimidated her.

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's warm smile deepened as she noticed the change in Eve's demeanor. The reddened eyes and softened expression spoke volumes — the young Padawan had taken an important step forward, even if it was just finding a moment of peace. When Eve brought up her class, Valery glanced at the timetable and chuckled softly.

"History of the Order in A46? I know the way, and I can guide you there," she said warmly, her tone light but inviting. Then, her fiery gaze softened even more as she added, "But if you'd like, we can skip this one class. It's not every day you get to settle into the Temple, and there's still plenty of time to learn about the Order's history."

She folded her arms gently, tilting her head slightly. "We could head to the training room, and I can show you some of the basics. Or, if you'd prefer, we could find a quiet spot in the gardens or the café for some tea and talk a bit more." Her voice carried no judgment, only kindness and an openness to let Eve decide what felt right for her in the moment.

If she preferred to attend her class, that would also be fine.

Valery crouched slightly again, her gaze meeting Eve's with genuine care. "Whatever you choose, it's about finding what helps you feel more at home here. What do you think, Eve?"

Everest Vale ​

 

[Everest Vale]

Eve grinned, lighting up her face in a way it hadn't done since she had arrived. The thought of bunking off class would normally have flared up her nerves right back again, but the very fact the Grandmaster herself was suggesting it was something else entirely. Her heart fluttered in excitement. She nodded in a soft affirmative as Master Noble spoke, realising there was still so much she hadn't seen of the Temple. The thought of a leaf tea and a slice of cake made her well up with a sudden joy.
"Oh my goodness, a tea would be amazing," she said, her raw, honest self shining through, as if she was speaking directly to her mother again, and she blushed a little as she started coming to terms with how relaxed she had become in the last hour in Valery's presence.

She stood up again, clutching at her paperwork, and the two began to walk out of the courtyard and through the corridors leading to the Temple cafe. The breeze followed them for a while, trailing along the floor against the edges of Eve's robe, but it was no longer a threatening thief of papers but a calming, refreshing friend.
"Master Noble," Eve started as they walked, suddenly cautious that her pending questions would prove to be too intrusive. "If it's not too much to ask... How did you become a Jedi? I-If it's not rude of me to ask," she reiterated at the end, reminding herself how forward it was to ask such a thing.

Valery Noble​

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's warm laughter filled the corridor as Eve's excitement shone through, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in the Padawan's ability to let herself relax. "Tea it is," Valery said with a gentle nod, her fiery gaze softening further as they walked side by side through the Temple's serene corridors. The warm ambiance of the Temple seemed to match the lightness in Eve's demeanor, and Valery was glad to see her feeling more at ease.

When Eve hesitated to ask her question, Valery glanced at her with an encouraging smile. "It's not rude at all," she assured her, her tone steady and kind.

She paused for a moment as they walked, her eyes briefly shifting to the calming view outside the windows before turning back to Eve. "I was very young when I was brought to the Jedi," Valery began, her voice carrying a note of quiet reflection. "My parents lived on a world where the Force wasn't always understood. They knew I was different — that I had this... gift. But that gift also came with danger, and they wanted to ensure I was safe and had a future where I could thrive."

Her fiery gaze softened further as she glanced at Eve. "So they made the difficult decision to let me go, trusting the Jedi to guide me and give me a chance to grow into who I was meant to be. I didn't fully understand it at the time, but looking back, I know how much love it took for them to make that choice."

Especially now that she was a mother herself.

Valery smiled again, her voice warm as she added, "It's not always easy, but it's a path I'm grateful for every single day. And now, I get to share it with others, like you."

As they approached the Temple café, Valery glanced over at Eve with a reassuring look. "Does that answer your question?" she asked gently, genuinely curious about Eve's thoughts.

Everest Vale ​