Private Winter Mysteries

[Valery Noble]

Winter Village

​

Outfit: Winter Coat | Wedding Ring
Tag: Kahlil Noble Kina Ropal

Valery was awfully quiet, as a cold breeze picked up all around them. It was snowing in town, and Life Day lighting and decorations were already set up. It made for a very cozy atmosphere, but the Jedi Master's worst enemy was the cold. Bundled up in layers, her hands in her pockets, and her face buried into her coat, Valery stood just a little closer to her husband for warmth, while they looked around. Today, they had brought Padawan Kina Ropal along to look into a mysterious creature causing some trouble around town.

Local stories suggested some mystical creature from ancient stories, but Valery figured it was just something simple. A perfect mission for a young Padawan to handle with a little bit of help from experienced Jedi.

"Where should we start?" Valery asked after a moment, her voice muffled and barely audible, because she still very much talked into her coat. "Maybe we should ask some of the locals about what they saw or heard?" She looked between her husband and the Padawan, and then turned back to the village. Vera and the kids, all except Aeryn, would love it here.

Maybe Valery would too, if they got a warm little place here with a fire and some blankets.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil stood stall in the center of the village, letting his gaze drift around curiously towards the various buildings around. It was a pretty sight here. A quaint little town. He smiled, just a little. He wasn't as bundled up as his wife. The cold never bothered him, not like it did for her. But he still had a coat and a scarf on just to make sure he didn't need to put a lot of attention on keeping himself warm through the Force.

"That might be a good idea. Padawan Ropal, what do you think?"

Valery Noble | Kina Ropal

 

[Kina Ropal]

The young padawan stood off to the side of the two Jedi masters, regarding them both curiously. She'd been placed under their care and tutelage for the time being, until her true master was decided upon. Kina was thankful she'd have someone teaching her, but she was quite uncertain about this mission as Master Valery Noble looked very uncomfortable in the cold snow; even with all of the layers. Actually she was more worried the Jedi Master would have a hard time moving around with all of that clothing; what if she tripped and fell? There's no way someone could wear that many layers and easily get back up on their own after falling.

"It could be dangerous, and fruitless, to go searching for something without the proper information." She was thinking aloud, wanting them to know she'd thought this through and at least had some basic training; but with her calm, matter of fact tone, it instead sounded like she was trying to instruct them. "We should gather more information, as Ms. Master Noble said." Kina looked between the two. Her expression was rather calm, hiding her curiosity and hope that they'd find her response satisfactory.


Valery Noble | Kahlil Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Winter Village

​

Outfit: Winter Coat | Wedding Ring
Tag: Kahlil Noble Kina Ropal

Ms. Master Noble?

Valery smiled underneath her scarf and looked over at Mr. Master Noble for a moment. She had never heard someone put it quite like that before, but she actually liked it. The thinking out loud and way the young Pantoran spoke was also rather adorable, and she certainly seemed clever. Gathering information was always the first step to each mission, so any actions they took, happened with the right intel to back it up.

There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.

"I saw a lot of the locals heading into the tavern. It's a good place to ask around, as long as they aren't too drunk." She then looked around and turned her gaze to the market outside. It'd be another good place to ask around, perhaps a little better for the young Padawan. But the idea of going into a warm tavern definitely seemed to interest Valery most.

It wasn't about her, though.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"Then the warmth of the tavern it is. A drunk person is often willing to tell things they'd normally keep a secret anyway." Not that he thought there'd be any real tight lipped folks about this particular incident. A creature making problems was often the type that everyone in a small town would talk anyone's ear off if they spoke up about it. Them being drunk would just make it easier to get right to the core of the subject than listen to any other prattling on.

"You'll take the lead on the conversation, Padawan. Ms. Master Noble will focus on getting warm."

Valery Noble | Kina Ropal

 

[Kina Ropal]

"I'll do my best, sir." Kina bowed her head in understanding. She turned on her heel, heading right for the village tavern, only ever a few paces in front of the two Jedi Masters as she wished to not leave them behind.

Valery Noble | Kahlil Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Winter Village

​

Outfit: Winter Coat | Wedding Ring
Tag: Kahlil Noble Kina Ropal

While happy that they were going to the tavern, rather than the market, Valery still squinted at her husband just a little bit. Sure, she was a little cold and much preferred the warm tavern, but she could still focus on Jedi duty, even in all of her layers. He knew that, but probably just enjoyed teasing her a little bit.

The usual, for Mr. Master Noble.

"She is quite serious about everything, hm?" Valery asked him with a smile, while Kina led the way. It was a good thing she was this focused on the mission, so the observation was merely meant as a compliment for her.

Soon enough, the group entered the tavern, and it was exactly what one would expect it to be. There was a busy bar with locals, booths where people were eating, and plenty of drunks, though they all seemed to at least behave themselves for now.

Most importantly, it was warm.

"Let's get started. Maybe we should split up?" She asked while she rubbed her hands together for warmth.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"Mm. I'm sure it's a good thing, but I hope she's not always serious. She is still young."

Then again, it was surely intimidating to have both the Sword and Shield overwatching what she does in a mission. He shook his head and smiled, just a little. How long had it been since he'd felt that kind of nervousness? Once inside he nodded, glancing briefly down too the Padawan before smirking rather playfully at Ms. Master Noble. "I'll assist Padawan Ropal with her questioning. You can ask some questions over there, by the warm comforting fireplace, mm?"

No, the teasing would not stop.

Valery Noble | Kina Ropal

 

[Kina Ropal]

She'd be asking the questions? Kina simply nodded in understanding, not giving it much of a second thought as she spun around, heading right for the bartender. The small Pantoran strode right up, setting her hands on the counters edge, stopping right in front of them.

"Excuse me. I'd like to inquire about the recent creature incidents that have been happening around town, please. Do you happen to have any information or point us in the direction of someone who would?" She would hold the gaze of the barkeep when she spoke, her tone calm and confident as she inquired to them amidst all the patrons at the bar.

Valery Noble | Kahlil Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Winter Village

​

Outfit: Winter Coat | Wedding Ring
Tag: Kahlil Noble Kina Ropal

Fiery eyes slowly narrowed at Mr. Master Noble, but Valery did not protest. With some soft grumbling about getting him back later, she stepped away and walked over towards the large fireplace. Plenty of people had gathered around for warmth, and she didn't feel ashamed at all about joining them.

They were already sharing stories, so she felt certain that this mysterious creature would come up, too.

Meanwhile, Kina and Kahlil approached the bartender to ask some questions, but the man just raised an eyebrow, "Aren't you a bit young for a place like this?" He looked up and turned to Kahlil. He couldn't be the father, right?

Different species, and all.

"But eh, you know the story. It has been going around town for a week now. The thing comes around at night and makes a mess of the house. Especially light bulbs, from what I heard."

 

[Kahlil Noble]

He'd pay for it later, but he still couldn't help himself. Teasing Valery was just one of his preferred pass times after all. Kahlil stood with Kina though, simply giving a brief nod in understanding to what the man was saying. She was young, but that was the nature of a Padawan after all. Whether she wanted to us that as an advantage or not was up to her. "Which house, exactly?"

Valery Noble | Kina Ropal

 

[Kina Ropal]

"Aren't you a bit young for a place like this?"

"Yes, yes I am." Kina nodded in understanding at the barkeeps question. "However, I'm with a guardian and am here for information, not intoxication." The young padawan looked rather sure of herself as she nodded her head again. She listened to the barkeep and then to Kahlil, giving herself the moment or two to think. The creature would come around at night and make a mess inside 'the house', especially light bulbs. Kahlil went so far as to ask which house, however, Kina had other thoughts in mind.

Within a moment she was up on one of the barstools, given her disadvantageous height, and pulled a data pad from her pocket while the two adults spoke. Stylus in hand, Kina drew up a list, taking a minute to collect her thoughts before presenting them to Kahlil, and in turn the bar keep when she'd begin to ask questions.

Creature Information
Physical description of the creature: size: did it have a coat of fur or scales? Or nothing at all? distinguishing features:
Pattern to appearances? does it appear at a specific time of night? has it arrived every night? has it only ransacked one particular house or many different houses?
If it has indeed ransacked multiple houses, do any of those houses (or their owners) have anything in common? personal belongings color of house/type of house size location in town the people that inhabit the house
Lightbulbs? where they destroyed or eaten? Or were they just removed from the socket? why lightbulbs? Energy signature? Emits light?
Any witnesses to these incidents? [space for information] [space for information] [space for information] [space for information]
Any miscellaneous information: [space for information] [space for information] [space for information] [space for information]

"Do you possibly have any information that could assist in our investigation? Any specifics? Townsfolk that could give us firsthand accounts of the incidents?" She looked up to the barkeep with a calm sort of expectance, leaning on the counter with data pad and stylus in hand, just waiting to take down notes.

Valery Noble | Kahlil Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Winter Village

​

Outfit: Winter Coat | Wedding Ring
Tag: Kahlil Noble Kina Ropal

He was going to pay for it later, but until then, Valery was just going to stick close to the fire and leave the bartender to him. She was already picking up on some stories, though nothing that really gave her any hints. Most of them were versions of the same story, passed down by one to another, and each was more ridiculous than the one before.

A creature that came to ruin Life Day? Really?

"The Yales, down on Terrister road," the bartender told Kahlil while he kept an eye on the child. This wouldn't be the first time that someone brought in a cute kid to distract him, and then pull some stunt or steal from him. After she presented a datapad with a list of questions, though, he just blinked.

"Ehh... I just work here, kid," he said with rub of the back of his neck. "I just pick up on whatever these drunks talk about. If you want more information, ask them or visit the Yales."

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil stared in disbelief at the list. It was well thought out, but to think she'd prepared it with the intent of asking all of these questions to get a thorough picture of everything that was going on was.. He didn't expect a thirteen year old to be this in depth. Not even Aris was this deep in it. It'd be helpful, though. He passed the Datapad back, nodding once to the man as he spoke. "Then we'll do just that. What's the best way to get to the Yales?"

Valery Noble | Kina Ropal

 

[Kina Ropal]

Kina listened to the two male adults talk, her gaze trained on the bartender. Every other word out of his mouth was answered with a movement of the stylus against the data pad; the Pantoran was taking notes. The Yales. Terrister Road. Don't ask the barkeep, ask the drunks or the Yales. Got it. Her stylus was out and at the ready, more than prepared to jot down the general directions to reach the Yales house.

"Sir." Kina would speak up when the barkeep was done talking, bowing her head respectfully to him. "I greatly appreciate the time you've taken to answer our questions. Thank you for your time, and have a wonderful evening." Without another word she'd scoot and hop off the barstool, calmly heading for Master Valery to proceed onward. If she was in conversation, the padawan would wait patiently, golden eyes gazing at the female Jedi Master all the while.

Valery Noble | Kahlil Noble

[Kina's notes detailed in the spoiler below for easy review. Updates are highlighted in yellow and done per post]

Spoiler

Creature Information
Physical description of the creature: size: did it have a coat of fur or scales? Or nothing at all? distinguishing features:
Pattern to appearances? does it appear at a specific time of night? has it arrived every night? has it only ransacked one particular house or many different houses?
If it has indeed ransacked multiple houses, do any of those houses (or their owners) have anything in common? personal belongings color of house/type of house size location in town the people that inhabit the house
Lightbulbs? where they destroyed or eaten? Or were they just removed from the socket? why lightbulbs? Energy signature? Emits light?
Any witnesses to these incidents? the 'Yales' = down on Terrister Road (the household that was ransacked, according to local tavern barkeep) [space for information] [space for information] [space for information]
Any miscellaneous information: local tavern barkeep only receives information in the form of stories the local drunks tell: suggestion was to speak to the drunks or to the Yales themselves [space for information] [space for information] [space for information]

 

[Valery Noble]

Winter Village

​

Outfit: Winter Coat | Wedding Ring
Tag: Kahlil Noble Kina Ropal

"Of course, kid. Stay warm out there." He looked more confused than anything. It wasn't every day that a young kid was that serious about some kind of investigation, but with everything going on inside town, perhaps he shouldn't be too surprised. The bartender shrugged it off for now and returned to his work, while Kina and Kahlil made their way over to the fireplace.

Valery wasn't talking to anybody, and even inside, she stood with her nose hidden under her scar and her hands in her pockets.

At least there was a smile on her lips this time, rather than a frustrated bit of grumbling.

"You two did great," Valery said with a muffled voice before she turned to the door. Right now, her greatest enemy. "I'll follow you two." She gave Kahlil a brief look - she was here to help and oversee, but she would leave as much to Kina as possible. She'd learn from it, and Valery could keep her face and hands warm.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"Not us two. We're following Kina's guidance on this one."

Kahlil glanced to the Padawan for a moment, smiling ever so faintly. She was an over prepper, but it'd certainly help. "She has a good list of questions to ask. Shall we head out?"

Valery Noble | Kina Ropal

 

[Kina Ropal]

They were going to leave this to her? The thirteen year old already exuded a calm sort of confidence, even if it didn't look like much with how short she was, but their insistence on following her lead had Kina standing up a little straighter. With datapad and stylus safely tucked under her arm, she'd lead the march to the Yales, keeping the directions the bartender had given them at the forefront of her mind. Sometimes her gaze would shift from the path ahead, observing the village as they passed through it; always on the look out for possible clues.

Valery Noble | Kahlil Noble

[Kina's notes detailed in the spoiler below for easy review. Updates are highlighted in yellow and done per post]

Spoiler

Creature Information
Physical description of the creature: size: did it have a coat of fur or scales? Or nothing at all? distinguishing features:
Pattern to appearances? does it appear at a specific time of night? has it arrived every night? has it only ransacked one particular house or many different houses?
If it has indeed ransacked multiple houses, do any of those houses (or their owners) have anything in common? personal belongings color of house/type of house size location in town the people that inhabit the house
Lightbulbs? where they destroyed or eaten? Or were they just removed from the socket? why lightbulbs? Energy signature? Emits light?
Any witnesses to these incidents? the 'Yales' = down on Terrister Road (the household that was ransacked, according to local tavern barkeep) [space for information] [space for information] [space for information]
Any miscellaneous information: local tavern barkeep only receives information in the form of stories the local drunks tell: suggestion was to speak to the drunks or to the Yales themselves [space for information] [space for information] [space for information]

 

[Valery Noble]

Winter Village

​

Outfit: Winter Coat | Wedding Ring
Tag: Kahlil Noble Kina Ropal

"Not us two. We're following Kina's guidance on this one."

"Okay," Valery said before she bumped into his side and snatched his hand. She pulled it into her pocket, and used him to keep at least one of her hands walked. If they were going to leave as much to Kina as possible, he wouldn't need his hand. So now it was hers, and she wasn't one to let go easily.

Valery then turned and offered Kina a smile, "Lead the way, Padawan Ropal." She chuckled and stepped back into the cold with just a faint bit of grumbling this time. She held onto her husband's hand as they walked, which wasn't her revenge for his teasing yet, and looked around.

This town did look very cozy.

Soon enough, they reached the road the bartender had mentioned, and at the house with the Yales on its sign, they would stop. The door had scratches on it, and one of the windows was shattered too. Still, there were lights on inside, and someone was keeping a fire going too.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil raised a brow towards Valery, but he didn't vocalize any argument. He just squeezed her hand as they walked. Just a little. They weren't on a date after all. Once they made it to the Yales he pulled his hand from hers and stepped towards the door. More of a defensive thing for the Padawan. The scratches and broken window suggested something was indeed wild, and she needn't be put in any danger if he could help it.

"What do you think, Kina?"

Valery Noble | Kina Ropal