Calm After The Storm

[Sreeya]

OoC: Stfu Nexus bugged me to post this now. If Val dies on Ruan, this would've taken place beforehand.

The day couldn't have been more perfect. It was a partly cloudy day, with the rays of the sun piercing through the clouds and bathing the valleys below in its golden light. The lake nearby allowed a cool breeze to roll through every now and then. Val was in heaven, laying down on the grass with her eyes closed. Her hair was sprawled under her, the warm rays of the sun on her face. This was the first time she had been able to truly relax since the battle. The event had taken a toll on her, but it was all worth it in the end. For now, none of those thoughts resided in her head. She was far away from the Jedi temple. All that she thought about was the gentle sound of the water, the chirping of birds, th-

"MOMMY! RAZZY PUSHED ME!"

"I DID NOT!"

"HE DID TOO!"

"SHE'S LYING! STOP LYING EMI!"

Val groaned, rubbing her face, her eyes opening and blinking into the sun. She couldn't help but smile though, glancing over to the side. Her two children both looked extremely unhappy and Emi quickly ran over to her. She lifted a foot up, gloomily pointing at it.

"Yucky stuff got on it! EW!"

The Jedi had to laugh, raising to sit. She allowed Emi to use her shoulder for support while she wiped her tiny feet off, cleaning the mud. Val looked over at Raz, who was curiously poking at a worm with a stick. She couldn't help but gaze at her children fondly, wishing every day could be as carefree as this. Val was reminded of why she fought to keep the galaxy safe. She knew if she didn't, all of this would be lost. She looked upon her two children and knew they were worth fighting for, worth dying for. And it drove her to be her best, making her a vicious foe on the battle field.

 

[Ser Gregor]

“Raz!” Ilessa cried from in the distance, her coltish legs propelling her along the sloping plane of sweet grass and up the shallow hill, tackling the younger, and smaller, Raziel with an impressive hug. She had gone through a rather impressive growth spurt since the last time the two had seen each other.

Laughing to himself as he made his own way up the hill, Adrian Bac, adoptive father to the young and energetic Ilessa Naldir, waved at Valena. He wore a pair of thick boots, well-worn ‘comfy’ pants, and a loose beige tunic. As far as a Bac went, he was dressing for slobs.

Once he was in ear-shot, he lifted a hand to his mouth, cupping it like a megaphone; “You’re early! We weren’t supposed to meet until mid-day!”

 

[Sreeya]

"Would you stop poking that worm already? It's dead."

Raziel quickly looked up, innocently as if he hadn't done anything. He threw the stick away, blinking up at Val. She simply rolled her eyes, ruffling up his hair. She couldn't help but marvel at how much he looked like his father, an exact miniature copy almost. Val turned away when Emi pulled at her pant leg. She looked up to see a small girl dart right past her. Val immediately burst out laughing when Ilessa tackle hugged Raziel. The poor boy fell over in the grass, completely shocked.

"GERROF ME EWW!"

He struggled for a while before finally untangling himself and running over to Val and ducking behind her. He was scowling at Ilessa. Val pried Raziel off her, bringing him around.

"Come on, that's not nice. Say hi to Ilessa."

"NO. She has cooties."

Val was about to open her mouth to lecture him on cooties when Adrian's voice rang out. She smiled at him, waiting till he was closer.

"I was out taking a nap. Not everyday I get to be out and about with my little troublemakers."

Emi ran over to Ilessa, completely lacking the attitude Raz had towards her. She smiled widely.

"HIIIIIII"

Though Raziel had an apprehensive personality, Emi was completely the opposite, always happy and bubbly. It was not unlike Val when she was younger. The Jedi turned to Adrian.

"Ilessa's growing up fast. How have you been? I never thought I'd see you as a father, but you've done splendid so far."

She had to laugh, remembering back to when he had to help her with her short temper. That day seemed forever ago, as both had grown tremendously since then.

 

[Ser Gregor]

Ilessa frowned at Raz as he squirmed away and ran to hide behind his mother, peeking out to scowl at Ilessa. She just stuck her tongue out at him and yelled; “DO NOT!” before Emi ran over to greet the older girl. Ilessa gave Emi a big smile and hugged Emi.

“Emi! Hi!”

Adrian had made it to the group now, and he stood there watching Ilessa, a beaming smile on his face. His lightsaber was strapped to his chest, the half-open tunic allowing for easy access to defend him and his family with.

“I’m glad you could make it. It’s been too long,” he said, taking a seat on the cool grass beside Val. The life of a Jedi was a tiring one, and the additional stresses of parenthood often meant that Val and Adrian would go months without seeing one another.

“She’s really becoming a girl after her mother’s own heart,” Adrian agreed, watching Ilessa and the tiny Emi playing some hand-game. “Each day she reminds me more of Andara. Two days ago she came to my room, early in the morning, tears in her eyes and asked me why her mother was so angry.”

Adrian sighed, shaking his head; “She had found where I keep Andara’s lightsaber –the focusing crystal detached– and had gotten a hold of it. It had to by psychometry. She had relived the most potent memory attached to that lightsaber, through her mother’s eyes. What little of Andara Ilessa remembered would never have been like that.”

The way Ilessa laughed it was hard to believe she harboured such a tragic life, at such a young age. “She’s a strong girl, though. She asked me questions I didn’t want to answer, but I did, and she understood. She’d make an amazing Jedi.

“But enough about Ilessa and myself, what have you and the brats been up to?”

 

[Sreeya]

Val watched as Ilessa and Emi interacted with one another, bursting into giggles and running about. Meanwhile, Raziel remained behind with Val, still scowling at the two of them. It was obvious he had a superiority complex on top of his fear of 'cooties'. He remained silent, his little arms crossed and a grumpy look on his face. Val stretched and sat down on the grass again, looking up at Adrian. As he spoke about Ilessa, she couldn't help but feel the smile begin to grow on her face. Every time she saw him, he couldn't help but talk incessantly about his daughter. It warmed Val's heart to see him so excited about her. There was a gleam in his eye whenever he looked at her, his love for the child blatantly obvious. When he finished, Val had to frown.

"She has been through a lot. However, she is very lucky to have found you as a father. No, I'm not saying that to be a typical kiss ass. I feel like you both need each other and can learn a lot from one another. She may be small, but she will show you a whole new side of life."

When he asked about her kids, Val had to laugh. She chose the moment to tug Raziel to her, the boy surprised as he was pulled out of his sulking. Val pulled him into her lap despite his protests and kissed him on the top of his head. Val invited Adrian to sit beside her.

"Honestly, I wish I could spend more time with them. I always get called away on assignments or training and battles. It's..nerve wracking. I always worry what would happen if either Huang or I fell in battle..."

"Mom come on let go!!"

Val laughed and hugged Raziel even tighter, filling his face with kisses while he grimaced and struggled. She finally let him go, watching him run off. In his haste, he managed to collide with Ilessa. He almost fell over again, this time blinking at her in shock. Emi instantly pushed him.

"Leave her alone MEANIE!"

Ignoring the little squabbles, Val continued speaking to Adrian.

"And it's even more difficult to find time as a family. We have to hide everything. I began to train Raziel already. It's just a shame that he can't be brought up as a Jedi within the temples. I suppose it's a bit like homeschooling, huh?"

She and Huang had gone over their options countless times, and both came to the conclusion that it was simply impossible for them to hide their children within the Order. As a result, both parents would train their children away from the temple.

"So Adrian... I've been wondering for a while now. At our wedding, you were there with a woman.. er..I forget her name. Whatever happened to her? She seemed so nice..though definitely didn't strike me as a Jedi."

Val hoped she wasn't intruding in on personal information. Truth was, she had wondered about that woman for a while, but never thought to ask. However, Adrian never explained anything, so she decided to bug him about it. They were good enough friends, in her opinion, to where it wasn't that much of a touchy topic. She left out that when the two were present in her wedding, she had definitely felt the chemistry between them. To have that and then suddenly to see him alone appeared a bit odd.

 

[Ser Gregor]

“I’ve been teaching her how to cope with her budding powers; psychometry is a very tricky thing for someone her age to deal with. She gets random flashes, now and again, and they frighten her. I just wished I could bring her to the Council, get her proper training, but Aldana died ensuring Ilessa would live free of the Order,” Adrian said.

“Raz will be a Jedi at heart, Val. Already he is showing the signs, I can tell.”

“Ilessa! Be careful, you’re much bigger than Emi!” Adrian called, then, as he saw his daughter helping Emi up an outcrop of rock, one Ilessa had no trouble scaling.

Adrian’s disposition soured noticeably when Valena broached the subject of Qailan. He hadn’t seen her in four years, and still the mention of her brought turmoil.

“No, she most certainly wasn’t a Jedi. Her name was Qailan... Qailan Idani. Circumstance brought us together after months of hunting her as an enemy. I deluded myself in to thinking she wasn’t a black hearted woman, and I believed it was the case... then she told me the truth, shortly after the wedding... She told me she was Bogan. I ran from her, angry and crushed. I haven’t heard from her since.”

He had started out bitter and angry, but as he finished, his voice was weak, and there was only a crushing sense of regret on his lips, but he would never admit that to himself; that would be a betrayal to the Jedi way.

 

[Sreeya]

Val couldn't help but scowl at Adrian when he finished. It took a lot of willpower to keep from smacking him. She breathed out and looked away, forming her words carefully.

"All right, let's break this down..so you met this woman. She obviously did not try to kill you. She came with you to Republic space. You trusted her enough to bring her to my wedding. You were happy with her. She did not try to bring her friends to ambush us all. She spent her time with you. She spent that time on your turf."

Val paused, looking at Adrian with a look on her face that clearly labeled him as a dumbass.

"...And she told you she was a Bogan. You didn't accidentally find out, she didn't abruptly turn on you, she didn't do anything..but just told you. Am I getting this right?"

She did not wait for an answer. Val opened her mouth to speak when Raziel wandered back over to her. She sighed.

"Not now, honey, grown ups are talking."

"I'm bored! They're being girly and I have nothing to do!"

"Go dig up more worms. Or practice that form daddy started to teach you."

Raziel perked up instantly and wandered off, picking up a stick. He pretended it was a lightsaber and waved it about. He kept glancing down at his feet, attempting to get it down exactly as he was shown. Meanwhile, Val looked back at Adrian.

"Now where was I? Oh yes, why you're a moron. So SHE told YOU. Do you know what that means? It means she trusted you. And then you threw it in her face. Do you know what that's the equivalent of? Our friendship, then me telling you about my children and you going straight to the Order. You betrayed her trust and betrayed her simply because of the lifestyle she was brought up in. No one is a Jedi or Bogan by choice, Adrian, especially their side. They are rigidly taught and forced to adhere to their rules. There was a time where they weren't even allowed to venture out from their own little nest. Despite all that, despite the restrictions and obstacles in the way, this woman risked everything for you. I guarantee you that she felt deeply for you and thought it was the right time to be able to finally reveal a truth about herself. She expected you to accept her for who she was and instead you just threw it in her face."

Val shook her head.

"Sorry, but you deserve this."

With that, she smacked him on the back of the head. It was gentle enough not to cause harm, but definitely enough to get the point across. Val had to grin at him, shaking her head.

"You were an idiot for letting her go, Adrian. I probably wouldn't be such an expert on the subject if I hadn't had a Bogan lover in the past. However, that only opened my eyes to the fact that a person's title or their job does not define them. Take us, for example. We're Jedi and we do what the Order asks, but we still break some of its rules. So why should Qailan be punished for being raised as a Bogan when she obviously turned her back on their twisted way of doing things just for you?"

 

[Ser Gregor]

Adrian was silent as he was thoroughly berated by Valena for his actions. He knew she was right, in his heart of hearts. He let himself fall back to those old memories, to the emotions he experienced with Qailan, and the lasting impact she had on him through the force. They were not bad, tainted or shallow. They had been pure and strong. It was something he had known for the better part of four years.

His eyes began to sting as Valena brought words to what he knew was true. He spared a smile at Raziel as he eagerly went about the simple foundations of combat. The child was supremely fortunate to have Valena as a mother.

“The Bogan do not suffer dissenters to live. They are swift and sure in their response to those who abandon their ranks. I could not see Qailan for who she was, only for who she swore allegiance to. I could not believe a dissenter existed, and I left her because I could not believe she had truly abandoned them.

“Then I learn of my cousin’s defection and embracement of the Jedi and the light side. I didn’t even know she existed until Master Keldroma revealed her during the Conclave. How could a woman, raised from birth and given prestige and power, in the Bogan abandon them? By then it was too late, though. I had walked out on Qailan and she had gone. I looked for her but found nothing.”

Scant few tears began to trail down his cheek, a soundless cry that did not reach the rest of Adrian’s face. He was watching Ilessa whispering to Emi, casting sideways glances at Raziel every few seconds and giggling promptly. Adrian had to wonder how the boy didn’t notice.

“Then I met Aldana and Ilessa, and I buried that part of my life.”

 

[Sreeya]

"Burying does not mean erasing."

Val noted the tears, realizing then exactly how much this hurt him. She scooted closer to him and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. Val had never seen him like this, and it was obvious he was crushed. She felt guilty for even bringing the topic up, but she knew the words needed to be said. Val sighed and wiped the tears away, smiling.

"It's not too late, you know. You won't lose anything by trying to find her. If for nothing else, then at least ask for forgiveness. It will take the burden off you. She may have moved on and whatnot, but you will have walked away from this a better man instead of being reminded of what you did. And I know you think about it. Ilessa may have helped the process along, but you have to find time to find closure for yourself."

She gave him a one armed hug and withdrew, nudging him slightly.

"Cheer up! Now that it has been confirmed that you were an idiot, it can only go up from here! Go find her at least once. We have some down time because we just returned from a battle. I'll cover for you if you need me to and.."

She nodded towards their kids.

"Obviously Ilessa can stay with us. I'm not going anywhere anytime soon."

Val watched for his reactions. In the meantime, Raziel finally glanced over at the two girls constantly giggling and pointing at him. He was obviously too afraid to do anything to Ilessa, but he glanced at Emi. Val watched Emi abruptly be shoved over, right into Ilessa. The two girls almost fell over, but the nudge with the Force was nearly not powerful enough. Emi immediately stomped a foot on the ground.

"MOMMY RAZ IS USING THE FORCE AGAIN!"

"AM NOT!"

Val groaned.

"These kids will be the death of me.."

She walked over to Raziel.

"What did I say about doing that to your sister?"

"I didn't do anything! She just slipped!"

"You think I can't sense you using the Force"

He pointed at the two girls.

"THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT ME!"

"So you have to use the Force?"

"Just because she can't do it whenever she wants-"

"Raziel."

He growled in frustration, threw the stick and stormed over to the two girls. He glared at them both. His voice was as quiet as possible.

"Sorry Emi."

He immediately turned around to face Val.

"THERE."

"Nuh uh, you forgot someone."

He turned to them again.

"SORRYEMIANDILESSA"

Raz turned to face Val again.

"There!!"

Val wandered back over to Adrian while Raziel ran away from the group to play by himself. Val sighed as she sat back down.

"He's just getting into control of his abilities. Its been such a pain. I can already tell he'll be like his parents...all focus on saber. He's obsessed with them already. It's a wonder he hasn't managed to get his hands on one of our lightsabers."

A moment of silence hung between them, allowing Val to reflect on the more serious topic they had shared.

"So...have you given thought to what I suggested?"

 

[Ser Gregor]

“I think Ilessa would like that,” he said with a smile as Val wiped the tears from his cheek. She was a good friend. “Ilessa has never been to Coruscant before. It’ll be an adventure for her.”

When he saw Emi suddenly collide with Ilessa he couldn’t help but laugh, seeing Raz do his best trying to nonchalantly continue his sword swings.

For her part, Ilessa just snickered as the sibling rivalry was ignited, a smug smile on her face as Val interceded, bringing Raz over to him, forcing an apology out of the kid not once, but twice.

As Raz ran over to his stick, Adrian noticed Ilessa’s keen stare, and had to stifle an outburst of laughter as the stick skidded across the grass, only ever staying a few inches beyond Raz’s grip. Ilessa was giggling like a girl possessed, flicking her wrist in the somatic gesture of a force user.

When Val returned to where Adrian sat, his laughter diminished, but did not cease.

“That’s enough, Ilessa!” he called to his daughter who stopped, albeit reluctantly, her teasing.

“Alriiight...” she called back to him, laughing and grabbing Emi’s hand and pulling her along to do some entertaining thing.

“It’s been four years, Valena. If she hasn’t returned to the Bogan and she hasn’t been hunted down by them, then she’s living well off the radar. How am I supposed to find her?”

 

[Sreeya]

Val watched Ilessa guiding the Force. She almost did it effortlessly. Val's eyebrows rose.

"Wow! She's very skilled already. That's impressive. It's always difficult to gauge what point they should be at when they're not being trained at the temples.."

She had often compared Raziel and Emi's progress to the younglings at the temple. So far, Raziel was leagues ahead when it came to dexterity and any basic saber training. He still lagged behind slightly when it came to controlling the Force. Emi, however, had random episodes of using it since she was very small. And every time it was something more powerful than Val could have expected from her. Emi's abilities were a mystery, and it was something that couldn't be explained. Val had a suspicion her path would rely heavily on the Force, however, unlike with her brother.

She was distracted from her thoughts when Adrian spoke. Val paid no attention to her children for the moment. Emi was positively delighted to see Ilessa get revenge on her brother for the earlier incident. As a result, they called a temporary truce where Raziel left them alone and vice versa. Val pondered over Adrian's question, realizing his dilemma.

"Well if she was running from her Order to begin with, then you're right, Bogan are probably hunting her. However, as a result, it means she would stay within Republic space. Try to remember the last time you saw her..was there any clue? Any indication of where she may have gone? There's gotta be some way to contact her.."

 

[Will]

''Feet further apart, Raziel.''

Raziel's face turned up to see his father, holding out a training sword, made of only wood. He grinned, grabbing the fake weapon with his name carved into it. From his red-trimmed robes he pulled a training weapon of his own. He took up a position, smiling down at his son. It was a rare moment for the council member to have time off to see his family. And such a perfect day for it.

''You're getting a lot better. Been practising while I was gone?''

He waved over to Val and Adrian, another Jedi with a child. He had come to know the Bac over these four years. Their children had grown together, and so had they. He touseled Raz's hair as he moved through the kata of the form. Raziel had certainly taken to the blade. Emi preferred the force, but he knew enough to teach her for now. He may have to get someone else to teach her as she grew...

 

[Ser Gregor]

Adrian shook his head. “She didn’t live anywhere, Val. I don’t think she even spent much time in Republic space...” He was silent, trying to think, desperately.

“There is one thing; a com-link I had given her in case we were separated. It was state-of-the-art, able to patch in to any system with broadcast capabilities and transmit. It was paired with mine. It emitted a local signal that could tap in to any other paired com-link in the area. It’s a stretch, but it’s the only lead I have right now.”

He had been engrossed in his self-thought, and hadn’t noticed Huang Karasu’s arrival. Seeing him with Raz made him smile as he waved to the Jedi Master.

“He’s like a mini-Huang, isn’t he?” he commented, watching with amusement as Raz and Huang practiced together.

 

[Sreeya]

Val nodded as Adrian finished.

"It's a start, for sure. On top of that, I know you would be able to recognize her Force signature. She can mask it enough to hide from other Bogan, but you might still be able to pick up on it due to the familiarity."

Val herself had used that to find Raziel whenever he got carried away on his adventures and was out of sight. It made her wonder how terrifying it must have been for regular civilian women whenever they lost their children. The Jedi glanced up when she saw Huang approach Raziel. The boy lit up instantly, always trying to impress his father. Val had to smile at the sight, glancing at Adrian when he mentioned the similarities.

"Yes, he is. Not only how he looks, either. I'm pretty sure he's going to take after the blade. He practices constantly. I do worry about him sometimes..becoming a fighter. I wish I could keep him away from it all."

The thought trailed off. Her smile faltered slightly, watching her son practicing how to fight. Years from now, he would be in the battle field, taking lives. He seemed so innocent now, sheltered from the brutalities of war, away from the chaos that always existed around them. Try as she might, Val could not keep him hidden away from it all. The thought bothered her, making her wish the war did not exist. It was a constant reminder of the kind of hurdles her children would have to cross later.

"DADDYYY!"

Val had to laugh as she watched Emi practically fly down the slanted hill, running as fast as her little legs carried her. Compared to her tiny form, Huang was a tower. She instantly clung onto his leg, much to Raziel's annoyance. He waved the training sword around.

"Emi we're busy!!"

Emi paid no heed to her brother, having a vice grip on Huang.

 

[Will]

''And little Emi too!'' Huang smiled at her tiny form, hoisting her onto his shoulders. She grabbed onto the band around his forehead, keeping his black hair off his face.

''Let's keep going, Raziel. You may even be able to beat me in a fight soon, at this rate.''

He hoisted Emi with the force to face him.

''How's your force training? Can you lift those orbs I gave you?''

He set her down, smiling at his children.

''Tomorrow, Raziel, I may teach you a bit of Ataru, If your mother agrees. You know how she is...''

 

[Ser Gregor]

“But will I notice her on a planet of trillions? What if she’s hiding on Coruscant?” he asked dejectedly. The task set before him, of finding a lone woman in a galaxy of untold sentients, was a daunting one.

Looking at Huang with his kids and seeing the absolute adoration and love that lit up Val’s eyes when she watched her husband made Adrian hurt. If he had been a calmer man he could have had what Val and Huang had. Now it all seemed like a pipe dream.

“You would take care of Ilessa?” he asked at length.

 

[Sreeya]

Val was momentarily distracted, watching her family interact. It wasn't often she saw them like this, as the children usually stayed with one parent or the other when the Order summoned them. She knew this time was limited, so they always made the most of it. Val turned to Adrian, rolling her eyes.

"Yes, Adrian. I'll be around, your cousins will be around, she'll have everyone around to take care of her. Plus, she'll have Emi."

Val watched as Ilessa wandered back over to them. Emi, younger than both Raziel and Ilessa, was easily distracted. Spotting her father pushed all other thoughts from her mind. Val smiled up at Ilessa, inviting her to join her and Adrian.

"You can leave her with us on Coruscant. I'll be free for some time since the battle."

Raziel scowled up at Emi, who was perched atop Huang's shoulders. Both children often fought over getting that spot, as the height offered them a thrill. The little girl burst into giggles, temporarily letting go of the band to play with the piercings on Huang's ears. It was a fascination she had had since she was small. Raziel's face lit up when Huang mentioned he would be able to beat him in a fight soon.

"Really?! I would be the best saber fighter in the whole galaxy!"

He was once again distracted by the form he had begun to learn, focusing extra hard. Emi, meanwhile, smiled widely at Huang, nodding excitedly.

"YES! I did it all by myself!"

Raziel stopped what he was doing, blinking at his sister.

"All you did was make them explode.."

"I DID NOT! They were floateded..."

Raziel prepared to use the Force to push her again, but quickly glanced up at his father. He looked down immediately, shooting a scowl at Emi that clearly accused her of lying. Emi stuck her tongue out at him. Val, meanwhile, overheard the Ataru comment.

"Don't even think about it!"

She remember all too well how many times she had fallen and gotten hurt when first learning the acrobatic form..

 

[Will]

Huang's face kept its grin as Emi played with his piercings, the metal pieces always fascinating her, even from a young age. He made sure she stayed on his shoulders, even when she let go of his headband, cradling her with the force. When she told him she had managed to float the orbs, he beamed proudly.

''You did?! Well done! I'll have to get the more delicate ones for you then.'' He chuckled slightly as Raziel and Emi fought. Sibling love. They were always competing with each other, claiming the others were lying. It could be tough, Huang could imagine Val could use the relaxation when she could grab it by Huang taking care of the children.

There was a crack as one of the piercings Emi was playing with fell apart. Huang took it in its hand, noting the clean break, as if along a weak point. He was distracted by Val's protest.

''Very well, we'll wait, won't we?'' He replied, smiling over.

Huang squatted down, whispering.

''Don't tell her. I'll teach you a bit tomorrow. The best sabre fighter in the galaxy deserves it, neh?''

He finally sat on the grass.

''Now, who wishes to hear the tale of the Jedi Master Sentzu, and his battle with the pirates of Galak IV?''

The children loved his stories, tales he had learnt when trawling the archives for information on the wielders of the blades he collected, and battles of famous Jedi.

 

[Ser Gregor]

Adrian turned to his daughter, seeing her wander over to them and sit down quietly beside her adoptive father. Hearing the last bit of Adrian and Val’s conversation, she gave them both a funny look.

“I’m staying with Emi?” she asked, clearly excited but equally confused.

Adrian nodded to Ilessa, smiling at her. “Only for a bit, love. I’ve got some... Jedi business to take care of, and Miss Karasu has offered to look after you while I’m gone. How about it, a nice change from your aunt Analia’s boring place, ehy?”

That made Ilessa smile. Analia lived by herself, and while her home was filled with amazing artefacts, it wasn’t a home for a six year old Kiffar.

“Yea!” she exclaimed, beaming smiles as she looked to Valena. “Thank you Miss Karasu!”

Getting up from the ground she ran over and wrapped her arms around Val’s neck, hugging her. She was a brazenly confident child, and it always through Adrian for a loop.

Sighing, Adrian rubbed his chin. “I suppose there’s no time like the present... You’ll come to the house for dinner, then we’ll pack Ilessa up and she’ll leave with you?”

 

[Sreeya]

Val smiled and nodded.

"Sounds like a deal. I-"

Val was distracted when Ilessa hugged her. She returned the hug. She always had a soft spot for Ilessa, the girl's smile always disarming and her astuteness always surprising. Val rose to stand, watching Adrian and Ilessa begin to leave. Emi immediately noticed.

"BYEEEE ILESSA! COME BACK SOON!"

Raziel did not say anything, simply waving. Val smiled, turning back to Huang and the two kids. The two of them were very intently listening to the story their father was telling them. Val walked over to plop down next to Huang, clearing her throat.

"None of this compares to the great tale of Valena Karasu and the three valiant Jedi that went up against the forces of darkness!"

The children looked ecstatic, Emi clapping her hands together excitedly. Val simply laughed, turning to Huang and smiling.

"We've missed you."