Decompression Exercise [zett, open]

[Mara]

(((Per request thread here– if you want in, post there or PM me…)))


[…from Back to Basics]

Swoosh. Swoosh. Whoosh. The brown plasteel rod cut through the still but warm dawn air. In her green-clawed hands, it sliced well-practiced patterns in front of and around her, deliberate as well as quick as a whip. At times she held it in a grip akin to a lightsaber, using it to hone her newly learned moves in Niman, adding in a few acrobatic jabs with Ataru. Others, spinning and twirling it end over end, both two-handed and one-handed, the stick appearing as a saw blade or commercial-grade fan blur. All were extensions of her body as she moved with the staff, oblivious to her surroundings except for her awareness in the Force.

A pile of heavy brown clothing lay in the tall grass a few meters from where she worked, barefoot. Once unfolded, they would reveal themselves into the telltale silhouette of a member of the Jedi Order. If one hadn’t already come to that conclusion upon seeing the silver lightsaber hilt laying on top of the soft heap next to a pair of worn black thigh boots, a second shorter brown rod, and a small shoulder pack. She was clad only in the rest of her simple Jedi attire that her robes normally covered: beige trousers, tunic, undertunic, and tabard. With hair the color of a starless night wrapped tightly against the crown of her green-scaled head, the young Knight was dressed for optimal movement and comfort.

She had arrived at the Citadel the previous afternoon with her padawan. They had spent an exhausting few days in the jungles of Caamas, training and bonding. It had been more mentally tiring than physically, but there had been those moments as well. The Falleen had planned on spending more time with her human student Larkin, but she had cut their trip short, deciding a change of pace and location was for the best. For various reasons, the temple on Coruscant was not an option, and so they had come to Seraphim for a long-overdue visit. As a member of the Jedi subgroup dubbed the Blades, she had been meaning to visit since joining up but hadn’t had the time until now.

Xierra Zalq hadn’t had much time to do any sightseeing in the magnificent white city the day before, with all the preparations she had to finalize for their stay there. However, she had noticed her padawan staring as they had walked through the streets and levels on their way to the temple at the top and their quarters there (after a brief stop at the medbay with the healers to make sure all was well). Whether Larkin had been looking in awe or in horror, she hadn’t been certain. He had grown up in a desert and wasn’t used to such grandeur. But she did hope that he would be relatively calm, despite the large population closed inside the Citadel. It wasn’t Coruscant, after all, and there was a fair number of flora and fauna outside the gates.

With all the busyness of packing up and departing their camp on Caamas, the flight to Seraphim and unpacking and getting settled in the temple, there hadn’t really been a chance to take a moment for herself and refresh. Though Xierra did have a new student to be responsible for now, a second chance, she didn’t feel she could be as effective as possible without spending an hour or two away from Larkin. Even Knights needed a bit of personal time. And after the various trying sessions with her padawan in the jungle, not to mention what had happened when they had encountered a behemoth, the Falleen wanted to do just that.

So she had woken before dawn and gathered her gear, departing their rooms at the temple. Leaving her still sleeping padawan with a note saying where she had gone and to find something to keep himself busy if he awoke before she returned, she had hiked down through the many levels of the Citadel and out through the gate into the surrounding meadows. The sun had rose, warming her reptilian skin, as she slowly made her way away from the towered city, finally stopping about a couple klicks from the nearest gate. Xierra had reveled a bit in the peace but not-so-quiet of the living Force around her before getting down to the business of working through her paces with her bo staff fighting rod, stripping off her cumbersome robe and other items.

[Adobi-Wan Kenobi]

Dan walked down the halls off the blades Head Quarters. He had joined them almost as soon as they formed, but he never actually came out here, so know while he seemed to be at a low point in mission activity, he had made the final push to actually get away from Coruscant and see what this place was like, so far the change in scenery had been very nice, and so far it was homey, he still hadn't made up his mind on weather or not he would gather his things and set up at the HQ. For now he felt it was still best to stay in the core for when the order would need a blade in those areas, and even though the war was in the outer rim at the moment, he felt soon he would be called on.

Dan found himself leaving the blades temple and passing the ship landing area, where his own fighter sat, technically only his due to the many upgrades he had made on it, but still he felt like it was his. Dan kept moving though, he had inspected the base itself, and the area surrounding it, but he still wanted to just wander, what he was looking for, or if he was even looking for something, but he felt like just walking... Which is what he did.

After several minutes he turned back to the the temple in the distance slightly now, he took a breath and smiled, the air was clean, fresh, crisp, That was one thing that made his so much better then Coruscant, Dan thought to himself. He had only been on Seraphim for a few hours and it was late, and for once, Dan wasn't scared to sit down on the ground. Slowly though, and unintentionally, he drifted from sitting, to meditating, to sleep...

---

The next morning...

---

As the sun rose over one of the hills and shone on Dan's face he smiled, before even opening his eyes, he remembered he had fallen asleep on the ground with the Citadel in the distance behind him.

His eyes opened to see a bird only a few feet from him, under normal circumstances, he would have been worried and be checking his pockets to see if all his belongings where still on him, but he knew that only Jedi where anywhere near him.

Another thought crossed his mind, he never would have done such a thing on Coruscant, because others would be wondering where he had went off to, granted he had few that checked in on him, but he did have a handful of friends.

He sat up and was reminded of why he was a blade, why he had chosen the path he did, because if not, the Sith would roam free, and planets such as these wouldn't be the beautiful and peaceful worlds they are.

Dan was then alerted to something not far from him. He could feel someone, another Jedi not far from him. He looked around for a moment before seeing movement at the top of the hill. Dan took a deep breath and stood up before walking up the hill and leaning on a near by tree. There was a Falleen practicing with what appeared to be a bow-staff, and it was obvious that she was a Jedi from both her attire and the fighting style she was using.

Dan cleared his throat and made a slight shout sense she was several yards from him, and the breeze was canceling out quite a bit of noise. "You know, your imagination only makes as good a foe as you can defeat..." Dan said in the same way his former master had spoken to him, he wasn't trying to counsel his fellow Jedi, but simply to get her attention...

[Mara]

(((WWFF – I decided to get things moving again here for Zett and I. Pop in when/if you can.
More details in request thread…)))


The Falleen Jedi had noticed the other Force user earlier, both with natural and Force senses, passing by him on her way to where she now found herself practicing with her bo staff. Not wanting to disturb the sleeping human, she had moved off a fair distance before making preparations and later settling down to the business at hand. She hadn’t felt any malice coming from him, despite his unconscious state, and had quickly deduced, taking her surroundings into consideration, that he was a fellow Jedi. Xierra had been confident in turning her back and focusing on her skills, leaving the other Jedi to rest.

She had been holding the staff in a one-handed grip, weaving it in front of her in well-honed defensive postures against invisible blaster fire, when at the edge of her awareness she had felt the change in the other Jedi off a few dozen meters away. He had awakened and was coming towards her, but she didn’t stop what she was doing. Even when the human male spoke to her, Xierra ignored him for the time being, pushing him out of her mind. The young knight didn’t like to be interrupted in the middle of one of her maneuvers and preferred to thoroughly finish with her current one before turning to acknowledge the new arrival.

With one last rapid jerk of the rod, she spun to face the human Jedi and stood still, the only movement coming from the ends of her tabard swishing in the short breeze of her motion. Xierra pointed the end of the staff towards the ground and relaxed her muscles, taking a couple steps towards the other Jedi, the soft grass cushioning her bare feet. Her dark eyes took in the man standing before her, and she lightly probed him with the Force, just a tickle at the perimeter of his mind, to get a vague sense of him. He was slightly taller than she, blonde, perhaps around her age, and she felt only an idle curiosity coming from him through the Force, not anything akin to a serious challenge.

Xierra nodded then, finally ready to acknowledge his words now that she had gotten a cursory read on the situation. “True enough. But without many hours of practice, the possibility of defeat is not an option.” The Falleen Jedi smiled a sharp-toothed smile at the human before striding over a few paces towards her pile of belongings and crouching down to open up the pack that was lying there. Pulling out a cylindrical canteen of water with her free hand, she lifted it to her lips for a brief drag. Still kneeling over the bag, she peered up to the other Jedi and lifted her brow ridges, questioning. “I have a couple ration packs. ”

[Adobi-Wan Kenobi]

Dan only smiled a bit when he was ignored, this was fine, he really hadn't expected her to drop everything for him, a rather strange and possibly unwelcome newcomer. When she finally did acknowledge him though he did smile and partly agree with her words, he pushed himself off of the tree he was leaning on and made a few idle steps toward the fellow Jedi.

Trust me, practice truly does make perfect, those words have no more a different application in the real world then they do for a Jedi...Me especially. Dan gave another smile, this time a humorous one.

When she took her drink Dan looked off over the edge of the hill where he could both see the temple and the other views that the world had to offer. When she offered him a bit of her food, Dan shrugged a bit, Rations may not have ever tasted at all desirable, but he hadn't eaten today as was likely obvious.

Thank you... Dan said with a bit of a smile once more, the slightly long pause was one that was inquiring of the fellow Jedi's name, Whom Dan still didn't know, which didn't matter much sense they where both Jedi and to him they needed know little else in order to trust each other. Names where still good though...

((OOC---Kinda meh, but I'm trying to rebuild my muse ATM.))

[Mara]

(((Sorry for getting to this so late…)))


When the human Jedi accepted her offer of a meal, she answered him with a brief head bob of acknowledgement to herself; she was only being polite and didn’t care whether he stayed or not. She then removed one of the packs and tossed it towards where he still stood and got one out for herself, setting it beside her on the grass next to her water canteen. Then Xierra pressed a clawed finger against the bo staff still in her hand, and the modified fighting rod telescoped down to a third of its size, matching the one already laying atop her discarded clothing. It joined its twin there after a quick and accurate throw from the Falleen Jedi.

After another glance to double-check her shoulder bag of supplies and to reassure herself of the proximity of her pile of gear, she got down to the business of her breakfast. Picking up her meal and her water, she got to her feet and padded through the tall grass a few meters away, keeping her belongings and the other Jedi in her sights. Finding a sufficient patch of sunlight to bask in, she sat down in a cross-legged position. She ripped open the ration pack, the action finishing a chemical reaction to rapid-cook the contents and releasing a not completely unpleasant aroma indicating a hearty stew. Xierra closed her eyes in pleasure for a moment and then dug in.

As she ate, she thought on what the human had said in response to her note that one needed plenty of practice before even the thought of defeating an opponent could enter one’s mind. The Falleen thought it a bit odd for a fellow Jedi to even mention that perfection was an attainable possibility. Xierra believed that she was always learning, always growing; there was no plateau, no end. Not only had her master taught her that but all her youngling instructors as well. Perhaps it had just been a poor choice of phrase on the man’s part, but she would operate as if he had meant it. Despite where the conversation might lead, she had decided to pursue it; after all, she had continued the topic by responding to him in kind in the first place.

Xierra swallowed another bite of the meaty stew and took along sip from her canteen, and then she turned her dark eyes on the other Jedi. “Perfection is not something I, as a Jedi, seek.” She wasn’t trying to scold him or put him in his place; she was merely stating her own opinion, her view on her chosen life path. If he took offense, it was not her fault. “Neither is it even an accessible goal. Practice may increase my effectiveness and ability in various tasks and pursuits, but as the years go by, there will always be more to learn. For anyone, even a Jedi.” The Falleen shook her head. “No, practice does not make perfect… practice makes one better equipped to handle the unexpected.”

[Adobi-Wan Kenobi]

Dan chewed a bit of his food slowly as she spoke, it hit him that once more in the in the company of a Jedi who likely didn't know what sarcasm was.

Dan swallowed the bite that he had thoroughly chewed before replying.

"Well...That's um... not Exactly what I meant. It was sarcasm, ya know, humor?" Dan asked a bit, before deciding to give up that conversation before it began, some Jedi where very different then Jedi, as if they could somehow suppress all natural Feelings, something Dan knew wasn't normal, even for a Jedi. Still he never intruded on the other Jedi's many differing opinions, so what if they didn't understand humor, they where still all members of the force, and that was more then enough of a bond for Dan to put up with, no matter how different they where from him.

He did think for a moment about what else to talk to her about, but for a few moments, nothing but the sound of him breathing, chewing, or unwrapping the bar could be heard from him.

He then thought of something rather suddenly to ask her about.

"Sooo, how long have you been out here today?"

[Mara]

She lifted unblinking dark eyes away from her meal and back up to stare at the other Jedi in silence after his comment. Her utilitarian spoon hung poised in the air halfway between her mouth and the small tray in her lap. He didn’t seem inclined to expound on his explanation, and so Xierra as well didn’t feel inclined to respond to it verbally. The Falleen, like most beings, was not immune to humor or sarcasm and had, of course, enjoyed many a moment in joy and laughter. However, she just hadn’t taken this man’s earlier words as anything resembling a joke, not catching it in his voice, nor did she believe it a proper topic for jocularity.

As he focused back on his own breakfast, Xierra finally returned to hers, enjoying the quiet without conversational interruptions. Though, it wasn’t completely still out in the field, if one really listened, especially a Jedi who could sense with more than just the normal senses. A light breeze rustled through the tall grasses from time to time with subtle cracklings. In the distance, there were the unmistakable grunts and rumbling calls of Seraphim’s native numme. In the copse of trees nearby, she could feel the movements of other small creatures. It was relaxing, sitting in the outdoors, letting the sun’s rays warm her blood—a brief respite from her padawan’s training.

The human Jedi spoke then, breaking into her peaceful contemplation. She glanced up at him before taking the time to finish off her stew, cleaning out her dish carefully and thoroughly. After, she set it beside her and reached a clawed hand for her canteen of water and raised it to her lips. But before she took a sip, Xierra shrugged nonchalantly, her eyes flickering to the man again en route to her water. “Around dawn.” Then she finished the motion and had a nice long gulp of water. It was quite a change in topic from their first exchange, so she hadn’t felt any qualms about answering his innocent curiosity.

Replacing the container back on the grass next to her, she rested her hands lightly on her knees, cupping them. The Falleen’s eyes had lost some of their hardness from before as they looked across to her unexpected morning companion. Two could play this game, and she had some interest of her own about this Jedi. It wouldn’t be fair for him to do all the asking and not get her own in. “What brings you here to Seraphim? You’re a Blade?” Xierra bent her head in the direction of the Citadel where the temple perched at the top of the white city. Newly arrived here herself, she had noticed a similar vibe emanating from this human.

[Adobi-Wan Kenobi]

Dan nodded a bit with her answer, she hadn't been there that long either then, perhaps this was the time of year for travels, but he shrugged it off as he took another bite of the food and then got ready to answer her question.

"Yeah, i'm a blade, been one sense they got going, but i never pushed myself to come out here yet, until yesterday." Dan said with a bit of a sigh as he gathered his thoughts a bit. "I generally stay to Coruscant mostly, but i was at a bit of a quiet point so i thought i'd come visit the base out here...it's nice..."

Dan said both in reference to the temple headquarters and the world itself, both of which where wonderful and beautiful. But for some reason he didn't think he wanted to stay around for longer then he needed. Mostly to stay in the place he knew well, and then perhaps just in his own mind in order to keeps the blades numbers spread across the galaxy, so that they couldn't all be targeted should anyone be dumb enough to bombard the blade headquarters someday. And also to be on call should a blade ever be needed closer to the core. Still his reasoning's where his own, and he had actually so far enjoyed his visit to Seraphim.

"You planning on staying?"

Dan asked now letting his eyes; that had been taking in the view, resettle on the Falleen. So far Dan was happy that he wasn't getting the cold look that some Jedi would give him, though the first words he had gotten in remark to his attempt at humor where almost as cold, yet he didn't give up so far, she was one of the only blades he had met beside himself, so that was something to count at the moment.

[Mara]

Xierra listened quietly to the man as he responded easily, apparently having fewer qualms about revealing personal details than she had. So he had joined back at the formation of the Blades. The Falleen knight had joined early on as well, putting her allegiance behind the ideals and beliefs of Master Took and the others. She had never met or seen this fellow sitting across from her; however, that was no great surprise. Though relatively new, the ranks of the Blades were significant and spread throughout the galaxy, and she could not possibly know each member face-to-face. Especially since he had said he was based out of the Coruscant temple and she herself had spent little time there in the past year or so.

She nodded at his compliment of the temple on Seraphim, at the top of the Citadel. Her gaze turned away from the human in front of her and off towards the white city. “Yes,” she found herself agreeing. Xierra rarely focused on material things and their aesthetic properties, usually having more pertinent and substantial matters to deal with. Nonetheless, there was something beautifully majestic about the temple here, surrounded by all the white stone of the Citadel, among all the rolling prairies of the planet. Coruscant and the temple there had its own important assets, but there was something to be said about leaving all the hustle and bustle behind.

Slowly she shook herself out of her reverie of comparing the two temples, getting her reptilian brain to focus back on her companion. With one last look at the Citadel, Xierra’s head straightened back out to look at him. She considered her words carefully before speaking. Not that she had anything to hide, but the Falleen wasn’t sure on her exact plans past the immediate future, nor did she want to reveal too much unnecessarily. Though a Jedi, the man was still a stranger to her. “For the time being. I’m hoping Seraphim will be less stressful for my padawan. Coruscant was very overwhelming for him. I want to continue some training exercises that were cut short on our trip to Caamas. But… she paused, shrugging. “But if the Force calls me elsewhere, I will listen and follow.”

[Adobi-Wan Kenobi]

He nodded, he had wished for a Padawan at times, then again also knew that he would likely be ill suited to teach one right now. He also did want to stay on Coruscant as much as possible, he liked it here on Seraphim, perhaps more then Coruscant, but Coruscant was still his home, and true enough as she said, if the forced willed something then Dan wouldn't fight it, just grin and bare it.

For now he returned his gaze to her, "So you have a Padawan, i hope his training goes well?" Dan asked not exactly sure how to approach something like that when he himself didn't have the experience in teaching students yet.

Dan sighed a bit, surprised now that the conversation had gotten this far without either asking the others name, but he had decided that just a simple fair conversation would be enough for him at the moment, he wasn't exactly sure if the two would grow a friendship or would even talk after this day, so he didn't think it necessary to create a first name basis with her unless she was to ask. Though that's not to say he didn't somewhat hope to talk with her again, she was after all the first blade he had met, and it would have been nice to keep in touch with those whom he met from the sub faction.

[Mara]

(((Again, I apologize for the delay…)))


She nodded in acknowledgement of her teaching status before looking away, dark eyes staring unseeing at the nearby grove of trees; her companion’s rather obvious statement, considering her earlier response, for once did not leave her feeling a bit annoyed at the unnecessary repetition. The male Jedi’s further inquiry into the status of her padawan’s training had reminded the Falleen knight of the boy’s problems. Xierra had hoped for a worry-free morning out in the fields, being one with the Force, practicing her moves. But unfortunately the time had come for her to confront her unease about Larkin’s difficulties once again; she could not hide from it forever.

Inhaling deeply and then slowly releasing the air in a way more akin to a sigh than a typical breath, she broke the temporary silence. It was an odd dynamic for the usually confident Falleen, talking over the gains and pitfalls of the training of her padawan with other Jedi. First, it had been Master Ka reassuring her, and the elder Togruta’s words had helped. However, Xierra knew a small bit of insecurity over Larkin’s future would always be there, and it had resurfaced over the course of the pair’s time spent on Caamas. And now this human, this unknown Jedi, had prodded at it again, forcing it back to the forefront.

Prying her gaze away from the landscape, Xierra refocused on the Jedi sitting before her. “I admit it could be going better. Every time I feel like he’s made some progress and that we’re getting somewhere, he takes a step back again. I mean, I…” she stopped, struggling for the right words to convey her frustration. She was uncertain why she was no longer afraid to reveal any details, or perhaps she just didn’t realize she was doing so until it was too late. Everything came pouring out without censor. “I know he has the potential with him, but something is holding him back. I’m not sure if he knows this consciously. But every little breakthrough is a battle against some unseen foe within his mind. And perhaps I have been a bit timid now and again with him, somehow needing to keep him close and not alienate him. Not wanting to lose him as I lost… my last padawan.”

At this, she lowered her head, looking into her lap and picking at the hem of her under-tunic with her clawed fingers. Xierra seemed to belatedly become aware of and regret the information she had just given away. The self-doubt regarding her ability to properly train her padawan and bring him up to speed with his peers, to help him work through his personal demons and blockages to his Force potential. Fear of not preparing him well enough for the trials ahead, his fate being that of fallen Zorn. “I apologize. I didn’t mean to—this wasn’t—you couldn’t— ” She moved a hand to push back a stray strand of black hair back into its knot and lifted her gaze. “I’m sorry for getting so—so personal. It’s not like me,” the Falleen knight ended lamely, shaking her head and sliding her eyes away from the human Jedi.

[Adobi-Wan Kenobi]

((OOC--- again.... no problem xD))

---

He listened to her open up, which was something he didn't mind at all. He brought his already crossed legs up toward his body and wrapped his arms around his knees as he listened to her. She eventually cut her self off and went on to scramble for words before apologizing. Dan shook his head to her for a second. He hadn't been able to find a suitable student yet himself, and in all honesty, he was giving up his search. He knew there were plenty out there, but he couldn't find one, worth anything.

"No,no Don't apologize. It's obviously important if it bothers you." Dan said, but didn't press the matter. "It's not exactly a bad thing to get... 'personal'..." He was sure to use the same word she had, but in this context, he meant it was alright to have SOME feelings. "... ya know." He finished the words he started, but shook his head, he had already decided not to press it and yet there he was, continuing on the same line of conversation.

He sighed a bit. "Still, i'm sorry your Padawan is having trouble." He glanced at her to see that she was now looking away from him too. He leaned back only slightly, knowing that there was nothing but his own arms clasped around his knees keeping his from falling all the way backward. So far he had enjoyed every moment of both the world, and the peaceful company of this woman he had been talking with. It was Ironic. He had so far had the most peaceful conversation he could remember, because he had visited a place put together for war. He smirked a bit, before glancing back at her again.

[Mara]

(((Hope you don’t mind the switch here…)))


With her face still turned away, a grateful smile tugged at the corner of her mouth after hearing his attempt to ease her discomfort with her outburst. To let her know it was all right to bear her soul from time to time, even if it was something that went against her character and personality. And though Xierra still regretted spilling her inner feelings out loud, especially to a relative stranger, it was reassuring that the other Jedi didn’t seem to feel compelled to ask her for details about the situation. If he had, she wasn’t sure what would have happened, but it probably wouldn’t have been good.

Xierra, now feeling somewhat more calm and returning back to her normal self, looked back to her companion. With a steady voice, she spoke, “Thank you. I appreciate that. I’m sure he’ll make a connection sooner or later. Something’s not worth doing if it’s not hard, right?” She smiled again, this time more widely and confidently. Then she unfolded her long legs and stood, effectively ending the current stream of topic. The Falleen knight was happy to put the whole awkward conversation behind her—them—and move on.

She stretched out her cramped muscles and lifted her head towards the sky, closing her eyes for a moment as she enjoyed the warming sunlight on her reptilian skin. Then she bent and cleared away their empty food containers, stuffing them in her bag that lay nearby. The Jedi would dispose of them properly once she returned back to the Citadel. Xierra remained kneeling by her things and took a long sip of her water canteen. Setting it back down, she glimpsed her pile of clothing, and an idea sparked in her mind, seeing the items arranged there.

Picking up a couple things, she strode barefoot through the tall grass back to the young man. Xierra was feeling newly invigorated by the sun and all the flora and fauna around them imbued with the Force, not to mention wanting a complete change of pace. And she needed to do something with this energy, to clear her head, before she rejoined her padawan. With a glint in her dark eyes, she tossed one of her fighting sticks to the other Jedi. “How about a friendly duel to get the blood flowing again?” She depressed the release catch on her own bo staff, extending it to its full length, and moved back a few feet and settled into a relaxed but defensive pose. “If you have time.” Her brow ridge rose.

[Adobi-Wan Kenobi]

((OOC--- No problem, was kinda expecting it actually lol))

---

He sat there as she slowly compiled her self again, and though it was obvious that something was on her mind and weighing heavy, he didn't know if helping, and asking more where the same path. So he remained silent as she came back to her normal self. or at least the normal self that he thought she was judging from the last few minutes of conversation. He looked up to the sun as she spoke, and chuckled slightly with her words. "Most times yes actually!" He nodded agreeing as she was standing, he was half expecting she would begin her walk back home, so he was taken back slightly when she invited him to a short and friendly duel. He nodded once more as he took the training rod that she tossed to him.

"I was beginning to wonder if you'd ever ask..." He again smirked showing the joke, as he glanced at the rod and tested it's weight and feel in his hand before holding it out. "I have plenty of time."

A duel wasn't expected of course. But he had to admit he didn't mind, especially not in such an area as beautiful as this rolling hills that they where currently in. It made him forget about the war, and the duties that awaited him back on Coruscant after he returned from his little "Personal Vacation." He spun the blade to his side a few times still testing it, but being confident in both the weapon and his skills. He knew it was only a friendly duel, likely only to pass the time he suspected. So he was fairly sure there was no need to actually go for a finishing blow unless he saw such a pattern from her. He nodded after little preparation. His skills truly lay in saber combat, so he was relatively sure he was ready for something this laid back.

"Your start!" Dan held his own low defensive stance as he slowly closed the gap between him and her.

[Mara]

(((*shakes off the rust* ...
Info on Xierra's bo staffs/fighting rods: App link)))


Xierra's dark eyes watched as the other Jedi strode closer to her position, showing none of the pleasure she had felt in his acceptance of her offer. The Falleen merely nodded. She hefted the staff in her hand, quickly falling back into the weapon's familiar rhythms; it became an extension of her body. With a quick flick of her wrist, she set the rod in a dizzying spiral, weaving figure 8's in the air to her side and in front of her. But then just as quickly, she stopped, lifted a bare green-skinned clawed foot in the air, and grinned at him, showing all her teeth.

In the next moment, she was in motion, and any being watching would be hard put to say when she had started. The Falleen had been standing still one second and was sprinting towards her opponent in the next, seemingly without any steps in between. A few wisps of black hair that had escaped her tightly twisted bun waved in the air near her face, the ends of her tunic and tabard whipping around her waist and thighs. In her right hand, she casually spun the staff as she moved forward to meet the other Jedi, keeping a light touch.

And then she was there in front of him, her legs planted under her, knees slightly bent. Xierra's left hand came up to grasp the other end of the fighting rod, initiating a traditional offensive stance back from her padawan days, training with her master and the new weapon. She jabbed the staff upward, aiming for the young man's neck. However, never really meaning or expecting to land a strike there, she braced herself for the impact of rod against rod, her mind a swirl with all her possible next moves.