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Jazen
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May 3, 2011 16:36:24 GMT -5
Post by Jazen on May 3, 2011 16:36:24 GMT -5
The future.....is often determined by the actions of the past. By the individual choices that men and women make in the course of their life.
One day you'll understand why I'm doing this.
Those choices are shaped by the individual's unique perspective to the world around them and as a result of their responses to people or things they come into contact with.
Why can't I protect those I want to protect?!
Because of these choices, an individual is started down one of a thousand paths, each one the same in most aspects, others completely different. And it could be through the simplest choice, whether to go left or to go right, that determines how that path is formed and where it may lead. Everyone faces these choices and these always changing roads.....there is no such thing as predetermined fate.
How....why would you do this? We were friends weren't we?
But before we can look to the future, to what the actions of an individual may effect, we have to return to the past. This is a story that begins long ago....but the direction of the story begins six years prior to our time. To the time when one man saw good become bad....and was changed forever because of it.
Jazen, NO!
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3607 BBY - Jedi Temple - Coruscant - 20:17
The city of Coruscant was always a site to behold, whether one had lived there all their lives, or were experiencing it for the first time. A planet completely turned into an urban metropolis, where life from all ends of the galaxy came together in peace. Well, not always peace, for there would always be a clash of ideals here, a bar tussle there, rivals clashing in the city's many streets and backways. But for the most part, Coruscant was the center of unity for the galaxy. And those clashing upon the planet's surface were often dealt with by the collective police force assigned to govern such a world, along with the upstanding Republic that protected it.
But there was another force that helped to keep the peace; a special order that dedicated themselves to protecting the weak, to keep the laws and peace on not only Coruscant, but all worlds across known space and to defending the light against the dark. These individuals were gifted with the most amazing of abilities; a connection to the all encompassing spiritual power known to most as the Force. Not something one could hold in their hands, nor really see with their eyes, an invisible power that touched everyone but only these individuals could wield it for the greater good. They were known as the Jedi Order. And here, on the bustling world of Corsucant, sat their greatest home, the massive Grand Temple. Home to hundreds, no, thousands of Jedi both young, old and somewhere in the middle.
And it was from one of the many windows the temple had out looking the city that one such Jedi was watching the sun slowly vanish over the horizon. Nightfall was coming, Tylan silently mussed to himself, though the disappearance of the sun did not promise for a curtain of darkness over the planet. Coruscant, even in the dark of night, always glowed brightly to those who looked upon it, whether it be from the void of space or from the ground upon which he stood at this moment. Amazing what millions of buildings all lighting up did to keep even the night sometimes as bright as the day.
This was always Tylan's favorite time of day. Dusk always seemed to find a place in his heart, as the light faded in the distance as the dark slowly crawled up in its place. And yet, it wasn't entirely either light or dark at dusk but rather a collective blend of them both. Much like dawn, but he preferred to watch the sun fall rather then rise. It was always often cooler at times like this...random, perhaps, but there was something to be said about a cool breeze blowing through one's hair as the greatest source of heat slowly slipped away from sight. It also reminded him of when the Jedi first came from him.....the sun just setting on his home world all those years ago, the Jedi coming to take him away to learn the ways of the Force. There was pain at those thoughts, as there always was when remembering the passing of his father in those waning days...but the thoughts always passed. Most of the time.
But the time for those thoughts wasn't now. Now it was time for a different kind of thought. The thoughtful pondering and amusing thoughts that came from watching the next generation in their training. Turning from the window, Tylan glanced down to the floor below him, where a small class of students were training diligently among each other as one of the overseers moved amongst them, studying their moves and giving them direction. Dressed in the formal Jedi attire, which was the ugliest color of robe he always admitted, he watched the students train.
Long indigo colored hair flowed down to his back, held together firmly in a ponytail by a few well placed clips. His own saber, a shorter handle then most would like yet with a unique shape and design of his own making designed to resemble the tooth of a Krayt Dragon in a metallic form, was clipped nicely to his waist for all to see. And those purple eyes, a unique gene he had inherited from his mother, studied them all flawlessly as he also felt them, gently, with the Force. Each of the students below were coming to that age when they would be chosen, hopefully, by an older Jedi to be their apprentice and student. And those that didn't...well, they had a least one more year to earn a chance. And if then they didn't succeed, they would not be wasted. Their talents would merely be used in one of the four branches connected to the Order. A waste that is though; they spend half of their lives or more doing the best they can just to go work a field. If only I was gifted enough to take them all under my wing.
Which he was gifted, very much so. But not enough to train that many students....by the gods, he'd likely go mad. But he could still train several before his time passed and for the moment, his eyes were focused on finding that one. And there was a particular one with snow white hair that was starting to stand out to him......
Footsteps behind him, despite how the source of those footsteps tried to make them quiet, caught his ear, just as his senses picked up an all too familiar presence coming up behind him. A slow grin slid across his face, but he did not turn from his watch. Instead, he waited, patiently, for the presence to come closer and closer, obviously trying to sneak up on the older Jedi, until it was inches away. And then, without warning, the older Jedi's voice suddenly found purchase, his tone both light and yet loud enough to hopefully surprise his young friend.
"You know Locke, generally when trying to sneak up on someone, you do so quietly. Your doing well...." he said, turning to the young man that was just behind him now..."but your still as loud as a rancor. Best of luck next time." He was smiling fully now, a light chuckle slipping from his throat, as he dropped those purple eyes on him. "How are you my young friend? Staying out of trouble I hope?"
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Rugs
The ring-dang-doo, now what is that?
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May 4, 2011 13:47:21 GMT -5
Post by Rugs on May 4, 2011 13:47:21 GMT -5
Another day was coming to a close on Coruscant. The air grew cooler, the skies darker as night drew his cloak across the clear skies. But if the great sprawling metropolis noticed, it didn't show any sign of it. Lights glared brightly, the airways were still choked with speeders as people went on about their business. The people of Coruscant, the blood within the beating heart of the Republic, had long since beaten back the night.
At the great Temple, the heart of the Jedi Order, a young man sat outside. He was at the Processional Way, perched on the base of one the four great statues, back against a massive ankle with one leg folded up and the other hanging off the side. His face was young and clean shaven, with a padawan's braid hanging down from his neatly-trimmed hair. He had eyes the same dark grey as thunderheads, with a clever, mischievous twinkle to them.
Locke Nemsee, his name was. He was one of the many padawans within the Order, though he was an old one; his twenty-first birthday had passed less than a week ago. Presently he watched the darkening skies, enjoying the cool breeze that came with the falling night.
He'd always liked the night. Not for any reason to do with the light dying or fading away for a time. No, Locke liked the night life. Even though he was a Jedi. In spite of being a Jedi. He was an Investigator in training, following in the steps of his Iktotchi master, and he'd spent many, many nights out in Coruscant's streets at night. Frequenting clubs and cantinas to work on establishing a network of contacts. Learning how to blend into the populace to see things and act as a normal person, rather than a Jedi. All of these things served a purpose for his further edification, and Locke was well aware of that, but still, he liked it.
Besides, this young Jedi was decidedly a city-slicker.
Time to get back in.
He swung his legs over the statue's side and smoothly hopped down to the walkway below. He stuffed his hands into his robe pockets and made his way back inside the Temple, wondering what he'd do for the rest of the night. There was a wealth of free time available to him, after all. Ol' Tiino--as he called his master--had been summoned to a meeting among high ranking Investigators, and he'd given Locke the night to do as he pleased.
Maybe I'll go out into the city, he thought with a devious little smirk. Technically, it wasn't kosher for a padawan, not on their own or without permission. But Locke was nearly a Knight. Sides, only illegal if I get caught.
Not now, though. Perhaps later. For now he'd wander around, or maybe go look for a friend of his. Wonder what Ty's up to. Haven't seen him in a while.
So it was settled. Perhaps he'd go on his little adventure later, but for now, he'd find his friend.
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It hadn't taken too long to find Tylan. He was a few floors up in the Temple, watching some of the younger Jedi train from on overlook. Best of all, Locke found him with his back turned. He grinned at that and took it on himself to play a little game.
He slowed his walk, moving quietly on his feet, and started to pull his presence down into itself. Concealment was a power he was still learning, and far from perfecting, but he could do enough to make it harder for someone who wasn't paying attention to notice him.
Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, Tylan was rarely unattuned to his surroundings. He didn't give any hint that he noticed Locke, and Locke almost let himself think for a moment that he'd actually managed to sneak up on the older Jedi.
"You know Locke, generally when trying to sneak up on someone, you do so quietly. You're doing well... but you're still as loud as a rancor. Best of luck next time."
Caught again. "Loud as a rancor to you, maybe." Locke grinned at Tylan when the Knight faced him and let his Concealment fall away. "I think I coulda got most people though." He chuckled softly as he walked over to stand beside his friend, and leaned on the rail to look at the students training down below.
Tylan was a good friend, one that Locke counted as one of his best, even though he was several years Locke's elder. Though he was.... different than many other Jedi, Locke didn't mind. He was the Jedi Locke looked up to the most, after his master. He was smart, and strong, and very skilled. Even though he'd never bested the Knight in a spar, Locke often challenged him, as a way to measure his own progress. One day he hoped to be as good a Knight as Tylan.
"How are you my young friend? Staying out of trouble I hope?"
His braid brushed lightly over his shoulder as he turned to look at Tylan. "I'm well enough, I guess. Not much to complain about. Ol' Tiino says it's getting close to time for me to start turning my attention to focusing on the Trials." He laughed softly. "Still got at least a year to go, but still, hard to believe I'm almost there."
"And what do you mean, staying out of trouble?" he added with a wry grin for his friend. "If you mean trouble like what happened on the trip to Manaan, sure. But, if you mean like sneaking out of the Temple, well..." The mischief twinkled in his stormy grey eyes again. "Well, I haven't been caught in a while." Nor had he been caught in his occasional drinking adventures in cantinas. But Tylan didn't need to know about that.
"What about you, Ty? Been a while since I've seen you. Not since I was still twenty."
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Jazen
Beelzaboot
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May 4, 2011 17:06:52 GMT -5
Post by Jazen on May 4, 2011 17:06:52 GMT -5
A warm laugh came from the elder Jedi at the young Locke's comment as he turned back to watch the children sparring below. The boy at his side was known by the name Locke Nemsee, a young man about seven years his junior. No wait....it was six now. Locke had just turned twenty one a little over a week ago, bringing him one step closer to Tylan's age...and to the coming trials he would soon undertake.
Tylan had met the boy years ago, when he'd first been chosen as a padawan learner. His master, Tylan's fellow knight and comrade Tiino, had brought Tylan along that day when he'd gone to select his apprentice, mainly because the Jedi was nervous about having to select just one of the many skilled up and comers of Locke's generation to take as his own. Much like the problem that was presented before him now, although Tylan had spent much time watching and preparing for this day. He'd let Tiino go alone to tell him the news, though, slipping into the shadows of the day and the Force to watch the pair connect. It was always interesting seeing what a pairing of two individuals would create....and the two of them were no different.
"Oh no, I'm pretty sure all the kids down there heard you coming too." He was jesting of course, as he often did when he saw Locke...or any other younger Jedi for that matter when the mood was right. And he knew Locke could return the favor in spades. Lifting his eyes from the kids to listen to Locke answer him, he calmly gave him light smile and a pat on the shoulder as the last of this words drifted away.
"Ah, I bet he's drilling you day and night to get you ready then. The Trials are rather no picnic, even for me when I had to take them. Okay well...maybe they "were" a little bit easier, but that's a secret between you and me. Wouldn't want to put ideas in anyone's head."
Another laugh came from Tylan when Locke told him he'd been good lately...as far as anyone knew because he hadn't been caught yet. Tylan gave him a look that made it seem like that surprised him....for a moment. Then his grin returned as he found himself unable to keep a straight face about the matter. It actually wasn't that much of a shock to Tylan; Locke was training to become an Investigator Jedi. And part of being an investigator was being able to blend into your surroundings, to become one of the many people wandering about their everyday lives, as if he were not a Jedi at all. It was also the reason he was practicing the art of Concealment, which he had tried a moment ago. The fact that he hadn't been caught going out, was to Tylan, a good show that he was developing the skills needed to be who he planned to be.
"Yes, not caught at all. Though you never know; maybe their waiting to pile up all the times they caught you at once? Heh, though I doubt that part even more. If you'd been caught, I'm sure it will be all over the temple by now, what with how our young friends love to gossip.
As for myself....well, nothing more then your usual Shadow business. Go out, do something sneaky that no one else can do and report back before any even noticed you were gone. And of course, I can't tell you what that is; part of being a good Shadow is being just that. A Shadow that rises with the sun and vanishes with the moon. Always there at your back, yet your so used to it being there that you hardly ever notice.
But, onto something we can talk about. Like the weather or your training or the generation of Jedi trainees busting their collective hides below to prepare for "that" day. Since I never did give you a gift for your twenty-first, I'll let you decide what today we speak about. But if you tell me one more time about what Tiino does in his off time, I'll throw you down to train with the apprentices." HIs eyes were serious, but his unmistakable smile still lined his face, portraying the lightness with which he said the words, as he waited for Locke to pick the flavor of the day.
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Rugs
The ring-dang-doo, now what is that?
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May 5, 2011 2:28:55 GMT -5
Post by Rugs on May 5, 2011 2:28:55 GMT -5
"Ah, I bet he's drilling you day and night to get you ready then. The Trials are rather no picnic, even for me when I had to take them. Okay well...maybe they "were" a little bit easier, but that's a secret between you and me. Wouldn't want to put ideas in anyone's head."
Locke chuckled softly under his breath at his elder friend's statement. "Yeah well, don't worry about that, Ty. Can't all be prodigies, y'know." His words were joking and light. Friendly. But there was some truth to them. Locke knew very well--perhaps more so than many other Jedi--how strong Tylan was. All his sparring with the older man hadn't been for nothing, after all. So it didn't come as a complete surprise to hear Tylan say that he'd had an easier time than most with his Trials. Even if he meant it teasingly.
"But yeah, Tiino's been ridin' my ass about the Trials. 'You have to start getting ready now, Locke,'" he recited, imitating his master's voice. "'The Trials will test you to your core, show you the essence of what is means to be a Jedi. They aren't easy, and they aren't to be taken lightly.'" Locke's eyes flicked up to look at Tylan and he flashed a wry little smirk. "Hell, never thought I'd hear him go so many words without a swear in there somewhere." Tiino's foul mouth was well known among the Jedi. Just as Locke's was beginning to be.
But things were going well enough in his preparations. They'd ramp up as the time drew nearer, but Locke was making good, steady progress.
He looked back to the students down below and watched the practice amongst themselves as Tylan continued to speak. He chuckled again at the response to his talk of sneaking out; he'd expected a bit of ribbing from that. He nodded as Tylan spoke of his own work. The man was one of the Shadows, part of the sister branch of the Investigators. Though their jobs differed, they held several similarities, and Tylan's experience from the Shadow side, combined with Tiino's expertise as an Investigator, had been helpful to Locke during his training.
"Since I never did give you a gift for your twenty-first, I'll let you decide what today we speak about. But if you tell me one more time about what Tiino does in his off time, I'll throw you down to train with the apprentices."
"Oh, I dunno Ty," Locke started wryly, "those kids look pretty young. I think I'd do alright." He shook his head slightly, his braid bobbing lightly from the swaying.
"But I dunno..." He shifted the way his weight was leaning on the railing and lifted a hand to scratch at his chin. The skin was bare, kept that way because he was still a student. When he was a Knight though, he'd have a beard. If he did nothing else, he'd have a beard.
"Well,what brings you here, watching the students? I'd think a Shadow like you would be off doing... Shadow-y things. You just burnin' time?" He turned his head in the hand he'd rested it on. He looked up to Tylan with a knowing spark in his eye. "Or you actually startin' to think on taking a learner? What," he laughed, "m'I not a good enough one for you?" Again, Locke was kidding, but there was some truth to his words. While the vast majority of what he learned came from Tiino, Tylan had taught him a fair few things, either directly or indirectly.
"I couldn't do that," he went on, looking back to the young ones below. "Ol' Tiino says I'll be a good Knight, but I don't think I could teach someone." Locke laughed and shook his forehead, laying his forearm back on the rail to lean against it on them both once again. "Force help us both if I ever do take a student.
"Oh." He turned to Tylan and smirked a little bit. "And you know since I'm here I'm gonna have to challenge you again, right?" Even if the end result would be the same as all the other spars. It wasn't about winning or losing, not in this case. Locke wanted to test himself, see how far he was progressing against someone that wasn't his master. Tylan was perfect for that, even if their matches were always a little one-sided. At least it could never be said that Locke didn't like a challenge.
But that could happen later. Right now he just wanted to talk and catch up.
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Jazen
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May 5, 2011 21:19:41 GMT -5
Post by Jazen on May 5, 2011 21:19:41 GMT -5
"Yeah well, don't worry about that, Ty. Can't all be prodigies, y'know."
Tylan silently agreed with the young Locke to this, nodding his head as his grin continued to line his face, his eyes still watching the floor below. He knew Locke was only joking to a degree about that, yet there was that veil of truth that the tone stood before. Ever since coming to the Order, Tylan had progressed much faster then most of his fellow Jedi in his training. Everything that he had been taught just came so easily to him, stuck to the parts of his brain that it needed to stick to. He was flawless when it came to matters of debate, or situations where a quick and wise tongue were a more effective method then swinging a glowing stick of light and death. He was intelligent, quick, proficient in the use of a blaster and even more so with his saber.....and just to throw it in there, he was stunning to look at. Being part Hapan, that part wasn't a surprise.
But he had to admit, Locke was coming along nicely. The young knight to be was smart, charming, just as quick with his tongue as he was with his saber. And over the years, he'd watched as the young man grew from a fledgling boy who barely could hold his saber when Tylan got a little bit serious to someone he could duel with a much greater degree of focus. He still wasn't ready to go full tilt with him though; if Tylan ever had to do that, he knew he was an old man being surpassed by the younger generation. And he wasn't that old yet.....he thought so anyway.
"Yes, I imagine Tiino's found that stick he's locked away from his time with a master and started smacking it against your backside too. Be as sharp as the wind, as fast as lightning, flow like water, as strong as the earth and as fierce as fire. Or something like that...in the end, he is right. You have to be the best you can be to pass the trials....but I don't think he needs to worry too much. You're a fine Jedi. I'm sure you'll pass with flying colors. Just do remember; he's building up for when you pass. Be ready for an explosion of the foulest words you can think of when that day comes. Its all out of love though, I'm sure."
Tylan's eyes fell on the white haired boy again for a moment, watching him as he took to the air against his foe. It was a risky move....and yet, he'd made it at the right time, as his foe was committed to a strike. The boy landed, turned, and held the training saber to the other boy's side, an indication that the duel was done. Tylan smiled as he watched the trainer give the boys a nod before making them switch partners.
"Careful Locke. The first rule of a fight is never go in thinking your going to win for sure. Believe you can win, have the will to do...but never get cocky about it. You'll have a saber up your backside in no time if you come in that way.
Now Locke, you know as well as I do that I can only do so much for so long. Even Shadows need a breather now and then. Besides, then I get to bother and tease you as much as I want to kill time. And that's worth something in the long run. And don't be jealous....you've learned a few tricks from me here and there and lord knows you've tested your skills against mine so many times that I've lost count. Not really, but you get the idea. But for all that, you are Tiino's student and he has colored you his colors. So now its time for me to consider coloring one with mine. Gotta do what I can to make sure the next generation is as strong willed and quirky as you after all...minus the foul tongue Tiino seems to enjoy infecting you with of course."
Taking his eyes away from the action, Tylan turned to face Locke again, pushing the hair from his bangs out of the way of his eyes to watch the boy, his arms folding across his chest. A small frown took the place of his smile when he heard Locke question being able to take a student in the future. "They'd said Tiino would never be a good teacher...and yet lo and behold, here you stand, all grown and raised proper...ish. Never doubt your own ability. I'm sure you'll help raise another fine and hopefully less foul mouthed pupil. Though it would be amusing to see how long that line of teaching continues....."
"And oh, a challenge now? Come now, we just ran into one another. More talk now, beating you can come later. Errr.....seeing how much you've come along I mean. Yes, that's what I meant......so how's old Tiino doing anyway? I assume still breathing toxic breath with every conversation?"
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Rugs
The ring-dang-doo, now what is that?
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May 6, 2011 12:46:18 GMT -5
Post by Rugs on May 6, 2011 12:46:18 GMT -5
Locke looked back to the class below as Tylan spoke. It was good to be with his old friend again, to talk with him and learn from the experience he had. To Locke, Tylan was nearly like a second master; he was an older, stronger brother.
"They'd said Tiino would never be a good teacher...and yet lo and behold, here you stand, all grown and raised proper...ish. Never doubt your own ability. I'm sure you'll help raise another fine and hopefully less foul mouthed pupil. Though it would be amusing to see how long that line of teaching continues....."
Locke chuckled softly. "Did they?" He glanced to Tylan, then looked back down the students below. A boy with white hair caught his eye for a moment, if for no other reason than the way his hair made him stand out. An Echani, perhaps? No, he saw the kid's eyes. They were purple; Echani usually had some form of light blue. And he didn't look pale enough...
"Well, Tiino's a good Knight." He huffed a chuckle. "Guess he'll be a Master once I'm through the Trials. He's smart and strong, and a great duelist and one of the best shots in the Order." Locke nodded slightly at that last one. Tiino was a masterful shot with his pistols, and he'd trained Locke into a damn fine gunman himself, along with his growing prowess in Makashi and the beginning steps of Soresu. He'd even taught Locke how to use both saber and pistol at once.
"I dunno, I just don't know if I could be everything a master should be for my student." He shrugged slightly, looked at Tylan again from the corner of his eye. "But we'll see, I guess. Could always just call on you two for help if I ever get stuck with one, eh?"
"And oh, a challenge now? Come now, we just ran into one another. More talk now, beating you can come later. Errr.....seeing how much you've come along I mean. Yes, that's what I meant......so how's old Tiino doing anyway? I assume still breathing toxic breath with every conversation?"
Now Locke stood up from where he leaned on the rail and smirked deviously at Tylan. "Careful, Ty? What was it you just told me? Something about coming into a fight already thinking you're going to win and getting a saber up your ass?"
His expression shifted to a more innocent one as he threw his arms out to either side to stretch. His lightsaber and pistol, both hanging from his belt, tapped softly against each other as he moved. "I mean, I can't talk from experience, but I bet it hurts.
Besides," he flashed another grin as he started to walk across the hall to look at the darkening skies through one of the great windows, "wouldn't wanna get beat by a padawan, wouldja, Ty? That would just be embarrassing."
It was fun to joke about it, but Locke knew the odds of that happening were nearly nonexistent; the gulf in strength between them was simply too large. He'd asked Tylan to fight him for real once, to fight him like he would an older Knight. Just once. The memories of some of the bruises he'd ended up with still made him cringe. Still, even if Tylan held back, Locke planned to make the older Jedi work for his win. He knew Tylan would expect nothing less.
"Anyway, Tiino's fine. At a meeting with a lot of other Investigators now, actually. Something about rumors of the Sith Aristocrats stirring out in the Outer Rim. Sure you've heard something about it from the Shadows.
"I dunno what to think about it, really." Locke turned from the window, walked to a column and leaned against with his arms folded across his chest. "I mean, the Republic's let them grow out there. Been good for both of us. Why bite the hand that feeds you?" He shrugged slightly. "Then again. Not the first time rumors have come back that the Sith are planning to do something. Nothing happened the other times. Probably won't be the last."
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Jazen
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May 8, 2011 13:07:52 GMT -5
Post by Jazen on May 8, 2011 13:07:52 GMT -5
"Well, Tiino's a good Knight. Guess he'll be a Master once I'm through the Trials. He's smart and strong, and a great duelist and one of the best shots in the Order."
Tylan slowly rose an eyebrow at Locke's comments about his Master...and had to silently agree. In their order, once a Jedi knight who had taken an apprentice had trained and seen them through to becoming a knight themselves, the order granted them the rank of Master. How there were less masters then knights always struck Tylan as odd, seeing as logically there should be a knight for every master if they raised them....but then again, masters themselves also trained new knights. So that was likely the reason.
And Locke was spot on about what the others thought of Tiino. The man was second to none with that blaster of his and he was always a worthy partner when Tylan needed some light or intense sparring. The man was as quick as his mouth could be foul, so he was a great partner for when Tylan needed to test the efficiency of his Soresu against a faster attacking foe. Not that he told Locke, but a great way to test your Soresu was to fight against multiple opponents, which was what Tiino had suggested to him once when he was younger. So from time to time, with Tiino watching, he'd sparred against several students or fellow knights at once....he hadn't lost yet. Not technically.
"Aye, that he is. I'd best get ready then; once he becomes a Master when you pass the Trials, I'll never hear the end of it. At least, until I raise one of my own." Smiling, he patted Locke on the shoulder when the younger man doubted if he could be like his own Master one day, lightly, just lightly, patting the man with positive feelings in the Force. "Well, you've got a year till you actually become a knight and as much time as you need after that before you take one yourself. One day my young friend, you'll be a great and foul tongued Master, just like your own. And if you ever need it, I'm sure me and him will be glad to assist. So long as you don't call us every day of course."
Tylan huffed a laugh when Locke returned his words from earlier, using them just as effectively as Tylan had used them himself. The boy was smart, there was no doubt about that. Not Tylan smart, those were few and in between. But wise enough to be a great verbal jesting partner or debater. And to get himself out of trouble, or rather, stay out of it. "Ah, I never said I would win Locke. I said I would beat you, which could imply that I'd heartily be winning for a while, then you come from behind with a victory. As for in contrast to what I said earlier, we've sparred many a time, so we have a feel for each other. My words are from experience in winning against a familiar foe; it doesn't apply when facing an unknown. But touche my young friend, touche."
He let Locke continue for a bit more, nodding to his words and listening intently, while watching the class below continue into a faster paced and more instense training session. Ah, to be young and have a simple life. Yes, a simple life. Before the danger and lessons that being out in the world as a Knight was accustomed to. They'd learn soon.....they always learned soon. He smiled when Locke spoke of beating him, knowing that the young man was joking. He'd asked, once, for Tylan to fight him for real. Tylan had obliged. Locke had spent about a week recovering from the fight and Tiino had not stopped laughing or barking at them both for it. It was an interesting week.
"Ah yes, so that's what that collective group was going to. It makes sense; the Shadows just gave them our reports on the matter. It was one of the tasks I've been working on, investigating those rumors from the shadows, in the places an Investigator just simply could not go." Tylan remembered clearly all the nights of stealing through the night, following leads, going to some of the worst places the galaxy had to offer to find out all that he could about what was happening just beyond the reach of the Republic's arm. Tylan had quite a few new bruises and scars from that year. Quite a few.
"Yes and that was likely what the Republic did wrong. The Sith Aristocrats all have one thing in common and that's that they're greedy and selfish. We may have been content with letting them stew out there in the Outer Rim, but there is no doubt that they have not felt the same. It was the same with the Sith in the past, it will be the same with them in our era. It may be another false alarm this time, just like all those other times.....and it may not. Either way, we must treat it as if it were serious and be ready. Its as simple as that." But if what they'd discovered rang true, he thought to himself, then the galaxy is about to face its greatest threat in many years.
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Rugs
The ring-dang-doo, now what is that?
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May 9, 2011 15:28:09 GMT -5
Post by Rugs on May 9, 2011 15:28:09 GMT -5
Locke nodded quietly as Tylan spoke, answering his thoughts about the Sith Aristocrats and their stewing out in the Outer Rim. He even added his own thoughts; thoughts that Locke was sure the older Jedi wasn't alone in holding. He'd even had some similar thoughts, late at night, on the occasion when sleep was hard to find.
Did that mean they were right? Was the Republic wrong to allow the Aristocrats to fester like a cancer and gather political strength? And if the Republic was wrong, if the Sith truly wanted to expand their influence, as Tylan believed, where could that lead?
Locke wasn't a particularly spiritual man, compared to some other Jedi, but he offered a silent prayer to the Force that Tylan was wrong.
"Yeah..." he said with a quiet sigh. "Hopefully it's nothing, though. I mean, at this point, they probably don't plan on going away. And if they start causing trouble..." He shook his head slightly, looked up at Tylan with concern in his eyes. "Where does that lead? To us losing ground in some treaty? To another war?" It made his heart heavy, thinking of things like that. He hoped, as he was sure every Jedi did, to serve the Republic in a time of peace for his lifetime. Fate, however, often cared little for the wants and wishes of a people.
Locke sighed again. This was far too dreary a topic. And he'd been having such a nice day, too. He shook his head one last time and moved from the column back to stare out the massive window, up into the darkening skies and the Galaxy he knew lay beyond. "If it comes to that, then hopefully it'll just go like that attack the Mandalorians launched a few decades back. Quick, easily dealt with and done. And at least this aren't the real Sith, like Revan and Malak. Just a bunch of imposters with money..."
He looked to Tylan over his shoulder and grinned like the boyish young man he was. "I mean, with you me and Tiino on the Republic's side, it'd have to be that way, right?" He chuckled. "Not that a Jedi should think like that, of course...."
Locke turned around again and hopped up to sit on the windowsill, propping one leg up on the base of it and leaning his back against the side. He decided to change the topic to something that wasn't so dreary, and idly wondered if Tylan would want to go out into the city later. He could ask once they'd sparred. "So whaddya see down there with the kids practicing. Any hope for the future of the Order? Another little prodigy to follow in your steps?"
Then he paused, pursed his lips and furrowed his brows. "Oh, that reminds me. Tiino says I'm making good progress on my Soresu work." He grinned a bit, knowing how good Tylan was with Soresu; as good as Tiino. Maybe even a little better, even if both were masters of the form. "Thought you might want to know, considerin' it's your form of choice and that you might as well be my second master." Locke grinned. He was kidding again. Sort of.
"Not quite an durasteel wall like you or him yet, but I'm getting there."
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Jazen
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May 10, 2011 23:15:12 GMT -5
Post by Jazen on May 10, 2011 23:15:12 GMT -5
Tylan didn't need the Force to know the inner debate his words had sparked within Locke; his face told the whole story as his normally mischevious smirk faded away, a flat line taking its place. Tylan didn't blame the young Jedi for his worries. If he was right, then it would be Locke's generation of knights that faced what could be the greatest threat to the galaxy in millenia. And as much as he wanted to sugar coat it and believe in happy ending, in the power of the light and the Jedi.....Tylan knew that if such a thing happened, good people would die.
Likely the very generation of knights that his comrades had spent the better part of years training.
The thought was not a pleasant one for the older Jedi, though it didn't show on his face, nor would Locke be able so sense anything wrong. It was what Tylan was good at, hiding his true thoughts and emotions from those around him.Including the thought that if he was indeed right, then Locke and his fellow soon to be knights, along with the Order as a while, would for once have a chance to prove that the light side of the Force was better to follow then the dark. A chance for the new warriors to prove themselves, to pave the way for their era and the generation they would train themselves.
Again, if he was right in his musings. He should have prayed to be wrong. But he didn't. He prayed for them to be right. And it scared him that he thought that way.
Once the younger Jedi had spoken his peace, every word slowly dragging the aura around the man into an ever darkening tone, Tylan reached over and patted Locke firmly on the shoulder, a reassuring pat. Tylan may have found himself silently wishing for the matter..but Locke truly wished such a thing never happened. It was what Tylan should have been thinking. At least Locke applied quick logic and hope to it after, a good sign that his mood over the matter would fade soon enough. Tylan had already run through those bits and possibilities many a times before, but it was nice to see the younger generation were able to do so themselves.
"In the end, the Force will be our guide, not the wills of some cowardly old men with men, or even the dignified men with money. We're Jedi. We keep the peace and do what we can in times of great need. We answer only to the Force in reality; the help we offer the Republic to quell these things is what the Force guides us to do. And if that's what it guides us to do, then surely everything will turn out fine.
Besides, its as you say. When the three of us go a roaming, then nothing, be it Sith nor Mandalorian nor grubby politician can stand in our way. So stay strong and keep your focus on the present my young ward. Your next step is the Trials and mine is an apprentice; anything else we can deal with after."
His eyes followed Locke as the man moved to take up a new position, noting his aura starting to turn warm again. Respectfully, Tylan turned his back to the kids practicing below, leaning it against the railing and propping his elbows up on either side as Locke switched the solemn topic to lighter toned ones, one's with hope and life to them. Warmly, Tylan smiled at the things Locke asked about, the things he told, the life returning to the boy who was a minute ago plagued by thoughts of war. Ah, how quickly one can flip states of mind when they're young. Those were the days.
"What I see, of course, is a group of students training to earn the right to become an apprentice. Now, if you mean what I see in them....I see hope. They know not the matters which plague us and therefore, go on training to be the best they can be, unburdened by the thoughts we, the elder Jedi, must attend to that their minds are not ready for. But if they can keep but a measure of that resolve, of that light and hope for when they're time to burden the weight comes....then Locke, the future of the Order is in capable hands.
As for someone to follow in my footsteps, well....I don't think anyone "can" follow in mine. Nor would they want to, my steps are rather large and sometimes messy. But I do see one who could be a great Jedi, with the right teachings. And from what I hear, he's just like you used to be when you were younger...minus a wicked streak here or there. But I won't tell you who yet....rather keep that to myself until I'm sure before I go parading it around."
He grinned wider at the mention of Tiino teaching Locke how to use Soresu. Soresu, out of all the styles, was meant to be the best in terms of sheer defense. With its short and quick movements designed to parry the most violent of assaults, or the most intense of barrages, it was a style Tylan felt most personified what a Jedi came to do. They didn't' come to fight, then came to make peace. And should peace require the use of a lightsaber, then why not let the enemies defeat themselves? Because it required little effort to keep up a constant barrier of saber between him and his opponent, Tylan by now could keep at it for minutes....and in the meantime, his foes either ran out of steam, or koed themselves with their own shots as he rebounded them.
And now Locke was following in his and Tiino's footsteps. "Are you now? Well, its about time that old geezer got to teaching you that. I thought it would have been the first thing he showed to you...I guess I can't be right all the time. But its good to hear it though. After many years of using it myself, I cannot for the life of me look back and see myself ever not learning it. Its truly a most useful form to have at your beck and call.
Heh, well you're just learning. So I'm sure it at least rates as a leather shield for now. Soon though, and with age, you'll be building a wall that no man, woman or miffed teachers can break. Not without causing themselves a world of hurt to do so. I suppose its to compliment your rather fond love of Makashi, isn't it?"
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Rugs
The ring-dang-doo, now what is that?
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May 11, 2011 18:07:58 GMT -5
Post by Rugs on May 11, 2011 18:07:58 GMT -5
Locke chuckled softly as Tylan spoke of the student below that he saw some potential for a future student in. Of course he couldn't point the kid out; no that'd be too easy. Fine, be coy, he mused with an amused little grin. After all these years, it wasn't as if he could say it was unexpected. But Force help you if the kid really is like me. Even without the wicked streak. He thought to laugh at that, but kept it to himself.
"Alright then, keep it a secret. I could walk over there and point out every one of the students down there until you tell me, but..." He made a show of stretching, throwing his arms out to either side and grunting contentedly. "This windowsill is sooooo comfortable. I just don't think I could be assed to move from it." And then Tylan could always play mind games with him and not tell him true--or at all--which wouldn't get him anywhere.
"You'll have to introduce me once you take him, though. If nothing else he might get some pranks played on him. Not that I, being the outstanding young man that I am, would ever even think about doing something like that." For a moment he grinned innocently--too innocently--but let the subject fade away.
Tylan went on to respond to Locke's news of his Soresu progress. As Locke had hoped, the older Knight was pleased. He still had a long way to go before he could be called good with Soresu, and even further before he could begin to approach Tylan and Tiino. But the beginning steps were often some the hardest, and if Tiino's words were to be believed, Locke's progress so far was admirable. Especially with as focused as he was on pushing ahead with his much more advanced skills with Makashi, his favored form, even if his way of using it was a bit unorthodox. It suited him. A few years ago, he couldn't even imagine himself using Soresu, and not for reasons of patience. But such thoughts were for later.
"Aww, only leather?" He grinned at Tylan and swung his legs down to hop from the windowsill. On landing, he rolled his shoulders a bit and started to walk back over to Tylan. "I'd like to at least thing I'd made it to wood. But oh well. Guess that just gives me a goal now, doesn't it?" He chuckled softly as he stopped next to the man and looked back down to the students.
Now they'd gone to a more intense phase of their class. Their training sabers worked fervently through the air. Though for someone with a more trained eye--like Locke or Tylan--could easily see the flaws in the weaves their blades wove through the air, there were signs of hope. Signs of ability and progress. There was life in the next generation, in the ones that would be taking their first steps into the real part of the path to become a Jedi in full as Locke took his last. And with Jedi like Tylan to train them, they'd shine as brightly as any of the other Jedi.
Locke smiled a little bit as he watched them. He grasped the rail lightly, but didn't lean against it. "Well, how about this," he started, looking to his friend. "Why don't we spar? Despite my earlier laziness, I'm suddenly inspired and in the mood for a bit of testing. And that way you can see the progress I've made in Soresu for yourself." He grinned a little mischievously at that. "And my Makashi. We can keep catching up after that." There was still a plan in his mind for that, though seeing if Tylan wanted to go along with it was yet to be seen. It could wait until they'd sparred, though.
"Unleeeeesss," he added, turning around to face Tylan fully, "you're scared. Then I understand." It was a gentle ribbing, the likes of which Tylan should have been used to. Locke had to get it out now; Force only knew he probably wouldn't have much reason to trash talk once they started. "If not, well, I say we head to a sparring room."
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May 12, 2011 21:50:45 GMT -5
Post by Jazen on May 12, 2011 21:50:45 GMT -5
"Alright then, keep it a secret. I could walk over there and point out every one of the students down there until you tell me, but.....this windowsill is sooooo comfortable. I just don't think I could be assed to move from it."
That amused smirk on Locke's face made its way across Tylan's features as well, the older Jedi tilting his head to the side in a slight shrug. Locke knew how to put on a show, for someone who didn't know the boy....or was able to sense that he was joking. Sure, Tylan knew that lurking the surface of Locke's presence was likely something some people would find offense with. But Tylan's line of work had him always peeking at that area of a person, deeper when he had to find information that someone was tight lipped to give him. It was almost by instinct that he treaded that surface, just below the outer exterior....not that Locke would ever know that. Tylan was too good for that; Tiino knew that Tylan had a tendency to do that. He only asked that he respectively try to keep it down to a minimum.
Tylan did just that. Most the time.
Locke was smart enough to realize that pointing out the students one by one was a tactic doomed to fail.....which was exactly what would have happened. True, Tylan had his eye for the white haired boy, but that didn't mean he wasn't still observing them as a whole. There was always the chance that he chose another....or as Tiino would say, force forbid, to take on two students at once. Honestly, Tylan thought he could do it. It just meant spending twice as much time training...nothing he didn't already do already.
"But of course I will Locke. I mean, I've got to give him a preview of the man I'm going to train him to beat. And you'll be nice there prankster Jedi....if anyone will be doing any pranking, it will be me." He chuckled at Locke's next words, reaching up to smooth some of his hair from his line of sight, folding his arms across his chest once he was done. "Oh yes...how can I ever expect someone whose a shining beacon of good behavior like yourself to even be considering such a thing?" Again, he laughed, before following Locke's gaze to the kids below, aiming to see what they were doing that caught even the younger Jedi's eye. "Alright, maybe wood. Wet wood, but wood nonetheless."
The class had gone from basic spars and simple moves to a more intensified pace, with their moves becoming increasingly more complex. The white haired boy, the one Tylan had been observing, was doing about so so now. True, his use of Ataru gave him an advantage in terms of quicker and more unpredictable moves, something the boy must have studied a lot in his free time. However, that advantage had a drawback as well; the pace of his moves took the steam out of him faster then what his foe was doing. Still....it was because of a move by his foe that made him yield the first round, not his lack of energy. If he displayed half that energy in his lessons and towards his training....
He was brought from his musing's when Locke spoke again, parts of what he said missed due to Tylan focusing on events below. But he caught what was needed, or rather, tuned in just in time to hear the only word that he really needed to catch. Spar. Flicking his eyes over to Locke, that amused smirk slowly slid up one side of his face, a small glint shining in those eyes of his. He'd known Locke was going to ask that question eventually...heck, he'd been waiting for him to throw it out there from the minute he tried to sneak up on him. And when Locke tried teasing him into it, well....Tylan couldn't just let him get away with doing that, could he?
"I think your the one that seems to be scared there, little Locky. After all, what other reason is there for you taking this long to ask me that when every other time, it was right from the get go.
Either way, I expected you to throw that request my way sooner or later. And why not; let's see if a year apart has made you good enough to make me sweat a little. And...we could go to a training room. But why don't we just spar here? There's plenty of room and considering we're going to be using Soresu, I doubt we'll be moving a lot. But I leave that choice in your oh so wise hands. Lead the way my young ward....or lead the spar."
In case Locke opted for the latter, Tylan was already prepared to pull his saber to his hand, although his stance betrayed no clear sign of that. And if he wanted to visit the sparring rooms instead, Tylan would follow in his wake, his shadow. He had to admit to himself, he was interested to see what a year of only Tiino influencing his style and skill had done for the boy, what things he could have learned while Tylan was dealing the some of the worst beings the galaxy had ever known. It brought a warm feeling to his heart....and a burning desire in his blood to test his ever strengthening barrier against another style all ones own. His mind raced at the thought as he waited to see where the dance would be.
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Rugs
The ring-dang-doo, now what is that?
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May 13, 2011 13:19:14 GMT -5
Post by Rugs on May 13, 2011 13:19:14 GMT -5
One Locke's signature mischievous grin spread across his face at Tylan's retort to his challenge. So Tylan thought he was the scared on, did he? "Oh, I dunno about that, Ty," he said wryly, "I did give you warning that it was coming. I just wanted to catch up first. Can you blame me?"
And then there was the offer; the offer not to spar in a sparring room, but right where they stood, in the hallway. It was a tempting offer, really. Very tempting. Locke nearly took it, just barely keeping his hand from shooting to his saber to try to get a surprise attack in. But that wouldn't do; the first spar between two friends in over a year should be a bit more formal. But it would be nice to have it somewhere other than in a sparring room...
"Hm.... tempting offer, Ty. Buuuuuuut...." His gaze flicked around and then he smirked wryly. "I'd hate to interrupt the class down below with the sound of you getting slapped around by a padawan. However, you've given me an idea for a happy medium." He pointed a little ways down the hall, to a glass door that lead out to one of the Temple's many courtyards. "Courtyard." With that said and nothing else he started along, knowing Tylan would follow.
As he'd hoped, the courtyard was empty. And it was a courtyard often used for training purposes, with stone benches and plants around the perimeter, leaving a large open space in the center. It would be perfect. "I think this'll work just fine, don't you?" He nodded to Tylan and turned around, walking to one of the benches. He could feel an eager sort of anxiousness building in his belly. A lot of time had passed since he sparred last with Tylan. If ever there was a chance for him to prove himself, it was now. Especially since their last fight had been when he'd stupidly asked the Knight not to hold back and had been beaten around a sparring room like a red-headed stepchild for a few minutes.
It was time for a little payback, then. But first he had to make ready.
As he came a bench, he reached up and pulled off the outer layer of his robes. The night air was cool, but he'd like to avoid getting too terribly sweaty if he could avoid it; he didn't want to waste time having to go back to his quarters and shower before he could go out.
The robes beneath were closer fitting to his body, made of lighter material both in weight in color. They were sleeveless as well. And in Locke's bare arms were signs of the progress he'd made as a padawan.
A few years ago, he'd been thin, and physically weak. He'd not been unhealthy--far from it--but his body had made it very difficult for him to put on mass and weight. He'd had huge problems with stamina as well, and had always had to rely on ending a duel quickly, with speed and skill, because getting into a battle of attrition would be a certain defeat as his energy reserves quickly depleted. It was the reason he never imagined that he'd learn how to use Soresu; he simply didn't have the ability to endure long, drawn out fights like Soresu tended to create.
Tiino had pushed him hard in their physical training. To his surprise, Tylan had also pushed him to make himself stronger. It hadn't been easy; at first, it'd been extremely difficult, requiring to put in much more effort than other students--or other people in general--would have to make strides. He'd gotten frustrated, had wanted to throw his hands up and give up at times, but he couldn't. And he'd known neither Tiino nor Tylan would let him.
But all the hard work had paid off. Once he finally crossed the point where things started to get easier, Locke discovered he had a lot more stamina than he'd imagined. He was far stronger than he had been then, and his body had filled out with muscle quite nicely; he'd never be huge, but he was growing to have the sort of build a runner or a gymnast might--lean and lithe, rather than massive.
And if he'd thought he'd been fast before, the training had only made him faster.
Hopefully that agility would help him out here.
As he walked back to the center of the courtyard, he pulled his lightsaber from his belt and ignited the bright, orange-yellow blade and turned it down to training intensity. Now it would only hurt, instead of kill. He held it up before him, made a respectful salute to Tylan, expecting that he'd do the same. Once the salutes were had, he smirked wryly.
"Here we go, Ty."
As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he was moving. He flashed forward, used the Force to speed him further, and was in front of Tylan. With Makashi's smooth, deadly grace, his blade flicked out again and again at Tylan. A hard thrust lashed out at his side. Another followed toward his shoulder, one that deftly feinted into a cut at his thigh. His assault pressed, and would keep pressing. He'd made strides in Soresu, yes. But Makashi was his first love.
And he intended to prove his skill to Tylan today.
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May 15, 2011 15:21:45 GMT -5
Post by Jazen on May 15, 2011 15:21:45 GMT -5
"Oh, I most certainly can't blame you. I'm just surprised that the little boy who would always rush headfirst to challenge me has finally grown into a man who makes calm, calculated choices. A year apart has done you good."
It was a roundabout way of giving a compliment, but Tylan figured Locke was smart enough to catch it amongst the tease. For the most part, Tylan was speaking the truth. Every time in the many years that he'd known Locke, whenever he had been around, the dark haired youths first words to him had always been "let's have a spar Master Tylan". As the years past, the master bit had vanished, the more playful side of Locke giving way to a slightly more serious side of the boy as he grew wiser and more mature. But there was always that desire to test himself, to pit himself against someone he saw as his better. A goal for him to reach.
He would get there, Tylan knew it. One day. Likely far into the future, so long as Tylan himself kept improving himself. But there was always a time when the student surpassed his teachers...okay well, came to par with his teachers. He didn't take a vain pride and certainty in the thought though...the Force worked in mysterious ways. And one could not measure another's growth so simply...for all he knew, Locke could be on his level by the time he was thirty. And maybe one day, he'd feel the pride and satisfaction of raising a boy into a man, a feeling Tiino was likely feeling right now. When he wasn't cursing himself silly of course.
He chuckled to Locke's suggestion that they'd interrupt the class below, mostly because he suggested that it would be him getting slapped around. Well, at least he was optimistic, as always.
The suggestion of something outside a training room or the balcony they stood upon intrigued him, so he calmly followed Locke's lead out into one of the Temple's many open air courtyards. The cool night air, though tinted with the taste of a world completely turned into an urban center, was still fresh and welcome. The breeze was light, only partially nipping at his skin and fluttering his hair across his eyes. The Temple had designed the courtyards, to his knowledge, to allow students a place to practice in the open, where they could see the night. It was supposed to be relaxing for them, to make the stress of training lost in the beauty.
He had to admit; it worked.
Tylan took a place in the center of the yard, admiring the surroundings, as he waited for Locke to prepare himself. Shooting a glance the boy's way, Tylan let a small whistle slip from his lips at what he saw...it was low though, so Locke wouldn't hear it. When he'd first met the boy, Locke had been...small. Not just age wise small, but small in body. He'd be thin, frail looking and any heavy strike, no matter how "heavy" it was, was enough to put him off balance. In short, he'd been physically weak. And like the boy he'd seen earlier, Locke had tried to end the fight quickly....but the difference was clear. The boy did so because it was his choice of battle...Locke had done it because he lacked the stamina to fight for long. It had been....a trying problem.
But as the years past, and with the combined help of Tiino and Tylan pushing him as often as possible, Locke has fleshed out. He was stronger now, his body adapting a muscular tone that, while not jaw dropping, would catch the eye of any female. Not that Locke would go looking for that, but it was the best way of describing it. He was faster, a blur to the untrained eye, a growing blur to those above him. And most of all...he no longer only fought to win fast. He could fight longer, more cautious then before, as his stamina had found hidden tanks that he hadn't been able to access before. It was that fact that had enabled him to spar more often with Tylan....and likely why he was learning Soresu now.
When Locke finally came over, Tylan smiled at him as the boy ignited his orange yellow blade. Drawing his own saber, a crystalline ocean blue light bursting forth from its metal grip, Tylan spiraling the blade of light in front of him a few times. Testing it. He knew his blade, had known it for years. But it was a habit he'd picked up over the years. Never hurt anyone anyway. His thumb dialed down the setting, just like he knew Locke would do, to a level where it would only sting on contact. Not remove a limb. Not that either of them would aim for that...but no chances to be taken.
"Ah, love the orange-yellow. Always reminds me of dawn and dusk. Beautiful color." With that, he saluted Locke, then traced a circle around him...wide enough to allow him to move, but enough to indicate that he planned no staying within it. "So let's start simple. Let's see if you can make me step out of my circle...it will be a good test for you Makashi".
He didn't need to give Locke the clear to go, the boy did it on his own. He came in fast, with the speed of the Force to give him that additional push to cover the distance between them in no time flat. It was a tactic meant to catch a foe off guard...and one that Tylan was familiar with. Blue met yellow as Tylan brought his blade up in a short block to counter the attack to his side, snapping Locke's blade away. Then he adjusted it to catch the blow to his shoulder, a block that changed to adapt to the feint to catch the intended blow to his thigh. And then it turned into a battle of Makashi versus Soresu. His blade danced to Locke's, catching Locke's strikes at him and turning them aside with the smallest of effort.....and keeping his feet within the circle he made.
"Good Locke, very powerful, very fluid strokes. But your telegraphing your moves, easy to see where you intend to come from. Be faster, more unpredictable. Do something that falls within Makashi...and yet is not Makashi. That's how you will become a master of it." As if to prove his point, Tylan made a move Soresu would not be common for...and yet had the style painted all over it. When Locke made another thrust, Tylan stepped aside, still within his circle and pushed the blade past him...and when Locke came within reach, he brought his foot up and pushed Locke aside with it, using Locke's momentum to his advantage. "Unpredictable. Come, try again."
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Rugs
The ring-dang-doo, now what is that?
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May 16, 2011 12:35:59 GMT -5
Post by Rugs on May 16, 2011 12:35:59 GMT -5
As expected, Tylan's defense stood strong. Locke's assault slammed into him, trying to force him out of the circle he'd made, or better yet, to score a hit with his blade on Tylan, but he wasn't able. Tylan stopped every stroke, turned every thrust aside with the kind of skill he'd come to respect the man for. And though he moved around, he did so of his own choice, not because Locke was forcing him to. And he didn't come close to leaving that circle.
Locke didn't stop, however; how could he? The goal was to test his Makashi against Tylan, and if he just stopped, the older Knight might take the chance to attack him. So when his first assault failed, he regrouped, spinning on his heel and went at Tylan again, even as the Knight lectured.
Make it something that is Makashi, but isn't Makashi. Locke furrowed his brow a bit as he made a lunging thrust at Tylan's chest. The attack got turned away, Tylan stepped to the side and let Locke's momentum keep him moving forward before booting him to push him away. Be unpredictable, Tylan said.
I'll show him unpredictable, a little voice muttered in the back of his head. He let the energy from Tylan's kick carry him away from the circle he'd made and then spun on his heel, dragging his other foot around behind him on the ground as he turned to face his foe. I oughtta just rush him down.
No. Locke took a moment to breathe deeply as he raised his blade in his right hand out in front of him, pointed up at Tylan at about forty-five degrees. Recklessly attacking won't help anything. He didn't waste any time standing there--a real enemy wouldn't allow it, and he had no intentions of getting punished for hesitating. So he moved forward again, not using the Force to speed him this time, but his own natural speed would prove quick enough for now. He'll destroy me with that style if I attack him like that. I have to be patient.
Be unpredictable.
Locke almost grinned. "Alright then, Ty." He'd be unpredictable. And take a bit of a gamble.
As he closed in on Tylan, he raised his blade and started a swift downward stroke toward Tylan's shoulder. He was within blade reach, and if the attack carried through, it certainly had the potential to hit Tylan; a good feint had to have a legitimate air of threat to it, to try to draw the wanted reaction.
But as that yellow-orange blade streaked down to Tylan, it suddenly died away. Now the Force flooded Locke's muscles, and he spun around, moving to his right, Tylan's left. When his back was facing Tylan, he quickly shifted his saber from his right hand to his left.
He came around out of the spin, and the blade burst to life again. The strike didn't come with the turn, though; rather, it was a rising vertical that could cut along Tylan's thigh before striking at his stomach to slice it open and spill his innards. Were they not training, it would be a strike that had a lot of potential to kill. It wouldn't knock Tylan out of the circle, no, but scoring the hit would make a statement of how far he'd come.
Locke hoped the direction of the attack helped catch Tylan off guard, as well as the hand switch, which had it coming from a slightly different angle. Being ambidextrous had its advantageous moments.
He just hoped now would be one of them.
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May 17, 2011 22:31:56 GMT -5
Post by Jazen on May 17, 2011 22:31:56 GMT -5
With each blow Locke sent Tylan's way, the elder Jedi could not help but be a little happy. Tiino was Locke's master, nothing would change that fact now. But Tylan had been there, at Tiino's side many a times, while his friend had trained the boy over the years. From a frail and headstrong lad to an physically able and calm thinking man...okay, he was a bit headstrong even now, just not as much as he had been before. And Tylan had helped that transformation, here and there. Seeing the results before him, that all those years had achieved something..... a tiny piece of pride welled up in him.
Now, if they could only push him that extra step to become better then them. Well, that wouldn't likely happen right away, but the more push they gave him, a reason to drive towards that goal...well, the more he would work to reach that goal.
Following Tylan's kick to his side to push him away, Locke quickly found his balance and adjusted himself to re-face Tylan, bringing his saber out to the side. As they'd taught him over the years, he didn't stall, didn't wait to give his opponent a chance to steady themselves before striking again. However, Tylan knew from experience that this wasn't a blind rush. Locke had a plan. And not that Locke would know, but Tylan was lightly reading his outer most thoughts; it was something a real foe would do. He pulled back whenever Locke attacked though, didn't dig for what attacks the man might be planning. It wouldn't be any fun that way.
This time he came in normally, relying on his muscular strength alone to cover the distance between them. So it was something he needed time to prepare.... perhaps something that shooting the distance in lightning speed would make it harder to use. Even without the Force backing his speed though, Locke was fast. He'd always been fast. He was faster now then he was when they first met. And he would only get faster in the coming years.
As Locke's blade went up and then came down for Tylan's shoulder, Tylan brought his saber up in a one handed grip to catch the blow and calmly deflect it to his right. Or he would have....if that had truly been Locke's attack. Instead, and to a bit of surprise to Tylan, Locke's saber suddenly died away. The surprise stalled him but for a moment before he brought his focus back to what Locke's next move would be.
He felt the Force flood into the younger man's body, a sign that he needed to additional push to perform his next move. Like a small top, Locke suddenly burst to the left, turning his back to Tylan but for a moment before his left arm came around....holding his saber hilt that suddenly erupted as the saber burst to life again. Tylan was tempted to make a comment about how turning your back at this range to someone with a saber was a poor idea...but he kept to himself this time, kept his focus on Locke's actions.
Technically, he could block the blow with his blade. But from this angle, this direction, it was better to adjust his position. Shifting his body back and to the left, Tylan took a few steps away from the swing, the yellow/orange blade "just" missing his body by what Tylan calculated to be inches. It was the closest Locke had ever come to connecting with his body in all the years they had trained together. It was also the first time Locke's saber had broken through the metaphoric wall that his Soresu created. Tylan's smile could not be so wide and yet be so serious if he tried.
His blade came up, with his position better now, to catch the inside part of the blade and push it further away, to keep Locke's chest exposed. Suddenly, he sent a hard push into Locke's chest, followed almost instantly by a pull towards him that would be coupled by another kick to the chest and another shove with the Force at his chest. His saber had connected near the base of Locke's saber, where he could easily adapt his block to keep his saber clear. All in all, his attack took seconds....and when it was done, he swung his saber and retook his stance.
He still hadn't left the circle. "Very good Locke, very good. A most outstanding move....but remember, had this been a real fight, I saw five or six moments where my saber could have ended your life. Next time I will not hesitate to hit them. But don't let that bother you....rather, take them into consideration and come again. I'm still in my circle after all."
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Rugs
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May 19, 2011 11:48:49 GMT -5
Post by Rugs on May 19, 2011 11:48:49 GMT -5
So close. He came so close to hitting Tylan. The spin, the trick, had worked better than even Locke could've hoped. For the first time, his attack pierced through Tylan's defenses, but it still wasn't enough. Were this one of his peers he was fighting, or even a Knight with less experience, he very likely may have scored a touch with his maneuver. But Tylan, like Tiino, was harder prey to catch than that.
Even with the defense of his blade compromised, Tylan still had defense of movement. He flowed out of the way, and even though Locke's blade couldn't have missed by more than a few inches, it still missed. Locke was partially prepared for that, though. But to take advantage, he'd have to act quickly.
Tylan didn't give him the chance, though.
Locke began to adjust his stance and positioning, as he'd put himself into a position where he could easily follow through with another stroke--Tiino had always stressed to never makes such a recklessly offensive attack that you leave yourself completely open. His feet moved to stay with Tylan's movement, his blade started to shift in the air...
And then Tylan's blade caught his, forte to forte. He forced Locke's blade to the outside, making Locke expose his chest in the process, and though Locke resisted, he knew he was caught in that block. It was a strong one; one best answered by retreating and regrouping, or pulling a disengage. But Tylan's inside was also exposed, with his blade kept busy by controlling Locke's...
Locke started to reach down to grab his pistol, but he didn't get to do more than make a brief beginning of a motion. Then the Force slammed into him and began to knock him back, before he was jerked roughly forward. The forward motion was met with a hard kick to the chest that had him staggering back again. Even then, he could've saved his balance, but another push while he yet staggered laid him on his back on the courtyard floor with a loud oomph!. Tylan was still in his circle, but Locke had just been thrown out.
It was a good shot, he thought. Force he's still as hard to catch as I remember.
"Very good Locke, very good. A most outstanding move....but remember, had this been a real fight, I saw five or six moments where my saber could have ended your life. Next time I will not hesitate to hit them. But don't let that bother you....rather, take them into consideration and come again. I'm still in my circle after all."
"Yeah, well," Locke sat up where he was on the ground and looked up at Tylan, "sometimes you have to take risks in a fight, especially against a better opponent. What's the saying? 'No risk, no reward?'" He shrugged a little bit. "I figured with the feint your attention would be drawn away so I could do my spin. And besides... I my back was only to you for half a heartbeat, and if you did attack me, well, you'd be open while my blade came around. I was pretty confident in my gamble." He picked himself up to his feet and grinned. "Besides, it's not like Ataru, with all its stupid jumping and flipping. Nothing but risks, there. Can't even fight in an enclosed space. Broken form if you ask me."
As he stood, he rolled his shoulders and set his feet. Tylan was right; Locke still had some work to do if he was gonna get the man out of his blasted circle. It hadn't even seemed that large when he drew it, but after engaging Tylan, it felt massive. He took a moment to consider his options before he raised his blade again. Even if Tylan was lurking around his outer thoughts, he wouldn't see anything of what Locke intended, not without actively prying; anything of import was hidden behind a mental shield, just as all the Jedi were taught to do. And prying wouldn't be subtle.
Locke raised his blade and grinned. "We'll say round one goes to you, eh? You could've skewered me when you knocked me on the ground. Don't think it'll happen again, though."
And then he was moving. A few quick steps had him back in engagement distance with Tylan again. His blade flicked out again and again, pressing the older Knight with a swift rain of attacks. Locke usually one to be so unrelentingly offensive, but he had to keep Tylan on defense to keep from getting screwed over himself. He moved around as he attacked, sometimes making quick sidesteps and trying to out-position Tylan. And all the while, he kept trying to move forward, kept trying to force Tylan back out of the circle, but he knew there'd have to be more for that.
So that was why, after a short while of making his strikes, he let a push fly from his hand. It was followed by a heavy two-handed slash, with more strength behind it than the one-handed strokes he'd been using so far. It was a strong attack, but it was cautious; Locke didn't go charging forward, didn't extend himself so much he couldn't recover. Another push followed, then another slash. Locke was going to stay on Tylan.
And hopefully in the process force him out of that damn circle.
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Jazen
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May 20, 2011 0:03:26 GMT -5
Post by Jazen on May 20, 2011 0:03:26 GMT -5
Tylan chuckled and spun his blade a few times in front of him, calmly strolling back and forth with the small confines of his circle. He kept the blade hissing in front of him though....just in case Locke struck suddenly again. The boy's words had merit, true, but there were some areas where he was wrong to a degree. The fault of age and lack of experience were the factors there, not his intelligence.
"Yes, but remember. Only take that risk if its a fully calculated risk. If I were someone trying to cause you harm, that spin could easily have been your end. I'm not saying don't take the gambles...all I'm saying is take better researched gambles. That's the gambler who comes out of a casino a winner after all.
And while it may be true that Ataru, with its flipping and jumping and moving all over the place is riskier then any move you might partake, an Ataru user is often one who calculates which move will gain him the most ground before taking a forward action. And yes, they lose they're ability to fight effectively with the style in a smaller area, but there are other styles they can fall upon in that case. Its why by knight level we make sure your a master in your own right of Shii-cho. Either way, it comes down to the person when using the style...but I've not seen one yet who doesn't know full well the limits and weakness of the style...and overcomes it."
With a smile, he stopped pacing as Locke begun to ready himself for another attack, his blue saber coming across his chest into a formal salute before he brought it out to his side, his purple eyes shining. "I could have, yet that would have been the obvious move. One to be countered. We'll see what next time brings to the table...and I'll be sure to be a little more "realistic" this time."
And with that, Locke was on him. Blue and yellow clashed once again, the sabers hissing with every collision of the two on one another. Tylan adjusted his stance and his swing to every blow that Locke threw his way, always pushing it just aside or a different direction, never having to move more then a step of two to correct his angle against the boy. Whenever Locke moved, Tylan shifted almost in synchro to his new position, always keeping the blue saber in his right hand in the gap between him and Locke.
It was a good strategy, if Tylan had a guess what Locke was trying. Normally the younger Jedi was more reserved, making strikes that had meaning or direction. Now he was simply pushing with an all out assault...trying to keep Tylan from finding an opening to exploit, as was Soresu's forte. Logically, it was a sound method of attack...so long as they threw in something that could set their opponent off guard in order for them to take advantage of. Otherwise, Locke was just setting himself up to exhaust himself, a path that would gain Tylan the advantage faster then him. "Careful now Locke, wouldn't want you to go exhausting yourself. You've improved your stamina from when you were young...but not enough. Not enough my friend."
Tylan almost saw the hand in perfect timing with the warning the Force shrilled at him. The air around him suddenly felt heavy, as if a collective force of it had come together to steam roll into him. He was trying to push Tylan with the Force....good, throwing in something unexpected. And Tylan barely had time to counter the move, throwing an equal slam of pressure up to nullify the move. The two forces combining made him take an extra step back...right on the edge of the circle now. And then came Locke again, swinging down as hard as he could without leaving himself open as a result. It actually took both hands to stop the move, parrying the blow and countering its power by carefully shrugging it to the side.
Now it was Tylan's turn for something new. As he felt Locke going for another push, Tylan jumped and short flipped over him. He caught Locke's rising blade with his own, slamming it down while sending a push of his own, from above, to force the boy to bare the weight of gravity for a moment, a moment that allowed Tylan to land behind him. Locke was fast...but Tylan could be an merciless blur when he needed to be. As he landed, two quick smacks with his saber met Locke's sides, then a heavy shove with the Force and his hand on Locke's shoulder. Provided it worked, Locke would be enjoying the taste of the stream slowly flowing through the courtyard.
"And now you've been bisected my dear padawan. Your plan was choice, a good angle in order to keep me on my toes. Heaven's, I may have broken a bit of a sweat having to parry so much. Hopefully the water in the stream will help you cool down a bit; after all, all that swinging must have made you tired." Grinning, he smiled at Locke, his eyes glancing down to notice something he'd almost missed. His foot, while just barely...was outside the circle. Oh....I miscalculated the jump. Interesting...maybe he did better then I thought. Turning back to Locke, he readied his saber again. "Well, shall we see what Round three brings...maybe you'll push me out more then a few inches this time."
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Rugs
The ring-dang-doo, now what is that?
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May 20, 2011 11:41:57 GMT -5
Post by Rugs on May 20, 2011 11:41:57 GMT -5
Their blades slammed together over and over again, orange and blue making a shower of crackles and clashes between them. He'd wanted to argue his point about the spin he made further--it wasn't as if it'd taken more than half a second with the Force fueling him--along with his opinions on Ataru, which was often far from a calculated form. But he let it go; it wasn't worth it now. Besides, he was here to fight Tylan, not waste time arguing.
Locke's attack was furious. Withering almost, but for the life of him, he could not find a way to pierce Tylan's defense. It was proving to be as difficult a task as he remembered--maybe even harder now, despite the strides he'd made in his forms. But he was stubborn if nothing else, and so he pressed the attack. Besides, while Soresu made one more able to last in a battle, it didn't make one immune to getting weary. It prolonged it, but if he could keep the attack up, no doubt Tylan would start to feel the effects of exerting himself.
The only problem was that, for all the progress he'd made with strengthening his body, Tylan was still stronger than he was. He hadn't had to dig out of the hole Locke's body had put him in, and he had years more conditioning than Locke did. Locke knew his assault couldn't go on forever, or he'd tire, and then Tylan would be able to have his way with him. More than he could already, anyway.
But this assault was part of a plan. Let Tylan think he was attacking blindly. That was what he wanted.
"Careful now Locke, wouldn't want you to go exhausting yourself. You've improved your stamina from when you were young...but not enough. Not enough my friend."
Locke's jaw tightened a bit. A spark of irritation flashed in his presence for a moment. He knew his limits; he didn't need Tylan taunting him about it. It was a bit of a sore spot for him and Tylan knew it.
I'm not stupid, Tylan. I'll show you.
The push exploded from his hand, and for a moment, Locke thought he'd done it. Until he felt another force pressing back against his. Still Tylan was forced to the edge of the circle, but Locke didn't give him a reprieve. His heavy clash burned through the air and slammed into Tylan's blade. Locke put almost all the strength he could muster into it, but he still wasn't strong enough to break Tylan's guard. Not like that.
The Force swelled in his hand again and he prepared to push Tylan out completely, but Tylan was suddenly gone. Locke swore, let the push die before he released it and started to turn, swiping up at Tylan as he flew overhead. His saber got knocked aside casually and a push had him staggering. As fast as he was, so too was Tylan. Before he could recover and turn around, he felt the distinctly painful feeling of Tylan's blade hitting his sides.
And then the world blurred and a wave of energy had him flying through the air.
Next he knew, he was in the little artificial stream that ran through the courtyard. He threw his head up, sputtering for breath and wiping water from his eyes. He'd been beaten, thrown from the circle. Again. And this time had been worse than the last.
"And now you've been bisected my dear padawan. Your plan was choice, a good angle in order to keep me on my toes. Heaven's, I may have broken a bit of a sweat having to parry so much. Hopefully the water in the stream will help you cool down a bit; after all, all that swinging must have made you tired."
Locke scowled a bit as he stood up and stepped out of the water. He was soaked now; his clothing clung to his lithe form and he had to push some of his hair from out of his eyes. He was frustrated. Why was it so hard to hit this man? How did he always seem to be a step ahead? I'll show you tired. His grip tightened on his saber as it flared to life again.
Calm down, Locke. If you let him get at you he'll wipe the floor with you. Still, it was hard not to get a little frustrated. But he'd known this would be hard.
He didn't even say anything this time. The Force surged into him, he blurred forward an in a heartbeat, he was on Tylan. His orange blade licked out at the man in attack again, smoothly, precisely. Swiftly, more swiftly than he'd yet attacked. He was determined. This time he'd get Tylan out of his stupid circle himself, and if the man wanted something unexpected, then fine.
After a moment of feeling Tylan out through his attacks, Locke made his move. He suddenly surged forward to bring himself into Tylan's guard. At the same time, his saber--which he'd moved back to his left hand after pulling himself out of the stream--struck out at Tylan's blade. Locke brought it on the inside of the Tylan's blade, used it to try to bind and force Tylan's weapon wide. Then he attacked. Punch with his right arm toward the gut, followed immediately by an elbow from the same at Tylan's face; the fact that he was even trying to hit Tylan in the face in a spar was a sign of Locke's growing frustration. To finish it, he let a powerful blast of the Force loose right at the man's stomach. He was particularly gifted in telekinesis. It was his strongest area.
Well, if Tylan was going to goad him, then he'd use that strength.
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May 21, 2011 14:32:20 GMT -5
Post by Jazen on May 21, 2011 14:32:20 GMT -5
Tylan waited patiently for Locke to rise from the latest attack on him, tracing his saber around the circle lightly, thinking. Something in that last exchange had caught his attention, something in between the spinning and clashing sabers. He might have let it get past him, let it slide and moved along...if Locke wasn't still feeling it now. And if it wasn't something Tylan knew might doom the young man one day, if he wasn't careful.
Almost as soon as the words regarding Locke's stamina had left Tylan's mouth, he'd felt the man be struck by a sting of irritation. It wasn't something that Tylan had "not" expected, considering his words did have a taunting flare to them. But Locke was no longer that young man who got upset over his weakness, not now that he'd conquered it. Or at least, Tylan had thought Locke had gotten past it, had come to accept that he was stronger now, much stronger. Why would he get upset over a taunt....unless he still held a sore spot about his stamina?
The growing frustration was apparent as Locke climbed back to his feet, dripping from head to toe. Tylan watched him slowly rise, shaking the water from his face...and he felt that anger grow. Tylan frowned inside at Locke, his mind working out the situation before him..and how to correct it. He's upset because he can't hit me....I can hear him arguing with himself to keep calm. Perhaps there's just more then his Makashi and Soresu that we need to work on today.
In battle, it was required for one to keep a cool mind, to keep his focus on the task at hand. Against an opponent like Tylan was, one who could feel into his foe's mind and find the weak spots, this quality was needed more then ever. That or to block out the invading probe, though Locke wasn't at that level yet. One slip, one opening, and that foe would be all over Locke's mind, finding the points to prod to get a reaction from the young man. To make him attack not with focus, but with frustration...a move that could be effective....but was more often then not a danger to the user.
An idea came to Tylan's mind then, with this new information at hand. And as Locke came in at him again, Tylan almost regretted what actions he would have to take next. However, he knew it was best that he tackle this problem with Locke here and now. If he didn't, and Locke came across someone in his missions that was as strong as he was in the telepathic area and lacking the compassion Tylan showed......then the boy was as good as doomed. And as they said....anger was a taste of the dark side. If he got upset so easily, goaded so easily....
Tylan's saber came out to meet Locke's, making his stance firm as that orange blade smashed against his over and over. Locke was moving fast, faster then before, the determination to force Tylan from his circle as clear as day behind those hits. As was his frustration. Tylan's brow bent inwards as he frowned at the boy's slowing fading composure...Locke had to know that Tylan had been only jesting before. Well, if he wanted to be that way...then it was time he learned the hard way what would come of it.
Slowly, carefully, he started to work Locke back. It would be hard for Locke to notice in his attack, the tiny inches that Tylan was making his feet move forward as he countered each attack. Locke was already stepping from the circle when he made his next daring move, a move which forced Tylan to adjust his strategy on the fly. "Locke, slow down my friend. You're going to waste what little energy you have left if you don't. You musn't take what you have....for.....well if you want it that way...". Tylan was going to tell him not to overstep his abilities in his frustration, but seeing the new attack, he had to change his words. His blue saber caught Locke's, let him force it aside..and let him make his move.
The fist he simply evaded by shifting his body to let the blow slide past his gut, keeping his saber locked with Locke's. The boy wouldn't know it, but while he thought that he was keeping Tylan's blade away...it was Tylan who was also keeping his blade at length. The elbow was a good follow up, one Tylan used his hand to catch and keep from making contact, pushing it back. And then Locke finished with a heavy push in the Force....which would catch Tylan a bit by surprise. But so would Tylan's counter.
Instead of being thrown back harshly, Tylan grabbed Locke's wrist as the blow came out. His back foot left the circle as they slid back, and using the momentum from the push, Tylan spun his other foot around and tossed Locke with all the Force he could muster, releasing Locke at the heaviest point of the spin and sending a heavy push of his own to put the young boy back as his balance was hopefully off.
"Commending Locke...you made me have to step out of the circle to counter you this time. But....you both failed to connect yet again, and put yourself into a situation that was not in your favor. I thought you were smart enough to realize a battle of strength was not an area, what with your still growing physical ability, that you would win in. I did ask for unpredictable...but one that plays to your strengths, not to your opponents." Spinning his saber, he took his stance again and waited to see if his words had the effect he hoped they would have.
"Now if you want to try again, I'm more then willing to let you enjoy the stream again. Or maybe you want to block now?"
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Rugs
The ring-dang-doo, now what is that?
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May 22, 2011 13:08:20 GMT -5
Post by Rugs on May 22, 2011 13:08:20 GMT -5
Why did Tylan have to make things so blasted hard? Even as he assaulted the man, Locke could feel himself getting pushed back, if slowly. He still couldn't touch this man. Tylan was holding back; they both knew it, and he was still having his way with Locke. Admittedly, Locke didn't know how much Tylan was holding back, but the thought of it made him clench his jaw and redouble his efforts.
At some point, if he was going to take the step from good to great, he had to be able to compete with Tylan on a higher level. And what had been happening so far wouldn't cut it. Not by a long shot.
"Locke, slow down my friend. You're going to waste what little energy you have left if you don't. You musn't take what you have....for.....well if you want it that way..."
'Shut up!' Locke wanted to yell at the man. He could feel the effects from exerting himself, sure, but he wasn't done. He wasn't close to being done. I'm not that frail little kid anymore. He'd show Tylan. Somehow, he'd show him.
Their blades locked together. Locke took Tylan's forte to forte, which gave him a good measure of control initially, for a surprise attack, but he knew that Tylan also had his forte to forte. He had to be fast with this, or he might be in trouble; Tylan was stronger than he physically, and if he got into a fight of pushing back and forth against the Knight, he'd lose.
So act quickly he did, but as always, Tylan seemed to be a step ahead of him. The fist was dodged effortlessly, or Tylan made it look effortless. His elbows was caught and thrown back, and his push Tylan was somehow already prepared for. Lock started to prepare to attack again, but Tylan made his retort.
The man's hand closed around Locke's wrist and he felt himself being dragged forward. For a moment he tried to resist, but he knew that wouldn't work; it would just throw him off further. But he was not getting thrown to ground--or worse, back into the water--again. Not this time.
He could feel Tylan gathering the Force as he swung him around. He didn't have a lot of time to react, but as he came around from the swing, Locke put his hand up before him. A blue, shimmering shield of the Force appeared before him, and it split Tylan's blast harmlessly to either side of him. As it happened, he let his body turn, pivoting on his right foot to let the energy from Tylan's spin carry through and planting his left behind him when his body was turned sideways to Tylan.
Each breath came as a bit of a pant, but it wasn't all from exertion. Not at all.
"Commending Locke...you made me have to step out of the circle to counter you this time. But....you both failed to connect yet again, and put yourself into a situation that was not in your favor. I thought you were smart enough to realize a battle of strength was not an area, what with your still growing physical ability, that you would win in. I did ask for unpredictable...but one that plays to your strengths, not to your opponents."
Locke tightened his hand on his blade. "Shut up. I know that, Tylan! But it's easier said than done when you're fighting a Knight that ought to be a damned master!" He didn't even care about that stupid circle anymore; now he just wanted to hit the man, just once. To prove that he'd made advancements.
He'd show Tylan. One way or the other.
The man's next words were ignored. Locke lunged before they were even finished leaving his mouth. There wasn't much ground between them at all--barely more than the length of their two blades if they held them out tip-to-tip--so if Tylan wasn't ready, he'd have to act fast.
Locke was on Tylan again, his blade flashing faster than it had any point up to now. He abandoned some of the grace, some of the precision of Makashi to attack faster, harder. His offense was wild, his frustration clear. He didn't let Tylan get away from him. If the man moved back, Locke was on him like a tick on a dog. He was going to hit Tylan.
As he brought the blade up to strike again at Tylan, he pulled hard on Tylan in the Force, hoping to off-balance the man as he slipped quickly around to his side. Then a push strong enough to stagger and hopefully throw him off more. And finishing with a two handed strike much more in line with Shii-Cho than Makashi, his blade blurred out to strike at Tylan's back.
One way or another, he'd land a hit on this man.
One way or another.
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