|
Harukei
"Bang Said the Lady!"
252 posts
88 likes
Vengeance for Cadia!
|
|
last online Nov 10, 2020 22:37:55 GMT -5
Padawan
|
|
|
Oct 28, 2015 1:21:12 GMT -5
Post by Harukei on Oct 28, 2015 1:21:12 GMT -5
No matter how much he tried, he couldn't simply feel comfortable at the Jedi Temple. It wasn't that he had some irrational disgust for the bastion of the Jedi Order. It was simply that he was not too accustomed to it. After all, for almost three decades he spent little time inside it. His small and spartan quarters felt alien as he attempted to sleep in the for the first nights until he finally grew relatively used to them. That was until he finally took a mission that either sent him to the fringe worlds of the galaxy or a campaign that saw him fighting alongside the Republic Forces against the Sith Empire in his capacity as a member of the Jedi Blades.
Or at least it was such until the rest of the Order had joined their crusade, that would otherwise be doomed to a thundering defeat. It was deep in meditation inside his quarters that he had pondered and studied this thought that had being floating inside his mind from time to time. Even while the Jedi Blades had somewhat balanced the scale of the war. It seemed that every inch was hard fought and maybe at the end not as valuable as previously thought. Fal trusted the Living Force. But even he believed that while Jedi could do much, there was a limit to what they could do. They were not deities but only keepers of the peace.
Having had enough of the meditation, the Jedi Master rose from his kneeling position. Donning his dark brown over cloak, before heading out his room. Unlike his room, which shades had being closed to block the sunlight of Coruscant Prime, the hallways of the Jedi Temple were bright, transmitting warmth but at the same time avoid of impractical ornamentation beyond statues of Masters of preterit eras. Groups of Initiates and Younglings being escorted by their caretakers to another lesson. He supposed that in a way it brought some nostalgia unto him, one that he didn't show, as he saw the children passing by.
More members of the Order, ranging between Padawans, Knights and Masters would converse as they walked, nodding respectfully to him, to which he would nod with his crowned head at them. Still without course, he supposed that honing his extensive skills with the lightsaber would be most appropriate. Perhaps the Battlemaster of the Order could take a moment to duel with him. And even if she could not. There was nothing wrong with sharpening one's skills in blaster deflection. Specially is he took in consideration that he spent much of his time being the receiving end of a swarm of blaster bolts. With a tranquil step, he decided, and made his way to one of the many training chambers inside the Jedi Temple.
|
|
|
|
|
lion
The Wintergreen
220 posts
38 likes
|
|
last online Jan 18, 2017 19:38:34 GMT -5
Padawan
|
|
|
Oct 29, 2015 0:08:25 GMT -5
Post by lion on Oct 29, 2015 0:08:25 GMT -5
Biology was an awesome thing.
It wasn't the first time the thought had circled the Bothan's head, much like the pair of silver drones buzzing about in a patient circle, as Fenn settled into a high guard, guiding the sharp white-hot beam of his lightsaber into the correct position to protect his upper body and face. The body was full of surprises, packed full of little intricacies that could have put even the most sophisticated of droids to shame, and all as simple as the effort it took to turn on a glow-rod.
None perhaps more fascinating, Fenn mused, as the mind's control of its own emotional state through chemical releases. Endorphins, for example, released at the point of physical stress and exertion, brought on a state of elation that was surpassed only by great joy or, in some species, mating. Almost like a stimulus offered to itself, the brain coerced its body into continued action; bribing itself to do what it knew it had to do for its own good.
Of course, there were medical reasons, Fenn knew simply through his studies the true nature of the giddy head-rush he could feel as his lungs took a firm pull of air. Muscle tears and lactic acid buildup brought on by exertion brought up signals of pain, but the brain in its fight-or-flight reaction would recognise the need to continue and respond in kind by flooding the body with the same hormones responsible for joy to act as a painkiller. Runner's high, some said, and whilst the holobooks had a dry way of explaining it, the Bothan could understand the process well enough first-hand, felt his perception begin to stretch and his nervous energy ease.
It felt as if the Force itself were merely a body of water, and he simply swimming about beneath its surface, letting the currents tug and pull what they may. Among the near empty training chamber, save for the paired drones and his own self, the tranquil silence only brought Fenn's concentration deeper into his practices.
And without hesitation, the drones snapped into attack formation and began the practice routine, forcing the young jedi to respond in kind as the bothan sidestepped right, shifting from lead drone's fire; the hovering spheroid turning in its flight to direct one of several ports toward its Jedi adversary with a sharp spin. The yellow hued bolt soared the short distance in a heartbeat, but the Bothan was just as swift in response; a precise left sweep brought the orange-hued beam of light down to intercept and sent the bolt on a sudden detour in its travels, sharply upward and into the second drone.
The bolt fizzled out in a sudden wash of sparks along the durasteel drone's casing, but unfazed, it simply altered course to flank the young Jedi and attempted an attack of its own, targeting the Bothan's upper back. The Force guiding him to the threat perhaps a hair faster than his own natural senses, Fenn spun to face the threat and backpedaled from it in the same stride, bringing both floating spheres into his own eye-line once more. Lightsaber rising quickly, the orange beam once more slapped the yellow beam from the air as if swatting an insect; the angled high-guard deflecting the low-powered beam into the air the evasive lead drone had once occupied.
This was Shien drilling at its most basic, the paired drones; one of the most basic yet most overlooked practices in the entire Form V syllabus. Each drone was programmed to plot random trajectories of both flight and targeting around the training room in an attempt to outflank the Jedi, sharing their plans across a shared connection to better team against their target. The Jedi attempting the practice would have two goals; avoid being outflanked, and not only defend against the randomised low-powered blasters each drone carried, but actively engage and redirect their fire.
The idea was to simulate a true firefight; a Shien practitioner in an outnumbered conflict would not only need to be wary of their position relative to the enemy, but actively engage as best they could in the subduing of the enemy. It wasn't always possible to strike with the lightsaber, after all, but with its ability to deflect blaster fire, range became far less an issue if one's mind was sharp enough.
Another bolt soared in for the 'kill', but once more did Fenn's lightsaber send the beam on its way and into its allied drone; forcing the sphere to momentarily pause and consider its next strategy. The exercise wasn't as simple, however, as simply redirecting fire; each bolt had to hit the drone that hadn't fired it, adding another element of difficulty into the drill that some found perhaps the most taxing. One would have to know the location of not just the shooting drone, but the location of its ally, as well as the correct angle of deflection to successfully land a hit, as well as their position relative to both; all within the span of milliseconds a series of calculations and corrections had to be made or risk death.
Well, in this instance, less death and more an extremely uncomfortable singeing.
The mental and physical effort involved was certainly taxing, however; whilst the young Bothan's form was precise and almost choreographic as he stepped and parried his way about the room under fire at seemingly every point, the scent of mingled fur-perfume and sweat was more than evident enough of the stress put upon him. Measured breaths carefully provided the oxygen his sore muscles needed to keep going, but whilst far from ragged in their need, the young padawan was clearly further in work than a simple warm-up.
And as the Jedi Master entered the room, a large signature among the Force that demanded attention rather than simply as for it, Fenn made his first mistake. Like a speeder pilot distracted, the Bothan's careful calculations veered off, and rather than stay fixated on what he needed to do, the twenty-two year old found himself careening toward his distraction. A sudden shot fired, and rather than find himself angling for the drone, his senses confused and his mind drifted; a spin and a swift mid-guard sweep sent the bolt for its misguided target; straight for the doorway.
Straight for the Zabrak Jedi that had strolled in.
|
|
|
|
|
Harukei
"Bang Said the Lady!"
252 posts
88 likes
Vengeance for Cadia!
|
|
last online Nov 10, 2020 22:37:55 GMT -5
Padawan
|
|
|
Oct 30, 2015 0:55:36 GMT -5
Post by Harukei on Oct 30, 2015 0:55:36 GMT -5
Deep in his thoughts as he walked, the Force would give him a hint. It was a reflex. Muscle memory etched unto every fiber of his muscles and instincts and honed after countless battles, skirmishes and missions, that would call to him. With a casual flick of a finger he would call of his lightsaber, which flew, unhooking itself from the hanging position from the utility belt and landing into his gloved hand. A snap-hiss would be heard within a millisecond and an emerald brilliance would fulfill the doorway and near vicinity that heralded the first feet of the training chamber.
Holding his true and tested weapon in an unorthodox reverse grip, the green blade would meet the yellow bolt that the distant remote had fired and that someone had redirected at him. Timing his movements and slowing the perception of time behind him, Fal would make the calculations based on the trajectory, deflection and aim he was to take in order to bring return the flying bolt to it's sender. A subtle movement was the only thing that would take from his part as in an instant, the bolt would clash against the energy beam of his weapon, rebounding as it was rejected and flying towards the floating remote, making a wide pass of the head of whoever was there as it burned the air only to crash against the training droid with an electric chirp.
Fal supposed that he wanted to keep practicing with his deflection skills. Although he did not expect them to be in such way. However he did consider that the deflection against him was at best a mistake. There was no moot to consider that there had being an ill intent. With several masters, knights and even security he doubted that there would be anyone attempting to assassinate him here. It would need to be a force equal to a legion of troopers to ever bring the bastion that the temple represented.
But he digressed from the now. After a better look, he would see that his presumptive assailant was none other than a Bothan, a Padawan at that, who seemed to be training with the remotes according to the two droids that floated around him, the beam of energy that emerged from the hilt of his lightsaber and the transpiration that covered the sentient beings fur. Fal would only give a chuckle at the minor mishap that had occurred and deactivated his lightsaber, allowing it to hang of his utility belt once more before taking a few steps towards the center of the training room.
"I might not be the most versed individual in diplomacy or culture Padawan. But I believe this is not the way you greet people on Bothawui." The Master said with a smile that cracked his usually stoic features. "Other than that, I would turn my attention to the remaining remote." He said, before a bolt would fly in, aiming to zap the Padawan whose training he had interrupted.
|
|
|
|
|
lion
The Wintergreen
220 posts
38 likes
|
|
last online Jan 18, 2017 19:38:34 GMT -5
Padawan
|
|
|
Oct 30, 2015 7:29:49 GMT -5
Post by lion on Oct 30, 2015 7:29:49 GMT -5
Time just seemed to stretch on and on as a flash of emerald green leaped from the doorway, and for a brief moment, Fenn could have sworn he had begun to float upon the currents of the air as if swimming in it. His arms, feeling like lead weights in his mind, maintained the middle guard that had sent the errant bolt along its path, the Bothan's attention squarely upon the doorframe and the growing sense of dread that took him.
The green beam flashing to life whirled into well-praacticed motion, sending the errant bolt from its path back into the drone with as effortless a display as exhaling. Awe and horror mingled within the young Jedi, his fur rippling with nervous energy as if caught in a windstorm, as his jaw fell open and lingered both in need of breath and sheer shock; the Zabrak Jedi Master didn't have to look far to find the culprit, for the guilt was practically chiseled upon Fenn Soran's face.
He knew, he had to know who had sent the bolt, no matter how unintentional it was, and already the young Padawan's mind raced to try to consider how best to express his remorse. Gripping his lightsaber tightly, like a child to a safety blanket, Fenn felt his thumb drag against the activator stud and shakily pressed down upon it, dismissing the sharply defined blade into the confines of its humble hilt. Decorum among the Jedi demanded the elder Jedi be granted deference, and quickly Fenn wasted no time in snapping to an attentive stance, offering as humble a bow as he could give; eyes wandering practically immediately to try to avoid making contact.
"M-master, I'm so sorry; I didn't think to-." The young Bothan started, only to stop short, practically tripping over his words for the sheer speed at which he tried to speak, coming to a complete halt as soon as the older man opened his mouth. Embarrassment played out upon the Bothan's face in lieu of the easing fear, though the amused joy from the Zabrak was not quite so shared by the younger man.
"I didn't mean to, uh...I was trying to.." Fenn continued, seemingly both attentive and oblivious to what the elder Jedi had to say; to his detriment missing not only the humourous mood but the polite warning to the potential danger in the training remote. It hadn't been deactivated, and offered a prime target of a Jedi's back, the hovering sphere wasted little time in seizing the initiative.
Not only was the droid accurate, it seemed to have in its brief activation developed a sense of humour.
The yellow bolt carved through the air on its intended path squarely into the backside of the young Bothan with enough of a charge to send the prospective Knight leaping a good half-foot into the air with a startled yelp; wincing as the scent of ever so slightly singed cloth already began to permeate the chamber. The bolts were hardly dangerous, but the shock of being hit was more than enough of a deterrent to allow being hit again, and whilst it wasn't the first time Fenn had found himself hit in his years with the remotes, the painful little jolt never seemed to hurt less.
The droid, contrary to Fenn's rather 'energetic' leap, sensed its victory and ease of success, simply hovering in place with its partner drone as a sign of the exercise's culmination; an idle-stage in the droid's programming triggered by the Zabrak's arrival.
"Were you..ow..looking to use the chamber, Master? I can vacate, if you were looking to use the drones." Fenn offered sheepishly, the Bothan wincing slightly as his left hand rubbed at the offended flesh at his rear, the pain somewhat less than the embarrassment of his superior seeing it take place. "I swear Battlemaster Vyshaan's programmed some sadistic joy into those two."
|
|
|
|
|
Harukei
"Bang Said the Lady!"
252 posts
88 likes
Vengeance for Cadia!
|
|
last online Nov 10, 2020 22:37:55 GMT -5
Padawan
|
|
|
Nov 2, 2015 2:44:29 GMT -5
Post by Harukei on Nov 2, 2015 2:44:29 GMT -5
Fal would only stand, his hands behind his back and an eyebrow cocked at the display that he had accurately predicted. The Zabrak had supposed that it was partly his fault for surprising the Padawan with his entrance and display. But the blame for the small lesson from the floating remote was more akin to that of the young Bothan that stood before him. While at first the renegade bolt that had singed the air, redirected against him was nothing more than a nuisance to him, the more serious part of his mentality spoke of discipline that the young one had to receive.
"I came here to train." He admitted to the young Bothan male. "But instead of apologies I will ask you to observe what you did once you felt my entrance through the Force."
Like he had considered, the offense was minimal. It did little to bother him in any actual way. In fact it had actually managed to extract a chuckle out of him, something that he seldom did, even around the two Padawans he had trained. The offense however was that the young Bothan, the student that trained in the temple, in which hundreds of dozens of the best Knights and Masters were, and even more, where the temple security forces employed by the Jedi, panicked as he sensed a presence in the Force. He was fairly certain that his presence through the Force was vastly different to that of a Sith Lord, even with the strict mentality he possessed.
"It is a noble endeavor to hone your skills with the Lightsaber and the Force." He said in a calm but firm voice. "However do not focus your attention entirely on what lies ahead of you, lest you find yourself caught in surprise."
It was a fairly simple precept. The Force was from where the power of a Jedi flowed from. However some students of the Force believed that the benefits could be used in a straight forward way. Perhaps the student thought too much about the task at hand and had little time to recognize who was entering the training chamber. However as a teacher, Fal could only tell him words that would be of guidance, not take the hand of the young Bothan to resolve what he had learned. Nor he expected that his master would do the same.
However, after the scolding, he supposed that there was some praise to be given to the young male. It had being only a second, but he was able to recognize a motion typical to the Shien variant of Form V in the Padawan's swordplay. It was intriguing indeed, that he had chosen a form that could lead to the more aggressive Djem So variant. His curiosity was sparked by such intrigue. Holding that praise he decided to see more of what the young Jedi before him could do, he turned and stood at the edge of the training circle, facing the young Bothan while his muscular arms were crossed over his chest.
"Now." The Zabrak begun, his eyes focused entirely on what the Padawan could do with a Lightsaber. "Run the training again program again."
|
|
|
|
|
lion
The Wintergreen
220 posts
38 likes
|
|
last online Jan 18, 2017 19:38:34 GMT -5
Padawan
|
|
|
Nov 2, 2015 18:35:35 GMT -5
Post by lion on Nov 2, 2015 18:35:35 GMT -5
It was perhaps a blessing that, so flooded was his body with adrenalin and endorpins through his exercise, that the stinging pain from the training droid's pinpoint-accurate bolt lasted only so long; the Bothan's nerves quickly losing the sensation of pain almost as fast as it arose. The same could not, however, be said for the embarrassment that lingered upon the Padawan like a fog; whilst not incapacitating, it was still quite clear the young man was less than happy with himself for the display of ineptitude.
Then again, not quite ineptitude; distraction was perhaps the better word. The deflection had been aimed with keen skill toward the doorway; the fault had not been in technique but in targeting. Fenn had come to the realisation just as the Zabrak Jedi had offered a moment to consider it; the fault in alertness and sudden response to engage a new presence within the Force that had slipped past his notice.
Battle, as they said, occurred in three dimensions; not just a single one or two. Fenn had learned the lesson the hard way once before on Nar Shaddaa, and whilst he still bore the scars of his hideous education upon his back, the lesson occasionally still slipped from the young man's mind; pay attention to what isn't visible just the same as what is. The perils of ignoring such wise lessons, after all, were many; the price of failing to heed them was steep indeed.
"I was surprised, Master; it won't happen again." Fenn offered, once a silence began to take hold in the conversation; the boy's voice a little less quiet but far less confident than the elder Jedi's own. It wasn't exactly a tone one would expect from a scolded child, and it was clear that Fenn wasn't exactly afraid of Fal, but rather the Bothan seemed more inward; self-recrimination seemed to be doing more on that front than the resulting lecture.
On instruction, however, the Bothan gave little hesitation on waving to the droids; reaching with the Force to give them the appropriate signal to re-engage. Without a moment's hesitation, the two spherical droids hovered into action, once more commencing their tandem offensive. Like flies, the two droids fluttered about, changing position repeatedly to try to befuddle the young Bothan target before finally engaging.
In kind, Fenn responded; his orange lightsaber once more flashing to life as, in mid ignition, the boy moved to block the bolt hurtling toward him. Reaching into the Force ever so gently to shave off those vital micro-seconds of reaction time, Fenn's block was swift and well-placed; bouncing the yellow beam cleanly from the blade core and into the drone opposite; knocking it from its path for a few seconds.
|
|
|
|
|
Harukei
"Bang Said the Lady!"
252 posts
88 likes
Vengeance for Cadia!
|
|
last online Nov 10, 2020 22:37:55 GMT -5
Padawan
|
|
|
Nov 3, 2015 22:06:35 GMT -5
Post by Harukei on Nov 3, 2015 22:06:35 GMT -5
Fal wasn't entirely convinced that the tunnel vision that the young Bothan had shown would not show again. During the heat of battle many unseen factors would make even the most experienced Force user to pgut their attention to a single objective. While with the Force this problem would be somewhat mitigated, he knew very well that not all could cope with the influx of information that the mystical field of energy could provide. However to the credit of the young Bothan and practically anyone else, this was a common occurrence.
Not even himself with years worth of experience in missions and in the battlefield was immune. Taking a moment to look at the Padawan's progress with the blade, he would nod in approval at the confirmation of the Shien variant of Form V in the Bothan's blade work as the orange beam moved in tandem of the controlled move of wrist and arms to deflect the low powered bolts back at their caster. His application seemed highly technical, with a great deal of sophistication behind each sequence.
Given the size of the Bothan, Fal doubted that the Padawan decided to make the other variant of Form V a focus of his, considering that he lacked the physicality of such. Aside from what ever level of Shii-Cho the student could have, he wondered what other form he had studied, specially given the era in which the Order found itself fighting against foes that would wield lightsabers. While Shien could indeed be used as an effective style against other lightsaber wielding opponents, to rely on such would be a dangerous gambit.
Of course this was just wild speculation and conjecture. But in observance, he could see the some philosophy of another form. While never had studied it, he could see the precise footwork that Makashi stressed, indicating some level of proficiency with the art. It was quite a combination and also told the Zabrak Jedi Master much of how the Bothan operated in battle. Redirection was what he would excel at the most. Indeed he was smart as he understood the limitations that his size could have in battle.
"Very well." Fal commended. "Excellent use of Shien."
The Jedi Master allowed the student to continue the training exercise. There was not much that he could deter from what he had seeing, save some tendencies that were easily corrected by the student's teacher or by proper study. Perhaps the only worry that could raise from him was that in a heated battle the student could be taken by the pressure of the conflict on him. However this was at best just a minor concern given that did not expect a Jedi Padawan to go on a mission alone.
"Good blade work." He commended again before asking. "Padawan, who is your Master?"
|
|
|
|
|
lion
The Wintergreen
220 posts
38 likes
|
|
last online Jan 18, 2017 19:38:34 GMT -5
Padawan
|
|
|
Nov 6, 2015 23:55:57 GMT -5
Post by lion on Nov 6, 2015 23:55:57 GMT -5
As the exercise played out, as each bolt was sent arcing back along its path or bouncing into the adjacent drone, the depth of Fenn's lightsaber skill became evident. His use of Shien was textbook; each guard position was carefully executed not only in covering the necessary body zones under fire, but also swiftly recovered. The boy's roots also showed; Shii-Cho and Makashi rising to the forefront, giving an indication as to where his skills had come from; Form I's dogged determination and Form II's precision footwork blending seamlessly into the Form V display, accentuating strengths and covering weaknesses in the base form.
For the few minutes the drill continued, not a single bolt landed upon Fenn's body, and as the drones ceased their attack, so too did the boy; disengaging his lightsaber with a careful flick of the thumb as he took a neutral stance, exiting the combative posture he had taken prior. Relaxation ensued; the slight sagging of the shoulders, the long but measured exhalation to rest the mind and muscles.
"Thank you, Master; I try to practice as much as I can." Fenn started, offering a courteous bow toward the Zabrak Jedi before him, a slight flick of the ears and a ruffle of the boy's fur serving as an equivalent of a wry, nervous little smile that his face didn't quite portray. "I uh, my master is..well, was Pax Torell. Human, male; I think he's an archivist."
Nervous energy once again reared its head, and in the young man's tone, it showed; just a slight sense of tension and care in his choice of words. "Well, I think he's still my master. I'm currently attempting the Trials, and he's left me to them. Sorry, master, I don't think I know how to put it better than that."
|
|
|
|
|
Harukei
"Bang Said the Lady!"
252 posts
88 likes
Vengeance for Cadia!
|
|
last online Nov 10, 2020 22:37:55 GMT -5
Padawan
|
|
|
Nov 9, 2015 2:38:29 GMT -5
Post by Harukei on Nov 9, 2015 2:38:29 GMT -5
"I understand." Was his answer to the slurry of words that came from the Padawan.
Although the lack of a master brought many questions in the fold. After all he had lived the same process many, if not all the Jedi of the Order had gone through for untold millennia. Having being a Padawan himself and having trained two students into Knighthood, while he had not aided his students in any of the trials, he had always being present, watching from afar. Specially during the Trial of Spirit. Possibly the most crucial of trails that a prospective Knight could take as it would tell the student much about themselves.
Such ordeal was not one easy to forget. After all, he could still remember his own dark reflection. Lusting for the blood of innocents and vanquished foes alike, with burning coals as eyes. That same memory, the reflection of what he could become if he were to astray from the path of Light, often came to him as he trained and meditated to silence the last remnants of whatever darkness could be inside of him. A part of him supposed that the experience was similar, yet distinct for each member of the Order.
"I find it odd that your master is not hear to supervise the last steps of your training." Fal told to the Bothan.
Each master had a different method to train their pupil. Under his master, it had always been harsh, but never brutal. And so did he sought to teach his own students. Discipline and order had always being paramount for him and so in tie, his students had learned to value those concepts, embracing the without much problem and building a relationship with him that had being akin to that of a parent and a child at the moment. Thus, he wondered why was the master absentee. It wasn't that he didn't approve of it. Perhaps the method was better than his own. Yet it was strange to say the least.
"Then again, I am not here to judge a fellow member of our order." He turned to the Padawan with an inquisitive tone. "Have you taken the trials? Passed any of them?"
|
|
|
|
|
lion
The Wintergreen
220 posts
38 likes
|
|
last online Jan 18, 2017 19:38:34 GMT -5
Padawan
|
|
|
Nov 15, 2015 21:59:40 GMT -5
Post by lion on Nov 15, 2015 21:59:40 GMT -5
Even without the Force, it wasn't difficult to sense the slight surprise from the Zabrak Jedi as Fenn's sentence faded into nothing; the Bothan's ears shifting slightly as the tone in the elder man's voice shifted. Indeed, it wasn't the first time that Jedi had expressed some...hesitancy in Master Torell's choice to leave his padawan to his own devices in the wake of the Trials, but neither was it the first time Fenn had found himself simply putting it out of his mind. Indeed, the first few times he had been asked by fellow Jedi, the notion had brought on some self-questioning and doubt as to just why the elder Jedi had opted to go, but after a while, it simply became on par with a shrug.
"You're not the first, Master, but I suppose Master Torell has his reasons." Fenn replied, as the padawan's hands worked to clip the humble lightsaber hilt back to its belt loop at his hip. The boy's gaze for a moment seemed pensive and inwardly-focused, as if in thought, but was quick to revert back to the real world, as if merely momentarily distracted rather than considering something. "I guess he's confident I can manage without him, maybe. I don't see why he would depart if I wasn't capable."
The moment the boy stopped speaking, and the topic arose of the Trials, the Bothan's fur stood on end and shuddered, blown by what seemed to be an unseen wind to the point of threatening to tangle against itself. Discomfort ebbed from the boy before it was quickly capped off and shut down, but the subtle changes in stance and posture were enough to point a sharp mind in the right direction. The motions were instinctive, involuntary; it had taken effort for Fenn to stop showing his reaction rather than project it.
"I uhh...Well, yes; I've passed the Trial of Flesh, and I'm due to soon face Battlemaster Vyshaan for the Skill trial. That's why I'm practicing here; I want to impress." Fenn offered, wasting little time in glossing over the former trial and quick to add more detail to the latter. Nervous energy reverberated from the youth, whose gaze now seemed to wander to the remotes rather than the Jedi he was speaking to, idly wondering how easy the small droids had it in life. "Or at least, not end up embarrassing myself."
|
|
|
|
|
Harukei
"Bang Said the Lady!"
252 posts
88 likes
Vengeance for Cadia!
|
|
last online Nov 10, 2020 22:37:55 GMT -5
Padawan
|
|
|
Nov 18, 2015 1:01:07 GMT -5
Post by Harukei on Nov 18, 2015 1:01:07 GMT -5
"Impress?" He replied with a gruff tone. "Hmmm... I see."
While a part of him would wonder what sort of form his trail of flesh had taken, such internal query was swept aside after the Jedi Master had considered the words he had used. While he did approve the constant honing of the abilities one might possess with both, the lightsaber and the Force, the idea of the trails as he had gathered was not to impress the Jedi Council, or at least he had not tried to do so during his youth.
"We Jedi do not aim for cheers nor praise, young Padawan." Fal would hear himself say. "The Trails serve to show your commitment to the Order through training and discipline. It is through them that the Council decides whether you are ready or not to stand as a shield that protect the denizens against the evil and darkness that pollutes the Galaxy."
It was perhaps a tough way to put, but it was the correct. If Battlemaster Vyshaan in the end decided that his abilities with the lightsaber were sufficient, a commendation was in order, something to allow the young Bothan before him to gain more confidence on himself and his abilities. After all, while he was a believes of training with intensity, such would never have to translate to distant harshness, it spoke ill of a master to do so.
That being said there was some curiosity after he had seen but a glimpse of the technique the Padawan before him had. The traces of elegance of Makashi were seen but also the more predominant ability with Shien that did attract more of his attention as this was part of his preferred style. Perhaps he could help him to polish his skills further on the onset of his Trial of Skill. And while to his own admission he wasn't on par with a master of multiple forms of lightsaber as Master Vyshaan, he supposed that it would do well for the apprentice to spar against someone of similar caliber.
"I suppose I could help you to prepare for your Trial of Skill." The Zabrak with a decided tone. "That is if you'd like my help."
|
|
|
|
|
lion
The Wintergreen
220 posts
38 likes
|
|
last online Jan 18, 2017 19:38:34 GMT -5
Padawan
|
|
|
Nov 19, 2015 19:00:55 GMT -5
Post by lion on Nov 19, 2015 19:00:55 GMT -5
Almost instantly, the rebuke put the Bothan in his place, leaving the boy stammering 'ums' and 'ahs' as his mouth and mind raced to form a coherent sentence. It wasn't exactly praise Fenn had been after when he'd said he hoped to impress, or at least he thought he wasn't, but as the nervous semi-coherent vocalisations quickly stopped, the boy was left with something of an inward expression upon his face. Fur shuddered and meshed in a tangled wave, further indicating the ever-growing confusion and self-introspection, and for a good few seconds, Fenn was silent.
Maybe he was after praise? It certainly would have made sense; what self-doubting person wasn't after the vindication that only peers could give? For any Jedi, the nod from those more skilled was something to aspire to, Fenn was certainly guilty of it as much as others if not more so, but the Bothan had never really considered why he'd been so keen to stand out and impress his superiors before; the urge had always simply just been there.
Maybe it wasn't for good reasons. Recognition and 'fame', even as slight as simple acknowledgement, might very well have been the ugly head of pride lurching from the shadows, disguising itself to trick the boy. The train of thought was confusing enough to bring on a headache, and with brow momentarily furrowed, the Bothan shook the thoughts clear from his mind and brought himself back to the real world, and the Zabrak before him.
"I understand, Master; I'll try to keep that in mind. I meant to say, I hope to do well. I don't want to be a disappointment, if that makes more sense." Offered Fenn, the short Bothan's voice somewhat quieter as the goateed padawan ran his hands along his furred jawline, and hair, trying to smooth out the slight follicle crossings before they became proper knots. Watching the older, taller man's posture shift slightly, it didn't take the Force to realise the Zabrak was considering potentially gauging the boy's skill for himself.
"I uh...would appreciate any help, if you're willing to offer any. What were your trials like?"
|
|
|
|
|
Harukei
"Bang Said the Lady!"
252 posts
88 likes
Vengeance for Cadia!
|
|
last online Nov 10, 2020 22:37:55 GMT -5
Padawan
|
|
|
Nov 22, 2015 1:57:46 GMT -5
Post by Harukei on Nov 22, 2015 1:57:46 GMT -5
"My trials?" The Zabrak said raising an inquisitive eyebrow.
It was indeed a strange question. One that not even his two former students had dared to ask. After all no trial was the same for every Jedi, circumstances changed depending of the individual that were to undertake them and even similarities would be minimal at best. And it was also worth noting that they were highly personal. Perhaps the only individuals with whom he had shared what had happened was with his own late master and the Jedi who were members of the august body little less than a quarter of a century ago.
"Well." He said with a tint of regret. "I defeated a Dark Jedi and held a friend as she became one with the Force."
Fal supposed that it was a nice way to put it. While he had truly defeated the fallen Jedi, there was no real pride for this victory. Even as he had found a courage within himself that was unknown to him, he had lost a dear friend of his childhood to the hands of the servant of the Darkside. Even at his age, on occasions he could still remember some of the same sadness that had gripped him after the passing of Cinzia and the days that would follow until his Trial of Spirit took place.
"As for my Trial of Spirit." He said while staring down at the Bothan. "I believe my recount would serve you no good. I can only tell you that you will face and find who you are."
It was the most simple of truths. Visions of the Force were shifting, even for the greatest Masters of more preterit times. As his vision fighting a dark and terrible version of himself had being vastly different from that of his former students. He supposed that it was a way to show the Padawan of the weaknesses that lay inside of them. Be it the wish to become stronger leading into thirst for power, or the desperation and disappointment with one's self turning into anger. It was all meant as a guide and warning.
"But well, the Trials vary between Jedi."
|
|
|
|
|
lion
The Wintergreen
220 posts
38 likes
|
|
last online Jan 18, 2017 19:38:34 GMT -5
Padawan
|
|
|
Nov 24, 2015 21:04:12 GMT -5
Post by lion on Nov 24, 2015 21:04:12 GMT -5
There it was again, the slight shift in facial expression that cracked the stoic façade and reached beyond, dragging out the Zabrak Jedi's thoughts for the Bothan to see in full. Just an innocuous shift of the eyebrow upward in curious inquisition was enough for Fenn to realise he was stepping into uncharted territory with the elder Master. Almost immediately in response, the Bothan medic could feel himself turn a little inside; curiosity and a desire to learn demanded the question be asked, but had it been entirely welcome? Was it ground he was allowed to tread?
Wordlessly, as Fal explained his Trials and his experiences, Fenn's mind took a trip of its own; reminiscing of the Trials bringing the recollection of his own to the fore. The cold, hard sliver of ice he had felt on Nar Shaddaa, the coolant-dripping vibroknife piercing his stomach, returned in full; it took every fibre of the Bothan's being not to let the phantom nervous response show. It was remarkable how much the body could remember the sensations, as no sooner had the words 'one with the Force' left the Zabrak's lips, Fenn's nerves felt alight.
The pain ebbing from his back only lasted a moment, but in that moment, it was as if being stabbed all over again.
Clearing the thought from his head as best he could, Fenn instead took the initiative; with his free-hanging right hand plucking the lightsaber from its belt loop, holding the weapon with a relaxed grip between his furred fingers. The blade had yet to be activated, but the motion was enough to perhaps suggest a commencement of sparring; the offered duel perhaps a good way to keep the less-than-welcome thoughts from his mind far too appealing for Fenn to pass up now.
"Ready?"
|
|
|
|
|
Harukei
"Bang Said the Lady!"
252 posts
88 likes
Vengeance for Cadia!
|
|
last online Nov 10, 2020 22:37:55 GMT -5
Padawan
|
|
|
Nov 25, 2015 13:55:43 GMT -5
Post by Harukei on Nov 25, 2015 13:55:43 GMT -5
The hint of a smile would crack his usually stone rigid features. A part of him had concluded that the young Bothan had being more interested in what had transpired on his trials and an actual spar between them. Although Fal could understand such motivations and respect them. Fal believed that from sparring with him in amicable terms he could gain a greater glimpse of what kind of individual the Bothan was.
Although he would have to be careful. This was a spar, not live combat. And while he was sure that the Padawan could hold his own, a level of restraint had to be exercised to avoid injuries. His hand would drop to his belt, the worn leather of his gloves shielding his skin from the cool and smooth texture of his own lightsaber before his fingers surrounded the hilt. With a small tug he retrieved his weapon, holding the hilt deactivated.
Having witnessed his skills before, the Jedi Master knew that Shien was the style he favored. Although what capacity it served in his blade work was yet to be seeing. However the use of his feet during the exercise seemed to indicate a predisposition for Makashi. In which case, the Padawan was smart, knowing the disadvantages posed by his body built, creating a style that would allow him to fight against blaster wielding opponents or a lightsaber wielding opponent.
"Ready." The Zabrak commented before his lightsaber came to life with a snap-hiss and an emerald beam emerged from the hilt. Opting to use an opening stance of Soresu, rather than that of Djem So, giving the young Bothan permission to attack.
|
|
|
|
|
lion
The Wintergreen
220 posts
38 likes
|
|
last online Jan 18, 2017 19:38:34 GMT -5
Padawan
|
|
|
Nov 26, 2015 7:50:41 GMT -5
Post by lion on Nov 26, 2015 7:50:41 GMT -5
Immediately, contrast began to make itself known as the two alien Jedi squared off, as the Zabrak fell into his defensive guard and allowed the Bothan to make the first move. His own amber-toned blade flashing to life with a digitized growl of its own, weaker in its lower-intensity setting, the finely-pointed lightsaber hummed its intent as Fenn advanced, settling not into an obvious stance but a surprise offensive lunge.
The initiative was not asked for, but taken with full intent to use it, and the Bothan laid his first card on the metaphorical table; that of intelligence and aimed strikes. With only his right arm, the boy raised his lightsaber up and behind his head, setting up for a single-handed head-high stroke. A simple, high-to-low vertical chop was to be expected of a mid-skilled, aggressive opponent, with momentum all forward and seeking to use gravity to outright power through any raised guard.
But what appeared obvious quickly faded away, as with a sudden drop of his right shoulder, the boy instead attacked low; the orange beam transitioning with sudden urgency from its chop to a looping stroke down to the thighs. Single handed, the manoeuvre smacked of basic Makashi, but its application was still something to behold despite the minor footing errors; far from the clumsy bladework that might have been expected. Just like that, in the space between heartbeats, the boy had rather jarringly closed the distance disadvantage and changed levels in the same motion, from high attack to low attack, hoping to catch the Zabrak off guard.
|
|
|
|
|
Harukei
"Bang Said the Lady!"
252 posts
88 likes
Vengeance for Cadia!
|
|
last online Nov 10, 2020 22:37:55 GMT -5
Padawan
|
|
|
Nov 29, 2015 1:04:02 GMT -5
Post by Harukei on Nov 29, 2015 1:04:02 GMT -5
Once the spar started, nothing else would matter. Years of training and battle etched unto his muscles and carved unto memory kicked in. His posture remained unchanged at the sudden approximation. As the Force begun to course into him, his perception would enhance and his battle trained eyes and sharp intuition would analyze the movement of the young Bothan's body. Details were the inflection points unto which an outcome of a duel or a battle would be determined.
Even the slight change of pattern that the fur of the Padawan before him would present itself as a clue of what his next tactical decision would be. Thus the sudden shift of attack angle from high to low was something that came as a surprise, was not something that could be infallible. An intelligent move indeed, one that spoke well of the level of the technicality of his form and style that the Padawan possessed.
However it was with that move that the Jedi Master would mirror the student. Instead of advancing forward, the Zabrak stepped back, creating ample movement space for him, the saber that still hummed dropped with an economical move of the wrist from is heightened position that pointed at the sparring partner at the beginning of the duel. The green and golden beams would collide, producing the usual static exchange that happened between weapons, albeit in a weakened state due the lower power settings. It was then that with minimal move the Jedi Master would parry the attack of the apprentice to a side to then return to a defensive posture of Soresu.
"Not bad." Fal complemented the young one.
|
|
|
|
|
lion
The Wintergreen
220 posts
38 likes
|
|
last online Jan 18, 2017 19:38:34 GMT -5
Padawan
|
|
|
Nov 29, 2015 20:49:06 GMT -5
Post by lion on Nov 29, 2015 20:49:06 GMT -5
There had been, for the briefest second, a flash of hope on the part of the Bothan as his high-low transition carried his blade down toward the Zabrak's feet, that the attack would land successfully. How impressive would that have been, a single-stroke defeat of a Jedi Master at the hands of a mere apprentice? It had just been a second's worth of idle, distracted hope; realism was far less idealistic about the boy's chances, and the Zabrak Master's own green-hued beam was quick to put paid to the notion of a one-hit win.
Parried, the two handed grip won out against Fenn's own single-handed offensive; the Zabrak was able to shove Fenn's weapon cleanly off-target with a simple motion. A mere turn of the wrists sent the boy's attack off course, slapping the blade away as if it were an annoying gnat rather than a threat, and before Fenn could think to counter-attack, the Master had retreated a step; placing himself just outside of the Bothan's reach.
However, rather than follow Fal in and try to chase an offence that mightn't have worked, the Bothan instead held ground; recovering a semi-defensive posture of his own as the Zabrak stepped away, opening the distance between the two. Already, the difficulty of combating Soresu began to show itself, but rather than be deterred, Fenn took the scholastic approach; trial and error. There had to be a way through that guard, after all; no defence was foolproof.
Advancing, the Bothan was quick to launch into a flurry of speedy attacks, reverting to a two-handed grip to better pivot and position the tube in his hands. A neck high right-side cut, followed by a low right-knee cut began the attack, and feinting another high cut, the Bothan switched angles, sweeping his blade down from the 'high line' to attack the Zabrak's weapon arm with a right-to-left cut.
|
|
|
|
|
Harukei
"Bang Said the Lady!"
252 posts
88 likes
Vengeance for Cadia!
|
|
last online Nov 10, 2020 22:37:55 GMT -5
Padawan
|
|
|
Dec 2, 2015 1:55:51 GMT -5
Post by Harukei on Dec 2, 2015 1:55:51 GMT -5
Pleased that the young one had not become disappointed by the failure of his initial attack, he resumed in his defensive endeavor. Although his natural affinity would always lead him back to the more force oriented tendencies of Shien/Djem So, he could understand why Soresu was as viable as his preferred form. After all even as he still felt fit and full of strength, the inexorable pass of time would become a detriment to him, even if the Force slowed his aging inwardly, as if anything he would complain that his body was not able to keep the pace as well as it did before.
For each of the strikes and flurries the Bothan would aim he would simply ward of the aimed strike with a subtle movement of his hands, or a simple dodge that made the blade just slice air. As the barrage continued, Fal would surmise that the display that was ahead of him was one akin to a methodical and academical, attempting to gauge the extend of his defensive maneuvers and patterns of his defense. Which was not a bad idea in a spar. However, the part of him that had seeing war and had dueled against Sith and fallen Jedi had a desire to test how well could the boy handle pressure.
It was during one the Bothan parries in which instead of deflecting the strike, his would keep his ground, meeting the strike with an equal force, cancelling it the momentum before giving a slight push of the blade, thus opening an avenue of attack for him. Gripping the hilt of his own weapon and still restraining himself he would begin to launch his own barrage of flurries and blows, each backed by a considerable deal of strength behind it yet skillfully implemented. Now it was for the boy to come up with something.
|
|
|
|
|
lion
The Wintergreen
220 posts
38 likes
|
|
last online Jan 18, 2017 19:38:34 GMT -5
Padawan
|
|
|
Dec 5, 2015 20:15:51 GMT -5
Post by lion on Dec 5, 2015 20:15:51 GMT -5
It wasn't the first nor would it be the last time Fen would engage a lightsaber duellist above his level of skill, but there was something about facing off against Fal that had the Bothan a little unnerved moreso than usual, as he pressed the attack against the Zabrak master. Each strike would miss; it was more than simply a deprecation but almost as if premonition, a gut feeling that his gauging attempts would find no holes through which to slip a strike through. As if his very thoughts shaped reality, so too did the Bothan's strikes indeed find little; shoved aside or simply outright evaded with seemingly as little effort as could be made.
Worse, it seemed the Zabrak's patience had worn thin; rather than simply take the Bothan's forward momentum and yield, it seemed the older Jedi instead opted to throw it straight back into the Padawan's face, for no sooner had his last blow been parried did the riposte come; swift, and punishing in its power.
Scrambling to recover his blade, hopping a quick backstep to gain precious time, Fenn immediately found himself pressed; it took a solid effort to bring his lightsaber into position, with barely a fraction of a second spare to brace for impact. There was little to prepare the boy for the utter physicality brought down upon him, however, and teeth grit in effort, it took everything the Bothan had just to take the power blow and keep grip of his lightsaber. Hands jarred at the wrists as the shock impact surged up Fenn's arm, numbing his fingers for a brief moment as they desperately held onto the metal tube pressed to his palm.
By the Force, Fal could hit. The height difference between the two only made the matter worse, but the Zabrak's strength was sheer domination.
It was too much to try to take the Zabrak's force full-on, and rather than try to answer the attacks head, Fenn instead opted for the indirect approach. Continuing to rely on Shien, the Bothan instead entered a purely defensive sequence of motions as he gave ground; the shorter orange blade humming as it was guided through the sweeping guards meant not to catch the Zabrak's blade, but slap it aside and bat it away. Sitting himself just out of range of Fal's blade, Fenn's lightsaber seemed almost sloppily-used; the beam didn't intercept, rather than actually fall behind the Zabrak's own, as if it were a second behind.
Rather than struggling to keep up, though, despite the semi-truth of the matter as Fenn desperately defended himself, the combat display was just another showing of the boy's use of Shien out of its context; deflecting Fal's attacks rather than try to simply absorb the sheer bone-shattering force behind them.
|
|
|
|