Duel A Bout in Sand (Sars vs Ruslan)

[Ruslan Zorlu]

Ponemah Terminal

The door to the backwater cantina slid open and in walked a man that seemed out of place for the current surroundings. He wore a large brown brim hat made of felt and decorated with a large feather. His attire was made of elegant dark coloured articles of clothing, most noticeable was the black leather pauldron off his right shoulder bearing the Jedi sigil. His dark blue shoulder cape that dangled off his left side flapped in the hot dessert wind that followed him into the cantina. The man's emerald gaze cautiously and with purpose scanned the immediate surroundings as he walked further into the bar, each step taken with his black Nerf leather high boots echoed a cadence on the old sandstone floor further catching the attention of the local bar patrons. Was no doubt that Ruslan's entrance and flamboyant style was the centre of attention, an intended and desired theatrics. The Jedi knight could feel the anxiety radiating from nearly all with in the cantina as his mere presence preyed upon everyone's own guilt and past transgressions as if Ruslan was some form of Law Enforcement or bounty hunter. This day and age, everyone knew what Jedi was or thought they knew. The fact of it was the galaxy was now full of people capable of wielding the force, a far cry from days when such sorcerers were all but rare and on the verge of extinction. Now you can find them everywhere, even on this backwater desert planet of Ponemah. To be exact, sides from the obvious Jedi, there was one other with in the room that could be categorized as 'Force User'. Such a coincidence would of been inconceivable ages ago.

Ruslan's inquisitive gaze finally locked onto his intended quarry. A near human like being sitting at the back of the cantina comfortably in a private alcove. There was no surprise in his facial expression as if he new that the Jedi was there for him. The Jedi then looked towards the bartender " Two shots of your Merenzane Gold!" he ordered, his cut-glass Barnabian accent was etched with such confidence that it left no doubt to the bartender and those around that he could afford such a expensive beverage. "Have it brought to the back!" He commanded as he ventured towards Sars Sarad .

Once the Jedi Knight had walked the distance to where Sars was seated, he took his large brim hat off with his right hand and slightly nodded his head in noble manner as a polite gesture of introduction. "I am Sir Ruslan of house Zorlu and Jedi of the Praxeum. " He announced as if such was important to Sars and loud enough for all to hear. " I am here to make you answer for your assualt on Jedi Padawan Alyssa Shinobu "

The female twi'lek waitress arrived to Ruslan's side with two shots of the Merenzane Gold. She put them on the table and Ruslan slowly reached into his pocket and pulled a data card that was obviously his bank. Without breaking his gaze on Sars he tapped the chip on the Twi'leks reader and paid in full the price of the gold shots, along with a sizable tip. He took a seat across from Sars, without permission, and took one of the glasses gesturing for Sars to do the same. "Lets have a drink before we conduct business!"

 

[Sars Sarad]

The Cantina was a place for derelicts not unlike Ponemah Terminal itself. A Desert world with an arid and inhospitable climate, a world where Pirates and other scum could remain under the radar, unseen and unbothered. As for someone like Sarad it was a way point, a stop over from one place to the next. He'd reconnected with several of the Marauders from his past, their Frigate remained in orbit above the planet while members of the crew had disembarked planetside.

When Ruslan Zorlu entered the Cantina Sarad had felt him. The Force was like a body of water, alive and constantly flowing; throw a stone into the water and it moves around it, manipulated by it. This was what those attuned to the force felt like to Sarad. He could pin point them when they were near, the force flowing around them like they were a stone thrown into the midst of it and sometimes they created ripples in their wake too.

He'd remained seated in his alcove. Sarad hadn't actually been drinking. There was a Data Pad on the table where he sat, his back to the wall and he was studying the coordinates on it. The Brotherhood of the Maw was attacking the Galactic Alliance and the New Imperial Order. Sarad knew that if he was present during any of the future battles to be had that he would find new opponents. He'd been looking at the Data Pad until the man, speaking in a voice loud enough that anyone present could hear introduced himself as 'Sir Ruslan' ensuring that it was impossible to ignore him.

Up close to him Ruslan would be able to see how Sarad dressed. He wore his Tako'rass Duster as an overlay atop an assortment that hot weather attire and his personalized armor. Seated as he was Ruslan wouldn't be able to see the lightsaber on his person or 'Old Sin', both of which would have been beneath the cover of the duster.

He'd have remained silent until Ruslan sat across from him, barring any potential exit due to presenting himself as an obstacle. When it was time Sarad would raise his right hand and reach across for the cup he'd been offered, drawing it back to his mouth so that he could take a slow sip. Lowering the cup afterwards and looking across at Ruslan he'd have remarked...

"Merenzane Gold isn't cheap. In a place like this you'd think you'd want to avoid attention, a show of wealth can be dangerous."

...but considering his introduction Sarad had his doubts about Ruslan being concerned. He was studying the man who sat across from him now before he inquired, only caring to know one thing really...

"Who was your Master, Jedi?"

...meaning who taught him, who trained him. He'd asked Alyssa the same question and he'd asked the Grand Padawan, student of the Grand Master of the Silver Jedi Concord the same before their sabers crossed as well.​

 

[Ruslan Zorlu]

Ruslan sniffed his glass first, taking in the rich smokey aroma as Sars Sarad sipped. This ignited his pallet for the long awaited taste that he been thirsting for the moment he saw the expensive bottle up on the top shelf. " You are correct Mr Sarad. Showing wealth in such a place makes a target of ones self and could be very troublesome for someone that is not looking for that kind of attention" The Jedi wolfishly smirked before satisfying his thirst with a sip of the Merenzane Gold.

"The Identity of my master is none of your concern" Ruslan response was quick yet calculated. He could only suspect that Sars was either trying to inquire if his lineage of training was of anyone of note or...... he was looking for a potential target to exact revenge upon if today did not go in his favor. There could be other possibilities, but Ruslan wasn't going to give him that. "You will just have to wait patiently till we finish our drinks to find out my level of skills with a sabre" He teased taking another slow sip of the Gold. "Just know I am not a young padawan!" Was a verbal shot across the bow taking crack at his last choice of opponent.

 

[Sars Sarad]

Judging by the reaction of the Jedi Sarad assumed that he was the type who sought ot make a spectacle of himself or at least draw attention. There was an arrogance there that Sarad could appreciate however he did not share it, he'd always made many of his challenges as personal as possible. If not for what he said then Sarad would have judged the man according to the richness of his palate and Merenzane Gold.

When Ruslan answered Sarad's inquiry about his master all the Sarad could do was tip his head in acceptance. By now Sarad had set both his hands across the tabletop, clearly it showcased that he was not holding a weapon and revealed as much to the Jedi however reaching for his cup he would have another drink. He was observant, he watched which hand Ruslan drank with and assumed that was his dominant hand. As for Sarad, he drank with his right hand.

He'd finished taking another sip and set the cup of Merenzane Gold down, replacing his hand on the tabletop in the same motion when Ruslan made a comment that he was not some Padawan. It made Sarad smile thinly, he was looking across the table at the Jedi now.

"Just as foolish though."

...the retort, which was spoken casually was accompanied by what was likely considered a show of brute force. Sarad, his hands set atop the table between the two of them would channel the force through his limbs in what could be considered a burst of puissant strength. A Shove of both arms was all it took to rip the table up from the floor and hurl it away from Sarad and towards Ruslan Zorlu who had seated himself directly across from him. He hurled the table like it was a paperweight, it seemed likely that it had the potential of taking Ruslan with it as it was flung through the Cantina.

By then, having created room for himself in the alcove Sarad would have been on his feet and moving out into the open. Letting his right hand linger down by his hip he'd sweep the Duster he wore back away from his hip and retrieve his lightsaber. Igniting the weapon, which crackled to life and created a white phosphorescent blade that radiated an intense heat thanks to the barab ingot inside Sarad would raise it slowly...

"You must have come a long way to find me. Lets see if it was worth the trouble."

...they might go outside, into the hot desert sun but Sarad had no preference. The Cantina was starting to clear out quickly, especially after the lightsaber had ignited. Sarad had taken the saber, right hand over left after raising it to height with his midsection and angling the blade forward slightly. The Strength he'd displayed had faded from his limbs, a momentary burst of power lent to him by the force.​

 

[Ruslan Zorlu]

The tingling sense at the back of Ruslan's mind readied the Jedi for danger and flaring up at the very moment Sars Sarad turned the table into a projectile. His danger sense only gave him a blink to react within but it was enough for Ruslan to mitigate the damage the table could of caused him by pushing with both his feet and rolling backwards knocking his chair and himself over. He tumbled with the table, diverting its kinetic energy from pummelling him with blunt force as he let it graze across his chest then crashing into the bar behind him. The Jedi artfully completed the tumble using his own momentum to thrust himself upwards and onto his feet, his right hand extending outwards like he had just completed a acrobatic feat for judges and a audience.

The True feat was the fact the glass was still gripped in his right hand and not a single drop had fell during this moment of violence. Ruslan felt like a champion and he could not hold back the smile that reached from ear to ear. "Now that would of been a proper tragedy!" He jested with a chuckle, before drinking all that was left in a single gulp. He was certain he would of garnished a few laughs from the crowd if they were not to busy trying to get out of harms way.

Ruslan rose a finger up towards Sars as if he could will him not to continue the attack "Lets take this outside!" He replied, turning towards the doors taking his eyes off the lightsabre armed man behind him. "Don't forget to pay your tab and give a little extra for the damage you caused!"

Ruslan used the force to grab his hat that had travelled with the table and he gave an apologetic nod towards the proprietor of the cantina "If he doesn't pony up, i will cover the cost after...... this" With that he walked outside into the fairway of the desert town, placing his hat over his head to protect his eyes from the glaring sun. He gripped his unique lightsaber pulling it off its magnetic lock from his leather gunbelt and igniting the blue blade. What made this lightsaber unique was that it had a elegantly designed and engraved basket-hilt and cross-guard with the obvious purpose of protecting one's hands and digits from damage. He gave it a couple practice twirls as he waiting for his opponent to follow suit.

The moment he would see Sars coming out from the cantina he would raise his saber up with the cross-guard nearly touching his lips in a traditional form II salute "May the force be with you Sars Sarad !" He bladed his body towards him and extend the blade out in a mid guard stance, tip of his saber pointed towards Sars.

 

[Sars Sarad]

Impressive. He didn't often see such displays of athletics or acrobatics. Beyond how he mitigated much of what Sarad's improvised attack may have done to him he had kept his cup from spilling a single drop of the Merenzane Gold. Very impressive.

As the Jedi came back to his feet Sarad with lightsaber already ignited was ready to proceed however Ruslan bade him to take it outside. There was a moment when Sarad felt like laughing, some men liked to duel in a particular fashion he supposed though he could appreciate as much. He'd look over towards the Barkeeper when Ruslan suggested he pay his tad and while the man didn't shrink away from his gaze it appeared as though there was a look of recognition shared between the two. Without much in the way of a comment Sarad would proceed outside, following the Jedi.

They'd move outside of the Cantina, out into the fairway of the Desert Town and the oppressive heat of the sun. The Tako'rass Duster he wore didn't appear to impede Sarad and beneath in the sun Ruslin would likely identify a mixture of the hot weather attire and armor that his opponent wore. It was the same for Sarad who quickly identified the unique hilt that Ruslan's lightsaber was equipped with; he imagined it must have been made of phrik which was both light and lightsaber resistant otherwise its value in a contest such as this would have been negligible.

Once Sarad had proceeded out into the sun, positioning himself with the sun at his back he'd take up a bladed stance similar to Ruslan's with his right side at the fore. Repositioning his lightsaber he'd set the hilt at height with his rear hip and angle the crackling blade so that it ran horizontally up to his lead shoulder.

"The Sea of Sand awaits."

...something a phrase used by the locals to describe the shifting desert sands as they spread out across the world, many men had been lost out in them.

On that note Sarad moved forward, swiftly but not running or over extending himself. As he came within reach of Ruslan Zorlu he'd drive his lightsaber out, swinging it so that the white phosphorescent crushed itself against the Jedi's blue blade on the inside. Energy crackling on contact and as long as the blades maintained contact would be ambient, the intense heat of Sarad's blade would be palpable....​

 

[Ruslan Zorlu]

Sars Sarad moved in to the attack, not giving off any indications of traditional forms in his movements or strike. Could of been a ploy or that he was using a style of saber fighting outside of Ruslan's knowledge base. Either-way, he had little time to dwell on that as Sarad pressed his attack swinging for his blue blade in what the Jedi could only interpret as an attempt to dominate the inside line. With a practiced twist of the wrist he would roll his own blade from underneath the white blade capitalizing on Sarad's own momentum to place his own blade on the outide as Ruslan gained inside dominance once more with little effort. The heat that radiated from Sarad's balde was not lost on the Jedi, he could feel the heat above the desert's own and the sun's.

Without hesitation Ruslan followed up his dominance of the inside line by snapping into a lunge turning the movement of his own defence into an offensive strike. He used his entire body to extend the tip of his blade at Sarad's now open chest and upper arm with full intentions of running him through and hopefully ending this duel quick. The lunge was lightening fast, mathematically calculated and perfectly deployed, a testament to someone highly disciplined in form II.

 

[Sars Sarad]

The clash of lightsabers would be minimal, the crackle of energy barely evident as Sarad swung his saber in attempt to take Ruslan's on the inside before his opponent artfully disengaged, placing his own weapon on the inside. It was a very intricate maneuver. Sarad recognized it as something a Makeshi practioner might perform and he might have admired it had he not been on the receiving end of such a technique.

Due to the swing of his own blade Sarad would have to ride out the momentum as he carried his lightsaber to his left. The Jedi had been clever. As Ruslan Zorlu brought his lightsaber into a dominant position inside of Sarad's he recognized the maneuver though and transitioning his weight forward Sarad would have taken a large side step to his left, shifting that side to a lead.

He'd offset himself to the right of Ruslan as the Jedi snapped into a lunge while arcing his own lightsaber upwards, raising it over his head in the process as he rode the momentum of his blow. The Lunge that Ruslan performed would have caught Sarad across the outside of his right pectoral, a glancing blow even if the phrikite breastplate beneath hadn't sparked on contact indicating its defensive properties but the Jedi need not concern himself with that yet.

As Ruslan found himself dangerously extended due to the lunge he'd performed Sarad would sweep his lightsaber down from its elevated position towards the outside of the Jedi's right arm, capitalizing on the body mechanics that went into such a maneuver. The Lightsaber would descend diagonally, Sarad would release it with his left hand at the last moment so that he could continue the backwards momentum of the blow past his right hip complimentary to the sweeping stroke of the saber. On the outside it was in a perfect placement to strike at Ruslan's right arm and Sarad showed no hesitation, he would cleanly take the limb from his opponent just below the shoulder and continue into his pectoral if he could.

Even as the stroke was completing itself Sarad was busy taking a few steps forward, past his opponent in what was essentially a sweeping engagement allowing him to swing around to face Ruslan again...

 

[Ruslan Zorlu]

The lunge was an aggressive manoeuvre that was successful in finding its target, yet instead of burning into flesh and bone it glanced harmlessly off some form of armour. An amateur student of the blade would of been put off, but Ruslan was no amateur. He had been here many times before and it was not uncommon for warriors in this current age to wear lightsaber resistant armour, especially with how many force adepts were swinging lightsabers in the galaxy. Sars was showing that he was no amateur either, taking full advantage of Ruslan's commitment to the lung and the exposure it had left open. He had shrugged the glancing blow off from the tip of the Ruslan's blue blade and side stepped the attack to capitalize on his new found advantage to bear his own blade down on the exposed Jedi.

Ruslan would fluently with panther like reflexes recover from the lunge and slip his own saber underneath to meet Sar's blade. The two lightsabers would connect and crackle brilliantly with white and blue sparks as the Jedi parried the momentum of the attack off to his left side diagonally. while parrying the attack Ruslan was able to properly regain his footing and composer so he could respond quickly with a counter attack. Ruslan slid his own blade up Sar's, keeping the sparkling connection and control while aiming for his opponent's fingers attached to the saber's grip. He was now poking and prodding for weak spots in Sar's armour to find exploitable points to gain victory.

Sars Sarad

 

[Sars Sarad]

The crackling of energy indicated the contact of lightsabers as Ruslan parried Sarad's attack. The Lightsaber was only momentarily redirected though as Sarad, regardless of the redirection of his own saber would ride the backswing as intended while he moved forward to complete the original pass as planned. The Backswing of his Sarad's lightsaber would both disengage it from Ruslan's negating his attempt to ride the blade up to Sarad's hand and carry it past his right hip.

As the lightsaber completed its arc of movement Sarad, moving forward to pass by Ruslan Zorlu on the right where he'd offset himself would plant his left foot and pivot inwards on it so that he could swing himself back around to face Ruslan on his right profile. The Lightsaber in his hand would wheel backwards at the same time, coming up over his shoulder and whipping back around behind his head in the process so that he sweep it downwards in another overhead diagonal blow from his left back over to his right.

This time Sarad was looking to make contact on Ruslan's flank, the right leg beneath the buttocks on the meaty part of the thigh and across the outside of the leg. He was swinging his lightsaber in a near continuous arc of motion at this point, it was reasonable to assume regardless of whether he might make contact of not that Sarad could continue to manipulate his momentum into another arc of attack. The Pivot he'd made, turning him towards the right profile of Ruslan would likewise position his left side at the lead in what was essentially a quarter stance while opening distance between them.

He'd turned his aft right foot outwards on an angle, the left was pointed towards Ruslan and flat.

The Desert heat was palpable, the sun remained high in the air at this hour. Aside from the two of them the fairway through the town was empty. Spectators watched but from the safety of the cantina or the buildings in this desolate place. Many of those who saw them had likely never seen a lightsaber duel before and the flashing blue and phosphorescent blades wove an almost exotic dance with one another. Even at a distance the heat of Sarad's lightsaber was palpable. He was used to the extreme temperatures that came with wielding the lightsaber but every pass heralded an almost blistering heat that only hinted at what an even glancing blow might feel like.​