Faction Artistry (NJO)

[Kell Masaara]

Kell's head jerks up from her half-disassembled saber to check out Zaiya Ceti , giving the girl an impressed whistle as her finished product takes a figurative victory lap. Kell hadn't even considered trying to find another crystal to cram in there, but given all the optional geegaws and doohickeys available to her something was bound to slip through the cracks.

Maybe she just needed some more inspiration. Kell knew what she wanted the saber to do, but not what she wanted it to say. Drumming her fingertips against the top of the workbench, and deciding now was as good a time as any to meet a whole new alien, she set her scribbles to the side and sidled on over to Zaiya, admiring the shifting hues and fine detail on her saber. That was definitely one to be proud of.

"So, what's the story here? You done this before? It's gorgeous work." After a beat, she remembers that introductions are, in fact, both polite and important if you're, you know, trying to meet people, "Kell Masaara, just swooped in a few days ago."

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Kell Masaara

The Lovalla Padawan looked up from her saber with a small surprised blink, her mottled stripes shifting into a warm amber glow that danced gently along her arms. She hadn't expected anyone to come over, let alone compliment her work so directly. The soft hum of the hilt was still buzzing in her hands, the Angraal crystal's calm settling her like a deep breath. She quietly deactivated the saber for safety.

"Oh! Thank you," Zaiya said, a smile igniting her face as her bioluminescence brightened just a little.

"It's my first real saber, so-o....kinda a big deal." She turned it slightly so Kell could see the etching, the embedded beads, the subtle line of the switch for the second crystal.

"Wanted to really make it my own based off what I found important for me.... like the beadwork and the additional tech bits. Oh, and the crystal to knock someone out cold instead of slicing an arm off."

She chuckled, then offered a hand across the bench.

"I'm Zaiya. Padawan, tech tinkerer, sometimes not so accidental glitter enthusiast. And I love your scribbles, by the way. They've got style."

Her stripes shimmered a flicker of light blue in genuine amusement.

"Welcome to the forge, Kell. Haven't seen you before. Did you just arrive to the temple?"

 

[Kell Masaara]

Kell grinned right back at her, leaning forward to accept the offered hand with a big, enthusiastic shake. "What, these ol' things? Just doodles, y'know, I figure when I hit on something I really resonate with, it'll just jump out at me," she provides a small show of jazz hands for emphasis. She's never been especially artsy, but Kell can draw a mostly straight line with the best of them. Presently, she seems to be playing with a fairly utilitarian concept. The grip is reminiscent of a speeder bike throttle, with cut squares in the surface for better grip, and a narrowed choke below the emitter and above the pommel, not entirely unlike an ancient metal sword of some kind.

"And thanks, good to meet you - I like that name, by the way - but yeah, and my legs are still achin' from the trip," because she walked all the way here across the galaxy, har har, "my last master and I had a parting of ways, sorta, he suggested I make my way out here." Since Zaiya is keen to share, Kell takes advantage of the closer perspective to scope this thing like a hawk-bat, cocking her head slightly to the side as she studies the detail that distance denied her before. It's very ornate, very... bubbly? Bubbly, in the outgoing sorta way. If first impressions were anything to go by, it seemed a good fit. Lots of texture, plenty to explore.

"That wrap is pretty slick, really pops with the rest of it. Didn't know they had crystals to just clock somebody cold, where'd you find that puppy?"

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Kell Masaara

Zaiya let out a soft laugh at Kell's jazz hands, firm handshake, and compliment to her name, and gave a little bounce, her stripes flickering bright orange for a moment in avid curiosity. Kell seemed very friendly, which was totally okay for the very social Lovalla.

"I know the feeling. I do a lot of sketches for my own prototypes as well. Helps plan things out because otherwise I'll get distracted by anything shiny. " she said, eyeing the other girl's design with genuine appreciation.

At the question about the blue wrap, Zaiya visibly perked up like a Glowbird, straightening and beaming a wide smile. She brought the saber a little closer, letting Kell get a better look.

Up close, the detail was even more visible along the songsteel with the etched lines curving like waves with the blue Rycrit leather wrapped along the hilt for a better grip. Not to mention the Thisspiasian stabilizing coils embedded near the pommel cap, giving off the faintest shimmer of calm Force energy.

"Thanks! The wrap's repurposed Rycrit leather. I like being able to reuse things and upcycle to make them pretty when I can."

At Kell's question, her face brightened.

"Oh! The second crystal? That's entropite." She gave a slight tilt of her saber, showing the barely noticeable activator switch.

"My master helped me with it, but I first learned about it back at the Bazaar of the Four Winds when I met Aris. He has one too in his lightsaber and I would rather be able to diffuse situations without escalating to serious injuries if necessary. So that worked out well for me too."

At the mention that her last Master and Kell parted ways, Zaiya's expression turned one of soft, curious concern, and there was a faint ripple of color hues that painted over her mottled spots.

"Oh, then are you looking for a new Master?"

 

[Kell Masaara]

"Right this very second? Not strictly speaking, no, I'm still getting used to," Kell makes circular motions with her hands palm down, attempting to communicate the broadest sense, "all this. Eventually, shortly, but it's..." weird to not be on the run? Different to not be looking over your shoulder for black clad goons? Just nice to have a little space of her own to breathe and be alone with her thoughts in? "...a lot to get to grips with. My learning was fairly unorthodox, I'm coming to realize. Who's your master? Maybe I'll make a list of who to bug about it first."

Kell nods along as Zaiya speaks about her choices. It strikes Kell as a fairly noble choice to make a blade that can't kill, or at least has the option to avoid it, and feels uniquely 'Jedi' to her mind. Speaking of shiny, though, Kell's eyes shift as she watches Zaiya's spots and stripes ripple and shift with different colors, like a living mood ring, or one of them lava lamps that changed color in the window across from her childhood bedroom. Some kind of tourist trap type shop, if she remembered right, but the glow always made for a fine night light, and the fleeting memory reins her grin in to a softer, more genuine smile.

"What are you, exactly? I don't think I've met one of your species before, with the glowing parts," she gives a small nod toward Zaiya's arm to indicate her meaning.

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with:


"I have two masters, actually. Master Iris Arani and Master Shan . They help me a llot and balance me out. Each has dfferent strengths and different perspectives, but together they've really helped me grow. I feel lucky. Really, really lucky, honestly." Zaiya told Kell, her mottled stripes shifting into a happy light blue with faint gold highlights along the edges that glowed a little brighter iridescent gold as she spoke.

She glanced over at Kell and added, "I only joined the Order a few years ago. I wasn't raised in the temple or anything. I grew up on Commenor, well at the university there. My parents were both professors."

A small smile escaped her, though it dimmed just slightly as her stripes rippled with a touch of soft grey and light bronze. It didn't hurt anymore, but the ache of missing a love one was still there, even if it was bittersweet.

"But they passed away when I was younger. I came to the Jedi after I met Aris and learned that there was the Force and that I was able to use it."

At Kell's question about what she was, Zaiya's expression brightened again, and her stripes shifted into a soft teal with glints of cyan.

"Oh, I'm a Lovalla. Not surprised you haven't met one because we're pretty rare outside a few core worlds. We have the ability to use our colorshifting and biolumienece as a way to communicate with each other. Kinda like... an extra layer of providing context. The colors and glow effects depend on my emotions."

She held up one glowing arm with a wry grin, "Sometimes helpful. Sometimes really not. Kinda hard to bluff when your embarrassment turns bright pink."

The last was said as Zaiya dared to dance her opal blue gaze to shine at Aris Noble , unable to help the flicker of pink and giddy tint of red just along the edges of her mottled spots on her cheeks.

 

[Kell Masaara]

Ooh, someone's got a cru-ush. Kell nods along as she follows Zaiya's gaze over to Aris on the other side of the room, and turns back to her wearing a thoroughly satisfied smirk, "Oh, don't you worry, secret's safe with me." Secret or not, she understands it - handsome guy, that Aris, and evidently confident enough to take on the task of teaching, no wonder there's people swooning over him. She briefly wonders if that counts as an attachment, and when it becomes a problem - philosophy was only infrequently her master's forte.

"Sorry for your loss," she said, genuinely, "but two masters, that's something, hey? Here I was thinking it was gonna be a one-on-one gig straight to Knighthood, just shows I got a lot to learn. I came from Nar Shaddaa, I actually," she's interrupted by a short, bashful chuckle, "met my master when I tried to steal his lightsaber. Learned about force sensitivity, psychometry, and became a padawan all in one fell swoop. How's that for a shock?"

A lovalla, huh? That - or rather her colors - sparked an idea in Kell, and it showed in her eyes as she retrieved her sketching materials. "You know, actually, you gave me an idea. Maybe it's shallow and all, but that bronze flash reminded me of a speeder bike I used to see parked across the way from where me and the boys used to cause trouble. All black, but all the pipe work was this real gorgeous, polished bronzium that was swish as all get out, just real classy. Utility refined, I like that. Reminds me of where I came from, shows me where I'm going."

Leaning over her page, Kell redraws her lightsaber, but with the addition of several bronze-colored rings around the choke points, the emitter, and... for just a little flare, the entire switch segment. Boom. That's money, right there... and, almost as an afterthought, a handguard in the same color. A simple, large disk.

Zaiya Ceti

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x | Companion: Domxite
Interacting with: Kell Masaara

Zaiya was, of course, immediately pink at Kell's little nudge and commentary. The Lovalla Padawan might be gullible and a bit prone to having things fly over her head, but she was getting better at it, and she understood what the other girl meant loud and clear.

Not that there really needed to be any secret; Aris was already her boyfriend. Not that they publicized it -- although anyone who knew them already thought they'd been dating for a while when it hadn't been the case at all! They were best friends!

It just so happened that now Zaiya was very much in like-like giddy fluttery mode when it came to the tall Epicanthix Padawan, and at how cute he was.

"It's okay." Zaiya replied, but it was not just in regards to Aris but Kell's condolences of her family.

Either way, the Lovalla watched with avid curiosity as Kells seemed to have gotten a spark of inspiration. All the better! At the end, with Kells holding her completed saber, Zaiya beamed.

"Okay, that is so-o cool! I like it! Well done!"

 

[Kell Masaara]

"Thanks! Just some... fine details to hash out, I think..."
There isn't really a whole lot to change, she considers, staring at it. That's the money - she thought so just now. Maybe a more flared emitter? A thinner pommel? All the pieces are around here somewhere, she saw the array scattered about when she came into the room. None of it needed redrawing, not really. Kell retrieved her saber to her newfound work station next to Zaiya and finished undressing its innards. A very neat, compact package - someone knows their way around electronics.

"Don't let it run off on me," Kell says with a wink before picking her way through the wide selection of pieces and parts. That bit looks close enough to her pommel, and this one is a dead ringer for the emitter. She wants to get the handguard in phrik someday, but this disk'll do for now.

Returning with her chosen parts, Kell quickly reassembles her lightsaber and, making sure to point it in a safe direction, presses the go button.

KZS-SHEEEM

An emerald green blade erupts from the emitter with a deep, powerful thrum, its compressed rubat crystal causing a visible rhythmic pulse along its length. There's no water to dunk it in here to check the ignition pulse, but a few flicks of her thumb prove the dual phase switch to be operating perfectly, flicking smoothly between shoto and full length.

Gang, we are SO here.

 

[Ran Serys]

"Braze." Ran whispered her contemporary's name in amazement as she came to study the works he had displayed before him. Lightsabers, gauntlets, whips, and much more. "You are quite the craftsman." She admitted. "I know you are young and have many talents, but have you ever considered teaching lightsaber construction, or submitting a holocron to the archives about your works?" Ran questioned.

"Some of these designs are quite revolutionary." She said sincerely. "I believe they are on par with the skill of some of the saber masters of old, and then some." She wondered if he'd deny the compliment. In her estimation, a lot of Jedi were too humble. "I'm glad you've come and shared these with today's lesson. I'm sure Aris Noble is too."

"I know the art of sabercraft can be deeply personal, but I'm wondering if you might do the honor of sharing a workbench with me sometime in the future? I'm sure I would learn a lot." She smiled at the younger knight warmly. His design work was beautiful as well as his focus on practical use, technique, and the more unique deviations of his constructions. Ran was simpler in her design choices but Braze had inspired her, that she might take more chances in the future with her choices.

Tags: Braze
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[Braze]

TAGS: Ran Serys | Open

​

Braze perked up like a small puppy that knew its name, turning somber jade green eyes to Ran Serys as she addressed him. He paused his contemplation of some longsword-styled weapon and set his pad down, offering her his full attention. He practically beamed at the generous compliment and smiled a little brighter. It seemed he once again had much to say when asked, and proceeded to yap
in reply,
"Thank you kindly, you flatter me; Revolutionary is generous. I just followed a string of curiosity and stubborn trial-and-error. If it sparks a shift in how others approach their sabers, well...that's more than I could have hoped for. Aris Noble is a good teacher. I came to show some examples and offer assitance to any one who might have ambitious ideas or questions. " he offered lightly, accepting the compliment.

"Not exactly... I've tried to offer my Padawan Kaelos Vryn some insight on saber crafting. After my trip to Ilum with Loomi and Ikenna Tahj , I became pretty enamored with crystals," he offered.

"My passions lie in the martial arts of combat, and that desire to push conventional understanding of saber form branched out into an interest in developing and trying to learn to use different 'styles' of sabers, studying what could be done with them, and to what extent and effect.... Not exactly a direct outlook on peacekeeping, but I feel that knowledge and understanding can be powerful allies just as well.

When pursuing saber crafting studies to such an extent, I noticed a pattern in the things I seemed to desire in a tool. I compiled them into a helpful Saber Mod Kit that I often find myself gifting to others. I find it provides a solid all-around base for a good, versatile, and sturdy tool that can hold up under an array of conditions and environments.

For some of the more complicated, and arguably dangerous, ideas I had, I asked Knight Valin Zenth to help me. We have a small group (Force Forged Sabercrafts) that shares engineering knowledge, ideas, and parts to help support the study of Saber Components. I would be honored to share a workbench with you and offer what knowledge I can."

He moved to pick up the Light foil styled blade and held it up. " My first saber is this one. Elegant and refined for percision speed and purpose. I built it from scabanged 'trash' I hauled from Junkyards across the galaxy. I wanted to make something beautiful and useful out of things that were abandoned or considered ugly. "

He paused and smiled looking at her. " What, if I may ask, are you interested in exploring with a new blade?"