Private Commendable efforts

[Sakadi Marathi Sinvala]

C O M M E N O R
J E D I- A C A D E M Y​

The sounds of hissing blades and skidding boots echoed through the hallway leading up to the domed balcony that served as a sparring room. It was two against one. A young Knight and his even younger Padawan who tried to pin down the Jedi Master in white. But each time they advanced, the storm of blue blades was warded off. At times, they were even forced on the defensive, their footwork outmaneuvered by the graceful Sephi. It was a learning experience for the newly formed duo - they needed to rely on each other and work together. Because if they didn't...

She effortlessly caught the Knight's lightsaber with her own lime-green blade as she delivered a staggering kick to the Padawan's chest. In an exchange of no less than three seconds, the Knight found himself disarmed and standing against the balustrade.

"I understand the urge to press the attack," began Sakadi, deactivating her lightsaber. "but if you do not communicate it, you create a situation your opponent can exploit." She turned to check on the panting and sweating Padawan. "Remember, the strength of the Jedi lies in our unity. Only together can we overcome challenges greater than our own."

After helping the Knight up, she spoke her parting words. "I suggest you meditate on this." With a slight bow to return their respects, Sakadi watched as they left the balcony. Their training session was over. But hers had only just begun.

Mathieu Brion

 

[Mathieu Brion]

Commendable Efforts​

It was a meeting. Ages - or what felt like it - had come and gone since Mathieu Brion last set foot on the fair planet near the galactic core. In fact, remembering when he was last there was a challenge. But then, unlike Kashyyyk, Taris or even Chalacta, Commenor had not left much of a mark in the young Morellian's mind. No tender memories were linked to the planet nor was it familiar enough to identify as 'home'. The only thing that brought him back was some meeting for naval big-shots. Chaussidier was attending and the crew of the Nima II were granted shore leave.

The relatively new Jedi temple on the planet did not house any Padawans, at least not during Mathieu's time as one. Although he had visited the temple a few times in the past, walking through its halls still felt like something new. It was as if he explored the large structure all over again. Mathieu's features were clad in a slight but noticeable smile as his eager eyes shot from one corner to the other. He was there to train with Master Sakadi but having a look around on his way there wouldn't hurt.

It felt good to be there. Mathieu had spent the last years travelling with the 4th recon fleet under Chaussidier. It was a lifestyle - one of constant drilling, mission preparations and combat. It dawned on him that, while the Concord's assets and citizens participated in conflicts across the galaxy, it was clear that the Concord itself was no longer at war. Pleasant sounding conversations could be heard throughout the corridors and laughter echoed through the wide halls. Many Jedi still carried their lightsabres but their robes were more domestic. In contrast, Mathieu still wore his heavy armour underneath his worn robes.

Directions from fellow Jedi had served to guide him towards the training chambers at first. Eventually, the clash of sabres could be heard and serve as an alternate guide. Soon, he arrived in the hallway leading up to the sparring area. In the distance, the small Sephi Master could be seen as she helped a Knight get back up on their feet. A knowing smile grew on Mathieu's lips - although he had never trained under Master Sakadi himself or experienced it during the numerous times they worked together, Cassie had told him about her tougher methods. Despite no longer being a Padawan himself, Mathieu had no doubt that he still had much to learn from the woman.

Meeting the Jedi Knight and Padawan as they exited, Mathieu offered a courteous bow before continuing. The antechamber leading out onto the domed balcony served as something of a weapons chamber. His hands moved in a familiar motion to brush his robes back. First, he took his own sabre and replaced it with a practice blade. He then took the sabre of Purin Mill Se-Loach from his belt and looked at it for a few moments. The weapon had been with him for longer than his own and had saved his life on numerous occasions. Still, it was rarely used and not part of his regular training regimen. It was obvious that the sabre would be discarded for the training session but whether it would be replaced or not was unclear. A few moments passed before he decided to do so.

With two practice sabres hanging by his belt, Mathieu entered the balcony and offered the Sephi a bow. "Master Sakadi"

The large Knight's eyes scanned the balcony as he moved deeper into the room. The wonderous nuance to his gaze had been replaced by a more analytical one. In any battle, it was vital to be aware of one's surroundings. His gaze then settled on her, quickly trying to locate where her weapons were and if there were any signs of previous injuries. Once satisfied, Mathieu would look to her playfully "This is where I usually urge my potential opponent to surrender."

 

[Sakadi Marathi Sinvala]

C O M M E N O R
J E D I- A C A D E M Y​

Sakadi drew herself up to her full five and a half feet again, just in time to watch the next contender ascend the marble steps to her dueling ring. The way the Morellian's eyes swept over her and assessed her did not go unnoticed. It amused her to a degree, seeing how much of his past as mercenary and soldier still remained with him. There was no denying that Mathieu was a clever and capable warrior in the material realm. But as she had noted before, his analysis of her in the realm of the Force was lacking.

What was found in the physical realm, was the serene and graceful Sephi. Her arms were hidden in the loose sleeves of her robes, shielding her more subtle movements from prying eyes. Her single lightsaber hung harmlessly at her side, and her small step back betrayed that she was barefoot. In essence, she looked unprepared. Harmless, even. Yet the realm of the Force told a different story. In the Force, Sakadi held the same energy as a dormant volcano. The kind that could rumble and erupt at a moment's notice, with great consequences attached.

She lowered her head in a slight bow and returned the greeting. "Mathieu."

"This is where I usually urge my potential opponent to surrender."

Sakadi placed her hands in the opposite sleeves of her robes. "And if the situation were one I could exploit to accomplish my goal, I definitely would." She retorted. "Perhaps the Sith do not see it that way, but for us Jedi the objective is never the fight in itself. It is simply a means to an end." She began to leisurely circle around the Knight, half-expecting him to start circling as well to keep her from closing in. With her head cocked to the side, she continued. "But I trust Master Heavenshield taught you that."

Mathieu Brion

 

[Mathieu Brion]

Commendable Efforts​

Exploit - it was a curious choice of words. It seemed harsh, but utilitarian. Had it been any other Jedi Master, Mathieu would have expected something softer but Sakadi had a way of veering towards efficient communication. Still, she was an accomplished diplomat - perhaps due to that style, rather than despite of it. His eyes momentarily glanced to her arms, now tucked together in front of her chest inside the large sleeves. It was a disarming posture. Following suit, Mathieu allowed his arms to hang idly as his outer robe covered the sides of his belt where the training sabres hung.

Mathieu remembered having studied under Thurion on multiple occasions. The King of Midvinter lead a busy life. Having been given the chance to study under him was an honour. Whether Thurion, Master Or'Fol Moric, the old Eloi Graix or even his friend Cassie had been the one to tell him that a Jedi's goal wasn't to fight was unclear - what was clear was that he had indeed heard it many times. "Yes, Master Sakadi." Mathieu felt conflicted on the matter, however. While he had no questions about the idea per se, it did seem to be a bit detached. Chaussidier had shown him as much: There was always evil to be found across the galaxy and fighting those evils almost always meant having to partake in combat. Avoiding combat as a first alternative was a noble and good path which he followed - but did it really make that much of a difference when violence would still be the end result so often? His mind ventured to the battle against Darth Quizzitus. Although the Sith had refused to surrender at first, he eventually did. And even then, Mathieu ended up striking him down. He let out a sigh - it was something which would have to be pondered upon another time.

Something more pressing was relevant now. Master Sakadi had already begun circling him and he had just stood there in his thoughts. It meant that she was closer to him than she would have been if he too, had ventured into the circling pattern. Quickly, turned a little to face her directly while drawing the training blade. Igniting it covered him in a familiar blue coloured light - but instead of the peaceful hum that he was used to, it made a slightly more high-pitched noise. As if by instinct, the large Morellian dropped into a defensive Soresu stance, keeping the blade high with both hands grasping the hilt with both hands for increased control. As soon as he did, however, he noticed that the balance was off - it had been some time since the opportunity to use a practice blade had arisen.

With a few steps, Mathieu created some distance between them. While the circling would continue, Mathieu dropped his guard to produced a flurry of movements with the practice sabre to get a better feel for it. Unless interrupted, he would once more raise his guard. With the capacity to take larger steps, the young Morellian would increase his pace. Unless the Sephi deviated from her current pattern, the Knight would eventually end up right behind her.

Sakadi Marathi Sinvala