Every feint, every dodge, every block is a trap to the unwary… (Open to all Sisters)

[Darth Timoris]

Melori walked across the lake that led to the Temple she’d created on Tython. It was still not fully operational but that didn’t mean it couldn’t be used.

As she lowered her head to ensure she stepped on each step that was set slightly below the surface – giving the illusion she was walking on water – she contemplated the commitment she’d made.

Lightsaber duels were commonplace and although being taught the Forms was standard for all Force-users it seems, how to apply them in practice was less often shown. She had volunteered, along with expert help from Darth Ferus, to show as many or as few Sisters that showed up a range of moves and manoeuvres that would only help their use of a saber in combat.

So she walked into the Academy dedicated to the duelling arts and climbed one of the two staircases that led to the upper level. It was a glorious sight that greeted her. Three floors crashed into one, with a large expanse for fighting and various mezzanine created to allow fighters the opportunity to use their surroundings to simulate a real duel. There were also a whole host of apparatus around that could similarly be used – from tables to statues and from plants to vases.

So she set out a selection of training sabers and waited to see who might arrive. She had a simple plan in her mind. A little bit of basic instruction and then some opportunity to show some moves before the combatants could see how they incorporated it into sparring. Mistakes were somewhat more forgiving here than they were on the battlefield.

 

[Atthala Liens]

Tython was surely a more pleasant planet than others that Atthala had found herself on in the few years of her painful life. The girl still bore the scares of the lash and the rage that welled in her chest was something she needed to get a grasp on....but since escaping from the clutches of her masters, she hadn't really found a place among the One Sith. He rationale for coming to them was simple.

They were winning.

Atthala could envision a time when the One Sith Empire would encompass the majority of the worlds in the galaxy, and if she was going to take up any allegiance, it would be to a winning team. It had been hard, though, so far for the mute girl to cut her niche into the group.

Then she heard of the Covenant of the Black Rose. Atthala still wasn't convinced she would fit into this place anymore than she was fitting in among the larger Sith Order. Atthala had worked alone for many years of her life, and alone was where she felt safest. But she had decided to at least give them a chance.

Approaching [member="Melori Raaf"], Atthala narrowed her eyes and considered the other girl for a moment before casting a glance around to see that, at the moment, they were the only two present for the lesson.

 

[Sierra Momoa]

[member="Atthala Liens "] [member="Melori Raaf"]

The sound of thick fleshy wings came as Sierra came down, the flesh catching the small updraft until she was flying through one of the windows of the temple and her taloned feet touched the ground. The clatter created as the nails clicked walking a spike coming out of her heel that dug into the floor lightly with her weight. A thick mane of red hair splaying across her shoulders as it came down and she stood as tall as she could. Wings fully extended for a moment with the small hand like claw parts on the ends. She clasped them together to form the wings into a cloak almost that covered the tattered cloth shirt she wore. More for the modesty of the human's in her mind before she was looking at the ones there looking to teach them how to use sabers. She clutched one of the training sabers and with her clawed hands she held it looking at the others who were there while her thick tail swayed back and forth wrapping around her waist.

 

[Darth Timoris]

[member="Atthala Liens "]| [member="Sierra Momoa"]

Melori noted the two arrivals and simply decided to wait a short time longer to see if anyone else would arrive before starting. And if anyone arrived late, they could simply catch the group up.

She glanced at the two. She didn't know their names and to be honest didn't care. She didn't do all that Jedi niceness about introducing yourself, saying what you were here for, giving your favourite holovid and then breaking for a blue milk and a group hug before starting.

The moment she was ready, they would start the lesson.

 

[Sierra Momoa]

[member="Melori Raaf"] @Atthala Liens

Her attention went to the ones there now, neither were known to her as she stood tall swishing her tail back and forth while waiting for the lesson to begin. The small sharp intake of air through her teeth was more telling and helpful as Sierra didn't understand fully these humans or usually their incessant need to talk about things or their problems.

 

[Darth Timoris]

Melori decided to start.

“A lightsaber—any weapon—only achieves worth in how it is wielded—in the effort, the struggle of one who holds it. And I’m not talking about the various Forms.”

“I won’t waste time with zones, but it’s worth talking about the three rings of defence quickly. But don’t worry, there will be a chance to do rather than listen very soon.”

Melori activated the training saber she had in her hand. “The Outer ring is against grand sweeping blows. Wide attacks take longer to deliver, but are very powerful. You have four guard positions, all with the blade held diagonally: the upper right, upper left, lower right and lower left.”

“The Middle ring of defense is designed to pick up quicker blows and block them, and is used for blaster-deflection too. The guard positions all feature the blade being held at right angles, with the upper and lower guards being horizontal, while the left and right positions being vertical.” As she explained, she demonstrated.

“The Inner ring is the last line of defense, dangerous to be attacking or defending from. It is proof against lunging attacks, and relies on parries instead of blocks. It only has a single guard position, with the hilt covering the navel. Attacks can be deflected by angling the blades tip and shunting their blade aside with the lower third of your blade. If done correctly, it will facilitate a swift counter opportunity towards the opponent’s chest or abdomen.”

“OK, have a quick practice with each other and then we can learn about some specific moves.”

[member="Sierra Momoa"] | [member="Atthala Liens "]

 

[Sierra Momoa]

[member="Melori Raaf"] @Atthala Liens

Her attention was on the one explaining it while she clutched the saber in her taloned grip, the swishing of her large tail stopping for the moment while going over the zone, rings and areas of contact before she was working to commit it to memory. She might not be the best but she wouldn't be the worst while looking at the ones to practice with and she stood opposite the silent one before the snap hiss of the saber came and Sierra was standing up tall and proud. "Are you prepared human?"

 

[Atthala Liens]

Spoiler

sorry for the delay!

Atthala watched intently as the woman before them began to go over the various defensive moves for blocking an array of attacks. She had been trained by her owner when a girl to fight....but that was not the type of fighting she had been trained on. Hers was more insidious. She had been trained to get people to trust her....or to find her attractive so that she could use that to kill them in their sleep or while they were not paying attention.

If Atthala had to fight an individual directly, she'd failed at her duty.

Turning toward the other student in the room, examining her winged appearance before bowing her head in agreement that she was indeed ready and, stretching out a hand, called a training saber over to it. Igniting the blade, Atthala held it up defensively in front of her confidently, despite the fact that she hadn't wielded one before. It certainly felt different than any blade she'd carried in the past.

Assuming that the other was waiting on her, Atthala raised her blade up and brought it down in a basic two-handed attack, aiming for her left shoulder. Atthala didn't move slow but nor did she put a lot of speed into the attack. She wanted to get a feel for the weapons before really pushing herself.

[member="Melori Raaf"] - [member="Sierra Momoa"]​

 

[Sierra Momoa]

@Atthala Liens [member="Melori Raaf"]

Sierra looked at the woman and she had a foot on her as the training saber in her clawed hand activated with a snap hiss. The crimson blade coming up to defend her shoulder while her wings spread out. It was an awkward move and she had claws.... plus a tail for fighting while she pushed back to try and force with her size the smaller girl. She snarled while her eyes narrowed on her swiping with her tail to try and trip before she slashed with her saber quickly and to try and strike the apprentices forearm.