Hope Floats

[Lynette Lykova]

Temple of the Green Jedi
Corellia

It was a green forest glen just off the parameter of the floating isles. One of the pilots from the Flight Academy had recommended the location for it's proximity to the main coastal road and a few good ATV trailheads. Lynette just admired the view. From here she could approach the edge of the falls and see all of the floating islands up close. Admire the strange symmetry to it all and watch as the new X-Wings rolled off the isles' flight lines and into the clouds. You could even hear the echo of their engines when they flew over the treeline. If just barely.

The blue-haired woman stood underneath a great tree, admiring the view. She'd parked her rental just off the main road and walked the rest of the way. Her phone was ready should [member="Kian Karr"] call and say he'd be late. After all, she'd set up this lesson today through a few clever Jedi Shadow connections with the Academy Network. A useful resource she'd connected with thanks to her friends back on planet Denon and a few adventures with the Silver Service Corps. I guess she could say: she knew people.

It was still late morning and the heavy breakfast she'd eaten at the hotel was still warm with her. Probably make it a late lunch today at the Temple after the lesson. She nodded to the X-Wings as they past overhead again and turned her eyes back to the ocean cliffs and the cold coastal waters below. Tugging tightly on her long shearling coat. Brrr. As, the thought of going swimming today made her shiver. Bleh.

She smiled and checked her phone again. Ah. Perfect timing.

 

[Kian Karr]

Not far from where they were to meet, Kian Karr sat upon a large rock, his hood thrown back and the rays of the sun beating down on his orange/brown skin as it cut through the canopy above. Kian had served many Jedi Orders in his time, but he had to admit that the temple on Correllia was one of the most enjoyable places he'd been to. He found himself spending more time here lately than he was use to spending at a home location. Kian's work with the Shadows often meant he was on the move and he spent most of his time as a Knight and younger Master aboard one Shadow vessel or another hunting down leads, intelligence, or Sith.

But now, Kian was getting old and he realized it was more important for him to pass on his knowledge and let the younger Shadows take the lead on missions for a while.

Kian's attention was drawn to the sound of two younglings chasing each other through the woods. They appeared to be playing tag with a larger group of children. They must be at a breaking point in their training. Smiling broadly beneath his mask, Kian basked in their wonderful and joyful signatures in the force. Teaching younglings was one of Kian's favorite things to do, especially because when he first met younglings, they would stare in bewilderment at his appearance.

Glancing at his chrono, Kian realized he was in danger of running late and he sprang to his feet moving through the forest silently. So silently in fact that one of the younglings came around a tree unaware of Kian's presence and almost ran directly into him.

"Excuse me, Master Karr." The little girl, no more than 6 years old, said and then a wicked smile spread across her human face. "You're it." She said tagging him and darting away. Kian lifted a hand and grasped the young girl in the force, lifting her up into the air and pulling her back towards him. By now several other younglings had come over and they were giggling at their young friend floating on the breeze. "Hey!" She yelled in protest but she burst into laughter none-the-less. Walking slowly over to her, Kian leaned in and stretched out a hand, poking her on the nose.

"You're it," Kian said emphasizing the words and then dropping her gently on her butt in the grass, "Best go get them." Kian said lower so that only she would hear. She roared with energy as she leapt to her feet and charged at the others who scattered, screaming with delight. Shaking his head, Kian finished his walk to the grove in which he was meeting with [member="Lynette Lykova"]. Word had come down through various channels that she was in need of training in Shien and Djem So, and as luck would have it, Kian was available to do just that. As he approached Lynette, Kian brushed the wrinkles out of his outfit and bowed his head to her.

"Welcome," Kian said smiling broadly behind the mask and pouring warmth into the force, "I hope you found the place alright!" His voice was deep and muffled, but audible thanks to there amplifier in the front of his anti-ox mask.

 

[Lynette Lykova]

Ah. Kel Dors. Such a strange looking species to her young human eyes. Yet, even without the Force to recommend him, Karr was quite fashionable in dress and regal in his exotic composure. Yes. Even despite his warm Jedi humility, Karr would probably fit right in back home on Lynette's birth world. Why, he'd make a fine prince if it weren't for the traditional Korviti racial preference for humans. Alas and away. Such was probably never to be. Not in her lifetime anyway. No. Lynette only ever got to meet the cool aliens when she traveled. Pity.

"Thank you. And yes, it was an easy find. Hehe. Thank you for having me Master Karr."

She gave a soft nod of her head and stood up straighter. Dignified and regal. Luxurious and proper, in her fuzzy long coat.

"I'll admit. I've been onworld for three days now and, wow. This planet really does have it all. From food, to wine, to auspicious locals? My my. I'm downright impressed. Perhaps the Green Jedi really do swing a pitcher to the marvels of Silver Rest. Hehe. Impressive."

Her royal smile tempted towards the illustrious and rich ambition. She couldn't help but notice the jealousies of the queen. The fine embellishments of taste. No no. I'm afraid humility did not suit poor Lynette Lykova. She would wear even this green forest as a crown around her head, if she could.

Old habits die hard, I guess.

"And, vacationing as I am. Thank you very much for making time for a lesson, Master Karr. No doubt your own schedule is quite trying during these violent times. A pity for the galaxy, to be sure."

Invasion season was affecting them all. No doubt the Green Jedi of Corellia might say the same.

"I was hoping this morning to pick your brain about the fifth form of the Jedi lightsaber arts. As, I understand you're something of a sword artist yourself, yes?"

She withdrew her long silver-hilted Lightsaber and twirled it about her fingers.

"Tell me then. Why Shien and Djem So?"

[member="Kian Karr"] |​

 

[Kian Karr]

Kian nodded as she spoke but found himself unable to validate her statements regarding the food, wine, and entertainment of the planet. While Kian held nothing against those who indulged, Kian had always been the more cloistered type of Jedi. When he ate well or drank alcohol, it was only ever as part of a cover for one of his operations, and typically it wasn't necessary.

"I'll have to take your word for it." Kian said chuckling. Lynette shown bright in the force, but not in the way a Jedi necessarily would. Kian did not sense darkness in her, but her nobility, her status was evident in her force signature. Kian always found the force signatures of royalty and nobility to be....hungry.

"Yes," Kian said solemnly, "I'm afraid this galaxy has gotten too use to violence and destruction. In that regard, the Jedi have failed and contineu to." Kian admitted. It was the duty of the Jedi to preserve peace in the galaxy and peace had not been known for the entirety of Kian's existence. At one point or another, war had raged for the entirety of his tenure as a Jedi.

"An artist...." Kian said clasping his hands in front of him and considering the words. Kian had never viewed it in quite that light. He hadn't walked the guardian path, never seeing his lightsaber as more than a necessity, but circumstance had shaped him into a fighter. "....not quite. Art should create, not destroy and a lightsaber destroys or preserves if wielded properly. That is why the most important form is Form Zero, which teaches a Jedi to resolve situations without violence as best one can."

"But that is not always possible." Kian admitted begrudgingly. "And for that reason, we train!"

"What lightsaber form or forms a Jedi practices often speaks to a Jedi's philosophy." Kian said unclipping his lightsaber as well and keeping the hilt in his hands inactive. "I considered Soresu as a younger Jedi, but found the form too passive. I view lightsaber combat like a debate between two opposing parties. A debater who only ever defends against an opponents claim will not win."

"Instead, an argument is made and a counter argument provided. That is Shien and Djem So. They are strong defensive forms, but at their core they are about more than just defense, they are about countering an attack rather than sitting passively and awaiting your opponents mistake." Kian thumbed his activation switch and his green blade sprang to life, dialed down to the lowest and safest setting. "And when necessary, to strike first." Kian said slashing out to the air at his side with a powerful two handed downward slash, "To creating an opening in an opponents defense."

"But, since you passed the question to me," Kian said holding his lightsaber before him in a low, relaxed guard, "I'll pass it back to you."

"Why Form V?"

[member="Lynette Lykova"]​

 

[Lynette Lykova]

Karr quickly noticed Lynette's hunger for battle. Her ambition for power, knowledge, and the strength to defend her people back home. Exactly right too. She might have been trained in traditional Jedi ways. But the spirit of the peacekeeper was not with her. And it showed in her attitude and her Force signature. There was far more regal tyranny to her latent Force talents then there ever was mystical healer. However, darkness did not become her appetite either. She craved divinity more than anything. Alas, the Lightside of the Force never revealed itself to her quite the way she expected it to.

She twirled her lightsaber in her fluffy hands and smiled.

"Why you ask? Well. Necessity of course. Life never gave us a choice really."

She ignited her soft blue blade and watched as the power setting lowered itself to a minimum.

"As the cub is born with claws, so is the Jedi born with a blade. Whether to scratch his way to the top or to battle his way through the pack. It makes no difference. Only the Gods demand good judgement within the Force. Yet, poor Mother Nature just wants to see if you have what it takes to survive her games. Hmph!"

Lynette took a forward stance, blade held tall and centered. Her weight was forward and held in anticipation of attack.

"I myself often wonder if Form V choose me, or... If I chose it? Destiny being what it is. I'd like to think it was a practical decision. Perhaps."

Lynette used Force Speed to burst across the distance between them. Her blade moving high towards her right shoulder. Then, coming crashing down in an angled cut against Karr high left guard. Her move was made with good diligence and good practice. It was without malice but filled with sudden determination. The Force moved with her like a crashing upset current and a clever eye could distill the resistance there-in came from a lack of immersion within it's still waters. From a lack of peace with ones self and with the Force. Alas. Much like a Darksider or like a novice. She was summoning the Force to obey her will. Without moderation and without forethought as to the divine currents own will. No. She moved with fervor, yes. But she still could not perceive the curves of eternity.

More to the point. She was practiced in Form V, yes. However Lynette lacked refinement. She lacked purpose. Nothing graceful, nothing light. She was resolutely, a hard styled intermediate fencer. Little more.

[member="Kian Karr"] |​

 

[Kian Karr]

Lynette certainly had some interesting ideas of the Jedi, but Kian reminded himself that he had to be careful forcing his views of what was a Jedi and was not on others. With the Galaxy divided into so many Orders and sects, what it meant to be a Jedi was often fluid and changing. To Kian it would always be the same. The defense of others and the destruction of the Sith. But there were many ways to serve the Jedi.

"There is always a choice," Kian said after a moment of thought, "our futures are not written. Many things can divert a flowing river." Kian said, purposefully using metaphorical "Jedi-speak" simply because it sometimes made him smile humorously beneath the mask even though this was hidden to outside observation. Kian smile broadened even more when Lynette rushed forward on the attack. Kian loved a good fight with a friendly adversary. Sparring was one of the best ways to get to know someone in Kian's mind. You could see how they handle attacking, defending, and you can feel them through the force. Are they the calm at the center of the storm or are they the storm?

Kian brought his saber up but instead of taking the slash straight on to block, Kian slashed across while shifting to the side in the hopes of pushing her blade past him and opening up her defense. Kian followed this up by striking at her gut with the pommel of his lightsaber and then with a flick of his wrists, attempting to catch her across the thigh with the blade. While the fight was commencing, Kian allowed the force to flow into him and help guide his movements. As the fight would commence, Kian would continue to sink deeper into the force, falling into an almost meditative connection, allowing the distinction between himself and the surrounding jungle fade as he became one with the flow around him.

"I can arrange for you to take a Jedi Temple Training Droid with you on your travels. They are capable of simulating the various forms of lightsaber combat. They would not be able to instruct you in the finer points of combat, such as the use of the force, but they would allow you to keep the rust off." Kian said as they fought, "This would allow you to work on what we cover today."

[member="Lynette Lykova"]​

 

[Lynette Lykova]

She broke contact as their blade's touched, twisted her core outwards just a touch to avoid his gut punch, and then swept her blade long and low. Brushing his saber attack past her legs with gusto. Swish.

Then, rising with the sweep, her blade flashed high, and came sliding down with a central chop towards his high guard. A feint however. Too lightly weighted. Her blade quickly twisting and dancing upon contact his parameter ward. A twist of the wrist, pull back, arch the blade downwards, and then rapidly thrust inward like a straight spear, down into his high guard.

In real time now.

Feint, twist, stab.

She was aggressive but well distanced. Her cuts moved with speed, she zoned high and with good angles, and she threatened her partner's body with only the first few centimeters of the blade. Her footwork was heavier than most, prepping for strong pushes and long thrusts with her hips. Her eyes held his core to watch his form, foot positions, and to avoid the bright luster of his blade. In the Force she watched for gathering magicks and the early warning signs of a Force Push, Force Speed, or a Force Jump. There was experience behind her dueling art. Though, perhaps too much attention was spent on detail and not enough on her natural flow and grace. The clunky mechanics of an intermediate. Still moving from one memorized workflow into the next. Boxy. Compartmentalized. Segmented. Lacking unison. Denied the ethereal lightness and divine touch of a Master Fencer.

She tried hard. She meant well. But her weakness was the same as it had always been.

She was just, mostly good.

Oh. And she didn't talk either. Force of habit, I suppose. Meh.

[member="Kian Karr"] | *ooc: don't feel a need to take damage. This is just good word practice for me right now. Lulz.​

 

[Kian Karr]

Lynette was good, which made the smile form beneath his mask once more. When Kian had heard she needed instruction in the form, he had thought much of today's lesson would center on basics and the proper application of the form. But instead, he found a talented adversary with which to refine, not only her own form, but his own. Every match was an opportunity to learn and every opponent brought uniqueness to the experience of fighting that would aid later down the road.

Kian used the momentum of the block, spinning away and coming back around with his saber held defensively before him. She came in with a download slash but quickly averted the attack. A feint. Kian quickly found himself backpedaling - transitioning his horizontal block into a vertical push to the side, sending the stab just barely wide of his body. He felt the heat of the blade pass alongside him and as he brought his blade back to his core defensively.

"Very good." Kian said, speaking as he often did in parring matches....and even in duels against adversaries! Kian paused for a moment, as if he were falling back onto the defensive as he had been from the beginning of the match. But one of the things that had always drawn Kian to practicing Form V, was the ability to blend strong defense with bursts of powerful offense. Transitioning to the offensive, Kian burst forward with a series of three lighter slashes, left, then right, then left again, aiming for speed rather than strength. None of the attacks were meant to land, but were rather meant to try and push Lynette back onto the defensive. After executing the final slash, Kian brought his blade up into one of the most characteristic movements of Djem So, Falling Avalanche. A powerful two-handed slash, starting out overhead and coming down hard in a vertical slash meant to power through an opponent's defenses.

It was a difficult move to execute, as one had to ensure that you struck hard enough to make a direct block difficult. However, this also meant that against a nimble enough opponent, the attack could be avoided through footwork and then place the attacker at a sudden disadvantage. Kian had always employed it late in a match. Kian was not large and his smaller size often made opponents mistake him for weaker or more passive, but Kian had honed his style over more than 40 years of service for the Jedi. That was why Kian often preferred to take a defensive approach early in a fight, allowing the opponent to think him passive, to play to their perceptions, so the sudden burst of offense would be more impactful.

[member="Lynette Lykova"]​

 

[Lynette Lykova]

Lynette smiled but did not backpeddle. Rather, she moved to Karr's side so that his rapid strikes would not burrow into her but cause them both to spin. Like a top or a dance. This allowed both of them to keep their momentum going. Sword's flashing. Guard's sparking with fervor.

She even held fast when his avalanche came down. Going horizontal and pushing up high to catch the blow early. Ineffective. Karr burst threw her guard and she was forced to flourish and and spin away. She did not expose but Karr did maintain initiative.

Luckily for her, Lightsaber physics were terrible at carrying anything less than a magical amount of weight into every swing. And Karr only outweighed her by about fifteen pounds too. So the stamina drain from such an attack was mostly just mental at this point.

Though, tell that to her aching wrists right about now. Ugh. Sheesh.

[member="Kian Karr"] |​

 

[Kian Karr]

Kian could now feel the light sheen of sweat on his body as they went about the dance of blades. His attacks and reactions seemed to be those of another individual as he melded further into the flowing ripples of the force. It had taken Kian most of his life training to be able to reach such a balance when in combat, though it was much easier to achieve when you were in a friendly duel than when you were on chaotic battlefield. It was perhaps one of the hardest skills for a Jedi to learn, the ability to immerse themselves into an almost meditative state while fighting. But when it happened, it was a feeling unlike any other, as it allowed a calmness to wash over him even while his body was striking out with the more aggressive fighting style of the Jedi. The fighting meditation was needed more now than in his younger years. Kian was getting older, and even with the aid of the force, he still felt it. During a fight, not so much thanks to his reliance on the force and his training regimes. But after a fight, laying in bed at night, he could feel it in his joints and in his tired muscles. He recovered much more slowly from a long bought of fighting now than he had in the past, despite his greater connection to the force and his experience.

So much of fighting was outlasting an opponent. Time was an opponent that could not be outlasted.

Kian moved forward, not wanting to lose the initiative. The flourishing action made it impossible for Kian to strike home, as it covered any exposure that would have been created by the powerful Form V attack. It was an impressive maneuver and Kian had to admit he was continually impressed by the fighting skills of his opponent. While there were some aspects that might need refinement, as she had said, the raw simplicity of her utilization of the form was efficient and powerful. Kian darted forward as soon as her spin had ended to strike out once more with a series of fast, short cuts. The first two were the same as before, cut left, cut right, but on the third, Kian instead feinted. Bringing his blade forward as if to strike once more from the left, he instead reversed course, dropping low and sweeping his leg around in an attempt to take her off her feet.

[member="Lynette Lykova"]​

 

[Lynette Lykova]

Lynette somersaulted with the Force over Karr's sweep and landed delicately on both feet.

Perfect. Just how she'd wanted.

Yes. Honestly. This spar had been just what she'd needed.

"Enough!"

She smiled as the tenseness of battle subsided from her aura.

"Enough."

Softer and, maybe a bit winded too.

"That... That was perfect. Hmph. Thank you."

The blue haired woman took a deep breath and turned off her Lightsaber. Taking the moment to breath. And to just stand up straight.

"And I must say. Well done Master Karr. It has been far too long since someone other than a Hutt bandit has truly given me the fight I had been hoping for."

She touched her face and checked the condition of her make up. Mmm. Making sure the perspiration for their bout hadn't ruined her face. Which, whether by luck or by magic, it hadn't. Good.

"Thank you again. But... Well. I suppose we'll just talk, from here."

She took another deep breath and groomed her long coat. Obviously, she hadn't been dressed much for a fight either. Pity.

"Come."

She motioned them back towards the treeline and the waterfalls beyond.

"We'll continue the lesson where we can see the ocean. I can't mediate where I've just bent the grass with battle."

Well. Obviously this change of pace was a bit strange sure. But, perhaps the important part of the lesson had already come to pass. Now they could just talk and mediate like Jedi. Leaving the rougher part of the day behind them. Perhaps.

[member="Kian Karr"] |​

 

[Kian Karr]

Lynette's somersault was executed beautiful, coming well clear of the leg sweep. Kian used the momentum of the sweep to keep himself coming around, his lightsaber coming out in front expecting an attack from behind. Instead he found Lynette standing a few yards beyond him, smiling. "Enough." She said, once louder from the adrenaline of battle, the other more subdued and winded. Kian felt a bit of pride in having winded the younger Jedi....that was until he rose up from his crouched position and felt himself winded as well.

"Yes," Kian agreed nodding, "that was very, very good." Kian bowed respectfully at her kind words. "It was certainly a wonderful match....I'm not sure you are a fair judge of your skills! I would have considered that very refined." Kian said clipping his lightsaber to his belt. Lynette then beckoned for Kian to follow her and she began to lead them toward the ocean view. As they approached the waterfall, Kian found two large rocks that were sitting on the edge of a large drop off.

"This looks as good as any." Kian said settling into a cross-legged seated position. "What shall we discuss?" Kian asked, wondering what it was they would discuss.

[member="Lynette Lykova"]​

 

[Lynette Lykova]

Lynette stood with an eye to the view. Letting her breathing subside back into a normal rhythm. Almost embarrassed that she'd let herself get so carried away. Well. No matter. The thrill of good combat had been exactly what she'd needed today. Even if she hadn't come dressed for the occasions.

"I'd like to move our lesson into more hypothetical territory, if you don't mind. As. I was wondering what your preference for Lightsabers was when using Form V."

She looked down to her own silver hilt and nodded.

"I myself was trained only in the use of a single hilt blade. Created and trained solely for self defense. Yet, in my travels I've notice a wide array of weapons used by the Jedi Orders of the galaxy. From double blades, to Midvinter vardarium steel, to laser whips, and more. Therefore, I was wondering if you yourself favored anything exotic when practicing? Perhaps. Like pros-and-cons of different styles, or such?"

Lynette was just "good" when it came to Form V. Alas. She had only ever trained one way, with one weapon, against singular Jedi foes. So her lack of utility was not just in imagination alone. She was wondering if Karr would be willing to share any stories from his own long experience about Jedi combat.

[member="Kian Karr"] |​

 

[Kian Karr]

Kian considered Lynette' inquiry for a moment, his hand absently stroking the lower protrusions of his anti-ox mask. It was a habit that humans had told him was similar to men with beards stroking the facial hair in contemplation. Kian often didn't realize he was doing it, until he found some younglings innocently mocking the gesture to him one day. Children could teach us much about ourselves.

"It is a good question," Kian admitted, "I have always preferred a single blade in combat. I find that, at least in my experience, that specialized weapons force a duelists focus to always be on that weapon. They create patterns of attack that are typical to the weapon and that cut back on the creativity of the wielder in combat."

"If I'm fighting an opponent with a saberstaff, I can be certain that they will often strike fast and frequently, keeping the momentum of of the twin blades moving to effectively wield the weapon. While this can overpower an opponents defense....it also makes them predictable. For that reason, I've always prefered the flexibility of a single lightsaber."

"However," Kian said shrugging, "There is no reason you could not engage in Form V with a saberstaff or duel wielding, though one handed attacks will lack the powerful strikes of a two-handed attack, the philosophy of defense to counter-attack transitions can still be implemented."

Kian paused once more to contemplate his own history with combat and training. He had benefited greatly in his life by training in methods despite the fact that he did not employ them. "I would suggest, however, that you not limit your training to a single lightsaber. It may be that you focus on a single blade - but an understanding of how the other weapons work in combat is best achieved by training with them."

"I was fortunate," Kian admitted, "That I have always had trainers who typically used weapons such as this. The Baran Do of Dorin prefer staff fighting....though those are wooden - and hurt quite a bit." Kian said laughing, his mind flashing to a scene of a scrawny 8 year old Kel Dor version of Kian smashing into a mat that needed just a bit more padding. "My master when I was a Form VI practitioner who fought with twin lightsabers."

"My time as a Shadow has also meant I've had to face and adapt to a number of tactics I had not anticipated as a younger Jedi." Kian's mind immediately went to Darth Hauntruss. The Sith had been one of the most impactful of his life. He had witnessed, while still a padawan, her corruption and destruction of younglings and they had crossed paths on several occasions on the battlefield. Her use of a lightwhip had forced Kian to adapt his fighting style to survive. "I often found myself up against Darth Hauntruss. Her use of a lightwip forced me to construct, and learn how to use, a Shoto in battle."

"I often do not train in different weapons - not anymore. But I did when I was younger, and it may be while I'm still around." Kian said laughing once more.

[member="Lynette Lykova"]​

 

[Lynette Lykova]

Lynette listened quietly and nodded as he spoke of adaptability. Her eyes turned back to the sea and she watched again as the Starfighters rounded the floating isles. Letting the image and the breeze soothe her to the core. She took a deep breath as Karr finished speaking and gave a solemn nod,

"Well said."

She'd make a note to figure out what a Lightwhip and a Shoto were. Probably some strange Echani contraptions for all she knew. Blah. This galaxy some times. So weird.

"Now. More to the conclusion of today's collaboration, I was wondering if I could ask about mastering Form V. More specifically. When does one know they have attained mastery?"

It was a silly question in a way. Lynette knew there would never come a day when she would stop learning. Stop getting better. Whether that be adapting her form to fit a new opponent's style or incorporating a new sword or firearm into her technique. The options to expand and to grow were literally endless and her own human lifetime was far, far too small to ever grasp godhood entirely. Still. She wanted to do right by the people back home. She wanted to be the best Jedi that her home planet could possibly ask for. But... When would that happen? She couldn't help but feel that all this training was quickly going to waste.

Mmm. Maybe it really was time to stop hanging around with the Silvers and actually, oh, I don't know, ...Go home maybe.

She took a deep breath and put her hands on her hips. Maybe she really was ready after all.

[member="Kian Karr"] |​

 

[Kian Karr]

It was a good question, and just the type of question that often had unsatisfactory answers. It was hard for Kian to pinpoint just when he would have gone from being proficient in Form V to being a "master' of Form V. Even as a Jedi Knight he would have considered himself only proficient in the form. But war had shaped him from merely a proficient fighter to a skilled one. But he was always still learning. That would never end.

"It is a good question," Kian admitted, cross his hands on his lap and looking out over the flowing water nearby. "I would say that, when you are so practiced in the form that you no longer have to think about the maneuvers or positions. When your technique has blended so well into who you are as a combatant that you can simply rely on the force and muscle memory guide you."

"That isn't to say," Kian clarified, "that you should become complacent and treat every combatant the same. But there will be a point where you no longer feel as if you have to consciously adapt....you will fall into your meditative battle state and find that the form has become a part of that state in a way it was not before."

"If I ever use any attacks from Ataru or Niman," Kian said, his face turning back towards Lynette, "I have to do it consciously, I have to think about how to execute the attack. That is a problem, because it draws me out of my meditative state, it hinders my ability to allow the force to guide me in combat. For Shien, that is never a problem. It is so engrained in who I am that it is as reflective as breathing."

"That is the state I believe a combatant must be at to consider themselves a master of a form." Kian said hoping his answer had sufficiently answered her inquiry.

[member="Lynette Lykova"]​

 

[Lynette Lykova]

Lynette turned and gave Karr a big smile. That, was probably the best answer anybody could have asked for.

"Well. I'll be damned."

She beamed a smile and gave him a solemn nod. Then stood up straight and bowed like a formal Jedi. Rising only to take another deep breath.

"Master Karr. It's been an honor. This was exactly the kind of collaboration I had been hoping. It was, perfect."

She turned back to the image of the floating isles and nodded. The perfect start to another perfect day.

Mmm. Then she looked down and quickly checked her phone. Time's up.

"Well. I suppose that's all the time I have for today. Thank you again for coming."

She turned and looked back out towards where she had parked.

"So? Is there anything I do for you before I take my leave? Corellia's a big place ya know. Never hurts to have a few friends. Ha."

She was already thinking about getting another coffee.

[member="Kian Karr"] |​

 

[Kian Karr]

Kian rose his feet, bowing respectfully. It was, as Lynette had said, a perfect collaboration. Kian would leave this match, a little better off for having faced a new opponent and Lynette would hopefully leave with some ideas of how to perfect her already impressive use of the Form.

"It was a pleasure as well." Kian said smiling. "I look forward to our paths crossing again."

"There is nothing I need," Kian said truly meaning it. He had everything he needed provided by the Jedi. "I have gained from our training, as I hope you have as well."

"Although," Kian said, mischievous twinkling sparkling unseen in his goggled eyes, "Should you ever come across information in your travels that you feel would benefit the Jedi Shadows....please feel free to pass it along." Kian would always provide training to any Jedi or lightside force user who asked and would never expect a payment. But, information was valuable, and if those who worked with him felt so inclined to provide the Shadows assistance, he would never turn that down. And members of the nobility tended to have very good information indeed.

[member="Lynette Lykova"]​

 

[Lynette Lykova]

Lynette gave a happy nod and a gesture of thanks,

"Of course. I'm happy to count the Jedi Shadows as friends. Will do."

And with that, she smiled and took her leave. Leaving the floating isles of the Green Jedi and there happy Starfighter school, behind.

[member="Kian Karr"] |​