Luminosity

[Relina Zhan]

[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]

Relina came to sit down when dinner was brought, a splendid three course meal, of course. "Oh?" she asked Josh. "And what have I missed, I wonder?" she asked before delicately digging in. She and her sister both had some sort of fish, well spiced with a red, savory seasoning, the meat tender and flaky. It was a light pink under the seasoning. She squirted a bit of juice from a sour yellow fruit on it after her frist taste, judging that it needed a tangy addition to it.

Relina's back was straight and her movements were light and delicate, like a noblewoman stereotype. However, there was a subtle rigidity and purpose she moved with. Her bites were small, but also purposeful. This was perhaps a physical amalgam of both her upbringing and Navy history.

"Well, Gallinore won the Blitz game. We are going to the national championship against Hapes next week." Aless commented, hoping to help take her sister's mind off of what was to come.

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

Josh himself had a good deal of meat, steak mainly, but some pork and vegetables as well. It was a decent diet to have for a Jedi, he figured. "Oh nothing" The Jedi would tease with a goofy smile aimed in Relina's direction. "Just stuff. How's your preparation been going, dear?" The Jedi would inquire in response.

His posture was straight, proper. It seemed he'd begun to pick up on the required habits for the dinner table at a Ducha's household as he'd been here. It took a bit of time, and he still had habits from the months spent on his ship by himself eating roughly, and he still showed a few less civilized table manners, but he was trying at least. He still didn't seem to take his time with his food though, although he seemed thrilled with the taste of the steak.

"Mmmm. The game was certainly... Interesting" He added between bites, though he'd been a little too out of it in the hot tub to pay all that much attention.

[member="Relina Zhan"]

 

[Relina Zhan]

[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]

Relina thought about her response as she chewed. "The preliminaries are in motion. The real work begins tomorrow." she replied after swallowing. She eat a bit more, before adding. "If you wish, you may come along, but I will not enlist you further than what you are willing to contribute. You're my guest, after all. While I certainly appreciate what you have done for me as of late, part of me feels you should not have had to." there was mingled guilt on her emotions.

To her sister, she'd reply, albeit delayed, accepting the hint that the subject ought to be changed. "That's good to hear. That game ought to be interesting indeed. Do we know anyone willing to take a wager?" she asked.

".... Not really." Aless replied simply between bites.

Relina shrugged and looked to Josh. "Blitz is an old sport... one we grew up around. Paragon is a sponsor of our local team.... But, I trust another form of sports interests you more?" she asked.

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

As he chewed his food, he pondered her words before nodding a bit as he took a swallow. "I suppose I can figure out a way to get involved. Why not, right? I've been here for this so far, I might as well see it through. The question is.... How, I will be involved. That's the thing. I'm not a soldier. I'm not Republic reinforcements. And when I raced across the battlefield, cleaving through people like one, I was being foolish. Just like many of the other Jedi who had been brainwashed. I won't be doing that anymore" He would remark. "It's... Just not the Jedi way. But I will find a way to assist in some capacity, as a friend" Josh would add, taking a breath before taking a sip of his drink.

He let them speak of their game for a moment, before shrugging when Relina would bring up the subject to him. "I've never really had the time to watch much... Though if you ever wish to wrestle for -sport- then... I'm sure we can arrange -something- no?" The Jedi would tease, shooting Relina a wry smile.

He was at it again, it seemed. But it was good for keeping spirits high.

[member="Relina Zhan"]

 

[Relina Zhan]

[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]

Relina laughed at the wrestling comment. Oh, such would be fun, wouldn't it? she was thinking. "Wrestling... yes, that and actual fighting. Perhaps the oldest spectacle of them all, no?" she asked, diverting from the obvious innuendo, although her laughter was perhaps acknowledgement enough that she understood his meaning.

Aless didn't comment, although her lips curled in a grin indicating her amusement.

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"I suppose a sparring match couldn't hurt either" He remarked, shrugging casually, chuckling after she seemed to acknowledge, albeit turn away from the obvious innuendo. Aww, Relina, why ruin his fun? "We can do a sparring match in a bit, perhaps, get us back in shape for tomorrow... The wrestling? I suppose that can wait until tonight" He cracked, laughing a little more.

The conversation was amusing, indeed, and after a few minutes of eating, Josh would pipe up again, though with a more serious tone.

"Are you nervous? You know, for tomorrow?" Josh would inquire toward the both of them.

[member="Relina Zhan"]

 

[Relina Zhan]

[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]

Relina shook hr head. "Not really. This isn't the first combat situation I've been in. About the only thing I'd be nervous about is collateral damage" she said in between bites. Relina remembered a time in the last insurrection which involved a ground assault while she flew top cover above. There were alot of unnecessary deaths that were tragically unavoidable because of the nature of urban warfare.

"This time... I hope things will be different.... No strike raids." she added. She went quiet as she remembered how she blew out the bridge of the Bellerophon with a single concussion missile. Alot of people died from the blast and the exposure to the vacuum of space and even more died when the ship eventually crashed into Stalsenek's moon. He was already out of commission from savage ion cannon bombardment, his shielding offline and his armoured hull pounded into disrepair. No one would have ever expected the killing blow being dealt by something that usually amounted to little more than a bee-sting to a ship the size of a Battle Dragon.

"... Apollyon..." she whispered, a slight grit to her hushed voice.

"Apollyon? The Slayer? The Angel of Death?" Alessandra asked. She smirked a little, but her expression changed as a thought struck her. "I know you haven't been to the Temple years, Relina. Perhaps you should stop by before you ship out.... Let it be to Athena you ask to keep Apollyon at bay."

Relian didn't answer right away. She never talked about the meaning of the name to her... nor anyone else really. She preferred to let it die on the battlefield. She figured her sister, still more religious than she, was seeing it at face value.

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"I doubted it was. But collateral damage is something to worry about when you hold rank, I suppose. Know that all too well" The former Grandmaster spoke with a chuckle escaping him between bites. He didn't tend to fly... He fought on the ground. Nothing more.

Well, besides that one time...

"I doubt it'll be different, Relina. What're the odds of them knowing we're coming?" He would ask, tilting his head. "As much as I hate to say it, we're going to have to throw everything at them. Because they're going to -know- Relina. And they'll have been preparing an army far longer then you will have been. I know enough about Hapan politics to know that they likely have a backup plan. You think their only plan was to try and get into the family and get the influence and the riches from the inside? What if that didn't work? What if you caught wind of it, maybe survived the assassination attempts somehow? Sure, they couldn't account for a Jedi Master showing up, but they likely started building an army up ever since their assassin was captured. They can't -know- if the assassin spilled the beans during interrogation or not... But they're not dumb enough to assume they didn't and not build an army just in case"

He let the two talk amongst themselves, before bringing up another point. He'd thought of his involvement in the battle.

"I'd like to fight as minimally as I can, deflecting blaster bolts and protecting you as much as I can, just as I have been throughout this entire ordeal. But if it gets bad... Really bad... If they pull something that's nasty and completely unfair... I have a secret weapon that I wasn't hoping to bring out. But... Just in case, there's something I'd like to ship from Naboo before the battle. If it comes to that... Then I'll fight" He would add, staring her dead in the eyes. He was serious....

He didn't want to fight more then he had to. But with what they had pulled so far... He knew it was likely they would force his hand.

[member="Relina Zhan"]

 

[Relina Zhan]

[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]

Relina finished her main course and was poking at the side dish on a separate plate. for someone so dainty and thin, she sure could eat. She'd look to Josh and replied, "It doesn't matter if she knows we are coming or not. It is common for nobility, regardless of rank, to have some measure of militia power at hand. Being who she is, she has a force that warrants consideration."

She'd take a sip of her drink, letting herself sobre up. The last thing she needed is to fly with a hangover. She'd look to her sister, staring at her for a moment, as if sending her thoughts telepathically. in reality, she was considering her response, recalling the last time, years ago, that she visited the local Wayist Temple. "... perhaps...." she replied quietly.

When Josh brought up his offer to fight with her, she gave him a look of concern. "I didn't mean for you to get wrapped up in this affair, Joshua. It is kind of you and appreciated, but I am concerned for you. I won't tell you 'no', but..." she trailed off. The man had saved her life twice already within a two-day span. With what she was planning to do, not having a Jedi for back-up when one was available was foolhardy. But she had a particular caring for this particular Jedi at the same time. She drew a blank and what else she could say... perhaps she didn't really have much of a say in the matter at this point.

".... Yes... I think I will attempt to renew my faith. I will visit Saint Clavelle's Basilica first thing in the morning." she said. Aless smiled a bit and nodded in ascent.

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"You don't think maybe she's going to incredibly buff up said militia and likely has been this entire time?" The Jedi would correct, shaking his head. "She may have a militia now, but a noble is smart enough to know that if they're going to pull a treason like this... They need to be prepared in case of backlash. She will have a far stronger militia then you think" He would advise. "And someone like her... Will take every dirty shortcut to take you down once she realizes you're coming for them"

He took a drink and then spent a few minutes eating before speaking again once she had spoken. "I will only fight fully if necessary. Otherwise I will partake in the same fashion as a Jedi in the old wars would" He would add. "Have your men follow the instructions I'll give them when I have time, and we will have a secret weapon prepared if the worst comes to the worst. I will not let you fall victim to anymore of their dirty tricks."

[member="Relina Zhan"]

 

[Relina Zhan]

[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]

Relina nodded to Josh. "Alright. I will have you co-ordinate with Admiral Grey. I had called him with a petition to the Queen Mother about this. It is he who ordered me to the High Charity tomorrow afternoon." she said simply. "Now about that sparring match... when do you want to do it?"

She'd pause a moment, then added as an after thought, "Would you... accompany me to the Temple tomorrow morning, Joshua? I'm sure it isn't your religion and I'm not asking you to pray with me, but my sister brings up a fair point."

"Relina, one discovers the Way when they realise they were always a Wayist." Aless commented. "You haven't been to Mass since Mother died, so perhaps that is a good start."

"I don't have time to sit through a Mass. I have to be at Heirlark Base by 1000 hours. I can stop by, offer a prayer, and perhaps confess to Mother Astra." Relina replied. "When i get back, perhaps... We'll go together. How does that sound?" she asked.

"it is a deal." her twin replied.

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"Alright" The Jedi would nod in agreement. "It's settled then" He would add. He hoped he wouldn't need to use this secret weapon, but... If necessary, then they would have it. Josh hoped that this wouldn't be the case, but... With what their opponents had done so far, it was clear that the Jedi Master was taking this seriously. He would not be fighting as a mercenary or even as a Republic ally.. If he fought on the battlefield as anything more then a support for Relina to make sure she got her one on one fight, then it would be because he wanted to.

"While I don't know what my being there would merit..." He began as he thought it over for a moment. "I'll accompany you, yes"

[member="Relina Zhan"]

 

[Relina Zhan]

[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]

"I simply want you to be there with me, is all." Relina replied.

Soon after dinner, the Ducha would once again change her clothes into something more mobile and practical: a white vest over a blue long-sleeved top, white trousers, and white boots. She also wore white gloves with small silicone studs for grip. She had a practice rapier in her right hand, sans a power supply and a padded sheath over the blade. She would flourish it around to test the balance and weight.

Relina's movements were elegant, almost dance-like. Deciding that the generic, unpowered sword would do, she would run through some fencing movements with it to keep her muscle memory up. Yes, a good friendly bout would certainly help keep her in shape. For if she got her way, her own vibrorapier would find its way into her enemy.

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

The Jedi smiled in return. "Then I shall be" He answered.

After dinner, he would change back into his Jedi robes, and his lightsaber was visibly attached to his belt as he would step into the room that they had set aside for training. They had arranged for a sparring session, after all right? He wore his usual armor underneath the robes, though it was covered by the usual undershirt and attire that he wore under the brown robes.

He would be waiting for Relina when she would arrive, and wouldn't pipe up until she got her practice in. "Boo" He spoke, having been leaning against the wall, out of her sight.

"You're ready then?"

[member="Relina Zhan"]

 

[Relina Zhan]

[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]

Relina, in response to Josh's 'boo', hopped back a pace with her sword held in a ready position. "You've arrived." she said with a smile. She looked at his lightsabre a moment. "And you can render that thing as safe?" she asked.

Relina had never used a lightsabre before. She held one only once and knew they were heavier than they looked. She also knew that all the weight was in the hilt and that the blade was hotter than a solar corona, yet all of that heat and power contained in the blade somehow, pent up safely until it actually contacted something. Such a weapon could cut through virtually anything like, a literal hot knife through figurative butter. She just a little apprehensive about it, naturally.

"How can it be made not to cut?" she asked.

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"I've been here" He responded playfully as he would stretch a bit, preparing himself for their upcoming spar. The use of a lightsaber required a lot of fluent motions that would require the full use of his limbs. If he pulled something from a lack of stretching, he would pay for it dearly.

To her question, he chuckled a bit, nodding in return as he would find a tiny dial on the lightsaber, turning it's power down to near the end of the low end of the dial. When he would ignite the blade, the blue blade still popped out, but it was a little smaller, a little more dim then the other times Relina had seen him use it. It's hum was quieter, and it didn't give off the same heat that it normally would.

"I've dimmed it down to the degree of a practice saber" Josh would explain. "The worst it'll do is sting your skin a little if I hit you there. But I guess there's the incentive to not get hit" He remarked with a grin.

"You ready?"

[member="Relina Zhan"]

 

[Relina Zhan]

Prelude (Above & Beyond)

[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]

Relina looked at the blade, noting that it wasn't as intense as she had seen previously. "I trust it is a matter of how much power is getting to the emission system, then?" she asked. Seeing a beam of plasma that had a reputation for being a piece of a sun made her a little nervous, but she trusted her friend. She'd give him a nod before stepping back and taking a ready-stance.

Relina flourished her rapier elegantly in a way that vaguely resembled the Makashi Salute known to practitioners of Form II lightsabre combat. She held the blade up parallel to her face, a calm, almost arrogant, expression smoothing her youthful features. The blade was swept downward gracefully with a flick her wrist signalling her readiness. "Ora!" she said just as she took a step forward and attempted a shallow swipe at Josh's wrist, the one holding the lightsabre.

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

"If I told you that I'm just assuming, and all I know is that I turn the little dial down and then the giant laser stick doesn't sever your limbs off if I manage to stab your shoulder" He remarked with a light laugh. He knew a good deal about lightsabers, but had never actually asked about -how- the power downs worked. He just kind of... Knew they worked. By experience, mostly, because he had to train with them like that. They still stung a bit, but they worked. If anything, the stinging made you want to get hit even less.


As he took his fighting stance, he was pleasantly surprised to see she had mimicked his stance. Both of them were using the Makashi form, it seemed, and he grinned in return. Although it was a vague resemblance, he at least recognized it. His was more refined as he'd used and trained the form prominently for most of his life. He allowed her to make the first move, but as she swiped at his wrist, he would move to the side, switching his lightsaber to his left hand notably, as though he were trying to fake her out. His right though, would move to smack her right on the rear end - and when he did so, he struck hard. The smack was very likely to leave a red mark under her clothing from the Jedi's strength, but she'd have no time to think about it because he would slash for her shoulder with his left hand. He was still working on being ambidextrous with a single-blade style, so the speed wouldn't be as fast as his usual, but it was no slouche either.

[member="Relina Zhan"]

 

[Relina Zhan]

[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]

"Oooo. Very- EEEEK!" Relina said, yelping as her bottom was smacked by Josh's hand in mid-complement. In response, she turned to take a swipe at the left first, then follow up to the right in a sort of elongated "X" pattern. This, however, would be just the beginning. She was attempting to force an opening, prefacing a more aggressive chest-area stab, into which she would step forward to apply some of her weight. She knew she was facing a Jedi and expected a worthy challenge.

Her bottom tingled a little where he had smacked her. She didn't let this slow her down, even if it normally triggered a very different response. Perhaps she was channeling the emotions she felt into her dueling. The woman's movements were quick and while they were similar to the Jedi's Makashi style, they were not inherently practised with a lightsabre in mind. Relina had never considered the prospect of handling a lightsabre in combat and thus, her swordsmanship relied on balancing the weight of both the blade and the hilt and managing these factors into a martial style.

 

[Josh Dragovalor]

The grin on the Jedi Master's face was evident once he had caught her off guard with that bottom smack. He would anticipate her blows and move left to right with his blade to block them, his expression remaining the same as though it didn't bother him whatsoever. But he was clearly calm of mind, and focusing on his opponent. Thus was the nature of Makashi, blade against blade combat. And before she could strike anymore, he would go for a few strikes of his own, slashing for her shoulder, and if that didn't work, feint for a chest stab before going down and horizonally slicing for her hip.

It was clear she was putting her emotions into this. That could be a mistake, Josh had learned, and in remaining calm he could anticipate her strikes and look for an opening himself. Of course he couldn't resist flirting just a little.

[member="Relina Zhan"]