Private Mean Green Fighting Machine

[Drystan Creed]

CORUSCANT

Today was Drystan's day devoted fully to training.

He laid beneath a tree in the courtyard, leaned against its trunk as he began to daydream. The hours before his well-earned break had been filled with intense training—his effort and stamina pushed to the very brink. Now, he enjoyed a well-earned nap in the tranquility of the temple courtyard, Jedi of varying ranks passing him by along the pathways around the tree, going about their day as the Shadow rested.

He remembered his master's teachings—one moment in particular when Drystan had trained all day and night, pushing himself to exhaustion to the detriment of his progress. His master had reminded him that rest was just as important as the training that came before and after. It was a lesson he had forgotten in the days after becoming a Knight and a Shadow, but as he slowly reintegrated with the Order and its members, he began to return to healthier habits—even if he still lapsed from time to time.

But for now, he was more than relaxed. He'd let recovery come naturally, letting his body decide when it was ready to move again—rather than pushing it past what was good for it.

Shan

 

[Shan]

Objective: Catch Up!
Shan raised an eyebrow at the sight of one of his fellow Jedi napping under one of the trees in the courtyard. He had done that plenty of times in the past as a Padawan himself. It had always came when he had pushed himself too hard in his training. He had always pushed himself harder when it came to Force based training. His healing. His connection to the Force but one thing he had never properly tried at was his lightsaber training. Sure, he was somewhat decent when it comes to Soresu, but the passivity could only last for so long. maybe he was somewhat decent in Djem So...Hm...

"You alright there? You know, I'm sure laying in your own bed is a lot more comfortable than laying under a tree."

Jokes. It was something Shan felt like he was somewhat alright with. A chuckle to himself as he crouched down to look at Drystan Creed , tilting his head at the Jedi Shadow. Shan was sure he had seen the other Knight around a few times but they hadn't had a proper conversation together. Maybe it was time for that to change.

 

[Drystan Creed]

CORUSCANT

Drystan sensed Shan's approach but made no adjustment in his current state, opting to keep his eyes closed as the other Knight came to stand before him. His only reaction was the movement of his lips as he responded to Shan's greeting.

"It's a beautiful day. Being inside wouldn't feel as nice as being out here." And indeed it was—a clear day, with more than pleasant weather, one that should be taken advantage of.

Drystan opened one eye, sparing Shan a quick glance before shifting his head to get a better look and opening both eyes fully. "I've seen you around," he said. "Though I don't think we've been properly introduced. Drystan Creed, Jedi Shadow."

A pause.

"I'm sure you didn't come all this way just to comment on my sleeping habits. What can I do for you?"

Shan

 

[Shan]

Tag: Drystan Creed
Objective: Get to learning!
"Shan Pavond. Jedi Consular. Pleasure to meet you."

He gave a short nod at that. Titles weren't something he used to take pride in, but they were meant to be a symbol of who you were. He was a Doctor, and a Jedi. So it was important he kept some form of pride in that as he then turned his attention back over towards Drystan, raising an eyebrow as he realised the man was a Jedi Shadow. They were quite skilled in combat, if he was to go off the few shadows he knew of.

"Originally I did come here just to comment on your sleeping habits. Some Jedi would think it leaves a bad example for the Padawans but I suppose they'd be wrong. But now..."

Shan rubbed his chin in thought, glancing up towards the tree for a moment. Was it worth asking for help? Of course it was. Learning was vital, no matter what.

"What lightsaber forms are you familiar with? I was looking at getting some more experience with some."

 

[Drystan Creed]

CORUSCANT

"I think being outdoors in a place like this is better suited for a Padawan than the stuffy, confined halls of the Temple."

Drystan gave a nod as Shan introduced himself, though a subtle glint flickered in his eye at the request. With a fluid motion, he kicked up from his spot in the grass, now standing across from the other Knight.

"I have expertise in all the forms," he said plainly. "Though not to the point I'd claim mastery."

There was no boast in his tone. Given his aptitude for combat—and his unique ability to replicate physical movement—Drystan had accelerated through techniques that took others decades to master. But he was still learning, refining. Mastery was a title he didn't hand to himself lightly.

"How's your own blade work?" he asked, his gaze narrowing slightly. "I assume it's gone dull if you're asking me instead of refining it yourself."

The question wasn't a slight—it was a read. He was happy to teach Shan whatever he knew, but he needed to know what he was working with. At the Knight level, every Jedi's path diverged. Their styles, strengths, weaknesses—training couldn't be standardized anymore. It had to be tailored.

That was something Drystan had come to understand firsthand. He had spent much of his life neglecting traditional training, relying on his gifts to carry him. It took time—and more than a few hard lessons—to realize the truth: he didn't need less training.

Shan

 

[Shan]

Tag: Drystan Creed
Objective: Get to learning!
It made sense to be outdoors sometimes. Though Shan wasn't sure if it was a purely great idea to always be out there. Then again, he had been a different student compared to most Jedi. He did raise an eyebrow at the mentioning of Drystan having expertise in all of the different forms. That could be quite useful for Shan...

"Not dull. Stagnant. I've reached a limit to the progress I can make by myself. There's only so much I can do with Soresu. I need to work on broadening my horizons. A one-trick Tauntaun isn't great on the field. I've started to realise that myself. Djem So is something I can potentially fall back to, but I still think widening my skill set is better."

Shan had realised how sharp his blade was back on Woostri when he had killed for the first time. But that wasn't the important thing. What was important was that it broke a limit Shan had on himself. He had worked on Soresu because he hadn't wanted to kill. He wanted to be defensive. But now? He wasn't held back by that desire anymore. Of course, Shan didn't want to go on a killing spree, but now he was more willing to go on the offensive. He just needed more offensive skills.

 

[Drystan Creed]

CORUSCANT

"A limit, you say?"

Drystan raised an eyebrow. "Thinking of expanding into the other forms? Historically, most Jedi specialized in one style and stuck with it throughout their careers. Certain eras even encouraged exclusive use of Niman, for example."

He paused for a moment, studying Shan.

"I find it hard to believe there's nothing left for you to learn with the third form. I'd wager I could help you push past that plateau—if Soresu is still your preferred discipline."

He had already decided he'd teach Shan if the other Knight was serious, but Drystan wanted to understand more about what was holding him back. And he didn't look down on Shan's lack of experience with the other forms—far from it. Many Jedi chose to refine their skills in negotiation or deepen their connection to the Force, only keeping their bladework sharp enough to meet the needs of their path.

Shan

 

[Shan]

Tag: Drystan Creed
Objective: Get to learning!
"A limit with just focusing on Soresu, yes."
It was true that certain eras might have been able to focus on just Niman, but the current era was nowhere near as simple back then in Shan's eyes. There were a lot more dangers with a lot more advanced technology. Having more skills under his belt would be better than trying to rely on just one small trick. He folded his arms along his front carefully, raising an eyebrow at Drystan's statement.

"People died on Woostri because I relied on Soresu. I relied on defending them against an opponent that could only be defeated by offense. I need an alternative to fall upon when defending isn't enough."

Of course, there were still some Force tricks he could use to his advantage when he decided to go on the offense...but most of his Force powers were also reliant on being defensive. Shields, Telekinesis, even Geokinesis was mostly for defensive purposes. He needed to learn more on how to go on the offensive.

 

[Drystan Creed]

CORUSCANT

"Alright. I can train you to better hone your offense. We can start here and now." Drystan performed a light stretch as he gestured away from the tree, motioning toward the center of the clearing. He took a moment to limber up.

"I want to gauge your offensive skillset, so let's begin with some light sparring." Compared to more intense bouts, Drystan favored light sparring as the ideal starting point. It allowed both fighters to showcase their technique without the risk of injury or overexertion. Hard sparring tested stamina and physicality—but light sparring was where technicality, control, and precision truly shined. It was the perfect introduction to assess what he'd be working with.

"But first," he added, unclipping his saber from his belt, though keeping it unignited, "I want to ask—why did you move away from the offensive side of lightsaber combat? Or from offense in general?"

Shan

 

[Shan]

Tag: Drystan Creed
Objective: Get to learning!
"I thought violence was wrong. In all forms. To be willing to bring harm to another living being was an abhorrent idea to me."

His hand went down to his own saber as he unclipped it, his eyes darting around to make sure it was safe. As much as he wanted to learn, he didn't want to risk anyone. It was going to be simple sparring at the end of the day but...you could never be too cautious.

"I refused a lightsaber for the longest time when I was a Padawan. It was only when Master Kahlil helped me realise that it could be a tool and not just a weapon that I started to change my view. Even when I did finally start to fight with my lightsaber, I always aimed for disarming blows no matter my opponent."

There were plenty of people in the Galaxy who were missing limbs thanks to Shan's "pacifist" ways. It was almost amusing in a morbid way. For now, Shan just focused into getting into a stance. Soresu wouldn't work for now...but it was a good basis for him to start in.

"I...held myself back. For a long time. To follow my ideal I had. I didn't want to kill anyone. I wanted to save as many people as I could...but Woostri changed that for me. I took lives. I failed people. And...I'm trying to look on the bright side of things. It means I no longer have to hold myself back."

Of course, that didn't mean Shan was bloodthirsty. It just meant...he was less opposed to striking out to take down an opponent now. He just needed to learn the right technique for it.

 

[Drystan Creed]

CORUSCANT

"I see. Unfortunately, that's a common pitfall many Jedi fall into. While it is a noble goal, the desire to abstain from harm is often unrealistic—especially in the line of duty we're sworn to uphold. That's why the Jedi employ the use of a lightsaber, and why we developed combat forms to wield it."

Drystan casually rotated his saber in hand, letting it spin along his palm and around his fingers as he spoke.

"War and peace are two sides of the same coin. A Jedi must be capable of both. Focus solely on peace, and you risk becoming helpless. Focus only on war, and you risk becoming a barbarian. I believe you've spent your time mastering only the art of peace. By the end of this session, I hope to instill the principles of war—and help you find balance between the two."

He ignited his saber, a flash of azure light extending from the hilt as he slipped into a reverse-gripped defensive stance. With his free hand, he beckoned Shan forward.

This wasn't an exhibition. It was a test—to measure Shan's offensive capabilities. And if offense was what he sought to refine, Drystan was more than willing to meet him from the other side of the blade.

Shan

 

[Shan]

Tag: Drystan Creed
Objective: Get to learning!
A common pitfall. Shan had to fight the urge to let out a chuckle at that. From how he had seen it, his issues had been far more...extreme than the casual Jedi. He had stuck to disarming at the very least when he did fight...Though now that he thought about it...That might actually play into his strengths. Accurate strikes instead of wild swings...More precise attacks to reduce the chance of fatalities whilst still making the most out of your strikes...

"I know the principles of war. I've just never been a fan of them."

With that, Shan let the green blade of his lightsaber ignite before striking out towards Drystan. Though instead of going straight into slashes, Shan was focusing on thrusts. Proding away at Drystan to figure out how his defense worked. Was he going to rely on agility? Was he going to parry? Block? There were plenty of unknowns and he needed to test the waters. Even so, he allowed himself to talk.

"The younger me would have believed it'd have been better if all principles of war died off. That it would lead to a more peaceful time."

Reverse Grip was something Shan wasn't familiar with dealing with. Out of most of the Lightsaber wielding opponents he had fought, most had stuck to the traditional approach. Shan had always done the same. Tradition was...a big part for him. It was why he never used the second lightsaber he had carried. That, and the fact it wasn't his. It was...a gift, he was waiting to give back to someone. The more he thought about it however, it was always another trick up his sleeve should he need to use it...

 

[Drystan Creed]

CORUSCANT

As their preliminary spar began, the best word to describe Drystan's movements was: efficient.

He evaded every strike he could and deflected only what he had to. His defense leaned heavily on footwork—sidestepping, weaving, and maneuvering through the clearing with practiced precision. He used every inch of space to stay mobile, slipping away from corners and denying Shan any strong offensive position.

Not once did he counter. For now, he was content to stay on the defensive, reading Shan's rhythm and intent.

"If you know them, apply them. Show me."

Drystan shifted fluidly between a reverse and traditional grip, his transitions clean and deliberate. It was as if he were echoing the styles of two different duelists—yet there was no hesitation. The execution was too natural, too refined to be considered cheap imitations. These borrowed techniques were claimed through the honing and cultivation of his skill. Aside from the occasional deflection, his blade served only to complement his evasive strategy.

Shan

 

[Shan]

Tag: Drystan Creed
Objective: Get to learning!
Okay. He had to stay focused. Shan could tell that Drystan was shifting between the grips cleanly. It spoke of the experience he must have had. Evasive work was difficult to deal with in his eyes, at least in a fair fight. Drystan was avoiding getting backed into a corner, or into a space that would limit his mobility...If Shan was willing to use the Force, he could have tried to reduce the amount of free space to move amongst but this was for his lightsaber skills. Not his Force abilities. At the very least, he knew that changing his tactic to stray slashes wouldn't work either. He had to stick to his precise jabs and thrusts.

One of the main things he had to focus was on making sure he didn't overextend himself. Didn't put himself in a bad position from trying to get a strike on Drystan. That was a pitfall he always wanted to try and avoid, getting so focused on the task at hand that he ignored his surroundings. He had to make sure to avoid any root, or corner that might trip up his strikes. Do the exact kind of things that he hated his opponents doing, considering he was normally so defensive, he knew what was annoying to try and defend against. It's like what that quote said. TO beat your enemy, you must know your enemy.

 

[Drystan Creed]

CORUSCANT

Drystan kept up the pace for several more minutes, showing little sign of fatigue. His energy remained steady—unwavering since the start of their spar.

After one particular exchange, he executed a maneuver to both parry and create distance. As Shan's strike came in, Drystan delivered a sharp, forceful deflection—simulating the feeling of striking a durasteel wall with a lead pipe—before taking a full stride back. He leapt gracefully, almost weightless, before landing smoothly on the ground.

"Alright, I think I've seen enough."

He paused, eyes focused, tone shifting slightly.

"I've got a couple of questions for you. Answer them as honestly as you can."

He raised two fingers.

"First: does what you've been doing feel natural to you? And second: have you ever been in a situation where you've pushed yourself to the limit attacking something?"

The questions were key. The first would help Drystan gauge whether Shan's offensive patterns were instinctive or learned—how deeply ingrained his approach to aggression truly was. The second aimed to determine whether Shan had ever truly exhausted himself attacking, rather than just defending. The mindset required to pour everything into offense was entirely different, and it was one Drystan hoped to nurture.

Shan

 

[Shan]

Tag: Drystan Creed
Objective: Get to learning!
At very least, the deflection didn't bother Shan as much as it might have bothered someone else. He was used to forceful impacts, either against his lightsaber or his own body when he wore armour into a battle. Of course, it felt strange to be on the other side of the impact before immediately disengaging his lightsaber as Drystan said he'd seen enough.

"It feels somewhat more natural than mindlessly swinging at someone. Trying to focus on specific points to strike, it's like I can use my knowledge to my advantage. Aim for specific muscles or tendons to disable..."

It was interesting if he thought about it. One of his concerns with slashes was the chance of him hitting something that he didn't want to hit. So the piercing strikes was far more his alley. With that in mind, Shan wondered if Makashi would be suited for him, rubbing his chin in thought before tilting his head at the second question.

"Attacking? No. The last time I've properly attacked someone in an extended fight was when I was a Padawan, against a Sith. They were trying to break my mind, whilst also sending innocent people at me...I ended up cracking my lightsaber hilt against a woman's face to knock her out. It wasn't fun..."

 

[Drystan Creed]

CORUSCANT

"I see..."

Drystan gave a nod, considering what Shan had said about his experiences.

"I think you've got a solid grasp on what offense is—what it should be, and how to approach it. Obviously, swinging like a madman won't get you far. But offense isn't just about skill. It's about dominance."

He exhaled. The concept of dominance wasn't one a Jedi typically embraced, but it was an implicit trait when taking the offensive. Controlling the flow of battle, directing your opponent—forcing them to react on your terms.

"I think that's something we can work on."

He moved to the center of the clearing, slashing his saber with a spin and carving a charred circle around himself—small enough to be crossed in a single step.

"Here. Let's try this—I'll stand in this circle, and your goal is to push me out of it. With your saber, of course."

As he said this, Drystan shifted into a defensive stance, his blade angled forward with his off-hand extended alongside it. His posture was firm, composed—and oddly familiar to any Jedi well-versed in their history.

The stance he took was iconic. Defined an era. It was the form of a master—refined, poised, and patient.

Kenobi. Form III. Soresu.

Imitated, then cultivated and personalized, Drystan had taken the foundation laid by the legendary Jedi Master and made it his own. A technique once used to defend the Republic during the Clone Wars now revived—its spirit reignited in the modern age.

Drystan had studied archived footage from the war, pouring over records and recordings of those battles. His gift allowed him to learn simply by observation—and now, through sheer discipline and dedication, he was honoring that history, channeling it in the present.

Shan

 

[Shan]

Tag: Drystan Creed
Objective: Get to learning!
Dominance. That was something that Shan didn't have a proper understanding of himself. He had never really needed to take control of a combative situation like that. Sure, he took control when it came to a medical situation but that was different. Taking control in a combat situation meant being focused on wanting to harm someone. Or maybe that was just the way he saw it. Maybe he needed to confront the way he saw things to truly be able to change his path...He could at least take control when it came to using the Force. Forming funnels to force his foes through, making specific paths that he wanted them to take so he could take them down...

"Just my Saber. Good. That'll be a challenge for me. It's must easier to use the Force for something like this."

And the easy path wasn't always the best path. Instead Shan stood ready to work on sparring against Drystan as he took in the stance. A Soresu one. Shan knew how capable they could be. The Mirialan didn't know much about Obi Wan Kenobi, but he knew that the man had been considered one of the most experienced masters of the form. Pure physical force wouldn't be enough to deal with this...He'd have to take control in a different way.

So Shan lashed out with another lunge of his saber. Though this time he was paying more attention to their surroundings. The ways Drystan would block or move away from a strike. Shan knew Drystan was going to be able to block or dodge his strikes, but he needed to have enough dominance that Drystan was moving where Shan wanted him to. He knew there wouldn't be much movement from Drystan, so as not to risk mis-stepping out of the circle...but all Shan needed was one good moment.

 

[Drystan Creed]

CORUSCANT

Drystan, for the most part, kept his end of the bargain—using defensive maneuvers to both deflect and evade Shan's incoming strikes, all while keeping himself centered within the circle.

It wasn't often that Drystan found himself playing a purely defensive role, but if Shan was going to fully develop his offensive instincts, then Drystan had to lean entirely into its counterpart. Still, Shan showed a quickness to adapt—a good trait when dealing with offense-driven techniques. But that was no issue for Drystan. He could switch stances and move sets at the drop of a hat.

Even so, his brows furrowed. Shan was technically sound—that much was clear—but Drystan broke down each of his fellow Knight's movements with a practiced eye, analyzing them in real time as their sabers clashed.

Amidst the flurry of swordplay, Drystan let out a sharp shout, his teeth gritting before calling out over the crackle of blades.

"So far soo good but I want to see more. Strike me as if you aim to cut me down!"

Perhaps that was what his colleague had intended, but either way a spur in aggression in this exercise couldn't hurt.

Shan

 

[Shan]

Tag: Drystan Creed
Objective: Get to learning!

Shan was used to adapting on the fly. Fighting against threats, he had learned as a Padawan how to fight against Mandalorians, how to fight without the Force, and how to defend himself. But this was different. And then he heard the exclamation from Drystan. To strike at Drystan as if he aimed to cut him down...

That was what Shan struggled with. The intent to kill. It was something he didn't want to always aim to do. Striking to kill was never her goal. It was always a chance. Something that he'd have to do but it wasn't something he always wanted to intend to do. But for now, he just lashed out at Drystan, trying to focus on cutting the man down. It felt wrong. It felt dirty. But if it was what he had to do, then he'd do it.