Meet and Greet - and Fight

[Audren Sykes]

Location: Voss Temple, Training Room
Gear: Jedi Robes | Lightsaber | Vibroknife

Combat had always been something Audren was good at. He'd learned to fight earlier in life, wielding blades and the like, then moving on to lightsabers and blaster weapons once coming to the Silver Sanctum. Both had served him well, but during a recent fight on Thyferra on the side of the Galactic Alliance - an allied faction to the Sanctum - he'd come to realize that he needed to know more about lightsaber combat. Merely knowing that there were seven classical forms and a number of non-traditional ones wasn't enough. He needed an active knowledge of the forms to avoid being completely overwhelmed by a practitioner. He couldn't always rely on trickery or fancy armor to survive his encounters, after all.

Once returning to Coalition space and receiving his Knighthood, the Sephi put in a formal request for training in the lightsaber forms. He was fully aware that the subject wasn't one that could be taught in a single afternoon, but it would be a start. He had begun by studying up on the forms; textbook knowledge would help smooth the way for whoever was assigned to help him learn. There were obvious differences in each form, and it was interesting to see the reflections of changing times in the development of the classical forms. More telling, however, was that there hadn't been more forms added to the 'classical' seven in the hundreds or thousands of years since their inception.

More quickly than he'd expected, the Knight had received a reply. A teacher had been assigned to him, they were to meet on a particular date and time in one of the training rooms set aside for more private training. Pyromancy, for example, was one of the many Force powers that weren't exactly the safest when practicing in an open courtyard. It hadn't been specified exactly who the teacher would be though, so he couldn't look them up beforehand. He chose to go the safe route: he showed up a few minutes ahead of time and began warming up with moving stretches. He planned on being ready when the other person showed up.


[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

Location: Voss Temple, training room.
Gear: Jedi robes and lightsaber.

All she knew was the name, Jedi Knight [member="Audren Sykes"]. Abaigeal had accepted a directive to undergo training in the lightsaber with this person and although strong in her use of it, she too still have much to develop in her skills. So she looked upon this opportunity as a way to do just that and help another. She is Mistress of the Sabers, a title give to those that are 'keeper' of them as well as knowing how to use them and there is something pressing on her mind, one lightsaber in particular that she wants to retrieve, that of her mothers. It would be her first in this new position, yes it is personal but it is also her duty.

Abaigeal crossed the threshold of the training room, to find Knight Sykes employed in his warm ups. Not wishing to interrupt him just yet, she walked to the side of the room and removed the outer lay of her Jedi Robes and laid the dark brown robe on a bench neatly. Her long black boots clipped on the floor heralding her arrival long before she turned and smiled in greeting.

"Good day, Knight Sykes. I am Abiageal E'ron, it is me that will be training with you today. It is a pleasure to meet you", she bowed at the waist, before stepping onto the slightly raised platform designed for the training and so too she began her stretches and warming of the limbs.

 

[Audren Sykes]

With no door to speak of, the training room was only marginally more private than the rest of the place. That was perfectly fine with Audren though, he wasn't exactly planning on causing a scene. The lack of a door just made it more difficult to tell when someone walked in, especially if they moved silently. As a result, he was monitoring the room with the Force as well as his normal senses while warming up. It was his Force senses that first alerted him that someone had entered, but he could also hear the clicking of boots against the floor. He was facing away from the door at the time. Since wasn't interrupted, he continued until the set was complete, then turned to face the newcomer while in the process of standing.

"Good day, Knight Sykes. I am Abiageal E'ron, it is me that will be training with you today. It is a pleasure to meet you."

Had he seen her on the street in normal civilian clothes, the Sephi would never have pegged her for a Jedi. Maybe that was just him being biased. He knew that Jedi came in all shapes and sizes but he never would have expected that shape. He'd have guessed her for a model if he hadn't known better.

"Pleasure is mine, Miss E'ron. Let me know when you'd like to begin."

His own standard warm up was nearly completed. He tended to avoid what most people thought of as stretching, at least when it came to warming up. For whatever reason, he'd originally learned that it was better to warm up the muscles before stretching them out, and to use the stretching as a cool down. It had stuck with him. The standard warm up he used started with motion to loosen the muscles and made minimal use of stretching. Of course, depending on what he learned here today, that process might need to change somewhat. He was able to extend it however, so as not to simply be standing around impatiently waiting while others were going through their own warm ups.

[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

"Oh I think I am ready now. Tell me what Form would you like to begin with", she asked as the directive was unclear of details. And considering she did not have a full range of Forms, this could be problematic but there is nothing like learning fast. Besides, they could always go for a 'free-for-all'. "I am proficient for my level in Shii-cho and Soresu, if any of those take your fancy?".

And so without any decorum what so ever, she sized him up, eyes traveling from boots to the top of his white hair. He has pointy ears, she marveled. Audren looked for all the world like something out of one of those stories of mystical beings that have a affinity with all things around them (and no not Jedi), this was a first for her as she had never seen anyone like him before. There is a fine cut to his face, a face that looked very serious indeed and she wondered if he had known a smile.

"I am ready .. you begin". Abaigeal held her unique saber in hand and ignited it. A pale blue blade snapped to life before her as she saluted the Jedi Knight before her.

​

[member="Audren Sykes"]​

 

[Audren Sykes]

Shii-Cho and Soresu, forms one and three. The original and the essence of defense. Both would be incredibly useful, one as the building blocks and the other as a last-ditch option. He wasn't one to stand around defending all day after all. While he examined the options presented, she examined him. It wasn't something he really minded, assuming it was to better understand his build and abilities. She would be teaching him, after all. Hopefully.

"I am ready .. you begin."

Her lightsaber hilt was unlike any other he'd seen in the past, and it concealed a pale-blue blade. In response to her ignition and salute, he pulled and ignited his own hilt. His own blade was a shade of red, courtesy of the woman who'd created it. Today it was a lighter red rather than a deep crimson, tempered by the presence of the Light Side of the Force but also by the absence of the Darkness. Despite countless hours of meditation with it, Audren had been unable to purge the darkness from the crystal within and as a result it resonated whenever the Dark Side was present. As the final kicker, she'd sealed the hilt up permanently, there was no changing the crystal.

He returned the salute, holding the blazing blade vertically before his face before returning it to his side.

"Let's start with Shii-Cho then, the building block for the rest according to the readings."


[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

Audren was full of surprises in more ways then one. As his blade extended before her, naturally she noticed the colour of it, her brow arched but she did not question him, there was no darkness within him what so ever so she had to assume the blade was 'borrowed'. The second surprise came when nothing happened. So used to others forming an attack when invited to start, whether they be friend or foe, that Abaigeal did not know what to do next. Besides this was her first time at teaching someone, and Audren was not a new padawan. She stood just staring for a minute.

Realising she had to speak or do something before looking like a complete goof, Abaigeal lowered her saber and walked toward him. "Well err.. ", she kneed down. "You might wanna just move your feet to shoulder width for a more steady stance", she said as she grabbed hold of his ankle to move it slightly. She stood up and walked around him, looking over his body, then it struck her. Is he... is he .. foxing me?

Surely a Knight would have this form in his training by now. It is form I, everyone starts with form I, don't they? "Well, you will know that Shii-Cho is not all about defense then. That it can be used to tire out an opponent and when there is an opening, you can target the body zones". She tapped his head "Here", shoulder, "Here", arm "Here", side.. "And here, as well as the legs". She stepped back having finished manhandling the man, but not before she raised his saber arm to position.

"Economy of effect, short deliberate strikes ..", she continued to eye Audren for any sign of 'play'. One way to find out..

Abaigeal lunged forward, arching her saber high to Audren's left shoulder. Her movement is slow to telegraph her intention to start with, and depending on his skill, the tempo would change.

​

[member="Audren Sykes"]​

 

[Audren Sykes]

Both blades were ignited, humming in the empty air. From her words, he expected she thought he was going to simply strike, to begin the spar without any training. She was wrong in that regard, he'd specifically asked to be taught and needed at least some basics before putting them into practice. So for a moment, the place simply paused. She caught on after just a few seconds and lowered her blade to walk over to him. Her first instruction was to move his feet to shoulder width, accompanied by her physically doing so. He could have planted the foot and had her look silly, but that would defeat the purpose. Besides, she held a lit lightsaber, and he liked having feet.

It was at that point that what he could only call a note of suspicion entered her presence. Whatever the cause of suspicion however, she continued in the teaching. Target zones on the body and the proper position for his lightsaber. Short, deliberate, and efficient strikes were the order of the day. He could do that. Hopefully.

When she stepped back, he figured an attack was incoming. He was right, a lunging attack at his left shoulder. His first instinct was to block it and slide in, a quick and dirty move that had won him a number of spars when he was younger. He reigned that in though, as he was here to learn and not just to fight. His legs bent a bit more, giving a bit of extra cushion to receive the blow and putting him just slightly lower for a sliver of extra time. His blade intersected hers horizontally, hilt braced with both hands and not far from where it had originated. Economy of effect indeed. However, her delivery had been slow. Deliberate or not, he couldn't quite tell. Regardless, he moved into a vertical strike at the woman's head, moving at the same speed she had and careful to maintain control. No need - or desire - to split his teacher down the middle with a full-powered lightsaber blade.

[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

He used the blade well, blocking her first move. It did not escape Abaigeal, that twinkle in his eye as if he had more in mind or rather, could have. She grinned at the thought, as she too could normally fight dirty, being in the run for some time teaches you this.

However as his blade moved and came down on her on the vertical plane, Abaigeal, with a slight twist of her wrist, rotated the blade upward just above her head on the horizontal plane. She is only using a one handed grip, with the other hand she raised and placed her palm on Audren's chest to indicate a 'hit' using the force, by pushing his slightly.

Abaigeal keep up the momentum, and pivoted to the right so she is side on to him, her blade used in a bunt arch aimed directly under his chin. Naturally, she stopped the hit before removing his head. He would have time to counter this attack, after all, they are training with live blades. She wanted to keep his head on his shoulders, it looked kinda nice there.

​

[member="Audren Sykes"]​

 

[Audren Sykes]

All it took was a twist of her wrist to block his strike. A single-handed block that left her off hand free to lightly push against his chest. A strike of some sort, possibly Force-based. No damage, considering it was just a spar, but he still didn't like it. Showed he wasn't as good as he needed to be. She followed up with a short strike at his neck. He didn't block that one, simply evaded it by ducking low and stepping forward. A flick of his wrist took it from strike position to a high guard as he passed underneath her blade, just in case. His left leg - the side she was on - dragged a bit, which twisted his body as he stepped. Completely intentional, as he also reached out with his left hand and returned the push. Only his was intended to coincide with his leg drag and result in a nice trip to the floor for her.

It wasn't his preferred move. If he'd had an edged blade he would have dragged it across the belly as he passed by. A lightsaber would likely have bisected or cut through a majority of the torso. Either that or he'd have slashed up and back as he passed, hoping to intercept her arm or lightsaber hilt itself. He couldn't do either of those with enough finesse to avoid a potential accident however, so he held off.

[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

As blocks, twists and turns progressed in the sparring, the next minute Abaigeal knew she had hit the floor with a thud landing on her rear end. Thank the force the platform is cushioned, or she would have a bruised tail bone, it still stung a little, but she would not let him know that. And yet a broad smile broke across her face from her seated position. "Nice move", she gave the credit, before scrambling to her feet once more. "You can teach me that". Who was teaching who? well, it did not matter, both are here learning a craft.

But she did notice a few minor position weakness in the form and so before they would begin again she approached Audren and took his wrist of the hand holding his saber. "Sort of .. sort of loosen your wrist a little more, as it is it is good, but with more flexibility the strikes will be more fluid and require less movement of the arm", she moved his arm and wrist around to demonstrate her words. Maybe I am not cut out for this training other lark ..

Stepping aside and standing next to him, she raised her own saber and went through the motions of the form. Her blade pointed upward on an angle, she shifted her arms from right to left, her wrist cocking to transfer the blade across her body to block either imaginary strikes or blaster bolts, she did this slowly and encouraged him to do the same. Cocking her wrist to point the blade to the floor and so on. Although there is nothing like live blades to get the heart pumping, in order to really smack each other about, they need to reduce the risk. She smiled as the moves continued on, and then we can play dirty...

​

[member="Audren Sykes"]​

 

[Audren Sykes]

Wonder of wonders, his takedown worked. Abaigeal dropped to the floor, radiating surprise and amusement. Then it was his turn to feel surprise when she asked if he could teach her that. It was just a simple trip up after all. Not even close to a fair trade.

"I can."

Rather than get right back into the spar after standing back up, she manipulated his wrist and arm a little. It was a demonstration that a looser wrist would allow for more fluid movement with less energy expended. After making her point, she went over the various movements of the form. Her motions were slow, and there was an unspoken encouragement for him to copy what she did. For the simple point of muscle memory, that was exactly what he did. Many of the movements had the feel of blocking something; some felt useful against blades, others not so much.

"The looser the wrist though, the less precise and strong the blow. A lightsaber slipping could mean the difference between separating a blaster barrel or a hand."

[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

The form precision exercises where over, Audren's application of them almost flawless, almost. However, Abaigeal did not care so much about that because when in a fight or battle, who is concerned with where ones feet are positioned or how the hands look or how the wrists are cocked?

"You are correct, however to learn the correct positions of the wrists you have to relax them a little .. ", she let her eyes look around the room, "Here in this place. But remember this form is primarily a defensive form which can be used for attack, and to tire your oponent best not to tire yourself doing so. And it all depends on who you are fighting so I suggest a happy medium?".

Abaigeal moved to face him once more, adjusting her lightsaber to the lowest setting so not to kill him. She gave a sharp nod of the head toward his saber wanting him to do the same. "Now I would like you to prove your point". It was time for a little rough and tumble, and as soon as he was set begin, Abaigeal would launch at him, in a flurry of strikes. In the midst of this whirlwind of saber strikes, "May I call you Audren? Knight Sykes seems so very formal don't you think?".

​

[member="Audren Sykes"]​

 

[Audren Sykes]

An answer didn't come until after the exercises were over. That was fine with him, just meant he could concentrate on following along. Wrist positioning, footwork, all of it could be essential. He knew that he wasn't getting it all right, but he was doing his best. That just meant he would have to go over it again and again until he got it right. Form was present in martial arts - art of the blade as well - for a reason; once he knew the reasoning, he could determine if proper form was beneficial or detrimental, or possibly even neutral.

A bit more was described of the form as part of the answer. Defensive form which could be used to attack. Similar to Soresu, but not the same. Again, building blocks. It was suggested that a 'happy medium; be applied - looser wrists but not loose enough to affect precision, perhaps? Here, training, strength didn't matter all so much, but precision absolutely did.

Abaigeal turned to face him once again, fiddling with something on her hilt as she did so. And she gave an indication that she wanted him to do the same...as if he was supposed to know what she was doing. He didn't know...but he could assume. She'd likely changed the intensity of her blade, making it more akin to a training blade than a full-powered one. Unfortunately for her, his stolen blade didn't have that capability. He could only assume that the woman who had built it hadn't expected to ever have the need; rumor abounded that Sith training sessions were much more punishing than Jedi ones. Rather than setting himself to receive an attack - it was a reasonable assumption that proving his point meant more sparring - he gave a shrug and shut down his blade, then stepped off the training platform.

Luckily, the Voss Academy was well-prepared. Along one wall was a rack holding several training weapons, including three lightsaber hilts. All three were plain and had a few scuffs, but seemed to be in otherwise good shape. He picked one up and made his way back to the platform, setting his own hilt on a bench as he did. The instant he stepped back on, he ignited the new hilt and gave it a few twirls to quickly acclimate. Only then did he set into a defensive stance, only to be instantly set upon by a flurry. There was no thought, no attempt to use the form he'd just learned; muscle memory went deeper than thought.

"May I call you Audren? Knight Sykes seems so very formal don't you think?"

Ah, an attempt to distract him. Fortunate that he'd simply reacted rather than using the new form, he'd not have been able to reply if he was concentrating on the form. Maybe that had been the point, or one of them.

"Formality has its place, this isn't it. Audren it is."


[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

A slight grin crossed her lips, the whirling 'attack' had been to test his wrists rather then technique and it seemed he had in his possession, strong firm ones. She was not looking for form style or grace, although whether it was his species or no, he had that too. Yes the question of formalities had been a distraction but also there was interested behind it.

She pulled back, in order for them both to reset, this time she would approach Audren with more set structure, this time he could put into practice what he had learned from her. At least she hoped he had learned something from her, she doubted it. Not that he incapable of mastering the moves but more that she lacked to ability to train. Abaigeal thought on this a moment, she suspected it was due to the fact that she had not received any formal training from a master, she had not had one and so did not benefit from the example. Yes she had entered the Temple on Tython at the age of three and attended the Academy there, but she was rebellious and did not seek any further knowledge. It was at the time, a reaction of her mother's position, a stupid thing for anyone to do or think, but she had. And the cost of it was severe.

Was this what she was doing now, trying to make amends? possibly, but she is Jedi now, a Knight and the future Jedi for the Sanctum will demand they are not only trained but trained well. Poor Audren, he is her first.

She took up position once more, and took the stance of Ataru. Although not strongly trained in this form she had the basics and practice is practice, just in case he did not recognise the form stance, "I will began again using Ataru, I would like you to block my strikes as much as you can. Not attack just yet, this is purely to set the technique of form I for you". Once he was comfortable enough and confident with it, he could strike back.

Abaigeal moved in for the first strike a rapid arching swing of her blade to the left side of his body after which if blocked, she would strike equally fast to his right side.

​

[member="Audren Sykes"]​

 

[Audren Sykes]

She wore a slight grin now, though whether it was from his answer or from his response to her attack he couldn't tell. As she stepped back for a moment, he took the space to reset his stance to the proper Shii Cho one and solidify his mindset into using only that form. His first instinct would be to fall back on what he knew, but such was not the point of the exercise. Once he understood Shii Cho, he could defend against it as well as incorporate elements into his own method of fighting.

When Abaigeal ultimately returned to ready though, she wasn't in a stance he'd been shown. Fortunately for him, she gave a quick explanation: she was going to use Ataru. He was to block if he could and not retaliate, in order to cement his understanding of Form I. He wasn't sure that was a good idea, given that Ataru was supposed to be the form oriented around movement. She was the teacher though, and he the learner; she knew best. Fortunately, she started easy. A slash to his left side was blocked vertically, then the one to his right as well. Both strikes were fast, the second came within mere centimeters of hitting him. He very well may need to fall back on the Force for added speed if this continued in like manner.

[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

"Good", she quickly said before moving from the blocks to strike once more to his right head high. Abaigeal is not using the force to enhance her movements, not yet anyway, that might come when he is more comfortable in the form, and for now she would not worry about his timing. That comes with practice and she had the feeling Audren was one of those types that would not leave learn to a single lesson.

"Naturally, when facing a foe they will not tell you what Form they use, and most likely will not ready to stance to telegraph it. This form you must learn to use against all Forms or even someone that uses a free style". With that she moved to a more raw strike that would see her open up her chest and swing high again to the head, the move would place her in a vulnerable position, but this time the strike was directed to cleave his head in half were it to hit. Even if he fails to block the last strike, she would stay her blade from contact. No one needs to burn that long white hair a girl could happily get her hands tangled up in.

​

[member="Audren Sykes"]​

 

[Audren Sykes]

One more strike, to the right of his head. That one was also blocked, though he leaned away from it to give a scant bit extra time on the block.

"Naturally, when facing a foe they will not tell you what Form they use, and most likely will not ready to stance to telegraph it. This form you must learn to use against all Forms or even someone that uses a free style."

Logical. Telling or telegraphing which form the enemy was using would be making it easier to defeat them. Knowing how they do things meant knowing how they didn't do things, and that let one use weaknesses to their advantages. Such was one of the reasons Audren preferred using the methods he'd been taught on Cholganna, they were far less likely to be known. He was absolutely for including elements of others forms in his own, that just enhanced his own capabilities. Too, knowing the forms meant knowing how to defend against them.

In a continuation of her statement though, she moved to a high strike, strong and exactly vertical. If it were to connect as a real blade, it would no doubt split him in two. With a training blade, it would no doubt be a nice burn, maybe a bruise to boot. But it wouldn't connect. The windup had opened Abaigeal up for reprisal, and Sephi was going to take advantage of it. He took a step forward and reached up with his left hand, intercepting her falling wrist(s?) and stopping them. At the same time, his blade came up to pause just in front of her throat. Not the end of it either, the top third was poised over her shoulder. It was a significantly advantageous position.

[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

She felt the sudden jolt against her wrists as Audren’s hand secured them before the strike would hit his head. In a swift motion his saber blade came up to her neck as he stepped forward. She could feel the heat off the saber against her skin, even a training saber has a bit to it and it prickled against her neck. There is but a small distance between them, her eyes the only thing to move as she flicked her gaze to the blade then to her hands and to his eyes. “Seems you have the upper hand". A smirk crossed her lips.

If this had not been training and he a foe, she would be dead. But the move had been deliberate by her, a move to open up to allow him to use what had been learn in the lesson, but something else came to her mind regarding Audren, it seemed to Abaigeal that he preferred a much open form of fighting rather than the structure of any form. “You should consider developing your own saber form”. He may have already but it is always interesting when others see an ability in another that could become a very powerful weapon.

Although the ‘duel’ had technically ended, Abaigeal stepped closer to Audren just as the last of her words fell from her mouth. Her right leg kicked forward and hooked her foot behind the back of his right leg to hit the back of his knee. With a sharp kick back in hope to break his stance and have him unbalanced and topple to the floor of the training room. Abaigeal pivoted and twisted her body and her wrists to pull out of his grasp, before her saber levelled toward him on the ground. “I yield”. She smiled, before lowering her saber and reaching out to him to help him to his feet. He had won the training duel yet she could not help but have a little fun with him.

​

[member="Audren Sykes"]​

 

[Audren Sykes]

"You should consider developing your own saber form."

He had his own style of fighting, that much he knew. Probably not enough to be made into a formal form, should he even ever be motivated and organized enough to actually attempt the feat. Just as he was taking a breath to explain that though, Abaigeal moved. Her leg shot forward and hooked around the back of his, then pulled, sending the Sephi to the ground. He landed on his back with a hefty oof, arms out to either side and suddenly-inactive lightsaber hilt rolling away. He really hadn't expected that one; given the distance, he'd been watching for a kick or knee strike, not a sweep.

Once he recovered what few wits he had, Audren was able to focus on the blade hovering above him. Her blade was accompanied by her yielding...only that yield came with a grin. However, she lowered the blade completely and reached out a hand to help him up. He let her help him, though he stood with a groan, only half-simulated.

"Didn't feel like a yield to me..."

Spotting the lightsaber hilt lying on the floor just a couple meters away, the Knight went over to pick it up. It wasn't necessary to use telekinesis to bring it to hand, that would just have been lazy. As soon as the silver cylinder was back in hand - another dent added to the hilt - he turned back to Abaigeal.

"I didn't go through the traditional Padawan stage, so I never learned the forms. Just been running with what I know so far, or improvising as I go."

[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

She clipped her saber to her belt, her eyes following Audren as he moved toward his saber to retrieve it. Abaigeal had not intended to have him hit the floor so hard as he did, and she felt bad for it. She supposed it was her lack of experience in training others that had done this, in part at least and she had gotten carried away with the 'duel' and had forgotten the lesson.

"I'm sorry", she said a little sheepishly. The lesson had come to a conclusion, and she gathered her outer robe from the bench where it had been folded neat and climbed back into it, before making sure the rest of her attire was returned to a neat state.

"I did not have a master as such either, although when I was a child I had attended the Academy on Tython, before the Sith took it". She walked back over to him. "So in a way we are the same in this regard. I kinda fight with what I have learned on the run", an interesting choice of words for her, as she had been in exile after her mother's murder for a few year in which she learned the finer art of survival in the galaxy. "I am not very good at this teaching business. But I do have the ability to see talent and you have it. If you applied yourself I believe you could develop your own form. Begin with a development of your own alchaka", she knew her mother had done this and from it came a style of the White Dragon.

[member="Audren Sykes"]​