Need a Little Company?

[Joza Perl]

Joza’s brows knit slightly in curiosity as Krux revealed a bit of his past, as vague as it was. He didn’t seem to open about where exactly he’d been a student before, but Joza didn’t probe him about it, as curious as she was. Some people had things they’d rather not talk about, and she tried to respect that. Still, she couldn’t help the feeling of mystery that began to grow around the older Padawan.

Adjusting her grip on the hilt of the saber, Joza fell into a basic Soresu stance, keeping her back straight and her eyes on the remote, tracking it’s every little movement. A serious look settled onto her face as she put all of her focus on the little floating opponent in front of her. "I'm ready."

[member="Krux Mullarus"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

Krux nodded, waving a hand toward the remote. A faint click could be heard within the droid as it started to move around [member="Joza Perl"] more quickly, waiting. It studied her like a lover studies the eyes of it's significant other, staring dazedly at her and watching, calculating for where the best place to strike would be.

Finally, a single yellow sting flew from the remote in the direction of Joza's left arm.

 

[Joza Perl]

Joza eyed the remote, her unease growing the longer it seemed to analyze her. It was kind of unnerving to have this thing watch her, but she figured that a real battle would be worse on her nerves. Something she had to work on.

Her senses flew into alarm the moment the remote released its first attack and she quickly twisted the saber down toward her left, the deep blue clashing with the bright yellow and fizzling slightly. Startled, she had reflexively moved back further than she had intended to. Recovering her focus, the pink girl stared at the remote, shuffling around slightly.

[member="Krux Mullarus"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

Krux watched intently, seeing that she certainly wasn't lying about having practiced Form III already. He nodded slowly as he watched her, seeing nothing she was doing wrong, and simply watched her.

The remote continued to *tish* around her, firing once again at her, but higher up toward her chest now.

[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

Joza slowly slit one foot behind her, shifting her weight onto it when the remote fired at her again. This time had aimed more towards her core, and she brought the lightsaber down at an angle, barely blocking the sting. The near miss reflected in her eyes, and her stance became less solid for a few moments before she corrected herself.

[member="Krux Mullarus"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

From where Krux stood, she was performing exceptionally. Her form was balanced, footwork was splendid, the blade was kept close to her body and swept in tight strokes to deflect the bolts. She was certainly adept at the form already. He waited a bit longer to see if she would slip up, but for some reason, he doubted that.

The remote started to get a bit more reckless. It *tished* around and managed to fire two bolts in quick succession at her hands.

"Joza, why not strike at the remote? Striking it will shut it off." Krux suggested, waiting to see if she would combine offense and defense.

[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

Krux was right, it was one thing to practice the motions of Soresu, but it was another thing entirely to put it into use against live rounds. Even though she had deflected the first two strikes, she felt antsy as she waited for the remote to make its next move. Her heart nearly leaped out of her chest as it fired off twice.

She was able to deflect the one aiming for her left hand, and successfully side stepped the other, wondering if it was even okay to do that. Wasn’t the point of this to block the shot with the lightsaber? She caught her lower lip between her teeth and nodded vaguely, her eyes glued to the little floating ball as Mullarus suggested she try hitting it. Wait, but wasn’t the whole point of this for her to train Soresu? She had never combined forms before, and was nervous about layering them right now. Still, she wouldn’t know unless she tried.

She lashed out at the remote with a horizontal strike, keeping her blade out as the floating ball zipped quickly up and to the right. She frowned, bringing the saber back closer to her body. She was afraid to do much more than this, wondering if she should try to strike at it again or wait for it to attack.

[member="Krux Mullarus"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

It wasn't as much 'layering Lightsaber Forms', as it was simply jabbing at it. Not all strikes with a Lightsaber are done according to a Form. Besides, many Jedi have used Form III offensively. Given, it's not effective offensively, but it can be done. "Feel, Joza. The remote moves from where it thinks you're going to strike. It is a computer, and computers are easily fooled, especially by one so proficient with the Force. Don't be disheartened." he said, waving a hand subtly at the remote to make it play more defensively now and not fire a bolt at her as often.

Krux couldn't help but feel like he was in over his head. He was no Jedi Knight yet, yet he was teaching someone like he was. Was it his pride, or has his old arrogance never gone away? Maybe he was overthinking it, like always. He didn't think on it too much. Teaching others was a release for him. It made him feel like he was doing something right by passing on his own knowledge.

[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

He was right. It was a computer, and as much as it was studying her movements, she had been studying it. As silly as it sounded, she couldn’t help but begin to feel a little overwhelmed. She suppressed it the best she could, physically swallowing. It would do no good to let her feelings take advantage of her right now. Instead, she simply tried to focus.

Joza clashed with another bolt aimed at her hip, swinging the dark blue saber down and to the right across her body. She twirled the blade quickly to re-establish her grip on it, eyeing the remote. Alright, you stupid little ball. You’re going down.

Keeping the saber to her right, she moved in to strike. Quickly, she swept her blade to the left and performed a diagonal upwards cut to the remote.

[member="Krux Mullarus"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

She struck almost instantly after the remote fired again, and saw his lightsaber make contact with it, sending the remote soaring to the far wall and shutting down. Krux's brows raised, impressed, and he clapped. "Good job! Took me forever to master the remote. That was good practice. You're pretty good with that lightsaber, Joza." he said sincerely. Any person couldn't just pick up a lightsaber and instantly become a master with it. It required training and practice to wield properly.

Spoiler

Finn and Rey are BS

He pulled the remote back into his hand and stuck it back into the cabinet, turning back around and sitting down on the bench nearby. "So, anything else you want to go over?"

[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

Joza blinked, looking a little dumbstruck as she watched the remote smack against the wall. She maintained her hold on the lightsaber for a few seconds before relaxing her body. Did…did I do that? She had been practicing her forms diligently like a good Padawan, but this was the first time that she had the opportunity to hit something that moved…and fired lasers at her.

She thought, briefly, that she might have been stronger than she thought. But that idea was quickly swept away as she firmly reminded herself that one minor success didn’t mean that she should stop trying to move forward. At least now, maybe she would have a little more confidence in doing so.

She switched off the saber and walked over to where Krux was sitting, handing the hilt back to him. “I think that’s enough for today.” She offered him a small smile. “Thank you for helping me out, really.” While she did want to learn more from him, she had done quite a bit of training since this morning and didn’t want to overload herself. “Maybe we could take a break? After all, you did say that having time to relax was important.” She rolled one of her shoulders, trying to release the built up tension from her muscles. Somehow, she felt calmer now.

[member="Krux Mullarus"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

He nodded, taking his lightsaber back and hooking it onto his belt. "Sure. Have a seat, grab a drink. Whatever calms your nerves." he said, leaning back on the bench he sat on, back on the wall behind him.

[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

Joza hummed in thought for a moment, realizing that she didn’t really know what exactly she did to relax. When she was calm, it just sort of…happened. Ah, the fun of being high-strung.

“Would you like to go for a walk? Maybe we could get a drink later, too.” She offered simply, figuring that stretching her legs would do her some good. That, and she was curious about Krux. He seemed guarded, but not in an unfriendly manner.

[member="Krux Mullarus"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

A walk around the Sullust Jedi Temple sounded refreshing. He was still unfamiliar with the layout, and now he was curious about what differed between the abode of the New Jedi Order's new headquarters after the fall of the original within the Galactic Republic. Especially compared to the Jedi Academy on Voss he was used to.

Krux stood up, reaching for the mask that hung from his belt instinctively. "Sounds good. Maybe you can show me around." he smirked, starting to put the mask on over his face again.

[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

Joza’s eyes drifted to his mask, catching her words in her throat before she asked him why he was putting it back on. She realized that maybe it wasn’t the proper thing to do right now, as curious as she was. Remaining silent on the matter, Joza tilted her head towards a nearby exit.

As they moved down the corridor, Joza tried to make conversation without sounding as awkward as she did before. “So, you know that I’m from Zeltros…where are you from?” It was asked innocently enough and she wasn’t trying to pry. Well, maybe a little. But she didn’t intend to push him. After all, a man that wore a mask around most people probably had some secrets.

[member="Krux Mullarus"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

Krux started down the corridor of the Sullust Jedi Temple, glancing around. It felt so much different from the Academy on Voss, and even more different from any Sith Academy he had visited on Coruscant, Glee Anselm, and Korriban; well, obviously. Compared to Voss, the atmosphere felt much less peaceful and more anxious and busy. Unlike other Jedi Temple, it felt more like a base of operations than a resting place of tranquility, where Jedi could come snd meditate in peace. He figured it was the war with the Sith that had turned the Jedi to be more aggressive in their training, having many of their students actually become warriors and soldiers trained to meet the Sith head-on in the war rather than create a generation of peacekeeping diplomats.

He blinked, glancing to the side at [member="Joza Perl"] when she asked about his own homeworld. He supposed it was fair. She had told him of her family and upbringing. She seemed to trust him, why not trust her? After all, she had seen what he hid under his mask and wielded his lightsaber without ill-intent.

"I am from Anaxes. It is a Sith-controlled world. Yes, I was...raised in Sith space. I wanted to become a part of the Sith navy just like my parents were. But..." he inhaled, swallowing his pride, "My grandfather, a Sith Lord, has them both murdered and blamed their deaths on the Republic. I succombed to the Dark Side, my sensitivity to the Force being surfaced around the age of fourteen, and my grandfather trained me to be...Sith.

"Only recently, due to very...personal matters, did I see the error in the decisions that were forced upon me. I saw how wrong the Sith were about how they trained. I saw how the Dark Side always corrupts and destroys those who follow it, even if they don't realize it. I wouldn't stay true to it. Thanks to my master on Voss, I turned away from the Dark Side and began to study the Light Side as a Jedi Padawan seeking redemption. Here I am, an experienced veteran of the Sith looking for the serenity the Jedi provide to their students. I've devoted myself to becoming a Jedi Knight so I can help the Jedi properly purge the galaxy of the Dark Side and bring those with good left in them to our ranks. Including..." he exhaled as he thought about her, "Someone...dear to me, who is a pawn of the Dark Side. She is obsessed with it. Its unnatural. She is my priority...because after all of this time away from her, all she had done to me to make me see everything I was doing wrong...

"I...still love her."

 

[Joza Perl]

Joza bit the inside of her cheek, trying to keep a straight face as Mullarus revealed his origins to her. In truth, she didn’t know to react appropriately, though her eyes did reflect her surprise. Her dealings with the Sith had been few so far, but she’d heard much about them. There were stories of good Jedi falling to the Sith as cautionary tales, but this was the first she’d heard of the opposite happening.

She glanced up at Krux in contemplation. From what she’s seen, he was calm and patient. Not full of anger like she was told that the Sith would be. Moving her eyes toward the ground, she wondered if someone could really come back from that. But then again, she didn’t know much about the temptation of the Dark Side. She’d never felt it. And here was someone who was raised in it, who had come to the Light Side of his own volition. She couldn’t imagine what he’d been through, what sort of events lead up to him leaving. But from what he was telling her, he seemed to have thought this through.

Joza’s thoughts paused when he mentioned her. She could tell from the tone of his voice that the woman he spoke of was someone near to his heart—even though she had mixed blood, Joza still retained her Zeltron empath abilities. She felt his pain briefly, then reigned herself in, feeling as if this was something more private. Zeltrons were no stranger to amorous feelings, but this was love, something she again had little experience with.

Exhaling softly, Joza released a small amount of pheromones, surprised that she was able to do it. She hadn’t been able to produce them since coming to Sullust, but perhaps by now she had calmed down enough to use them. She couldn’t offer much in the way of comfort other than this, hoping that the pheromones would at least help to soothe him a bit.

“…Would you like to go get that drink?”

[member="Krux Mullarus"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

Krux found himself staring at the floor at the end of his speech-like story. Part of him felt guilty for coming clean about his past so quickly. Was the knowledge a burden?

He chuckled at Joza's offer for the drink, "Not if you don't want to. Heavy drinking won't solve my problems nor will it soothe it. Meditation will, and frankly, teaching does too. I've always enjoyed teaching students. When I was a Sith, I had two."

Now that he thought if his old students, he wondered how they were doing. Did they hate him now that he suddenly dissapeared from the Sith's ranks? Did they think he was dead? Oh, Abelain, how much Krux regretted that last line he spoke to him before running away. No, Abelain was certainly hunting him. He knew the arue'tii. He was too prideful not to seek vengeance against him. In time, his former student would stand before him wishing to destroy him. Somehow. Maybe, if Krux devoted himself enough in time, just maybe...he could turn Abelain. Vengeful, yes. Betrayed. Dissapointed. But he was a man of honor, and he could see reason.

And Fortuna, the petite, young, pretty blue-haired girl he rescued from certain doom after slaying the Shadow of the Dark Lord on Dagobah. She was always a mysterious wildcard. Knowing her, she likely has already found a new master to teach her. She was never so full of pride like Abelain. She was quite humble, really, even for a Sith. She was ambitious, and thinking back on it now broke Mullarus' heart how he abandoned her.

He felt he certainly deserved to be smited by Abelain's inevitable quest for revenge, but he would not give himself up willingly. As always, he would go down fighting, or...he would convert the arue'tii, as he wished the same for Setzi Lunelle.

Suddenly, Krux's eyes dilated, feeling a sudden surge of relaxation. His shoulders slumped and he stood up a bit straighter, glancing over at Joza. Pleasure pheromones...

"Would you like to go have that drink, Joza?" he smiled beneath his mask.

[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

Joza chewed at the inside of her cheek in contemplation before shaking her head. “Not if it won’t help anything. I don’t think it would do me any good, either.” She really didn’t know what to make of his past. A lot of it she could understand at face value, but not at a deeper level. She hadn’t experienced the sort of things he had, and she hadn’t been exposed to the darker temptations of the galaxy. But she knew that she would someday.

“You are a very good teacher, Krux. Really, I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to help me. I don’t have a master, so I often attend group lessons or practice on my own. Sometime with the other Padawans. But this is the first time I’ve gotten one-on-one instruction with someone more experienced.” She absently cracked the knuckles on her left hand, still a little stiff. “All I had wanted growing up on Zeltros was to leave. I didn’t feel quite like I belonged on the party planet, but I had no idea that I’d get as homesick as I was when I first arrived on Sullust. It was just so different in every way. So I threw myself into my studies, hoping to use it as a distraction. I couldn’t bear to give up and go home, feeling like a failure.”

She stared down at her hand, flexing each of her fingers individually with a small smile. “It’s working so far. I’ve already learned a lot, but the more I learn the more I realize that I really don’t know that much. If that makes any sense.” She chuckled softly, tilting her head up towards him. She knew that her own dealings were nothing in comparison to what he had faced.

[member="Krux Mullarus"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

If there was only one feature that Padawan Learners, students of the Jedi, posessed that Sith Apprentices normally lacked, it was their gratitude. Every student Krux had met on Sullust, as well as Voss, were all very humble and very thankful to the teachers that train and practice with them. Sith Apprentices were usually quite arrogant and prideful of themselves, even if they knew little, and most of the time, their teachers didnt care or encouraged it. Apparently being a lousy degenerate was 'a gift of the Dark Side'. Krux had never been that way. Even though he now hated his old master and wanted him dead, regardless of the 'Jedi Way', back when he was his student, he was always gracious and respectful toward him, even when he wanted to hurt him for being unnecessarily rough and harmful to him. The same could be said about Mullarus as a Knight training acolytes himself. His two were perfectly normal, gracious students, and in turn, he treated his students with the same respect.

Whenever the day would come when he would obtain the rank of Jedi Knight, he would do the same for any Padawans he would take on.

"Thank you, Joza. That means a lot to me. I am working on obtaining the rank of Jedi Knight myself. I'd take you as my formal Padawan then, but im a member of the Silver Sanctum Coalition before I am of the Galactic Alliance and the New Jedi Order. I'm always here and available if you ever need guidance. Please, if it's about the Sith and the Dark Side, I would be more than happy to lecture you on why not to fall to it's temptation." he said, quite confident in himself, for once.

[member="Joza Perl"]