Private Nice To Meet You

[Alina Tremiru]

​

This wasn't the Empire. That much Alina realized almost immediately. How her fellow Acolytes looked at her. Some with hunger, others with disdain. She was someone in their way. A weak Sith from the Empire, taught in friendly conditions. While they weren't actually friendly, she could already tell that the training here was far more brutal. Cruel. Just the type of environment she hated. It killed too many young Sith too quickly. Before they had a chance to grow strong. But she wasn't one of the weak ones. She could learn from this. And when she was strong enough, shatter the whole system.

First things first though. She needed to earn her place. She had no idea how she'd ever earn her place among the Sith here. Too many people she'd have to beat her way through. Maybe that's what she'd had to do. Find someone to beat up. Her hands stay clasped behind her back, yellow eyes scanning. Here in the training area it wasn't unheard of for Sith to fight one another. Maybe there'd be someone she could enjoy a fight or two with.

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

< I'll Keep Coming >​

​

Back with the living, at least for now, Thesh had returned to Korriban simultaneously drained and reinvigorated.​

​

There was much for the young Sith to do in the coming days, weeks, to readjust to life within more civilized surroundings, away from the wilds of the Galaxy's edge, and principal among them was tending to the small matter of his lost lightsaber. The universe beyond these doors was tricky and filled with contention, and though he did not seek to put an end to such he would be foolish to dismiss the simple defenses afforded to him as a practitioner of the Force.​

​

At present, however, Thesh had not yet recovered a new crystal. So it stood to reason that he would make use of only the small blade he had constructed under Maliphant's watchful gaze until the issue could be remedied. It lay within a sheath beneath his outer robe, a short thing though it was it still radiated a certain power - specifically when in use and called upon. He did not have it with him in the wilds; he would not make the mistake of leaving it behind again in the future.​

​

He came upon the training wing that day with only a vague idea in mind. In his time away - years to most, but mere months to him - he had withered away into nothingness, a shade of his former (already scrawny) self... He had to rebuild. Had to put on weight, strengthen himself even if only a little. And that required physical training. It was something he had always put on the backburner, forgotten in lieu of dusty old tomes and deep, seething meditation, but that had almost been his undoing. A week or so longer on that Force-forsaken world and he'd have lost both will and strength to carry on.​

​

Stepping into the vast room, wherein several others could be found training together or running through more personal sequences, the boy shook off his outer robes and outstretched one hand, calling into his palm a blunted training sword. It was designed and weighted to mimic a lightsaber, though it looked more akin to thin Sith sword than anything else. Though it could not slice through anything harder than a slab of butter, he knew first hand that it could still do damage in the right hands.​

​

Not his, mind you... But someone's.​

​

He tuned out those around him, and set to work refamiliarizing himself with the weight of the blade and the basics of Shii-Cho. ​

​

Alina Tremiru ​

 

[Alina Tremiru]

​

The hungry eyes had yet to leave her. Alina could already tell this was going to be the sort of reception she'd always receive from her fellow Acolytes here. Her yellow eyes stayed forward. She didn't dare meet their gaze should they take that as a challenge, but she kept her head high. She wasn't cowering, but they had their groups. And she wasn't so foolish as to pick fights on her first day in this academy. She needed to prove a point, yes, but first she needed to find someone else on their own for her to strike down.

Someone strong or weak didn't matter. The purpose here was to show her power without getting overwhelmed by the larger numbers. Her gaze eventually settled on Arcturus Dinn . He was close to her age. Stood to reason he'd at least be close to the same level of strength as her. Confident steps had her walk right up to him. Nothing in her face betrayed her intent as she stood before him, yellow eyes scanning his form. He wasn't a swordsman, to say the least.

Perfect.

In her experience it was those who didn't bother with martial combat were the ones who used the Force as their primary weapon. What better way to show these other acolytes she wasn't some weakling from the Empire then by showing just what kind of power she had. A soft smile formed as she titled her head in a slight bow to her chosen quarry.

"Sparring is better with two, no? Why don't we test one another?" Despite the cold intentions she had behind this, her tone stayed respectful. There was no reason to sling insults or belittle her peers in her eyes. It was wasteful. Alina kept her hands clasped behind her back, not wanting to seem like a threat yet. "I am Alina Tremiru."

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

Though admittedly slow, each step made was precise and poised.​

​

Visualizing a target was no easy feat, especially when one was dealing with zones and marks of contact; thankfully Thesh had quite the imagination, and the Galaxy was filled to the brim with all manner of lifeforms. So no matter where he aimed, something theoretically could have been there. No? Perhaps that was a fools way to view it.​

​

He could have called forth a droid or two to make it simpler, or even joined in with one of the groups, but he enjoyed the solace afforded to him by these more private sessions. Amidst the others he might have been, to him they were a universe away.​

​

Sun Djem, followed by a swift Shiak to the core, before he pulled back and reset the sequence... Returning to the opening stance, and visualizing something new, someone different.​

​

It was in that moment, that short break where his heart felt as though it might thump out of his chest in response to the surge of adrenaline, that she appeared. A stranger to him, though no more a stranger than the rest of the Academy's inhabitants, she all but imposed herself into his session.​

​

Quick eyes glanced her up and down. There was no malice behind his gaze, the way in which the other students might have regarded her, just a vague indifference. His hands flexed around the hilt as he pondered his options, the only real sign that he was even considering her offer.​

​

And then he simply nodded, and gestured across from himself.​

​

"Thesh," he finally retorted, his tone languid and unassuming. So much for simple solace, but perhaps this would help him achieve his goals sooner... He span the blade once in his left hand, reclasping it with his right after the fact as he waited for her to get into position.​

​

Alina Tremiru​

 

[Alina Tremiru]

​

There was a system to the strikes that Alina simply didn't recognize. She'd never been formally trained in how to use a lightsaber. An odd fact, given that she could do was fight in melee. Not so surprising if one knew how she was raised. A kind smile stayed on her lips as she watched Arcturus Dinn glance her over. Indifference was a welcome change from the bloodthirsty eyes that sought to take her saber for themselves. Most seemed only armed with the dull metal blade. Training sabers, of sorts.

Just like this Tresh individual. She hid the excitement that brewed deep in her mind. This would turn out to be quite the training for her. Lightsabers were, ironically, the biggest weakness she had when it came to the unarmed style of fighting she preferred. Once she got the gloves she needed, her style would need to adapt to actually deflecting sabers instead of just trying to dodge out of the way. Hands unclasped as they were lifted in front of her defensively. Alina took the full stance of a boxer, fingers curling into fists as a slight grin gave away just how excited she was for this.

She made no move to strike first. Alina wanted to see how these 'better Sith' fought. All so she could show them how wrong they were to think the Empire's Sith were weak.

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

No further words exchanged.​

​

No mocking terms, or vain attempts at dun moch.​

​

Good. Just the way he preferred it.​

​

When she brought her fists up and braced her defensive stance, Thesh's head rather unintentionally tipped to the left to regard her with unveiled curiosity. So it was to be like that, was it? So be it. He dropped the blade to the ground at his feet, kicking it aside as he matched her stance.​

​

He could not claim to have much experience with fighting his fellow sentients this way, but lost without blade or saber on the fringes of the Galaxy as he had been he'd had to adapt. So many beasties, so much danger. And only his fists and the Force to keep it all at bay.​

​

Thesh watched for any signs that she might make the first strike, but she was patient and bided her time. So he began to circle around to the left, his stance was loose and conductive to movement. Limber.​

​

It was no baying beast that stood ahead of him now. This was a cool and calculated mind. He did not expect to come out victorious, but unlike his brethren he knew better than to assume such was the only way to grow. He had no ego or pride to bruise, he had accepted his place at the bottom of the barrel long ago and from there there was only one place to go.​

​

Up.​

​

He nodded to her once. At some point, one of them would have to throw the first punch.​

​

Alina Tremiru ​

 

[Alina Tremiru]

​

There was a surprised look on Alina's face as Arcturus Dinn opted to toss his blade to the side. She had been betting on him keeping the blade and openly mocking her for not using a weapon. It'd of made a good showing to beat down an armed opponent. But he did no such thing. Silence. Calm. Her grin grew for a moment as she took in the fact he simply was going to fight her like this. Perhaps he wasn't as force dependent as she had assumed.

The smile faded after a moment as she started to match his pace. The slow circle as neither dared to strike first. Her gaze studied over him in that moment of silence. If he wasn't going to strike first, how did she want to open this? She could reach out, cut him off from the Force and put him down. Or show off her strength. That's all this was. A chance to show off to her fellows and keep them from thinking she'd be an easy target to take down.

Or paint a larger target on her back.

That thought had her pause. The unsettling reality that showing off would only get her struck down from behind was one she couldn't ignore. Showing off all her strength would only make it easier for them to do so. Already many eyes were upon the pair, watching and learning. Their weaknesses, strengths. Plotting and planning on how to remove the competition. Her fists tightened.

No going back now.

She closed the distance at a speed no human should have. If she ended this fast enough the others wouldn't know what she did. Uncertainty on what to be scared of was a better shield than fear of the known after all. Alina held nothing back, the burst of speed having her in front of Thesh in the blink of an eye, crouched low. Fist primed. She sprang up, hoping her speed was enough to surprise and let her fist connect with the bottom of his chin.

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

Unlike his opponent, now that they had entered the non-existent ring Thesh's mind shut off from all its wandering thoughts. There were no others in the room to be wary of, because in that moment they did not exist to him. Just himself and the girl.​

​

That was not to say he was foolish, he kept the Force extended out to watch for any threats, but it was a sub-conscious act. Right now she had his full attention.​

​

They circled one another for a time; Thesh missed out on an opportunity to strike, he noticed her pause a moment too late. Foolish of him, to be sure, not to capitalize on it. He'd have to do better next time.​

​

Instead she was the one to make the first move. He noticed the tightening of her fists and the tensing of her poised muscles but before he could act on it she was already upon him. Her speed and grace was dizzying, but more than that her ability to use her body's natural kinesis to enhance the punch sent him hurtling to the ground. The full weight of her body behind it.​

​

He sat there stunned for a moment. His jaw ached, and he was sure he could taste blood in his mouth. He spat to the side, something he ordinarily would never have been caught doing; it proved his theory.​

​

But he could not dwell on his bloody mouth. He could not linger on the ground. Up he sprang, propelled by the Force from mat to feet, and once grounded again made an attempt at swiping her feet from under her with the heel of his right. His fists were brought back up in a defensive position.​

​

He had underestimated her, to be sure.​

​

Best he not do so again...​

​

Alina Tremiru ​

 

[Alina Tremiru]

​

The burst of speed was just that. Alina didn't dare try to push her body past the limits she knew she had. Breaking herself in a fight like this where life wasn't on the line was a pointless endeavor. She hopped back as he stood and swiped a heel for her legs, making distance between them once again. It wasn't hard for her to tell she'd certainly rung Arcturus Dinn 's bell. And she certainly couldn't hide the small grin that had formed. Not because of that fact. Just a result of the adrenaline coursing through her veins.

She more actively started to move. Hopping on her feet, tensing. Coiling like a spring for the next rush. "You're welcome to take up your blade. I could use the practice with dealing with bladed opponents after all." Alina certainly wasn't trying to mock him with the suggestion. She'd been training specifically to use unarmed where her fellow acolytes would use a lightsaber. This sort of fight would be like a swordsman fighting with his blade against an untrained and unarmed peasant.

For now she waited. Ready to move should her opponent try anything, but making no move herself while he'd either get his blade or deny the chance to even the odds.

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

She pulled back in time to evade the swipe, and Thesh could not help but allow a grin to break across his lips.​

​

Adrenaline, pure adrenaline, was coursing through his veins once more. It was as intoxicating as ever, even to the one who rarely sought out conflict such as this. He shook his head, eyes alight, as she goaded him into picking up a weapon.​

​

"Maybe later," he promised, voice low with a guttural rumble, breathing heavy. They hadn't done much yet but added to his prior, solo training, and the fact that he was still recovering from severe malnutrition, every little bit was enough to take it out of him.​

​

Still he had agreed to this, he would see it through.​

​

A thin sheen of sweat appeared upon his brow, as he returned to their circling. This time he was the first to break that cycle, he led with his right leg as he lunged forward, rounding one of his tightly guarded fists toward her cheek. Southpaw, he aimed for her right cheek and kept his right hand up in defense of his own.​

​

Alina Tremiru ​

 

[Alina Tremiru]

​

A much more amused grin formed on Alina's features as she nodded her head. It was Arcturus Dinn 's choice, at the end of the day. Even if it was a foolish one in her eyes. The young woman kept her distance this time around, her focus solely on the acolyte before her. Just as she wanted to put herself in a place to better ignore the threats of her fellows, she wanted to see their strength too.

His punch was met by her arm, curled up to protect the side of her face. This close she could see the exhaustion on his face. Her grin faded as her brow furrowed. He wasn't just tired from his earlier training. What exactly had he been doing before this? The subtle, gaunt features. Sunken in cheeks. Thinner frame.

Malnutrition?

A quick jab was launched in response to his, aimed for his throat. Even if he wasn't fighting at a hundred percent, he chose to accept the spar. And they were Sith. There was no time for weakness. Though, she didn't use her dazzling speed this time.

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

He brought back his fist to his center once she had blocked it with her arm and swayed ever so slightly before he strengthened his core. If he noticed her faltering expression he did not show it, too focused was he on the task at hand.​

​

This time, without her unnatural speed to boon her, Thesh saw the blow coming before it had a chance to strike, and he moved with the motion of her fist and deftly avoided another hit.​

​

As he did so he reached out, hoping to catch her wrist before she could fully pull back her arm; should he manage it, he'd try to use her momentum against her, to pull her into an unstable stance with the hopes of actually taking her feet out from under her this time.​

​

But given how fast she'd shown she could be, even as he did it he realized the chance to follow through would be slim.​

​

Alina Tremiru ​

 

[Alina Tremiru]

​

The weightless sensation of being thrown was a feeling Alina would likely not get use to. That moment of pity for Arcturus Dinn 's current condition turned to her underestimating what he could do still. There was a dull thud as she hit the ground. A groan escaped her before she could roll away. The flash of pain, while nothing compared to some of the other injuries she had to endure, was still mind numbing enough to give her pause. When she did finally get to her feet she did so to try and keep room between them.

"Not bad, not bad." Words were a good distraction, in her mind. The grin returned, wide as ever. "How about we make it interesting? Looser buys lunch, yeah?"

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

He had not expected his maneuver to work.​

​

If he had, perhaps he might have capitalized on it. Secured a solid strike, or something of the sort. Or perhaps he would still have done as he did, and step back so that she could find her feet once more. Distance back between them. A nod toward her as she got back up and remained eager to fight.​

​

Thesh returned the grin with one of his own. This was oddly fun, even exhausted as he was. Perhaps because it was not quite so serious as many would have made it. It was not life or death, they would not be tearing each other limb from limb, and though each strike which landed still hurt like nobody's business, though they were not necessarily pulling fists, and that knowledge was freeing.​

​

The idea that he could grow and learn in such a manner was very agreeable to him.​

​

As she tried to sweeten the deal with a bet he gave her yet another nod. "You're on," he agreed, though he knew for sure that meant he'd be the one buying. His heart was already hammering against his chest, breathing heavy, and his body felt rather languid. He wouldn't last much longer. Part of him knew she knew that too.​

​

Fists were brought back up to a ready defensive position, and bounced slightly on the balls of his feet in order to loosen himself back up.​

​

Alina Tremiru​

​

 

[Alina Tremiru]

​

The fact Arcturus Dinn was grinning back made this all the more fun for the young Sith. Like him, she wasn't a fan of the life or death, limb for limb fighting among the Sith. It was wasteful, more often than not. Dominance could be proven without snuffing out potential. Humiliation and pain were the only things loss would bring. That, and now cash for lunch. She didn't care much about that, given the money she did have.

But she still didn't want to loose.

Once his fists were back up she went into action. She was hungry, and he'd already proven that her not going at her best was going to have her taken down again. So she went for her best. Speed. She knew better than to do the same thing twice, so she went low, swinging her leg for the back of his knees once she was close enough after that burst of speed.

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

Though he took note of the way in which she naturally braced to move, though he slid back away from her, the constant change of pace the woman exhibited proved too erratic for him to properly gauge the distance needed.​

​

It was not the back of his knees which she struck, he was not knocked backwards to the floor, it was the kneecaps themselves which took the brunt of it. Another inch away and it might have just been a grazing blow.​

​

He sucked in a rather hissed breath as the struck leg buckled ever so slightly the wrong way. Not enough to pop or dislocate knee from socket, but certainly enough that he faltered. He dropped down to a kneel, uneasy on the struck leg, but rather than keeping up the slow and methodical pace they'd been exhibiting thus far he reached out to pull at the leg she had planted firmly on the ground.​

​

If he was to be on the ground, he reckoned she might as well suffer the same damn fate.​

​

Alina Tremiru ​

 

[Alina Tremiru]

​

The tug on her planted leg forced her completely off balance. She fell to the ground, but twisted to better control exactly how. Onto her hands. The sudden impact was jarring on her wrists, but it was better than falling and possibly bouncing her head off the ground. And it put her in a good position. The grin remained, even if pained, as she pushed herself up. Twisting.

Alina rolled, swinging the leg that wasn't grabbed around for Arcturus Dinn 's chin before wrenching herself away with that momentum. She needed to make space. Get back onto her feet. While she was learning how to use more than her fists, she was primarily a boxer. Ground game and grappling wasn't her thing.

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

Once she fell, he kept a grasp of her leg and twisted onto his back, further pulling her with the momentum of the roll so that she could not in fact gain traction away from him. Her one foot just missed him as it swung around, the pair having decided in unison that hit-and-then-pause methods weren't getting them very far at all. They had to keep it coming.​

​

One motion had to flow into another.​

​

Thesh wasn't exactly used to this kind of fighting, he was barely any good with a lightsaber much less this, but he knew he couldn't back down. His chest however wanted nothing more than to do exactly that, as he strained to breathe and felt hit lungs begin to burn. His grip on her leg loosened as he winced in response, settling his head back against the ground.​

​

"Wait..." he breathed, exhaling though it sounded more like a grunt. Though whether she would seize the moment or take pause he had no way of knowing.​

​

Alina Tremiru ​

 

[Alina Tremiru]

​

A hiss left Alina as she felt herself dragged. She wasn't able to keep herself up on her hands as she was tugged off them, but it wasn't enough to stop her from moving. The grip on her leg weakened, which was surprising, but the young woman wasn't one to think much in the middle of a fight. She pulled her leg free, swinging it so she'd turn to actually face Arcturus Dinn .

She caught it last second. The expression, the grunt. Something was wrong with him. Still, she'd already swung her fist around. But instead of connecting with her foe, she let it slam into the ground beside his face with a resounding thud.

".. You alright?"

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

Fist struck ground beside his face, and it took every ounce of remaining will to refrain from flinching.​

​

Her decision was met with a voice of curiosity, perhaps concern, and for a time he did not respond. He lay there, draping an arm over his forehead, and gasped for air. Too much, he knew, his body was in full revolt. He had been warned not to push too hard to begin with, but when had Thesh ever listened to sense when it stood in the way of progress?​

​

Another few moments passed. The rising and falling of his chest slowed, and thereafter he began to prop himself up on his elbows. His face was beet red, so much so it almost made his hair seem closer to blonde. He shook his head.​

​

"I'm fine," he lied, pushing up further until he was seated in front of her. "Just... I think I need some water."​

​

He blinked a couple of times, wiping the haze from his mind, then shook his head once more.​

​

"Don't think this over, Alina Tremiru. You may have won lunch, but mark my words next time you won't be so lucky..."​

​

Somehow he managed a grin, and though he wanted to stand and stop the possibility of others staring in their direction for now he remained where he was. He'd gain his strength back soon enough, bulk up the missing weight and feel good as new. He was loathed to simply sit around and wait, but perhaps he was pushing too hard.​

​

He simply had not expected another to approach him. Pride had denied him of sense... Though surprisingly he did not regret it.​

​

"Come on, unless you wish to find another acolyte to pummel..."​

​

Back to his feet, with a huff and a groan. He called the training blade back to his hand through the Force, and settled it into its stand. Then too came the robes, though he didn't dare return them to his body and merely draped them over his arm.​

​

He needed fresh air. He needed it bad.​

​

Alina Tremiru​