Of blades and Shadows

[Celiana]

I'd been on Kasshyyyk for the last week. Training, meetings. Rinse and then repeat. As it was now I'd decided to take a break from all the monotany and practice something I was very good at. Bladework, it was simple; clean even. Unlike the politics of Jedi meetings there was always reason behind bladework. Today I was atop the Temple in one of the difficult to get to outdoor arenas. Shielded from the sun this level of the temple had many shadowed areas from the overhanging branches of the massive Wroshyr trees. I was working through a sword form with one of my Force-imbued blades.

Typically I'd use sabers but it'd been awhile since I'd practiced with live steel. I wore a pair of loose dueling trousers and a tight maroon tanktop. My swords were a blur of steel, a light mint glow emanating form the blades due to the Force energies present within them. I sensed someone making their way up the temple. Interesting, typically I was one of the only ones who made a climb up here...Focusing on my forms I continued on. If they did make it up here without me noticing them further that'd be interesting. There were certainly plenty of shadows for someone to observe me from.... A flick of my right hand and a backhand strike, continuing on I waited to see if my visitor wanted anything in particular...

[member="Tanaski Yumi"]

 

[Tanaski Yumi]

The cold wind burnishing against his skin felt father nice, one could never get over the majestic natural beauty of the Wookie home world, a place still ruled by organic life, yet to be tainted by metal constructs and tampering. It made a really great place for the Silver Jedi to be stationed, he was glad they moved here after leaving voss, more so the rich and clam air proved wonders for his training. As per tradition of the Riben-Jin, the art of mastering the sword had been a life long dream, instilled into him from a young age my both parents. Unfortunately the galaxy at large had given up sword play, most force users preferring a saber of other weapons, the only person that he could properly train with

Still no worry came to the young man, he was a vampire, long life mean he literately had a few thousand years to master the art, no rushing was needed patients would be his ally. That did not mean he could afford to let his skills dwindle, often making his way to a secluded area, running through basic exercises and forms. Today that location was the very top of the temple, an area yet to be explored by the young Jedi, though it would appear such a location already had it's user. "Good day to you, I was not aware of another using this area for practice, would you mind if I joined"?

[member="Celiana"]

 

[Celiana]

I caught a reflection of the young man as I brought one blade up into a block. Intriguing....typically younger Jedi didn't make trips this high up. Then again he could only look young, after all Master Rasu had been at least 200. Turning on my heel I brought the blades together and sheathed them as one. Looking at the young man I gestured to my side and said softly "Typically younger members of The Order don't venture so high... if you've made the climb then you're welcome here. Though I am curious as to why you did decide to make the climb?" Typically speaking other members of The Order preferred training exercises lower down in the temples' outdoor arenas. Not many made the climb like I did... It was more a question about his intent being here than anything....This was a more difficult area to get to as well. The lifts didn't come up this far. I wanted to know what brought him this high...

[member="Tanaski Yumi"]

 

[Tanaski Yumi]

One of the first things Tana noticed was the women's blades and her fighting style, duel wielding not a skill many in the Jedi used often from what he knew, even fewer putting that skill to use with a physical blade. Fight from the get go with women peaked his interest, while at the same time seeming familiar, had they cross paths before? Maybe but such questions were for another time Tana turning his attention back to the women's face as she posed a question to him. "True, I am a bit younger then, I have only just reach 21 years of age, but that age comes with quite a bit of experience", he replied walking closer to the other Jedi knight, his own two swords hanging from belt in typical Atrsian manner.

"​As for my reasons on this location, it's calm, secluded but also has a spiritual sense, and I know it sounds a little cheesy but the whole 'lone swords man on a high mountain training' trope ha always been something to try out". The very top of the temple gave such a perfect place to undertake such a routine, the climb was also good practice, an assassin was always required to have the ability to traverse even the most rough terrain as to not lose ones target.

[member="Celiana"]

 

[Celiana]

Arching a single brow at his comment of with his young age coming with quite a bit of experience I noticed the swords simply hanging from his belt. Ninjato blades, short and deceptively fast depending on the skill of the user. "Somehow I think you'd remember running into me, I have a sort of shall we say reputation among The Order. Typically ends with explosions or various bladed solutions. I make it a thing to only be noticed if I wish to be." His comment of the lone swordsman atop the mountain elicited a light laugh though. Gesturing towards a space opposite me with my blade I said "Take a space then Mr. Yumi, yes I know of you. Wouldn't be a very efficient Shadow if I didn't."

[member="Tanaski Yumi"]

 

[Tanaski Yumi]

Explosions and blades, she'd get along well with older sister if that was the case, though he still had this feeling of familiarity, "perhaps you are right, maybe I just heard about you from another member or a relative, either way we still are strangers to one another no"? The latter part of her words reminding him of another shadow Jedi, that 'only notice if I want to' line seemed to be popular, personally he was more the, 'if you see me it's already too late'. Her put the quotes away for the moment, stepping into the improvised practice area as offered, "been spying around, shouldn't be surprised, though I unfortunately do not know your name? would you care to inform me? or do I have to find that out for myself as a shadow"? The suggestion being a tease but also a genuine question, you could never be certain in this line of work.


[member="Celiana"]

 

[Celiana]

Smirking as he mentioned still being strangers I said "Crossing blades makes us shall we say sparring partners? Though if you care to actually know my name then it's Celiana." As he mentioned trying to find out my name as a shadow a flicker of amusement crossed my face, he certainly COULD try... He'd wind up failing to find me. If the Masters of The Order had to send another Master to track me then it was because they couldn't find me normally... As it was pretty much everything I owned was untraceable. As cliche as the line of only seeing me if I allowed it or wanted it was? It was true. I'd wiped my own records of anything but being a padawan then a Knight. My activities had been completely erased as I'd wished. Spinning one blade into a blade forward grip I spun the other into an inverted grip.

As it was I'd let him have the first strike, I'd not crossed blades with him yet. That being said within the first several strikes I could usually pick up how skilled someone was. Came with being a Firedancer, it was even more noticeable as a member of the Echani huntresses....

[member="Tanaski Yumi"]

 

[Tanaski Yumi]

"Celiana, I will remember that, sparing partners it is then, I hope to make a good impression". The young man replied, settling into a traditional Jin duel fighting style, right blade held perpendicular and on level with his neck, left hand holding the other blade at a 45 degree angle in front. He knew from the get go the shadow in front of him was more skilled, there would be no way to properly win, even so Tana did have a goal in mind to surprise the women, there would be little chance she knew about the Riben-Jin... well hopefully.

Taking in a deep breath before starting off the duel Tana allowed himself to relax, his serious persona coming out, now wanting his facial features or mind to give away anything, a stern but clam appearance coming over the mans face. With the stage set he quickly advanced opening with a back hand swipe with his left arm, only to stop it short, sending a thrust with his fight hand at the women's center. This two would be a faint as at the last second he pulled back his right arm, twisting his left a little to telegraphed the swipe into it's own thrust, aimed at the women's shoulder.

[member="Celiana"]

 

[Celiana]

My face was a mask of neutrality though his stance.... that was one I hadn't worked with or against since I was but 16... Akira had had an exchange student and her style was almost a perfect match to what he was taking stance in. Riben-Jin.... similar in culture to the Atrisians, least in the love of tea... Though there was a mix to their martial skills as well.... I heard his breath in and then the emotion of settling into a practiced looseness. Then the movement. He came in with a backhand swipe, though he pulled the strike. Eyes flicked down and a stab towards my midriff. Smirking I had to give him credit he was clever... though not enough. The feint was good, but I was waiting for the feint within the feint now.

I met the first strike and as good as he was I moved with the practice of years. Left blade inverted flicked against his first strike. There. His second strike was aimed at this reaction. the shoulder I'd dropped when I blocked the first strike. Bringing my right blade up horizontally into a square block I heard the metal skate against my second blade. Then I followed up with a lightning fast elbow as a counter. Not bad for an opening...

[member="Tanaski Yumi"]

 

[Tanaski Yumi]

It would appear his opponent was just as good as masking her emotions as he was, something to be expected come the duel. As blade connected the familiar sound of metal against metal echoed through the air, each stroke even his feints taken by the women's defense, she moved with great ability. Speed, precision and strength all rolled into one move, if this wasn't a duel he'd be wowed and cheering over such such a counter, speaking of which it wasn't over.

No sooner had Tana's blades been parried or blocked did an elbow strike come for his chest. A quick body twist to his left made the attack just skim past his clothes, no doubt such a blow would have stung but it wasn't over just yet. As he twist to the side Tana brought his right leg up to attempt a thrusting kick towards the women's right left knee, if not a way to hurt her just a way to push back and put room between the two fighters.

[member="Celiana"]

 

[Celiana]

I saw him barely twist away from the elbow strike. As he kicked I inwardly smiled...I'd allow it to keep coming, at the last second I spun into a loose high-low Mantis pose. Bringing the inverted left sword towards the back of his neck and the one in my right hand with the flat of the blade towards a light slap against his leg. It'd been at least eight years since I'd fought a Riben-Jin duelist, still though practicing against something not usually practiced was always encouraged.

I wasn't intent of pushing him, as is was if the leg strike was meant to strike it probably would have. I was pulling my strikes and speed quite a bit... after having The Force physically alter my senses and and already considerable dueling skills on Eshan I was truly a force to be reckoned with. "You respond well Tanaski, your bladework and movements are fluid as well." I waited for a follow-up to my counter....

[member="Tanaski Yumi"]

 

[Tanaski Yumi]

A short shiver in the force alerted Tana to the incoming danger, having to cut the kick short in order to find some manner of stable footing in order to block. His left arm moving below, wrist testing to placing his blade against his black, forming a quick armor like faction to prevent his neck from being damaged, not an idea form as the clanging metal sent vibrations against his head. He performed the same action against his leg, the hit not being much of a bother but the blocking didn't give much room for moving.

This fight was certainly unlike anything he'd face before, the only opponent that was as hard as this women was mother. "Thank you for the compliment, for a Riben-Jin studying sword fighting is almost as important as learning to walk and talk". It would be a main part of his life, studying fighting and becoming a master, not just of the Jedi but of the blade, again he had several centuries to get it down and fine tuned, maybe upon returning home he could become a legend due to his prowess with a blade. For now, he needed to focus on the fight, using his lower blocking blade and sweeping it up towards [member="Celiana"] waist.

 

[Celiana]

Smiling as he spoke I knew the feeling...Echani craved battle, I was no exception and movement spoke more truthfully than words most times. I saw out of the corner of my eye his blocking blade arcing towards my waist. Thankfully I'd been training physically and in the acrobatics of Ataru. Planting my inverted blade into the stone I moved my body weight onto the pommel of the sword and flipped off the pommel bringing the blade I'd planted arcing up towards his neck. The other blade flicked out and into a shield across my shoulder. He was clever, I was intrigued how he'd respond...

[member="Tanaski Yumi"]

 

[Tanaski Yumi]

Tana may not have been a user of Ataru, but his sister was, having many times spared with the older sibling, as such the sudden use of acrobatic motion tipped the boy off, his knees bending a little as his pushed his body up and away from the incoming strike. Said leap worked to some extent, the blade missing it's mark on the Jin's neck, but hitting his lower leg at the apex of the jump, throwing Tana off a little as he game to a stumbled land, wincing a little. "A solid hit, if guessing I'd be out of the game if this was a fight to the death", if not for his healing ability, but she wasn't in the know about that just yet. Once again Tana brandishing his blades in a defensive manner, expecting her switch to Ataru to be followed up by a flurry of aggressive attacks.

[member="Celiana"]