Practice Makes... Practice

[Shakti Sweet]

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Location: Grendin Waste, Lok​

Tag: [member="Aeneis Valdemar"]​

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The likelihood that their Master would approve of any extracurricular violence was high... But the redhead wasn't concerned with [member="Adron Malvern"]'s business today.

It had been long months of training, followed by longer months of silence from the Firrerreo where her Master and his machinations were concerned. Her sister had been at the forefront of several schemes that the Exarch had concocted, but the mute had been no where to be seen. She hoped to change all of that - and this would be an excellent step to bringing herself back into the all eclipsing shadow of the Sith Lord's attentions.

Lok was as quality a location as any, and the deserted wastes that smelled heavily of sulfur and stagnant air were ideal for what she needed. When the Sith-in-training had heard of the formal Imperial's plan to take another apprentice she had considered for a time leaving the man be - but it wouldn't do to have another body to set between herself and what her Master had planned for her. If this stranger wanted to place himself in the circle of the Exarch's attentions, she'd best ensure he was going to be worth whatever detraction from her own training that he would cause.

The invite had been a simple one, a missive, sent digitally, inviting him to attend her at the coordinates she currently inhabited. What had been issued was a challenge in an abstract sense - an invitation to test himself against the creature that was slated to become the Exarch's blade. She'd been charged with a specific role, and having proven herself ruthless, it was time to prove herself useful as well.

It was with that knowledge and the invitation sent that the woman found herself crouching low, her arms resting atop her knees, wrapped in simple clothing that would not cause her to overheat in the muggy swelter that covered most of Lok. Green eyes, fierce below furrowed brows, scanned the horizon slowly and meticulously as she awaited the newest addition to their little 'family.'

Hopefully he was as keen as she was to test out the competition.

 

[Aeneis Valdemar]

Walking down the ramp of the corvette, Aeneis’ gold eyes scanned the wastes of Lok. When the budding politician had received the message he had been in a meeting with members of the Socorro’s Belt committee. He’d almost jumped out of his skin at the odd timing expecting it to have been his Master but was instead a woman he’d never heard of before. One that was openly challenging him. Ignoring the message was always an option but what if it was a test? What if it was all one of Adron’s elaborate schemes? If so Aeneis knew he’d pay dearly for deeming it unimportant.

When I accepted his offer I never expected something like this. Aeneis thought but in reality everything surrounding training with Adron was unconventional. It went counter to what the Jedi taught and how they treated their apprentices. There was no coddling, no caring, it was just the cold, calculating distance and torment. Eyes locking on a figure crouching on the ground Aeneis stepped forward. The oppressive heat weighed on the Arkanian hybrid, causing sweat to form at the collar of the black shirt he wore. On the belt of his old combat fatigue pants was the curved hilt of a lightsaber. His first lightsaber, one he’d bought through the black market instead of created himself. He had yet to make it that far into his own training.


The closer Aeneis got to the figure the more their features came into being. The red hair, the lithe body. “You were the one who messaged me?” Looking off into the distance Aeneis attempted to spot any onlookers, perhaps any vehicle denoting Adron’s presence. A sneer beginning to form on his face. Had he been played? Was this a trap set up by some spy? Hand moving to rest on the hilt of his saber Aeneis looked down to the woman.

“You’re the one who challenged me? You’re supposed to be the Blade of the Exarch?”

[member="Shakti Sweet"]

 

[Shakti Sweet]

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Location: Grendin Waste, Lok​

Tag: [member="Aeneis Valdemar"]​

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Those vivid green pools lifted from the horizon as she heard the distance sounds of a ship. She remained crouched low to the ground, her fingers flexing absently as she watched first a speck in the distance, growing to the corvette that carried the man she'd so kindly invited to join her on Lok that afternoon. She hoped that if the corvette carried her fellow apprentice that he'd come to accept the challenge, and not simply to meet her... Her sister was growing to become a warrior in truth, but the girl had started out much too soft for the mute's liking.

As the ramp extended to the ground, a tension began to form between the woman's shoulders. The sound of boots descending and the figure coming into view caused a bit of that tension to leave, however. It seemed that their Master had chosen an adult for his collection this go around, and one that appeared both armed and prepared for the challenge she'd issued. All good news. As his boots found the hard ground of Lok beneath them, she stopped scanning him for weapons and instead turned those curious eyes to his own - finding that he'd already been watching her.

His question about who it was that messaged him brought a soft hitch to the corner of her mouth, the smallest of smirks curving her lips as she planted her feet firmly and lifted herself to a standing position. Pushing one foot back a touch she gave him her side, a soft breeze blowing strands of her soft red curls across her face, providing intermittent flashes of those vibrant green eyes as she regarded him. From this stance it would be easy to see she had no weapons; no sabers strapped to her back, no knives tucked into any pockets in her clothing...

The blatant disbelief in his voice as he questioned who she was caused that small smirk she'd been wearing to fade, the blank and moderately distasteful look that she was renowned for falling effortlessly into place. She opened her mind in the way that the Exarch had taught her and reached. It would be subtle at first as she probed, testing to see what defenses the stranger had against her - though as she found none she pushed in, those vibrant eyes locked on his as he would begin to hear the horrific facsimile of a voice that the woman owned inside of his mind.

"No blade... You came. Fight."

The voice was both a whisper and a scream, like a terrible pressure in his head while a storm raged between his ears. She had perfected the art of being heard - but she had not yet sorted how would be best to stop it from being uncomfortable for those who could hear her.

 

[Aeneis Valdemar]

The meeting was already going in a direction that Aeneis hadn’t been expecting. Without any open signs of hostility from the woman and her not carrying any visible weapons it sort of took out the option of it being an assassination attempt. If there were others hiding out he probably would’ve seen them across the wastes by this point or they would’ve already taken their shot dropping the Corellian. With each second that passed droplets of sweat formed at the back of the Arkanian’s neck and retreated down his spine, a faint nervousness building up within himself. Aeneis was a soldier, or at least had been, when there were pieces missing that led to snags, and snags often led to deaths. There was far too much left to do for Aeneis to die here on this world or to waste his time. To make it worse the woman hadn’t said a word.

An awkward silence hung in the air between the two as the Corellian awaited a response only for there to be none. Opening his mouth to speak again in a different language to ensure he was understood he felt a cool presence flood into his mind. It felt like ice freezing his mind over, with a faint pressure. Then came a horrifying, disorienting voice that nearly sent the man to the ground. His vision spun as the voice penetrated his thoughts making itself heard. Hand rising up to grab the side of his head, Aeneis stared across at the red-headed woman.

Instantly Aeneis’ mouth went dry, those gold, calculating eyes narrowed and he attempted to straighten. The attempt sending a wave of nausea through his form. A slight exhalation of air escaped from between the Corellian’s lips quickly followed by an inhalation of oxygen. “What…” He started but it was obvious what the voice was, it was very apparent even to a neophyte in the force what had happened. The lingering energy that hung in the air, the fact that no one else was within miles of them or who possibly knew about the meeting. “Yes, I came to fight… But I wasn’t expecting you. How do you plan to fight without a weapon to defend yourself?”

Finally mustering what bit of strength he could Aeneis rose fully to his height looking down to his supposed opponent. “But please, if you could refrain from doing that its quite painful you know. Or at least a bit of warning so I can prepare myself for it? Even using your own voice is an option I understand the want to show off the powers you have yet there is a time and a place.”

[member="Shakti Sweet"]

 

[Shakti Sweet]

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Location: Grendin Waste, Lok​

Tag: [member="Aeneis Valdemar"]​

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It had been some time since anyone had reacted quite so... dramatically, to her voice. She knew well from interactions with her Master as well as others that the sound of it was uncomfortable, but she hadn't seen it stagger anyone in quite some time. Perhaps this apprentice was quite a bit greener than she'd expected. The red head didn't have much time to mull it over as he appeared to right himself and began to speak, however. A pair of manicured brows peaked with interest as he questioned her ability to defend herself without a weapon... So Darth Malphas had not seen fit to educate the boy about his other apprentices. She supposed that was fair, as she'd only recently become aware of the Corellian's existence as well.

As he continued on, providing extremely helpful hints about how best to be heard going forward, Shakti shifted her stance and turned to face the man, beginning to walk slowly towards him. Her hands swung loosely at her sides, fingers not yet flexed in a manner that would suggest aggression. Taking the opportunity as he finished speaking, the alien lifting her chin, the hot afternoon sun flashing off the burnished gold of her skin, showing in stark relief the mass of scars that marred her throat, painted pearly white between the scar-tissue and the intricate white tattooing that covered much of her throat and chest.

Their Master had not seen fit to fill the latest addition in on the many facets of the world he was entering - namely that his new sisters were a combination of blind and mute... But there would be time for him to learn if Adron found him to be a good fit.

As those soft footfalls carried her ever closer, the woman lowered her chin and he'd feel that monstrous wave building in his mind again as her voice returned, sharp like electricity as it stabbed at his head. "Hands up. Now." She squared up a few feet from the white haired stranger, her feet planting in the dirt as she pivoted again to give him her profile, her own hands lifting to curl into loose fists at shoulder height. Based on her stance it seemed the Firrerreo intended to test his skills without the saber at his hip.

 

[Aeneis Valdemar]

Still recovering from what he percieved to be an attack on his mind Aeneis noticed the smaller woman moving closer to him. While considering himself brave he was no fool, for each step she took he retreated a measured step. His body lowering, shifting his balance, hand tightening on the hilt of the curved saber. Ready to strike, at least till Shakti lifted her neck revealing the scars. Scars the likes of which Aeneis had only seen delivered to people as a killing blow, how the woman had managed to survive was an anomaly to the Arkanian. He stared at them a few moments longer before his eyes retreated back up to her eyes. This woman didn’t have the option to speak as it had been robbed of her. She’d lost it and was now making due in the only way that she knew how. It wasn’t out of malice, at least not completely. It wasn’t to display her might against his own. It was simply the way she did things. The Corellian understood.

The thought of offering his sympathies to the supposed Blade of the Exarch was shunted from his mind with the presence of her voice once more. This time the buildup and pressure on the soldier's consciousness was enough of a warning to not send his head reeling once more. This time he bore through it, though his jaw tightened, so much so the muscles could be seen twitching. It was akin to having a klaxon being rang right next to his head, creating a pressure behind his eyes causing the neophyte to blink.

Stepping back a half-foot, Aeneis knew that he was going to enjoy what came next. Just to let out a bit of the frustration that had been building within himself. The stress of fighting for the confederation, the horrors he saw on Kuat, the rage he felt growing greater every day.

While not a dedicated martial artist self-defense courses and various forms were incorporated into the Corellian Shocktrooper training. Not turning completely to the side, Aeneis’ feet spread a bit less than shoulder width. His right foot back and left forward, both pointed off to the right side and raised to be on the balls of his feet. Turning his body slightly to where his shoulders still faced his opponent Aeneis raised his arms. Elbows near his sides for defense, both hands left open. Moving his index and Middle finger Aeneis motioned for the woman to throw her best shot.


[member="Shakti Sweet"]

 

[Shakti Sweet]

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Location: Grendin Waste, Lok
Tag: [member="Aeneis Valdemar"]​

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Her advance had him backing up... Apparently her voice had properly spooked the lad. She was surprised that their Master would have shown interest in one such as this - a boy that would cower at someone as unassuming as she. Though, perhaps that indicated a decent bit of instinct in him. Time would tell.

As she had spoken again he withstood it much better than he had initially. Between that realization writ plainly on his face when he saw the gnarled knot of pearly white flesh over her throat to the tightening at the edges of his eyes when she'd touched his mind again... Yes, not a complete fool then. He could learn. Good.

When at her prompting the man turned and set himself defensively, lifting his hands in an open palmed stance, elbows tucked to protect his stomach she even let a ghost of a smile touch her face. The Exarch was a curious man, his whims often a mixture of confusing and cruel - but his choices often proved to have rewards that she herself had not been looking distantly enough to see. In this new apprentice it was possible that the former Imperial had once again spied something she had not been able to spot herself at first.

Her eyes narrowed as he motioned with his fingers for her to take the first swing and that smirk she'd been wearing faded back to a stillness in her face that she'd been told many times was unsettling. Keen emerald eyes shot from his face to his hands, down to how he'd planted his feet and then returned to his once more. She gave the barest of head tilts, nearly a nod, silently acknowledging the offer.

All at once her weight dropped a touch as she bent at the knees, the leg she'd planted furthest from the man digging into the dirt sharply and then pushing off hard. Pivoting on the toes of the foot still solidly planted in the dirt she swung her hips, her own arms tucking tightly into her sides as she swung that leg around, her toes pointed as she aimed to bring the flat of her shin squarely into the young knight's head.

If he was going to give her a free shot, she wasn't about to waste it.

 

[Aeneis Valdemar]

Looking onto the woman that had challenged him Aeneis didn’t look at any specific part of her body. Instead he simply stared forward, anyone looking would possibly think the Arkanian was trying to stare through the other. No that was because it allowed one to take in every bit of their foes body, everything from their muscle twitches, to the narrowing of eyes that the woman did. Each inhalation and exhale that followed were measured, calculated. In through the nose and out through the Corellian’s mouth.

Aeneis’ mind on nothing but the fight ahead, perhaps once it was over he’d get more answers from his foe. Till then there would be no commentary, no long-winded monologues, or even jests thrown at his opponent. Those were moments that were wasted and left openings. A soldier knew better than that.

It was only a shame that this was to be the first meeting between him and the woman. Then the fight started, the woman took the opening to lash out with a kick. The entire build-up spotted and noticed by Aeneis. The bending of the knees, the turning of the hips and then the kick came. Thankfully for the Lieutenant, Shakti hadn’t decided to use her feet to deliver the blow to a temple, instead settling on her shin. The toes would’ve given him less room to turn the attack against her, however the shin was just enough.

The attack would’ve been better suited against a right dominant foe, yet Aeneis was dominant on his left side. His left arm shifting from its guard, then catapulting up and through the air to meet the upper part Shakti’s leg, just beneath the knee. The reason for such a block to negate the momentum of Shakti’s own strike. It was the back of the Corellian’s forearm that took the blow, the force of it radiating up and down the limb. The woman possessed strength far beyond a human woman of her size should have, and was noted by the soldier as he reacted.

No sooner had the block happened Aeneis’ arm snaked up and around Shakti’s leg, pulling it down and locking it between his left side, the interior of his bicep and forearm. From here there were many maneuvers that could end the engagement, but still the possibility of it being a test was still there. So the show would continue.

Right leg coming forward, stepping into the woman’s guard while Aeneis held her left leg locked his right fist came out. If Shakti paid attention to his footing, she’d see a slight shift of his left foot. From there the muscles up his leg flexed, across his back they did the same, and the punch came out aimed at her Solar Plexus. A blow empowered by the soldiers entire body.

[member="Shakti Sweet"]