First Reply Strong as the coursing river

[Reina Daival]

Location: Coruscant - Jedi Temple Training Room
Objective: Practice​

Breathe. Focus. It was hard to get used to standing on solid ground, even now as she was finally in a...safe place for her. Going from wartorn planet, to wartorn planet. Technically Coruscant was still wartorn but it was rebuilding. Picking up the pieces bit by bit. Honestly though? Rebuilding and recovery wasn't Reina's cup of caff. Battling was more enjoyabe. Feeling her blood rushing through her veins as she moved. It was why she was in this training room now. Joining the Jedi had been a spur of the moment decision. She'd already had two potentially life changing encounters with the Jedi. One on Keshi, where she was saved by a Miralukan after she killed a Mandalorian. Then on Jedha, where she fought with and bled with a group of Jedi. Was it any surprise that she'd ask to join? She knew she had the Force. Although she saw it as the Spirit of the Sea instead.

Of course, she wasn't necessarily a fan of the robes. Sure, they were clean and proper looking...but that wasn't her. She was dirty. Rough. But perhaps she was a diamond in the rough. With enough pressure and polish, maybe she'd be able to glow as brightly as the Jedi had on Jedha. If she could just work on the Force and her own combat skills, she could get there. Eventually. She could imagine her old crew laughing at the idea of her being some kind of hero. At least that's what she had came to learn that the Jedi were seen as. Heroes. Knights of the Light. Heh. The whole Light and Hero part sounded dumb to her...but the idea of being called a Knight? Now that sounded sweet. Of course...she'd probably have to work on her reading as well, but reading was lame.

Instead she worked on her combat skills, twirling the quarterstaff in her hands as she focused on the training droids armed with blasters and melee weapons. Some might say it would be better for her to be practicing with a training saber but they just felt too...lackluster to her. At least with the quarterstaff, it felt like she was using her harpoon all over again. Twirling the metal staff through the air, focusing on the combat drill. Dodging and striking. Blaster fire was something she wasn't used to dodging. Dodging a melee weapon was far simpler to her. She could easily deflect a strike with her staff. Another downside of the staff, she could at least deflect blaster shots with a lightsaber. If she tried that with the quarterstaff, there was a chance that it would get blasted out of her hands.

As the drill went on, more and more blasts were being sent Reina's way. It was no surprise that she'd eventually get pelted with the stun bolts. Stumbling down to the ground with her quarterstaff clattering to the ground. No. She needed to focus. She was being far too rigid in the way she dodged. The way she moved. Reina had to be like the sea itself. The girl picked up the quarterstaff, twirling it once more as she prepared to reset the drill. This time, letting her concentration fade for a moment. Focus on the flow of the Force around herself...before she moved. Moving between the combat droids, twisting and twirling herself around as she struck out with the metal staff. Rising up from a crouch and into a leap like a roaring wave as she let the Force flow through her.

Before she knew it, the drill was over. The girl stood there, using the staff as a standing support as she leaned against it. Sweat dripping from her forehead as she ran a hand through her hair. It was only one combat drill under her belt...but it was better than nothing. She just needed to figure out what to practice for next.

OOC: Would prefer to interact with a Jedi for this!

 

[Shang Wen]

Location: Coruscant - Jedi Temple Training Observation Room
Objective: Get some training done
Gear: Robes

The training grounds were always a good place for Shang to clear his head, but there was always one room he defaulted to thanks to muscle memory. It didn't really have any significance besides being a room that he trained in, if anything it just became part of his routine. He was on his way there now after practicing his meditations. To be honest meditating was still something he had yet to perfect, he found himself itching for action and was restless when he was meant to be do nothing but sit. Patience was still a virtue he did not have. But like any student, all he needed was time and dedication. He'd have it down eventually.

As he entered the training grounds he was already bound for the room he always went to but found that it was occupied by a padawan. While anyone could walk in, in the middle of training, Shang did not want to be a distraction. He would wait in the room until she was done with her training, this was the best time to practice his meditations. Ensuring not to interrupt the padawan's session, he walked over to the benches that were set up for masters to examine progress of their pupils or knights and padawans to cheer on their comrades in a fair contest. Shang did his best to sit out of sight as not to appear as a distraction. He was in the back corner and chose to be patient. Closing his eyes and concentrating on the force around him.

As he tuned in with the force however, he felt a strong presence from the padawan. A feeling of discomfort and weariness, no thanks to being shot with a blaster. It was something Shang had to struggle with as well when he got to the temple. Putting yourself in the face of the enemy without believing you were capable of doing so was a recipe for disaster, and as a jedi you had to learn that you could stand in front of a blaster and survive with just a flick of the wrist. Shang sensed her grit and determination as she was prepared to make this her final attempt. As if there was a surge in the force, Shang opened his eyes and saw the padawan's form. She was flowing like water and was light on her feet. She was wielding her staff with ease and precision. The droids went down one by one and the padawan was eventually triumphant.

Shang was impressed. Despite being simply a knight, he could tell without the force that the padawan had the discipline and the mindset necessary to make it far in the order. With someone so skilled and such a young age, Shang wished to take this opportunity to praise the young padawan. With a steady pace he walked over to her as she collected herself.

"Forgive me for intruding." He said before giving a courteous head bow. "But I couldn't help but notice how flawless your form was. You possess a lot of skill, young one."

​

 

[Reina Daival]

Location: Coruscant - Jedi Temple Training Room
Objective: Practice
Tag: Shang Wen​

Reina focused on catching her breath still. That was a lot of energy she had spent, even if it was only for one small drill. She wasn't sure what was more exhausting. This, or working on the Ship. It was only a matter of time before she got used to this though. She'd have to make a mental note to come up with a schedule for practice. She was no longer just living day to day, letting events come to her. Reina was in control of her own schedule. Somewhat. There were still probably some lessons she'd have to go to that would ruin her schedule but it was fine.

However, the sound of a stranger's voice snapped her out of her thoughts as she looked over towards the man, tilting her head at the bow. Right. The Jedi did that kind of stuff, didn't they? It didn't make sense to her. Bowing was a waste of energy. If you wanted to show respect, you did that through actions and by listening to them. Anyone could lower their head in "respect". Though if she did want to be respectful, she might as well talk back to him.

"Oh. Thank you. I've had practice before. With a Harpoon to be fair, but it's roughly the same."

The staff let her swing it around, instead of just focusing on jabbing and stabbing with the tip of it. It was a nice change of pace if she was being honest. Hm...Maybe she could try to get a quarterstaff with a sharpened point. That way she could use her harpoon experience on it as well...There were plenty of things that Reina would try to get in the future. But for now, she still needed to settle in to everything. The New Jedi Order seemed nice enough to her, but there were a lot of rules and regulations she was going to need to wrap her head around...

"I'm Reina. Reina Daival. I'm new here. The Temple is...a nice place. I like the training room. Being able to beat the bolts of droids is fantastic."

Urgh. She was terrible at talking to people. It was something she realised back on Jedha. She was blunt. To the point. Trying to add to a conversation was harder than she'd have thought. Though she was telling the truth about it being fantastic to go against some of the droids. It was a good way to get her frustrations towards the inorganic beings out. It was their fault that she was in this Temple instead of being with her old crew. Well, it wasn't these droids' faults. But Reina didn't see much of a difference between them.

 

[Shang Wen]

Location: Coruscant - Jedi Temple Training Observation Room
Objective: Get some training done
Gear: Robes

"Shang. Shang Wen." He said to introduce himself. "Yes the training rooms are a good place to focus on your skills. I've been here more times that I can count honestly." Shang said as he looked around the room and then looked back at Reina, he had never taken note of any of the padawans at the temple. It was only by sheer coincidence that he ran into one them and was impressed that the Order was filled with so much potential. He walked over the weapon rack and picked up one of the quarterstaffs. "But I learned a long time ago that droids can only teach so much."

Shang then spun his staff and walked back to Reina. The girl was blunt in her speech. There was no need to be poetic with his request. "So why don't you apply your skills to a different sort of test. Would you be willing to spar with me?"

It had been a while since Shang had a sparring partner and from what he had seen from Reina, she was capable of taking her own initiative and setting her own pace. She cleared those droids with ease and she was likely doing to do it again but he believed she already knew that. Wielding a pole weapon seemed almost second nature to her and she could go far if she honed her skills in combat. But if he was being honest with himself, it had been too long since Shang had a spar and he was itching for a fight. The padawan seemed promising and hoped she would surprise him. However he would respect her choice if she didn't wish to spar.

​

 

[Reina Daival]

Location: Coruscant - Jedi Temple Training Room
Objective: Practice
Tag: Shang Wen​

"Oh. I can count the amount of times I've been here on one hand. Since...this is my first time. Heh..."

Humour helped to get along with people right? She held her index finger up at that, trying to give a small chuckle that sounded more like a cough. Her eyebrows went up as she saw Shang grab a quarterstaff. And at the request for a spar, she couldn't hide the little glint in her eyes as her lips curled up into a small smile. A bit more life coming into the girl's eyes at the offer. Shang was definitely right when droids could only teach so much. they were programmed. Didn't have a mind of their own.

"...I'd be very happy to spar with you...Sir."

It'd be a while since she had sparred against an actual person. If wrestling with her old crew mates could be counted as sparring. Every other time she had to fight, it had been to the death. Her or the Mandalorian. Her or the Sithspawn. Now it was her against Shang. But it wasn't like if she lost this, she'd die. She wouldn't have to go full power into the spar...But at the same time, she was sure that Shang could deal with it. She wasn't that strong and he seemed plenty capable. Most of the Jedi she had seen were capable...All except for one.

Reina stepped back slightly, to adjust her stance with the quarterstaff, the little gleam of light in the corner of her eye as she prepared herself. This would also be the first time she sparred against someone who had the Force...Well, the Spirit. She was used to it guarding her, and guiding her through life. To fight an opponent that also had that benefit? It was going to be an experience and a half.

"...Ready when you are."

 

[Shang Wen]

Location: Coruscant - Jedi Temple Training Observation Room
Objective: Get some training done
Gear: Robes

Shang said nothing further as he took a stance and began to think of his approach. Given from he had seen from Reina, it looked as though she knew how to handle herself when backed into a corner. Her defense was nigh impeccable, and Shang did not want to be too cocky despite their difference in skillset. He knew that if anything, underestimating his opponent meant an early defeat and he was not going to be humiliated by a simple child. His ego wouldn't allow it. Yes despite his praise and willingness to engage in fair combat, Shang still hadn't grown out of his urge to fight and come out on top.

He figured the warm up was the best thing to gauge his opponent's defense. Sure she could hold her own against a few droids. But first, he needed to see how she faired as a duelist. He growled as he opened with few light strikes at Reina's body, not exerting too much strength by keeping a tight grip on the weapon. The thing about using a staff was there were no guards for your hands, so it was easy to have a finger broken. That was especially true for your opponent who knew how to wield a staff. It was about finding the right balance of strength so that you were flexible enough to respond to any counters or attacks coming your way.

Balance, heh.

In that moment Shang realized why the jedi always valued the quarter staff as a training weapon. Quintessential to learning jedi philosophy.

Shang made sure to strike quickly so as not to get caught in a parry while also keeping in mind his own stance.
​

 

[Reina Daival]

Location: Coruscant - Jedi Temple Training Room
Objective: Practice
Tag: Shang Wen​

She stood ready, waiting. Shang was an unknown to her. Whereas she knew that he had at least seen some of her movements. The way she tried to deflect attacks or dodge them. What would be the best way of fighting for her? Take her time and gauge his attacks? Let him tire himself out? That would only give him more time to get into the position he needed...whereas if she tried to rush at him like a rogue wave, there was a chance that she'd get smashed down herself. Caution or reckless. Those were her two main choices for her in her mind.

The choice came quickly as Shang made his attacks. As he lashed out at her body, she moved. Twisting and turning herself to dodge, instead of risking any deflections or blocking. The impact of repeated strikes were more likely to wear her down than if she kept moving. Staying in constant motion as she twisted and twirled her way around the Training Room. There were a few close calls. Feeling the rush of wind swinging past her as she dodged, or having a few strands of hair fly from the wind.

Shang was fast. Almost deceptively so. Reina had expected him to be slow and steady. Powerful swings. Her eyes glinted for a moment, a grin spreading across her face as she focused. Had to keep a steady rate of breathing before lashing out with the quarterstaff. Striking out sparingly whenever she had a moment to. She was still rough when it came to swinging the staff. Most of her skill and experience came from jabs...but she wasn't using those just yet. Just lashing out with swings when she could. Aiming for knees or elbows where she could.

 

[Shang Wen]

Location: Coruscant - Jedi Temple Training Observation Room
Objective: Get some training done
Gear: Robes

When you accounted for the size difference and gap in experience, it would make sense that Shang would unease Reina with fast strikes. He could sense Reina's uneasiness as he attempted to land his flurry of strikes on her, and he did account for her speed. She flowed seamlessly like water, meeting Shang's strikes wherever they attempted to land. The sound of staffs banging together to a quick tempo made for a rhythm that the two could keep up with. Shang had attempted to break her stance and put her in a desperate spot, however it seemed as though Reina was finding her footing.

Shang found himself overextended as Reina blocked his strikes. He was attempting to break Reina's guard but instead found himself playing into her defense. She was quick and Shang was exerting himself with his strikes and found himself alternating between defense and offense. Maybe his offense was working, but not to its intended effect. He found himself caught a few times as he nearly blocked strikes to his joints. Having to alternate between strikes and blocks would only lead him to exhaustion. As Reina went in for another hit he blocked her and created some distance between the two.

Just as he figured, her defense was solid. He had to find another way of goading her into the offensive. Just as Reina went in for a strike to his left knee, Shang blocked her strike and used the next couple seconds to create some distance between the two. He took a guard stance and caught his breath. She was quicker than he expected her to be, if he hadn't been so hasty, Reina would've caught him in the joints. He kept a straight face as he tried to figure out his next approach.
​

 

[Reina Daival]

Location: Coruscant - Jedi Temple Training Room
Objective: Practice
Tag: Shang Wen​

Sentient beings were a far more difficult opponent to deal with compared to monsters and droids. It was a good learning experience, even as she could feel herself starting to ache. Her eyes taking in as much as she could. There wasn't much she could change up with her technique. Not right now at least as she swung and jabbed away with the polearm. Poking and prodding to try and find an opening whilst shifting her grip on the polearm every so often, never leaving her hands in one spot for too long. That'd just make them a prime target to smashed.

She was trying to wait. Find a moment for her to try and unleash an onslaught of strikes. For now, she just kept alternating her strikes, swinging with one end of the staff before swapping to the other end. Using an occasional jab to keep some distance up until Shang went out of his way to actually make distance between the two. Was this it? Her chance to try and unleash as much as she could? It could be a trap for all she knew but she rushed anyway to cross the distance between the pair, keeping a tight grip on her quarterstaff...

But she didn't strike. Not immediately. Now that there was distance...She could try something new. Whilst so far she had been using the Spirit to keep her stamina topped off, now she was calling upon it for a different reason as she threw herself up into the air in a flip to try and jump behind Shang, whilst swinging the quarterstaff at him midflip. She had plenty of energy that she wanted to get out. This was the best way for her to do that. Stay on the move. Keep flipping! Don't stop for a moment.

 

[Shang Wen]

Location: Coruscant - Jedi Temple Training Observation Room
Objective: Get some training done
Gear: Robes

As Shang created his distance with Reina, he reevaluated his approach. He had to let the padawan know the ball was in her court and see if he could catch her off guard. Reina did not hesitate as soon as she found her moment to retaliate. Just as Shang took his stance, Reina began flipping with her strikes. An unorthodox approach, although the question of stamina came into play as Reina didn't relent in the power of her strikes. If Shang didn't know any better, he probably thought that Reina was trying to get him off balance because of her athleticism. But he was not so easily daunted, impressed, but not daunted. As Reina flipped and swung her staff, Shang only met her strikes with blocks. Even though he found himself off balance, he was able to regain his footing as he found a pattern in Reina's offense. So his blocks were rhythmic to Reina, almost like they were flowing as a river.

Shang at this point was waiting for the right moment to strike. He could wait out Reina's offense to see if she would exhaust herself and perhaps give her a false sense of security. But being too harsh on the padawan would not be something a knight should be doing. Provoking a padawan didn't appear to be proper conduct for instruction. So Shang kept matching pace. He could've done something obnoxious and use the force to catch her and throw her off. However, he would not stoop so low.

He was impressed by Reina's stamina, but Shang wasn't the one flipping around. All he had to do was to remain in his stance and wait for Reina to tire herself out.
​