Private Where Grace Meets Ghost

[Qyssiyana]

Location: Training Dojo, Shadow Spire - Malachor V
Time: Early Morning
Attire: Pink Outfit
Objective: Spar
Tag: Valaine Valentine

Valaine Valentine. A pale-skinned waif of a woman who was one of her sisters in the Dark Court of Darth Virelia . Qyssiyana didn’t know her, but she had seen her around, first during the meeting on Coruscant and later on in the Trial of Ash and the mission to Ilum. The Elryssia’s impression was that of a sheathed blade; Valaine was likely more dangerous than her delicate frame and clumsy manner suggested, but she had yet to see it for herself.

It was why Qyssiyana believed that she could, in fact, kick Valaine’s butt when it came to a spar.

The opportunity to prove it came quicker than expected. She had been instructed to spar against Valaine, with the only stipulation being that she refrain from utilizing her neuropsychic abilities during the bout. Naturally, Qyssiyana understood the restriction. An assassin was a weapon entire. Thus, she needed to be able to fight without relying on her psychic powers, even against those who might be able to shield themselves from her influence.

Qyssiyana arrived at the dojo an hour prior to the scheduled start of the match, claiming the space for her preparatory ritual. She began with the same stretches she had learned from her days of dancing in the court of Zoradda the Magnificent. Sinking into a deep lunge, she extended one leg behind her while bending the other at the knee. Her spine curved in a graceful arch as she reached her arms overhead, fingers stretching toward the ceiling as if plucking unseen stars from the air. Each movement was a controlled, languid extension, her body flowing from one pose to the next in seamless fashion.

She held each position just long enough for the subtle burn of awakening muscle to register, priming them for the coming symphony of exertion.

Turning her focus to her upper body, she drew one arm across her chest, using the opposite hand to gently deepen the stretch. Her head tilted, triocular gaze softening with concentration. Then, she bent forward at the waist, letting her torso cascade over her legs, arms and lekku draping toward the mat in a tangle. In doing so, she allowed her body to surrender to the pull of gravity and muscle, supple motion activating her body’s strength through mindful, deliberate elongation.

With her final stretches complete, Qyssiyana drew in a deep, centering breath before methodically wrapping her hands. The cyan fabric was a stark contrast against her alabaster skin, each loop a tightening of focus and intent.

It was then that Qyssiyana turned toward the door, third eye widening with anticipation.

Valaine had arrived.

 

[Valaine Valentine]

Tags - Qyssiyana

Valaine was wearing her typical dark acolyte robes less and less these days, opting instead for more casual fits when she wasn't out on a mission for the Court. Today was one such day as she wandered the halls in a hooded grey sweater and a pair of form-fitting grey leggings. Her long dark hair swayed behind her as she walked with her hands tucked into her pockets. Today she had been asked to do some sparring with another member of the Court, the Elryssiane by the name of Qyssiyana.

In truth the young Sangnir had little interaction with the mysterious alabaster woman with skin so pale it put her own to shame. But it wasn't for a lack of desire; Valaine was ever the social creature and eager to meet her fellow acolytes, apprentices, and comrades whenever she could get the chance. Qyssiyana definitely stood apart from some of the other members of the court, it was hard to miss her paper-white form even if she was so very short.

After a brief walk through the halls she had finally reached her destination, pushing open the doors to the training room and closing them shut behind her. Her tired grey gaze shifted towards the Elryssiane, most notably towards that third eye. She understood that allegedly she had some kind of mind-altering capabilities that were not so unlike what the Force could do, but it was inherent, very much not tied to the Force in such an explicit manner. She worried for a moment if such tricks would be used on her during the spar, she'd noticed she didn't personally have the strongest will...

Despite her concern she greeted Qyssiyana with a soft mirk as she walked further into the room, removing a hand from her pocket to wave lightly in greeting as she spoke, "Hey there. Been waiting long?" she asked as she moved to stand before her, her eyes peering down towards the shorter woman. She was so short in fact that a lot of Valaine's own doubts were quickly being washed away; she'd have such an advantage in height that she presumed Qyssiyana would be entirely helpless in a melee if that's what they were doing.

"Qyssiyana, yeah? Am I saying that right?" she asked as she reached her hands to the bottom of her sweater as she pulled it up and over her head to display a tighter under-shirt, something a little better to spar in than getting all heated in her sweater. She cast the item of clothing aside and Qyssiyana would see that Valaine's form appeared to very much not be built for strength. She was relatively thin, her arms showing little muscle, but it was deceptive, for Valaine's true physical strength and speed were inherent to her species; granting her frankly inhuman agility and power that often took her foes by surprise.

"Uh, Valaine, in case you didn't catch it. This is sort of our first real meeting right?" she introduced herself as she glanced around the dojo for a moment, "How did you want to do this? Any rules? Weapons?" she asked as tired stormy greys peered back towards the Elryssiane while she started to tie up her long dark hair into a ponytail that would only swish behind her with every light movement.

 

[Qyssiyana]

Location: Training Dojo, Shadow Spire - Malachor V
Time: Early Morning
Attire: Pink Outfit
Objective: Spar
Tag: Valaine Valentine

​

Qyssiyana was compelled to look up when Valaine entered the room, waving at her in greeting. Her triocular gaze widened, her expression manifesting equal parts shock and confusion as her much taller sister stared down at her, with gray-hued eyes that were as seemingly predatory as they were...

Bored? Exhausted?

Qyssiyana batted her eyes, resetting her expression as she steadied her awareness. She returned her smirk with a soft, friendly smile of her own, accompanied by a friendly in turn. However, with Valaine peering down at her as if she were prey, it made the Elryssia feel especially small. That was true of course, but only pertaining to verticality, in which she was quite thoroughly dwarfed. Seeing how slender her sister was and comparing it to her own more substantial build, Qysssiyana believed that she might still have a chance.

Right?

All she needed to do was sit on her, and maybe she could win! She just needed to figure out how she would evade those long limbs of hers. Unfortunately, that was a problem easier resolved in theory, than executed in practice.

Not to mention, Qyssiyana had no idea that Valaine was a Sangnir, a fact which concealed a preternatural strength far exceeding her own and utterly belying her delicate appearance. In that, she watched as her sparring partner took off her sweater, revealing a slender, delicate frame that seemed ill-suited for brute force, with skinny arms showing little in the way of musculature. Her own arms were thin as well, though hers had some tone owing to her previous training as a dancer and the additional physical training she had taken up upon arriving at the Dark Court, geared towards building muscle.

“Yes, ummm...KWISS-ee-yah-nah.” Qyssiyana replied, sounding out the syllables of her name with a melodic lilt. “You pronounced it correctly.” She added.

"Uh, Valaine, in case you didn't catch it. This is sort of our first real meeting right?"

“I believe it is, Valaine. It’s lovely to meet you. I’ve seen you around of course, but we never got acquainted, until now of course.” Qyssiyana replied.

"How did you want to do this? Any rules? Weapons?" she asked as tired stormy greys peered back towards the Elryssiane while she started to tie up her long dark hair into a ponytail that would only swish behind her with every light movement.

For a split-second, Qyssiyana caught a flicker of sharp teeth, tattooed eyebrows briefly rising up her forehead as her eyes went moist. While she quickly regained her composure, the thought of Valaine’s sharp canines digging into her skin and ripping out her flesh lingered, almost making her shudder! “I was under the impression that we would be fighting unarmed. Other than that, I don’t think there are any more rules, aside from trying not to outright maim each other.” She replied.

“Oh and no biting too, of course!”

 

[Valaine Valentine]

Tags - Qyssiyana

"Unarmed?" smirked Valaine. She was rather confident in her ability to grapple due to her inherent strength and speed, and in this case, her height advantage. She looked arrogantly confident after hearing that and then offered a soft chuckle of amusement at the additional stipulation, raising her hands up in mock surrender, "No biting, I promise." she answered before lowering her hands.

She gave a light roll of her shoulders; she hadn't really stretched before coming here but the young Sangnir was very much one of those that didn't feel she had to. Instead she sized up Qyssiyana again as she considered how best to take her on. Naturally the thought of maintaining a safe distance from her and abusing her reach came first, but she also had to think on how best to get her to the ground. Striking someone until they submitted, especially an ally, didn't sound too appealing to her after all.

Her tired gaze shifted up to the two large appendages that were not unlike lekku as she considered them; maybe she could grab those? It might give her control over the Elryssian's head and resulting body if she was able to pull them around; providing it wouldn't hurt her too much of course. With that in mind she started to circle the small area while keeping her stormy gazed locked onto the alabaster-skinned woman.

In her display of arrogance she tilted her head up just slightly as she spoke down to the other woman; "Come on, I'll let you make the first move." she goaded as she moved in a lazy and indifferent manner, like she didn't care for the spar at all. Everything about her was designed to try and frustrate her opponent into making blundering attempts at attacking her.

Ideally she wanted to know how Qyssiyana moved, how she'd attempt to strike at her so that she could learn to anticipate her moves. She was prepared and ready to evade but the first attack from the Elryssian was going to be the hardest to predict because she had no idea what she was capable of yet.

 

[Qyssiyana]

Location: Training Dojo, Shadow Spire - Malachor V
Time: Early Morning
Attire: Pink Outfit
Objective: Spar
Tag: Valaine Valentine

​

When Valaine smirked, Qyssiyana frowned, lekku flushing an angry shade of pink. Seeing the Sangnir raise her hands in mock surrender only further incensed her, plush lips pursing together in a delicate, restrained line as her third eye twitched with agitation. Things had seemed friendly, if even sweet at first. Now though, it felt as if Valaine was deliberately queening over her, as a lady to her dog.

“Yes, unarmed.” Qyssiyana replied. Her voice came as a soft, controlled melody, a stark contrast to the frustration simmering beneath as Valaine rolled her shoulders with infuriating nonchalance. Nevertheless, the Elryssia settled into her stance with practiced grace—feet shoulder width apart, arms primed, shoulders relaxed, and head up. In contrast, the Sangnir moved in a casual manner, causing her nostrils to flare with equal parts disbelief and indignation.

Valaine didn’t have that much of an advantage over her, did she?

No. Qyssiyana refused to entertain the thought. She would beat Valaine without using her neuropsychic powers. Then after she was done, she would be the picture of victorious grace, offering a sweet smile and a hand to help the Sangnir from the mat, while Valaine picked up the shattered pieces of her arrogance. After all, that was what sisters did for each other. And the Dark Lady would want her girls to regard each other as such.

In her display of arrogance she tilted her head up just slightly as she spoke down to the other woman; "Come on, I'll let you make the first move."

The condescension in Valaine's tone was the final spark. Qyssiyana did not need a second invitation.

She exploded from her disciplined stance, right fist shooting forward in a clean, direct line as her body pivoted at the hip to lend its weight to the blow. The punch was delivered as a focused thrust, her own restrained anger and disbelief channeled into the single, punishing point of her knuckles aimed squarely for the soft hollow of Valaine's solar plexus.

It was a basic move, but one delivered with the full force of her wounded pride!

 

[Valaine Valentine]

Tags - Qyssiyana

The first strike was coming in fast. She had to give it to Qyssiyana, she moved quicker than she thought she would. That initial strike though, it was direct, blunt in its approach and intent, and the Sangnir was thankful for it. Had it been a hook or perhaps even a tackle she didn't know that she would've been able to anticipate it in time with that opening burst of speed, but this? It was as forward as she could have hoped.

With an almost uncanny sense of agility she shifted her body to the side as she narrowly made to avoid the Elryssian's initial strike, the fist just about grazing past the young Sangnir's chest as she tried to move towards Qyssiyana's flank. In doing so she would bring a hand to try and push suddenly against her back, right between the shoulder blades with a flat and open palm. She channeled no shortage of her unnatural strength into it for she wanted to send Qyssiyana hurtling forward, she wanted to embarrass her by just pushing her around a little.

If the Sangnir would be successful in her attempt to further demean the Elryssian she would hold a smug smirk that was so very punch-able with the way it sneered at the shorter woman. "Oh? That was quick, you seem a little upset?" she'd further goad if given the chance. She was definitely pushing her luck; a clear weakness of hers.