A Different Breed.

[Ventasia Terana]

"Six hours, eh? I'll have it done in three..", she thought to herself as she heard him make his assumption of time. Her lips curved into a slight twinge of a smile as she approached him. Hand and arm extended out, she reached for the training saber he held within his own grasp. Just before she could take hold of it however, it taken back, safely tucked into the belt of the male who's doings once more agitated her to her very core. It was as if everything she wanted was at her very fingertips, and then snatched away just as she could feel it. It created an intense anger within her, one that could easily be seen in her eyes.

She took a few steps back from Jaxton, her left arm hanging by her side and her right bent with her hand posted on her hip. Her eyes narrowed as stared into the man, as if gazing right through him. She raised her left arm, index finger extended and pointed at Jaxxton. "Protectors of peace. Defenders of the galaxy. Isn't that what you all call yourselves? A description of your work doesn't get anymore simple than that."

 

[Jaxton Ravos]

Short, straight, and to the point. This woman was brimming with confidence. And Jaxton could respect that. Her confidence could be a problem, but everyone, especially the Jedi, needed at least a little confidence. Doubt in oneself could result in lack of effort, a self-condemning attitude, and overall it could mean the endangerment of others.

“That is a very basic description.” Jaxton began, “And for the most part it’s true, or at least should be true. However, I don’t want you to say anything like ‘Isn’t that what you call yourselves’ or anything to that effect anymore. Jedi have many talents and exceed in almost all of them, but they are human just like everyone else and they are prone to hubris just like anybody else. I don’t want anyone else’s opinion to dictate what you do or don’t think about the Order, or anything else for that matter. Furthermore, Jedi are not ‘You’ or ‘they’ to you Ventasia. As a padawan you are a full member of the Order and you get numerous benefits from that. There is only ‘we’.” Jaxton went on, speaking a bit longer than he intended.

“You seem to have at least a basic knowledge of what we are and what we do. Now tell me, in your words, why we do it.”

 

[Ventasia Terana]

A heavy sigh escaped Ventasia's lips as Jaxton began to lecture her. She had been marginally happy, for the most part, this day. She'd even smiled. Well, sort of smiled anyway. As Jaxton spoke, she moved her hand from her hip to her pocket, pulling out two small black bands. With both hands, she reached up behind her head, using the bands to tie her hair back. Once done with that, her arms would cross over her chest once more as she began to pace around the room, around Jaxton. For the most part, Jaxton's words weren't reaching her, as if her ears had created a barrier around themselves. Just as the male reached the end of his talk, Ventasia opened her ears once more, just in time to be questioned about the Jedi once more.

"The whole galaxy has knowledge of what you do, even if its not a complete knowledge." Being told not to use you or they in relation to the Jedi had irritated the flame-haired vixen a bit more. She spoke of the Jedi in this sense because she knew she was not the same as the rest. She was not all about peace. She didn't believe she could help the galaxy abstain from darkness. She was different. This was something Ventasia knew, but now, it was only becoming more obvious with each passing moment. "The Jedi do it to keep the galaxy from harm and promote peace, and such." Her pacing came to an abrupt halt as she stood directly before him once more, her body turned to face the male with a slight lean in her posture, her eyes locked in on his own. "Right?"

 

[Jaxton Ravos]

Jaxton sighed. Her answers were quick, but not detailed, and she still insisted on calling not including herself in the Jedi.

"Well, we try too. There will always be things that threaten the Galaxy, so we can never really accomplish our task." Jaxton replied. It was true, the Jedi would never truly complete their mission. Their opponent was not a person, government, or cult, but an idea. The idea that one person had more right or prosper than anyone else in the galaxy, that power and fame should be achieved by hurting others.

"Promoting peace and keeping the galaxy from harm however," Jaxton began, using Ventasia's words. "is a common goal. Sought by many, almost all governments. Why do we organize ourselves to pursue such a task when so many other sentients gather for the same purpose?"

 

[Ventasia Terana]

A loud grunt escaped her lips as Ventasia once more began to pace about the room, obviously restless. "Right, you fight to keep this never ending cycle of 'life going. Nice sentiment." With each passing question that she was being made to answer, she was becoming more restless, more irritated. Her answers were coming faster, and the tone sharper each time. She hadn't spent her time coming here to be questioned by someone she hardly even knew. Even her own mother never did such things, granted the last time she had an actual conversation with her own mother seemed like ages ago.

"Because to you all have the power that others lack. You can fight what they can't even understand." Ventasia was fed up with the questioning. Her pacing came to an abrupt halt once more, her hazel eyes burning with an anger that she repressed. She had to keep her cool, at least for the time being. The last thing she could afford was to be kicked from the Temple. Then again, she was done answering Jaxton's questions. "Listen. I didn't come here to be questioned. Nor did I come here to be force fed your philosophy on how the whole galaxy should live. I'm one person. I came here for one reason. I get that the job is to protect the galaxy. I get that you all are supposed to promote peace. But I want to protect one person. One specific person. She's my reason for being here. I'm not taking the training and turning it on you. I'm taking to do exactly what you don't realize I understand."

A heavy sigh escaped her lips once more as her arms crossed over her chest once more. "Now, you said we had the room for six hours. are we going to waste it with questions, or am I actually going to learn something?"

 

[Jaxton Ravos]

Jaxton could sense the irritation and impatience in the girl. She obviously didn't want to speak of philosophy, or the Jedi way, or really anything that didn't involve her learning the methods of the Force. Almost Sith-like in her emotional pursuit. But then the meat of the issue came out. She wanted to protect someone, some woman referred to only as 'she'. Ventasia had personal reasons for being here. But why come here, and not somewhere else? The Jedi could teach her the Force, but so could the Sith, so could the Zeison Sha, so could the Baron Do, Jaxton had even heard rumor of some organization that blended the line between Jedi and Sith, inviting both.

"We'll begin soon." Jaxton began, easing the tension in the room just a hair. "But before we begin I have one more question. What makes this girl, this sister or mother or friend or lover, so much more worthy of your protection than every other sentient in the galaxy?"

 

[Ventasia Terana]

Ventasia rolled her eyes as Jaxton told her the physical portion of the training would begin soon enough. To be honest, she was relieved that she was finally getting through to him. "It's your last question, so make it a good one." Truthfully, she couldn't stop him from asking more about her, and leaving was no option. Her only choice, at this point, was to continue on pushing him until he reached the edge, Until he broke. She could only hope that it came soon.

Her jade colored eyes nearly bulged from her sockets as Jaxton asked about this person. The person she was so desperate to protect. She was shocked at sheer audacity he had, asking her such a personal question. What them special to her? What business of it was his? Her breathing intensified. Her heart began racing. As much as she wanted to just blow him off, she couldn't help but take offense, even if Jaxton meant none. "You have no right. No right ask me about that. None, and I have no obligation to answer you. I came here to learn. Not pour my heart out or divulge personal things. What makes her special is none of your concern. Your only concern is the one standing before you." Ventasia steped back until she could feel the wall just behind her, leaning back against it, her arms still crossed over her chest. Her icy gaze remained locked on Jaxton's figure. She had no more words for the man, or anyone, at this point. She had no intention of speaking another word until the two of them began this long journey together.

 

[Jaxton Ravos]

Boy, Jaxton could feel the heat from this one. Her mood was like a storm in the Force, first agitated, gloomy, and then all of a sudden erupting in a downpour of metaphorical rain and lightning.

"You misunderstand. I doesn't matter who it this girl is, or why she's important to you. What matters to me is why you seem to think the billions of sentients in the galaxy are so much less worthy of your help than she is." Jaxton said calmly, refusing to let her anger or outburst affect his attitude or demeanor. "But you can answer that later. I promised one question, and I've asked it, so we'll begin." Jaxton said and unclipped the training saber from his belt, then tossed it to Ventasia.

"Swing the hilt a few times before you ignite it." Jaxton said as he brought his lightsaber to his hand and swung it de-activated. "Then activate it and do the same motions." He said then activated it mid-swing, his swings and steps equally as fluid as before. "Notice how the feel of the saber, the weight between each strike, never changes. This is why only Jedi can truly wield a lightsaber, it requires an amount of self-control and awareness far greater than any known species."

 

[Ventasia Terana]

A look of relief crossed Ventasia's face, though only for a moment. Her arm and hand extended, the training saber landing within the palm of her hand. She pushed off the wall with her free hand, returning herself to the standing position. "About time." With the training blade in hand, Ventasia swung her arm around a bit, simply getting a feel for the weight.

With that, her eyes gazed down at the hilt, the only button on the device catching her eye. With a simple press, the saber began to glow. Her hazel eyes trailed the blade from tip to hilt, and back again. She sliced the blade through the air horizontally over and over again. As she did this, she also mimicked Jaxton's movements. While her footwork was good, her swing itself was off. Ventasia wasn't using even the slightest bit of grace with the saber. She swung it with pure force, as if attempting to cut through her own problems. Anyone could notice the dynamic difference between the grace of her feet, and the force in her swings.

 

[Jaxton Ravos]

After Ventasia took the blade and began swinging it, Jaxton went a little slower with his swings, giving her more time to see his form and mimic his motions. As he did this, he watched and inspected her swings closely, making mental notes of her actions. She had rather good form in her lower body, especially considering her lack of experience, but she swung wildly, trying to instill as much power as she could into each blow. Jaxton saw where her next strike was coming from, then blocked it with his saber, a clear indication to stop. Even without Jaxton using the Force to amplify his speed or force, his sheer size advantage on her would be enough to stop the blow.

"Alright, your footwork and balance in your lower body are excellent. Graceful even." Jaxton began, showing her that he had seen her stronger suits. "But the motion from your upper body is erratic. Don't concentrate on putting any muscle behind your blows, 90% of the time you won't even need any. Focus on having precision and control in your swings. Know exactly where each strike should go before you make it."

"Square your shoulders and extend your arms loosely."J Jaxton instructed as he reignited his blade and emulated the motions he described. "You want to leave room to extend forward in a slash, but you don't want your blade to be too close to yourself or when you face a stronger opponent, like say me, you won't have any buffer between your blade and yourself and you can get pushed back." Jaxton said as he held his saber in a loose and somewhat extended form, taking a few swings and showing the problems with having your frame too close or too far away.

 

[Ventasia Terana]

Without even missing a step, Ventasia continued her swing, taking notice of Jaxton. he was slowing down, both his body and swing. Without thinking for even a moment, Ventasia began to speed up, causing her swing to move even wilder. More or less, she was swinging with reckless abandon, at this point. Unaware and uncaring of who or what was around her. Though she wasn't swinging directly at him, Jaxton began to deflect her blade, causing it to bounce in the opposite direction each time she swung. He used non excess force. His expression remained the same. This, in itself, infuriated her her. Why was he so easily able to prevent her swing from even reaching him.

Finally, after being blocked off several times, both Ventasia and her blade came to a rest, her eyes squarely locked on Jaxton's figure. For probably the first time since they met, Ventasia opened her ears to what the male had to say, though still not caring much for anything from his tongue. She listened to him compliment her natural grace, while breaking down her erratic movements. She wasn't to put any force behind her swings? "How can you cut if you don't swing hard?", she questioned herself. As much as she hated to admit it, he knew more about this mess than she. Her eyes rolled as she followed his instructions, beginning with making her shoulders square with the rest of her body. Her arms extended, though not enough to lock her elbows. Following his words, she rotated her arm over and over, essentially making a figure eight with the blade in her hand.

By this point, she had been so happy just to start, that she had regulated herself to saying nothing more for the remainder of the day. But there was one thing that had been said that, like most things, cause her become a bit riled up. "A stronger opponent, you say? You think yourself stronger, yet you fail to realize that your own physical strength will be your undoing." Ventasia simply couldn't stand when she was compared to someone. Especially when that person put themselves above her. She was going to prove Jaxton wrong. By any means necessary.

 

[Jaxton Ravos]

As Ventasia progressed Jaxton could feel the anger in response to his attempts to correct her. He wondered if the girl thought because she was a Jedi she could force her will in her pursuits, like Jaxton had not so long ago. Jaxton learned that lesson after attempting telekinesis and finding his lack of proficiency with it, and she would learn that the Force can only affect one's physical strengths so much.

"Perhaps it will one day. My size has it's advantages and disadvantages, just as yours does. There is no one way to lightsaber fight, and thus there are many different forms and methods taught to fit to the student. I use Djem So, or Form V, as it complements my strength and size. The former Grandmaster Teferi Efreet was maybe half a meter tall at best, but he used the Force to enhance his speed and could attack from many different positions and angles, as a practitioner of Ataru, or Form IV." Jaxton said as he demonstrated a rough stance and attack pattern for each motion.

"As for you, I'd recommend Makashi, or Form II to compliment your grace and precision. It focuses on positioning and balance, and controlling those aspects of a fight." Jaxton said as he took a more graceful stance to demonstrate. "As for applying strength, you can definitely apply strength to help you cut more, but you need to have form first, not wildly swing about."

"As for cutting things, your learning how to use a lightsaber. There are maybe four or five metals in the galaxy a lightsaber doesn't cut through like butter. For armor's made out of those metals and dueling with other lightsaber users you can shift the battle around to multiple attack point, strike them from differing and odd angles. And lightsabers are not the only tools available to a Jedi."

 

[Ventasia Terana]

Ventasia's eyes simply watched Jaxton as he spoke of the different forms, and the previous Jedi Grandmaster. Her eyes traced his movements as he performed stances and patterns. Her eyes moved about erratically, taking each part of his body into consideration. Her head shook as she paced around him slightly. "Six. I noticed at least six openings. At least, that's what they were by my eyes." Ventasia always looked at things strategically, and this was no different. To her, a battle was simply a game. A game in which the opponent who could kill their enemy first won. To do this, one had to either have superior strategy, or blind luck. She always preferred strategy.

"As for my personal style, I'll figure that out myself. That's not for you to determine." Truthfully, while she'd never admit to it, Ventasia appreciated Jaxton's recommendation. She knew little about the Jedi, and even less about their forms. But she would pretend to end that she did, just to keep others at bay. If she was to have a specific style, she figured it should one that she created herself, one that fit her from the core. She just needed to figure out where to begin was all. "Oh I'm aware that I can use anything I want. Which is why I fully intend on taking back my blaster once were done here. That thing was expensive you know."

 

[Jaxton Ravos]

Jaxton chuckled as the woman said he had 6 opening. She had no idea what she was talking about. But he didn't expect her too, she was used to a different sort of combat, with different sort of reflexes and availability. She chastised him again for 'figuring out' what style she would use, and then conveyed her intention of getting her blaster back. She was like a child almost, not willing to accept any idea that wasn't her own, or at the very least not appear to accept it.

"The guards should have made it clear your blaster would be given to you when you leave. As for your style I didn't 'figure out' or 'determine' anything for you, I just recommended what I thought would best suit your talents. The choice is yours of course, I'm not going to force you to specialize in one style or another." Jaxton said informatively, but not abrasively.

"And making bold statements about subjects you have almost no experience in isn't going to impress me. I have weaknesses yes, but they're less than you think and they're probably in different places than you think. Every form has their weakness, and mine is no different, which is why there are many forms, to combat different situations. How you minimize your weaknesses and play to your strengths is what'll make you a better, or worse, duelist than someone else." Jaxton said then looked at his chrono. 1153 it said, they had spent nearly four hours so far.

"Alright, you have good stance, footwork especially, and you've progressed a good bit on your attacks. We're going to go over blocks for the next 20 or 30 minutes, and then I'm gonna put you against the training droid." Jaxton said and reignited his blade. "Keep your body loose and your shoulders square. If you're too tight blocking will be too stressful and you'll tire out too quickly. You almost want to bounce just a tiny little bit as somebody hits you to absorb the blow throughout your body and not straight to your shoulders." Jaxton and illustrated a small shake downwards. "Depending on the strength and size of your enemy you'll want to either catch his blade in about the middle, a little to the hilt, o that you can push him back and retaliate, or block right near the end of your blade so you can slip by a stronger hit and come around." Jaxton said and held his fingers an inch away from his blade, illustrating where. "Dry-fire for now, and then I'll carefully swipe at you when I know your form's right."

 

[Ventasia Terana]

Usually, Ventasia would have begun pacing about once Jaxton began speaking. But this, this was a different. She held her position, her feet not even shuffling in the slightest. For once, she allowed Jaxton's words to flow through her ears, though they were not exactly heeded or cared for. She didn't need him to tell her she'd get her property back, as she had planned on taking it regardless. The belief of him having openings still remained in her mind, regardless of what he had thought of them. For once, she was actually calm, and looked to stay that way. That is, until she caught wind of the word impress. Her foot tapped as she allowed to finish, until he looked down to his chrono.

"Did you say 'impress'? You actually think that, of all people, are so high and mighty that I have to impress you? Your opinion of me sways me not one way, nor the other. You are nothing but an obstacle for me to get around, or get through. Though it looks like what I was told was correct. You Jedi really do put yourselves on such a pedestal. No wonder why so many people turn their ire toward you all they way they do." Well, her calm mood was effectively over. She now stood, once more, angry as usual. Though, by, now, this shouldn't be something new.

Ventasia watched, and listened, as Jaxton gave his final instructions for the day. She was to practice blocking and parrying before being challenged by some droid. A chuckle escaped her lips, more than loud enough for him to hear. Her saber rose once more as she flicked her wrist playfully, her saber changing directions each time. It was almost as if she was mocking him, more than likely because she was. Not to mention the grin across her face didn't help either. "How about we skip the droid and go straight to you. No training like a live go at it. Eh, Jaxton?" The odd, and near amused, tone that she spoke with confirmed it. Ventasia was mocking him, and enjoying it quite much.

 

[Jaxton Ravos]

For once, the woman seemed to have an air of calm about her. It was a pleasant change of pace, but as Jaxton had come to expect, Ventasia was simply out to prove everything Jaxton said wrong, by using assumptions she could. So the mood only lasted for a short while.

"Actually" Jaxton said as he watched Ventasia block, analyzing her form and quickness. "I assumed you weren't stupid enough to insult or chastise the man teaching you." Jaxton continued, as he ignited his blade and took a one-handed Shii-cho stance, not wanting to put in extra power to his blows as he put forward varied, but predictable slashes. "And I had hoped you weren't self-conscious enough to try to impress yourself." Jaxton said and continued his slashes, increasing the speed only slightly.

"How about we skip the droid and go straight to you. No training like a live go at it. Eh, Jaxton?" She said. Jaxton could deal with overconfidence, but this was too much. This could get her killed. He continued for a moment until he saw her motion to the left to block on of his blows.

"Fine." Jaxton said in a tone with seriousness he hadn't shown her since he met her, and then grabbed her hands with his much larger hand, squeezing them together like a ball. Jaxton then took his saber hand and swiped it towards the woman's neck, deactivating his lightsaber millimeters before the energy blade cauterized her neck but still finishing the mock-decapitation.

"You can talk all you want about my flaws and your assumptions and my self-righteousness and you're skill, or you can listen to me and try to fix your own flaws." Jaxton said and released her hand. "You said you want to protect someone right? Well there are a lot of people stronger, quicker, and better than me, and even more better than you. If you really want to learn how to use you're strengths and talents to do that, then you've got to take this seriously. This is not a game, and I am not your opponent, but it was and I were you'd be dead." Jaxton said to Ventasia, his tone still of the utmost seriousness, and with the faint scent of disappointment. Jaxton walked back, sat down, took a deep breath and sighed heavily.

"We're done for today. You're footwork is good, you're upper body is getting better but needs work, and your blocks need more practice on positioning. If you want to do some research on what form or forms you want to study I'll be able to teach the basics of all of them but VII, which is typically only practiced by masters. We'll begin again tomorrow same time same place."

 

[Ventasia Terana]

A slight look of shocked came over Ventasia as Jaxton grabbed hold of her arms. It would seem that she had finally flipped his switch, and driven him to the point rage. Truthfully, it was what she had wanted all along. To see a spark, a fire in his being. It amused the flame-haired vixen. Her body remained still, not even flinching as he slashed toward her throat. Instead, her eyes traced the beam as it neared her, retracting just before it made contact. The eyes that had been so known to Jaxton for being filled with anger seemed now to be overflowing with excitement, one could say joy even, as they watched his arm complete its follow through.

Her lips curved into an almost sinister smile as her wrists were released. Ventasia said no words as she allowed him to speak. It was refreshing seeing him so riled up. To watch him feed of his passion and vent it in emotion. it was enjoyable, to say the least. She believed herself to be making some sort of headway with the male. The woman nearly burst into laughter as Jaxton took seat upon the floor once more, holding it back but a heavy chuckle still escaping. "Well, so your human after all. And here I thought you were a droid in disguise. Guess I lose that bet, huh?" The training saber dropped from her hand, landing on the floor and rolling towards Jaxton's feet. Her hands dipped inside her pockets as she began to backpedal towards the the door. "You know, if you quit being so uptight, we can have some fun with this game of ours. But that's up to you. Guess we'll have to wait and see tomorrow." With a quick pivot off her foot, she turned and exited the room giving a slight wave and laughing as she took her leave.

 

[Jaxton Ravos]

[SIZE=12pt]The woman confused Jaxton. He was used to, and even expected, her cold negative demeanor to exude in the air as it seemed to follow her, but now she . . . laughed. Even joked. He found her comment on his emotion amusing, but startling. Had she just acted the way she had because she wanted to provoke him? Did she think he was angry? Did she want him to be angry? The implications were . . . dangerous, to say the least.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Then she tossed him her training saber and Jaxton quickly emerged from his seating position to grab it as she spoke of him being "uptight", and syaing they could "have some fun." Jaxton didn't mind having fun, but it wasn't the point of training. The point was too teach her how to survive and protect others. He said nothing for now, but kept his thoughts in his head. As she went to leave, Jaxton got up and caught up to her, placing his hand on her shoulder to get his attention.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]"This is yours." Jaxton said as he held up the training saber, which almost looked like a toy in his much larger hands. "Keep it with and practice with it if you have the time, but don't throw it on the ground like that. It's only a training saber, but you could really hurt somebody doing that." Jaxton continued, the concern evident in his voice. "I'll see you tomorrow at 0800" Jaxton finished, and then left the woman alone to her studies.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]OOC: Wrap up today and I'll get us into tomorrow. [/SIZE]

 

[Ventasia Terana]

A light hum was emitted from her person as she sauntered down the hall, her mood almost uplifting to anyone around her. Her feet, however, came to an abrupt halt as she felt a hand take to her shoulder. The size of the hand mad it obvious who had wanted her attention. Her head turned just enough to catch Jaxton's figure in her gaze. Her eyes bounced to the training saber in her hand before back up to his own eyes. Ventasia's eyes narrowed as he spoke, scoffing once he finished. "Keep it. I don't have extra space to waste on something as useless as that. And since you say it hurt someone so much, feel free to keep it. The only thing I need you to hand me, is my own actual lightsaber. Remember that."

Ventasia strolled off, her eyes no longer radiating the joy she had so fully expressed just a moment ago. She was herself once more. Something that surely caused worry within those around her.

 

[Jaxton Ravos]

Jaxton had started the day with a trip to gym at about six in the morning, then after an hour headed over to the training room he and Ventasia had trained in the day before. He set the training droid on mid-knight level, and spent about ten minutes each refreshing his memory on the first six forms, excluding his specialty in form V. After he was done he set the droid back to beginner, then checked his chrono. He had about four minutes until Ventasia arrived. He walked over and got a workout towel and dried the sweat off of him, and waited for her to arrive. He wondered if she had practiced with the training saber he gave her, but somewhat doubted it. She was a very confident girl, and he guessed she might have thought she didn't need training. Still, she was going to get it today