Bottle Up And Explode!

[Celeste Rigel]

Celeste's sword came down, the blade of which was blocked by Coren. With her arm across her body, she was aware that there was now a gap that opened to her side. Centered as she was now, her senses were keen. Watching Coren closely, she noted the way his posture would shift, his arm, the blade of his sword – aiming for that vulnerable spot.

One of the keys of Soresu was to keep the blade moving, she knew. And so, she spun to the side slightly to allow more room for her to bring her own sword to hip level to bat Coren's away.

She blew out a soft breath, trying to use those fast seconds between attacks to decide her next move.

Taking a chance, she would swing her sword horizontally, trying to slash across Coren's middle. With hope, the rounded wooden blade would skim the fabric of his shirt. But, she mentally prepared for what defense he might use next.

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

 

[Coren Starchaser]

He found himself almost giddy here, she was gong to start keeping up? He wanted to see what she was capable of, once she let herself fall into the Force. The Jedi was going to try to keep getting progressively faster against Celeste to see if that changed the speed and tone of her fight. When his partner moved, he was definitely smiling.

Seeing her spin, he had his blade swinging up for her hip, but when she spun, it off balanced him, and he wasn’t making connection. She just wasn’t there. Slowing his blade when she came at him he looked and felt the blade make a bit of a connection. Taking a step backwards, and allowing the chance to center, he nodded.

“Good!”

Stepping n, he swung down at her shoulder, his speed was there, but not the strength. He didn’t need to hit her hard, just make sure he hit her. His blade would go down, and come back up for her thigh, if he was left interrupted.

[member="Celeste Rigel"]

 

[Celeste Rigel]

Celeste was steadily finding – or fighting – her way through the sparring match. She kept light on her feet, her movements lithe, almost graceful. Needless to say, she did not have the same kind of power that Coren did when it came to sword play. But, she was remembering more and more that power alone did not always win the day. As she watched Coren swing down for her shoulder, she ducked to the side.

He was a good example. Coren played to his own strengths, and she was learning to do the same.

As his weapon came back up towards her leg, she would swing her sword to the side to block and bat his blade away. Moving quickly, she would sweep her blade by his ankles, and then again – at waist level, aiming for his side.

A few beads of sweat were beginning for form at her hairline, and she pulled breaths in quickly but deeply. Keep going, she urged herself silently.

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

 

[Coren Starchaser]

She was starting to improve. It didn’t take long for a Jedi who was trained in combat to kick off the rust. It all but melted away after a few runs through of the form. Staying light was his way of fighting. The main threat to the galaxy, Darth Carnifex, was the big bruiser type, so Coren needed to move faster than him, and hit just as hard. It meant a lot of strikes but not any one that was going to cripple a foe.

He knew that when it came time, he would have to unleash a bit of the Force in order to get a tide to turn, in a serious battle, but here? No, this was spar, friendly and competing with Celeste, it felt like old times

Moving to leap the sword as it came for his ankles, but when it came for his hip, he had to think fast, and knowing what his arm could do, he moved forward with is right hand to grab at her hand. He knew in real combat he could grab the lightsaber itself with his cybernetic hand, but her hand would do fine, to stop her.

[member="Celeste Rigel"]

 

[Celeste Rigel]

Celeste hadn't been expecting Coren to grab for her hand, and when his palm closed around her own, her sword stopped. Momentum continued to carry Celeste forward, until she nearly bumped into Coren. Her hand instinctively tugged against his grip for a moment, but soon stopped. Still breathing hard, Celeste locked eyes with Coren, an intense gaze that almost seemed to smolder. But, the brunette blinked, the gentle warmth returned to her eyes.

“Up close and personal,” She said, a bit breathless. “Is that your way?”

There was an inkling of a smirk.

Indeed, she knew that Coren had weathered his share of battles. And this, this was only a small taste of his skill and prowess. He wasn't actually trying to strike her down. But, she imagined... it probably was quite a sight to see him in action.

“I surrender.” She said, chuckling softly.

[member="Coren Starchaser"]