Private Cut From A Different Cloth

[Cyran Vaas]

Location: Jedi Temple, Coruscant
Objective: Teach and Learn
Tag: Iris Arani
​

Although Cyran was personally unsure if the Jedi temple normally permitted outsiders from entering, it didn’t quite matter now. He was invited for a bit of a favor. The guards let the bounty hunter clad in dark armor into the complex when Cyran explained why he was there, and not to cause trouble. Once inside the temple proper the zeltron looked around, marveling at the grandness of the building.

If someone had asked Cyran a couple years ago if they ever saw themselves in the Jedi temple, he’d probably reply that it would only be at the expense of them. Yet here he was trying to be somewhat helpful. He had an idea of where, and the temple for him surprisingly didn’t seem too difficult to navigate. Which wasn’t too hard to imagine, if they’re really meant to be a timeless structure for a timeless institution you’d probably not want generations of Jedi constantly getting lost.

Eventually he made it to his scheduled destination, an empty training room. Looking around he saw that nobody else was there. Doubting himself Cyran checked his data pad, seeing that he was indeed at the right place at the right time. Valery Noble had made contact with Cyran some time after their little adventure. She’d made a request for a bit of a “joint training exercise” between himself and her now former padawan. Even encouraging a bit of a lesson plan for them.

Cyran had needed clarification on what a “padawan” was before learning it basically meant apprentice. Which was something that he could understand having an apprentice himself that he’s been teaching the trade of bounty hunting to. Placing both his hands on either side of his helmet Cyran pulled the headpiece off. He’d needed to clean out or replace the filters on the helmet since the air moving through it wasn’t very fresh anymore. Since he deduced that he was early Cyran would simply wait for for a “Ms. Arani” to arrive.

 

[Iris Arani]

Iris practically slid into the room as she rounded the corner into the room. Right, she was supposed to meet with someone today. The panic that brought her as she woke up late and had to sprint around the temple to get where she was intending to meet the man, the training room. Hastily dressed in the typical Jedi tunic, long hair an absolute mess, and the general appearance of just not being prepared, she stood in the doorway.

Blinked. Then waved with a smile.

"Hey. Uh, Cyran, right?"

Cyran Vaas

 

[Cyran Vaas]

Location: Jedi Temple, Coruscant
Objective: Teach and Learn
Tag: Iris Arani​

​

Cyran had his back turned to the door so he hadn’t noticed the Jedi approach. Flinching some as he heard them call out his name. Turning back he saw the rather nappy haired young woman he believed he was supposed to be meeting. Nodding, he replied. “Yep, and you’re Ms. Arani I presume.” He was glad to know that he was likely in the right room and had arrived just a tad earlier. But after seeing who’d he’d been scheduled to meet it wasn’t too hard for him to believe why he arrived sooner.

With a sly grin Cyran would comment. “Hehe, I think I can see why our mutual friend would want to subject her former student to some extracurricular lessons.” He said, verbally jabbing at Iris’s seeming unpreparedness. With his helmet still underslung under one of his arms, Cyran would pull up his other one where his vambrace projected a holographic message. Reading from it Cyran noted. “So it is my belief that Mrs Noble wanted us to do some sparing and to learn from each other's techniques. Today we are each others teachers as much as we are students.” After saying that he looked back over to Iris like something was on his mind. “Hmm, you can just call me Cyran, I don’t think Sensi Vaas sounds right to me.” He said with a Chuckle.

 

[Iris Arani]

"Iris." She nodded. Arani was still an odd name for her. The Knight tilted her head, glancing towards the message curiously. Valery knew a lot more people than she figured. And even after being her Padawan for so long. Then, smiled. Nodded again. "Cyran. Alright. How do you want to start this? I.. Am not sure what we should be teaching each other, really. I doubt you want to listen to Jedi philosophy, for example."

Cyran Vaas

 

[Cyran Vaas]

Location: Jedi Temple, Coruscant
Objective: Teach and Learn
Tag: Iris Arani
​

​

Hearing her reply Cyran smirked. “You’re largely correct-” He said before bringing his helmet over his head again, and his voice distorted slightly as he donned the headgear. “I’d say that a more practical type of training and lesson plan is in order. I propose some light sparring to warm up, get a taste for each other's capabilities and work from there, and perhaps you can teach me some of your sorcerous jedi philosophies then maybe some of my own as a bounty hunter.”

Cyran stepped a bit further into the room before drawing a weapon from his back. A force pike which he held like a blade. Activating the energized weapon with a minor flourish. The weapon was kept at its lowest setting. Not wanting to accidentally maim his new acquaintance. “Also perhaps a bit of activity can get your blood flowing and in turn wake you up some more. Now show me some of what the student of Master Noble is capable of.” Cyran was clearly more eager to get a bit of sparing done.

 

[Iris Arani]

Practical training. Yeah, Iris could do practical. He drew his weapon, so she did the same. Just one of her sabers as she ignited the cool blue of the blade. The Entropic edge would at least keep them from hurting each other. Or at least stop her from hurting him. Last thing she wanted to do was hurt a friend of her former Master. Then, she smiled. Couldn't help herself. The idea of a friendly spar always brought a grin to her face.

She crouched, just a little. Readied herself as she leveled her blade for him in a single handed grip. Then launched herself forward. Where the blade let her hold back from cutting him, she felt no need to do the same. A blur of movement, and a rapid thrust right for center mass to kick this all off.

Cyran Vaas

 

[Cyran Vaas]

Location: Jedi Temple, Coruscant
Objective: Teach and Learn
Tag: Iris Arani ​

Cyran noted Iris’s lightsaber color, he didn’t really have a preconceived idea on what colors they’re supposed to be. He’s only ever really seen one before in person. Seeing the rather excited smile on his partner's face Cyran smirked under his helmet as he let her take the first move.

Good thing it was just sparing too. No need to go all out or else these things would be pretty short lived. Either from the use of mystical force abilities or the hidden activation of a gadget. He trusted that Iris would rely on her lightsaber for now and he would do the same with his Force Pike. As she sprung forth quickly with a thrust Cyran tightened the grip on his weapon and guarded against the thrust.

Although the bounty hunter didn’t have precognition, he did have capable targeting computers in his helmet that marked data through its T shaped visor. With an upward motion he parried the thrust with his force pike, the energized nature of the weapon allowing it to not be instantly destroyed by the plasma blade on the moment of contact. Cyran maneuvered his weapon in the bind he created with her blade to get better leverage and have his weapon on top of hers before trying to slide forwards and tap her arm with the tip of his weapon. If he could manage that it would provide Iris with a decent sting.

 

[Iris Arani]

Iris flicked her blade down. Around. Quick on her feet she pulled back from her thrust. Danced away from his strike to make space. Control the distance between them. Avoid letting her blade get trapped. Then back in. Another thrust, another quick cut. In and out, always controlling the distance between them as much as she could. All the core tenets of Makashi, for sure.

Cyran Vaas

 

[Cyran Vaas]

Location: Jedi Temple, Coruscant
Objective: Teach and Learn
Tag: Iris Arani
​

Iris thwarted his own little parrying counter attack. Cyran stepped back some himself, as if conceding to her control of the distance. Her one handed fencing style was well suited to controlling the distance. Holding his force pike in a sturdy two handed grip aided in having a dexterous defense but not a reach advantage. Cyran did his best to avoid the following thrusts and cuts of her saber. The form came off as fancy, almost too fancy. Did all Jedi fight like this?

“Good, good, your dueling seems so refined and proper. What happens when we take away some of that fancy footwork of yours.” Cyran commented before letting one of his hands go from his weapon and aimed his arm down at her back leg. A moment latter a glowing yellow cable sprung from his vambrace to wrap around her ankle. Where he’d wank it in an attempt to trip Iris. Now it would appear that Cyran would use more of his arsenal.

 

[Iris Arani]

Iris blinked for a moment. She acted on instinct, her second blade coming out in a flash of pink. It's edge, unlike the blue, fully capable of cutting. Like a normal lightsaber, that is. What had her blinking was the fact the ground was still rushing to meet her even as she cut at the wire tugging at her foot. Cut at it before it even reached her foot. Except she couldn't cut through it.

She clicked her tongue, but rather than keep trying she fell completely. Let her sabers shut down so she didn't cut herself or the floor. Landed on her hands. One hand, at least. The other shot out towards Cyran. The colors of the Force curled at her will, unleashing as a blast to throw him back. Keep him from trying to capitalize on her fall too much.

Cyran Vaas

 

[Cyran Vaas]

Location: Jedi Temple, Coruscant
Objective: Teach and Learn
Tag: Iris Arani
​

​

Cyran seemed to flinch a little with the addition of Iris’s second blade. But watch as she lost her balance and fell from his grappling line. As she did it would uncoild around her leg and retract back into his vambrace. Stepping closer he was ready to capitalize on the advantage and give her a good poking with his force pike.

With his weapon raised above ready to strike her he suddenly felt himself launched backwards as she raised her hand. Knocking him onto his back against the floor. Losing his grip on his weapon as it was tossed aside. Uncomfortably laying on his jetpack Cyran did his best to scramble to his feet. However he would seem unarmed, and his weapon was a ways away. Looking back to his sparring partner. Cyran spoke.

“Hmm, this has been most insightful for me so far. Much better than the anecdotal evidence of Jedi combat I can mostly find elsewhere.” He could even look back and review the sparring later from recordings in his helmet. Still though he looked defensive like he was ready to do something else. But wouldn’t go for his melee weapon yet, in fear she would telekinetically swipe it away from him. “I wonder if I can witness any of those fabled Jedi reflexes. Think fast!” Cyran said before he made another move. Instead of reaching for an unholstering his blaster he simply held his arm out forwards and aimed it at her. Before a bright blue circle of energy shot out from his vambrace. A blaster shot set to stun racing towards her.

 

[Iris Arani]

Iris let out a breath, detangling herself from the cord around her legs. Rolling back to get on her feet again. Only to be met by a blaster. She blinked as she arced her blades up, cleaving through the rings of blue. Dissipating them, with both blades. Well that brought a frown to her lips. She half expected to be able to at least reflect them back with her pink blade. Guess stun rounds couldn't be reflected.

"Blasterfire is something all Jedi are trained to defend against from the time of being Younglings. You're gonna have to be creative to get around that."

Cyran Vaas

 

[Cyran Vaas]

Location: Jedi Temple, Coruscant
Objective: Teach and Learn
Tag: Iris Arani
​

​

Smirking under his helmet Cyran was pretty impressed by Iris’s supernatural reflexes. Also seeing her disappointment at how the stun round didn’t bounce back to hit him. He’d love to see the limit on how much a Jedi like here could deflect against until they're overwhelmed. Unfortunately he no longer had his DH-17. Otherwise he could test her with up to 25 rounds per second. Or he could ignite his flame thrower, but he didn’t wanna wash her in a cone burning jet fuel.

Cyran eased his posture and lowered his arm. He didn’t know that blast deflection was instilled in virtually all Jedi at a pretty young age. But then again when he was a kid he got familiar with firearms with recreational plinking and trick shots. “That’s pretty rad actually. I don’t know if I could do that with my Force Pike, even with a lot of training.” He commented before looking back at his dropped weapons before arming his arm at it. Launching his grappling line to coil around it’s handled and yanking it back into his hands. He deactivated the weapon and holstered it , before he spoke again to Iris while he pressed a few commands into his vambrace to summon some extra tools for training.

“Valery gave me a few pointers on your combat style before today. Said it was very refined but rather over-specialized. I think she called it Machi-shi or something like that. A powerful ally for fighting Sith, warlocks and whatnot. But the galaxy is a diverse place, a lot more dangerous out there than evil cultists. Like not so reputable bounty hunters or mercenaries.” As he spoke from the doorway, two small droids floated into the room. Where they flanked Iris along with Cyran in a sort of triangle formation. “Ahh, the cavalry's here.” Cyran then upholstered his two blaster pistols.

“Now, roleplay with me if you will. Imagine my droid friends and I here are a trio of nefarious bounty hunters contracted by an enemy of the republic or Jedi to capture you alive.” He said, trying to paint a scene for the two of them. “You know that lethal force should be off the table, so you shouldn’t be killed. But it means you can’t expect to turn blaster bolts against your adversaries. How shall you overcome such a dire situation?” He kinda wanted to attempt to simulate a “poodoo hit the fan” type moment that would definitely be possible. Could Iris rely on her 1v1 dueling style to fend off 3 ranged opponents at once? Or could this be some encouragement to diversify her martial talents? With the scene set Cyran exclaimed. “And action!”

Aiming his two blaster pistols at Iris he spoke. “Reach for the sky, Jedi…” Cyran seemed to lower his voice and made it more gruff. As if to sell himself and Iris on the new “evil bounty hunter” roll he was playing. “I can take you in warm, or I can take you in cold.” An cheesy one liner, but also a bluff since she should know that in this scenario he’s supposed to “capture” her alive.

 

[Iris Arani]

"Probably not. I don't think it's made to withstand blaster fire."

She tensed, ready to leap back into the fight as he retrieved his pike, though there was no intention to attack that she could see. At least in the colors. And well, he holstered his weapon. For a moment Iris was confused. Then he spoke.

And she pretty quickly understood why. He was changing the game. Her gaze shifted, watching the additional droids as they entered. So the goal was to work on her defenses, specifically against a larger number. Alright, she could swing with that. .. A brow raised as Cyran seemed to go into some kind of act. Why? She wasn't too sure, but the smile on her face didn't mean it was unwelcome.

"You know I won't surrender that easily, especially to a Hunter." She flicked her blades up, going for a rather dramatic salute signature to any Makashi duelist.

"Do your worst."

Cyran Vaas

 

[Cyran Vaas]

Location: Jedi Temple, Coruscant
Objective: Teach and Learn
Tag: Iris Arani
​

​

With his duel blasters aimed at Iris he watched as she ignited her blades once more and saluted. Cyran listened as she seemed to play along with the scenario. “Blast ‘em!” He ordered the two floating droids flanking her. After he did he began shooting more of the stunning blue energy rings at Iris from his blaster pistols. Alternating between weapons.

A moment later the two droids added to its barrage of blaster fire. Both firing their own light stun blasts. Cyran imagined that with Iris’s two blades that they would offer more defensive coverage for her. One for each hemisphere of her body. He also wasn’t sure what she could do with those trick telekinetic powers of hers.

To Cyran he figured this could go either way, either the three surrounding threats overwhelmed her, or she would be able to precisely dismantle the “ambush” and come out on top, an outcome that would impress him.

 

[Iris Arani]

She stayed where she was, watching the colors instead. Intention, emotion, life. Even droids had their own shades in the Force, though they'd always been hard for her to discern. Lifeless, emotionless, there was nothing truly for her colors to read from. At least until they started to fire. The stunning rays of blue were easier to dissipate. Larger targets, no fear of being killed.

Yet she didn't move with the quick, minimal movements as the shots came. Her stance changed, her blades wiped through the air. She moved like water, waving through the shots with both blades. Deeper and deeper into the embrace of the Force. It'd been a long time since she last did something like this, and it showed. She wasn't fast, she wasn't as practiced. And yet, falling into the embrace of the Force was all too easy for a Jedi. Her movements grew quicker by the moment. Defense turned to offence.

Her blade ripped up, cutting through another ring and behind it, the droid that had fired it. Every deflection had her pivot and move. With one less threat, it was faster. Easier. She turned towards the next, speeding towards it to cut once more. The blue of her blade phased through the second, shutting it down rather than actually break it.

Cyran Vaas

 

[Cyran Vaas]

Location: Jedi Temple, Coruscant
Objective: Teach and Learn
Tag: Iris Arani ​

Cyran was kind of in awe of Iris’s defense. Watching the fluid but meaningful movements of her body and blades as they went against the hornets swarm of blasterfire. He wasn’t even sure if it was the same dueling style she implemented before. Perhaps she’d fallen back onto another familiar martial art?

The defensive performance she gave made Cyran actually stop firing for a moment, as he closely analyzed what was happening. But it seemed that in this moment of watching her may have aided in letting her power through the assault of his droids as she quickly made short work of them. Even though it might seem that Cyran was providing most of the training for Iris, he was learning a lot just by doing so.

Watching as she disabled the second droid. Cyran smirked under his helmet, but still felt the need to keep up the act. With a gruff voice he spoke, “Ugh, I can’t leave here empty handed.” Iris managed to surgically dissect the simulated ambush. So he felt he needed to pull out another trick from his “hidden arsenal”. However, he didn’t have much in the way of non-lethal weaponry with him. Sure he could fire a cone of flames, or launch an anti-vehicle rocket from his jetpack but Cyran doubted that would go over well. But he had an idea.

With smooth movements he aimed his guns away from Iris, and held them up some. As if to surrender and show himself giving up. With a sigh he said, “you win madam Jedi, I concede...” This was still an act, betting on her to possibly show mercy and drop her guard. But moments after he spoke Cyran’s knee pad suddenly shot out two low powered rocket darts simultaneously to strike Iris to prick her with some sedatives to possibly knock her out. One the inside it did pain him some to act so underhanded and cutthroat. Even though he was basically just playing the role. He often considered himself much more honorable than his contemporaries.

 

[Iris Arani]

"That can work on Jedi, if you keep your mind still and calm."

The rocket darts came, but froze midair. Just in front of her. Iris kept her hand up, kept the grip on the Force around them until their propellant ran out. All so she could let them drop harmlessly to the floor. She offered a brief smile. "We get feelings. Sense emotion, intent. If you're not completely focused on what you're doing, they'll read you. Jedi, Sith, anyone skilled enough to recognize the sensations in the Force. Underhandedness, trickery, it's needed to fight someone who is stronger and can see you better than you can them." Like throwing a dagger with a bomb attached. In a fight against someone who could kill you with a thought, there were few lines left to cross.

She spun her blade back in her hand, reigniting the cool blue as she offered a grin.

"Again?"

Cyran Vaas

 

[Cyran Vaas]

Location: Jedi Temple, Coruscant
Objective: Teach and Learn
Tag: Iris Arani
​

​

Cyran was pretty amazed as he listened to Iris explain what sounded like some kind of extra sensory perception. “That sorta reminds me of the emotional telepathy zeltrons like myself possess. But I also don’t wanna be too underhanded, this is still just practice, I don’t want for one or both of us to escalate things and get hurt. Although this has made me reconsider some previous interest I had with sonic weaponry hehe.” He chuckled some under his helmet. Feeling that might be the perfect kind of weaponry to bypass a Force User’s defense.

Watching as Iris readied herself for some more training and asked ‘again?’ Cyran nodded. His thumbs clicking the safety off again on both of his blaster pistols. Ready to continue the lesson plan…

---

Cyran and Iris continued their training, going through a few situations and drills. Cyran often likes to play out certain scenarios similarly to before. Eventually one of the better weapons he enjoyed and thought was rather effective was his force pike. Although sparring with a Jedi in melee felt like a tough uphill battle for himself. The two of them do well to explain the practices and skills to the other.

After the last exercise he sat himself down on a bench in the room before taking off his helmet. His face and short blue hair were rather sweaty from the workout. “Well now I feel like I can safely say that many of my less reputable contemporaries in the bounty hunter profession weren’t full of poodoo when they spoke of the legendary capabilities of the Jedi.” He said with a smile to Iris. “Sadly these days our respective career fields work more against one another rather than together.” Which he felt was true, relations have soured greatly with all the galactic division currently. It was definitely a far cry from the times of republican supremacy in the old republic where bounty hunters and Jedi allied more often than they fought.

 

[Iris Arani]

"Not necessarily. Just depends on who's willing to pay more for mercs. .. And the general rules bounty hunters like yourself want to hold themselves to." Iris took a deep breath once the sparring itself came to an end. Focus and control kept her from looking tired or sweaty, but she certainly felt it. She kept up on her feet, still bouncing on her heels. Still letting the adrenaline fade from her system.

"But that's the other side of it, mm? You don't have to follow the same rules as others."

Cyran Vaas