Private Kindling of a Flame

[Henna Ashina]

She took the chip with a frown and an eyeroll, before casting it away into one of the many pockets built into her robes.

"I'll be sure to watch this, thank you. Though I was thinking something... more hands-on."

A sly smirk snuck across her face as she arched a brow. After a moment, she glanced around, making sure they were alone. The center had cleared, leaving only the two and their thoughts. Finally, she took a step forward as she continued.

"Private lessons, perhaps? All the time for practice, and for observation."

 

[Inosuke Ashina]

Private lessons? Right.

The signature blank look became oddly sardonic as his features shifted. It was the kind of expression one gave a particularly enthusiastic sabacc opponent when their bluff was more apparent than a bantha in a swimming pool. As soon as the disruption in his physiognomic serenity appeared, it slumped back into its baseline: The very portrait of indifference.

His mental guard had adapted to the Hapan's assertions, leaving the interaction without the slipping of hems or haws as previously. That 'uh' still echoed in his head like a particularly irritating migraine. His mind wasted little time making itself up. He'd humor her, although not for the implicated reasons she was hoping for. Something about a Master with a nigh-pitiful martial ability made his inner problem-solver drool.

"It happens that I am to be indisposed this evening." If indisposed meant locked in his quarters catching up on a particularly interesting mythologized account of the New Sith Wars. He spoke as he began to gather his things; "Two days from now," he asserted. "There is a pavilion before a garden near the great war memorial at Master's Retreat." He slung his bag over his shoulder and strode past her without even a turn of his head.

"We will meet there."

 

[Henna Ashina]

She offered no answer to his cold demeanor, though her gaze didn't leave his form. It followed him out as she began to pick apart the encounter. Every word, every action, every response- they all flashed through her head, a thorough analysis beginning. When he finally exited, she offered a small sigh. It would be a long road, but she would walk it nonetheless.

Left to her own devices, she grabbed the training saber from the rack once more. Her feet carried her to where a dummy sat. She looked at it, cocking her head, before striking quickly. Whatever other intentions she may have had didn't mean she wasn't interested in the knowledge he had passed. Over and over, the fluid motions took her, the jabs landing with a thwap.

After she was thoroughly covered in sweat once more, she went through the familiar motions. Store the blade, gather the satchel, drink from the canister. Beginning to leave, she stopped, throwing a glance backward. A small smile crossed her face with the lingering look, before she exited the empty training center.