Maximum Effort!

[Zac Grayson]

Jonathan sat in the back in a classroom taught by a Jedi Knight, but it was clear she was a recent Knight and not very good at teaching. She was teaching about the Jedi Code, something that always bored Jonathan. He tapped his pencil a bit on his desk until he got a look from the teacher.

He sighed a little and looked outside, dying to be out there and having fun. It was then he caught a pleasant smell. It was light and not overpowering, but smelled so good. He turned towards the smell and noticed a girl in front of him and to the right. She was tall and had vibrant red hair. He could not see what she looked like, but did wonder why he had just now noticed her, was she there the whole time?

He leaned forward, "psst......psst." no use and he didn't want to get louder, disturbing the peace and what not. He looked around and for something to catch her attention and then it dawned on him, he could use the Force. He pointed his hand at her waiting for the teacher to turn towards the board and then shot a light push at her to ruffle her hair. "Hey, who are you?"




[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

Joza was trying really, really hard to pay attention to the lesson. The Zeltron was always open to hearing new opinions and interpretations on what it means to be a Jedi and how to interpret the Jedi Code, hence why she was in this class and concentrating on the instructing Knight. Unfortunately, her focus began slipping. She’d heard many similar lectures like this one, and still she took notes as dutifully as possible. Her notes, however and transformed into mindless doodles over the past few minutes.

The sound of someone trying to get her attention reached her ears and broke the last vestiges of her already weak concentration. Frowning, the pink-toned girl refocused on the Jedi Knight quickly and tried to resume taking notes, quickly finding that she had lost her place in the lecture. This only served to frustrate her more—and as if to make matters worse, she felt a light wave of force come from somewhere behind her and rustle her hair. Usually she would be wearing it up, but seeing as how she only planned on attending lectures today she elected to leave it down.

The disturbance of her hair was perhaps the greatest insult to her person…she’d rather have her limbs sliced off by a bloodthirsty Sith than—okay, maybe not that. She just didn’t like people messing up her hair.

Turning her head half-way, she could immediately scope out the culprit. A boy around her age with jet black hair and tanned skin. “Does it matter? Leave me and my hair alone.” She hissed, sending him a sharp glare in obvious irritation.

[member="Jonathan Hex"]

 

[Zac Grayson]

Jonathan had heard the code backwards and forwards and interrupted so many different ways and still it bored him. He hated being in the classroom, but messing with a pretty girl? That sounded like fun. She turned on him and hissed a response which only made Jonathan that much more want to mess with her. He laughed to himself at her response. Then he stopped and waited.

He wanted to have some fun and continuing to mess with her right away was boring, he would wait a bit and make her believe he would stop. He looked out the window again, a nice cloudy day with the threat of rain, but not for a few hours, Jonathan's favourite kind of weather. After a few minutes passed by, he turned towards the girl again. This time he held up two fingers and flicked them like a swimmer's legs using the Force again to ruffle her hair even more.

Jonathan tried to hold back a laugh as for him this was pure entertainment at it's finest. He did, however, notice when she turned around she had pink skin and was rather attractive. Zeltrons were known for being an attractive spieces and even having the ability to produce a smell that would make them even more attractive which made Jonathan wonder if that was the smell he was smelling or perfume. Ether way, messing with her was more fun than class.

[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

The boy seemed amused at her reaction, but thankfully didn’t continue to annoy her as she had her back turned. Good. She thought to herself. Shut that down real quick. Inwardly she was a little proud for seemingly having scared him off. On Zeltros she could easily take a sharp tongue and a nasty glare to a man who was harassing her, but she’d forced herself to mellow somewhat since becoming a Jedi. Well, consciously mellowing out. Sometimes. It depended on the day. And her mood.

Joza’s frustration began to go down as she once again settled into taking notes, this time vowing to pay better attention. The boy behind her was nearly forgotten when she felt another unmistakable rush of the Force against the back of her body. She froze in place, pencil unmoving from the notes she was writing. Did…did he just… One of her lower eyelids twitched before she slowly turned around, a deathly glower on her face. “What is your problem?” She snapped, controlling her voice to keep it low, then venom clearly present.

“Padawan Perl.” A cough and the mention of her name caused Joza to whip back into place, pupils dilating as the angry expression fell from her face. “Anything you’d like to add to the lecture?” The Knight looked at her disapprovingly, and Joza sunk down a little into her chair accordingly. “No ma’am. I apologize.” She raised her head to meet the Knight’s gaze in an attempt to show that she was sincere, as much as she didn’t want to.

As the attention moved away from her and the lecture continued, Joza hurriedly tied to smooth out her hair which was beginning to get static, thanks to the lovely young man behind her. She tilted her head to the side to give him another irritated glare, cheeks slightly flushed from having been embarrassed in front of the class. Hopefully he had his fill by now.

[member="Jonathan Hex"]

 

[Zac Grayson]

This was all too much fun, proving to be his favorite class today. She turned on him and asked what his problem was, his response was... classic to say the least. He brought his hand to his chest and made a overdramatic face that screamed, "What me? I did nothing." This reaction apparently worked as the teacher saw what was happening and found her at fault. This made Jonathan have to bite his bottom lip, hard, to prevent from laughing.

When she turned around again afterwards to give him another look, he winked at her, "You could have just told me your name, butttt." He whispered to her in a charming tone, but perfectly quite as he was use to whispering low enough that teachers wouldn't hear. He decided to raise his hand and have some more fun. His hand short up and shortly he was called on, "Yes, Mr. Hex?" A name pretty known in this area, but Jonathan was nothing like his father, at least on the surface.

"Ms. Perl is bothering me and saying she knows better than you about the all wonderful Code." How the teacher didn't see through his sarcasm, he could not tell, but her gaze did go to [member="Joza Perl"] and lingered there," Well Miss. Perl, how about you come up here and explain to the class why there is no chaos, there is harmony since you insist on disrupting my class." Jonathan put his hand down and winked at Joza, he knew this would probably not end well and was no way to talk to a beautiful lady, but he knew if they became friends she would laugh at this later. If not, he was laughing at it now.

 

[Joza Perl]

Hex? Joza’s eyes widened a touch at the familiar name. As in Jericho Hex? He’d been the first actual Jedi that Joza met, first meeting him on Zeltros all those years ago when she was just a child. He’d broken her nose that time—albeit accidentally—yet she still felt an attachment to him, however childish it may be.

Her mouth nearly fell open as he brazenly framed her and lied to the teacher….who seemed to buy it! Oh, this one had a set of tracks on him alright. She shot him a glare that may as well have said What are you, a youngling? Before standing striding to the front of the class. Were all the men in this family difficult?

Doing her best to appear interested, Joza stood before the class and recited the Jedi code. “…in harmony, the Jedi recognize that all things in the universe are connected and interdependent by the Force…” She regurgitated an explanation she’d read somewhere while studying, her heart not truly into it. It took all of her being to resist Force pushing [member="Jonathan Hex"] out the window. As she finished and settled back into her seat, the teacher continued with her lesson and Joza turned back to Jonathan for a moment.

“You’ll pay for that, Hex.”

 

[Zac Grayson]

Jonathan smirked, "I think my youthfulness is fun so I will take that as a compliment." He then sat with his hands folded, his elbows on the table and his head resting on his hands and listened intently. He laughed a little at her reactions, she was too easy to mess with and he kinda liked it. As she got done he stood and gave an overdramatic round of applause which had the whole eyes of the class off her and on him. "Mr. Hex! Please, take your seat." The teacher said very firmly to the intolerable boy.

He did as he was told and took his seat. He smirked, "Don't act like you aren't enjoying this a bit, or were you trying to considerate on your doodles?" He was under her skin, he knew he was and not in a good way, but never the less, she now knew would he was and would not forget him and that was a good beginning to him. "You really need to learn to let loose."


[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

The round of applause did nothing to soothe Joza’s frazzled nerves as she wondered what divine being she angered to get this sort of punishment.

After settling back into her seat, it wasn’t long before she bristled again at the sound of his voice. “The only thing I’d enjoy is putting your head through a wall.” Not the most subtle or ladylike thing to say, but then again she was neither in this moment. At his next line, she snorted. “I’m a Zeltron, letting loose is kind of my thing.” She pressed a hand to her chest and arched a brow. Actually, it most certainly wasn’t her thing after choosing to study to become a Jedi. She’d worked to suppress all of her racial tendencies, causing her to become riled easier. Was it the best thing to do? Probably not, but she couldn’t figure out how much Zeltron was too much for the Jedi.

“You need to learn to stop bothering people and pay attention in class. Why do you even bother coming?”

[member="Jonathan Hex"]

 

[Zac Grayson]

Jonathan laughed, "My head huh? I would love to see you try that. Hate for you to break a nail in the process." He smirked at his jest. He could feel her tention, a tention between nature and Jedi. The ideology for Jonathan was to do good and protect others, but not at the cost of yourself. To deny who you really were was to do a great injustice to yourself.

"Zeltron huh? So that isn't you just constantly blushing? If you know how to relax then I know how to fly with paper wings." Jonathan stood up a moment before the bell rang, instinct really. "I come to class because I have to, I mess with you because it is kinda fun. How about we make a deal since you want to beat my brains in, a duel, right now, in the court yard. Winner gets whatever they want within reason." Jonathan smirked, he was looking forward to this.
[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

Joza didn’t even try to stop her eyes from nearly rolling into the back of her head. He didn’t let up in teasing her, but she’d reached a threshold to the point where it couldn’t annoy her any more than it already was. Maybe if she had set aside time to meditate before the lecture she’d be harder to irritate, but right now her jimmies were thoroughly rustled.

“Alright.” She agreed, standing a few moments after he did. Something in her demeanor had changed, as if she was…more relaxed? In reality she was excited by the thought of a spar and had instinctively begun to prepare herself mentally, which included centering herself to the best of her ability. She gave [member="Jonathan Hex"] a quick once over before appraising him with curious eyes, noting how they were nearly the same height.

“I’ll fight you. If I win, you leave me alone.” Turning on her heel, the pink Padawan was already heading to the training grounds, tying her hair up into a messy but in the process. Somehow she doubted that he would really stay out of her hair if she won.

 

[Zac Grayson]

He smiled, "And if I win you have to go on a date with me." He said this with a wink, he knew she would hate the idea...for now. He gathered his things, ah who are we kidding, he had no things. He didn't go to the training grounds right away. Instead he went to his place and changed from school attire to a more loose fitting clothing. He then went to the training grounds after putting his short hair up.

Once he arrived he found her waiting, "Awe, never had someone so beautiful waiting on me. So my dad, you know him? So you know how he fights too I assume?" Jonathan smiled as this would be nothing like fighting Jericho. Jonathan took his lightsaber off his belt and turned the blade intensity to 1 which would only provide a sting if struck. He twirled it a bit and put it back on his hip as he planned to fight hand to hand at least starting out. "You know you can't fault me right? I am young and you are beautiful, it is just nature." He smirked, he kinda liked acting like this and teasing her. In reality he was nothing like this, at least not naturally, but he was young and his hormones were in control.
[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

“That’s not within reason.” She called back as she walked away, a flicker of frustration in her eyes.

After a short while [member="Jonathan Hex"] appeared at the training grounds wearing more appropriate clothing for a spar. Joza had a bit of time to cool down and prepare, well aware that her irritation would only hinder her against him. Clearing her throat, she responded. “Yes, I know Jericho. To be honest, I’m surprised that you’re his son.” She looked him over before shaking her head, as if to drive home that she still couldn’t believe it.

Igniting her own saber, she had the incredible urge to bring it to full intensity. Figuring she’d probably get in trouble if she knowingly sliced a limb or four off, she kept it on its lowest setting. It seemed as if every time he spoke, she found herself rolling her eyes. “Perhaps you need to learn some self-control. I’d have no problem castrating you as I’m sure it would help.” She eyed his saber as he placed it back at his waist, wondering how he’d planned to fight. She twirled her saber, bringing it into a low guard and continued to watch, curious to see if he’d continue to tease her or approach her.

 

[Zac Grayson]

For just a moment Jonathan got serious, "Son by blood, but a father who is near around can hardly raise a son." He then caught onto himself and saw he was revealing real stuff that he wished not to confront, "Are we going to keep flirting or are you going to attack?" In reality that was the answer to it all. Jonathan had a good heart and was adventurous and somewhat immature, but to this degree? No, sub consciously this was him crying out for attention. A 16 year old boy, who was not taken from his family to be a Jedi so he knew what family was, but he spent most of his days alone and no one there for him. This would effect someone the way it was effecting him.

In fact, he was actually enjoying himself and not just because she was fun to tease. She was a person, beautiful sure, but at this very moment he wasn't alone and because of that he would win. He brought his hands up in an open palm stave and motioned for her to attack. If there was one thing his father had done right it was was to teach him how to fight hand to hand and even hand to weapon.


[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

Joza arched both brows as Jonathan’s demeanor changed for a moment. She could detect his resentment toward Jericho but chose not to comment on it. She had enough tact to know when to approach emotional things, and now was not the time. Briefly she brought mind her own daddy issues…if one could even call them that. She’d never met her own biological father and it typically didn’t bother her. Better than having one who is barely in your life, I suppose.

When he gave her the signal to attack, she approached with caution, eyeing his movements. While Joza wasn’t that great with hand to hand combat, she was becoming skilled with a saber in her own right. Battle against the Sith had honed her attentiveness in battle, and she was determined not to be bested easily. After all this was only a spar.


With careful movements, she lashed out with a pair of tight diagonal strikes aimed for his torso, followed up by a jab to his midsection.

[member="Jonathan Hex"]

 

[Zac Grayson]

He watched her unsurety and this was his advantage. He took steady and slow breaths. He watched her steps, he was always trained he could read moves by watching the feet of someone. He moved his right foot back right when she came in to lean away from her first strike and then leaned back the other way with the second. Coming back up he used the force of coming back up to send a strike for her stabbing wrist hoping to disarm her.

Since he was not a master or as skilled as his teacher he felt the sting of her blade on his side as he forgot to pivot around it, but he would not let that stop him.


[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

Not bad. She noted how he swiftly avoided her strikes, feeling a blip of pride in her chest at having struck him in the torso, but she forced it down lest she get cocky. After all, things were only getting started. If Jericho had taught him, then she needed to maneuver herself carefully.

In stepping back from [member="Jonathan Hex"] after having dealt her attacks, she felt her wrist lurch and her saber fly from her grasp. Tsk… Keeping her eyes on her opponent, she held her hand out and pulled her saber back before it could hit the ground. Giving it a brief twirl, she eyed him, taking in his movements before approaching again swiftly. This time she would bend her knees before striking, widening her stance a bit before delivering a sweeping blow aimed from his left hip to his right shoulder.

[member="Jonathan Hex"]

 

[Zac Grayson]

As she moved back and had to deal with her lightsaber, he drew his own and held it with a reverse grip and smiled, "You're even cuter when you're determined, didn't think it possible. Can't wait to win that date." Jonathan ran at her as well and once he saw her spread her legs for a wide stance he hit the ground and slid between her legs avoiding the whole attack all together. From his low position he bent back to flip up a bit and send a kick from the ground at her back.

[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

A scowl reflexively formed on her face at his comment. Stop it. He knows he’s getting to you. Joza liked to think herself immune to taunting, but she very well wasn’t and this proved it. It was another thing she’d have to consciously work through. Her eyes tracked him as he hit the ground, using her widened stance to come up behind her. Whirling around she thrust her free hand out and sent a wave of force at [member="Jonathan Hex"], aiming to knock him off balance or push him back as he had one foot off of the ground. She would follow shortly with a pair of jabs to his chest, her second jab transferring into a short cut aimed for the left side of his torso.

 

[Zac Grayson]

She was good and quick on her feet and better trained than Jonathan. He felt the blast strike him in the chest as he was sent flipping back and into the air. While he was flipping he unhooked his lightsaber. He hit the ground in a crouched position with the poise of a cat. He ignited his blade and smiled, "You are good." She came in at him with two jabs which he slashed at with short slashes to knock them away and with her third attack he slammed his blade into hers and locked blades with her. Their bodies were close with two blades locked in between them. With a swift movement he leaned in and quickly aimed a kiss at her cheek. He then pushed their blades and broke away from her and stood at the ready, "I am sorry for messing with you in class, really I am. I am not sorry that now you notice me." He smiled and flourished his blade ready to take her on some more.

[member="Joza Perl"]

 

[Joza Perl]

When [member="Jonathan Hex"] took the Force push gracefully, Joza was not surprised. She wasn’t entirely sure of what he was going to do, but she didn’t expect him to fall or give her that much of an opening. Eyeing him carefully, she looked entirely unamused as he complemented her. “I know.” She growled, trying to keep the brunt of the anger out of her voice. Truthfully she knew that she needed to further her skills a lot, but she needed to say something instead of “You too.”

She kept her stoic face up during their clash, but it quickly melted into a look of surprise when the little chit leaned forward and planted a kiss on her cheek. Her free hand flew up to slap him on instinct, but it only struck air as he moved away quickly. What is it with guys and doing that?! This wasn’t the first time someone had pecked her during a duel, and it infuriated her to no end. Stop. Don’t let him get to you.

Aiming an underhand swipe at his sword arm, Joza couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “There are better ways to get a girl’s attention, you know.”