Next Time

[Lugus Porkins]

Ossus. Home to the Jedi. Lugus rarely found himself on the planet since he was mainly stationed on Onderon. This particular day happened to be a rarity however. He got a day off. Well he got days off all of the time but he didn't take them unless he wanted to. He loved to fly. He loved even those stupid simulation cockpits he couldn't strap into. He occasionally loved to repair ships as well. That was a hit and miss affair however. Mainly when the repairs where more trouble than they were worth.

He had a different plan for his day off however and it started with getting up at the crack of dawn... Getting up several minutes to an hour after the crack of dawn and suiting up - not in a flight suit but in the Jedi robes that were gifted to him. He latched the training saber to his belt as well. The robes despite being bulky made him feel slimmer unlike the flight suit which did a great job of showing just how round his stomach really was.

He didn't stress that however. He planned for a relaxing fun day on Ossus. To tell the truth, he came to collect a day from a certain violet-eyed Jedi master. He was sure that he wasn't the only one who needed a day off and so he made his way to the academy. His military I.D. came in handy considering his robes and lack of force sensitivity turned a few head and had quite a few Jedi asking him what he was doing. Lugus was a talker. He knew what to say to get past them which included a lot of name dropping of the grandmaster and feigning the anxiety of being late. Of course this didn't work for the younglings who were overly curious as to why he was a pilot in Jedi robes and didn't give a flying mynock if he was 'late' or not. The second he answered one question another would come up with a new one.

"Master Porkins, why do you have a training saber?" A small Bothan girl asked him pointing at the saber on Lugus' belt.

"Still not a Jedi or a master. It was a gift. I actually got it from-," before he could complete his sentence another youngling asked him how many times he has crashed a ship. "Not too many-"

"Do you have any astral pilot stories, Master Porkins?" A Fosh boy chimed in.

"Again, not a master," he corrected the younglings for the umpteenth time. He did have quite a few cool stories though, and Lugus loved to tell stories. The little colorful bird kid found Lugus' weak spot. He was starting to wonder if they would ever let him get away.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus was running almost late. She was never actually late of course, just nearly...and frequently.

She saw the Younglings crowding around Lugus and smiled. They were ever an inquisitive bunch and they knew no fear when it came to asking questions.

"Ask him about the Jedi's view on attachments Usu," she said to a young girl they'd rescued from Coruscant. "His perspective is...unique." She stifled a laugh. Today was a day she'd allowed her defenses dowwn. A filter was in place but emotions were able to enter and by definition leave.

[member="Lugus Porkins"]

 

[Lugus Porkins]

Her voice surprised him for a second. He didn't even hear Corvus approach. It was a good thing she arrived however. Not only did he not have to go search for her, but now hopefully she would save him from the barrage of nosy little younglings.

"Attachment? Is that when two people are stuck together at the mouth and can't get free to breath? Like this," Lugus turned facing his back to the small group. His hands when to his shoulder and side rubbing his body as if his hands belonged to someone else then pretended to kiss some one in front of him and make out with the air. He couldn't hold the charade for very long as the younglings behind him began to giggle almost uncontrollably. He turned back around looking down at all of the younglings with a smile, "Is it possible to love someone without getting attached? I'm almost completely possitive the answer is no, but is it possible to love someone and be mindful of the attachment? I hope so. As a pilot-"

He paused as he felt a tug at his robes. Lugus glanced down at the small girl with her fist gripped around the fabric. Lugus could only assume this was Usu. "Master Porkins, Are you married?"

He glanced over at Corvus with his head tilted. He mouthed the word 'adorable' to her before looking back at the girl, "No, I'm not."

She looked at him quizzically, "Do you have a girlfriend?"

He shook his head to that question as well about to answer no when she asked him why. He paused for a second, "Well... Most people aren't looking for a bridge troll to fall in love with. If there is anything you learn about love know that no matter how hard you love some one you can never make them love you back if they're not willing to. You can give some one your whole heart-"

"They friend zone you don't they, Master Porkins?" A Calian boy interupted.

Lugus chuckled awkwardly then shook his head, "The friend zone doesn't exist."

If the boy had glasses he would be looking over them at Lugus. Any amusement in his face dropped at the the sight of the boys expression. Was he allowed to dismiss the class? It wasn't like this could get anymore out of hand.

"Grandmaster Raaf needs a boyfriend!" Usu chimed in grinning at Lugus.

Lugus couldn't help but laugh. The sound erupted from his mouth as he originally tried to suppress it. Don't look at her you're just going to laugh more. He couldn't help himself. He took a quick glance at Corvus covering his mouth to keep from laughing then looked back at the small Coruscanti, "N- No one needs love it's a uh... Lux- Luxury, I guess? Plenty of people have lived their lives just fine without having a partner-"

"Have you even kissed a girl, Master Porkins?"

The Calian again. Lugus was almost tempted just to tell the boy to shut it. He almost kissed a Selkath once... It probably wasn't smart to tell the boy that however. Almost doesn't count. Lugus shrugged, "Does CPR count?"

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus sensed a balance of discomfort and enjoyment from the pilot. Clearly he was enjoying the attention – but he clearly didn’t understand how persistent Padawans could be – or how direct their questions could become.

And he found them adorable? Sadly she saw them primarily as future Jedi. Youngsters she’d help train and instil with the values of being a servant of the Republic. Some would fall by the wayside and some would join the Force prematurely. She was not heartless – but adorable was never a word that came unbidden to her consciousness. Did that make her a bad person?

She had no time to reflect on the thought before the next barrage of questions came in for Lugus.

“Grandmaster Raaf needs a boyfriend!”

Yes, that topic came up yet again. Most of the Jedi had no attachments but for some reason everyone wanted to partner her with someone.

She was tempted to allow this to continue – but the Younglings were late for a lesson and she had made time for Lugus. “OK, you, you and you,” she pointed to three Younglings. “Meditation class. And the rest of you should be discussing what it means to be a Padawan as opposed to a Youngling.” She clapped her hands good-naturedly.

Once they’d gone, she smiled at Lugus. “If you give them an inch, they’ll take a mile – but sometimes it’s good to share your time. It’s the most precious commodity we have and so to gift it to the young is important.”

“So, walk with me to the Meditation Pavilion, Master Porkins. It’s an enjoyable stroll. Now…how have you been since Zeltros?”

[member="Lugus Porkins"]

 

[Lugus Porkins]

Lugus smiled watching them scatter at Corvus' command. The sternness in her voice almost had him heading to class with the padawans. The Calian took a moment give a disapproving shake of his head at Lugus' mention of CPR. Lugus glared at him slightly. His mind flashing back to his own youth for a mere second as he compared the child to a bully from his past. He made a face behind the youngling's back as he finally left. Of course he didn't count CPR despite calling it the kiss of life. He would much rather the woman be conscious through the kiss.

He drew back to Corvus and smiled at Corvus' first statement about the children taking a mile. She was right about that and about time being such a precious commodity. One that he felt he was running out of. Maybe that was because he felt he was getting older and wasn't in the best of health.

"Master Porkins... It's the robes isn't it?" He shook his head lightly. "I've been well, Grandmaster Corvus. Very well."

"No man stands so tall as when he stoops to help a child," he chuckled lightly. "You have a very cute and lovely bunch of little sithspawn however. I could walk them through how to rebuild an engine for a N-1 Starfighter. GIve them a cultural lesson on Bestine. Noooo, I thought they were going to ask me for dating advice for a second there. The most date I've had with a single woman is three. My only advice would be ask before moving in for a kiss. That way they don't move their head and you slam your face into a door frame."

He paused for a moment walking with her down the path. He then snickered lightly curling his lips into a smile, "So is there a reason they think you need a boyfriend?"

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus looked serious for a moment. “Actually practical tips on flying and repairing starfighters would be most beneficial. I’ll see about getting some lessons set up. You have a way with them and that’s more than half the battle.”

Then she smiled at his story. “Well that’s three more dates than I’ve ever had. And I could see how that would be a problem…” She pushed the flat of her palm against her nose, squashing it flat to her face, her voice now nasally. “And they’re…”

She removed her hand and wrinkled her nose. “Better,” she said. “Someone thinks it’s really funny to give me every lesson on attachments. They speculate about a range of Jedi and as their teacher, obviously me. I take it in good spirits and wonder if some of the Jedi actually put them up to it.”

She shrugged good-naturedly. “So how’s Trix? Are you two getting up to any mischief?”

[member="Lugus Porkins"]

 

[Lugus Porkins]

He thought for a second then nodded, "I would be more than willing to give a class on repair and proper maintenance of ships. Maybe to older padawan than that age. I'll have to do some research on you guys' ship. I don't have much experience with the Jedi Corvette, but it could be great. You might want to sit in on it even... Not that you need to learn that exactly." He gave a quick cough then looked away nonchalantly before giving her a smile.

"Could be holo-toons putting them up to it. If the younglings watch them that is. If not ignore me," Lugus rubbed his nose after watching Corvus bend hers. "Holo-toons teach the kiddos the hero defeats the evil then finds love and lives happily ever after. They could just want you to have happily ever after, Corvus." He grinned then reached his hand out patting her shoulder. "If only it could really work like that."

Lugus looked her stunned at the mischief comment, "Hey! Trix is mischief. I'm the good one!" He took a quick glance at his robes. "Ignore the Jedi impersonation. If anything this is all on you for the... well, you know, on my flight suit. I can't help it I look strapping and rock the jedi look," Lugus grinned again raising his head high. Mainly it was for show. He definitely didn't have an ego.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus smiled. “I can’t say I’ve ever seen a holo-toon.” She racked her brains. “Maybe when I was little…perhaps. Even then I think I was more into just doing stuff. I had a little section of garden that was my own. I grew every type of violet colour flower I could.” She smiled, “Funny how that memory just popped back into my head.”

“Anyway, when I was a Youngling, all I ever did was study and sleep. Actually, that’s all I’ve ever done as a Jedi. I’m afraid popular references pass me by. Holovids, music…” She passed the flat of her hand over the top of her head. “Not even close.”

“And living happily ever after is precisely what I’m doing now. I could not imagine a more perfect life than this. I suspect it’s the same for you. It’s not a job, it’s a calling, a vocation. If I couldn’t use the Force ever again, I’d simply go and work in the library here.”

“And you look good in the robes. As long as you don’t meet any Sith you’ll be fine. Here? You’ll be OK. So…Jedi training, huh?”

[member="Lugus Porkins"]

 

[Lugus Porkins]

"Huh," Lugus smirked. "My sister had this herb garden growing up. I wasn't allowed in it. She said I would kill the plants just by looking at them... I tried to help at least."

He didn't reply about never seeing a holo-toon. His mind could wrap around that idea. All younglings watch toons. At least that what his mind believed. He loved them growing up after all. He didn't comment on how she thought happily ever after was this part of her life. He believed that the story was still at the beginning. This was the part of the holo-toon where the good guys think they have the good life. They don't have the climax yet. The event that makes the heroes go on the quest and gets the vid rolling where they eventually defeat the enemy. Evil was still at large. Love was no where to be found. Not that he was trying to find it if it was. THEN happily ever after. He didn't have the heart to tell her this however he simply smiled. What she said made sense but it also backed up his beginning theory.

"If I couldn't be a pilot anymore..." He took only a short pause, I would want to own a diner or a bakery. Maybe the hybrid mix like the one I worked in on Corellia... I don't know if I could settle though. You can take the pilot out of the Navy but you can never take the Navy out of a pilot."

"And I don't plan to meet a Sith without at least my cockpit between us," Lugus grinned. "I'm not worried about the Jedi however. Despite the guards wondering what the hell I'm doing. A pudgy pilot can't wonder the grounds wearing Jedi robes? I mean as far as the younglings are concerned I'm already a master. It would be nice to learn how to get a soda from the fridge without leaving the sofa, but I'm afraid that lesson would be a lost cause."

"I guess if you still wouldn't mind to show me, I'd like to get a better understanding of this thing," he took the training saber off his belt then held it out to admire it.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

“I liked pretty things. Dad thought I should plant things that were practical, like vegetables or fruit. But I just wanted something appealing to look at.” She shrugged. “Funny how we change.”

“And tasting your risotto, I’d say you’d make a great chef – but then you have the personality to be front of house, so you couldn’t lock yourself away in the kitchen.”

Corvus laughed at the concept of using the Force to get soda. It was against the Code in theory – to use the Force for you own personal gain – but the idea was still comical. Not that she could ever remember sitting on a sofa and drinking soda. Watching a holovid no doubt she mused. How the other half live.

She looked down at the saber in his hands and took a training saber from her own belt. “I can show you some but not all. What I mean is…I’m used to training Jedi how to use this,” she activated it with a snap-hiss. “Through using the Force. In the hands of a Jedi it is a part of them – the crystal, the blade, the Jedi – we are one.”

She turned it off. “The Force allows us to wield it. The blade is weightless but when making contact with another blade, or in moving it around, it still follows the laws of physics up to a degree.”

“What I’m saying is that I don’t know how to teach someone who cannot use the Force and I’ve never trained anyone without referencing it. So I can show you some moves and the standard manoeuvres, but I suspect it will feel very different for you than for me. But at the very least you’ll understand the theory and know how to hold a blade and the correct move to block or attack for example.”

“Is that OK?”

[member="Lugus Porkins"]

 

[Lugus Porkins]

"Your dad sounds like mine. If it weren't for our mom encouraging us to forge out own hopes and dreams, Dad would have made us droid mechanics and engineers."

Lugus grinned at the mention of him being the front of the house rather than locked away, "I would play the head chef. Just checking to make sure all of the other cooks make the food right. Anyone can cook." He said the last sentence like it was obvious. "Any free moment would be making sure every customer felt welcome. There wouldn't be a point of owning something if you weren't ever around to enjoy it."

Lugus grinned wider at her laughter then adopted a small smile as she addressed light saber training. He was so excited he could have been shaking. He listened intently listening closely to her disclaimer about the differences of the force user and those who couldn't use the force. A lot of what she said sounded a lot like the training would be difficult. It wouldn't be the same as if he were a jedi learning to wield it. It would just be mainly how to use a sword.

Lugus grinned again as she asked if it was okay. He spoke softly, "If you could turn me into a saber spinning jedi, you would have to change your title from grand master to miracle worker... That's more than enough. The uh... saber handling course. If it can save me from burning myself and my curtains that would be perfect." He laughed lightly. "I just hope I will be a good student for you. I haven't had a class in a while. If all else fails and you need to give up just say 'Hey Lugus, let's go get ice cream.' I'll forget about training for you."

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus smiled. "Training first, ice-cream second. We have an extensive list of flavours available. Truly awesome.”

“But work first. A Jedi is attuned to the saber, I suspect for you it feels like you’re holding a very small sword in your hands – given the blade is weightless essentially. So, first things first, it’s most commonly held with two hands. It reduces reach but it allows for greater power and control when blades clash.”

“Now we’ll start with the zones. And I’ll take you through the first Form, which all Younglings learn first, so you’re in good company. Most attacks are executed with horizontal swipes, while parries are carried out with vertical blocks meant to push the point of the enemy's blade away, with the exception of a couple which are reversed.”

“So, zone one – the head. A zone one attack consists of a vertical chop at the head, with the goal of vertically bisecting the opponent, and the corresponding parry is a horizontal block.”

“Zone two – the right arm and side. Zone two attacks are horizontal sideswipes, with the corresponding counter being a vertical parry position.”

Throughout Corvus demonstrated a few times slowly, to allow her student to observe and remember.

“Zone three - the left arm and side. The opposite of zone two really. Attacks are much the same as zone 2, albeit the directions are reversed. Assuming a humanoid duelist's left arm was his dominant, any strikes against his weapon arm would correspond with zone three attacks.”

“Zone four is the back, encompasses the entire midsection and torso, but refers specifically to the back. A successful zone four attack is almost always fatal. The classic parry position is a drop parry position with the blade angled downwards behind my back. The classic attack is a variation on zone two and three attacks.”

“Zones five and six are the right and left leg, respectively. Attacks are low sideswipes or slashes, while the corresponding defensive positions are drop parries with the hilt held at the waist.”

"OK, lets go through those together slowly. I’ll attack and you defend, then we change around, OK?”

[member="Lugus Porkins"]

 

[Lugus Porkins]

His head perked up at the mention of an extensive list of flavors. He didn't think the Jedi would have ice cream. He wasn't sure why he assumed that but that was what he assumed. It was still odd in his mind. He originally just planning the phrase to be sort of a save for her should he really try her patience. He had no formal training in any form of sword play. He use to twirl a pipe and pretend as a boy but this mostly involved dangerous wide swings and the pipe leaving his hands after swinging it too hard. He was starting to wonder if actually using the training saber was a good idea. He wasn't an up close and personal kind of guy. He was a coward to tell the truth. He preferred the comfort of his cockpit.

He listened all the same however. Repeating after her as she showed the different guards. His mind repeating it all in his head so that he could remember each of the zones. His hands fidgeted slightly at the thought of putting it all to practice. He wasn't a jedi or a swordsman. He was actually fairly stupid about swords. Especially lightsabers.

She brought him back from his thought as she mentioned begining. Slowly. He liked that. That was best. He tried his best not to have the look of sheer panic on his face as he forced a smile. He mentally told himself to relax then took a step back before finally igniting the blue training blade. His eyes focusing on the light of the blade before turning his attention back to Corvus, "Okay, ready."

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

One by one Corvus cycled through the attacks, lifting an elbow here or dropping a shoulder there. Muscle memory was the same if you were a Jedi or not. After half a dozen rotations she picked up the speed slightly. Once she was confident he'd got the basics right, she switched it around.

"Now the pace is yours, I'll do my best to keep up." She smiled. "But don't rush it, take your time." She kept quiet all the time she was sparring. It was enough to take in without confusing matters.

"Now, tell me how that feels?"

[member="Lugus Porkins"]

 

[Lugus Porkins]

The device wasn't the easiest thing to handle. His eyes took a long blink everytime the sabers made contact. Lugus kept a firm hold on it and blocked how she had showed him watching her movements as well. He admired how she made the motions look so easy, but he guessed after spending her whole life as a Jedi this was probably one of the first things she learned. He felt kind of odd just learning it. Lugus enjoyed the practice going a step further as to try and gauge the timing just right. He would definitely have to practice the motions whenever he got the free time. Not in his loft of course. His furniture and decor have faced enough damage at his untrained hand.

He paused when she did looking at her a little confused. "Oh," he shook his head as if to shake himself out of a trance. His turn on the attack now. He tried to remember exactly how she did it. Lugus took a timid first swing. It wasn't that he thought he would hurt her only that he didn't want to accidentally do it. His eye focused on her smile for a second then went back to the sabers. Ok, Porkchop, man up. Lugus continued picking up the pace finding his rhythm although his footwork and motions were sloppy. He paused when she asked how it felt.

"...Exhilarating? Kinda," he laughed lightly and grinned. "It feels a lot like dancing."

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus smiled. "I'm told it's a lot like dancing. I say that as I...well, you've probably guessed, I don't dance. Not since I was probably three or so. So my memory is a little hazy." She smiled again.

"Now, what's next? Actually a little more of the same, just see how we can speed things up."

Once she was confident that he'd got the measure of it, she decided to mix things up. "Remember how I said each had a number. Now when you attack, I'll call out the number. That way, you'll get familiar with them. Once I'm sure you've got it, I can call out a number and then you perform that attack. And there's a method in my madness, it leads to something, trust me."

[member="Lugus Porkins"]

 

[Lugus Porkins]

He looked at her a little surprised, "You haven't-"


...danced since you were three? He finished the sentence in his thoughts since she continued with the lesson. He couldn't understand how someone hasn't danced. He grew up with it however. His sister had a dream about being a professional dancer and he became her partner when all of the other boys in the class refuse. He grew up dancing and still did it when he was bored and at home.

Calling out numbers and then attacking that. Seemed easy enough. "Wait," he pointed at her pointing out each of the zones. "One. Two- No... Two? Three. Four. Five. Six. Okay, okay, okay." He held the saber up and ready.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus went through the opening routine that was taught to Younglings. Slow and steady she rotated through the numbers. First as a defender and then as the attacker.

"This is how we practice when alone. That sequence? Remember it and you can perform it as attacker or defender at various speeds. And once you're really proficient? Do it in reverse. And learn to do other stuff at the same time. Hold a conversation, sing, listen to the news. Until the moves become so ingrained you don't even have to think about them."

"In truth, that's all you really need to be proficient. All that leaping about isn't necessary. If you can attack and parry, that's all that matters. And - although it will never come to it, parry over a block every time. You can break bones due to the force of an attack if you simply block it."

"So, is there anything in particular you'd like me to show you, or are you ready for an ice-cream?"

[member="Lugus Porkins"]

 

[Lugus Porkins]

He had to think about it unlike Corvus. She had no trouble talking during the exersize where he only half heard her because he was trying his best to focus and not mess up. He wondered if she was so proficient with lightsaber dueling that she would talk the ears off of her opponents. That would be as sight. She was a talkative woman. He wouldn't have put it past her. He curled his lips at the thought of a sith getting mad and walking off because she wouldn't shut it long enough for them to focus. It was a silly thought. Lugus definitely planned to train on his own when he got the time.

When done, he whiped his brow and was left breathing a little heavier than before. Ice cream sounded great. He was about to answer her when his stomach gave an even louder answer. Thinking about it now he didn't remember even having breakfast. Maybe she hadn't either? He smiled sheepishly.

"Have you had breakfast yet? That might be better than ice cream... Healthier at least." He smiled widely. "We can have whatever you'd like. I can even teach you how to make it."

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

“And don’t be put off if all this seems easy to me. I have the Force to help me and also a couple of decades of practice. I learned those exercises when I was four. Which gives you an idea of my age.” She smiled – vanity was not in her make-up.

“And all that yapping? It helps to train and talk at the same time, but there is a practical application. Dun Möch is a Sith technique. To distract and bad mouth you so your connection to the Force is weakened. But Jedi can use a reverse technique.” She smiled. “I remember lecturing an Acolyte on Manaan on her views on the Sith and how they were opposed to Darth Bane. I met her again on Kashyyyk and once more gave her the benefit of my superior knowledge over the Sith teachings over the millennia. Planting that seed of doubt is all that’s required. The brain makes it blossom.”

“But hopefully you’ll not face a Sith Lord in combat – at least not face to face. And yes, I have breakfast early. I run before dawn, meditate and then shower before having a hot oat cereal. I’ve already taken a lesson today. So what we eat is up to you – and you can have free reign in the kitchen. It’s one of the perks of the job, they tend to let me do what I want.”

She clipped her saber to her belt and put her cloak back on. “OK, let me show you where the kitchens are.”

[member="Lugus Porkins"]