Ryn'Dhal vs Marcus Undal

[Marcus Undal]

The sparring arena was once again empty on the quite beautiful planet of Voss. Padawan's were known to train here almost daily, but today was a relaxation day for many of them. Marcus however could never relax, instead focusing on strengthening his abilities and training his saberplay daily. It was almost ritualistic for the Korun to train like this, using his failures as a way to strengthen his over all resolve. Whatever the outcome of today would be, he would use it to strengthen himself.

The weather on Voss always seemed nice, with gentle rolling winds and warm temperatures. Marcus assumed that any Sith that found themselves on the planet would probably melt like a wicked witch, burned from the lack of death and constant dread that usually surrounded Sith planets. His robe flapping in the nice breezes, Marcus stood near a dummy with a datapad in hand. He had been deep in training, waiting for his dueling partner to arrive, when he got the notion to do a little research on his incoming co-Padawan.

Usually, Marcus would have the datapad read to him the biographical knowledge of the species he was up against. It gave him information on his opponent and also gave him necessary information on how not to insult them. He was doing fine until he read that the species Ryn'Dhal was could apparently turn into a feline-type beast. Assuming the datapad had somehow malfunctioned, Marcus was surprised to see that it indeed had not.

Haruun Kal has some odd beasts and even people, but Marcus was quickly learning the galaxy was filled with people of all sorts and shapes. His dueling partner that would be joining him soon was not different, and Marcus eagerly awaited him. Dueling a Felacatian was exciting, and Marcus could not honestly wait.

 

[Ryn'Dhal]

The masked padawan made his way through the gardens, having spent a vast majority of the day in quite reflection, meditating on the Force, lost in its ebbs and flows. He seemed to float with each step, his load lightened by his attunement with the Force. Golden eyes were half-lidded, his perception of the world around him funneled through the lidless eye of the Force, as he drifted through the gentle rolling terrain that made much of the area around the academy.

In due time, he'd find himself drifting into the sparring area of the training grounds. He'd vaguely recall a duel scheduled for this day, which is likely why the Force had guided him to this spot. Breathing an audible sigh of contentment behind his mask, the shrouded padawan would visually look amiss here at the academy. He held an appearance not dissimilar from what one would expect a Sith Lord to typically shroud themselves in. But, his Force signature made his nature unmistakable. A deep bow was given after a moments appraisal of the fellow padawan he was to be sparring with this day.

"Padawan [member="Marcus Undal"], I presume?" A soft, melodic tone came out, bearing a faint, almost unnoticeable distortion because of his mask. "I am Padawan Ryn'Dhal." He would approach closer to his fellow padawan, extending a gloved hand in a more personal greeting. Certainly, they were soon to clash blades, but that did not remove the necessity of manners.

Spoiler

His mask and hood, his feline features and anything readily designating him as anything outside your standard humanoid is hidden from view.

 

[Marcus Undal]

Masks bothered Marcus. They were used by many to deceive and trick those unable to see. Enemies from his home used them to cloak themselves in the darkness, while others used them for purposes of terror and fear. Still, the fellow Padawan bowed the same and was extending a greeting. Marcus nodded in reply to his question, shaking the fellow Jedi's hand.

"It is a pleasure to finally meet you." The handshake was firm and strong from both, and no ill will was shown at the time. Marcus returned to his spot and drew his hilt from his belt. His fingers fitting over the cold hilt, Marcus took a deep breath. Battling was a difficult thing for Marcus, as it was very emotional. He was attempting to assuage this with constant training.

Flicking the saber on, the crimson blade came screaming out of his home. Though crimson was an odd color for a lightsaber, Marcus loved it. Red was a passionate color to him, and was revered on his home planet as a color of those seeking ultimate peace through battle. Twirling the saber in his hand, Marcus nodded towards the Padawan. "Any questions before we begin?" the Korun asked matter-of-factly.

[member="Ryn'Dhal"]

 

[Ryn'Dhal]

Ryn'Dhal smiled behind his mask, sensing the apprehension from his fellow padawan. After seeing the crimson blade project, he'd tilt his head, not accustomed to seeing such a blade not in the hands of a Sith. At the query about questions, Ryn nodded. "I pray you'll permit me to get more comfortable, as this is a friendly spar, rather than a death-battle." That melodic voice floated about, soft as pillows to ones ears. He'd nod when [member="Marcus Undal"] would agree to it.

It took only a few moments, removing the cloak and mask, setting them aside on one of the benches that littered the area outside the dueling ring. While doing so, his tail would uncurl from about his waist, flexing and stretching slightly, before lowering into a lazy sway, the tip of which flicking side to side idly. Turning his attention back to the ring, his feline features would shift into a playful smile, ears perked up towards Marcus. "I feel a bland ring would do us a disservice, as we will rarely ever find ourselves in any real altercations in a perfectly flat, clear area. Would you object to me adding some 'obstacles' for us to play off of?" If Marcus would agree, Ryn would make a few gestures, willing the Force to well within him, through his being, and down the length of his outstretched arms. Using the Force to gently grasp and lift two or three unoccupied stone benches, Ryn would position them about their sparing ring. Though if Marcus would decline the idea, Ryn would instead head into the ring to take up his position.

Moving into place opposite Marcus, Ryn would tug slightly at one arm-hole of his sleeveless tunic, as if attempting to cover his terrible scars poking out from beneath. A flick of his wrist, and one of his twin sabers, Order, would drift from his right hip, into his waiting right hand. The easily recognizable snap-hiss of a saber igniting was heard, as a silver blade sprang to life. A simple flourish, and a cursory glance at the emitter strength, Ryn would speak once more. "Just making sure my setting is set to its lowest. Stings are one thing... But I've no intention of scarring or maiming a friend this day."

Having done so, he'd drop into what could be potentially recognized as a slight variance of the Soresu form. "I am ready when you are, my friend."

 

[Marcus Undal]

Watching the young Padawan become more comfortable relaxed Marcus. Him taking off his mask made Marcus feel a lot better, as masks were something of an enigma to him. Patiently waiting as the Padawan readied himself, Marcus stood still, carefully dissecting his appearance. He had never seen Ryn's species before, but that was to be expected, as Korun are the only humanoids on Haruun Kal. The feline features were different, but even still, Marcus was more fascinated then disgusted. At the idea of changing the arena, Marcus only nodded and grinned. Changing the scenery was a valid idea and a good one at that.

Once the silvery blade sprang from Ryn's hilt, Marcus whole demeanor changed. This may of been a training duel, but even still, combat was revered by Korun. The fires of fighting could make the hardest steel in Marcus' eyes. Commenting quickly, Marcus replied to Ryn with a soft velvet to his voice. "I appreciate your vigilance. I am no good to the order with my limbs missing." It was a quip and Marcus made sure to smile briefly. Returning to his seriousness, Marcus analysed Ryn's posture and stance. It was not traditional, that was for sure, but did seem recognizable.

Holding his saber in an outstretched variant of Djem So, Marcus stalked the feline, strafing around him. Both were obvious defensive, neither having moved forward to strike. Would this be a more elegant saber duel with both of them only striking when absolutely necessary? It definitely seemed that way from the beginning. Djem So was a combat form that praised perseverance and counter-attacks. How could one do well with that against a Soresu practitioner? Closing the distance between them, Marcus narrowed his eyes, his saber still lifted high in stance.

Once close enough, Marcus immediately took a step forward and swung his blade low. It was a quick slash forward, and was not intended to actually hit Ryn at all. Marcus knew that Ryn's form was just as defensive as his. If this fight was going to progress, Marcus had to try his best to goad Ryn forward. The quick slash would be retracted if deflected, and Marcus would make sure to counter anything quickly.

[member="Ryn'Dhal"]

 

[Ryn'Dhal]

Ryn couldn't help but smirk, watching his opponent taking a defensive stance of his own. Djem So. He'd wait as Marcus stalked closer. Then, as he came in, Ryn's saber sprang to life in his hands, cutting an arc swiftly through the air, intercepting the scarlet beam with one of purifying silver. As soon as Marcus retracted, preparing for a counter attack, Ryn'Dhal lashed out with a sudden flurry of blows.

His second saber would jump into his free hand after that initial deflection, as Ryn'Dhal used the distraction of his Soresu form to disguise his transfer into Ataru. He'd follow the motion of the deflection, turning back momentarily towards Marcus, but the moment, the opening, passed in the time it took Marcus to take his step back from his initial strike. Continuing the rotation, he made a low sweep towards the legs with his second saber, Balance, followed immediately by a abdominal sweep by Order. Both sabers being drawn from Marcus' left, across towards his right side, using the momentum of his swings to spin into an acrobatic spiraling flip away onto one of the benches a few paces away.

Flashing a fangy grin, Ryn'Dhal couldn't quell a warm, almost musical laugh from escaping. "It is said, in some cultures, you cannot truly know a person, until you have fought them. My friend, my hope is we shall become excellent friends by the end of this!" He'd declare, grin still prominent on feline features. Now that he'd taken on a more aggressive, though still properly defensible, form, their spar would take a far different route than what seemed likely to occur from the onset.

[member="Marcus Undal"]

 

[Marcus Undal]

How could Marcus be so stupid? Assuming that Ryn only knew one form? The sudden change from Soresu to Ataru was completely unexpected, and caused Marcus to change from attempting counter attacks to defending himself from the flurry of attacks. Sabers crossed continually, with Marcus barely able to deflect the wide attacks. Trying to stand his ground against the attacks, Marcus was barely able to move away from the last set of strikes, one of them narrowly slashing against his leg. Had the sabers been set to their original strength, he would have a pretty bad slice against his leg. Watching Ryn flip away with a flourish, Marcus could barely contain his emotions.

Twirling his saber and shaking away the pain in his leg, Marcus replied to the laughing feline quickly. "If that saying is true, then we shall become like brothers by the end of this!" Marcus knew that attacking Ryn would be difficult, as the Ataru style paired with Soresu made for a great amount of defense and flexibility in combat. If Marcus was going to do anything, he would need to step up his game. Immersing himself in the Force and tapping into its stream of unlimited power, Marcus dashed towards Ryn quickly, the Force augmenting his speed to incredible amounts. Bolting forward with the ferocity of a lion, Marcus would attempt another wild strike towards Ryn, even with him elevated on the bench.

The attack however is a feint. Marcus, still immersed in the Force, would wait for Ryn to deflect. Should the feline attempt to strike the blade, Marcus would connect their blades but only halfheartedly. Instead of pushing Ryn's saber completely, Marcus would dash to the left, effectively flanking the feline. Once dashed, Marcus would throw out his free hand, sending a powerful force push out. This push was not aimed at Ryn however, but at the bench below him. Attempting to throw Ryn off balance, the push would be precise, only hoping to throw it and not Ryn.

[member="Ryn'Dhal"]

 

[Ryn'Dhal]

The grin faltered with the movement of his perch. Solid ground is not something that should move beneath you. But, the bench was not 'solid ground', solid as it may have been. His naturally incredible balance and agility would have made keeping atop the perch relatively easy, but that wouldn't have been fun, now would it? So, as it slid, Ryn made a prat-fall. Blades deactivating as arms pinwheeled momentarily in the air as he began to fall forwards.

But, it was all a ruse. As he neared the ground, he tucked seamlessly into a roll, starting with the back of his neck, his shoulders, and then his back. In turn, feet came to contact on the ground, and in one fluid motion he burst into the air from the ground. Twin sabers ignited once again as he soared over Marcus' head, both blades working to keep the other padawan from taking advantage of his secure positioning against Ryn's precarious own. Ryn's advantage lay in his ability to remain mobile right now, and also in keeping Marcus at a distance.

Passing over Marcus, Ryn would quickly plant a foot upon the second bench, using it as a launch pad to propel himself directly at his opponent. A small flurry of strikes, testing Marcus' defences. A swipe from his right saber towards Marcus' left ankle, followed by a strike from his left saber, up high coming down towards Marcus' right shoulder. Knowing well that the wild vertical strike would be easily parried and potentially countered, Ryn's right-hand saber would be brought in close, preparing for the likely counter, hopefully predicting his opponent properly.

[member="Marcus Undal"]