Private Sparks and Shadows

[Valery Noble]

Weapons: Lightsabers

The training chamber hummed with a sense of stillness, broken only by the soft thrum of energy fields and the gentle sound of Valery's boots as she moved to the center of the room. With a flick of her wrist, the lights dimmed slightly, casting a more intimate glow over the space. She turned, the smile on her lips mischievous, and unclipped her lightsaber from her belt.

"So, King Organa…" Valery began, her tone light and teasing as she activated the weapon with a snap-hiss. The brilliant violet blade extended with a steady hum, illuminating her features with a soft, warm light. "Ready for another session?"

She took a few fluid steps back, each movement radiating the kind of graceful confidence that came from years of training. The blade twirled once in her hand before she shifted into a relaxed but balanced stance, her eyes never leaving Alicio's. "I thought I'd go easy on you at first," she continued with a smirk, "But where's the fun in that?"

He had come a long way, but she still liked to poke a bit of fun.

Her gaze sparkled with a challenge as she beckoned him forward with a small motion of her fingers. "Let's see what you got before I cover one of my favorite tricks with you." He had expressed his interest in learning how to phase — an ability quiet fitting for him and his more mysterious nature. But it was no easy skill to learn, and she was perhaps the only one who utilized it in combat.

If he wanted to learn, she was going to test him first.

"Come on, Alicio. Show me what you've got," she taunted softly, the blade of her saber humming expectantly in the quiet space.

Alicio Organa ​

 

[Alicio Organa]

"I've been looking forward to this for a long time." A smile could be heard in the tone of Alicio's voice. "And don't you dare call me King Organa again. I get enough of that at home."

It had been a long time since he'd sparred with Valery. One of their first meetings, in fact. He'd recieved some training from her since, had even assisted her with a few missions, but the only time they'd truly crossed blades was their first lesson. Back then, he'd been an socially-distant, overworked public servant, awkward and with limited physical experience. Now?

Well, he was eager to show Valery his progress.

"I thought I'd go easy on you at first. But where's the fun in that?"

"Funny. I was going to say the same thing to you."

After lovingly folding his cloak, and placing it to the side, Alicio stretched his arms over his head, feeling a pop between his shoulderblades. He wore simple, breathable blacks, athletic pants and a long-sleeved shirt that didn't hug his form too tightly. His lightsaber found his grip, held loosely in his palm.

"En garde, Master Noble." Introspect rushed to life in his hand, growling deeper than a blade of it's size should. He executed a polite Makashi salute, one hand naturally tucking behind the small of his back. Intense grey eyes, reflecting the blue and black of his saber, searched untold futures.

"Let's dance."

In their first duel, Alicio had difficulty taking the initiative. Not anymore, as the king of Alderaan flashed forward in a few steps, his thin blade lunging in for a viper-quick stab at center mass.

- Valery Noble -

 

[Valery Noble]

Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's grin deepened at Alicio's response, and she let out a soft laugh. "Oh? You were going to go easy on me?" she asked, arching an eyebrow as she stepped forward, the violet glow of her blade illuminating the mischievous glint in her eyes. "That's cute, Alicio. But if you hold back and I notice, I'm going to punish you for it."

She twirled her lightsaber in a loose flourish, her posture relaxed but with the unmistakable poise of a warrior ready to strike at a moment's notice. "And hey — what's wrong with King Organa? I thought it had a nice ring to it," she teased lightly, her smile softening just a touch before she fell back into her stance. As he offered his Makashi salute, she dipped her head in return, mirroring his gesture with an elegant sweep of her blade.

An important sign of respect before battle.

When he lunged forward, she stood her ground, letting him close the distance. With a sudden burst of movement, she parried his strike, their blades crackling as they collided. She allowed the energy of the moment to build, feeling his determination and confidence radiating through the Force. The boy who once struggled to hold a saber steady now faced her with a poise that impressed her.

"Not bad, Your Highness," she quipped with a cheeky grin, unable to resist one last bit of teasing. Then, with a fluid motion, she spun away from him, her feet barely seeming to touch the ground as she danced back. "But if you think that's enough to keep up with me, you'll have to do a lot more than that."

In a blur of motion, Valery launched herself forward, her strikes coming in a quick flurry of feints and rapid jabs designed to test his reflexes. He matched her move for move, their blades weaving intricate patterns of light and shadow across the training room.

Alicio Organa ​

 

[Alicio Organa]

"Well, we teach on Alderaan to be kind to our elderly." He smirked, matching Valery's energy. "I appreciate ever so much having a venerable thousand year old Jedi Master to spar with."

He was playing a dangerous game, he knew. Val could hit harder than him, and likely had more than enough verbal ammunition on the nobleman to fire back. He could only hope the duel started too soon for her to retaliate in full.

He didn't comment on why his title left a sour taste in his mouth- he imagined Val could guess herself. Instead, he simply saluted, accepted the Jedi Master's salute in return, and began to spar.

As was expected, Alicio's opening shot was deflected. He didn't bother to chase as Valery pivoted back to speak, though his mouth did tick up into an easy grin.

"But if you think that's enough to keep up with me, you'll have to do a lot more than that."

Alicio responded by shifting his feet, ever so slightly. Let me show you how much I can do, his body language said.

Valery's response was a series of quick attacks, probing at the edges of his defenses. Indeed, with the Future as his constant companion, Alicio's greatest advantage in a duel was reaction. Most of her strikes, he caught and redirected with Introspect, blue and purple writing their conflicting calligraphy in the dark around the combatants. But others, he parted around, like water. He took tiny steps to the side, or back, ensuring her stabs and jabs became near misses. He'd turn his shoulder just a little to the right to avoid a chop across his body. He reacted just enough to her feints, to ensure they remained feints, but not once did he fall for one.

Of course, he wasn't perfect. He was able to hold his ground while she tested him, but if she started to really push, he knew his defense would begin to bend. But every once in a while, he'd spin to the side, or duck low, and send a retaliatory jab or slash back at the Jedi Master, trying to catch her by surprise. Find that chink in her armor.

If there even was one.

- Valery Noble -

 

[Valery Noble]

Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's eyes narrowed as she paused, her grin shifting into a look of mock offense. "Kind to your elderly, huh?" she repeated slowly, letting each word roll off her tongue with a dangerous sweetness. Her saber hummed in the silence that followed, casting an ethereal glow across her face. "And calling me a thousand years old on top of that?" She clicked her tongue and shook her head. "You've got some nerve, King Organa."

For a moment, she just held his gaze, the tension between them thickening. But then, with a sudden, almost feral grin, she added, "You're in big trouble now,"

Without warning, she exploded forward, her speed and precision increasing tenfold. Each strike came in swift, unpredictable arcs — not just testing his reflexes, but actively seeking to overwhelm them. Her blade blurred with each slash and thrust, moving so quickly that it left trails of violet light in its wake.

Despite the intensity of her strikes, there was a light in her eyes — a mix of pride and fierce joy. Watching him weave through her attacks, evading and countering with his own swift jabs and slashes, filled her with a sense of satisfaction. He had come a long way, and every skillful parry or graceful sidestep only encouraged her to push him harder.

This wasn't about winning, after all. It was about pushing each other.

"Come on, Alicio," she urged, her movements fluid as she tried to press him back, step by step. "Show me just how far you've come. No holding back." She ducked low, sweeping out a leg to test his footing before she sprang up with a swift, Force-enhanced kick aimed to knock him off balance.

Alicio Organa ​

 

[Alicio Organa]

Yep. He was in for it now.

Slowly but surely, Alicio was forced to give ground. His defensive style was more fluid than solid- he wasn't one to stay in one place and hold a position. He could see the unpredictable cadence of her attacks with pinpoint accuracy, but couldn't match the Grandmaster's speed or ferocity. He was forced into a gradual retreat, leading the Jedi around the room in a slow, lazy circle.

"Show me just how far you've come. No holding back."

"Mm," he affirmed, concentrating a bit too much for a thoughtful retort.

Suddenly, shock flashed in his eyes. Something in the immediate future had apparently caught the king off-guard.

Valery pulled her maneuver, sweeping low, then kicking high. Alicio was able to step back, and raise his foot enough for her leg to pass under him, but he wasn't fast enough to avoid her springing kick. He managed to get a forearm in front of the strike, but the force of it made him stumble back onto his newly-raised foot, and knocked his lightsaber from his right hand...

And into his awaiting left, which happened to be exactly where the hilt of his blade flew to. With speed assisted by his own skill in the Force, Introspect swung low, attempting to catch a landing Valery off-guard with the switch-up.

- Valery Noble -

 

[Valery Noble]

Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery landed gracefully from her kick, but the sharp flicker of Alicio's lightsaber-switching hands caught her off guard for just a split second. Her eyes widened in surprise, the brief flash of shock mirrored in the Force as she sensed his next move. His blade swung low, trying to catch her as she made her landing, and clipped the armored boot of her left foot, as Valery tried to shift her body away.

The force of the blow was minimal, but enough to throw her off balance, her foot slipping on the smooth surface. With the precision of a seasoned warrior, she turned her fall into a controlled roll over her shoulder, using the momentum to push herself back onto her feet.

She wasted no second before she retaliated, not wanting him to take over the offensive.

Valery's arm extended rapidly, and a surge of Force power rippled towards him, its strength enough to throw most people off their feet. This was a spar to test each other, so she couldn't hold back too much, even against her dear friend. She wanted to see if he could shield himself, or else he'd have to suffer the consequences.

By being sent flying through the training room.

Alicio Organa ​

 

[Alicio Organa]

Ah, sweet victory.

The slightest touch of a lightsaber on Valery's boot was all the confirmation Alicio needed that he'd improved. He doubted he'd ever be strong enough to genuinely challenge the Sword of the Jedi, surviving like he had thus far was difficult enough, but getting a hit on her, however minor, was a genuine, heart-warming success.

Of course, he tried to capitalize, shifting his weight to begin pursuit, before suddenly shifting back, one hand held wardingly in front of him. "Oh no," he managed, before feeling the Force gather around Valery. There was no dodging this.

Pushing back against Valery was a fool's errand. He managed to soften the swelling energy, but was still lifted off his feet, and sent careening back head over heels. Twisting midair, Alicio got his feet between himself and the wall he would've smacked into. He hit it hard, kneeling against the force of Val's Force, before falling to the floor, the wind knocked out of him.

But then, a moment later, he rose with a handspring, leaning his neck to the side as if to crack it. "Okay. So when you said no holding back... you meant it."

Not one to give up after a single tumble, Alicio darted towards the Jedi Master again, leaping into the air himself, corkscrewing into an aerial jab with his blade. It was flashy, a visual spectacle, very not the Organa's style...

But the sneakily hidden clawing motion he'd performed while spinning, attempting to nudge Valery's foot just a little to the right to upset her posture before his strike? Very Alicio.

- Valery Noble -

 

[Valery Noble]

Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's eyes twinkled with pride as Alicio rose back up after being sent flying across the room. His resilience, paired with that acrobatic recovery, impressed her, but she couldn't let that show too much. She smirked, standing poised and ready, her lightsaber humming quietly at her side.

"Of course I meant it," she called back, her voice teasing but firm. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you, either."

As Alicio darted toward her, Valery sensed his aerial approach and braced herself, watching the spinning blade, the twirl executed with flair. It was flashy, which wasn't usually his style, but something felt off. Then, in the midst of his graceful maneuver, she caught the subtle nudge of the Force tugging at her foot — a small but potentially dangerous attempt to upset her balance.

Clever.

Valery's foot slid ever so slightly from the nudge, but she quickly shifted her weight, anchoring herself to the ground with the Force, ensuring her stance remained firm. Instead of moving to block the obvious strike, she pivoted at the last second, allowing his aerial jab to just barely miss her shoulder.

In that same motion, Valery retaliated with a high kick, attempting to catch Alicio in mid-air and really knock the wind from his lungs with a more physical attack.

Alicio Organa ​

 

[Alicio Organa]

His jab just barely missed the Jedi Master, but Alicio didn't allow himself to stew on it for long. If he did, he'd get a foot in his stomach.

His clawing motion continued as he spun through his near-miss, using the Force to pull himself to the ground as Valery went up. Her kick hit empty air, as Alicio hit the floor with a grunt of pain, rolling underneath her leg. He came to a knee, blade swinging out to keep his balance. Legs burning with the effort, the king sprang from the kneeling position, Introspect growling in low tones.

This time, Alicio tried to stay on the offensive, banking on his roll putting the Master on the back foot. He pressed the attack, his footwork invading Val's space, his thin, maneuverable blade trying to find some leverage, some purchase on her ironclad defense, for him to sneak a hit through. He didn't fight fast- this was no flurry of blows- but using his Future sight, he tried to find awkward angles for Valery to block, stood where the Master would have trouble swinging with any strength, and tried his best to break her stance with his own.

So many unpredictable things could happen, in extreme quarters like this. And since Alicio could near-perfectly predict the immediate future... well, it was his specialty. It wouldn't take Valery long to realize this, of course. The question was if, or when, she'd put a stop to it.

Alicio let loose a quick puff of air. He wasn't moving slower yet, but signs of fatigue were beginning to show.

- Valery Noble -

 

[Valery Noble]

Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery felt Alicio's assault intensify, each of his strikes growing more strategic as his blade probed her defenses from unexpected angles. His precision, combined with his ability to glimpse the immediate future, made it increasingly difficult to anticipate his next move. As his blade grazed her side, she winced slightly but remained composed.

Impressive, she thought, noting the subtle signs of his fatigue beginning to creep in. But he wasn't letting up, and Valery knew it was time to shift the momentum.

With her stance momentarily weakened by his relentless offense, Valery tapped deeper into the Force. Just as Alicio pressed closer, intent on breaking her defense, Valery allowed her connection to the Force to fully flow through her. In an instant, her form shimmered, becoming semi-translucent. His next strike would have landed squarely, but his blade sliced through nothing but air. Valery had phased through him, moving like a ghost as she passed right through his body.

Hoping she could throw him off-balance and catch him before he could recover, Valery materialized behind him, her lightsaber sweeping with practiced precision toward his back. The sudden shift in their positions was meant to disorient him, taking advantage of the brief moment where his future sight might falter.

Battle precognition was a familiar and useful skill, but she hoped to trick it.

Alicio Organa ​

 

[Alicio Organa]

Alicio felt the tide of the battle slowly shifting in his favor. Certainly not a feeling he expected to have this duel.

Slowly but surely, he felt his attacks beginning to leak through the Jedi Master's defenses. It started small, with an ill-timed block or a slight pivot in his favor... but all those little advantages added up, culminating into a hit. It barely touched her, far from full victory, but in Alicio's mind, he may as well have won twice over, now. And he saw the road ahead to make it thrice.

He saw a future where her defenses were wrenched wide open. So he took it, twirling Introspect around Valery's lightsaber, tapping it away at an odd angle, before going in for a slash across her undefended form.

He was taken entirely by surprise when his blade passed right through her. He blinked away the Future he'd been chasing, realizing he'd tunneled in on what he wanted to happen, and disregarded what would.

And then Valery Noble bisected him.

Or at least, she would have, if they hadn't been training.

The king felt a burning sensation across his back, sucking in air through his teeth at the pain. Then, he let out a half-annoyed, half-amused huff, disengaging his blade. "Y'know, I really should've seen that coming. I practically asked for it." He spun to face Val, a question in his eyes.

"So? How'd I do?"

- Valery Noble -

 

[Valery Noble]

Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's lips curved into a proud, genuine smile as she studied Alicio, his determination evident despite the lingering sensation from the hit. She deactivated her lightsaber, letting the silence settle as she collected her thoughts.

"You did incredibly well," she said warmly, her voice carrying a mixture of admiration and encouragement. "Your instinct to read my defenses and adapt was impressive. It's clear you've come a long way."

After a brief pause, she chuckled softly, her expression softening further. "I had to use a trick to catch you off guard, and even then, you adjusted quickly." She could sense his fatigue, but his resilience and focus were qualities she respected. "You're much stronger than when we first met, and you're only going to surprise yourself more as you keep pushing." Though with his new position as Chancellor, she expected him to be quite busy.

She hoped he'd still have the time to practice.

She offered a supportive nod and then extended a hand, meeting his gaze. "We should do this more often. I know we both have busy lives, but being fit keeps the mind sharp."

Alicio Organa ​

 

[Alicio Organa]

"You're much stronger than when we first met, and you're only going to surprise yourself more as you keep pushing."

"Well... When we first met, I'd barely held a saber. I'd certainly hoped I would've improved since then." Alicio sent Valery a teasing smile, breathing deeply to regulate the heavy staccato of his heartbeat. Despite the joking tone of his words, however... there was some genuine pride, there. Val's praise did mean a great deal to him. "Thank you."

Valery then offered they spar more often. Alicio let his lip screw to the side. "You know I would appreciate that. But us having 'busy lives' is an understatement. And I fear they'll only get busier, as time goes on." He didn't need to use his future sight to see that on the horizon.

"Now, you seemed to have gotten the upper hand on me with that phasing trick of yours... It's only fair you show me how to do it." The King smirked. "If you think I'm ready."

- Valery Noble -

 

[Valery Noble]

Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery chuckled at his request, though there was a touch of genuine pride in her gaze. "Oh, so you want to learn my secrets now?" she teased, crossing her arms with an amused spark in her eyes. "I can't say I'm surprised. You've always been one to seek knowledge, even in areas that might seem... unconventional for a Chancellor." Her tone was light, but the respect in her voice was unmistakable. She appreciated his drive to learn, to improve, even when his responsibilities were already heavy.

But then her expression softened, a thoughtful look crossing her face. "Phasing is... well, it's a skill that requires a very strong connection to the Force and a deep sense of focus. It's about letting go, almost entirely, and trusting the Force to guide you through those brief moments of intangibility. It's a difficult technique, even for experienced Jedi."

She studied him for a moment, the calculating look of a teacher assessing her student. "I do believe you're ready to learn it, but it'll take time and patience. And I'm not letting you try phasing in a sparring match — at least, not until you're comfortable with it."

Valery paused and chuckled, "As I'm sure you can imagine, there are risks with using it. And before my body becomes part of those risks, let's try some easier applications first, hm?"

Alicio Organa ​

 

[Alicio Organa]

Alicio's good mood became a bit... strained, as Val brought up his new appointment. His shoulders sagged ever so slightly, his brow ticking down. He'd barely had a moment of rest since becoming Chancellor. And now that he was finally using a sliver of time to focus on himself, and his skills... he couldn't help but wonder if there was something more productive he could be doing instead.

Val's explanation of phasing didn't help matters. Alicio crossed his arms, a storm of thoughts stewing behind rainy-sky eyes. "I have a... tenuous history with trusting the Force." It had always been a weakness of his. His lack of faith in the Force was his main theological difference from the Jedi. In his past, it had spawned his unhealthy need to get stronger, which had taken a dark, cold turn. How would he overcome it?

"I can't promise time... but patience, I have in spades." He tried on a little confidence, stepping up to Valery's challenge.

"What do you have in mind?"

- Valery Noble -

 

[Valery Noble]

Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery observed Alicio closely, her expression softening as she noted the subtle weight in his posture. His admission about struggling to trust the Force resonated with her, and for a moment, her usual playful demeanor gave way to something more grounded.

"I understand," she said, her voice gentler now. "Trusting the Force isn't easy, especially when you've had to rely so much on yourself. But that's exactly why phasing can help — it teaches you to surrender, even just for a moment."

Valery paused, offering him an encouraging smile. "Let's start simple. We'll focus on small, controlled exercises. Nothing too ambitious yet, just enough to give you a feel for the technique. I'll guide you every step of the way." She gestured for him to take a position in front of her and drew in a deep breath.

To practice, they needed to calm down from their sparring high.

"Let's begin with a focus on the Force — on the bonds that we have to our surroundings. To phase, those must briefly be severed, but you can't allow yourself to slip too far into the Force either. It's a careful balance you can only get right if you focus on the first step."

Alicio Organa ​

 

[Alicio Organa]

It was the first time he was trying to learn an ability that ran antithetical to his nature. Everything else he did, keeping an eye on the Future, healing grievous injuries, moving things... he powered it with his mistrust of the Force, his desire to change what would be. To never surrender. Giving up that control that he'd always tried to reach for... it wouldn't be easy.

So he would just have to fail, and learn, and fail less the next time.

Alicio nodded slowly, finding some resolve as he stepped in front of Val. Then, he closed his eyes.

Meditation came easier to Alicio the older he got, but he was still slow to fall into it. Always, his mind was racing- he never truly knew peace and quiet. It took him a minute or two to stop chasing every single distracting thought, and instead let them flow down the stream.

But once he was finally able to release his vice grip on his own head, he found it easy to extend his senses to the area around him. His perception enveloped the space, and he tasted how the Force moved around them. Like a great ocean.

"I'm ready," he finally said, eyelids still softly shut.

- Valery Noble -