Private The Arena

[Seo Linn]

Seo Linn was an unconventional Jedi in a few aspects. For the most part, she traveled through the Galaxy and listened to the Force. She allowed it to guide her; sometimes, it brought her back to a Jedi world. Sometimes, this meant she would be sent on a mission; at other times, there might be a training class. Only time would tell why she was here today.

Walking through the dusty streets, she followed them until she stood outside the Jedi Temple. Temples appeared increasingly on worlds, and she smiled as she entered the building.

It was a well-maintained building, clean, tidy, and not very busy—just the kind of place she enjoyed being. In the distance, she could hear the quiet conversations of students and masters, classes being given, and instructions being handed out. Reaching out with the Force, she felt the subtle sensation of it guiding her steps.

Passing open door after door, she suddenly realized she was heading toward sparring rings where lightsaber training was being taught. Gently caressing the gold hilt on her belt, she could barely remember getting hers. Maybe someday she would have to retrace her steps and take a Padawan to get theirs. Then again, perhaps the Knight would never find a Padawan.

Gaining a small spring, she silently walked into the observation area. One could look out over the sparring area and the various students or classes happening here. Perhaps there might even be competitions, but that wasn't happening today. Right now, there were a few different classes, with students of varying skill levels separated from each other.

A smaller and more advanced class was going on in one of the rings, and she focused on that group for several minutes. They were all well-trained and confident in their movements. Their ages ranged from young adults to middle-aged. Feeling she could do with a brush up on her lightsaber ability, she decided to see if she could join them. If nothing else, she would still be able to watch the class if they didn't allow her to join. Being a Jedi, though, she figured they would.

As she joined the class, the instructor lifted an eyebrow but didn't miss a beat in what she talked about. When people were pairing off to practice together, Seo turned to the man beside her. Giving him a once over, she held her hand out to shake.

"I'm Seo Linn."

They were of the same height and weight. His hair was dark, and his eyes an interesting hue of amber. Taking a guess, she also thought they were about the same age as well. In her mind, this meant they might be equal in ability, and she hoped she had picked a good sparring partner.

Raphael Gallustrade

 

[Raphael Gallustrade]

After what had happened at Tython, Raphael had travelled, again, heading a bit farther out to a more remote temple. It wasn't that he was disappointed with how he'd performed, because for once he wasn't. Even standing against her, that day, Raphael knew that Onrai was far more powerful than he was. No, he was proud of himself for having stood up, in the first place, but now he needed to further himself, hone himself even further.

Though it was something that he didn't know if many Jedi would fully understand. They would understand the basic concept, no doubt, as it was one of the primary tenets of the Jedi Order, but he didn't think many would understand what he was going for. Truly mastering himself, to the point that he'd be able to evade assaults, with or without the Force. Or, in essence, mastering the art of peace, as well as the art of war. It was what he considered as the "final destination" of Jedi learning and teaching. The ability to evade with little effort, strike with only as much as needed and to otherwise avoid battle and war, where it was able to be done. Though that was far easier said than it was done.

The place was... Well, to Raphael it was sterile. It was so clean, so tidy... it was, at times, unnerving. Yet he found himself enjoying his time. The very act of waking, training, meditating, eating and sleeping was enjoyable. Admittedly, he'd begun trying to eat and sleep more than normal. He'd begun to push himself into the realm of training far too much.

But, when he'd heard that they were going to be having a training session on lightsaber combat, Raphael couldn't refuse. He'd been using his lightsaber so rarely, these days, that it almost felt wrong, to use it even now. Still he'd joined in the formation, lining up and preparing for the spar.

Raphael had a slightly different purpose, in this class, and as the spar he was in had begun, he'd been using it to practice his hybrid lightsaber form. Each swing from his opponent, he evaded with soresu like movements, judging the distance of the saber from the currents generated by his opponent, and then countering, when it was a good time. He'd just evaded, and brought his lightsaber up in a sweeping uppercut that had disarmed his opponent, when he'd been told to stop. They were going to be changing opponents, now.

He noticed a slight change to the instructor's face, for a brief moment, before it vanished, though she didn't even let up in her explanation.

Then, with the final words said, from the instructor, he turned to his new opponent. However, when he turned to her, his eyes widened, slightly. Just like with Master Sallaros, wherever she was, he could tell that she was very strong in the Force and confident in her lightsaber skills. He didn't even need to feel a strike to understand that. He would need to stay at his utmost focus to keep up with her.

"I'm Raphael Gallustrade. It is a pleasure to meet you," he bowed. "I am looking forward to spar with you."

Seo Linn

 

[Seo Linn]

Not everyone wanted to shake hands, and Seo respected that. Returning the bow to Raphael, she agreed with a slight smile. She did not underestimate her sparring partner and would keep her eyes on as much of his body as she could. When people fought, they usually had tells that indicated where the next attack would come from. In her life, there had only been a handful of people that didn't have that tell. She thought she might be one of them, but nobody had ever told her if she had them.

Even though these students were considered advanced, she felt it wise to adjust the strength of her lightsaber. There was no need to hurt each other.

"Nice to meet you as well, Raphael. I hope this will be a learning experience for both of us."

After lowering the power on her blade, she raised it slightly and ignited it. A blue beam erupted, and the familiar hum filled the air around her.

Raphael Gallustrade

 

[Raphael Gallustrade]

He nodded to her, smiling, though he'd realized that she'd been trying to shake his hand a few moments ago. He'd apologize to her, after they'd sparred. There was something wonderful and elating about sparring someone new. Learning about new people, how they moved, how they'd grown, what they knew and how they lived was one of the greatest joys of his life, whether it was a fellow Jedi, a sith or even someone that couldn't use the Force.

At a moment's glance, however, he noticed something equally as fascinating, however: she was studying him. Much like he was to her, she was scrutinizing his movements, searching either for an opening or a something like that. Many Jedi wached their opponents, just as the sith did, but few of either side tried to understand how their adversary moved. That was what Raphael lived for, in a fight. He felt the strangest sense of admiration, for a moment, before he watched her adjusting her lightsaber's strength and he quickly followed suit.

"I'm looking forward to it, as well. I hope to learn a great deal from you, also."

And, for the first time, he allowed himself a small smile, as his own blade ignited, extra energy pouring from additional emmitters, despite the lowered power. He stood, feet together, held his blade in front of him and performed the makashi salute, before spreading his feet and lowering his stance, lightly. It was the way that she carried herself that told him to not underestimate her, to not take her lightly and to move as if he was in a true fight. It was time to truly focus.

As they started, Raphael decided to take the initiative. With a half step forward, he thrust his blade forward, organic right hand gripping the weapon as he stepped, and probed at her defenses. The leading from his right foot would be a clear indicator of his attack. Still it could also be easily seen that he was holding back quite a bit, keeping himself prepared in case he needed to pull back and defend, something that Raphael himself was quite certain he would need to do. What he hoped was to see the methods she used to keep herself alive. It would tell him much about her.

Seo Linn

 

[Seo Linn]

Thoughts should not be distracting her, but Seo found herself remembering the times when her life had been put to the test—times when she needed to really fight to survive and live another day. These things didn't happen too often for her, luckily. When they did, though, she had always come out victorious. Sometimes, her opponent died by her hand, but most times, they survived and also lived another day.

Returning his salute, she placed her left foot forward, and her right foot remained behind slightly. A slight shimmer might be seen surrounding the Knight. She had put a barrier around herself. It was one of the first and most important skills she had learned. While this was a spar in a safe place, she didn't enjoy feeling the sting of the blade touching her skin.

Knocking his lightsaber tip to the side, it was a simple attack to defend against. Even though it was an easy attack to defend against, Seo could tell it was just a probing strike. Something she would likely try herself against him or any enemy she might be fighting.

Since her lightsaber was on the inside, she would attempt to alter its course and try to stab at his shoulder.

Raphael Gallustrade