Private Trying to find an 'Edge'

[Braze]

TAGS: Jasper Kai'el

​

After his last encounter with Ko Vuto , Braze realized that he needed to seek further understanding and guidance from someone more experienced. He knew he needed to find an edge in fighting against an opponent like Ko, who had the ability to throw, or levitate their lightsabers. His current approach to training on his own wouldn't be sufficient to help him advance any further. Determined to improve his skills and learn new strategies, Braze sought out Jasper. He wasn't very familiar, or at ease with the elder; but he figured he'd be the best person to turn to to seek further teachings.

Having recently taken to his side as an apprentice Braze also felt as if he owed it to his new Master to continuously improve so that he could better protect Jasper in their travels together.

"Master Kai'el?" Braze called lightly. The surname was a telling way Jasper could already know that Braze wanted some sort of favor. "Do you have some advice on how to fight someone who throws and levitates their light saber?" Braze asked as he fussed at the edges of his sleeves. Was he bothering Jasper? Was he a pest? Was Jasper presently busy with something more important? Would it bother Jasper if Braze was once again trying to engage him with talks about sword fighting? Braze's mind seemed to swarm with all kinds of random thoughts. Nevertheless Braze had actually asked his question before second thoughts got the better of him. He was impulsive after all.

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Tags: Braze

​

"Do you have some advice on how to fight someone who throws and levitates their light saber?"

"Of course," Jasper nodded with a smile. "Everything has a natural counter."

Dueling was his bread and butter. When the force was not an entirely reliable means of combat, using a blade was how Jasper picked up the slack.

"For starters, a thrown saber can be easily grabbed by an opponent," he noted. "If someone is using the force to throw an object, a bit of force use yourself could push it back, or at least off course. But that would put you in a struggle of focus, one that you aren't always guaranteed to win. More often than not though you'll want to deflect it."

Jasper drew his lightsaber, igniting it. He would raise his mechanical arm and point at the lower portion of the blade.

"A blade is going to have it's center of mass right around here," the Sentinel explained, "right between the handle and the base of the plasma. Hitting a lightsaber right at this point is a surefire way to deflect it back, but that can be a little tricky sometimes. A bit too far from this point and the motion of the swinging blade can knock you off balance."

He stowed his lightsaber, giving a warm smile. He knew what this was for. Jasper was his teacher after all, so he was to expect that eventually his student would grow interested in learning the complexities of using a lightsaber. This was a request for a lesson, one which he saw fit to accept.

"We can practice if you like."

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Jasper Kai'el

Braze couldn't help but smile in return. Despite his usually brazen demeanor, Jasper's words and presence had captivated him, a rare feat for anyone. As Jasper spoke, his words carried weight and wisdom, holding Braze's attention with an intensity that few could achieve.

His focus remained fixed on Jasper, but his eyes were irresistibly drawn to the glowing blade that Jasper drew. The mesmerizing hum of the lightsaber filled the air, adding to the sense of reverence that Braze felt for the weapon and its wielder.

Jasper pointed to a specific section of the blade for this technique, and Braze's somber green eyes followed the indication, committing it to memory. He admired Jasper's skills and experience, not just in combat but also in the art of teaching. It was clear that Jasper's guidance would prove invaluable.

Then came the unexpected offer from Jasper, and Braze's heart skipped a beat. His whole demeanor lit up, as bright as a fiery work in the night sky.

"I would love to practice!" he chirped exuberantly, his enthusiasm palpable. He practically jumped at the opportunity, eager to learn from someone as skilled and wise as Jasper.

The prospect of training under Jasper filled Braze with excitement and anticipation. He saw this as a chance to not only improve his combat prowess but also to connect with someone who was on another level by comparison.

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Tags: Braze

​

"Good," Jasper grinned. "I can't say I'm very good at throwing a lightsaber around, but it'll be serviceable for a bit of practice."

Jasper drew his lightsaber again, setting the power to low. The training saber setting. From there he would stage himself across from Braze and clear his mind. His control with the force was admittedly rather low, but he at least had the fortitude to perform a saber throw. It would suffice for what his student needed.

"Right then," he nodded. "Just give me the word to begin."

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Jasper Kai'el

With a mischievous grin, Braze embraced the idea of mutual improvement as he responded to Jasper's admission of not being the best at throwing lightsabers. "You practice throwing, and I'll practice deflecting, and we should both improve then!" he exclaimed, enthusiasm bubbling in his voice. He saw this as a perfect opportunity for them to work together and grow as Jedi.

As Braze drew his training blade and ignited it, he assumed a makashi-styled pose, honoring the elegance and finesse of the lightsaber form he had been working on mastering. With a theatrical flair, he added a showmanship-styled flourish to his movements, exuding confidence and flair as if they were about to put on a grand performance.

"Ready!" Braze called out, his excitement palpable. He focused his gaze on the exact spot where Jasper indicated he should aim his attacks. The determination in Braze's eyes was evident; he was fully committed to honing his skills and showing Jasper what he was capable of.

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Tags: Braze

​

"Fair enough," Jasper shrugged.

He could use the improvement probably. With that all said and done he readied his lightsaber and gave it a good throw, keeping it on a path for Braze telepathically. He'd start slow and let the intensity increase.

Braze had to prove that he could hit the center of mass first.

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Jasper Kai'el

​

Braze's excitement had gotten the better of him, and in his eagerness to meet Jasper's blade, he had miscalculated the strength of his attack. Their sabers clashed with a force that surprised even Braze, as the collision sent a jolt of energy back through his arm. The impact was off-center, causing Jasper's blade to veer off course and inadvertently score a burn on Braze's upper thigh.

"Ahh!" Braze couldn't help but emit a small, pained sound, his eyes squeezing shut briefly as he winced from the sudden sting. He hadn't meant for it to happen that way. He knew he should have been more controlled in his movements, but his competitive spirit and desire to impress had momentarily overridden his better judgment.

As the welt formed on his thigh, Braze tried to dismiss the pain, not wanting to draw attention to his minor injury. He took a deep breath, using the Force to calm his nerves and push away the discomfort. However, the glassy droplets brimming at the edges of his somber jade eyes betrayed his internal struggle.

Feeling a mix of embarrassment and frustration with himself, Braze watched as Jasper's saber hilt clattered to the ground. He couldn't bear the thought of disappointing his mentor, especially after his initial excitement.

Braze used the Force to retrieve Jasper's saber hilt and padded back over to him, his steps somewhat more tentative than before. He held the hilt out to Jasper, offering a small apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, Jasper. I might have hit it too hard?" he said sincerely, uncertain of what he did that was wrong. as he offered up Jasper's hilt. Braze may not have been good at picking up techniques first try, but he certainly seemed to make a loyal puppy, one that followed Jasper around dutifully and one that could apparently play fetch rather well.

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Tags: Braze

​

"Don't apologize," Jasper remarked with a grin. "You're learning. This is the time for you to make mistakes, here in a controlled environment where you can recognize and learn from them. I'm not expecting perfection."

Jasper walked over and picked his lightsaber up, returning it to his belt. He'd walk over and placed his hand on his student's shoulder. The knight was no stranger to the pressure of self-imposed expectation. It had dominated his youth after all.

"Why don't I tell you a story," he continued. "Well, less a story and more just some history. I... never actually received an official master. I floated around from mentor to mentor, but teachers in my generation were in high demand, and there weren't enough to go around. The war took up everyone's time. Originally I thought it was just because I was weak in the Force. It was my fault, and I needed to go out there and prove my worth. I trained as hard as I could to become the best duelist that the Order had ever seen, anything to get myself some kind of recognition. Before long, this training became reckless missions. I was coming home battered and bruised every day it seemed."

He chuckled, scratching at the back of his head. It was so funny in hindsight, but it had felt so real. No doubt the fear of failure felt real for Braze as well.

"It started small," Jasper recalled. "Broken ribs, sprained ankles... Then it was two broken legs. Before long I was in too deep, and..." He paused for a moment, knocking on his mechanical shoulder. "...Well, it was too late to turn back. I was only sixteen. Ultimately, while this may be a bit frustrating to hear, you're still young. I don't expect perfection, not at all. Just a little effort. I'm here to teach you after all, not pressure you into success. So take a deep breath and lets take things slow. We have all the time in the world, and you'll be a lot better off not cutting any corners."

He'd give Braze a warm smile. Jasper knew all too well his struggle. Even if his attitude seemed different, Braze would come to find that a younger version of his teacher was not all that different from himself. That present teacher wanted only to help him keep from making the same mistakes.

"Let's go at it again," he stated. "No apologies this time. We just keep rolling."

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Jasper Kai'el

Braze's attention was held captive by Jasper's words, his intense focus fixed on the older Jedi as he spoke. An array of questions simmered within him, but hesitancy kept them at bay, a barrier between his curiosity and the man before him. Beneath the surface, Braze's mind churned with thoughts that he wasn't quite ready to voice, questions he didn't dare to ask just yet. Self-imposed restraint brought on by some deep-rooted fears. Fears Braze was not ready nor willing to face at this time.

There was an unspoken unease that lingered in the air, an invisible shroud that masked Braze's true thoughts and emotions. He couldn't quite let his guard down, his "mask" of bravado remaining in place.

Jasper's words held wisdom that did reach Braze briefly, but perhaps not in the way the man intended. "It sounds as if you were forged in desperate times... It helps to explain why your soul looks so... polished. " Braze murmured, his voice a mixture of contemplation and admiration. The words escaped him almost unconsciously, revealing a glimmer of vulnerability he rarely showed.

With a few steps backward, Braze distanced himself slightly from Jasper.

The odd compliment he offered was an attempt at authenticity, a subtle glimmer of his true thoughts emerging from behind the mask he so often wore. It was a step, however tentative, toward a more genuine interaction, a glimpse of the real Braze hidden beneath layers of self-imposed facade.

Whether Jasper knew it or not Braze certainly had begun to idolize him more earnestly for his own personal perspectives that may have been warped by his odd worldviews. What's the old saying...? 'Cat doesn't know the stove's hot 'till it gets
burnt...'

He ignited his blade ready to go at it a second time.

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Coruscant, Jedi Temple
Tags: Braze

​

"It sounds as if you were forged in desperate times... It helps to explain why your soul looks so... polished. "

"Not polished, just weathered," Jasper shrugged. "I've seen a lot, and I've heard a lot. I just hope that telling you about my experience can prepare you for what I wasn't."

With that said, Jasper got the feeling that there was something deeper there, something his student wasn't expressing. That was... not necessarily a bad thing. It just meant that the two of them had stuff to work on. It was natural. He was a rather reserved individual himself after all.

"Alright, lets go again."

And with that Jasper threw his saber once more.

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Jasper Kai'el

Weathered. Braze would have to remember that viewpoint Jasper had. Nevertheless, it would seem that Braze was wholly dedicated to practicing the art of saber deflection with Jasper. With each swing and clash of their training blades, Braze's resolute commitment became more evident. It was a slow journey, one filled with numerous attempts, but Braze embraced the challenge with an unfaltering eagerness.

Over time, Braze's efforts began to yield results. He gradually started to understand the nuances of saber deflection, honing his sense of timing, speed, and the precise force required behind each swing. He keenly observed the angles of attack that allowed their blades to interact, learning to anticipate the pull and push of the energy between them. His focus deepened, his instincts sharpening as he strived for mastery.

The chambers echoed with the rhythmic sounds of their practice, the repeated clashes speaking to Braze's steadfast commitment. Each time his blade met Jasper's, it was as if he was forging a connection not just with the weapon but with the very essence of the Force that coursed through it.

Braze's enthusiasm never wavered. Whenever their training paused for a moment, he would promptly retrieve Jasper's blade, a readiness in his stance that spoke of his unflagging thirst for improvement. There was an almost boundless energy within him, a reservoir of dedication that seemed to have no limits.

Through the sweat and the repetition, Braze's progress was evident. The once uncertain strikes had transformed into purposeful movements, his actions becoming fluid as he internalized the principles of saber deflection. It was a path of growth and learning, guided by Braze's fervent spirit and Jasper's patient guidance.

As the training session continued, Braze's gaze remained fixed on Jasper, a silent and resolute resolve emanating from his somber jade eyes. In this shared pursuit of skill, Braze wasn't just learning the art of saber deflection; he was immersing himself in the wisdom passed down through generations of Jedi. With each swing, each clash, and each retrieval of Jasper's blade, Braze was embracing this opportunity to learn and would do so until Jasper had thought they did enough for one day.