Bugs and Bears. (Hoang-So's training)

[Garuga]

((Again, must apologise for horrible starting posts XD))

Thyferra. Sunny, bright, nearly uncomfortably hot. The planet that held the Shade Order's main enclave. The planet of wild jungles, the home of the Shade knights. Standing in the courtyard, Skyla was completely still, her headset covering her ears, an unidentifiable techno tune blasting away. There happened to be no one in the courtyard today, the heat perhaps a little too much for these 'locals'. Most likely, the members of the shade order were training inside, where they would welcome the air conditioning. Not for Skyla. This tropical jungle world intrigued her, and she considered time spent outside to be rather more worthwhile compared to the time spent inside. And, of course, a new member of the Shade Order had been placed under her charge.

Something somewhat close to amusement had found itself within Skyla when she was informed of this. Her, of all people. A ghost of a smile appeared on her face, recounting the event. Nevertheless, she had accepted. After all, it would be a new experience, and Skyla was curious to see what the padawan would be like...

 

[Jack]

The gentle patting of feet brushing against the ground filled the rather quiet courtyard, the only other sound was a faint distorted collection of music coming from the girl's headset. His dark hooded-robe and grey clothing shuffling lightly with each step as the Mashi Horansi approached. The sunlight from above cast a gentle warmth across his fur, giving each strange it's own highlighting while casting shadows deeper. Gold eyes gently swept across the courtyard, the barren nature almost made him uneasy, however he was put at ease by the nature.

Finishing his sleight surveillance of the area his feet pushed him forth and placed himself in front of the girl. His black furred ears flicked occasionally in various directions, each time responding to a sound which reverberated through the clearing, and with a slight shuffle he folded his legs and placed himself near the girl, facing to, but not directly at before closing his eyes. He would await her attention before introducing himself.

​

 

[Garuga]

Though Skyla could not hear the surrounding due to her music, the approach of the force-senitive brought her to attention. Raising a hand slowly to her head, she pressed a button, the speakers stopped emitting forth their beats immediately. This was it then. Turning around, Skyla skimmed through a few species in her mind, but she was ultimately incorrect as she found the short Mashi Horansi standing near her. Skyla blinked a few times to make sure that she had indeed seen correctly. it was rather rare for her to find anyone shorter than her, but this... feline looked to be around the same height.

As the sunlight continued it's incessant beat-down upon the planet, Skyla realised that she had to do or say something. She gave a small nod gingerly, slighty aware that her intense staring of the feline would likely have mad the situation awkward. "Hello..." She whispered, barely audible. Skyla coughed in pain, as she did whenever she suddenly made a noise after having been silent for a while. I am Skyla. She said telepathically, possibly shocking the Mashi Horansi if he had never come across telepathic speech before.

 

[Jack]

Hoang-so's patience was short-lived as his trainer's response was faster than he anticipated, apparently she had been waiting for him rather than just relaxing. His eyes opened while he remained seated and soon fixed on the girl, her staring didn't bother him as most people stared when he made his true appearance known. Instead he rather welcomed her to study him, it would give her a better chance to understand his ways and allow her teaching to fit his own physique.

As the girl whispered hello, his ears perked subconsciously towards the source, his own species had better hearing then most if not all humans which allowed him to pick up her words rather easily. He smiled gently at her, his features lightened up slightly and before
he could respond an all too familiar sensation threaded itself through his mind. With the cough following her original words he gathered something was amiss and rather than question it he said "Do what makes you comfortable, I have no preferences." He had come across telepathy before, so when her voise picked his mind, he had no big questions. After she introduced herself, Hoang-so tilted hi head slightly before replying. A pleasure to meet you, I am Hoang-so using his own thoughts, he had no skill in telepathy but chances are she could read his mind.

​

 

[Garuga]

"Hoang... So." Skyla said slowly, practicing how to say this new name. She attempted what she hoped to be a friendly smile, studying the mashi horansi carefully. Somewhat confused about what to do, Skyla struggled to remember her tenure with the Jedi, and what they actually did through her training. Various image appeared in her mind, but nothing definitive. Skyla knew that she would just have to go with whatever felt right at the moment. "What." She began, and coughed again. What do you know of the order and the force? Skyla asked this in telepathy, looking to find out how to start Hoang-So's training in an appropriate manner.

Or rather... Tell me a little, about yourself? Skyla thought awkwardly, slightly at a loss at what to do. Perhaps this might help 'break the ice' as to say. Generally, her interaction with others was at a minimum, but having agreed to take on a padawan, Skyla knew that she had to gain from this experience.

 

[Jack]

Hoang-so thought carefully for a moment, his mind shifting through the endless files of both relevant information and that which he picked up idly. He knew many things about both, but had no definite outlines on which rumors were true and which were not. He did know one thing which he found important. To answer he question, he merely thought them. The force is apart of everything and with that, his mind focused on the question before that.

As for the order, I know little other than the subtle but strong differences between the Jedi and the order. He replied once more, outside of his mind his body had been still the whole time. Being a hunter he knew the importance of mimicked muscle paralysis, and it was useful for meditation. Right now he used this skill to keep his body sitting upright and his head high. He wasn't sure what to expect with the training but he was willing to try many things if it would help the order or his progression among the ranks. It's not that he sought power, but rather he wished to be trusted so that more important tasks could be placed into his care, allowing him to help out better.

When her last question came along, he was a little hesitant but reminded himself that thing's were going to change, and that his life might better help her find a way to train him, or even improve their insight into a different culture. I've been trained briefly before by an ex-jedi. I spent two years under his command and learned what I possibly could from his teachings, at the end of this period I came in search of a greater purpose rather than the reckless wandering. My time before my training was difficult, but I did what I felt necessary to survive. I worked various jobs performing assassinations, supporting sieges, working with a group of mercenary's to defend to neutralize targets. I could go on, but there's a lot of work that I undertook. He took a break before breathing deeper and continuing. Even further before that however, I survived on Mutanda, the planet for my species. Anything further would be divulging information I would rather not, however if you need to know then I can answer completely. His eyes flicked to hers as he sat nearby, their golden glow shining for a moment before they turned back to the empty courtyard before him.

​

 

[Garuga]

"Very well." Skyla said simply, trying to picture Hoang-so's past in her mind. "it's fine for you to talk normally, by the way." She added, speaking slowly. Her condition improved once her throat had 'warmed up' in a sense. Skyla's grey eyes hovered over the mashi horansi one more time, then she stepped closer towards him. The force is not something i can explain well. The force should flow with one naturally, so during the training, try not to force things... From what Skyla had gathered, Hoang-So seemed to already be trained in some aspects of the force. She guessed that he should already be familiar with telekinesis to say the least, as any force sensitive would have been taught.

Therefore, Skyla wante to start with something different. Something completely different. Backflipping away with a force-aided jump, a brilliant blade of purple and a shorter flaming blade of green appeared in her hands. Holding the lightsabers in front of her, Skyla looked towards Hoang-So, her face expresionless as she spoke. "Do you know how to use these?" Skyla asked curtly.

 

[Jack]

Hoang-so smiled slightly before replying to her offer of talking normally. "Very well." although speaking in his mind made him feel more comfortable, who wanted to be seen talking to themselves. The thought passed his mind however as his master spoke to him again through her powers. Noting that she stepped forward, he was expecting the opposite when she forced jumped backwards.

As she did this, he slowly rose to his full height, not that it was much, and brought forth his own unique lightsaber. The blade sliced through the air to it's full height, the Mashi Horansi stood before his master ready for attack. "I do." was all he replied.

​

 

[Garuga]

Skyla nodded, adjusting her sabers to their lowest power level. At this power, even a direct hit would only be a searing kiss as opposed to a killing blow. Appears to be ready... Skyla thought to herself, her knees bent. She wasn't sure what form he had been taught in, or whether he had been taught a form at all. Nevertheless, that fact should reveal itself soon. Skyla had been instructed in Niman, form six, as well as the double bladei usage technique of Jar'kai. Combining a normal lightsaber together with a shoto, Skyla was adept at unleashing sudden waves of rapid strikes.

Taking two lunging steps towards the Mashi Horansi, Skyla took her shoto in her left hand with a reverise grip. Dealing a sweeping cut towards Hoang-So's neck with her standard purple blade, going from left to right, Skyla immediately followed with a thrust directly forwards with the shoto. Using the momentum from the thrust, Skyla spun, bringing the purple blade back with a quick slash, intending to use the very point of the blade to graze the feline's leg as she struck at Hoang-So's left thigh. Whether she succeeded or not, Skyla would return her defensive stance, awaiting Hoang-So's actions.

 

[Jack]

Hoang-so was prepared for the sudden assault, and with his purple bladed long-handled saber resting in a gentle position in his right hand, he waited patiently. His hand tightened slightly at the top of the hilt, the nearby blade hissed as the tip scrapped across the ground, the end of the hilt rested against his back and past his shoulder. The feline stepped back twice at the approach of his opponent, now a foot further back than he had originally planned to be. This allowed him more room by the time the attacks came by.

The purple blade kissed the air before his neck while he leaned backwards, his judgement being crucial but accurate. As the shoto swept in he stepped around it, spinning counter-clockwise to his masters left hand side. Using this momentum he drew his blade up higher, parrying aside the return of the purple blade to his left with his hilt by spinning the saber in his palm. Now it was his turn to attack. His mind kept quiet however, trying to leave no clue for the telepath to read.

His blade now rested in his right hand pointing to his left, and with swift movement he shifted his grip further down, allowing his left hand to rest at the top of the hilt. With precision and speed he followed the parry with a sweeping arc, he stepped through with his left side, aiming at the girl's head. The blade then twisted in the air, twirling around so that the blade faced left, his right hand in a reverse grip closest to the blade. He further attacked by sweeping the blade across the girl from right to left, stepping through with his right hand side.

After which he would retreat, with the blade behind his back in a reverse grip, pointing to the sky while the hilt swung below.

​

 

[Garuga]

Hoang-So had managed to fend off Skyla's initial attacks. Beforehand, Skyla had no knowledge regarding Hoang-So's present capabilities. Now, she had a better feel of him, and was glad that he was fairly advanced for someone who was only know participating in 'formal' training. Nevertheless, the long hilt saber was a weapon that held it's strengths, but also had it's weaknesses. The most prominent being it's inability to link together attacks due to the longer hilt being mor cumbersome than the standard saber. Oh certainly, when the blows struck, they had much more force behind them, but Skyla would take advantage of the fluidity and maneuverability of her twin blades. As Hoang-So began his counter attack, Skyla ducked down under his first attack.

As the blade passed above her head, Skyla sent her green shoto towards the still moving saber, striking it the moment it began it's next attack. By doing so, Skyla stopped the attack from obtaining it's advantage in a greater momentum. As the attack came, Skyla delivered a jumping slash with her purple saber, targeted towards Hoang-So's right hand as she flipped over his body. The moment she landed on the other side of him, while keeping her shoto on guard during the air-time, Skyla attempted to drive her leg into his backside, which if succeeded, should drive him face foward into the ground.

 

[Jack]

Although not entirely the reason for his skill in close combat, his training with his previous master did help. These help however was based on existing skills using the exact same weapon but with a solid consistent blade. The height was the same, the blade length and hilt length the same. However, his new saber was lighter than the previous blade. His strike was parried aside with little effort and he smiled, but kept his mind focused.

The second his master jumped, he knew he had to move, little good came from standing still against an aerial target. With that he rolled forwards, causing his masters attacks to fall short and miss. Before his body hunched to roll however, he deactivated his saber, tucking it lengthwise into his stomach as he rolled and turned over, coming up to face his master. He soon gathered his mistake against his master. Placing his longer saber on his belt at the side, he soon retracted his shorter handled normal length saber. A brilliant orange showered his black hair.

His saber sat upright, his right hand higher up while his left rested below at the bottom of the hilt. Turning the power down to it's lowest, he soon whipped his left hand out, using what power he could to force push his master before placing his hand back on the saber and charging. As he closed in his saber quickly snapped from right to left, throwing a blow at his masters left side, before throwing another quick snap to her left hand side from left to right. He then stepped back a moment before throwing an overhead attack, then a quick succession to an attack from his right to her left, aiming high.

His gaze fierce and concentration high, he remained aware of possible attacks and kept his quick precise assault up to speed. He wasn't ready to give in yet.

​

 

[Garuga]

The sudden force activity alerted Skyla a moment before the force push was released, and she immediately prepared herself for a incoming pulse. When the pulse hit, Skyla allowed it to engulf her, letting it carry her backwards. As soon as the effects wore off, Skyla acrobatically rolled backwards, now at a much further distance away from Hoang-So then he would have previously expected. Aloowing herself to study his charge, Skyla nodded. if he wants to try match my tempo, that is fine with me... She thought, her blades poised in front of her. Dealing a twin slash, Skyla allowed her blades to bounce away from Hoang-So's blade the moment they made contact, through it dealing out a more powerful blow and at the same time being able to counter the next attack with more momentum.

Thrusting her two sabers forward in a cross guard, Skyla blocked the next strike while pushing forward, hoping to throw Hoang-So off balance as the blades broke out of the lock. The moment he raised his blade for the overhand blow, Skyla swiftly pulled him towards her, attempting to drive her shoto into his gut. Following the thrust, Skyla immediately spun to face his back, dealing a swift slash targeted towards his legs while unleashing forth a force pull.

Niman, combining elements from different forms and tactics to unleash a myriad of different attacks. Skyla would teach this form to Hoang-So, it's versatility being it's most prominent strength.

 

[Jack]

Hoang-so was wary of his opponent, she wasn't a knight because she asked politely, she was because she was skilled and trained. He was trained, but not to the proper extent. He still lacked the skills necessary to survive without trouble. This was proving it's point here, he lacked the variety of force powers to really take his advantage in battle, and his saber skills were slow. He needed to pick up his game, and perhaps soon he might find her weakness.

His blade was caught in the cross-guard before being pushed backwards, rather than fighting it though he kept up his assault. When he went for an overhead blow his balance was thrown off, but he knew an attack would follow and quickly shifted his attack into a defense, throwing his blade down quickly knocking the thrust to his right hand side. He used this quick break while his master spun to move forward and turn, the strike towards his legs was barely blocked with quick reactions from Hoang-so.

If she kept up the assault, he would soon make a mistake. He needed to keep his mind clear and his attention focused. He stepped back, giving himself some distance, raising his single saber up, ready to defend or attack. He awaited further movement or instructions.

​

 

[Garuga]

Hoang-So had managed to turn back this offensive, and with the momentum lost, Skyla paused before continuing her assault. Of course, using force powers, the match would be unfair. After thinking about it for a brief while, Skyla extinguished her blades, and clipped them onto her belt. This was her trying to gain a better understanding of Hoang-So's current capabilities, and that had been achieved. There was no point in entering a duel and holding back, and neither was there a point in a bloody beat down either.

Well done... She said telepathically, holding up her hand to show that she had seen enough. "Once. Once you are comfortable with Niman. The twin blades that you have will become more useful than imagined..." However, before that, to become an excellent duelist, one would need to become familiar with the physical enchancing force abilities. Walking over to Hoang-So, her metallic boots left light dents upon the dusty surface.

Ready for a run? Skyla asked in her mind, a shy smile appearing for a brief moment.

 

[Jack]

Hoang-so followed suit and soon extinguished his own blade, placing the hilt on his belt once more. He wasn't sure what to expect now but he felt reasonably good that he was able to hold off the assault against his master, though he was sure she was holding back. His body loosened and his muscles relaxed, but before he could properly measure the effect the quick spar had on him, his mind was probed.

He listened intently to what she was saying, he couldn't help but feel a little excited for the new saber style that he would be taught. His previous master never focused on sabers but more a general overview of things. When she approached him, he was almost certain they were going to compete in something, though chances are he was going to be beaten, after all, this was training and not a competition.

He responded to her smile with one of his own, preparing himself to make for it. Sure he had no force abilities to help him with this, but perhaps she would teach him.

​

 

[Garuga]

Close your eyes, if you think it will help. Skyla advised, closing her own as an example. He already knew how to apply the force, at least on a basic scale, so this application should not prove to be too difficult. Allow the force to run freely over yourself. Cover every muscle, even your mind itself. To feel completely relaxed and in tune with the force, one can perform at heights far beyond the norm. Allowing force currents to flow through her body, Skyla felt all traces of any fatigue gone.

"Once you are ready." Skyla said encouragingly. "Lead the way, it'll be a chance for you to see the planet..." She would wait patiently until Hoang-So was ready to leave, her sight drifting into the Jungle of Thyferra.

 

[Jack]

Hoang-so stood next to his master, his mind running through with thoughts and processes. He used a meditation technique and calmed his mind of all thoughts. Now just a vast calmness that washed through him. His eyes closed momentarily while he focused, listening to the instructions of his master. The energy that ran through his body was familiar, yet he had never really performed the task before.

His body seemed to kick into a higher gear, almost as if someone had taken the safety off. He took off running, his speed enhanced slightly, but still much faster than he could run naturally.

​

 

[Garuga]

Skyla immediately followed in pursuit, glad that Hoang-So was not one who would excessively doubt her instructions. it was already difficult enough for her, and Skyla was glad to have a moment of silence as she ran through the jungle. Not that Skyla was not so far fond of her padawan. After all, she was relieved that he seemed fairly mature, and so far had performed very well. But Skyla still nevertheless found it rather difficult to maintain standard interactions. She needed a moment to regather herself. Glancing forward, she remembered that this was still training, and that she would have to push him to further achieve.

Skyla had been running at essentially a 'leisure' pace, but she instantly added more bounce to her steps, taking her ahead of Hoang-So. Follow me, and allow yourself to further be immersed... She said telepathically, knowing that Hoang-So would be able to bolster his already capable speed as a feline by a greater degree. The sounds of the jungle was an unruly orchestra. Creatures near, creatures further away, bellowing and adding their own volume to the jungle.