Ask Mandalore At Jarsagr

[Van'Aria Solus]

The Citadel

"The Crucible"​

It will take an ample amount of time to mold the Chiss into the shape of a Mandalorian, he would have to learn how to survive, how to fight proper and how to exact discipline, there are many virtues that Mandalorians uphold and they are intentionally taught at a early age these specific skills for it molds the body around them, much like the Jedi-- Mandalorians do not like to take in relatively old Warriors, they are harder to teach, bring with themselves quirks that are hard to mend and overall dont meet the standard of the People.

However Raanil had luck, he found one of the fiercest Instructors Mandalorians could produce, those shapen by Van'Aria are almost always seen on the direct front shortly afterwards where they shine with the Skills acquired, however he did not know that and what to expect was nothing short of excruciating and pain enducing training, one that will make him wish that he could stay the way he was looking on Sullust instead of being under her instructing gaze.

Finding her way back to The Citadel, Clan Solus's home she would not grant him the honor of walking inside those walls let alone the halls, it was honor alone to be allowed to even visit Mandalore, but the reason behind it in general was that she was going to drill into him the very same tribulations every Solus went through from the harsh hand to hand combat all the way to the spartanistic exile into the wilderness where he may only return victorious and successful or dead.

At the Foot of the Mountain she established a small open camp in a valley surrounding the large mountain upon which the Citadel was buit, a large training camp was made, it was her own project that she honed over and over in the time she spent on Mandalore, it was a course that had it all from tracks to exercise, shooting zones, pain holes and ofcourse open living quarters that had to be setup by the trainees themselves, noone was getting a tent made for them they would learn to build it or sleep in their own filth.

She had a larger Green Tent built next to a Cliff overlooking her Training Area which was aptly dubbed... "The Crucible", it was where she broke Iron and formed Steel, today was no different, she had given Raanil just enough to make it to Mandalore before leaving him on Sullust, once more he was just given coordinates and the rites of passage to get where he needed to get, there was no answers as to why she chose the planet or what they would do there.

Standing at the lip of her Cliff she overlooked her training course, even now there were Mandalorians being shapen there but soon there would be a new one joining them IF he elected to walk that path that is.

@Tenia

 

[Raanil 'Nuz 'Vez' Chal]

Van'Aria had not responded to the chiss' offer of transport.
She had stared at him for a few moments from under her helmet, then turned without a word and disappeared in the sullust fumes, like a spectre.
Raanil had thus reached his ship alone, a Nu-Class shuttle, crossing the ash desert backwards.
Just as he was wondering whether he had been rejected by the warrior after all, his comlink emitted a chirp and a set of coordinates appeared on the small screen.
Mandalore.

The voyage had proceeded smoothly, thanks more to D3's astromech skills than Raanil's piloting ones.
The ship was unwieldy and rather old, but that meant the chiss didn't need to have the feline reflexes necessary to pilot a starfighter and was able to maintain more control over the vehicle.
Perhaps, in time, the shuttle would merit some modifications, as well as a coat of paint and, who knows, maybe even a name.
However, the mechanic's fantasies were abruptly interrupted at the sight of two or three imperial frigates in orbit above Mandalore.
As he had feared, the sith had a diplomatic presence on the planet.
Very bad.
Before it had time to reverse and leave the system, however, the chiss ship was flanked by two Mandalorian starfighters.

<This is Darr Rart of the United Clans Fleet >
said a distorted voice over the ship's comlink
< State your business, offworlder, or you'll be shot down >
Raanil fumbled for the answer key
< Raanil Chal, captain of the - >
The chiss pressed his temples with his thumb and middle finger as he searched for a name and felt Darr Rart's impatience grow.
< ehr, Black Crescent >
< Riiight. Black Crescent you don't have any signature, are you aware? >
< Sure, right. The ship is pre-imp, that's why it doesn't have any signature >
Raanil heard an annoyed sigh coming from the comlink
< I'll let it slide. This time. What's your business Black Crescent? Quickly >
< i Need to meet with Van'Aria of Clan Solus, here's the chaincode >
A few seconds of tense silence followed, as Rart received and checked his credentials
< All seems to be in order, Black Crescent. You're free to proceed >
Finally said the voice.
< And get a signature, or next time I'll gun you down >
< Sure, sure you can count on it. Thanks >
The chiss closed the communication channel and breathed a sigh of relief.
< Boring conversation anyway >

Raanil gave thanks that the control was being carried out by Mandalorian forces and not the Empire, and hoped that the presence of the sith was nil on the surface.
With the help of D3, the Black Crescent finally entered the Mandalorian atmosphere.
The first thing the chiss saw was a blinding white, coming from the planet's white deserts.
As soon as his sight had adjusted, however, he also began to notice ancient ruins and mountain ranges, which broke up the monotony of the landscape.
It was to these mountains that Raanil was headed.
He would arrive shortly and there, he would continue his training with Van'Aria.

@Bread

 

[Van'Aria Solus]

Not overlong was it until she could hear the crack of a Ship entering the atmosphere not too far off from the Coordinates she gave Raanil, she wondered who had given him a hard time or stalled him but then again she also expected him to not show up at all.

She headed down to the base of her Encampment where she met up with two Foundlings in training, they were to be sent out for their final test today and she was making sure that they were ready.

By the time Raanil had touched down Van'Aria had finished her check ups, and by the time he disembarked he could see her already marching towards his Ship, it wasn't exactly subtle his entrance and drew eyes of other trainees some of which regarded him with scrutiny.

"You decided then."

She called to hail him stopping just a few metres shy of his Ship, a noticeable difference that Raanil saw in her Armament was that she was using a ornate looking Vibro-ax almost like the stick of a Head Tribesman, holding it by the head levelling the length of it along the ground as if she supported herself on it.

"You will forego a last name whilst you are under my supervision. That being said you are under my direct responsibility so contain yourself or it will be my hide."

She reminded him of the privilege that she had afforded him however also the dangers of stepping out of line, it would not only him that would be punished, but her aswell for her lack of ability to control and shape him.

"Come, I shall show you briefly around."

She gestured him along as she made her way back campwards, she didn't wait for him to directly retort or ask her to wait, he could speak on the move or speak naught at all.

@Tenia

 

[Raanil 'Nuz 'Vez' Chal]

The Black Crescent landed on the small landing platform of the Mandalorian camp, a series of training facilities, small buildings and rows of tents nestled in a gorge between the sharp ridges of a mountain.
Casting a shadow over the entire camp was a gigantic fort studded with spires.

Van'aria came to meet his new student as he descended the entrance ramp of his ship, which landed amidst much smaller ones. Not exactly a subtle entrance, but one that did not impress the Mandalorian.
The woman greeted the chiss in her usual monotone tone and invited him to follow her for a tour of the place.
As they walked along the central dirt road, Raanil noticed that the other Mandalorians present did not make the same effort as Van'Aria to ignore his entrance.
The chiss caught mostly curious, but also hostile, glances.
The warriors turned as he passed and sometimes interrupted their activities to follow the newcomer with their eyes.
< Cripple >
< Outlander >
He heard some of the Mandalorians comment in a half-voice.
The chiss was surprised at the percentage of humans in the ranks. Theoretically, the Mandalorians were multi-racial, but the presence of races other than human was minimal.
Raanil glimpsed a pair of zabrak, a duros and a brawny Trandoshan.
the rest were presumably natives of Mandalore and its moons.
Still, he sensed that the general distrust of his new comrades was due more to his injuries than to racism.
Either way, it made little difference: he would still have to fight to prove he deserved their respect.

Van'Aria, for his part, seemed to be totally oblivious to the reactions he provoked in her men as they passed by.
With a few dry words, she described the various areas to Raanil, then continued on her rounds without giving him the chance to interject. Finally, the two arrived in front of a bundle of rags and metal rods.
< your lodging >
She simply said, and the chiss realised he was looking at a tent. dismantled.
If he wanted to shelter from the elements, he would first have to learn to rely only on himself to do so.
Not big news for the chiss, but not very pleasant in any case.

The woman, after instructing the new vod on how to behave as her representative, left him for the night.
Light was falling on the peaks of the citadel, tinging the off-white rocks surrounding the camp pink.
In a little over an hour, Raanil set up his tent in silence, ignored and ignoring the other men.
By the time he finally slipped into his quarters it was dark, and the chiss fell asleep almost instantly, too tired even to be anxious about the training that would begin the next morning.

@Bread

 

[Van'Aria Solus]

An outsider among even more outsiders of society, Raanil earned many eyes from those around and most importantly, he would get a feeling similiar to being naked for most if not all trainees still left within the Camp under Van'Arias supervision had already earned their "Skin", clad in their Mandalorian Armor, he was very much sticking out like a sore thumb.

Yet there were also younger individuals, children among the ones there who eyed the chiss curiously, Chiss were not common nowadays and seeing one was not exactly something one did daily however due to mistrust many of the other Mandalorians hushed the children away as soon as Van'Aria and Raanil turned the Corner.

She pointed to a bulbous Tent standing almost at the center of the encampment:

"That is where we meet when group instructions are held, education and tactical knowledge is taught there."

She then gestured him along as she continued the brief tour, a Mandalorian in similiar colours to her own crossed their paths giving Van'Aria a firm nod before simply staring at Raanil as they passed him, he would have to earn his stripes before being respected.

Gesturing to what seemed to be a larger campsite with a roofing she showed him what seemed to be the "Mess", most Mandalorians were instructed to care for themselves but at times it helped to be prepared for any worst case scenarios.

"There food is prepared in bulk, you will not have the pleasure of being there to feast, you will hunt, procure and process your own food."

She then pointed out a final more notably important Tent, one that was distinctly held in a white tone, similiarly bulbous but more spaceous than the instruction tent, It wasn't rocket science for Raanil to figure out that this was a field clinic.

"Beg you will not land in there or I will dispel you personally. Take care of your wounds yourself or you will be forgotton. It is part of your training."

By the time their tour was done... Raanil noticed that they arrived at a more... isolated bit of the camp away from the other tents of those that lived and trained here almost intentionally isolated from the others, a mediocre path of land where there laid the basics to prepare a tent aswell as a Shovel and tools to dig and mold should he desire, however... forming his shelter was up to himself.

"Your task today is to form your shelter, I will be watching you closely so do not try to cut corners for I will bring the tent down on you if I see weeknesses in its construction."

She said this as she turned around and gazed up the same way where she had camped, the cliff that overlooked "The Crucible" curiously enough... where they stood had a perfect line of sight onto said cliff and vice versa, Raanil could connect the dots easily, she was intent on monitoring his success from beginning to end.

"Begin."

She gave him as a final instruction before turning away and walking off into the distance leaving Raanil to his own tools and tribulations, tomorrow will be the first day of his more inclusive training and it could only spell the worst for he knew not when said training would begin so it would be advantagous for him to get the shelter up and running as soon as possible to get the rest he needed.

@Tenia

 

[Raanil 'Nuz 'Vez' Chal]

Raanil, despite his exhaustion, had had a restless night.
his sleep had been filled with nightmares, populated by faceless warriors wielding swords of light against the backdrop of gigantic glaciers. A cacophony of explosions and cries of despair rumbled against the ice, which slowly melted under the furious blows of the faceless.
And as it melted, the ice accused him.
< Coward >
< You abandoned us >
< Remember your blood >
The chiss woke suddenly, in the darkness of his tent.
Outside, the sun had not yet risen fully, and the camp was still asleep.
In the grey light of dawn, Raanil glanced at the cliff on which Van'Aria slept, but did not see her.
That did not mean, however, that she was not watching him.

His stomach growled, and the chiss realised that he had not eaten anything since the day before.
Glancing one last time at his mistress tent, Raanil headed back to his ship, hoping to salvage some emergency rations to appease his hunger.
He walked through the camp under the chilly dawn sky, in a silence broken only by the occasional snore or the calls of some mountain beast.
However, he soon discovered that not everyone was asleep: two warriors were blocking access to the landing platform.
<No one can pass, outlander >
said the first, a Mandalorian in red and white painted armour.
< You must have Van'Aria's permission to leave the crucible >
< I just want to retrieve something to eat >
The two Mandalorians looked at each other, then looked at the chiss
< If you are hungry there is plenty of fauna on the mountainside >
Then they fell silent, and Raanil realised that the subject was closed.

He found a passage between the rock spires that enclosed the crucible shortly after.
A narrow crevice sloped down the mountainside, eventually leading to rugged thickets of twisted trees and shaggy grass.
Not exactly a garden, but the place had its own brutal charm.
He heard a call, and, from behind a bush, pawed out what looked like a rodent.
Raanil's hand raced for his gun, but stopped halfway: his weapon was modified with a disruptor module and would simply turn the animal into a pile of smoking ash.
Just as he was considering how to build a trap with the elements at his disposal, a yellow bolt blaster hit the beast, which let out a stifled cry and then fell to its side.
The shot had come from above, and the chiss looked up, where he soon spotted the brawny trandoshan from the day before crouched in the branches.
with an agile leap, he descended from the branches and, without a word, went to retrieve his breakfast.
<Hunting is not for everyone, vod >
The trandoshan's back said to him, hissing
< Don't take it to heart, my race hunts since birth >
The trandoshan surpassed him, walking up the slope with the rodent carcass on his shoulder.
< Vod >
called to him after a few metres. Raanil turned, and the trandoshan threw him two small fruits he had plucked from a bush.
<So you won't starve >
He turned to him what might have been a smile for his race.

The chiss slowly walked back to his tent, munching on the fruits.
They tasted bad and had a grainy texture, but he had not yet thrown them up, which meant they were edible.
When he reached his lodging, Van'Aria was waiting for him. She was as still and stiff as a statue, and as always, she only greeted him with a nod of her head.

@Bread

 

[Van'Aria Solus]

Watching Raanil on his every move, Van'Aria had a very careful eye on him, what he didn't likely know was that the people he was encountering were manipulated by Van'Aria, she directed them to act the way they did, it was to give him a sense of security, a sense of threat and a wariness that he would grow comfortable to, but that was exactly what she wanted to punish him for eventually... getting comfortable.

When he returned from his expedition for food, Van'Aria was already waiting for him in his tent and by the time he stepped through the flaps to enter she had already been standing there like a statue regarding him only with the most subtle of nods.

"Hunger will be one of your many enemies in this endeavor of shaping your body."

She said, infront of her laid a large canvas bag, it was filled to the brim with a assortment of very questionable things, to Raanil it was all completely new, it was local fauna and flora, nuts and several utensils which he will all learn to use, each of these samples however would not be enough to get through two days.

"Familiarize yourself with these Items for you will find them here, you will learn to make your own food out of these items aswell as other useful applications."

Among the many Items he found very specific things such as the Mandalorian staple: "uj" nut, which had the same consistency of a Fruit yet enough oil and different uses, some of them were to make Syrup out of it, but only true Mandalorians knewhow to utilize the "uj" nut to make their signature dishes such as the sweet yet dense Uj'alayi

"You must make certain to do everything to survive, I will teach you each end of a new week a new recipe for these ingredients."

@Tenia

 

[Raanil 'Nuz 'Vez' Chal]

Over the next few weeks, Van'Aria kept her word, and personally taught her pupil the tricks of Mandalorian survival.
Every morning, she waited for him still and sternly in front of his tent and accompanied him into the nature not far from the crucible.
She taught him to recognise mushrooms and flora, which specimens were edible and also which could be used to extract toxins and poisons.
She took him hunting, explaining the strengths and weaknesses of each animal.
The woman never intervened in his defence, however: she only provided him with the tools he needed to perform his tasks.
When he failed, she did not scold him, but stared at him mute. A look of implication that could simply be summed up as "try again".

As time went on, Raanil's technique improved, and lately his failures had all but disappeared.
The chiss skill grew, and with it, so did his impatience.
By now he could procure food, survive on his own and, through the Mandalorian's culinary lessons, he had not only learnt the recipes for a warrior's meal, but was beginning to learn the basics of the Mando'a language.

Finally, as he followed his teacher's straight back through the bushes, Raanil could resist no longer.
He stopped, in the middle of a small, wind-whipped clearing, and apostrophised his teacher.
< Mistress >
Van'aria continued for a few more metres, then turned towards him, silent.
< I appreciate you taking me on as a foundling, and all the training you are providing >
The Mandalorian turned fully towards the chiss, turning around stiffly.
< But when can we begin my combat training ? >

@Bread

 

[Van'Aria Solus]

Impatience, something she scrutinized heavily, she would scold him for the audacity to show this impatience but instead gestured him along, this time it was towards the Crucible rather than out into the Wild, if he wished to prove himself then so shall it be, but such will be tested by her and only her alone.

Entering the large Encampment from the west they passed by two familiar Mandalorian Guardsmen that Raanil should come to know almost distinctly now, they regarded his Mentor with a solemn nod as they continued on, it was strange but predominantly there were little to no Solus Clansmen around the Encampment, why? That was something Raanil did not know, the Citadel, the large Castle above them, that is the Solus Home down here... that was something else.

A aspiring Vod approached the two stepping infront of Van'Aria, his Armor was painted in a valiant blue and white, the affiliation of Clan one could not discern.

<"Van'Aria. Who will take the Solus'Alor title with the ascendance of Mandalore the Unwavering?">

"I know not."

<"Some rumor that you may be approached for it, is this true?">

"I cannot. I am a Protector. Protectors cannot be tied to Clans."

<"How can this be? You wouldn't betray the Resol'nare would you? You must provide for your Clan.">

She turned silent, he spoke the right of it. Refusing would be abandoning the Clan. It would be worthy of Exile if Nox deemed it so.

The Conversation abruptly stopped, now Raanil knew why Van'Aria had been absent at times, she had been attending meetings, important gatherings, something unbeknown to Raanil... a new Mand'alor had been chosen, one out of the Solus fold which earned Clan Solus a even greater prestige than before.

Leading the Chiss further along she passed by the Medical Tent and just beyond it... were the sparring grounds. Bustling with activity many a Mandalorian tested their mettle here in hand to hand combat, she knew he could shoot, but could he fight? That would be proven in time.

As Van'Aria strode onto one of the larger unoccupied spaces of the Sparring Grounds, some of the Trainees turned heads, curious... but also reverent. Many of them had met the bite of her Ax and thee tenacity she showed, there was a reason why she had a reputation and one that was known.

Gesturing to a Rack of Vibroblades, Polearms and Martial Weapons she gestured for him to claim a Weapon, meanwhile she strode to take the middle of the Field before turning around to face him head on, the Vibro-Ax that she normally used as a symbol of authority... now weighed in both her hands idly stationed across her chest.

Her voice then radiated out to him in a solemn Command.

"If you are to fight you will learn to fight with all. Prove your worth. Face me."

@Tenia

 

[Raanil 'Nuz 'Vez' Chal]

During the last couple of weeks, the citadel had been a hive of activity.
Ships painted in the colours of numerous clans had arrived at the fortress by the dozens over the last few days.
The roar of the engines passing over the crucible triggered excited murmurs from Raanil's fellow clansmen, who looked up, gazing for a few moments in the wonder of the shadows produced by the spaceships.
Van'aria, for her part, disappeared again and again, leaving her vod in the calloused hands of an elderly warrior, his face a map of scars and his voice low and harsh.
As for Raanil, he did not know what to make of the tingle that animated the citadel: vods were prevented from reaching the fortress.
A few days earlier, one of his young comrades-in-arms, too curious to listen to his own brains, had tried to reach the fortress one evening under the cover of darkness.
But he had not yet mastered stealth, and since then his whimpers could be heard coming from the medical tent.
Whatever was going on in the citadel, it was something big.

Finally Van'Aria turned up one morning, and Raanil took the opportunity to ask to be tested in combat.
As the two reached the sparring grounds, a vod approached (rather disrespectfully, thought the chiss) his teacher and asked her about the future of clan Solus.
Raanil thus learnt that the confusion of the previous days had been caused by the election of the new Mand'Alor, and that he was a member of the Solus clan.
The same clan to which, had things gone according to the right course, the chiss would have belonged.
The news surprised him, and he understood why his training had intensified and seemed harder than that of his companions: Van'Aria, by sponsoring him, was exposing herself dangerously, and if he was not more than worthy of belonging to the clan, the prestige of his own mistress would suffer immensely.
The chiss felt both a surge of gratitude towards Van'aria and a dizziness at the idea of what was at stake.
Van'aria, however, as usual, left him no time to ask questions.

Shortly afterwards, teacher and pupil were facing each other, ready to fight on sparring grounds.
Raanil had chosen a small vibroblade from the panoply of weapons at his disposal: it was the weapon he was most comfortable with; not heavy and clumsy like many of the other blades available.
The Mandalorian, on the other hand, did not seem to put too much stock in agility, and wielded a large axe.
Meanwhile, a few vods had gathered to watch the fight, and the curious glances unnerved the chiss.
Raanil bent forward, his belly protected by his arms and the vibrating blade.
Slowly, he began to approach his opponent from the side, his eyes fixed on her.
Van'aria was motionless, she had not even set herself up for combat.
One step at a time, the chiss cautiously reached out to strike. His lunge started, precise and swift towards van'aria's neck.
But the blow never reached its destination. Something hard struck the chiss on the mouth and forced him backwards.
Van'aria, with impressive speed, had deviated from the dagger's trajectory and struck his student with the axe handle.
Raanil, stunned, spat out blood and a few splinters of tooth.
His next attack aimed at Van'aria's lower abdomen, but she shifted slightly and trapped the chiss' arm between her own hip and the inside of her elbow.
The Mandalorian watched him for a few moments, which seemed infinite, and then struck him with a headbutt to the face, knocking him back again.

Raanil realised that he had to change strategy. He would only stand a chance against the warrior if he remained on the defensive, waiting for an error on the part of his opponent and using it to strike quickly with his dagger.
He swapped the hand in which he held the weapon a couple of times, then stared at Van'Aria.
< C'mon then >

@Bread

 

[Van'Aria Solus]

"Your Focus is not on the Battle."

She spoke as she leaned back only to bring the staff of the Ax up to strike him along the chin, veering off to his side she let the dominant hands on the Ax shuffle. There was a need to prove himself that she could feel and the more he felt himself under pressure the more he would crumble under that weight, she knew that all too well.

The beginning of the Fight seemed incredibly one-sided, so much that some of those that watched the Fight already lost interest again, it did not look like a struggle, it looked like a beating.

It was after a short reprieve that Raanil thrust forth again, albeit it with a different more refined trajectory it was once more something that Van'Aria was waiting for, she let her weapon shuffle into her right as she let the incoming weapon brush past her hip and just when he overextended himself enough she brought her left arm down to keep his own from retracting.

"Stop thinking, act instinctually."

And almost as if to reinforce her words her helmet came crushing down on his forehead in a mean headbutt, the force of it knocking the Chiss back, she then reshuffled her hands once more along the Ax this time bringing it up over her head ever so slightly so that the broad point of the lower end of the Pole pointed at him, her legs spread ever so slightly she gazed upon him gauging his intent.

"This Fight stops only one way."

She reprimanded him before she began circling towards the right, she kept ample distance and for what seemed to be almost a eternity neither of them struck until then without a warning, Van'Aria shuffled forth with a wrathful strike from high above, however... the Chiss proved to be swifter on his feet this time.

Swerving to the side she struck the ground narrowly missing the Chiss only to hear the loud singing of Durasteel being met by a vibroblade as Raanil used the chance to deliver a slash, albeit negated by her armor... it was a start and a start that Van'Aria respected.

"Again!"

She commanded, the Fight was on.

@Tenia

 

[Raanil 'Nuz 'Vez' Chal]

The strategy had partially worked. Raanil's slash had hit the Mandalorian on the armour, and the ringing produced by the collision with the beskar had reawakened interest in the surrounding vods.
The chiss tried to keep his opponent on his good side, the one where his eye worked perfectly, but van'aria was an experienced warrior and had already identified his weak points.
The Mandalorian constantly attacked him on his blind side, forcing Raanil to dodge with difficulty.
The chiss could not retreat, as this would have negated the reach of his weapon, and Van'aria's long axe would have prevented him from approaching again.
The fight went on like this for a while: Van'aria attacked and Raanil dodged the blows with difficulty, preventing himself from backing away despite every fibre in his body screaming at him to take two steps back.
However, slowly, the master seemed to begin to tire of having to attack in uncorfortable angles and her blows became less accurate.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, the chiss changed his footing and moved to the opposite side of his opponent.
The Mandalorian, surprised and committed to striking at a spot from which her opponent had disappeared, exposed her shoulder to her student's vibroblade.
Raanil launched a swift lunge and his blade penetrated under the teacher's pauldron.
The strength of van'aria's armour and her stiff musculature prevented serious damage, but the dagger bit into flesh, if only by a couple of centimetres.

The vods around exploded in a cacophony of verses, some of astonishment, some of admiration, some of outrage.
Raanil endeavoured to ignore them and remain focused on the duel.
He had managed to hit Van'Aria, but had no idea if the fight was over or if the teacher wanted to test him again.

The chiss barely stepped back, his guard still high. His wounded leg, under strain, was beginning to ache, and the rest of his muscles, contracted, were beginning to take the strain as well.
The first blood had been spilled, and Raanil knew that if the fight continued Van'aria could defeat him, if only for sheer endurance.
He panted, waiting for a sign or a word from the teacher.

@Bread

 

[Van'Aria Solus]

A few of the murmurations behind Raanil chastised Van'Aria for going easy on the Chiss, this was a battle that many thought to be entirely onesided.

<"She isn't using her Jetpack, nor is she striking to kill.">

<"Yeah, but give it to the Chiss, he knows how to move if only barely.">

The Fight felt more like someone whittling away at a rock with a Pickaxe and whilst it would only be chip damage every time that would slowly amount to more.

Another wrathful strike came crashing into the mud beside Raanil and just as the Ax hit the ground the Chiss rushed forth and plunged the Dagger deep beneath her right Pauldron, the impact caused her Helmet to immedietly turn to him and just before she could retaliate the Chiss was out of reach again.

<"Who does he think he is?!">

<"...Impressive.">

"You adapt well."

She returned as her body moved around to readjust, she swapped hands once more but this time to ease of the weight on her wounded side, the pain didn't bother her but regardless this impeded her ability to strike with that side.

However unlike the hope Raanil had, the Fight continued and frighteningly so. Whilst the Chiss tired the Mandalorian continued on and on and more and more this cycle of dodging and chipping away at her became more difficult but continued.

It was just when he went in for another lunge that tables turned... just afore he reached her, her Jetpack ignited and she shot past him skidding along the floor, she brought her Ax up on high and kept it there, if he were the true enemy she would've struck him down.

<"There it is...">

<"Valkyrie Strength.">

"We Mandalorians adapt with the tools given to us, you have not earned them yet but you will master them, and then you will truely be able to match me."

It was clear that she intended to conclude the fight but nothing halted Raanil from pressing on if he so desired.

"You have proven that you can fight, but you lack the endurance of a Mandalorian. That we will work on."

@Tenia

 

[Raanil 'Nuz 'Vez' Chal]

Raanil considered for a few seconds taking advantage of Van'aria's sense of security to strike her by surprise.
The thought, however, vanished from his mind as quickly as it had come: even if it might have secured him a victory, it would have come at the cost of his honour, which would have brought him far more contempt than defeat.
Moreover, the chiss was not in his best form, and if the mistress had avoided his attack this would have guaranteed him the loss of more than one tooth, as well as that of the aforementioned honour.

Finally, the chiss shook the hand that Van'aria held out to him and made a slight bow.
Behind the helmet the Mandalorian was inscrutable, but Raanil sensed satisfaction in the mistress slight gestures.
He had not defeated her, but he had managed to prove to her that he was ready for the next step in his training.

The next morning, the Mandalorian was waiting for him again in front of his tent, motionless and haughty.
However, the direction of their routine changed: instead of the groves, Van'Aria led him straight to the sparring grounds.
so the next morning.
so the next.
In the early days, the teacher showed him the basics of traditional Mandalorian fighting, combined with lessons in the basic terms of the Mando'a language.
As time passed, however, van'aria began to make him fight other vods. needless to say, for the first few weeks the chiss' visits to the medical tent were almost daily.
Raanil began to get the hang of combat and the patterns of his comrades, to develop his own fighting style, which would allow him to make the most of his good eye and not strain his injured leg.
the chiss began to win his first fights, and this broke through the distrust of other vods.
Not all of them, of course: Raanil was certainly not the most popular in the crucible.
However, some now spoke to him for more than just insulting him and, a couple of times, someone even offered to share food and eat together.
The Mandalorians, in the eyes of the chiss, were still a cold and distrustful people, but because of this, even a small kindness meant more than in other cultures.

Raanil also stopped wearing his mercenary clothes, in favour of only grey overall: an attire common to many 'skinless' vods.
The actual armour plates would later be grafted onto this clothing.
The chiss also obtained some sturdy leather, exchanging it with Varrsk Ju, the trandoshan who had offered him fruits on the first morning of his arrival at the crucible, months ago.
in exchange for the leather, Varrsk had received an old vibroblade, not very useful in combat but adorned with beautiful engravings.
< I don't know what I'm going to do with this penknife, but it's a really nice object. where did you find it? >
< It belonged to my clan, on Csilla >

With the leather The chiss packed a set of webbing, much more practical than the ones he had haphazardly put together in his mercenary days.
Raanil was beginning to embrace the culture around him, and his morning meetings with Van'Aria became something to look forward to, rather than a chore.
The bruises, cuts and wounds began to look more like medals than anything else.

@Bread

 

[Van'Aria Solus]

Unforgiving Days became slowly but surely more bearable, the Chiss was learning and with his aptitude to learn, he was also making a name for himself, it was a important part of the Mandalorian Culture, Actions, Traditions and Honor.

The Days continued in solemn Solitude until broken by the request for further training, with every day the Chiss became more and more skilled at holding his own ground, but as his skill improved so did his Opponents, it became clear that a few days ago he was being tested, now he was part of the process.

What he brought in Mandalorians consumed like a hungry sponge, they inquired of the ways he was taught and shared in turn their own knowledge, it would become clear to Raanil soon enough that Mandalorians thrive on the Cultures they absorb and seeing how the Chiss are very much a venerable warrior race this would make for a ample leverage in his bonding.

It was one fine morning that his Sleep was disturbed by his Mentor who had marched into his Tent as if it was but another field to conquer, she stood there motionless her Ax thrust into the Ground before she addressed him, when she did it had always been by his race or his status, today it was his Name.

"Raanil. It is time."

She spoke solemnly, the Words carried weight and importance, it was usual that she appeared unnannounced and without warning but it seemed that today... today had a different purpose, having said her piece she vacated his tent a moment later and awaited him outside.

By the time the Chiss would reconvene with his Mentor she would lead him along on a walk through the Encampment, this was curious, normally they would get right to training.

"I have observed your ways of combat, I have seen what you are capable of. I will henceforth call you Vod of Solus. But to attain true Warrior Status there are two tests you must yet weather."

She would turn to face him stopping on the spot.

"You must face another of your Mandalorian Brothers in combat and best them."

She paused before then continueing.

"And as a true Solus, you must embark into the Mountains of Mandalore and claim yourself... a Badger. Only then can I call you Warrior."

It was true then, the Chiss was to become a Solus, one of the fiercest of the Mandalorian Clans known rivaled in tenacity by Viszla and other notables, they were known for their strict spartanesque selectiveness and today would prove no different, two daunting tasks were thrust upon him, and if he was to ascend from Vod to Warrior, these would be his trials.

@Tenia

 

[Raanil 'Nuz 'Vez' Chal]

The warriors fought amongst themselves. Swords of light clashed, throwing sparks into the ice tunnel.
Much smaller, billions of figures tried to flee the clash, but the fighters did not even notice their pleas and cries of terror;
In the heat of the clash they crushed them, as if they were nothing more than ants.
The world that the small figures had so methodically built for generations was destroyed by distracted sword blows.
The two warriors spoke to each other with unnatural calm, in an unknown language, almost philosophising without paying attention to their surroundings.
They seemed unstoppable. Two cruel gods who cared for nothing but their clash.
Until a roar emerged from the smoke of the rubble.
The roar took shape in a gigantic beast of ash and scales.
The beast stood between the duellists, attacking them both with claws and fangs.
The beast roared again, raising its head, and in the moonlight revealed itself to be a mythosaur.
The dragon looked him straight in the eyes.
< make them bleed >
Another violent paw at one of the warriors
<kill them, Raanil>

< Raanil >
Van'aria had entered his tent and called him by name. She had never called him by name.
< It is time >
she then said in a grave tone, and as she entered, she went out.
The chiss caught up with her outside shortly afterwards, and she walked out, as usual without uttering a word.
Van'Aria, however, did not lead him to the sparring grounds like the other days, but took him to the edge of the crucible, where the terrain became steep and rose directly to the jagged peaks of the mandalore mountains.

< I will henceforth call you Vod of Solus. But to attain true Warrior Status there are two tests you must yet weather >
Raanil, not knowing what to say, bowed his head in respect.
His journey towards integration among the Mandalorians was coming to an end. Or really begin, perhaps.
<I will do my utmost to bring honour to Clan Solus and to you, Van'Aria >
Raanil had never called his teacher by name either, but he thought that while she would remain his mentor, she was no longer his teacher.
< What tests does my clan require? >
< You must face another of your Mandalorian brothers in combat and best them >
She paused
< And as a true Solus, you must embark into the Mountains of Mandalore and claim yourself... a Badger. Only then can I call you Warrior>.

The first request seemed reasonable to him: a fight with one of his own clansmen, to prove himself his equal.
It would not have been easy, but Raanil had gained a lot of experience, not counting his previous knowledge as a soldier and mercenary.
The second test, however, left him dumbfounded. A badger? He was now capable of hunting much more imposing and meaty predators.
Unless, of course, the badger had to be caught alive. He heaved a short sigh. It was not going to be easy.
The chiss decided to stall, somehow.

< When can I face my opponent? >

@Bread

 

[Van'Aria Solus]

"You must understand that taming and claiming a Badger is a sacred and honorful duty to ascend into the Warrior Ranks of Solus."

She would explain to him first, it must sound truely off to him but at the same time that was the tradition, and Mandalorians were very heavily stoked on Tradition, honor was a part of Van'Arias life that Raanil got to experience first hand, she regarded everyone with a dutiful regard that was almost similiar to a Missionary, her radiant way of elucidating Words carried different admiration and malcontent among her peers yet most described her as the truest Mandalorian they came across.

A thing... that she vehemently tried to instill in the Chiss, Tradition. Many Solus nowadays were raised less traditionally and more hastily, but Raanil would not suffer such a fate, Van'Aria made sure of that, she gave him the full works, education in folklore, combat and exercise at the same time which at times made him excell above those around him both granting him admiration and shifty eyes.

When the question came as to who he shall face... Van'Aria remained silent for a very long time though a idea sprouted in her head, while the Idea was both incredibly stupid and daring it had the potential of something far greater, as Mand'alor Nox already said, we are no longer divided, we should take things together, so she would work on restoring relations among clans.

Kryze immedietly came to mind, yes, that shall work.

"You will face a Mandalorian of Clan Kryze. Victory or Defeat will not decide if you are ready, but rather my eyes will. Or rather... theirs will."

She said this whilst drilling her eyes into him, the way she spoke and the way she imposed this was enough to say that this was more than just a test for him, there was more on the line and the pressure that such a task gave... was crushing and hard to bear, some Mandalorians that heard the words spoken by Van'Aria knew that both Solus and Kryze had a very bad relationship, this could both be blessing or shitshow in one.

"I will call upon you when it is time to prove yourself. For now your training continues, but not as a Outsider."

She gestured around her and him, a crowd had already gathered one willing to welcome another.

"But as a Mandalorian."

@Tenia

[End Thread Part 1?]​