Ask Kar'taylir Darasuum bal Akaan

[Zaia Krodas]

Zaia never took her gaze off Ruus, so when she saw him pick up his sword and swing at her, she was ready. She ducked the blow to her shoulders, then when he moved to cut down on her she rolled out of the way in the direction of where he’d kicked her spear. Thankfully he’d kicked it far enough so that she was able to pick it up no problem, just out of reach of his sword.

The distance between them wouldn’t last long, however. Zaia moved in again, this time aiming for Ruus’all’s chest with the sharp end of her spear. She grit her teeth, hoping that it wouldn’t skewer him. She had to admit that her companion was taking it all rather well, though, and it earned him her respect. Despite his wounds, he was still fighting on— the mark of a true Mandalorian. If it had been a normal person, they probably would have yielded long before. Hopefully the Mandallians would see that too.

@Charles

 

[Ruus’all Solus]

Oh man. Ruus'all's body was done with the beating it took and though he still felt vigorous mentally, he thought it be best that he give himself a break. He had duties to complete as a Jedi, too, and would rather sustain injuries like this in battle against a Sith Lord. Nonetheless, Zaia had lots of skill, giving Ruus the impression that she'd be able to hold up against the Sith anytime any day. He also learned a bit about swords and spears today- figuring that a mix between the two would make a magnificent weapon. If the Giants enjoyed what they watched, maybe the Mando-Jedi could ask for a Beskar glaive to replace his great-sword.

As the spear found it's way just barely in between where his durasteel plating was segmented, Ruus'all let out a sigh of exhaustion and slumped back to his knees. The fight was technically over a long time ago, but with Ruus'all's bloodied posterior, there was no point in continuing to make himself suffer.

"I...I y..AGghh...I yield..." Ruus'all grumbled, coughing up blood. "Holy hell...You really did a number on me...didn't you?..." He chuckled just before passing out.

@Sicadorito

 

[Zaia Krodas]

Seeing Ruus’all like this, Zaia would have felt horrible if the fight continued. Don’t do this to yourself, Ruus. Even for a Mandalorian, this was going a little far. She lifted her spear reluctantly, about to bring it down on Ruus’all’s head when he yielded. Immediately lowering her weapon, Zaia got to a knee and caught him as he fainted. His sudden loss of consciousness nearly gave her a heart attack, but she smiled briefly at his comment.

“I guess I did, huh?” She looked over at the Mandallian in charge, and he gave her an approving nod. The giant turned away, and slowly the others started to file back on the path and back to the village. Given the expressions on their faces, they appeared to be happy with what they saw. Thank goodness, she thought with an inward sigh of relief. But then her eyes drifted back to Ruus’all in her arms, and she suddenly remembered that he was probably bleeding out. Badly. She lifted one of her hands, and it was practically covered in blood. Her heart practically skipped a beat.

She gently took the helmet off of Ruus’all’s head, and her eyes widened when she saw the blood on his face. Did I hurt him that badly?

“Medic!” She practically yelled, but the Mandallians had already beaten her to it. A pair carrying a stretcher was making their way over, someone else following behind them, and Zaia looked down at her companion in worry.

“He’ll be fine… Mandalorian.” It was the blacksmith from earlier, and he had a smile on his face. It was clear that even though her helmet hid hers, the Mandallian could sense the anxiety behind it. “Nothing a bacta tank won’t fix.” Zaia didn’t respond, still staring at Ruus’all as the giants moved him to the stretcher. “You fought well, both of you. My people are impressed. We will keep and display your weapons in a place of honor.” At that, she looked up at the giant, managing a slight smile behind her visor.

“You’re sure he’ll be okay?” The Mandallian nodded, then beckoned for her to stand up as the others began to leave with the stretcher. She was more relieved than she'd let on. He’d better be. I still have to punch him for scaring me like that.

@Charles

 

[Ruus’all Solus]

After maybe an hour or two inside a bacta tank, Ruus'all's eyes fluttered open, finding himself on a comfortable bed in a heated room. His shoulder and side still ached, but the pain wasn't nearly as bad as it was when he was duking it out in the arena. The love and respect Ruus had for Zaia only increased following the fight, and though she may not have known it, she had taught him a lesson or two about what it meant to be Mandalorian. Right now, his people were fighting all over the galaxy in the name of Kad, the Destroyer. And though Ruus'all did worship Kad, he did not worship his mighty god as a destroyer but as a conveyer of change.

The Force was Change. It changed all throughout the galaxy, changing around every living creature, guiding those creatures on ever changing paths. Ruus'all's path was to walk the line between both of his people. No matter how good a warrior he really was, he needed to work on keeping the peace and stopping wars before they happen. It was his duty as a Jedi Protector and as a Mandalorian to fight for what he believed in. War would never cease to exist and Ruus'all Solus prepared as such.

Sitting upright to stretch, his gaze landed on the comrade that beat him in battle. A smile spread across his face, "Mornin', partner."

@Sicadorito

 

[Zaia Krodas]

The Mandallians were wise enough to not argue when Zaia insisted on staying in the room with Ruus’all, only making her promise that she wouldn’t do anything to wake him up and potentially disrupt the healing process. She had no intention of doing anything else to hurt him after literally stabbing him in the gut, so she’d agreed. For the next hour or two, she’d stayed in the room sitting on a chair in the corner, reflecting on the duel and how differently it would have gone had her companion been able to use the Force. Or if she’d been able to at the end— how come she couldn’t do that magic-healy thing? She’d nearly had to watch Ruus bleed out in front of her by her own hand, powerless to do anything to help.

She was taken out of her thoughts when he woke up and stretched. He certainly seemed better now. His smile was infectious, and Zaia couldn’t help smiling back when he spoke.

“Morning. How are you feeling?” she asked, getting up to stand next to his bed as her eyes searched his face for any indication of pain. The Mandallians were waiting for them outside, but she didn’t want Ruus to injure himself by rushing him out of bed. If they could wait an hour, surely they could wait a little longer.

@Charles

 

[Ruus’all Solus]

"I feel good. Like I can run a mile!" Ruus slowly got out of bed to stand up, rolling his shoulders slowly as they still ached. "Did you stay by my bed? How was my snoring??" The teasing was a way to show her that he was fine and ready to get going, but Ruus'all did appreciate that small kindness that she showed him after the fight. Zaia didn't have to stay behind and she chose to anyway. The Mando-Jedi was probably the luckiest guy in the galaxy to be in her company.

<"You fight like a maelstrom, Zaia. Kad smiled upon you today."> And Ruus'all had the injuries to prove it. Zaia was practically perfect in everyway and every time the two met, she just kept proving him right. Ruus liked taking things slow, and with the galaxy in it's current state it may not be much of an option, but Ruus wanted to make things official and makehtings work.

<"When's the next time I'll be fighting by your side and hopefully not against it?"> He asked with his big smirk.

@Sicadorito

 

[Zaia Krodas]

Thank goodness.

“Of course I did,” Zaia replied, stepping aside as Ruus’all got out of bed. At his second question, she smirked. “Oh, you were snoring like a rancor. I’ve never heard anything louder.” It had been nowhere near that bad, but she liked messing with him when the opportunity arose just because. Now that she was sure that he was better, she felt way more relaxed.

“Hey. You did good too. I’m sure he’s happy with both of us.” As Zaia spoke, she pulled over a small cart that held Ruus’all’s armor. It had been cleaned, shined, and looked as good as new. Just like the day she’d first met him, at least in her mind.

“Anytime you want. You’re always welcome to tag along with me and BG,” she responded with a grin. “Just make sure you can keep up,” she added teasingly. Turning around to look outside through a small window, she saw that the Mandallian who'd overseen their duel was there, as well as a few others.

“We can go out when you’re ready. They’re expecting us.”

@Charles

 

[Ruus’all Solus]

After donning his armor, which was nicely prepared and cleaned up just for him, Ruus'all left outside to see what the Mandallians thought of the show they put up for them. The polished armor was hopefully good telltale sign that they were at least impressed enough to take care of both Ruus and his belongings following his defeat.

Was it really a defeat? Ruus probably wasn't going to hear the end of it from Zaia, and he was looking forward to all of her jokes and quips about what had happened today. If anyone back on Yavin asked, Ruus'all went easy on her because there was a shortage in perfect breasts in this galaxy and it would have been a shame if he damaged hers.

"You think they were impressed? I was. And that's saying something, heheh."

@Sicadorito

 

[Zaia Krodas]

Zaia stepped outside alongside Ruus, briefly glancing at him with a tight smile at his comment. “I hope so.” The Mandallian standing in front of the rest of his small group gave the pair a nod in greeting, and Zaia returned it.

“I see you have recovered quickly,” the giant said to Ruus. His expression was neutral, and Zaia couldn’t tell whether he was impressed or what. This Mandallian was the first one who’d walked away after the duel was over. Had it been because the duel was too short-lived? Hadn’t been enough? Her anxiousness returned. Then his gaze shifted between the two of them. “You fought like warriors. Like Mandalorians. Perhaps… not all of you have lost your way.”

Zaia let out an internal sigh of relief. “Thank you.”

The Mandallian continued on. “As Kolbarr has stated, we will keep your respective weapons in a place of honor. You have proven yourselves today.”

Zaia glanced at Ruus’all again with a grin. If the Mandallians were happy, so was she. And she couldn’t have done it without her companion. Sure, she’d won the duel and she wouldn’t let him forget it, but there was so much more ahead of them. Whatever challenges there would be in the future, there was no one she would rather overcome them with more than Ruus’all Solus.

@Charles

 

[Ruus’all Solus]

Ruus'all let out an audible sigh after the Giants expressed their appreciation for the fight the Mando duo had. Not that he ever doubted themselves. They were unstoppable! Nothing could render the two useless as long as the fought side by side (or with each other for that matter).

"Yeah, we are pretty awesome, aren't we?" Ruus jeered, placing a hand on Zaia's side so he could pull her into him. "I've never seen such craftsmanship in a weapon before. It was my pleasure to be able to wield one of them." The compliment was a little more serious in tone than his joke, but he wanted to show the Mandallians of his duality.

Then, looking through his T-visor at Zaia, his winning smile began to spread from behind his helm. They really were the most kickass duo in the entire galaxy.

And nothing would every be able to prove them wrong.

@Sicadorito

/ExitThread (EndThread)