Return after chaos

[Zian]

Zian returned to the enclave, hopefully things had calmed since last she was her. She now had her own ship and a pet, all gifts from her father. Cart'ar was flicking his tongue at the new air, he was roughly the size of her hand, still a baby akk dog. Zian wondered where Kai might be and how much had changed since the chaos.

 

[Ral]

Having heard that the half-Chiss Padawan had returned from her journey to do whatever, Kai thought it best to find her and see what was new with her, what had changed since he had last seen her. A lot had happened to him; he had grown and matured considerably since the convocation on Endor, having spent time with many others and had learned from them, seen things from a different perspective. And now, one of those he had helped to bring into the Order had returned to continue her training. It wouldn't take that long to find her, there weren't a lot of Chiss amongst the Jedi, so finding the girl with raven hair, blue skin, and black eyes wasn't exactly hard to do.

"Zian, it is good to see you, how was your trip?" He asked with a smile on his face. Moving to wrap the girl in a warm, friendly embrace, Kai noticed the pup in her hand. "Make a new friend while you were out? So, what's up? Got tike to catch up a little?"

 

[Zian]

The pup barked at him for being smashed, she remained unmoving as he hugged her, but this was normal for a Chiss. "A gift from my father as well as the ship I came in. I just had to spend sometime away after the Chaos, had to figure out things and clear my head." She said. She began to walk with Kai as the pup stopped barking at Kai. Zian pet him when he stopped. "Have things gotten any better?" She said. She wanted to know where she was to start to help heal this mess.

 

[Ral]

"Ah, so you managed to meet your father? That's good, was the meeting everything you hoped for?" Kai inquired, interested to hear what the young girl had done on her time away, and genuinely happy to hear that she had finally met her birth father. Having not known who his father was, Kai could empathize with the desire to find one's parent, and so he had nothing but happiness for his friend now that she had done that. "Ah, yes, I did has well, so I went out to find myself as well. I understand what you mean all too well."

They walked along a little more until they came to a quiet room. "Things are a little better now. The Order has elected a new Grandmaster, and more councilors. Hopefully, it will resolve some of the issues that came to a head on Endor. I'm glad you're safe, by the way. But if you need things to do, we can always use more able-bodied knights!" He smiled at her before stretching out and yawning.

 

[Zian]

"I am not sure what to make of a man that showers you with gifts, food, and hugs. When you barely know the man, but talking to him helped." She said. She listened to him discuss the state of things and how they had improved a little. He then said something about being a Knight. "I haven't done anything to be a Knight." She said. Zian barely knew anything, her powers were still out her control, she didn't even have a blade. How was she supposed to become a Knight, she hadn't helped anyone.

 

[Ral]

"Sounds like he's trying to make up for lost time... guess you can't really blame him, though. If he loves you, he'd want to show it to you in any way he could... at least that what I would think. I really wouldn't know; I'm not the best person to ask on the matter," Kai chuckled hesitantly at himself for a moment before continuing on. "True, you haven't done anything to be a knight... yet. But you will, one day soon I'm sure. If you keep trying and practicing I'm sure you'll get it eventually." He smiled at Zian as he placed a hand on her shoulder and sent warm waves of positive emotion into her through the Force as he could feel her doubt about becoming a knight. Even if she hadn't earned the right to be a knight yet, she would soon, he had to make sure she was aware of that. He'd help her do it if he could, he felt partially responsible for her training after all.

"Zian... I've never really asked this directly, but since we brought up the topic. Would you be willing to become one of my Padawans? One of my fulltime ones I mean, I know I've already taught you a bit and we've gone on missions together, but I'd like to formalize it... if you're up for that, I mean." Kai blushed for a moment before clearing his throat. "In anycase, don't feel like you have to answer now. Would you like to start on some training though? Do you have anything in mind you'd like to do or start on first?"

 

[Zian]

"Yes to being a padawan. I'd like to learn to heal, better saber combat, and my illusions. I think these are best starts." She said. Zian wasn't hesitant, she had already thought more of Kai as a master to her than anyone else. He taught her a considerable amount more than anyone else and had taken her on her first mission. The pup in her hand began to climb up her arm and barked at Kai again. "Shh." She said. It seemed to just want attention, so barking at him was its way of getting it. Once it stopped she pet it again.

 

[Ral]

"Great, well I'm glad to be able to call you my apprentice. If you and the pup are ready, we can start on some of the things you wanted to learn." Kai grinned, his cheeks a little rosy, but otherwise happy that Zian said "yes" to him. Removing his thick out robes so he was only in his standard tunic, Kai removed his lightsaber from his waist. "Why don't we start with basic lightsaber drills then? It'll be a good warm up. Try and feel the Force flowing through you and let it guide your movements. Just like how we practiced before, but this time I want you to block my lightsaber instead of blaster bolts." Switching his lightsaber's power mode to low or training level, he looked up at Zian with a bit of a smirk on his face. "Don't worry, it won't hurt, it'll just sting a little if you miss a block. Whenever you're ready!"

 

[Zian]

'Strange why is he blushing so much and smiling?' She thought. Zian didn't know at first, thinking it was just happiness to see her, but after telling her that they were starting drills he was smiling again. She ignited her blade, she didn't know if she was ready for Kai to come at her. 'Especially his expressions.' She thought. They were a little confusing, she would do her best not to respond to them. "I am ready." She said.

 

[Ral]

Kai's face would suddenly darken as he switched into training mode, the now-silver blade of his lugh saber illuminating his face with a ghostly white aura. He had become a bit more serious since Naboo; his jovial smile and carefree nature were still there, but when it came to combat training, lightsaber training in particular, Kai would be a bit more serious. In his mind he believed that the war would only grow, so it was important that all Jedi be taught how to properly defend themselves frim attackers, be they lightsaber-wielding Sith, battle droids with blasters, or Imperial Stormtroopers.

Bringing his blade over his head, Kai would let the Force flow through and around him, tapping into it and using it to help read Zian. It was hard to read her due to the icy nature she seemed to possess, a nature that was strangely reminiscent of the planet she came from. Through the Force, Kai could sense the lingering sensations of doubt and curiosity in her mind, of what he wasn't sure though, he wasn't really focusing on it. That wasn't good she needed to focus on the Force and her blade rather than other things.

Inhaling deeply, Kai rushed forward using the Force to augment his natural alacrity. Bring his blade down Kai swung at the girl's head before bringing it back around for a strike against her right shoulder just above the bicep. The knight wanted to see how she would respond, it was an aggressive movement, but Kai thought it best to test her and push her to her limits. It was important to see what exactly she could do.

 

[Zian]

Her dog moved from her as Kai swung, he started to bark and growl at Kai. Zian however had been taught to ignore things that were not important, so when he swung she would bring the blade up to block his movement. She could see the seriousness in his face now, it was straight to business, which was fine with her. Being taught that war was no joke or nothing to play around with, training was strict, harsh, and unforgiving. One small move or mistake meant starting over from the beginning until the lesson was burned into your skull.
When he came at her again she moved fast enough to avoid the strike, but then in turn attempted to come at him herself. She twisted her blade to make a jab motion with it. The attempt was to move him back or through him off his balance, if either succeeded she would sweep at his feet with her own leg. Again to attempt to make him fall. If nothing she did would make him do so, she would try to block any of his blows or simply bend to the ground enough to get out of the strike range.

 

[Ral]

Kai's blade flashed brightly as it met Zian's training saber, the loud screech of the energy swords meeting each other filled the relatively small room. The knight was pleased to see Zian had managed to block his attack, at least she wasn't distracted enough to do that. Her counter-attack was a mild surprise to Kai, jabbing at him with her blade. It was easy for Kai to transition into a block. Bringing his right foot back, Kai took a defensive stance swing his blade in a circle before he noticed her drop her weight in an attempt to sweep him. That was a bit of a surprise, he surely hadn't expected her to try and move against him with a physical attack. Bringing his lead foot back, Kai removed his leg out of range of the sweep, with his silver blade up in a defensive posture the knight would wait to see what else Zian would attempt to do, he hoped she would surprise him again.

 

[Zian]

She regained her footing and waited. Zian had been taught that it was good to wait to see the next move, that was the perks of analyzing things before accepting them. Though it did have it's draw backs as well, sometimes one had to get hit to learn.
Cart'ar growled at Kai as he moved back, but he really wasn't big enough yet to do anything other than a slight pinch if he bit Kai. However he stayed near Zian just barking. He was drawn on what she was projecting through the force. It was one thing Akk dog's were keen on able to do, they were force sensitive creatures even if they couldn't use it. Once they had been used by the Jedi long ago. He was drawing that Zian was being cautious, so would he by simply barking.

 

[Ral]

Zian managed to regain her footing and held her position across from the young knight. Inhaling slowly, Kai took his guard stance with his silver blade in his right hand extended outwards, blade held horizontally so it was parallel to the floor and aimed at the Chiss girl across from him. His offhand was raised up next to his ear as he waited to see what Zian would do. It took a few silent moments to pass before Kai realized that Zian was not willing to attack either, not yet at least. Kai could tell the girl was trying to study him, a normally prudent move under normal circumstances, but this was a fight between Force Users and thus did not fall under the category of "normal circumstances." Zian needs to learn to use the Force and not her eyes. Well, let's see how she responds to a change in tactics then.

With that Kai began to draw on the Force. Filling the energy fill him up, the knight reached out and with his offhand made a clenching motion as he manipulated the Force around Zian into gripping her. The move would be hard to counter without distracting Kai as the Force would approach and entangle from all angles lifting her off the ground and effectively immobilizing her. Then, assuming that was effective, he would pull her towards him, telekinetically flinging her across the room at him where he would strike at her with his blade before using the rest of the Force he had gathered up to throw her off to the side before she would be able to counter attack.

 

[Zian]

Zian felt her feet come off the floor, she didn't know what to do. She remained calm and tried to concentrate.
When Cart'ar saw her off the ground he went for Kai's foot, attempting to bit him. If he did, it would be a pinch at best nothing serious as he was far to small to do any real damage.
She felt it with the force as her body began to glow bright she made an attempt to make it brighter, she wanted to try to blind Kai just enough to make him let her go nothing damaging. In her attempt to make her self brighter the room seemed to change. It seemed to start snowing.

 

[Ral]

Frowning, Kai wanted to shake his head at Zian. Whatever she was doing, whatever she thought she was going to accomplish by attempting to use her innate ability to create illusions. He had, after all, learned how to use illusions from his old master Lutomi Renelo, and what more she had shown him how to fortify his mind against them, and perceive through them with the Force. Hearing the small akk dog pup trying to nip at his heal, Kai flicked the wrist of his blade arm ever so slightly as he used the somatic component to cause the little animal to go sliding across the room away from him; a small, focused wave of Force pressure picking it up and tossing it backwards. With the majority of Kai's focus still on the pale blue Chiss girl in front of him, Kai immediately readied his mind when he noticed the snowflakes start to fall and the the girl beginning to glow.

Closing his eyes, he did something that his best friend Jade would have been proud up. Focusing the his sense in the Force, Kai began to use Sight to help him see the way things were all around him. Straining his mind, Kai maintained his grip on Zian, and instead of striking at her, threw her towards the far wall on his left. Letting his sight fade for a moment, Kai reached out through the Force and into Zian's mind. "Illusions are risky to use during a fight. You need to refine and strengthen your ability, or you will find that those who have trained extensively in Mind Tricks and Illusions, and who have Fortified our own minds against such things will not be easy prey. Such a mistake can cost you a limb, or worse our life."

Then, with his true voice, "Now, come, try and hit me." He stated as he resumed his previous guard, but still watching her through the Force with his eyes closed.

 

[Zian]

"I was trying to use my glow to blind, not trying to use illusions." She said. Zian truly hadn't been trying to cast an illusion it had just happened like most of her powers. She would stop trying to make herself glow, the illusions however didn't die this time nor did her glow. She was still drawing the force now trying to sense kais movement as she made her move. She swung from the side, twisting her body so that if he attempted to hit her she could move out of the way.

 

[Ral]

"Very well, let's see what else you can do then!" Kai exclaimed, giving Zian a challenge. The knight kept his eyes close as he waited for the blue-skinned girl to come at him and attack. He held his blade out, waiting patiently for the attack to come. Moving within range, the girl swung at his side, a rather obvious move, though Kai was somewhat satisfied to see that she was attempting to twist her body to the side to protect herself from the eventual riposte. Though, Kai didn't need to attack her body to injure her.

With a deft flick of his sword hand, Kai swung his blade in a clockwise loop, allowing him to parry Zian's lightsaber at the near half of the blade. The blades made contact and the static screech of lightsabers filled the knight's ears. Tossing it off to the side, Kai would then lunge forward attempting to strike at the wrist of Zian's blade arm.

 

[Zian]

The little dog hadn't yelped when Kai had kicked it, merely lost consciousness for a short time. Once it awoke it started to shake like it could feel the cold. It stared like it didn't know what to make of what was going on. Slowly however it started to lick Zian's foot as if it could sense something.
Zian tried to block Kai's attack by attempting to push his blade aside to try to strike his wrist. She could feel Cart'ar's tongue on her foot. She focused hard to try to ignore him as she moved around to attempt to strike Kai by twisting her blade up. Cart'ar however wouldn't shake her, he continued to be persistent and continued to lick her foot.
'Why are you licking me?' She thought. Zian didn't have the answer, she was focused and determined to keep her mind on what was going on. Her body continued to glow more brightly as the illusions started to become more real. Something else was happening, a small item in the room began to shake.

 

[Ral]

As Zian tried to counter Kai's parry with a counter parry of her own, the knight stepped in bringing his blade to the forte so that he would have better control against the foil part of Zian's lightsaber. So, when she tried to strike at his wrist all he had to do was push her blade to the side as he continued to step in pressing his blade down the shaft of hers. The static screeching continued to fill the knight's ears as the blades stayed in contact with eac other. Taking a breath, Kai forcefully pushed Zian's blade to the side before taking a diagonal swipe at the girl's torso. Kai could sense the girl was distracted by the akk pup on her foot, She should keep the pets in her room while training if they're going to be this much a distraction to her.

During this whole time, Kai's eyes had been closed; he had been using the Force to see and sense Zian's blade and her attacks. This made him largely oblivious to the illusions taking place around him, but his focus was on the girl and her pup, not the other things in the room, so he would have missed the small object beginning to shake. After his initial slash, Kai would have followed it up with a feigning a kick to the shin and another overhead strike.