Shale Falls

[Lamper]

Spoiler: Theme: SWTOR - 17 (Coruscant, The Capitol)

Cappi looked up from under his grey hooded sweatshirt, at his speeder bike sitting high atop the majestic cliffs above where he'd left it for a more difficult and secluded path. Deep within the beautiful forests of Naboo, away from any particular association, he'd found serene waterfalls that had dug into the earth for centuries, creating this cove beneath the surface. It had carved out an amphitheater, a natural arena of obsidian and vegetation surrounding a single small opening, an abyssal pitfall, where the water escaped into. It was here, these coordinates, where he was to meet a Matukai representative named Ar'Rhan.

He pulled off his sweatshirt to let his dirtied black tank top breath and walked it over to the side of the shallow water, padding little splashes beneath his brown boots. He tested the cream colored tape wrapped around his fists and forearms, twisting his wrists and tightening his grip. Satisfactory. He tilted the silver hilt off his olive belt, holding up his dulled green pants, and ignited the yellow beam with a flourish up into the air. He smelled the fresh, thick air with a deep contented sigh. And he began tracing forms he'd read up on and learned over the years, one after the other. Here, alone with no one watching, he could be himself. He could care. He could enjoy himself, who he was; whomever he was. Quiet and content, he danced a ballet of syncopation; entranced by the tide of nature's vacillating heartbeat, whirling all around.

 

[Hopeless Wanderer]

Ar'Rhan stood atop of the cliff, his golden eyes glowing beneath the veil of the fabric that blanketed his form. The white fabric was stitched at the seams with threads of gold and silver, indicative of the rank that the Shistavanen had recently obtained within the relatively unknown Order that he was a member of. Though, times were changing and the warrior of the Matukai had begun taking steps in broadening the scope of the Matukai. To bring them to the front of people minds, as in recent years the Jedi had begun to falter within the eyes of those that had always believed within them. The seemingly unrivaled Imperium had seen to that. Yet, here upon the surface of Naboo the tides of war had begun to shift.

Thus, it seemed only fitting that the Adept would meet with a Padawan not far from the recently ended conflict and perhaps teach him a thing or two. Perhaps, this lesson would make its way to the ears of the new Grandmaster and help encourage an alliance between the two of Factions. Ar'Rhan knew that these were merely possibilities and in time the Light would find a way to prevail. So, with a sigh the Matukai stepped from the rocky overlook.

It was an unusual thing for him to be off-world and out of his Warskin, though he still wore the colors of his people and carried the fabled weapon of his people. His Wanshen was in its collapsed state, no different than a traditional lightsaber hilt in appearance, and tied securely about his waist upon the lower portion of his spine. His torso was vacant of clothing, save for the scarf that was wrapped around his neck and looped over his head to form a hood of sorts. A pair of loose fitting white pants adorned his lower half, accompanied by the gold and silver sash that held his Wanshen in place. His feet were bare and his tail was allowed exit from the seat of his pants.

So, when he met the shale stone at the bottom of his fall, a thunderous boom erupted through the canyon. His nearly five hundred pound frame crashing with an unexpected grace as he landed in a crouched position. "Greetings... I must commend you for your choice of locations. Ar'Rhan Ghol, at your service."

 

[Lamper]

Mid swing, Cappi halted his steps and looked over his shoulder; almost loosing his footing. Ar'rhan's entrance was a bit jarring. Okay. A lot jarring. Like ten wookies deciding to jump on your trampoline all at once. He smiled, deactivated his lightsaber, and sheathed the smidgen of embarrassment he felt at the notion of being seen practicing; alone.

"Ar'rhan. Hey. Glad you like it. Cappi Tremaine. Padawan extraordinaire. Just call me Cappi."
He spoke warmly and extended a hand to the behemoth on approach. Cappi's greeting completely lacked any commentary on Ar'rhan's appearance. When it came to men, Shistavanan or otherwise, it didn't matter much what they looked like. He'd known plenty of various species in his life, and quite frankly didn't acknowledge any difference.

"Hope you didn't have much trouble finding the place, what with everything going on? I appreciate you taking time to meet with me out here. Makes you a good guy in my book."

Little birds flew off in the distance, dancing around each other in harmony. The constant rush of water flow softened any spontaneous voice of the indigenous in their comfortable cries, uninhibited in ease of their habitat.

 

[Ar'Rhan Ghol]

Rising from the crouched position that he'd taken to help absorb the impact of his descent, Ar'Rhan used the hand that had touched the ground to stabilize him to unwrap that scarf from around his head. No longer needing the veil to keep the sun out of his eyes now that he stood within the bowl that nature had created. The shadows that were cast down from the cliffs offering a welcome cool embrace, accompanied by the mist that rose from the churning waterfall.

"Glad to be here."

He replied in a welcoming tone as his enormous paw stretched out to take hold of Cappi's extended hand. The pleasantries was a nice change of pace, it had been quite a while since he'd been in the company of someone new that wasn't out to kill him. Or that he was trying to kill for that matter. The Shistavanen was glad that he'd taken the time to send out an offering for training to both the Jedi and the Rebels, despite the fact that only a few had decided to take him up on the offer.

"It was no trouble at all and thank you. Thank you for taking me up on the offer for training... I was beginning to think that the Jedi. You know what, it doesn't matter. So, what is it that you were hoping to learn from me young Padawan?"

While he spoke, his right hand had found its way onto the Mythra cylinder that was secured just above his tail and had removed it. He'd yet to activate the weapon, choosing instead to keep it collapsed and maintain the element of surprise for its unveiling. Not many had seen the fabled Wanshen in person, because those that had either wielded one or were cut down by them.

 

[Lamper]

It was an odd feeling for one's hand to be completely lost in another's grip. He mused over the thought with a tilt of his head, an innocently curious curl to his lips as he searched for any trace of his wrapped skin peeking out from under dark fur. Nearly none to be found until its release. It was reassuring, not being held for too long nor squeezed too hard. Ar'Rhan was neither a complete show off nor an overbearing tutor, judging by his handshake. At least in this case. Towards a stranger. In a delicate balance between slightly unfamiliar factions. Didn't phase Cappi one bit. He smiled. Paced back a bit. Replaced his lightsaber back into his right hand. And played with a sway of his weight upon his toes against the wet stone beneath his feet.

"Well. No problem." He shrugged off the half remark about the Jedi. He was not about to touch that. Politics. Philosophies. Strategies. Uh-uh. "I'd like to get your take on one-on-one combat. Mano-e-mano. Specifically, Force amplification of reflexes. Strength. Speed. Durability. Whatever you can offer a budding student of the Force. In exchange, I'll buy you lunch. See. I got a good handle on some things. The basics. I can... You know what? Why don't I show you?"

Cappi even grew tired of hearing himself talk. He'd made references to his skills in The Art of Movement, including assisted speed, jumps, and sight. Even a little experience in Force Valor. But he understood that Ar'Rhan's guys specialized in this stuff. If there were powers that a padawan could assimilate regarding these aspects, even ones he already knew but could be further guided in, then that's what Cappi was after.

Cappi held out his lightsaber and leaned a lazy grin with a tilt of the head, holding off on re-igniting the blade without an accord of reciprocation.

 

[Hopeless Wanderer]

A broad smile crept onto the muzzle of the Shistavanen upon hearing Cappi's request for a bit of trial by combat. It had been quite sometime since the Matukai had been able to engage someone in friendly combat outside of his Order. Having the added benefit of gifting some knowledge onto another during the process only served to cause the sly smile to morph into a toothy grin, exposing the sharp incisors that lined his mouth.

"It would be my pleasure. According to my culture, there is no greater form of meditation than when a being engages in the art of combat. So... come at me. Let me see what you know, young Padawan."

His feet shuffled about slightly upon the stone surface beneath them. The left sliding forward, toes dragging through the water pointing towards the man before him and widening his stance. It moved without a sound, only serving to form a small wave upon the surface of the liquid that wet his fur. His right foot merely shifted so that it rested perpendicular to its counterpart and served as the anchor for him frame, majority of his massive frame resting upon that single extremity.

As the smile slipped from his face, the hand that remained free and empty, was extended outwards and lifted to shoulder height with the palm facing skyward. Two slow curls of his claws beckoned Cappi to begin. His right hand still clutching the cylinder with a loose grip, Ar'Rhan having decided that he'd wait until absolutely necessary to reveal the tool that the Matukai chose long ago over the Lightsaber. The Light had begun its movements within him, heeding his call to come and do his bidding as it always does.

 

[Lamper]

Cappi grinned.

The golden beam spat out from silver hilt in right hand. And the water at his feet burst from an explosion of force as Cappi bolted with every ounce of Force Speed he could muster as quickly as he could activate it. It was intensional to show the more experienced Adept what he could do. Surely Ar'Rhan could handle him with ease. And in the blink of an eye, Cappi was at Ar'Rhan's toes. Cappi had rounded the yellow blade crossed over his left shoulder, down, and then sliced through a rising arc that splashed sizzling water up into Ar'Rhan's legs - the attack cutting up from below at Ar'Rhan's right leg, aiming to cut straight up the middle of his shin from foot to hip.

While Cappi had put everything he had into that burst of speed, he had not put an equal amount of conviction in his swing. That is to say, the speed was there but the intent to harm was not.

 

[Hopeless Wanderer]

Snap-Hiss... A sound that was somewhat foreign to the Shistavanen, yet all too familiar in the same retrospect, was the ignition of a Lightsaber blade. Despite the fact that he'd never held one within his grasp, Ar'Rhan had been on the opposite end of the deadly beam on a few occasions. This time, thankfully, he'd not be fighting for his life. So, in essence this would prove to be a learning experience for not only the Jedi, but for the Matukai as well. Granting him the opportunity to further examine the techniques that one who wields such a blade would utilize in combat.

Following, only a mere moment behind the ignition of the light blade was an explosion of sorts. Though, this was something that the fur-covered warrior was ready expecting and well prepared for. He had beckoned the Padawan to attack and Cappi chose not to disappoint. The burst of movement from the sudden dash forward had cultivated the concussive blast of water and resulting spray of mist that formed behind the Jedi as he charged forward to meet the stationary Shistavanen. Cappi's technique seemed to be proper, though in truth Ar'Rhan wouldn't know how the form should look. Regardless, he didn't see any fault in the man's attack. Besides the fact that he'd opted to strike at the guarded leg instead of the lead one that was more exposed.

So, with a simple manipulation of the Force, Ar'Rhan quickened his reflexes and empowered his senses. Keeping majority of his weight upon the targeted leg, he shifted his frame slightly and use the momentum created from that movement to strike out with his left foot in an arching kick that struck Cappi at the wrist. Powerful enough to knockback the assaulting swing of the lightsaber, but nowhere near strong enough to do any damage. Following through with the kick, Ar'Rhan carried the momentum into a twirl that spun him a full three-hundred and sixty degrees before coming to rest facing the Padawan once again. This time however with his right leg acting as the lead leg and the left back holding his weight.

"You've got the basics down in amplifying your speed... you need only refine it. Which, will come with practice."

His words were spoken matter-of-factly, an obvious statement that while most likely unnecessary felt right to be voiced. Again, he beckoned Cappi to attack by curling his claws with palm facing the sky. Only this time, the hand that goaded him forward was the one clutching the metallic cylinder.

"Again. Only this time don't temper your strength and conviction... I can assure you that there is no need for such restraint. The only way to progress is to challenge yourself. I want to see what you're truly capable of."

 

[Lamper]

Cappi's fist flung aside, arm rounding over his head from Ar'Rhan's kick. Cappi'd almost lost hold of his hilt. But it just circled over and around, to return to a forward guard. He switched the saber into his left hand to shake out his right while he took in Ar'Rhan's words pleasantly. Then he switched it back to his right.

"Alright," he agreed tentatively. It wasn't just that he wasn't one to afflict pain, but also it wasn't in his nature to go all out. It was something he either had to really force himself to do, or something that had to sneak up on him when he wasn't thinking too hard about it; which happened pretty often actually.

Cappi bent deep into his legs, then jettisoned into a Force run to the right. Then Force Jumped over and onto a stone ledge. Then Force Jumped into a twisting flip that landed him behind Ar'Rhan. Then dashed in, sliced horizontally from left to right, and overlapped the conclusion of his swing with a left-handed Force Push.

 

[Hopeless Wanderer]

He could see it within the eyes of the Jedi standing before him, the doubt or resignation to comply with Ar'Rhan's request. There still seemed to be some hesitation in the man in his willingness to simply let go and commit fully into the battle. The Shistavanen had some speculation that perhaps it simply wasn't in Cappi's demeanor, or at least wasn't readily accessible. Which lead the Matukai Adept into his next train of thought, the realization that in order for his student to achieve his full potential it would need to be drawn out of him.

Golden orbs of incandescent light followed to movements of the Padawan. His general form and approach were all quite developed and there didn't seem to be any wasted effort, physically or mentally. Cappi wasn't predictable, yet often times spaced the maneuvering out too greatly and created openings. Ar'Rhan would instruct him in remedying that for future use, such as the flip over the canine beast followed by the attack.

Tink. Tink. Tink. Tink.... Over and over that noise rang out in Cappi's closing steps, having started sounding off as the Padawan began to flip and twirl about him. Ar'Rhan had beckoned his Wan-Shen to elongate into the full three meters that it reached when expanded, though the massive blade was crept confined within the Mythra staff. It's edged blade being reserved solely for those deserving of finding their way upon it.

It was the Wan-Shen that was utilized in stopping the blade of the looming lightsaber, and yet he hadn't prepared for the follow-up Force Push. Which, forced the massive Shistavanen to stagger backwards a few paces. A mild chuckle found its way out of him in that instant, "Good... Now the fun begins."

Following the direction that Cappi had just performed, Ar'Rhan began to mimic his movements. Calling the Light into himself the Adept dashed to the left, only to leap and twirl up onto the same shale shelf that the Padawan had sprung from earlier. Then the large Shistavanen did as Cappi had, catapulted himself up and over the other... only Ar'Rhan came striking downward with the staff of his Wan-Shen hoping to catch that dominant shoulder of his training partner. This would be followed up by a sweeping maneuver with the staff and then finished with another twirl of his form to bring the staff down upon Cappi again in a looping over the top strike.

 

[Lamper]

Cappi smiled at the compliment, pearly whites awarded air time as though for his snap-shot to commemorate the achievement. Then he watched as Ar'Rhan flipped onto the flat as Cappi had done, followed by an aggressive leap into attack. Cappi couldn't help but to fixate on the large blade in Ar'Rhan's care. And be it fear or smart instincts, Cappi's body refused to engage such a weapon so eagerly.

Using Ar'Rhan's airtime to his advantage, Cappi raised his left arm up and used the Force to rip Ar'Rhan from the sky; pulling his descent off course to Cappi's right, ideally hoping to slam Ar'Rhan's left shoulder into the ground. Cappi'd then rocket towards Ar'Rhan in a burst of speed and slash up from the ground, saber in right hand.