To Live by the Sword

[Fox]

Kay did as instructed following Master Ze'kyre inside his small dojo, it was so different from the temple it was low tech, actually it reminded Kay of the home she had stayed in with Farir, she had removed her boots and socks at the door, deciding to let her bare feet feel the warmth from the sunlight on the floor. As she walked in Master Ze'kyre asked them about Shii-cho Kay couldn't help but smile at this. "Other than being the most basic form of Lightsaber combat, it can also be the most unpredictable, many masters of the form in the past, where known to be difficult to face in battle and often fought in a very nontraditional way." This was one subject of Jedi live Kay understood, when Farir had taught her the forms she instantly had gravitated towards Shii-cho, both for it's simplicity and it's uniqueness.

The young Mirialan took the blade from Kei as he passed it down she nearly dropped it as she wasn't used the weight it was much heavy than a lightsaber, she hefted it up trying to hold it correctly, and managed to muster herself properly. "Sifu...if I may..how did the Jedi create a weapon such as the lightsaber, from this?" She said hefting the sword up a little as to motion to it.

((OOC:Sorry this took so long))

 

[TwoSidedHeart]

Kai had zoned out briefly but a nudge from Rhoda brought him back to the world. He moved inside with the others, taking off his shoes and placing them with the rest of his things which Rhoda had neatly piled in a corner before the droid had also moved to the center of the room and assumed a cross legged seated position before Ze'kyre, sitting in silence as she had been bid. Kai shook his head and removed his weapons from his belt and also moved to the center of the room, enjoying the new sensations on his now bare feet. Handing his weapons to Rhoda, who filed them away in her chest, he also assumed her cross legged pose beside the droid and closed his eyes, listening to the conversations of the other padawans towards Ze'kyre and their fascination with the blade. He had been fortunate enough to have already held one of the blades a year or so ago. It was indeed different from the weightlessness of a lightsaber however, the build was one that offered complete balance in the weapon. Weapons such as those were still used throughout the galaxy as a response to the lightsaber. He had studied them extensively and found several videos of demonstrations of skill. Some people using those weapons could match even the greatest Jedi or Sith swordsman, he was sure.

He spoke up suddenly after Kay, offering some small input of the question Ze'kyre had posed. Truth be told, he had never really taken much interest in the First Form, despite it having been the favored of one of his own idols from the past of the Jedi order. Instead he had always focussed on Form IV and Master Windos Vapaad, preffering the aggression and speed over the organized and well paced style. His voice was quiet as he spoke, but everyone would hear his words.

"It was the form Jedi Master Kit Fisto utilized during the time of the Clone Wars. A master of the form, he once out dueled Jedi Master Obi Wan Kenobi and was hailed as one of the orders greatest swordsman of his time among Master Windo and Skywalker. He utilized the form to out duel the Jedi Hunter Grievous among others such as Ventress during his time. However, despite his Mastery of the Form, he fell swiftly in the battle against Sidious. This proved that despite complete mastery of the form, it could be somewhat easily overtaken by a Master of a different form, despite its unpredictability."

Beside him, he could hear Rhoda shaking her head but he paid her no mind. It was a truth. He knew very well that the first form could be mastered to a degree that made the master a legend in swordsmanship, but to him it was simply too... basic. Once more his lips parted and he spoke, this time towards Ze'kyre.

"My question is why, despite obvious flaws, does the order place it so highly? I understand that it is the root of all the Forms, but as Sidious proved, it is easily overtaken if approached with a dazzling offense."

 

[Resolute\\.ZEN]

Ze'kyre was pleasantly surprised by the knowledge possessed by Padawan Sunduli, nodding his head as she spoke on the Form. It was quite clear to the echani warrior that the young woman before him had a certain affinity for the first form of lightsaber combat. When she asked about the invention of the Jedi's age-old weapon, it was clear to Ze'kyre that her inquiry had been readily inspired. A smile touched his lips as he prepared his answer, giving the formation of his first sentence a long, deliberate thought.

"It was not some great feat of inspiration, Padawan Sunduli, in fact it may surprise you to know that the Jedi had not invented the lightsaber in the first place. Many millennia ago, in the day of the Je'daii, spanned the Rakatan Empire. It was they who invented was was called the Forcesaber, using powerful Darkside energies to create a crystal not unlike those most commonly used by Sith adepts. The Je'daii were divided by this new presence. You guys I am sure have been warned against using a Sith's weapon, cautioned to how they resonate with the dark side. Well, the Forcesaber was inherently strong in the Darkside, and with every use more Jed'daii fell from the light. It is speculated that the lack of consensus on such a weapon was what caused the Great Divide of the Je'daii… Nonetheless, It was from this ancient weapon that the first lightsabers were made."

He was only moments finished his short history lesson when Kai spoke up, filling some of the gaps Kaylandi had left open with her explanation of Shii-cho. However, as the boy continued speaking, it became more and more clear that he had a particularly closed-minded way of looking at the martial art.

"You seem to be of the mind that Master Fisto fell because he chose an inferior martial Form. To place forms of art atop and below one another in such a fashion will only get you killed." Unbelieving that his point had been made clear, he took a breath and continued. His eyes remained on the youngest of the Padawans.

"It was the Sith Lord who killed the Jedi Master, not the Sith Lord's form. Although I can not argue that certain schools of martial technique have certain advantages over one another, you must delve deeper than that to truly find them.

"A lightsaber form, just like any martial art, is nothing more than a way to express yourself. It can not change who you are and what you have to give, only how you decide to give it." He had expected the boy to hold a half-meriting view of the first lightsaber form. Most people who went straight intro practicing forms IV and VII did… perhaps it was Ze'kyre's own fault for not insisting the boy focus on something a little more reserved.

"Tell me, Padawan Trivasste." He was speaking to his young friend of many years now, but he did not use the boy's first name for a reason. "Do you know why they call it the way of the Sarlacc?"

[[OOC: Ze'kyre may be addressing Kai but any of you guys are welcome to post next.]]

 

[Fox]

Kay listened excitedly about the history of the lightsaber she found the tool completely fascinating, but then again I guess one would if they had waited seven years being promised the entire time to receive one. She was a little shocked to find out that the founding of the lightsaber, basically started the divide of jedi and sith. Kay pondered this but only for a moment as Kai spoke badly of the first form Kay frowned at him saying how it's best master from the clone era fell to a 'superior' form, Kay was about to speak when Master Ze'kyre spoke first Kay smiled as she listened to him. She liked this jedi Knight in fact she had yet to meet a jedi at this temple she didn't like they where all so different from Farir, more open or it seemed that way.

Kay shook her head when he asked why it was called the form of the Sarlacc, she had heard Master Farir call it that a few times but he had never explained why.

((OOC: Again sorry this took so long.))

 

[TwoSidedHeart]

(IM SO SORRY FOR THE LATENESS OF THIS REPLY GUYS!!!!!)

Kai remained silent during Ze'kyres answer, nodding somewhat and taking in the information. Perhaps dueling was much like any martial art but it was true that like some martial arts, there were others that simply outdid others. Behind him Rhoda was also silent, not wishing to speak up to answer the question the Knight had answered simply because she understood that this was a learning experience for these padawans and that they would learn nothing if they had their hands held during the process. Of course, she had gone over the seven main forms in differing details to her charge many times and was confident he would be able to tell the elder male why indeed was the form known as the "Way of the Sarlacc". Kai cleared his through and looked sideways at Kay, whom he could feel the excitement dripping off of as well as the curiosity as well as the distaste with which she had viewed his earlier comments. Once more his voice filled the room as his gaze returned to Ze'kyre.

"Simply because the form sticks to the traditional style of swordplay before the time of the Jedi. It has lasted throughout the years despite many disadvantages and remains a danger to an opponent. Like a Sarlacc. Old and dangerous. However, this metaphor also brings into question once more the usefulness of the form if it is compared to a beast that, despite having great longevity, is relatively pitiful compared to other hunters or in this case, styles."

He was a prideful padawan still, despite his recent humbling at the hands of Naokama and this much was clear in his tone. He was overconfident in his words and they left little room at least in his mind for anyone else to go against what he had to say. Perhaps this had something to do with the raging hormones in side his teenaged body... Behind him Rhoda made a noise much like a cough before shaking her head and pulling off a glance towards Ze'kyre. She believed being around the Knight may dull her 'masters' pride a little as she was sure that despite their friendship, Ze'kyre would not merely sit there while an arrogant teenaged human talked to him in such a way. Kai looked at her and she stared emotionlessly back for several moments the two sharing some kind of silent conversation before a frown crossed Kais face and he frowned, speaking up once more in a more appropriate tone.

"I... apologize for my tone Sifu."

 

[Stormthroe]

Kei sat still as the others answered, admiring the curve of the sword rather than looking at Saixc as he spoke, understanding generally the interpretation of Forms being superior to one another as inaccurate. He himself had experienced this. Every martial art could be used to best another, it was the skill and ingenuity of the wielder who dictated the win or loss of a duel. While it was true that certain styles had certain strengths and weaknesses, each could be used to defeat another, and it was therefore not the style that was more or less effective, but the fighter.

He listened to Padawan Trivvaste however, taking in the knowledge of Form I, at least the history part. His opinion seemed jaded; Kei was simply excited to learn from the Master anything he could while there. He glared slightly at the tone Trivvaste had taken with Sifu Saixc, but only just adjusting his sight to look at him, barely moving. Then again, he did have a history with the Master, so Kei supposed it was expected they would be more comfortable with each other. Following Padawan Trivvaste's apology, Kei spoke to add his own knowledge to their collective answer.

"I have read Master Fisto's holocrons in the archives, and I disagree Padawan Trivvaste," spoke Kei in a polite tone, making sure look him in the eye as not to offend him. He continued, turning to face Master Saixc, "Sifu, as I understand, Sidious was a powerful duelist, besting multiple Jedi, and holding his own against even Master Windu for some time, despite his Vapaad style being one of the most powerful then and now. If it is anything like my weapons training, which I imagine it is based on your story of its use to transfer from weighted blades like your own to the weightless lightsaber, than it is simple but efficient. To someone who practices a more specialized style, it may appear clumsy, like I do when wielding a blade, but in actuality it is simply not elegant. Like a waterfall flowing past a rock, the first style is unpredictable in its path, and powerful in its attack, though adaptable in defense for if the rock falls into the water, the water will move around it." Kei finished with a small bow, indicating he had said all he wished and awaiting the Master's response.

 

[Resolute\\.ZEN]

As Kai spoke, Ze'kyre's mismatched gaze stayed upon the young Padawan, a blank look of indifference residing upon his fair-skinned features. He did not blink the entire time the boy spoke, and though it showed little on his face the boy could undoubtedly tell that his elder thought the answer to be quite unbecoming of the bright young student.

When the young Jedi apologized, the mismatched lenses finally blinked. Sensing that Padawan Arele had something to share, he waited and was delightfully surprised by the older Padawans words. "Very eloquent, Padawan. You are quite right." His eyes returned to Kai then.

"As for you, well I hope your idea of what warrants pity soon becomes clearer, have you heard of the trial of Insight, Padawan?" His face remained quite expressionless but he cocked a single eyebrow. It was rhetorical, however. "Some of the galaxies strongest, fastest predators have only become so because they need to be. The Sarlacc's power comes from determination. Self-assurance and patience, the serenity to wait and the sharpness to act." His eyes slimmed then as they remained on the young Padawan's own. Surely the boy was sharp. Ze'kyre had never seen much serenity within him however.

Ze'kyre then reached out and politely gestured for the sword back. When it was returned to him he sheathed it once again, and sat it down between himself and the Padawans.

"The nature of such a blade makes it slice easily. Other blades are designed to pierce and hack, and the katana serves these purposes finely, but the curve allows the blade to cut further and more easily into armour, flesh, and bone. And so of course styles of technique were designed to be circular and broad to make full use of such a trait."

He grabbed the sword by its sheath then, stood back to his feet, and took a few steps in the corner where the weapons hung. Reaching out with the Force, he hung the sword upon its rack and withdrew four bokken from the bin. As he turned back around and waved the same hand in the direction of his students, the three wooden swords hung in the air in front of them, and his other hand wrapped about the hilt of his own.

"Now, shall we begin with a demonstration?"

 

[Stormthroe]

Kei lept up excitedly, coolly grasping the bokken from where Master Saixc held it through the Force. This was why he had come, to learn from an Echani swordsman the ways of combat.

"Tseng Sifu." he spoke, bowing slightly, the bokken's tip along his side towards the floor in a traditional martial salute. Casually, he glanced at the other padawans, grasping his bokken tighter for a brief moment as he clenched his fist around its handle. The grain of the wood felt good in his palm as he rolled it slightly, awaiting the next set of instructions.

 

[Resolute\\.ZEN]

"Very good," he said with a nod of encouragement to the eldest and keenest of his three pupils. With a quick flourish outward, he brought the blade over his head and then downwards as he stepped backwards, inviting Kei into the space before the other two students where he could instruct the young man without fear of harming the other two Padawans.

"The first stance we use in Shii-cho is quite simple." His knees were only slightly bent, knees placed just without shoulder-width apart with the left forward. His hips twisted slightly so that his shoulders faced Kei, and he held the Bokken with his right hand over the left, space enough for a third hand between them. "Shii-cho is known for its simplicity. It needed only be effective, and given that Jedi were familiar with swordplay, it was quick and easy to create something that was effective for keeping the peace. But do not let this simplicity fool you. It is only through mastery of the basic that great masters such as Kit Fisto can use Shii-cho to such devastating yet balanced effect."

"Now, are you prepared to defend yourself, Kei?"

 

[Stormthroe]

Kei watched as Master Saixc took stance, showing him the first stance of Shii-cho. He easily slid into the same stance, remembering his basic training at the monastery. The bokken was seemingly familiar in his hand, reminding him of the training swords he had practiced with.

"Yes, Sifu. I am ready."