Ask Ajan Kloss Art of the Blade

[Mila Tesara]

Location: Ajan Kloss, Isolated Island


Mila hadn't done a proper saber practice in some time, so where else to do it than in a extremely dangerous environment with little to no medical attention available. She rose to her feet, having removed much of her baggy robing, and down to more befitting gear. The water felt cold as it splashed against her lavender skin, but she thought nothing of it; after all, that was part of what this training was about, staying in tune with the force. She looked to one of the rock columns that was presenting itself out from the ocean and smiled to her fellow knight. "Water's a tad nippy, but other than that, I think we are in for a great session." She remarked, taking the saber off her belt and feeling the damp melt press against her palm. She was proud of herself for having used a word Astra had said back on Belsavis, 'nippy', such an amusing word to say.

The rock surface was a tad rough on her feet, but it would serve another vital part of this lesson she had put together in her mind. "I'm sure it won't bother you though, being Pantoran and all, this is probably like a summer breeze am I right?" Mila attempted to stretch out, before taking up a position on one of the rocks, as she witnessed yet another wave come up and slam against the cove, sweeping over the rocky surface of which the pair were about to do battle. "I've never done a sparing session quite like this, so lets just take it slow for right now, and pick it up as we move along. Sound good?" Mila asked, turning to face her fellow knight, before leaping onto one of the outlaying rock slabs sitting in the middle of the cove. She pressed the ignition on her hilt, as the aqua colored blade flared to life, steam sizzling off the blade as the small droplets of water dove head first into it. She had dialed back the power to the training setting, after all, this was just practice.

@Die Shize

 

[Vayla Mirana]

Ambience IC

Spoiler

Music OOC

Spoiler

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All around the island of brown rock striped in green moss was a sea of sapphire; swarming water that rose and fell, liquid and as alive as the two souls who stood upon the stone. One Twi’lek. One Pantoran. Both women. Both Jedi. They had come, not to settle disputes or to contest victory, not to show one another up or down, but to test their abilities upon the other, that they might learn from each other, and improve themselves—in combat.

Violence, as far as Vayla understood it, was the last tool in the box; a last resort and not the first. To properly implement a tool, though, required one to be familiar with it. She always did prefer the vintage feel of keeping a pen in her pocket, but the lightsaber clipped to her belt was there for a reason. Today, she would make proper use of it.

As the ocean quivered and called, Vayla looked and listened, enjoying the droplets upon her bare skin. Like her fellow combatant, she had come attired in clothing that did not impede, sporting a white tank top and black leggings, with her greater garments tossed aside on a nearby rock. As Mila commented on the ‘nippy’ water, her counterpart smiled in agreement. Pantora wasn’t quite like its neighboring planet, Orto Plutonia, but she had suffered more than one harsh winter in her time there. Right now, the water that danced and bounced around the rocks was nothing if not cool and refreshing.

“Nippy is nice. As much as I enjoy the forests of Ajan Kloss, I’d say that you picked a great spot for our little spar, Mila Tesara.” Vayla winked, watching her opponent leap onto a slab in the middle of the cove, and followed her appropriately, lining their centers up with one another and keeping a fair distance. Mila retrieved her hilt and Vayla did the same, igniting a cyan blade that whirred to life in like fashion, training setting switched on and all. She gripped the hilt in her right hand, the blade pointed downward, assuming no combat stance outright.

“Slow is good,” she nodded, then tilted her head with a grin. “But slow doesn’t mean soft, correct?” She shrugged. "Let's not go too easy on each other, gal! But I guess we can up the stakes as the game gets played. On that note, you want the first move, or me?"

The training was real, but the fun was no less. As much as Vayla enjoyed her moments of meditation, her book sessions, her merry adventures with others, there was something about the energy and electricity of the lightsaber that made making contact with another so very, very exciting.



@Algarus

 

[Mila Tesara]

Unlike the Pantoran, Mila did not find the cool water pleasant. It could have been worse, like Hoth or something, but it was just a tad below uncomfortable on her radar. As both combatants took their place on the rocks, Mila found herself stumped by a simple statement: 'Slow doesn't mean soft, correct?' Mila felt a small bit of color come to her face at what her sparring partner suggested, then disconnected it from another topic; clearly Brahe was having too much of an affect on her. "Well, with reasonable amount of force. We aren't younglings after all." Mila took up a stance, the familiar foot and placement of Soresu, as she slide her feet around the icy sleek surface of the rock, facing down her opponent.

Mila raised the blade with her left hand, her right hand gestured outward towards the blue skinned jedi. "Of most definitely, if we aren't trying then what's the point of this exercise?" Mila stated, as she took in a cold breath, removing herself from the discomfort she felt, the cold droplets of water that ran down her body, or the loud sounds of the ocean rushing towards the two knights. "I'll let you have the first strike, see how this goes." Mila said, as she felt her mind and body begin to focus on only the here and now, feeling a sense of oneness with the world around her, and it through her. The real challenge would be to see how long she could keep such an endeavor up. She would wait for her opponent to come at her, as the newest wave was begining to break across the rock they stood on.

@Die Shize

 

[Vayla Mirana]

Music OOC

Spoiler

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Vayla’s smile broadened as she studied her opponent’s motions; the fluidity of her form as she settled into an all too familiar stance. In a way, it was like watching a mirror image of herself, and it wouldn’t exactly be the first time that Vayla Mirana had fought Vayla Mirana. Though certainly my first duel with Mila Tesara. I wonder… For Vayla’s part, she wasn’t alien to the old forms, though adhering to them was another thing.

There she stood in a stance that could have been the ancient Form II, Makashi, but all in all there would be no telling how her feet would step or her lightsaber would swing. It’s the eyes that a combatant had to watch, feeling movements with the Force—tenets that were not unusual, but a number tended to forget them.

Mila took in a breath to steady herself while Vayla breathed the breeze. There was no denying the cold in the air, the chill from the rock, despite her experience and especially with the outfit she had decided to don. Yet, soon enough, she would be moving and so would Mila, and their bodies would generate all the heat they needed in the heat of battle.

“You honor me.” Vayla responded to the Twi’lek’s offer of giving the Pantoran the first strike. "Our lightsabers shall in turn honor each other.”

With a simple bow, Vayla straightened her back, and amusement was all but lost from her countenance as she closed her eyes. She listened to the water, the rise and fall of the tides, the creeping of the sea as it lapped against stone like liquid tongues before receding into the depths. A wave splashed against the rock wall behind her, spraying her hair and face and body in droplets, but she took the splash like a cool kiss. The sea sang, she opened her eyes to daylight, and a cresting wave just then broke across the rock that two Jedi stood on. And now the dance begins.

Suddenly, Vayla sprung forth like a dagger in the wind, hearing in her mind the battle breaths of ancient Jedi and even the clash of blades where once there were no lightsabers. Her opponent, Mila Tesara, stood at the ready in defensive Soresu, and if the Twi’lek was loyal to the stance then Vayla reckoned how her opponent would receive the strike. Giving to it, Vayla closed the distance quickly, her blade trailing behind her.

As both their weapons neared within range of each other, the Pantoran dashed to her left, toward her opponent’s right flank, while swinging her saber upward. At first instant, it might have seemed like the blade would cut across diagonally upward from Mila’s left hip to her right shoulder. However, while aligning her front with Mila’s right side as she dashed, Vayla instead tucked her saber in before swinging it horizontally from her left to right, the blade aiming for the target’s hip-level.

If Mila had bought the feint then she might just be swinging her lightsaber diagonally downward from her right to left, away from the true path of Vayla’s lightsaber. If nothing else, this initiation of combat would allow both opponents to get a feel for the other, barring any surprises, and Vayla appeared incapable of seizing the smile from her own lips. This spar had just begun, but it was already fun.


@Algarus

 

[Mila Tesara]

For once in a rare moment, Mila felt herself growing excited, which didn't happen very often. She got a hold of this excitement rather quickly of course, pushing it down, burying it before it became a distraction, as she awaited her opponents move. She watched as the woman chose Makashi, and a small smile played across the Twi'leks face. That was her preferred style truth be told, but the fundamentals of Soersu had always stuck her as being more sensible. Was there some wave length that the two shared? Perhaps, but that was something that could be discussed after this bout. As for right now, she could feel Vayla gazing upon her, a merely inflection between two force users. It seemed of a somewhat intimate nature, two warriors gazing upon one another style, taking account of the tenseness of their foe, the stillness of the breath; such things were not lost on the Twi'lek of course. "And you honor me." Mila remarked, before she shut herself off from the world.

As the sea began to crash, there was a tense air that held for a moment between the two. While this fight was not to the death by any means, nor for any glory, this was two artists showing what they could accomplish with their brush strokes. In this moment, Mila could feel the airs of the island, the crushing waves of the sea slamming against the rocks, even the salt water that had unfortunately made contact with her eye; which stung quite a bit truth be told. There was a special sort of act being put on here, and now the first stroke on the canvas would be played out.

As Vayla pushed forward, Mila found herself in awe at the movements on display. Clear her foe had been practiced, possibly more so than Mila, as she moved with such grace that if not for the combat being before her, Mila would have envied. It was like watching a bird take flight from where Mila stood, as she saw the movements, and the ripples that followed. Though she couldn't exactly see Vayla's flight, she could feel the movement her fellow knight gave off; not like that explanation ever made sense

The rouse was simple, yet effective, and if not for Mila's experience she might have fallen for it. Like any skilled duelist, it was finding the moment to strike by gauging the movements of the opponent, she noticed a small shift in the strike as she moved to parry it. As Mila brought her blade down to parry the faint, she had initially planned to moved the blade across to defend her right side, but that was quickly corrected. Mila dipped her blade hand towards the ground and pushed it forward as she would intercept the strike, but knew that something else would swiftly follow if she didn't act. Using her free hand, she attempted to force push her opponent away just a tad, aiming to gain enough room to work with. If this was what her opponent called going 'soft', Mila was going to have to shape up and quick. She stepped forward now, whipping her saber hand towards Vayla, as she aimed to slash across her foes right side and up to the left shoulder, flicking her left wrist up and outwards. Her right hand remained open, as Mila felt that Vayla might have a follow up prepared for such a simple strike.

@Die Shize

 

[Vayla Mirana]

Music OOC

Spoiler

​

The two blades of both Jedi glided toward one another; twin beams of cyan or aqua that shared the same spectrum of power as much as color. Attack or defend, the lightsabers locked, and the blades buzzed as they hugged. The embrace didn’t last long as Mila opened her palm and sent Vayla staggering backwards with as much of a gasp as a giggle. Cheeky girl! That wasn’t slow! For their spar, they certainly hadn’t spoken against utilizing the gifts of the Force beyond the grace of the saber, but as much as Vayla had made the first attack with blade, Mila had just done so with Force, and the two were now in tango.

Upon the dry rock, a patch of terrain behind or beside Vayla might have been slick from the inbound waves as she was forced backward, but her footing was held for now. The two combatants had enough favorable ground to work with, and plenty of air to swing their sabers through. Of which, Mila was quick to follow her Force push up with an advance, and Vayla no less to recover.

As Mila’s saber came up toward Vayla’s right side, Vayla held her hilt with both hands and swung her own saber toward the center of her opponent’s in order to parry the attack. While lightsabers might either bounce or stick to one another, Vayla intended for the former, banking on her downward, two-handed swing to overpower her opponent’s, knocking it away and toward Mila’s left. This was as much because Vayla would withdraw her own saber upon impact.

As soon as the swords would connect, Vayla withdrew her left hand from the hilt and held it open to keep Mila’s right hand in check. Concurrently, her right leg shot forward, twisting her right side toward Mila’s front, and taking minimal effort to reposition her lightsaber after its lateral rebound from her opponent’s. Lunging forward, Vayla thrust the tip of her blade toward Mila’s chest, the result of which would not be any impalement but more like a punch that could in turn force Mila backwards. Though Vayla's right flank was relatively exposed, Mila's own lightsaber might have still been recovering from the parry amid Vayla's sudden lunge.


@Algarus

 

[Mila Tesara]

There had only been four brushes on the canvas, but already it was turning into a thing of art. Vayla's counter was far more effective than Mila's strike, as she nearly knocked back the knights blade, if she hadn't put so much effort in not driving the blade away. Vayla was far too skilled for such a simple swipe, Mila knew that, but she had hoped to exploit something from the woman's reaction to the initial blow. She was wrong.

The down hand swipe had much more force put into it than Mila had put forth, as her strike was repelled, and the jedi knight was caught in a rather vulnerable position. As her blade was pushed away, she slide her right foot back, going with her blade off to the side, as Vayla composed her form and lunged forward. Mila didn't exactly have time to parry, as she pushed back, trying to dodge out of the way of the strike.

She attempted to switch grips, though with the hilt being soaked it was not so easily done. She flipped the grip held in her left hand, and came back with a reverse grip, as she hoped to knock Vayla's blade upwards with her new strike. Mila swung the blade upwards, hoping to knock the blade aside. Mila's feet nearly slipped on the rock as she began to move, though she managed to push through. She had tried to knock the blade upward, though Vayla's blade would still manage to nick her in the right shoulder, sending a soft 'sting' through her arm.

Mila stumbled back at the sting, trying to jerk away from the sensation, only to find her feet had slipped out from under her, sending the jedi knight onto her back, as Vayla stood over her. Smacking the hard and wet surface of the rock, she winced at the discomfort, but soon began to snicker at her clumsy display. "First point goes to-" She had began to say, until a rushing wave of water threw sea water into her mouth and shorted out her lightsaber. She coughed, her clothing now mostly soaked as she attempted to sit up, half dying from choking on water and laughing, but she finally managed to get some words out. "First point goes to you." She managed to get out, as she would get back to her feet, shaking her head, as freezing cold water was dripping from her head-tails. "I'm embarrassed to say I'm not as firm on my blade work as I had thought."

@Die Shize

 

[Vayla Mirana]

Music OOC

Spoiler

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Mila was quick, something of a superfluous statement when it came to Jedi. Then again, it was perhaps for the fact that they operated on a whole other level of speed that granted the observation. These two women were sparring, and enjoying it as far as could be told, but they were practicing, not playing. It was to good grace, then, that Mila reacted with the reflexes of a cat. Vayla watched as her own saber soared forward, finding not a chest but a shoulder, and even then just the edge.

Her opponent had reversed her grip and swung her saber upward, connecting with Vayla’s to nudge it while the Twi’lek shifted her footing. All of a sudden, Mila was armed and able at Vayla’s right flank, where no protection was present. It was the Pantoran’s turn to react with speed. With her right leg extended, she pivoted on its foot, realigning her front with Mila’s and crossing her saber before her body, the blade angled past her left shoulder and hilt held in both hands.

Yet, the nick on Mila’s shoulder had been enough to stumble her, and she had not attempted a counterattack. Instead, she fell flat on her back, courtesy of wet rock. Vayla winced at the fall—it certainly had not been a part of her plan. She even deignited her saber and stepped forward to make sure that hopefully no bone had been badly bruised besides pride. When Mila gave a bit of a laugh, though, all things seemed swell. When the rush of water came, Vayla didn’t know whether to gasp or giggle once again. She settled for the latter.

“Oh dear…” The gal was absolutely drenched. Clothing soggy, lightsaber shorted, lekku like lathered tentacles. That latter analogy might have been poor but no worse than Mila’s present state. “You all right?”

Vayla smiled with the same sportsmanship that her sparring partner clearly possessed despite her present circumstances. Mila must have been on the verge of hearing her own teeth chatter. Remedies were certainly in order, though the ball was in the Twi’lek’s court.

“Your bladework is firm, friend.” Vayla looked the woman up and down. “It’s your footing that was not.” She stifled another laugh and shrugged the misfortunes away. “No worries. It might have been me only moments ago. As I said, you picked a great spot for our spar.”

Taking another gust of ocean air into her lungs, Vayla watched gulls fly overhead, crooning and squawking. Such free creatures. Gliding with the grace of clouds, oblivious to the two duelists beneath them. With a tuneless hum, she held her arms out toward Mila, a hilt in one hand and an open spot in the other where a dancing partner’s hand might go.

“Well,” Vayla grinned. “Shall you tune your instrument and dry yourself off in the dance?” She tilted her head in as much study as stimulation. “Or do you fancy a warm blanket, a hot cup of tea and the ocean for a theater?” Truth be told, Vayla was perfectly fine with either remedy.


@Algarus

 

[Mila Tesara]

The tense atmosphere was almost entirely dead in a few short moments. Mila had slipped and gotten drenched in icy cool sea water, leaving her opponent feeling rather amused at her sparing partners fail. Mila was too busy snickering at her own failing, though that snickering evolved into a rare bout of laughter, as she couldn't help but feel silly. "I'm fine, don't mind me." Mila was quick to say as her companion asked, though her rear end and back were less okay, she didn't think it was anything worth concerning herself with. Vayla's skills of observation were correct, as the jedi knight was at the verge of shivering, though she seemed to be fighting it off at current.

"I'm glad you think so, I can't recall the last time I had to use my saber in melee combat." Mila began to comment, before her brow furrowed in annoyance at the comment about her footing. It was certainly funny, as Mila couldn't conceal the small grin that followed the comment, a small chuckle escaping her lips before she regained her composure. "Perhaps, perhaps not. The force decreed that this day I would be the one to make a fool of myself." Mila remarked, taking the whole ordeal in stride. Clearly she needed to be more in tune with the force, as she caught sight of one of the birds that soared above the pairs heads. She needed to be like those birds, undeterred, not faltering in the slightest, at peace with the world about them. Yes, that would be ideal.

The sudden gust from the ocean was enough to punch through Mila's act through, as her teeth chattered, and the jedi knight couldn't resist trying to bundle up; only to remember she had no such robe to do so with. She looked to Vayla's offered hand and took it, making her way to her feet, as she clipped her saber back to her absolutely drenched belt. "Thank you." Mila muttered as her companions offer for help. Mila looked to her fellow knight at the offer of going another bout, or trying to warm up before hand, and felt tempted to go with the second option.

Gripping both her arms and trying to get herself a tad warm, the option seemed a tad clear; especially with her clothing and head-tails being drenched as they were. "Truth be told, a blanket and hot tea sounds heavenly." Mila remarked, as she had brought her robe with her and some rations, but little else. Maybe a small break could be in order before they started a second bout, that sounded ideal to the knight at least. Mila looked at the Pantoran and had to ask. "I'm guessing you have tea? I think I have some on my ship, but current I am without." The knight confessed, as she hadn't exactly thought to consider taking a break during this time. Clearly this would be something to consider next time.

@Die Shize

 

[Vayla Mirana]

Ambience IC

Spoiler

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At Mila’s submission for a spot of warmth and tea, Vayla clapped her hands. “Lovely!” The question as to whether she had tea or not was certainly reasonable, but for Vayla it felt like someone asking her if the color of her skin was blue. “Lesson number one in every sparring session, my dear: Always bring tea.”

Exchanging a grin, she gave a firm pat on Mila’s wet shoulder and clipped her own lightsaber to her belt. Despite not standing soaked like her counterpart, her arms were still as bare as could be, a chill wrapping around her body in stark contrast to a blanket, and tea was beginning to sound as heavenly as Mila had evoked.

“Follow me!”

With that, Vayla negotiated her way onto drier land, where the waves did not reach and there was no worry to be had as to whether stepping here or there would make you slip or not. Her greater gear had been set beside a rock; a backpack and her white robe. As she crouched, she decided that the cold air on her skin was too refreshing to part with, so she rejected the robe and opened up the pack. Bundled inside was a towel and a thermal blanket, one for each warrior, though she took only one pair and offered both items to Mila.

“Here you go, love. Dry off and get cozy at your leisure.”

A portable kettle came out next and Vayla went straight to work filling it with tea leaves and ration water, letting it brew from its self-sustained thermal system. It wouldn’t take long and in the meantime she also offered Mila an energy bar, if so inclined. Her own was wedged between her teeth and she swallowed chocolate and pecan granola. She was certainly satisfied that she had come prepared for both of them, if not entirely.

“Only thing I didn’t bring are chairs!” Vayla chuckled. “What am I saying? We’re surrounded by seats!” Beside her gear was the fairly smooth surface of island rock that accepted one's bottom. Within the cove, they had a splendid view of the ocean as it opened out beyond the neck of jagged stone walls. Foamy white liquid bubbled against the rocky edges that stretched toward cliffs, but wrapped around the horizon was a sea of blue that waved like the ripples in a blanket might when wrapped around the shoulders. It was a picturesque position that praised the moment.

“So humbling, isn’t it?” Vayla asked the only other person besides herself, her gaze lounging on the ocean. “That we can cup water in our own two hands and watch it slip between our fingers like nothing, but out there in the deep we are certainly at the water’s mercy...”


@Algarus

 

[Mila Tesara]

It seemed her companion had a better thought out routine than Mila had arranged, as it seemed that drinking tea was part of Vayla's sparing ritual. The Twi'lek made note of to consider packing tea for future sparing sessions, might encourage her padawans to not drag their feet going forward. "I'll have to consider that going forward. The thought never occurred to me." Mila nodded, as she would join her fellow knight in fetching the good and embarking on their break.

Unlike her Twi'lek compatriot, the blue skinned woman seemed utterly undeterred by the chilling water and the gusts that pounded the shores. Mila felt a tad envious as she shivered in the wind, but did not tardy for long, as she fell in behind her sparing partner, eager to get away from the icy waters.

The pair doubled back to where they had set off their equipment, firm land that would send them into the wash over one clumsy step. Mila had only her viridian colored robes and a small back with little more than trial rations and water, as well as a towel, then when offered the towel and heated blanket from Vayla, she accepted it eagerly. "I certainly intend to, thank you." Mila's teeth chattered as she accepted the offer, wrapping herself up in a blanket, but not before ensuring the towel was used to it's fully extent. She dried off her head-tails first, as the cold water had been driving her a tad bit insane, but once that was done, Mila let herself relax, as she threw her roves on over the blanket, ensuring she was bundled up quite tight and warm.

Vayla went right into preparing tea, and Mila couldn't help but watch; after all, there wasn't much else to do. She took the offer for the ration bar and munched on it, finding the taste setting well with her; she realized now that Vayla had packed enough supplies for the two of them, while Mila had thought only of herself. Yet another thing she would have to amend in her behaviors, as it seemed her companion was giving her ideas on how to be perhaps a better instructor. Mila smiled at her companions joke, as she took a seat on one of the rocks and gazed out at the sea. "It seems you brought everything. I've never thought to bring a kettle on my sparing practices, though, that's perhaps because I typically meditate once I've finished my routines." Mila mused to herself, before watching the crashing of water on rock, and the soft rumble of the sea. She was feeling quite a bit warmer now, as the three layers of warmth was paying off. Vayla made a comment about the relation of water, and how they could control it at times, and other times at it's mercy. The comment brought a smile from the jedi knight, as she looked to her companion as she replied. "Is that not the cycle of the force? We merely tap into the faintest bit of it's essense, and are always at the mercy of it. Just like water in our hands, so too the ocean." She nodded, coiling one of her head tails around her neck for additional warmth. "But it is humbling, to be put in check, reminded of your mortal life. Certainly so. I may be a jedi, but I can still slip on a wet rock like anyone else." Mila chuckle, as she had just seen earlier, she was being kept in check.

@Die Shize

 

[Vayla Mirana]

Ambience IC [Recurring]

Spoiler

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Mila said something then that angled Vayla’s head like a bird’s, her longing look at the singing sea seized by what she had just heard from the mouth of her companion. Cycle of the Force… What insightful words. The comparison was more than adequate; in some ways, it was life-defining. Here were two small creatures sitting on a rock pondering the higher meaning of water, such as that of the ocean, and beyond their planet was a whole ocean of outer space. Greater than all of that, though, was the Force, Cosmic and Living, connecting everything else together.

Vayla didn’t have too much time to appreciate the wisdom in Mila’s words with the ones that came next about about slipping on wet rock, and the two friends laughed together. The Pantoran’s lips were sealed as she hum-chuckled, lest granola come tumbling out. She swallowed the bite before speaking. “Oh, you’re telling me, sister! I remember when my master told me that my training was going to be nothing short of rigorous. As a Padawan, you learn to fall and get back up. What he didn’t tell me was that I’d still be falling even as a knight!”

She shook her head at the memories, reflecting on how they resurfaced every now and then that she might keep them alive. A steaming whisper later and the kettle proved its worth. “Ah! Speaking of water, here we go!” Vayla set two cups out lifted the kettle. Like a coffee percolator, this particular kettle required no separate pot for the tea leaves, brewing at the same time as the water boiled, and saving some space in her solid backpack.

“This charming herbal infusion is called Yerba mate. If you haven’t had the pleasure of it before, it is said to have the health effects of tea, just so, but also the strength of coffee and the euphoria of chocolate!” Vayla savored the bubbling sound as the tea slid smoothly into both cups. There was something sensational about the pour amid the swirling sea. “Rich in nutrients, improves energy and mental focus, enhances physical performance, and keeps your body nice and warm!”

She passed over a cup to Mila and sipped from her own, relishing the taste and the heat with an ahhh. It was a bittersweet blend, an acquired taste for some, though Mila may yet detect hints of lemon and sage. “Perfect for a cold day and the sparring that comes with it!” It was for this moment that Vayla had in part neglected her robe or even a blanket, cherishing the temperature balance between the wind on her skin and the tea in her body.


@Algarus

 

[Mila Tesara]

Mila smiled as she was enjoying the company of the other woman, wasn't often she had such a delightful conversation partner. Enjoying a laugh with another jedi, Mila herself hardly let herself laugh anymore know that she thought about it. "My master was rather firm in being disciplined, keeping emotions under the surface, being as passive as a rock. From what I understand, it was rather 'old school', but it knocked me out of my...more spontaneous behaviors of my youth." Mila remarked, thinking back to her days of being a padawan. They certainly wouldn't have partaken in something as relaxing as this. "That's what it means to be a knight, you have to come into your own as a knight. For example, no master can prepare you to be assaulted by a tickle master." Mila grinned, as Vayla soon had to fetch the tea. Though she would sometimes grow frustrated by Brahe and his antics, the boy still had a good heart; she did call him her son after all.

Taking the tea from her friend, Mila studied it, smelling the aroma it produced, and smiled. She turned to Vayla, giving a small nod of thanks. "I've never heard of such a tea before, I'll have to look into it when I have time." Mila remarked, as she would take a sip and study the taste as her taste-buds were assailed by these new sensations.

It was certainly fitting for a day like today, as she could already feel herself getting warming by the second. She let out a relaxed sigh, nodding with satisfaction as she took another sip; this was indeed an acquired taste, but it was still quite good. "I concur, this is quite a remarkable beverage, I need to share this with my padawans next time." Mila stated, as she was feeling much more lively now, perhaps it was the combination of stimuli, warmth, good company, and a nice drink by the raging sea; it was like a special kind of tranquility that the Twi'lek found rather delightful. Mila threw a glance over to the other woman, studying her body, as it seemed Vayla's people were indeed quite resistant to the cold, as her companion seemed to be embracing it. It did make her curious of her friends world, what the culture of the world was like. Maybe she'd have to take a trip there sometime.

@Die Shize

 

[Vayla Mirana]

Ambience IC [Recurring]

Spoiler

Vayla winked her delight Mila’s way. “I’m glad you like it.” Steam drifted from her cup in front of her eyes as though the sea was boiling, giving her tingles for a shivering spell in the midst of the cold. All things considered, this was a cozy spot. Ajan Kloss could certainly prove to be a humid if humble home, but today’s weather around one little isle in the middle of the ocean called for crisper air. The more Vayla felt and thought, the more she had in mind to make this place a continued retreat for sparring, or a personal getaway, if not sacred ground if the Order never needed it. The ideas were many as they swam in her head like the fish in the sea.

“Take a batch with you,” Vayla recalled one idea later. “I’ll give you a whole box from my quarters. Or how about a sample set? The Temple only has so much selection. I’ve got more tea varieties than I can choose from!” She would be more than happy to present Mila with such a gift. Gestures of friendship granted themselves but, though their blades had crossed in good faith for a practice session, giving the woman something when all was done seemed like the way to go if Mila was up to it, though not everyone was as much of a tea enthusiast.

“My master was more into coffee than tea… We would sit across the table for some serious or not so serious discussions, his carafe on one side and my pot on the other…” Black, no cream or sugar, and none for me either. Drinking it still, I wonder? “But...tickle master…” She blinked. “What’s the story behind that, anyway? This, I must hear.”


@Algarus

 

[Mila Tesara]

Vayla seemed to be rather delighted by the weather. Sadly, Mila was not. Ryloth was not so burdened with cold weather, rather temperate jungles and a dry humidity than anything. Not like it mattered, Mila had hardly stayed on Ryloth before being thrown onto a space ship and sent on her way. Made her wonder how many people knew she was a former slave, and how many others knew that her master was actually quite decent to her.

A flicker of amusement fluttered through her line of thinking, as she pondered how many of her compatriots knew her. Brahe had always said she needed to try and reach out to other people, but that was easier said than done. Her attention was pulled back into reality as she heard Vayla speak, offering her a case of tea, which frankly flattered the Twi'lek. Surely, she would need to return this generosity in the future. "I would greatly appreciate it. I think my students would as well. I think they are rather tired of the mundanity of my lessons truth be told." Mila chuckled, her head tails curling under the heated blanket as she wasn't sure what to truly say to that. "I'll have to give you a gift in return. I can't let such a kindness go unreturned." Mila added, as their topics turned to that of masters and traditions they held. She took another sip of the tea, as the beverage and thermal blanket waged an effective war against the cold front.

Vayla's mentor seemed to very quite the philosopher, much of the opposite to what Mila had experienced it seemed. She had thought to speak of her master, but was stopped like a womp rat in the headlights at the mention of 'tickle master'. Oh dear, not again. Mila's face turned a shade of pink as she gazed down into the tea, a small chuckle escaping her lips. "Oh, that...well..." Mila mumbled, rocking herself back and forth as she worked up the courage to tell her tale. After a moment she had managed it. "When I first took Brahe on, I issued him a challange, that if he could defeat me during sparing practice he could have more time to work on his ship." She began, as she shook her head, headtails now coiled around her neck, symbolizing that she was still a bit embarrassed about this ordeal. "Anyways, I wasn't specific enough, because Brahe proceeded to tickle me into submission the next sparing practice we had. So....he started using that as his title to brag about beating his master. I thought he would have grown out of it." Mila snickered into her cup, as she looked to aw what Vayla's reaction would be. "Some jedi I am." Mila added, sure that her companion would find this whole story rather amusing.

@Die Shize

 

[Vayla Mirana]

Ambience IC [Recurring]

Spoiler

Watching those purple cheeks pinken was as amusing as it was adorable. This is going to be rich. Unfortunately, against Mila’s embarrassment, Vayla could offer no mercy beyond some controlled chuckling. The two women locked gazes and it was all Vayla could do to observe. A challenge between master and apprentice. Victory decided by the art of the tickle. Padawan overcomes master as she laughs herself into defeat. She looked back into the sea, picturing the scene play out in her head, with Mila writhing on the floor and Brahe cackling over her. Between the Twi’lek’s tails and her tale, the Pantoran lost it, letting a guffaw hurl from her lungs.

“Oh dear!” She couldn’t stop, clutching her cup to keep it from going anywhere as her body convulsed in a fit of laughter. Master of tickles bests master of wet rock. “Please! No more!” She lost her footing because of tickle-tackles from dread days past. “I can’t!” She needed to. If Vayla didn’t get a hold of herself then she might just lose her breath, an idea that only made her crack up even more.

Finally, she halted herself through will of self or will of the Force, shutting up with some lingering giggles and hoping that she had not shamed herself next to her companion’s embarrassment. “Sorry.” She snickered. “Force be good, that is just too funny. In the most harmless of ways, though!” Vayla hoped to reassure her horribly tickled friend with a raise of her cup. “Here’s to good friends—the ones who tickle us to our hearts so that we always remember to laugh!”

@Algarus

 

[Mila Tesara]

Mila hung her shoulders in defeat as her blue friend laughed herself silly. She didn't take it personal, if anything her pride was scuffed at the worst, though she found something enjoyable about seeing joy being had from such a silly story; and Mila did enjoy spreading joy to others.

She wore a smile as Vayla seemed to be doubling over, falling victim to a rather severe case of uncontrollable laughter. Mila began to laugh as well as her friend called out for mercy, for an attack Mila hadn't even launched. Perhaps they would have many laughs between themselves, only time would tell; though given their current status, Mila felt it likely. Once Vayla had collected herself, Mila only gave the slightest of grins. "I'm glad my suffering so throughly amused you friend." She said, as she raised her cup in solidarity. "To friends, and those who make us laugh against our will." She smiled taking a drink of the last warm remnants of her tea, before setting it on the rock. She cast a glance out to the sea, and breathed in some of the salty air it gave off. "I think I'm ready for our second dance." She commented, turning to look at Vayla as she rose, removing the robes and blanket, as well as the towel. Her clothes were mostly dry now, but most importantly, she didn't feel crippled by cold. Stretching her arms over her head, she felt the muscles in her back tighten, her head tails uncoiled themselves and took their designated position along her back. She threw one glance to Vayla, as the jedi turned to collect up the gear. "That's assuming you're up for it." It was a rather friendly prod to her newish friend after all.

@Die Shize

 

[Vayla Mirana]

Ambience IC [Recurring]

Spoiler

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Beside her companion, Vayla also downed the hot harmony of her tea, rolling the empty cup in her grip as she followed Mila’s gaze. The two of them might have sat in the solace of silence, sharing the view with the watery world beyond their rocky one, maybe even sharing more tales of amusement and aging memories of masters, until the words “second dance” spread a new smile across Vayla’s lips and their corners might have stabbed the sky. She watched Mila rise with rejuvenation, admiring her spirit and willingness, and raising a brow in challenge to her own spur to spar.

“Clearly the tea has lived up to its reputation.” She winked. “Told you as much.” Setting her cup down, Vayla had no five steps to go through to ready herself, and simply rose with her own vigor. “I’m up.”

She looked out at the spot where they had dueled before, remembering how it had naturally taken just one tumble for Mila to put her out of the game, and there was certainly no judgment there. Fighting on challenging ground was one thing, but fighting when you were soaked with frigid water was another. Her gaze traveled further until she craned her neck slightly and pointed. “This time, let’s go up a little further.”

Music OOC

Spoiler

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A little further up the cove, Vayla had navigated the pair toward a solid surface, having spotted a walkable path that wouldn’t require climbing. It was marginally windier at this elevation, but they weren’t so high to be blasted across the face by gusts, and had the tradeoff of not being splashed in the face by the sea level either. Their draw distance was roughly the same as before, with Vayla taking a look at the ocean waves beyond the cliff face before turning to align herself with her sparring partner.

The cyan blade thrummed to life just then from the hilt in her right hand, pointing at a familiar angle with the tip to the stone floor. The Makashi stance, suitable for dueling another lightsaber-wielder, but Vayla was offering her own opponent no statement which would suggest that she would maintain the merit of the form to the letter. As far as the Jedi had come since aeons past, Vayla had come her own length throughout her trials of the sword. This time, though, how about a little less lethality, hey Vay?

“I believe that I made the first move last time, but that I also have the leading point.” She grinned with a not so subtle reminder. “On that note, your choice, my friend. Your honor or mine.”

The wind blew, wrapping around Vayla's arms and legs and neck and face, coiling around her body as her fingers did her lightsaber hilt, and she waited.


@Algarus

 

[Mila Tesara]

There would be time to talk of masters and other tales of embarrassment and conquests from their younger days-at least for Mila-but for right now there was a bit of the jedi knight that needed her pride restored; though not really, if anything Mila wanted to gauge herself. Vayla wanted to change up their field of battle, which sat quite well with Mila, after all she'd rather not slip and make a fool of herself once more. "Very well then, lead on." Mila stated, as she would fall in behind the blue skinned woman, following her to the new sight for their sparing match.

Reaching up further into the cove, their new sparing ground would be free of assault from the sea, but now a fierce gust enveloped both Mila and Vayla, though the Twi'lek wasn't as bothered now that she wasn't totally drenched. This time, Mila took up the Makashi stance as well, as a small gleam of satisfaction crossed her features this time. She had tried playing it safe with Soresu last time, but this time she would be prepared. The aqua colored blade extended out from the hilt pressed against her right palm, her eyes studying the form of the blue skinned warrior once again. The wind blew once more, as the hums from their sabers was drowned out against it, to an onlooker it might look like something out of a holofilm. Mila took in a breath, centering herself once again, as she was everywhere and no where all at once, feeling the force guiding her mind, her reflexes, and her senses. She pressed her feet firmly against the hard and cold stone, as the waves crashed down below the duelists. "I noticed you favor Makashi style, which is rather amusing, given that's my preferred form as well."

Vayla offered Mila the choice to strike first or delay it for the Pantoran woman to decide. She seemed to be wanting to throw some salt onto the wound, which only brought a polite grin from the Twi'lek, as she would give a response. "I'll make the first move." Mila closed her eyes, her movements already known to her, and perhaps Vayla as well if she dared linger too long. "You honor me." She replied, parroting the words that Vayla had spoken not that long ago.

Mila's opened up with a few quick steps foward, her feet pounding against the stone surface, as she seemed to glide forward before landing a strike. It would be but a mere jab really, a strike just to get Vayla into the game. The first strike on Mila's behalf was a forward lunge towards Vayla's left leg, but there was a twist. Mid thrust, Mila would twirl the blade to reposition it, as instead of the left leg, Mila's target was now Vayla's right shoulder. It was a cute trick, assuming it worked, but she expected Vayla to stop it; after all, this was a Makashi maneuver.

@Die Shize

 

[Vayla Mirana]

Music OOC

Spoiler

​

Vayla could only agree about the amusement in it all. The like-minded styles, both the present and the former, the events that had led to this one, the fact that if this were a real fight then her smile would have long since faded. Sparring was a unique opportunity to better one’s abilities at the same time as enjoying the fight. Those Force-adepts of bygone years into the ancient times were distinguished by that precept, because it was when the fight was real and the smile was still worn that a Jedi should be concerned.

As it was, however, the primary concern for either combatant on this crest of stone should be how to best oneself, not the other one. Vayla hoped to garner as much insight on Mila’s abilities as her own, observing the swordsmanship, the footwork, the grace of the glide, dissecting strengths and weaknesses to the beats of the heart to both seize them and store them. What the Pantoran learned from this encounter, the Twi’lek might just teach, the same in reverse, and the circle of knowledge would be complete between the two Jedi. Show me what you’ve got, girl.

“Makashi. Elegant. Fluid. Precise. Perfect for our duel.”

As Mila accepted the opening, Vayla would certainly oblige her, returning the polite grin and honor with a bow of smiles. She was quite interested to see how things would play out this round, particularly with her opponent assuming a new stance and a new form compared to the previous. Transitioning from Soresu to Makashi was almost akin to dropping a shield for a sword. When it came to the more dogmatic approaches, the Makashi practitioner could even end up holding all the breath of the wind that was around these two Jedi before their Soresu opponent ever tired them out. Perhaps, then, Mila’s decision was a sound one. Time would tell.

A moment later and Mila stepped into the dance. Her partner was ready to receive her. As the Twi’lek charged, the Pantoran held her ground, lightsaber in the same position. When the first strike came, Vayla saw enough to realize that a stab at her leg could only have been the starting point for another maneuver. Her response was to rotate her right wrist, arcing her blade clockwise before her body to her left and upward to her right.

The goal was to push Mila’s saber up and away before it would reach Vayla’s left leg, following through the circle before the two blades would instead connect during Mila’s attack toward Vayla’s right shoulder following the Twi’lek’s feint. In essence, Vayla’s blade would trail Mila’s from the feint to the real attack, striking the aqua blade on its right side from Mila’s point of view.

As soon as her own saber would bite into Mila’s, pushing it away from her right shoulder and body overall, Vayla would break the bind. Still gripping her hilt in just her right hand, she mirrored her attacker, jabbing the point of her saber toward Mila’s left shoulder. If Mila held her hilt in her left hand as before then this would be the same arm that would have just then been moving away in the parry.


@Algarus