[Training] Basics of Lightsaber Combat

[LadyM]

From the moment I spoke with Duchess of Arabanth as a youth, I knew I wanted to change the world for the better. I had known tragedy, I had know pain, and I had know anger and hatred. But that was the past. Now I strived to overcome all those adversities in my life. Though the scars on my body and my face, once a reminder of the revenge I wanted so desperatly to seek, are now mute reminders of how fate can change. I no longer feel anger and hatred the way I once did. I am learning to control it rather than it control me.

I began to turn the tragedies in my life into something special. Rather than looking it as a tragedy, I now take it as a lesson of life, leanred and conquered. Though I do suffer from pride, hence the mask covering my face. I wear it more as to hide myself from the galaxy than hide the scars that haunt my face. I know pride can lead to a down fall and to the path of the dark side, but don't we all suffer from pride at some pointe in our lives?

Now the time had come for me to begin my training in the Imperial Knights. Two things at this pointe have eluded me. The Imperial Knight Philosphy and lightsaber combat. The latter is why I am here today. How can I protect the galaxy from the Sith and thier evil cohorts if I can't even protect myself. So after asking around, I found another who was willing to assist me in learning the basics of lightsaber combat. I studied up on the forms and found Soresu calling to me. But to read about it, understand it, and how to truly utilize it our three seperate concepts. One must learn to walk before they can run.

So I stood with my hands clasped behind my back, lightsaber hilt dangling at my side, eyes closed, and my mind empty of all thoughts and emotions. Best to go into this training session without doubts in my own abilities or distractions. So now I wait for the other to show up and setme on the course of a master swordsmen.

 

[The Derp of Hooves]

Yuunda's life had become extremely busy since the Battle of Coruscant. He barely had time to rest and relax, but it didn't bother him much. He liked to keep busy, it kept his mind sharp and his body in shape. Currently he was aboard his ship, the Ven'Jela, doing his usual check up on his gear to make sure it was all in working order. He had already gone over his cybernetic limbs and was finishing up on his four lightsabers when he remembered that he was supposed to be teaching blade work today. Having put everything back in order, he left his ship after preforming his usual security check ups.

Heads turned and noses turned as he walked down the halls of the palace on Hapes, then again, heads usually turned and stared at him wherever Yuunda went. His hair was a shaggy mess, a strip of black cloth was tied over where his left eye use to be, and most of his face was badly burned. Most of his body was heavily scared and damaged, but it didn't bother him that much anymore. Having been through what he had, he was just lucky to be alive. Yuunda had read up on his student, courtesy of the Duchess of Arabanth herself. She was a young Twi'lek who had once been a slave saved by the Duchess. Yuunda in truth didn't care much about her past, that was hers to bear. It was her skills that he wanted to know, which those too were touched upon. She had little training in lightsaber combat, but understood the defensive form of Soresu.

Yuunda was so lost in thought about his student that he almost missed the training room that he was supposed to meet her in. She stood there waiting for him, hands clasped behind her back, deep in meditation. He decided to break the silence.

"So," Yuunda said, "It seems we're taking in anyone now days. My name is Yuunda and I'll be teaching you how to use your lightsaber. Tell me, what do you know of lightsaber combat already?"

 

[LadyM]

My eyes snapped opened at the sound of the voice. I smiled from beneath my mask at his comment about 'It seems we're taking in anyone now days.' If this was his attempt to test if my anger could be controlled, he failed and I passed. I had spent countless hours in meditation balancing my emotions and controlling those of anger and hatred. So again I smiled once more to myself then answered with a synthesized voice, "Charmed Yuunda. My name is Valara Vasch and I thank you for taking time to teach me how to use my llightsaber but I must plead ignorance for my knowledge of lightsaber combat is limited. I know this button here turns it on and it makes a humming noise. I know there is only a hand few of materials that could repel a lightsaber blade, such as the material created for vibro weapons. And I do know that it requires hours of training and practicing to achieve a skill with the lightsaber so you do not look daft when you wield it."

I hoped I did not offend him. My manners were another issue I was working on so basic conversation was as alien to me. Then I shook my head and made a brushing gesture through the air with my left hand. In my synthesized voice I added, "Forgive my rudeness Yuunda. To answer your question without snide remarks, I do not know much. I studied the Soresu form and have been practicing it whenever possible but beyond that, my knowledge is very limited but I do know, I think, that the Force helps guide us when in lightsaber combat. However, in my defense I am a quick study. I soak up knowledge like a Frisian sea urchin."

I pulled back the folds on my black cloak tying it in the back so that nothing could hamper me in my training. I reached down for my lightsaber hilt then let my hover over it then retracted my hand. "So Yuunda, I pledge myself to your teachings of lightsaber combat," I said with a slight bow of my head. It was time for me to grow up and there was no better time like the present. I had found a home here among the other Imperial Knights and in a way, a family. I needed to show my 'family' that I was willing to grow up and shed the immoral emotions that had haunted me for way to long.