The Dark Academy on Korriban

Every morning, without fail, there was the list of things to prepare for any day. With little exception. Wake up, get cleaned up, dress, eat and train. The last of which was devoted the most time of any morning. With a purpose Kristal entered the training grounds, found a practice saber, and began going through some forms she had learned when she was little.

It wasn't much, but it was a rather inconspicuous way of remembering her father.

"You are dead," Jain says watching Kristal.

"With my enemies, certainly," she quipped mid bout. Finishing it she put the practice saber to her side and turned to Jaina.

"Though I understand you are likely speaking of something in my form?"

“Yes.”

She says watching her stance, “You have proficiency but you need to loosen your stance, predict movements. You have the Force, it will guide you.”

"The Force could guide me in an engagement, but I do not see how it can teach me form," she said honestly enough. Though the words, the accent, it all struck a cord that Kristal honestly didn't care to point out. However she had a strong feeling about something once and that proved to be correct. Certainly this was as well.

“True.”

“You need to know the forms, no student is born with that. No amount of talent or luck can replace hard work,” Jaina says.

"Nor will the Force, as you say," she says, looking for an understanding behind the phrase she had used.

She was thoughtful, “True, but it is an edge that you can exploit to do things others can’t.”

“It is not a lightsaber that allows you to reflect blasters, it is the Force.”

She picks up a training saber and says, “This is merely a conduit of death, but it is the Force that unites saber and fighter.”

"I believe I understand," Kristal says, recalling how the Force User she had fought moved, felt her attacks perhaps. It was something Kristal felt since she was young, not so strong as to use it, but she could feel the presence of things.

“An enemy does not need to believe to kill you,” she says calmly.

“I guess it helps though.”

"Test me."

Kristal moved a bit, made sure the space was open. Closing her eyes for a moment she felt, connected herself to that sense. Opening her eyes again she looked to Jaina. It was an invitation, but not one that couldn't be refused.

[Commit Force to Sense]

Jaina nods as the training saber flares to life and she lands a clean strike… a clean strike that Kristal could take advantage of...

OOC: Threat used to have Kristal see a hole in the defense she can exploit, Boost die if she chooses to strike back. Adversary 2 and Melee Defense 1; Kristal takes 6 strain after soak.

Jaina Von Lightsaber vs. Kristal: 5eP+1eA+1eC+1eD 5 successes, 1 threat

There was an opening, she saw it and had to take the shot. You didn't hesitate to strike when you felt you had the advantage, and thus she made an attempt. Had there not been an opening she would have likely gracefully accepted the loss, taken the strike, and learned from it.

Instead...

Day 7 | Diligence | Jaina, Attack, Lightsaber, Boost from Threat: 2eP+2eA+1eB+2eC+1eS 2 failures, 4 advantage, 1 Despair

Kristal makes a strike but Jaina is not there, instead she feels a knee smashing into her face and she loses grip of the lightsaber and lands flat on her back. Everything is disoriented but she comes to and sees Jaina crouched above her holding both sabers like a scissors around her neck and she says, “Still dead.”

OOC: Despair effect activated.

Knocked out of her senses, coming to to find Jaina standing over her she let out a groan that turned into a low laugh. It would have groan a bit louder but it made her face hurt.

"That is an understatement," she admits.

She turns off the training sabers and helps Kristal to her feet, “I knew what you would do before you knew it. You saw the opening, which is good.”

There is a solid clap as Kristal's hand comes up to meet Jaina's as she helps her to her feet.

"You have made it painfully clear that it is only the start."

“Pain is an excellent motivator, probably the best teacher any warrior can have,” she says calmly.

"As long as you live to make sense of it's lesson," she quipped once again. Seems Sylvain and Shaisha did rub off on her a bit. When she was with another like herself, a proper warrior, she couldn't resist being smart. Or it was just the pain... that certainly didn't hurt the inspiration.

"Can I ask, who taught you to fight?"

“A Jedi,” she says calmly.

"And now you are here, there is a story there certainly, but I do not aim to trouble you for it."

Perhaps, among any of the students here, Kristal was one of the few who found at least something to respect of a Jedi. Like any warrior should for their natural opponents.

Jaina nods and says, “Thanks, I get tired of telling it.”

"If you would?" she asked, stepping out into the field again. Opening a palm, looking for the training saber. Pain stopped others, but it wouldn't stop Kristal from using what time she had for training. Med Bay check up wouldn't take out too much time at the end of the session if she could help it.

“Persistent.”

She steps out into the training circle without a weapon.

OOC: Adversary 2, Melee Defense 1. Cool for Initiative.

Initiative - Jaina: 2eP+1eA 2 successes, 3 advantage, 1 Triumph

It wasn't exactly her intent, but then there was nothing quite like going with the flow when it came to combat. It would also suit her purposes just as well. As Jaina decided to step out without a weapon, well, Kristal saw no purpose to learning how to beat someone from a point of advantage.

Day 7 | Diligence | Jaina, Initiative, Cool: 2eP 1 success, 1 advantage