Valia tried to shake off a number of disturbing feelings she had gotten from her brief look into the Echani's eyes. Atris had certainly been less stoic after what had happened. In fact, Atris seemed to be treating her less like her responsibility and more like a companion.
Valia turned an eye to Atris for a quick second as they walked through the Grove. It was obvious Atris knew something and had lied, for her own good...or perhaps Valia's.
There was...a brightness to Atris' face. It was a brightness one only got from strong anger.
Valia found herself wishing that Atris could have stayed angry for just a bit longer. Valia had found the strong emotion in her companions eyes interesting. It was not a dull, default anger, like the anger that results for getting a failing grade in some class, or stepping on a nail. This was an anger one gets to stay alive, to fight through obstacles. To fight until the battle is won. It was anger that really gave her character. It was anger that gave her a heedless drive. Atris had a lot of it. Much like Valia did, but Valia knew Atris was forbidden to utilize it or even acknowledge it, and kept it sealed away to satisfy some teaching of her master, cutting off perhaps the most remarkable part of her Too bad. Valia had also been making note of Atris' stance. It had immediately become apparent, based on her own experience that Atris was no Makashi user. She was lying to herself that she could be a graceful swordsman. To be a Makashi user, one must have that certain grace to them, a poise that came with a special sort of confidence. Atris was none of these things, clearly. Djem So, as lacking as it was, would be perfect for her. Ataru also, but she figured Atris would not listen were Valia to suggest it. She had clearly been biased to Makashi from her masters, who had sensed the same anger Valia had and had tried to stamp it out, marring and tarnishing the piece of Atris' soul that they had selfishly deemed inconvenient for their purposes, in the process dooming her to flawed swordsmanship. Makashi was of almost no use to an angry practitioner, as it takes the finesse required to use it out of the style. Atris had too much aggression in her to ever master it.
Atris then stopped walking having spotted a group people next to a bridge crossing the stream. Valia frowned as she spotted the Nosferan, groaning inwardly.
"Great," Atris sighed. "Revan."
"Perhaps we can take another path, if you do not wish to talk to her."
"No, this is the quickest way to the enclave. I can stomach her for a few moments." Atris replied. "Let's just try and ignore them as we pass. Maybe Revan will be content not being the center of attention for once."
Valia agreed. She didn't want to talk to the Nosferan, either, not just because that she generally disliked most of her people, but also because this one seemed...unusually powerful. Frighteningly so. Valia felt the galaxy didn't need any more powerful Nosferans. And while Valia was confident she could mop the floor with Revan if it came down to it, she wasn't so arrogant as to think she would not have a difficult battle on her hands. Valia immediately began preparing scenario's for dealing with this girl in the most efficiant, dirty manner possible.
The pair walked up to the bridge, trying to be innocuous as possible, and miserably failing as the tall, bald Padawan spotted them anyway. "Hey Atris!" Alek called out, grinning.
Valia watched Atris suppress a shudder, clearly not appreciating the boys sense of social goodwill. She clearly did not like him at all. "Yes, Alek?" she answered wearily.
"Me and the others were practicing. Would you and your friend like to help? We were kinda getting lonely over here." His face made a mock pleading expression and the others in his group laughed at his joke.
"We have to get back to the Enclave," Atris responded flatly. Valia could tell Atris was again having trouble with the furnace in her soul.
"Oh, please. I know classes don't began for another hour! You can spare some time, can't you?" he asked, practically begging.
Atris sighed. As much as she disliked Revan and this giant club of a man, she was too much of a Jedi to refuse the request. To do otherwise would have been frightfully rude. "Let's get this over with," Atris said under her breath, gritting her teeth. Valia saw the furnace in her eyes for just a second, but Atris shut it immediately, getting back her Jedi composure. The two walked to the group. Atris spotted Revan's newest admirer, the diminutive young Bastila Shan, barely more than a youngling practicing with her training saber, looking awkward. There was also Cariaga Sin, incredibly beautiful as always, her bronze skin and vermillion red hair as noticeable as the bright green robes she was known for wearing.
"Hello, Atris," Revan, the pale Nosferan said, shutting off her green lightsaber and clipping it to the belt of her scarlet robes, it's hilt having a more intriguingly pronounced curve to it than the X's. "And who is your friend here? I believe we met in the cafeteria yesterday," Revan held out her hand to Valia.
Valia did not take it. She merely stared with her good eye. Atris covertly elbowed her, urging her to at least respond.
"Valia Renn," she grunted finally. Revan withdrew her hand, perturbed. Usually her politeness ellicited a friendly reaction. Not so with this one-eyed padawan. Still, Revan was not one to give up so easily. This Valia fascinated her.
"Transferred to Dantooine, did you not? Where from?" Revan asked, turning on her charm, trying to prompt Valia out of her silence
"Far off," Valia answered vaguely.
Revan paused as she saw a strange, dangerous gaze enter Valia's eye. The look of a Maalraas before it pounces on a Cannock.
Atris quickly stepped in and put a hand on Valia's shoulder. "Forgive Valia's defensiveness. She's been newly inducted into the order and is having trouble fitting in.
"Oh. That must explain why she is so...tense, then," Revan replied, instantly relieved, though the back of her mind was telling her that it wasn't the whole story.
"No, it doesn't," Valia spoke up, her gaze narrowing right into Revan's eyes.
Alek laughed heartily. This one had spirit. "Ahh, she's just yanking your chain, Revan! I'm sure she's just nervous about being here! Isn't that right?" he asked Valia, given his friendliest grin in an attempt to crack her shell.
"No, it isn't," Valia said in a deadpan voice. She knew deception when she saw it. Revan's body did not at all look like it was focused on training. It was too relaxed. Too casual. And on top of that they had no training gear to speak of.
Valia suddenly realized why.
Revan had been waiting for her to show up. Obviously Valia had not done enough to avoid the Nosferan's abominable curiosity.
"I am not that interesting to talk to. There is nothing special about me," Valia said simply, watching the Nosferan go rigid at having her intention's discovered.
Revan tried to smooth the situation over. "What do you mean?"
"You were disappointed that Mical did not introduce us yesterday, so you decided to rig this encounter under the guise of 'practice'. But I really am not that interesting," Valia replied calmly.
Revan was shocked, though she masked it well...and even more interested than ever. She had not expected her intentions to be seen through that quickly, and it fascinated her all the more.
"That...is quite an accusation to make, Padawan," Revan slowly replied.
"Indeed it is," Valia replied, folding her arms, her tone growing more heated. "But it is also true."
"Whoa! Easy! There's no need for insults," Alek, said, getting defensive. "All we were doing is saying hello." His face wore a hurt expression.
"Well, you were, at least," Valia replied
"Uh, my new bunk mate speaks out of turn. She has had a long night and it's just taking time for her to adjust," Atris said quickly, starting to pull Valia back. Valia looked and saw silent pride on her face, pride that her friend had that kind of nerve to stand up to them. "We really should be going."
"Not so fast Atris. Your friend here can obviously talk, but can she walk also, or is this simply empty bravado?" Alek asked. Offended as he was, he liked it when people challenged him and Revan, as most were simply gawking admirers or just intimidated by the pair. A few fights now and then made life interesting on this farm world. He wanted to see what this disagreeable young woman was capable of.
"Are you proposing something, Alek?" Revan asked, smiling slightly.
"I'm proposing that One-Eye here puts her credits where her mouth is."
"Now, Alek, it would not be fair. She has only been with the Order a few days," Atris said defensively, not wanting to give away Valia's skill, which had proven to be considerable. She knew Valia would make a fool of Alek, possibly injure him savagely, but having Revan and Alek upset at them afterward was the last thing she needed.
"I agree, Alek," Revan said half heartedly, idly waving a hand. From the moment she had finally gotten a good look at the Padawan while she stood with Atris, she knew that Valia had more proficiency than Atris would have her believe. The girl had the air of a sword fighter about her. And besides that, the one-eyed young woman looked...quite dangerous. Revan knew a lightsaber scar when she saw it, saw how Valia was trying to hide the others and her missing eye spoke lengths to what she had already endured.
Revan liked to test potential in others, just as her master did. It wasn't out of some dark purpose, Revan was just naturally wanted an answer to a question. Valia was many open questions. She wished she could see how Alek would fair but now was not the time for such things.
"I just want to see what she's learned so far. Maybe I could give her some pointers," Alek replied, activating his unusually long lightsaber, a bar of blue lightning. "So, how about it, Padawan?" he smiled at her. "I'll go easy on you, I promise. What do you say?" he asked with a disarming smile
"I say you are holding your right foot too far forward," Valia replied, walking away from the group, making Atris catch up to her.
"What was that back there?! You just verbally emasculated the most powerful students in the Order!" Atris hissed as she caught up to her. Though she was very proud of her new friend for what she had done, it was not a small thing. It worried her greatly.
"You should be thanking me, Atris. I have just made myself a target," Valia replied without looking.
"But nobody just insults Revan and Alek like that! Most of the students can't get enough of the two."
"But Atris, I have done something very important to winning the tournament."
Atris sighed. "How is that?"
"You yourself say they are adored around here. They will be distracted at how I have insulted them and while I was standing there, talking, I made note of flaws in Revan's swordsmanship."
"Flaws? What flaws? Even Vrook admits he cannot keep up with her."
"She is cocky, for one. That cockiness will come back to haunt her when she meets someone she cannot easily finish. Two, I managed to get a look at how she swung her lightsaber. I suspect she favors Makashi too much."
Atris raised an eyebrow. "But whenever she was tested in the other styles she performed exceptionally."
"She likes to show off. Makashi has exceptionally flashy movements. She favors showmanship."
"And what was all that about Alek keeping his foot two inches behind him?"
"I...am not certain. The way he was standing just seemed...wrong. I believe it may be a flaw in his Djem So stance."
Atris rubbed the bridge of her nose in contemplation.
"Revan also seems to be hiding an injury," Valia continued.
"Really? Where would this supposed injury be?"
"The third and forth ribs, by the looks of it. On the right."
"And how were you able to spot this?"
"Did you doubt my skill when fighting the X?"
"No."
"Then please do not doubt it now."
The pair continued walking, neither of them willing to break the silence. Atris admitted to being somewhat frightened by Valia's keen senses and ability to pick up minute details, though she could not deny her effectiveness. Though at times Valia came off as blunt, unsubtle and gruff in manner, Atris was starting to get the feeling that it was just a tactic to make others underestimate her. Something carefully cultivated, like a Kel Dor Possum playing dead before striking.
"We should exploit Revan's injury," Valia spoke suddenly.
Atris stopped walking. "What did you say?"
"I'm saying she should somehow suffer greater injury to her right side. Also, Revan's Makashi does not have the power to meet a style like Djem So in a straight up brawl. So when the time comes, I'll have to be prepared to batter her into submission."
"I approve of exploiting her style, but not her injury. I don't want to hear that kind of talk coming from you again, Padawan."
"Suit yourself." Valia continued walking, dropping her point. "You should not be using Makashi."
"Oh? And why is that?"
"You are too aggressive to be comfortable with the style. Your agression and the style fight each other constantly. You strike me as the type that needs to move fast and hard against her opponent. You need to utilize your aggression, but in a healthy manner."
"I certainly don't think that is a sentiment many of the Masters would agree with! And seeing as how you have been in the order only a few days, I don't see why I should listen.
"How long have you been using Makashi?"
"Half a decade."
"Do you think you could take me?"
"No. You fought the X to a draw. I would not stand a chance."
"I'll go easy on you," Valia grinned. "So what do you say?"
"I say later, after our classes."
Despite the argument, Atris could not help but be overcome by a sudden cheerfulness. She continued walking with her friend, the dispute forgotten.
"Valia! So good to see you!" Master Kaver warmly greeted, standing in the doorway as they entered the sublevel training facility.
"Honnichiwa, Sensei," Valia replied in her own language without thinking.
Master Kavar raised an eyebrow at the strange words. "Pardon?"
"Oh...I...uh...sorry. Lost myself there, for a second. Hello, Master. My training goes well. How are you?"
"That's great. Sorry I wasn't here. I felt it best for someone of your...talent to get acclimated. Besides, the Council sent me on a mission to the Morenva system. Can't say too much about it, though," Kavar answered in offhand fashion.
Valia liked this about him. He was not as stiff and uptight as the other Masters. He would have fit right in on her home world.
"I understand," Valia replied.
"Oh, I see you've met Atris. I trust she has been helping you fit in?"
"Very much so. Shall we head to training now?"
"Oh, of course. Don't let me keep you. I am eager to see if you have been keeping up your lessons, my apprentice."
"I assure you, I have."
Kavar nodded and then the three went back to the new training area that had been set up in the sublevel. It was brand new. Not even fully equipped.
Stupid, Valia thought. A training facility should be fully prepped. No way her old masters would have been this sloppy with their charges. Valia spotted the silent student, X, as well as Mical and Belaya setting up the weapon racks under the supervision of Master Vandar. She gave X a knowing nod and Mical a grin as she walked in.
Valia spotted the old codger, Vrook, as well as another Echani in the room, wearing the white robes of a knight. Valia stifled a gasp as she beheld the stunning specimen of womanhood and matriarchal power. Valia quickly analyzed the woman. The way she stood bespoke perfect balance of movement. There wasn't a spare ounce of fat. She was almost all muscle, from what she could tell. Ice white hair flowed down her back and framed a face that was both noble and disciplined, and set with a profound melancholy that took her aback.
This woman would have made and excellent student-and, in time, and excellent teacher-back home.
Atris was shocked by her presence also. "Oh my...do you know who that is?!" she whispered excitedly.
Valia turned. "Who?"
"Arren Kae! Finest swordsman to come out of Coruscant!" Atris answered. "A master of most types of bladed weaponry and unarmed combat. Very strong in the Force also. If anyone could take Revan down a peg or two, I would place my credits on her."
"Think she could take me in a fight?" Valia asked jokingly.
"More than likely. You're good, Valia, real good, but I don't quite think you're at her level yet. I'd be lying if I said I didn't think you could reach for it though. At the moment, however, I'd say you'd give her quite a fight before she finally managed to get the better of you."
Valia nodded, still fascinated by the Echani. "She's trained many?" Valia asked.
"Indeed. I myself took classes from her. Some days, I wonder where I'd be at now if I was still her student instead of..." Atris stopped herself. "Never mind."
"What? What were you going to say?"
"Just...never mind," Atris replied, glowering for a minute.
Valia then noticed something odd about the situation.
There were three Masters here.
Strange, what business could draw three Masters to a simple training session, numb academy routine? As Valia saw it, there should only be a need for one Master, maybe a Knight close by for unexpected situations. Valia was fairly certain this was far from normal procedure. It just didn't flow right.
Valia began to get a bad feeling as to why the Masters were here.
They were there to watch her, she realized with a sudden burst of insight. They were there to examine her and what she was capable of. She was not certain how she could be so completely convinced of this, but it rang true with everything she could observe about the situation. Vrook had been eyeing her oddly since the moment she had stepped into the room as though he thought they could be old acquaintances.
That was impossible, as they had never met before a few days ago.
"Settle down, everyone," Vrook called out in his typically grouchy tone. "Good morning class. As I'm sure you've noticed we have a guest today all the way from Coruscant; Master Arren Kae." His gaze ran across the entire class, but Valia was certain his stare had lingered on her for a half second longer. "This today will be a test of skill, to see which of you will be allowed entry in the fast approaching tournament. We are here to watch and observe each of you, to see if you have been keeping up with your lessons. For those of you with an unrealistic appraisal of your skills, you will leave here today with a direction in which to redouble your study. Those who prevail will be granted entry."
As Vrook spoke to the whole class, Valia noticed out of the corner of her eye that Arren was paying close attention to her.
A door opened from the other side. Vrook instantly frowned.
"Padawans Revan, Alek, and Cariaga, I see you have chosen to be late again. Is our schedule so beneath you that you choose to not participate in these discussions?" Vrook snapped.
"Forgive us, Master Vrook, we were out practicing. I assure you, none of us meant any disrespect-"
"Take a seat, all of you. I hereby assign you to the kitchens to prepare tomorrow's meal for the younglings. It is a task I expect to be completed on time," Vrook barked.
Atris could not help but snicker. "That's my master for you. He's the only one besides me who sees how Revan should be handled."
"Padawan Atris, do you have more to say?" Vandar called out, a gentle smile creeping up his old, wizened visage.
"Of course not, Master Vandar," Atris stammered.
"Padawan, if you could stop gossiping for a moment, perhaps you and your friend next to you would like to began these exercises?" Vrook clucked in disapproval.
Atris visually shrunk. Valia grimaced. Atris needed more steel in her spine if she wanted to put Revan and Alek in their place.
The poor girl, Valia thought. She sets the impossible as her first goal.
"Of course, Master Vrook. Who shall my first opponent be?"
"Not so fast Padawan. Let us test your friend out. If she has enough time to gossip with you, perhaps she was not concerned with her lightsaber training. Valia Renn will begin our exercises today," Vrook said. "Padawan Valia, Step forward."
Valia stepped forward, giving Atris' hand a gentle squeeze before stepping into the center. There were murmurs among the younglings about her eye patch. Arren was doing her best trying not to look too interested. A mistake, for it gave away how interested she actually was.
Somehow, this only made Valia more concerned. As if that wasn't enough, now Revan and Alek were paying close attention.
"What is thy bidding, Master?" Valia asked.
Vrook stared into her one eye, thinking for a moment. Valia suppressed a wince as she realized he was indeed looking at her as though he knew her from somewhere.
"Hmm...I think I will put you up against...Cariaga. Padawan Cariaga! Step forward!" Vrook ordered finally.
Cariaga stepped forward, gripping her tonfa style lightsabers, her red hair in a ponytail. Valia ignored the friendly smile Cariaga gave her, instead analyzing the weapons.
Tonfa-sabers. Interesting choice. Most used them for defensive purposes and quick counter-attacks, often spinning the weapons to confuse an opponent. In the old days, her old Masters had drilled her on the weapon, forcing her to master it. All in all, Valia felt the weapon's use was rather limited unless one devoted time to it, and more vulnerable to having the hilt destroyed. Still, in the right hands, it could be devastating. As with any weapon, the only flaw was the practitioner.
"Set your weapons to a low output. I would prefer not to pick your limbs up from off the floor," Vrook spat.
Valia took out her weapon, a simple, bare bones hilt whose design she had copied from her stepmother. There were no buttons on the outside, to prevent those unskilled in the Force from accidentally setting it off. All adjustment mechanisms were built on the inside. Valia concentrated, dialing down the intensity of the blade. Cariaga set some buttons on her weapons to low setting. Green blades shot out, which the Padawan flourished energetically.
A dull, acid yellow blade crawled out with hiss from Valia's weapon. The students watching mumbled among themselves. It was quite an ugly color for a blade. Valia went into a Soresu ready.
If Vrook wanted to test her, she might as well pass.
"Begin!" Arren said, acting as referee.
Cariaga lunged, her blades in an overhead swing.
Valia blocked with her saber one handed, their blades now locking. With a grunt, Valia pressed back with her blade and shoved Cariaga off of her, causing her to tumble to the ground.
Valia's face went impassive. Her shoulders slumped as she gave a small flourish of her blade in challenge.
Cariaga gave an impressive twirl on the ground that righted herself. She twirled the blades in her hand, trying to confuse Valia, whipping the blades this way and that at the midsection.
Valia took a step back, thrusting her blade forward at Cariaga's center. The main problem when using a tonfa-saber is the center is especially hard to defend: The weapon is meant for quick assaults, and parrying with the blades can be difficult, given the construction. Valia remembered how she had to employ quick parries and darting movements. Hit and run is where Cariaga's particular choice of weaponry excelled at.
If only Cariaga had known that.
She belatedly dodged the thrust and aimed a blade at Valia's knees. Valia anticipated the tactic, and used the point of contact with Cariaga's first blade and her own to flip herself forward, clearing her legs from the floor and landing behind her opponent. Punishing the mistake, Valia delivered a knee to the small of Cariaga's back.
The crowd of students gasped, surprised as much by Valia's ingenuity as they had been by her vicious attack. Revan and Alek stood up in the crowd, concern for Cariaga crossing both their faces. Had Valia been paying attention though, she would have seen Revan again start staring at her in fascination.
Cariaga, for her part, stumbled forward, clenching her teeth in pain from the throbbing in her back. She wheeled around however and with a burst of adrenaline, and perhaps more motivation than she had previously had, came at Valia with a tight spinning attack of both blades forcing Valia to block. Valia soon shook her off however, and evaded Cariaga's searching attacks as she waited for just the correct moment to strike. Slowly but surely, she drew Cariaga into the fight, tried to make her obsessed with landing a blow, careful to keep her face impassive, as she found that this had a habit of making her opponents unsettled in battle.
It worked. Worry, and perhaps some fear crossed Cariaga's face as she stared into Valia's unblinking viridian eye.
And there was the opening.
Valia brutally stomped her foot just as their blades lock, crushing Cariaga's toes. Her opponent gave a screech and stumbled backward painfully. Master Kae raised an eyebrow but didn't stop the match.
"Toe stomping? That sure isn't in any of the training courses," Alek remarked quietly.
"Shhh..." was Revan's only reply.
Cariaga walked tenderly, adjusting her stance. Valia sensed an opening. There was just something...wrong about the way Cariaga adjusted her stance. It left her too open to quick reversals.
One last time, Cariaga tried to go on the offensive. She spun her blades in an attempt to mesmerize her foe, not aware she was playing right into Valia's hands. Instead of standing still and blocking, Valia leapt forward with a heavy vertical swing, which Cariaga blocked, panic showing. As Valia caught the parrying blades, she twisted to one side with her blade, diverting the thrust of her arms and pulling her opponent's weapons away from her, where they clattered to the floor harmlessly, deactivating.
The end was nigh.
Valia gripped her weapon with one hand and with the other grabbed Cariaga by the hair and pulled her head down to her knee. The crack it made against Cariaga's jaw resounded throughout the class.
Her opponent's head snapped back, reeling before she doubled over as Valia kicked her in the stomach, slicing her across the shoulder with her lightsaber at the same time and sending her to the ground.
Valia, much to the surprise of the class, got down on the ground next Cariaga, watching silently as her opponent struggled to get up. Valia cocked her head slightly to one side and stared with the intensity of a viper coiling to strike. As Cariaga began to get shakily to her hands and knees, Valia rose up to, backing away a few steps, gritting her teeth in anticipation. Finally, when she could wait no longer, Valia rushed forward, crashing her booted foot against the side of Cariaga's head, her whole body recoiling from the force of impact and sending her sprawling a good few meters.
Valia's opponent finally flopped over senseless like a dead fish.
The whole class was dead silent. Master Vrook's mouth was half open in shock, his mind still trying to register the brutality. Vandar's mouth was stretched into a tight, grim frown. Valia saw Revan staring at her with an eyebrow raised. Alek was wide-eyed.
Finally, Arren stepped in, breaking the silence.
"The...match is over. Padawan Valia wins," the Jedi Master said, giving Valia an odd look, then turning her attention to the prostrate Cariaga, still out cold.
"Somebody get her to a med station," Master Kae said with no small amount of pity. A few of the students came forward and gently lifted Cariaga off.
Kavar stared at her, thinking she didn't notice. Valia almost regretted finishing off Cariaga in such a brutal manner, but the girl had practically asked for it. If someone wanted to fight her, she'd give them a fight.
She also realized that it may have been very unwise losing control like that, given that the Nosferan had witnessed the whole thing. Valia made a mental note to switch up her tactics for fighting Revan.
More importantly however, was the fact that Jedi methods would frown on something like this. As she was so new to the order, she realized that they may not take to such acts the way her old masters would have.
Her new Masters did not disappoint. "Padawan Valia, perhaps you would like to explain your choice to so recklessly injure Cariaga in a simple exercise?" Vrook snapped. Valia took one look at him and knew what he thought of her, based on what he had just seen. He thought she was too dangerous for her own good.
"I was taking the match seriously, Master Vrook," she replied calmly. "Something I am sure you will expect from all of us during the tournament."
"Taking the match seriously, eh?" Vrook almost mocked as he stood up, circling her. "These are meant to be training exercises only. You turned it into a brawl," he said, leaning down and scowling.
"Master Vrook, from what I understand, most lightsaber fights have a habit of turning into brawls," Valia replied, looking straight ahead rather than at him.
"And that is my point! From what YOU understand!" Vrook replied angrily. "You violated the code of conduct based on what you understand, a judgment you have already admitted as being grossly flawed. I must ask that you keep such...assumptions in check from now on, am I clear?" His gaze spoke to his anger but behind that gaze was something even Valia was starting to recognize more than even she liked to: Fear.
Strange, why would he be afraid? That was perhaps the most disturbing question of all.
Valia bowed. "I apologize for my ignorance, Master Vrook. I am quite new. I will try to avoid causing such...misfortune to my opponents in the future."
The students giggled. Arren covered her mouth to avoid smiling at Valia's choice of words.
"Enough!" Vrook snapped, gaining instant silence. "Perhaps I was hasty in sending you into this exercise without considering what you would do in the first place. To be fair, I will overlook it and give you another chance to show that you have restraint. You will, however, be preparing the morning meal for the younglings tomorrow, in place of Cariaga. Since you are...new to our ways of combat, you will fight another so that your abilities can be properly evaluated. For that, I will send you up against Padawan Atris."
Atris stepped forward. "I am ready, Master."
"Good. I will be grading you for form."
Atris bowed, activating her cyan blade, and setting it to low power. "Yes Master." She turned to Valia, a helpless expression in her eyes. Valia returned it, knowing that while Atris was not afraid of fighting Valia herself, she was more than afraid of Valia humiliating her.
Valia felt something stick in her throat.
Valia found herself instantly disliking Vrook for putting his student into this position. It was arrogant. It was irresponsible. Atris was clearly only a scholar at the moment. Making her fight Valia would be like making a Gizka try to kill a Maalraas. But Valia had vowed to pass Vrook's little challenge. She could comfort Atris later, right now; she had to snub the Jedi Master.
Atris readied her saber in her flawed Makashi stance. Valia went into a Soresu bluff. Atris gave a salute with her blade.
Their eyes conveyed more than words ever could. Atris knew-and accepted-that this was not of Valia's own doing, freeing Valia to do what must be done, to not hesitate.
They began their attack at the same time. Atris, to her credit, was a swift fighter, and began probing for a weakness in Valia's defense. But no matter which way she stabbed or swiped, Valia's blade was always able to meet hers with a fast parry and counter attack. Valia struck with Soresu, never stopping, constantly moving in on Atris' guard, and in the process enrapturing the attention of Arren and Kavar.
Both were perplexed at how quickly Valia had turned what was supposed to be a defensive form into one used almost solely for attacking. Kavar, who had taught her the basics, couldn't believe what he was seeing. The motions were basically the same, but altered in subtle ways that he, and likely no one else, had ever seen before. There was more power in her strikes, and her movements, while staying conceptually the same, were altered in very subtle ways to throw off the opponent, bait them into thinking they were just fighting an abnormally aggressive Soresu user, and then having no escape as they were cut down.
It was not really Soresu. It had merely been put together to look like Soresu.
That was actually a style of combat completely foreign to him. He gave a glance at Arren, who was perplexed also. She had noticed the oddity as well-and was clearly fascinated by the exotic style. Kavar wondered how many of the students here would ever catch on to what Valia was doing.
Atris, seemingly sensing the end, pulled out a number of impressive wild card attacks in an attempt to forestall the inevitable. Valia was genuinely surprised by a few, but anticipated most of them, guarding easily.
Valia had to give her credit. Atris had heart. A great deal of it. As time passed, Valia was certain Atris would be able to come to terms with herself and correct the flaws in her training. There were, after all, no such things as bad students. Only bad teachers, like Vrook.
But that day was still some ways off. And Valia did not have it in her to keep stringing Atris along like this, not the first actual friend she had made outside of the rim.
With a final dipping attack, Valia swept her lightsaber underneath Atris' straight guard. She twisted at the last moment, and seized Atris' wrists, levering her around, squeezing so that the weapon fell out of her grip and into Valia's free hand. Atris' head lowered in defeat as her own weapon was pointed at her neck.
Atris hung her head down, feeling the walls press in. She had not really tried to lose, she had merely understood why Valia was going to do what she was going to do.
"Padawan Valia...is the winner," Arren said, unsettled, but still impressed. "I believe that lasted only thirty seconds."
"It seems you have not been practicing much, Padawan Atris," Vrook said with a voice that made Atris cringe.
Valia had had enough. "Perhaps her performance was poor because her training was poor," she said, lacing the words with subtle and almost imperceptible condemnation at Vrook, daring him to look her in the eye.
The entire class froze. Vrook's mouth was open slightly in shock. Revan and Alek were open mouthed also, though the looks on their faces quickly spread into a wide grin that refused to leave their faces.
"Perhaps you would like to explain what you meant, Padawan," Vrook asked, clearly not liking where this was heading.
"I'm saying that you are not training her well at all. Your flaws have been passed onto your student. Her swordsmanship is not poor for lack of trying. It is poor for your lack of concise teaching."
It was as though the air had been sucked out of the room. A pin dropping could have been heard. No one dared to draw a breath as Vrook's face went slightly purple.
"And how are you so sure that I am to blame?" he asked asserting the authority that Valia had tried to snatch from him.
"Atris attempted moves in the fight that were clearly out of her league. You are not concise in combat instruction," Valia replied bluntly. "It seems she is a far better student then you are a teacher."
"And what gives you, a Padawan not two days inducted into the Order the right to question how I or any Jedi Master teaches?"
"You assigned me to fight your student. That makes it my business. I apologize if this seems harsh, but I speak only what I think to be true. And what I think to be true is that you do not know how to instruct someone to properly fight with a blade."
Vrook was genuinely wide-eyed. He looked for a moment like he was going to launch into a scolding, but before he could, Vandar interrupted.
"Padawan Valia, while I appreciate the fact that you are not afraid to voice your opinion, I must remind you to next time choose...a less blunt approach. Master Vrook, your presence is not required any longer."
"But I-"
"Please Master Vrook, as a favor to me."
His face now beat red, Vrook closed his mouth, perhaps realizing how close he had come to setting a bad example against his own standards and left the training area.
"Padawan Valia, I would like to see you when this is over," Vandar spoke, trying to be as serious as possible.
"Of course, Master Vandar." Valia said, withdrawing into the crowd. "Are you crazy?" Atris asked. "Do you have any clue how much trouble you're going to get into?"
"I would have to agree, Valia," Kavar said sternly. "I would like you to explain to me why you did what you did-AFTER Vandar has his say."
The class had gone on in total silence. Valia stayed behind while the other masters left. Vandar picked up his little cane and began walking around before finally speaking.
"I know you are new to all of this. I stopped Vrook because your criticism had some merit to it. But you must show restraint."
"He was berating Atris for something he himself had a hand in! I believe she would be better off with another Master, since it is clear Vrook is no swordsman."
"Always speak you mind, do you?" Vandar said, giving an odd little chuckle. "Bold you are, padawan."
"I sought only to speak the truth, Master."
"Yes, well...a bit more gentle with the truth, you could be."
"Master Vandar, was it not you who said that the truth causes pain?"
Another chuckle. "I did indeed say this. I was very young," the little green alien said. "Not much younger than you are, in fact."
"How old are you?"
"700 years as of next month." Vandar replied. "Proud I am, to have survived this long."
"Pride is an axis of evil," Valia muttered.
"Indeed. Are you so sure you your self were not motivated by pride to inform Vrook? Remember, Padawan, that there is a difference between pointing out flaws to help and pointing out flaws simply to inflict insult. I hope we do not have such a conversation over this again."
"I see. I will take what you have said to heart, Master Vandar." Valia bowed.
"Your fight was impressive," Vandar said. "Now doubt drawing on previous training, hmmm?"
"Master Vandar...I do not wish to offend you, but my past..."
"Understand, I do. Painful, your past seems to be, as evidenced by your arm." Vandar lifted her left sleeve up, gazing at the scars. He put them down, giving a sad shake of his head.
"Go through what you did, no child should."
Valia suddenly felt very uncomfortable as Vandar stared at her, like he knew every secret she already possessed.
Valia turned away, breaking the gaze. "It is of no consequence. I survived."
"Make not your life only about survival, Padawan," Vandar replied as Valia walked off.
Valia walked out of the chamber to find Revan leaning against the wall, her arms folded.
"Impressive, the way you handled Vrook. I should like to be so bold one of these days," Revan said, smiling. "Perhaps I misjudged you. Vrook is always hassling me and Alek. Both of us have been dying for years to tell the old bastard off."
"I did not tell him off, Revan. I was merely...pointing out his mistakes."
"Of course that is what you were doing. It is clear to me that I, too, made a mistake in our first meeting. Much as I am loath to admit it...you were quite perceptive. You piqued my curiosity when I saw you with Mical. May I introduce myself the proper way, this time?"
"If you feel you must."
Revan cleared her throat, and then held out her hand. "I am Revan. I was given to the Order for training by my adoptive father, the Count of Serreno."
Valia hesitated for a second, but then took it. Revan did not reek of calculations like she had the first time. If the Nosferan wanted to be genuinely polite, then so would she.
"Valia Renn. I was working in a kitchen on Coruscant not too long ago."
Valia could tell Revan was struggling to hold back a tide of questions, such as who she was and where she was from. It would come later, though. Nosferans cannot help themselves.
"Coruscant? I haven't been there in years. Say, perhaps you would like to join me and Alek, later on? We'll be in the cafeteria."
"I have no wish to offend you, but I must speak to both my Master and to Atris. I have no time for you," Valia said with clear dismissal.
"Damage control, huh?" Revan chuckled with a velvet tone, somewhat incensed. "I understand. Next time, then."
As Valia nodded and walked past her, she reflected on the Nosferan's manner. The charisma was considerable.
How easy it would be to be friends with her.
Easy, yet overwhelmingly impossible...
Present day, Coruscant.
Valia snapped out of the flow walk, immediately getting away from Kreia.
"What is the matter, Exile?"
"I'm done. I think I've gotten my innovation back," Valia, said, feeling the cleverness of her old lessons flowing through her again.
"Part of it. As we travel, you are sure to obtain more of your old teachings. For now, let us both rest," Kreia said.
"You were watching everything I was, weren't you."
"Indeed. I also felt everything you experienced," Kreia was turned away from the urge to mock her student for any perceived weaknesses. Even Kreia could remember being young and stupid.
"I would speak to Bastila Shan quickly. She has much explaining to do."