Learning the Inbetween

[Kaziki Halcyon]

Kaz smiled in mild self-deprecation. "The trick lies in the extra study. Psychology, sociology, xenobiology, etc.. They all assist in crafting illusions and influences that will appropriately affect the target so that you receive the desired result. Anybody can hamfist their way into another being's memories and wipe out enough to hide a day but the real skill is in being able to alter one detail to make the day completely different." He smiled to himself at the memory of an undesirable suitor he had run off once by merely making sure he regularly ate a dish that she found disgusting so he would smell of it when she came to visit. "It's an education that doesn't even need the Force to be useful if one knows how to apply it."

"Oh, nothing to worry about with the meld. You will still be your own Jedi. The Meld doesn't have a master or a controller, it merely connects us. I would have a direct insight into you and you into me. If I decide to attack high you would be aware of that decision almost as if you had made it yourself, thus able to attack low simultaneously. If you decide to block an opponent's strike I can attack into the opening you create before it's even created. We can act as if we had been training together for decades without the decades of training." He gave her a nod of assurance as he explained. "It is a Jedi technique, controlling our battlefield, our connection. Not one another."

Kaz merely nodded approval at the admission that she could fight in costume if need be. A small smirk appeared when she asked if he could fight in less. "In fact, I've won a few of my greatest victories thus. Even a Sith." That had been bribery but that woman had wanted nothing so much as validation which, for Kaz, had been a low and easily paid price. "We are going to my personal fiefdom on Corellia, you might even get to see me in a bathing suit if I find the time to swim before it's time to leave again." With her claimed powers Kashyyk was beginning to look more and more attractive for a quick stop off.

He looked at her a bit and then back at the doors. "I've had to argue my stance with a great many more traditional minded Jedi and Masters. Debate is something of a lost art among the Order, even in the Corellian faction, and I often send them off frustrated but unconvinced. I tend to not proselytize much beyond that little speech I just gave you, which means just countering their presumptions of being correct for lack of detractors over the centuries. Even my own master thinks I'm blinding myself, or dancing too close to the so called Dark Side, with my view of things."

[Kura Nuhok]

Kaz seemed to be justifiably proud of his abilities within the Force, and Kura allowed him a small, indulgent smile. It sounded as though he was highly skilled in both the ability itself, and its practical applications. That skillset would no doubt come in very useful at times. "I am seeing opportunities to confuse our enemies into not knowing what is real and what is not," she mused, out loud this time. "For example, who is to tell which is real, between a hurricane that stems from your mind, or a very real earthquake which stems from mine?" Sometimes, a little panic and confusion could go a very long way to securing an otherwise unexpected victory.

"And your Battle Meld could feed into that," she proposed, raising a questioning eyebrow at Kaz as he explained how it worked. "It would certainly be a boon to be able to take advantage of such a link." She looked a little worried for a second as she considered how the Battle Meld might work. "Is it difficult or painful to accept the Meld?"

She sounded gauche and inexperienced, she knew, but Kura wanted to make sure that she was as prepared as she could be for working in such a different way than that which she was used to.

The Togruta smirked as Kaz asserted that he was more than used to working in less clothes than those he was currently wearing, and the expression on her face was amused and knowing. "I am sure that you are every bit as capable of taking victory in less clothes, as I am capable when wearing more," she replied. Kura laughed warmly as Kaz advised that she might see him in a bathing suit while on Corellia. "I shall be sure to be around if that happens," she teased. However, the teasing was tempered with a slightly worried look. "Is there a dress code I would need to follow on Corellia? Is this one of the worlds where I would need to pose as your... bodyguard?" And the teasing was back with a vengeance.

Kura held up a hand, dismissing Kaz's further attempts at justification of his belief set. "As long as you do not 'turn to the dark side', so to speak, then your beliefs are essentially no concern of mine," she replied firmly. "There were many at the camps who believed in and upheld the theory of the Unifying Force, and I thought no less of them, and they no less of me for my beliefs." She looked squarely at him. "So long as we are able to find a way to work effectively together as a unit, I am happy, Kaz. All I would ask is that you allow yourself to trust in me, and I, in return, will trust in you."

[Kaziki Halcyon]

"The Battle Meld is easy once you get used to it, like putting on a favorite jacket or... fraction of a skirt." He casually gestured at her sash. "At first the worse you'll have to deal with is mild feeling of disorientation due to the added layer of perception. A sense of seeing the same things twice where our focuses overlap but you'll learn to filter it, to meld the two views into a greater understanding of the space around us. Think of it as multiple ships in a space battle sharing sensor information to map the battlefield with yourself as the main battle computer. When you get used to it, a matter of a few hours, you'll be able to turn our multiple views into a more complete, three dimensional view of the battlefield."

"The only drawback will be that we will become predictable to one another even while not using the meld, a side effect of the increased familiarity it provides. The more we use it the faster we get to the point where we are completing tasks for each other without thinking about it. It's subtle but if you ever spend any time around my parents watch for it and you can see it in full swing. Mom will get thirsty and dad will walk in with a glass of water for her." He seemed relatively neutral about the fact, not attaching any feelings to the matter apparently. "We aren't likely to interact with much of anyone on this visit, wear what you like."

".... kinky," he intoned as the doors slid open and allowed him to immediately stroll out on to the large, mostly empty, cargo bay floor. Kaz got about six long paces before he was intercepted by a forest-green skinned Twi-lek female in a set of coveralls that she'd half unzipped and tied around her waist, leaving her top half covered only in a cropped top that displayed sufficient cleavage to catch the attention of most men. "What brings you down her boss?" She asked the question as she wrapped her arms around his left, pressing the cleavage against his arm and side.

Kaz merely smiled at her... at her face to be specific. "I am here to dance but not one of our lessons today, I'm afraid." He patted her hand when she pouted like a school girl. The Twi'lek woman was well trained at pulling the strings of others by all appearances. "But we are headed for Kingfisher Beach, I have business that will take a day or so before we head out again." That immediately brought the lithe mechanic back to full bubbly, causing her to press herself against his side again. "Perfect! I even have a new bathing suit I've been waiting to show off."

The young Corellian let the young woman go as she seemed to decide to head back to her business there in the cargo bay, the Twi-lek woman disappearing through one of the machine shop doors. The sound of voices floated back but nothing distinct. Kaz, himself, went to the center of the floor and removed his jedi robes, tossing them aside to leave himself in his tunic, jerkin, pants, boots, etc.

[Kura Nuhok]

Listening carefully as Kaz explained the Battle Meld, and how it worked, Kura nodded in acknowledgment. In theory, it would simply be a more complete version of the passive echolocation provided by her montrals, and, therefore, shouldn't be too difficult to assimilate into an effective view of the battlefield. But that in itself raised a good point.

"Do you know how it would work with regards to my montrals," she asked. "They afford me a measure of echolocation, so that I can perceive persons and objects within the battlefield without needing to see them. Is it likely to confuse things, or simply to enhance what I already have?" It was a fair point, as Kura was unable to "switch off" the functions of her montrals, so the last thing that she wanted was for the two things to interfere with one another.

She smirked slightly as Kaz explained that they would end up being predictable and familiar with one another in all aspects as their use of the Meld progressed. "Are you quite sure that you are not just using the Meld to ensure that you have someone to take care of your needs at all times," she teased, her grin exposing small, sharp, pointed teeth. "It sounds to me as though it might be an extremely convenient side effect to the Meld, for someone who might wish to take advantage of it..." Her grin spoke volumes as to her teasing.

Following Kaz into the cargo bay, Kura was more than a little taken aback as the beautiful Twi-lek mechanic twined herself rather intimately around the other Jedi, making it extremely obvious that Kaz was clearly her "property", and not to be messed with. Kura knew when she was being warned off, even though there was nothing to warn her off from. She merely stood and observed impassively, the expression on her face never changing, not even as Kaz divested himself of his Jedi robes. Kura, for her part, merely unclipped her lightsaber from around her waist, hefting it from hand to hand, reacquainting herself with its familiar and comforting weight.

"Is there something in particular you would like to train in today?"

[Kaziki Halcyon]

"It won't affect your current perceptional abilities. I wasn't aware of what those horns did, though. It seems we both will have something new to get used to since, though it won't interfere with that ability of yours it will add the perception of it to my awareness. You'll have to grow accustomed to the entirety of the meld while I'll have to adapt to seeing the world in a whole new way not usually available to humans." In fact, he seemed rather amused by the idea of having something like that on his list of things to do. He was. It would eventually give him the experience he needed to be able to create convincing ghosts within the range of beings with such an ability.

"My parents have been using the power for twenty-five years and that's as blatant as the connection gets between them. I think you'll be safe from falling over yourself to bring me little umbrella drinks for quite a while." Kaz gave her an equally amused smile at the joking supposition that he thought to enslave her. "I'd like to think I can afford to hire trained servants for that sort of thing. Properly schooled, polite, in formal uniforms." He glanced at her body for a long moment. "On the other hand, you make a strong argument for a lack of uniforms."

Kaz pulled his primary lightsaber from its unusual sheath and held it off to his side. Suddenly, in the Force, Kaz became absolutely placid. No desires, no intents, no anxieties flawed his Force presence as the weapon in his hand activated. *snap hiss* The tell tale sound preceded the soft hum of a live lightsaber that came to fill the air between them. Kaz snapped off a precision salute, bringing the blade before his face before whipping it down, that proceeded immediately and smoothly into the Makashi flourish. "Lets assess your technique. When you're ready."

[Kura Nuhok]

Kura couldn't resist a light smirk as Kaz was clearly a little surprised at the actual function of her montrals, and she shrugged. "It would appear that we each have a learning curve that we will need to overcome, with regards to the meld," she replied. "The echolocation acts almost like a sixth sense - I may not be able to physically see someone's presence, but I always know where they are in relation to me. That will be of particular use when we are tandem fighting, or, indeed, dealing with multiple opponents." She gave him a slightly sad smile. "However, I cannot explain how it may feel to you - after all, it is second nature to me."

Pleased at Kaz's reaction to her teasing about the more personal side to the battle meld, Kura couldn't help blushing almost scarlet, her markings matching the colour of her skin, as the Corellian openly stared at her body for a few seconds longer than was decent. While her current state of dress was nothing to be ashamed of, there was something about the way in which Kaz was gazing at her that caused her to flush. Extremely aware that the Twi-lek mechanic might be lurking somewhere nearby, Kura took a tiny step backwards. "I am beginning to feel underdressed now," she replied flippantly. "Perhaps I shall train in my robes the next time." She really didn't feel like incurring the wrath of the green-skinned woman.

The stilling in the Force was swift and sure as Kaz fired up his lightsaber, and Kura closed her eyes briefly, letting the Force settle within herself. When she opened her eyes again, it was as though she could see everything a little clearer, hear everything just a little sharper, and feel everything before it actually happened. Kura activated her own lightsaber quietly as Kaz completed a flourish with his, and she merely nodded as he invited her to challenge him.

Raising her lightsaber into the classic Shien guard stance, Kura remained almost unnaturally still for a few seconds, barely even watching Kaz, instead allowing herself to feel him in the Force, and to ensure that she could sense even the slightest movement he made with her montrals.

When she eventually struck, it was with a fast sweep down across her body, aimed to take a crossway's swipe at Kaz's midsection. Her dominant leg remained behind her, ready to propel herself forwards at a moment's notice if needs be.

[Kaziki Halcyon]

Form V had a tendency to build momentum on the back of an opponent's efforts, tiring the victim and providing power without exertion to the practitioner. Kaz could play at that game if he felt it was the way to go or that he could outclass hi opponent anyway but it was something best saved for proving a point. Most of the time it was best to play to one's own strengths rather than indulge an opponent just to claim you beat them at their own game. That was the path of ego, of pride. Not the Jedi's path.

Kaz's own weapon flicked up as he moved as smoothly as a dance backward, both body and blade moving beyond the attack she'd leveled at him. His one handed grip gave him a greater reach, extended by his height advantage. He used it right off to end her attack before it became an avalanche of attacks, flashing the tip of his blade at eye level via an upward jab at her eyes. Momentum halted he seized control of the fight. One, two, three jabs followed the first. Another at her face to encourage her weight onto her back foot, the next at her leading leg to encourage a step backward, and the last at her weapon hand to interrupt any coming attempt at a counter defense.

And then, with a shout, he went after her weapon in earnest. Kaz liked to think of the series of movements he utilized as the looped assault. The the last three inches of his white blade chased the first three of hers, hunting the end of her lightsaber's grip in an attempt to disarm her permanently. Every time she'd attempt to engage his blade he would sketch a small loop with the tip of his blade, looking to circle her defense and attack her grip from relative flank.

The young Corellian grinned fiercely as his weapon chased hers, making it impossible for much more to be done than for her to defend her weapon unless she wished to disengage him entirely and start from neutral position again. In the mean time he danced back and forth, staying beyond her reach and manipulating distance to keep him with striking range of her lightsaber's base. The buzzing, snapping, hissing movements and contacts of their two energy blades quickly gained the attention of the other beings on that level of the ship, several mechanics and two Antarians piling out of the machine shop the Twi-lek had disappeared into.

[Kura Nuhok]

Kura couldn't remember having faced someone as obviously skilled in Makashi as Kaz, and, while she could remember the theory on dealing with such an opponent, putting it into practice was a different matter altogether. While her montrals would give her something of an advantage, in being able to sense movement even before her eyes processed it fully, she was in doubt that this could be one of the tougher training fights she had faced.

Kaz, however, anticipated her first move with a smooth grace that any Jedi would have been proud of, and danced back out of the way of her lightsaber, before jabbing forward with his own. Kura could feel that he was aiming for her face, and whipped her head slightly to the side, so that his blade would have struck thin air, even if he had followed through.

He was very fast, and Kura found that it was all that she could do to parry his blows. However, his jab at her leading leg had the opposite effect to that which he probably wanted: instead of pivoting her weight onto her back leg - her stronger leg - she pressed forward, bringing her dominant leg to the front, and was about to sweep at his legs when he attacked her weapon hand. It was clear that he was trying to wear her down with petty attacks, and she spun her blade out of the way to avoid its hilt being damaged or whipped away from her.

Using the longer hilt to change her grip, Kura slipped easily into the reverse grip, and swept the blade long and low at Kaz's feet, unconcerned as to whether or not his blade made contact with her; after all, he would have to find out about her use of the plant extract sooner or later. However, Kaz soon changed tactic, and, with a yell, started chasing the hilt of her weapon, not allowing her any room to manoeuvre at all, effectively ending the fight there and then, a war of attrition being waged. Kura was certain that she had the better stamina of the two of them, but that was only if she didn't make an error, and end up having her blade damaged and tossed out of her hand. With Kaz's skill, holding out seemed unlikely.

There was only one thing for it, and Kura took three very quick steps to the side, removing herself from the field of Kaz's blade, before lunging in, her dominant leg now to the fore, her grip once more returning to the standard form, and making a fast, aggressive aggressive double-handed strike at the level of Kaz's hips.

[Kaziki Halcyon]

The switch to the popular backhand grip was likely an attempt to bring the attack back to him but it only played further into his feint, making it so that her attack couldn't reach him until he'd already had a shot at her grip. It allowed him to effectively cancel each of her attacks before she even began it because the attack came on the back end of the movement where his target was leading the way. She did the only thing she could do, what he'd expected all along, she broke the pattern by withdrawing from the immediate engagement. Three steps to the side, breaking Kaz's preferred line of battle to which he pivoted with the grace of a ballet dancer to keep her where he wanted her relative to his own stance.

Her grip changed back to a traditional two handed posture, another adaptation to what he'd been doing to her, and she came at him hard with a powerful swing for his middle. Kaz did a stomping lunge feint to keep her from truly extending her swing and then snatched himself out of the reach of her weapon, looping a swat at the trailing edge of her blade with his lightsaber to impart extra momentum to the too strong attack to ensure it kept going wide of him and allow a sudden ripost behind the attack. He performed a high angle, overhand lunge right at her chest.

{{unless she does something impressive to get out of the way he will turn off his lightsaber before it touches her}}

[Kura Nuhok]

Everything that Kura tried, it appeared that Kaz had an answer for. Her speed and power seemed to be utterly useless against his elegant and understated dueling style, and she struggled to think of a legitimate way past his defences. His fighting style was far more rounded than her own, and it was just showing up her own lack of experience and development as a Jedi. Not for the first time, she wondered whether or not she was truly ready for this.

As she aimed for his midsection again, she failed to react quickly enough to Kaz's lunge, and certainly hadn't expected the scrape of his white blade down the edge of her blue one, ensuring that she continued far further with her swing than she had planned to, putting her off balance, and allowing Kaz to come in with what would have been a fatal blow to her chest.

A quiet shout came from her as Kaz depowered his lightsaber, and, regaining her balance, Kura switched off her own, her eyes blazing with humiliation as she turned her gaze back to Kaz. He had well and truly bested her, making her look like a clumsy child who had no duty to carry the title of Jedi. Pulling herself up to her full, defiant height, she looked warily at Kaz, almost waiting for the admonishment to come from him, and the ridicule from the small audience that had gathered in the cargo bay.

"Well?"

[Kaziki Halcyon]

She accepted the loss rather graciously, all things said. Her eyes flashed fiercely, meaning she was beaten but not defeated. Kaz would have to watch that one in future practice duels because she didn't seem the type to take her defeat lightly. There was no judgement on his face as she got her feet back under her and regarded him with a defiant look. Well? Kaz blinked back at her, a light look of gundark in the headlights as an expression. Oh, she apparently had the expectation of some critique... well, she would have to wait until after her new fans finished regaling her.

The cheer went up with the female Twi-lek bouncing high and whooping something about girl power, the Antarian's clapping appreciatively. Particularly the older one who was wearing a lightsaber in a sheath similar to the one Kaz wore. Kaz turned and walked a few steps away, making it obvious as the audience's focus didn't shift to follow him that they were cheering her. The Twi-lek ran to Kura and grabbed her wrists excitedly, dancing her around in a little circle. "Nobody makes Lord Halcyon give up ground like that! You're fearless! You didn't back up once!" She went on chattering excitedly.

For his part Kaz watched from the side with a small smile on his face and a magnanimous nod when he caught Kura's eye again. He also worked on what she needed to work on so he didn't have to return a body to the Jedi camps. That sort of thing would develop into a reputation quicker than he would care to consider. Technique was one of the hardest things to change, it was a reflection of the duelist's instincts at the fundamental level. One could even learn a great deal about a person by experiencing their fighting technique. Besides... there was nothing actually wrong with the way she fought, it was very Form V and the only thing he could think of that it lacked right of the bat was a sense of spacing.

He would need to tutor her in Sokan. It would pair well with her technique as a way to force opponents to fight her game.

[Kura Nuhok]

Kaz's expression was bland as she faced him, Kura accepting her defeat in quiet contemplation. She was ill-prepared, it would seem, to face such a well developed and skilful duelist, and felt almost ashamed that she had bee unable to acquit herself well in this first demonstration of her skills.

"I..."

She had been about to apologise for her lack of skill during their duel when Kaz stepped away, and the cheering began from the small audience that had assembled during their training. She frowned, not quite understanding what was going on, right up until the point that the Twi-lek woman bounced up to her and started giddily spinning her in circles. "But... I was defeated," she replied soberly, not wishing to accept accolades when she had done nothing to deserve them. The usually quiet Antarians, however, were also applauding, and Kura looked across at Kaz.

He smiled and nodded, and Kura gave him a small, confused smile in return. she wasn't used to being lauded for what was, in her eyes, a failure. Gently disengaging herself from the Twi-lek mechanic, before she started to feel dizzy, Kura reattached her lightsaber to one of the strips of hide around her hips and headed towards Kaz, her expression sober and purposeful.

"I must train harder, it would appear," she said quietly, her eyes downcast, before flicking her gaze up to meet Kaz's. "I must provide a challenge at least equal to your own if I am to truly earn my place as your partner."

[Kaziki Halcyon]

The Twi-lek didn't let the extrication damper her mood. If Kura wasn't going to enjoy the celebration she'd do it for her, throwing her hands in the air to celebrate as she ran back toward the others. When Kura got to him Kaz gave a gentle snort of amusement. "Everybody loses, Jedi Nuhok. Even I occasionally get overwhelmed when my parents work together to put me to the test. It's how we learn." The young Corellian put a reassuring hand on her shoulder as he spoke quietly for her benefit. "You acquitted yourself well for having no idea what to expect out of me. There is no shame in losing to me either. As I said before, every moment you spent with the lightsaber so did I. Every moment you spent working on Telekinesis I stayed with my lightsaber."

He didn't think he needed to mention that his style was designed for one on one, lightsaber to lightsaber combat where hers was designed for blaster defense against multiple opponents, further tipping the scales of the battle to his favor. It was time for the other shoe to drop, however. "That said, we can make you terribly more dangerous by working on your Sokan. If you'd had me backed against a wall or other obstacle I wouldn't have had the ability to use my footwork to set you up to over extend your swing. Might have had to block instead which would have started the process of tiring me before your claimed stamina."

"In a test of pure skill I may very well always be your better but the wonderful thing about dueling is that it's very rarely a test of pure skill." He indicated the massive room in which they stood. "Flat ground, no obstructions, this is a Makashi practitioner's ideal. But the space is finite, there are solid walls that can't be bypassed. Work the space, take away your opponent's movement options, make them fight the way you want them to fight and you can work your game... that's the key to victory. We work on your Sokan and you'll be great. Not as good as me but then again you don't have to get up to get something on the other side of the room, so it all evens out."

Kaz grinned at her, happy and indicating there was nothing to be worried about. "Train smarter, not harder. Or both, but definitely smarter. That's why they sent you to me, I think." That wasn't true, they'd sent her to keep an eye on him and to give reports they were willing to trust. Until then, however, he could always help her up her survivability. Kaz couldn't fault her for being an unwitting spy, it happened.

[Kura Nuhok]

Kura allowed the Twi-lek woman a small smile as she continued to celebrate. Anyone would have thought that she had had Kaz upended on the floor, her blade at his neck. To Kura, that was the only outcome that would have merited such an over-the-top celebration, and, even then, it would have been bordering on too much.

The slight expression of shame that was threatening retreated into an expression of confusion as Kaz reassured her, and Kura's mind returned to the strange vision she had had while meditating as his hand rested on her bare shoulder. It was almost as though she recognised his touch, and she stood strong, refusing to react.

It was just my overactive imagination.

"I understand that you have spent many more hours training with the lightsaber than I have," she conceded, before shaking her head. "But I have never before been so utterly outclassed." It was almost painful for her to admit it. "I am accustomed to being the best in my class, and then the most skilful of my Master's Padawans, and... next to you, I am little more than a clumsy child, playing with a wooden sword." She spoke candidly; after all, he was her partner, and he deserved her honesty.

Frowning slightly as Kaz mentioned training her in Sokan, she listened in earnest. "That you have already identified an area in which I am lacking tells me that I am severely lacking," she replied baldly. "However, anything that will allow me to push the advantage with my stamina is welcomed." She allowed herself a tiny, almost hopeful smile. "I may then one day be able to demonstrate it to you, instead of relying on secondhand tales of past prowess."

Kura nodded as Kaz pointed out the ways in which she could have exploited their immediate environment to her advantage, instead of it playing to his own strengths. "You must teach me how to exploit and expose an opponent such as yourself," she said quietly, a light, almost sheepish smile twitching on her lips. "After all, if I do not stand a chance against my own partner... who do I stand a chance against?"

Feeling a rush of relief at Kaz's happy smile, Kura almost allowed herself a small chuckle. Only almost, though. "I think I was sent to you because there was little I could do on Shili," she admitted honestly. "There is little enough trouble for a Jedi Master and her Padawans, much less a Knight as well." She frowned for a second.

"Why did they think you needed a partner?"

[Kaziki Halcyon]

He nodded sagely as she acknowledged that he'd logged more hours behind a lightsaber than she had. "You haven't met many who focus on the skill the way I have. So focused on hiding, many of the other camps have come to treat swordsmanship as a secondary skill. I don't mean to bash them, per se, but with the number of Sith in the galaxy..." Kaz shrugged and gave her an expression that said it was so obvious that it pretty much bashed itself. Neglecting a skill that was, no doubt, going to be very important when the day came for the scales to tip the other direction in the galaxy was tantamount to suicide.

"If I think about it too long it becomes heartbreaking." A lot of Jedi would die in the time to come, as the battles began and the Sith were forced onto the field to support their more mundane soldiers. It could still be won by the Jedi if things were stacked appropriately and that's where Kaz's mission came in, because his finest weapon wasn't the one in his head but the one behind his teeth. Best of all, he was clever enough to keep that thought to himself though he treated her to a dazzling smile to change the feel that was gathering around them in the Force.

"You may have been the strongest Bantha in the herd but when we finish with you you'll be the Krayt Dragon that they named your fighting style after. Work on your footwork, your angle, and your environmental awareness. You're coming to the cove with us, we can see how we do on your strong ground where I have to rely on techniques you're more familiar with to make up for in-conducive surroundings. I might even show you a dirty trick or two along the way, the kind of thing that will make your master gape." He grinned at her, complete with wink. "Care to go again or are we on to other things?"

He chuckled at her last question, coming on the tail of why she thought they'd needed to assign her something other than guardianship of her own world. It was probably a little more horizon stretching than merely making sure every Jedi on the planet had enough to do, or the Jedi Master of that world not wanting the competition to her unapproachable.... wisdom. The reason they thought he needed a partner was either horribly simple or horribly complicated. "It's because I make fun of them. Very touchy, emotionally, those Jedi Masters are. You'd think nobody had ever spoken back to them or something."

"That, and I named the Nameless Master... Probably didn't go over well."

[Kura Nuhok]

Kaz sounded sad and frustrated and almost angry that a lot of the Jedi camps weren't concentrating on lightsaber skills and dueling, and it was clearly a subject close to his heart. "Indeed, the Sith are multiplying at an alarming rate," she agreed, sighing quietly. "Our numbers are no match for them, so developing the skills of those in training should be paramount. When I compare my skills to yours, it is clear that I - and therefore many others - am woefully underprepared." A little telekinesis was nothing, not compared to Kaz's skills.

His dazzling smile broke the gloomy mood that was swirling around them, and Kura smiled back, almost involuntarily. The smile turned into a smirk as he compared her to first a Bantha, then, potentially, a Krayt Dragon. "Is that how you picture me," she replied, her voice almost challengingly teasing. "As some fearsome beast?" Kura nodded as Kaz mentioned training again outside. "Very well," she agreed. It would be closer to her favoured terrain when it came to fighting, and she might even hold a slight advantage in being able to manipulate the environment around them.

And there was that blush again.

The wink and knowing comment were all that it took to turn Kura's markings a pale shade of coral pink, and she glanced quickly at the Twi-lek. It wouldn't do to have her thinking that Kura was flirting with Kaz: the woman could probably be rather fearsome. "We can duel again if you wish," she replied quietly. Very deliberately clearing any ripples that she was causing in the Force, due to her mind repeatedly wanderng back to the vision she had, she took a step back, listening to Kaz as he explained the reasons why he felt that she had been assigned as his partner.

She blinked just the once at his assertions. "It is... plain to see that these actions would have annoyed the Masters," she replied, mock-sternly, but with a faint hint of a smile on her lips. "Although I hope that I do not prove to be as much of a punishment to you as they might have hoped."

[Kaziki Halcyon]

"Fortunately, those things are to our advantage. The Sith are an interesting social dynamic, a powerful philosophy of dominion that none-the-less can never long function as a form of government unless the vast majority of thinking beings under its dominion also believe in the philosophy... but I'll spare you my thoughts on socio-political philosophy for the moment." It was the key to beating the Sith with their limited resources. "Suffice it to say that their growth leads to less capable Sith on an individual basis." The society could be used against itself, based as it was on power mongering and paranoia.

Her teasing question got a teasing answer. "Of course not... Banthas aren't at all fearsome." Kaz nodded sagely at her acceptance of his idea of training at the cove, it would be a pleasant respite from the galaxy though it was like stealing sweets under the nose of the local overlord. When she shot a concerned look at the Twi-lek engineer after his little wink, on the tail end of a gentle blush, Kaz leaned over to make a show of following her line of sight. "Why are you looking at her like that? Your species isn't one of those where every female has an issue with every other female is it?" He mostly joked.

"Jedi don't do punishments. More likely you represent a lesson they think I should learn and I would much prefer to think of you as that sort of puzzle, needing to be solved."

[Kura Nuhok]

Clearly, Kaz was highly educated, his knowledge of the political situation in the galaxy appeared to be detailed and well informed. Kura herself... well, she preferred to do rather than to theorise, so perhaps, just perhaps, there was another area in which she and Kaz would complement one another. "I am glad that you are well apprised of the politics of our situation," she replied evenly. "I am afraid that politics and the state of the galaxy have never been my strong point."

As Kaz had preferred to concentrate on dueling, Kura had developed her affinity in the Force with the natural world: environment manipulation, animal communication and control, and, of course, plant surge, which was such a boon when it came to the cultivation of the plan that gave her the extract that protected her from lightsaber strikes and blaster bolts. It at least ensured that she would never run short, if nothing else.

Kura smiled warmly as Kaz recanted a little on the "fearsome beast" thing, advocating that Banthas weren't fearsome at all. However, the smile died on her lips as he followed her gaze to the Twi-lek woman, and she tilted her chin almost defiantly at his question. "That is not the way of the Togruta," she replied, her tone almost amused. "However, I would not wish to give your... girlfriend the wrong idea. I am concerned that she might believe that you and I are closer than we ought to be."

She frowned a little at Kaz's next statement, crossing her arms over her chest, and noting the little audience that had gathered starting to drift away as it started to look as though the training might be over for now. "You think of me as a puzzle," she replied, an incredulous little laugh slipping through her words. "What do you believe there is that needs 'solving' about me, Kaz? After all, I think it is you who is far more of a mystery."

[Kaziki Halcyon]

"It's a matter of knowing my enemies. It's not unlike researching your opponent before a duel via a conversation on personal philosophy, likes, dislikes, powers..." He watched her for recognition for a moment before continuing. "The sagacious general understands that knowledge is always his greatest asset. Knowing your own position is good but better to know your enemy's." Grand Admiral Thrawn had left some interesting observations on the matter as well, held in trust by Grand Admiral Palleon until that man's death at which point those writings had been passed on to the Galactic Archives where Kaz had made a study of them one long summer on Corellia.

Kaz turned his head and blinked at her, stock cold and serious. He then suddenly burst into a grin as he stood straight and lifted his head to call out. "Siri! She thinks you're my girlfriend..." The Twi-lek spun around with a look of confusion before she too burst into a smile that was bright enough to be easily seen even from the distance she then stood. "Oh no, hon... if he was mine he wouldn't have the strength to lift that lightsaber, let alone twirl it all pretty like he does." "The Force sustains me." Kaz spoke it simply on the tail end of her boast but the Twi-lek heard it all the same and giggled as she hurried off, a slight blush in her cheeks, as she disappeared back into the machine shop.

"We think she's married but the poor guy just can't get much farther than the fresher before he collapses out of sheer exhaustion. That's why we never see him around the ship." The young Corellian turned on his heel to face Kura once more, his amusement at the misconception not yet faded. "Now, in my experience, fearing that somebody else thinks something is really rooted in fearing that we, ourselves, think that very thing. Are we closer, already, than you think we ought to be?" It was a teasing question but one he was waiting around to see what her answer to it would be.

"Yes. If we were simple and easy to understand what would be the point in getting to know one another? Even if every Togruta in the galaxy were to be nearly identical to you in every way that 'nearly' still leaves plenty to be investigated. It's my weakness, I'm afraid. I'm fascinated by people, but you shouldn't mistake the concept of a puzzle with the idea of a problem. I want to understand a puzzle, 'solving' is for problems." He chuckled at her observing that he was the greater mystery. "My puzzle isn't any harder, it just might have more pieces."

[Kura Nuhok]

Kura tossed Kaz a somewhat exasperated look as he finally admitted the purpose of their conversation before their training session, before it turned into a wry smile. "You truly are prepared to use anything you can to your advantage, are you not," she replied, shaking her head. "And to think I believed that we were simply getting to know one another a little!" Her tone was teasing, and the light smile that graced her lips backed that up. "Is this to say we shall be spending as much time reading as training?" Not that she minded, but she was far more practical than theoretical, when it all came down to it.

And then... she was... well, there was no word for it other than "mortified". Kaz calling out - in front of everyone - that she had believed the Twi-lek woman to be his girlfriend caused her markings to flush once more, a deep enough shade to be indiscernible from her skin colouring, and Kura fixed her eyes to the floor as the general opinion of her assumption seemed to be high amusement. She afforded the Twi-lek - Siri, apparently - a quick, embarrassed smile, and shrugged. "I am sorry. I simply thought..." Trailing off, Kura frowned, glancing quickly at Kaz, who seemed nothing if not amused at the whole situation. "I am sorry. I shall not make such an assumption in future."

His next question, though, took her by surprise, and Kura blinked at Kaz, dumbfounded, for a few seconds. What did she think? The vision, certainly, had set her on edge more than a little: after all, Kaz was her partner, nothing more, and the fact that the vision - or her overactive imagination - had placed his hand very clearly on her bare skin had been more than a little disturbing. But "too close"? She didn't think so. Not yet, anyway. "I do not believe so, no," she replied slowly, a slight frown crinkling her forehead. "After all, the better we know one another, the easier it shall be to fight and work together, is that not correct?"

She chose to ignore the little tingles as she recalled just how close to Kaz she had felt in her vision.

The exasperated smile made a return as Kaz explained his comment about her being a puzzle. He was too charming for his own good, sometimes, and he definitely knew it. "Then it is a good thing indeed that I have always excelled at puzzles," she replied easily. "And I have always enjoyed a challenging puzzle." She flashed him an easy, sharp-toothed smile, her eyes flashing with amusement.

"And you, Kaziki Halcyon, are nothing if not a challenge."