Five Animals, Five Elements (Jubei, Vishan)

[Soolin Anjhurin]

:: Soolin stands across from Jubei in the center of the training hall, and gives a bow before assuming a ready stance. It had been a long time since she practiced with her childhood friend, and it would be as much of a lesson for her as would be for Vishan ::

[Jubei SaDherat Vader]

Jubei followed suit, mimicking his opponents bow as he took on a loose defensive stance. He motioned, beckoning, with one hand that Soolin should begin.

[Soolin Anjhurin]

:: Soolin advances in a flowing attack that switches between Tiger and Crane techniques. The low crouching offense of the Tiger, the high graceful defense of the Crane ::

[Jubei SaDherat Vader]

Instead of matching Soolin’s techniques identically, with those he had also learned in the Calanic monastry, Jubei chose to combine the Crane and Leopard forms. The former stressed grace and poise, whilst the latter placed emphasis on quick movements. While the Leopard form did not focus so heavily upon strength, the rapid speed with which the warrior using it moved meant that this was counter balanced. Some preferred the Tiger form, arguing it was more efficient, in that what was achieved with one blow in it would take several from the Leopard form. Jubei favored no one form over the other, choosing solely on the strengths and weaknesses of his foe.

[Vishan Korogoth]

Was he late or was he on time? He couldn't tell and already Master Soolin and Jubei had commenced with their spar. Vishan watched them face off and defend against one another's attacks in awe as he quietly took a seat on the training mat.

[Soolin Anjhurin]

:: Soolin glanced at Vishan for a split second, which was long enough for Jubei to catch her by the wrist and flip her down to the ground ::

[Vishan Korogoth]

Vishan winced, but said nothing, nor made a motion to interrupt the spar any further. He felt bad for distracting his Master and had tried to be as discreet as possible when he entered the room.

[Jubei SaDherat Vader]

Soolin’s wrist still firmly in his grasp, Jubei twisted the Jedi Knight’s arm in an attempt to immobilize her on the ground. He did not suspect that she would be beaten quite so easily, but attempted the maneuver nonetheless.

[Soolin Anjhurin]

:: Soolin rolls to relieve the pressure on her arm and kips up again, intitiating a chi sao (trapping hands) sequence that forces him on the defensive again ::

[Jubei SaDherat Vader]

His weight on the balls of his feet, Jubei snapped away from the attack. He did not remain on the defense for long, however, moving straight from his retreat to a crouch in a smooth sweeping motion. One arm then extending, he aimed to strike at Soolin with one fist.

[Soolin Anjhurin]

:: Soolin leaps up, using Jubei's shoulders as a springboard as she force leaps behind him. There was no attack. She stands and waits defensivley ::

[Jubei SaDherat Vader]

Slowly, Jubei rose to his feet and turned to face his opponent. It was clear to him, and no doubt to anyone watching, how similar their combat techniques were. Though they had both expanded and adapted what they had learned on Calan, their beginnings were evident in every movement of the hand, every subtle shift in posture. Adopting, as Soolin had, the form of the Tiger, Jubei advanced on the Jedi Knight once again – this time attempting a succession of quick-fire blows at various pressure points across her chest, focusing particularly on the solar plexus.

[Soolin Anjhurin]

:: Time becomes lost as the two Jedi attack and defend, shifting and flowing though the forms of Dragon, Tiger, Snake, Leopard, and Crane. It became evident to Vishan that quite clearly, they were equals. The two finally conclude their spar with a bow and salute of mutual respect ::

[Vishan Korogoth]

Vishan sat their, still absorbing the event. He'd never seen a fight that was so amazing. The two of them fought with such speed and grace that it was beautiful.

He had a befuddled look on his face that he tried to hide as he thought about the spar more. How could a fighter pilot like himself ever get to a level of physical combat effectiveness like Soolin or Jubei.

The Padawan began to doubt himself and suddenly feel out of place as a Jedi.

[Jubei SaDherat Vader]

As the two combatants turned from one another, Jubei caught sight of a bothered expression on Vishan’s face. The monk could sense the mans uncertainty.

“Something troubles you?”

[Soolin Anjhurin]

:: Soolin took no notice at the moment, grabbing a towl to wipe away the sweat, and reaching for some water. Just keeping up with Jubei had made her thirsty ::

[Vishan Korogoth]

"Huh?" Vishan looked perplexed to why Jubei was asking that until he realized that he was probably really easy to read. Especially to a Jedi Knight and member of the Council.

"Ah ... er ...." He sighed, "Jus' ah bit overwhelmed by wha' Ah saw is all."