Crossed Swords

[Daria Nytherciria]

The challenge had been made. It was unexpected, yet by the same token Daria had known it only a matter of time before blade met blade aboard the Wheel. Though the training drills of the padawan's were conducted with props and wooden swords, those who had earned the title of Jedi Knight bore the true weapon of their Order. Daria's blade was one seldom seen and as it revolved around her in a fluid criss-crossing defense, its beam washed the cargo hold - or belly - of the Whaladon in blood-red light. The air thrummed and hissed with each revolution, maintaining a constant speed and arc that demonstrated the Miraluka's precise control over the weapon.

Abruptly, the blade's twisting came to an end, and swept down into a single-handed grip at the Jedi's side. At the opposite end of the hangar bay, a figure began to emerge from the shadows.

[Tionne Thanewulf]

Clouded in the Force, hidden using a meticulously sharpened technique - Tionne Thanewulf remained in the shadows for a while, shallowly breathing to cause little stirring. She had observed the Miraluka and her display of dexterity with great interest, as such precision was rarely seen in a person lacking eyesight. It made her exercise even more admirable, the red-haired Jedi by far justifying the rank the remnants of the Order had bestowed upon her. Still, a test of the blades was not something Thanewulf could resist.

''The one red leaf, the last of its clan...'' the Coruscanti recited, emerging from the shadows in a circular trajectory around the Miraluka, the softness of her steps hardly divulging her location.
''That dances as often as it can, hanging so light, and hanging so high...'' her words trailed off into a whisper as the Knight finally made her way to stand in front of the blind Jedi, a mere foot away from her blade.
''On the topmost twig that looks up at the sky.'' were the final words of her chant, a faint, knowing smile appearing on Tionne's visage.
''Jedi Knight Daria Nytherciria, I assume.''

[Daria Nytherciria]

Though she was blind, Daria met the woman's gaze without missing a beat. Her white-on-white eyes read the surface of the Knight's aura, the outermost web-work of energies that surrounded her purpose. The Force was strong in her, that much the Miraluka could see and sense, though as always it manifested in Tionne was different to all others; not at odds with but rather in compliment to the many varying Jedi she was likely to find herself among.

“Gentle in step and speech... Tionne Thanewulf. You called upon me.”

[Tionne Thanewulf]

''You are hard to find, Daria Nytherciria of Miraluka. I had to be convinced personally that the person Master Tarkin speaks so highly of truly exists.'' the redhead offered in slight, but pleasant blandishment. Respect and admiration were audible from her laud, only to be justified by what was to follow.

''As you might know...'' Tionne continued, removing her jacket in the process to be left in a black tank top and cargo pants of the same hue - ''I am somewhat rusty in my lightsaber skills. A quarter of a century passed since I last held it.''
The electrum hilt glowed brightly from Tionne's belt, untarnished by the passage of time, just like the youthful face of the Coruscanti-born Knight.

''If you would indulge me for a spar, I would be more than grateful, Knight Nytherciria.'' she pleaded, augmenting her request with a deep bow that made red locks sway from side to side in an almost gentlemany manner.

[Daria Nytherciria]

The shift from soil to space, from the planet Vortex to the fleet known as the Wheel, had not changed Daria's attire. She wore the grey robes she had shouldered since her apprenticeship, the cloak tattered in places by wear and time. In spite of this, there was nothing shabby in her appearance. She carried herself with all the austerity and dignity expected of a Jedi Knight.

With no word given to the other Knight's subtle flattery, Daria acknowledged Tionne's challenge with a nod. “Very well.”

A flick of her wrist brought the beam of her saber upwards in a Makashi salute, its sinister glow illuminating the scar tissue that spread in thread-fine veins from the edges of her eyes. The flourish executed, she swept the saber down into guard once more and in the same fluid motion began to striding backwards away from her opponent, extending the line of battle.

[Tionne Thanewulf]

Tionne acknowledged Daria's form of choice with a playful quirk of a ginger brow, rather pleased to be sparring another Jedi utilizing Form II. The last one she fought was a fallen friend; if her Master had not given her opportunities to exercise her skill against his Makashi, the redhaired Knight would not have been standing here today. Well acquainted with all tricks the Form had to offer, Thanewulf was ready to engage in combat with a new breed of Jedi.

As the Miraluka withdrew to create space between them, Tionne's hand fell naturally to the electrum hilt strapped to her belt; with one elegant flick of her hand, an exceptionally bright orange-golden blade was ignited, illuminating the cargo bay with a dawn-like glow. The Solari crystal within resonated with energy of the Core, a place where of eternal light - it hummed serenely as Tionne assumed the opening stance of Soresu, placing the saber pointed towards her opponent right over her head. She remained in that position a bit longer than a split of a second, before darting forwards in a well orchestrated half-turn typical of Ataru, only to bring her blade in a diagonal slash aiming to cut from shoulder to hip, the blow greatly accelerated through the Force.

[Daria Nytherciria]

The opening gambit was a bold one, the cleaving swing of Tionne's saber liable to gut a lesser opponent. The flow of her energies spoke of a form that the Miraluka had never been taught, but had endured at the hands of the very same man who had gifted her the saber she carried, Darth Stratus. Daria danced a step back from the strike with not so much as a moment to spare. With quick footwork, she feinted another step backwards before lunging, serpent-like with three quick and almost taunting jabs, towards the side of Tionne's body which now stood without a guard.

[Tionne Thanewulf]

The acrobatic form was useless against the relic art of swordery mirrored in Makashi; twisting and turning, even at formidable velocity, was dangerous under the influx of jabs so typical of Form II. Thus the Coruscanti withdrew inwards, a quick step backwards removing her from the reach of Daria's vicious blade. Tionne's own beam was pulled closer to her body, firmly placed to clash with the Miraluka's in a mesmerizing collision that dissipated energy via an electrical hiss. As one slid off the other, the Knight pivoted against her elbow, scooping both blades up.

''The blade you carry, Knight Nytherciria...'' she uttered lowly, firmly gripping the electrum hilt that resonated in her hand - ''It is as vile as the one slayers of our kind carry through the galaxy. I can feel the blood of innocents on it. And the mocking chant of the crystal within.''

Gray eyes narrowed, focusing on the fair features of the Miraluka's face over bright luminance of a lasting parry -
''Can you hear the chant too, Knight?''

[Daria Nytherciria]

Daria broke the parry, mindful of lingering too long within such a precarious stalemate. Four steps separated her from Tionne to a distance that would permit her own flowing strikes but most likely inhibit the more extravagant twists and turns of Ataru.

“This blade makes no statement but that which I would have it utter,” the Knight replied, the red beam offering its own reply as it thrrrum'd through the air, aiming to cut a precise criss-cross over Tionne's torso.