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My duties aren't in high demand since we're still docked. If you're free now, I wouldn't mind a light training session. My former Padawan has a few wooden sabers we could use.

Fair enough. Give me perhaps a half hour?

Of course. I'll see you there.

ACTION; half hour later
[ He drops his communicator into his pocket and heads off. He is eager but it doesn't show in the steady and deliberate movements; he knows whatever he gains from here will be advice and nothing actionable. When Nomi arrives, she'll find Anakin going through some training drills with the promised wooden sabers, one in each hand and clearly employing Niman style. ]

[Nomi arrives precisely on schedule, dressed in her usual sea-green Jedi robes, carrying nothing with her save a small bag. Setting that down, she bows her head in greeting.]

Good afternoon, Anakin.

[She is by no means an expert on lightsaber combat, but she does recognize the form. Most of the codified styles of fighting come from after her time, and she herself fought entirely by instinct and with the guidance of the Force. Still, his posture reminds her a bit of Master Jeth's.]

So, you wanted to train with sabers? Or something else?

[ Anakin drops his stance and bows his head in turn. It's still incredibly strange to see, to know beyond the shadow of a doubt, that this is Nomi Sunrider.

He feels silly with the sabers in hand when she speaks, but gives a light shrug as he toss a saber over, the wood buoyed by his casual use of the Force. ]

I figure they were a good start. That is, if you don't mind.

[ Despite his suggestion, he's obviously eager to talk about other things. ]

[Nomi catches it easily, and releases her tight covering of her presence in the Force. A greeting in her time, a way of showing openness and honesty, because what should two Jedi hide from one another? Nothing changes to the casual observer, but to anyone who can see the way a Jedi sees it's like a supernova just walked into the room. Light, warm and radiant fills her and she turns the weapon over in her hand, testing the grip before nodding.]

I'm out of practice, but I think we can start this way.

[She sets her feet wide, angles her body and holds the wooden sword up in a fencer's gesture. Anakin may recognize bits of Makashi in her stance, though it's antiquated, less rigid than Dooku's.]

We can begin when you're ready.

Edited 2016-03-03 05:03 (UTC)

[ It's as if she encompassed the whole of the Jedi Temple; the same warmth and light sweeps across the room and he feels lighter just being in its trajectory. He blinks in surprise to see her hold a Makashi form, before occupying his space with a Djem So posture - his lightsaber held low and feet wide. ]

I didn't know you were a Makashi stylist.

[ He strikes boldly, and testing the grounds. ]

[She blinks even as she sweeps her sword in a smooth, economical parry, sidestepping gracefully and keeping her distance for the moment. He's taller, physically stronger, and she's not one to tip her whole hand yet.]

Makashi? I don't know the term.

[But she can infer at least, that he means her sword-style.]

Master Arca Jeth taught me this stance.

Huh. [ Master Arca Jeth. Another figure from the all together too long history of the Jedi. ]

In my time, all Padawans are trained in the basic forms by Master Cin Drallig before developing into their own. But I suppose Yoda is the closest comparison to Master Arca Jeth.

[ He spins his saber in his hand, all too casually. Even if this wasn't a real lightsaber, the Force hums around him brightly, urging him on. He takes a wide step in and strikes again, a broad sweep that cuts across ]

Interesting. We mostly just...practice what works, and it varies from master to master.

[She flows into a block, meeting his blade at an angle to deflect it, her feet stepping with the blow to continue in a tight circle around him.

Her counterattack is quick, a prod with the tip aimed at his arm. Not difficult to send aside, but if it hit it might smart! Testing defenses came first.]

I avoided training with a lightsaber at first, but Master Arca's philosophy and mine were more compatible than my first master.

[ That is interesting. He wonders if she knew her and her daughter laid in the foundations that put the Order to where it is now, that most of her legacy is something they still revere. He wonders what his legacy would be...

But before he gets too lost in that thought, the Force grabs his attention quickly and he parries it away with a little difficulty that doesn't show on his face or movement.

Anakin turns with the parry and one smooth movement turns from counter to another bold slash, aiming at her thigh. ]

I didn't know that you had more than one master. What happen to them?

[ Do they really know anything about her, really? ]

Master Thon had me seek other teachers. Master Arca Jeth died fighting the Mandalorians, while Master Odan-Urr and Master Vodo-Bass were murdered by Exar Kun.

[Others have made it amply clear that she and Vima have had an active role in the future of the Order, and she's glad of it.

The block and counterstroke were unsurprising. He seemed bold, confident, and this is exactly her expectation. She disengages quickly, a hop-skip backwards and out of his sword's reach before lunging forward to drive the point of her blade at him.]

It was common practice to have multiple masters, in my time.

[Such casual conversation for a swordfight.]

[ In the Force, there is a shuddering announcement of his shock. Multiple masters, seeking other Masters? Having not one, but three of them dying? He wonders about that too openly perhaps but he's never been good at hiding what he feels. He quickly moves to make up for time wasted from his shock, makes a disgruntled noise and launch himself in a low flip, a hand braced on the floor for a second before he is back on his feet again. ]

I'm sorry. To hear that. I can't imagine what would happen... [ He doesn't need to imagine. ] I know what it is like to have your master die.

[ He's reminded of Jabiim again; 42 days of rain, mud and death. ]

A lot of my friends had their masters killed in the battlefield. I was one of the lucky ones.

War changes things. Never for the better.

[She darts in again, not letting up now that he's back on his feet. She moves like quicksilver, rapid thrusts of her weapon's point coming in quickly. He's good at this, clearly. That was impressive.]

But all things die, and if it was their time, it was their time. They were all ancient beings, and they've continued to guide the Jedi with their teachings.

[Odan-Urr had been rumored to be over two thousand...]

I know the war with the Mandalorians was devastating. To both sides.

[ His Djem So is supposed to be infinitely slower than her modified Makashi. But Anakin pulls the Force around him easily, allowing it to adjust his movement from a Djem So stance to a firm Soresu parry and back without missing a beat.

War changes things; war has make him better, in a sense. And worst in another.

All things die.

His jaw noticeably sets and there's a slow roll of mild unease from him. ]

I don't think a lot of the old Masters' teachings were taught to us when I was a Padawan. Sometimes, I wonder how much have been lost or hidden away by the Order.

The Mandalorians aided Exar Kun, attacked Coruscant, and aided in gathering materials for an Dark Side spell that destroyed a star cluster. I don't know if anything the Republic did to them could even compare.

[The sense of his emotions skipping, the line of his jaw...draws Nomi up short. She skips back a few yards, a Force-empowered hop to put some distance between the two of them. He'll have to come at her again, her blade set in an angled defensive posture. It's as much for the sake of getting clear and giving him space as it is for the spar.]

By the sounds of it, they were not. To me it sounds like the Jedi Philosophy has changed quite a great deal in four thousand years.

[She starts circling, her eyes a bit sad.]

I can't say I know all the details, or even more than a cursory few, so I cannot begin to question their reasoning.

[ He's eager to jump into what the teachings ancient Jedi has to offer but the Force tells him to wait, so he waits. He spins the saber in his hand to get rid of that excess energy while he mimics her movements. ]

I didn't realize just how different things must be for you. To me, the Jedi are always so stagnant. Change isn't often a topic of conversation - tradition is. How we do things in the past, how we will do things then. Unquestionably.

[ He catches the look in her eyes then stops his circling. ]

I'm sure you can tell I have a reason for asking you to meet me. And it's not for a sparring partner.

[Nomi twirls her sword once, lowering it and relaxing her stance. This seems to be over, but if he comes at her again, she'll be ready.]

I've got a few guesses. Sparring is definitely not my first one, given my relative lack of talent in that regard and the fact that you're spoiled for choice.

[She takes a breath, looks him squarely in the eye.]

You want to learn more of the Force, lost knowledge, I think would be my first guess. My second guess would be that you want my advice on how to deal with your Sith Lord?

[ He smirks and lifts a shoulder, half heartedly shrugs. ]

Don't sell yourself short, Master Sunrider. It's not every day that I get to spar with a legend, straight from the history books.

[ Anakin straightens at her questioning statement. His expression falls to something more somber ]

You would be correct. On both guesses.

And you know how to flatter an old woman.

[Nomi, you're barely thirty shut up.

All joking aside, she nods and takes a seat on the mat, in a meditative posture.]

I can teach you some things. I'm a fair hand at it. But whether or not you have the aptitude remains to be seen. The potential, yes, but as I'm sure you've discovered not everything comes easily.

[And then there's a pause. A long, quiet one.]

Do you know this Sith Lord?

[ He mimics her posture and calm himself, draw strength in the Force around them.

It's always the same words; potential, potential but no faith. No idea of the iron will set in his blood. But he refuses to believe that Nomi is the same. Four thousand years is a long time. He'll take the chance.

Talking about Palpatine is another matter. He struggles for a moment to be as honest as he can. ]

I do. I... He came into my life when I was young. I se- saw him as a family. [ A beat ] He knows me well. I told him ...things that I didn't tell my Master.

[Her eyes widen fractionally, worry creasing her brow. So it wasn't just some Sith Lord, it was someone he knew. Not some shadowy threat...but someone...he respected and cared for. That was a hurt she knew well. Uliq for one. Oss, Tot, and others too. Even Exar Kun had been a part of her Jedi family.]

I'm...sorry to hear that, Anakin. [It's a platitude, but it's heartfelt, and she swallows audibly.]

I know how badly that hurts. But I believe you are resolved to do the right thing. Or you wouldn't have come to me.

Edited 2016-03-12 03:37 (UTC)

[ He can't even think about Palpatine in that light right now. He regrets being the fool and hates, more than anything, the hurt and betrayal that he feels from it. All he wants to do is the right thing. But the right thing never seems right. All he knows, his years at wars has only taught him to do the necessary thing.

He gives a slow but determined nod and shoves the thought of Jabiim away. The difference between right and necessary can be argued later. ]

I am. I'm prepared to do all that I need to to bring peace and order.

[Nomi's mouth sets into a line at that. A thin, hard, expression. She was no warrior, she'd never pretend to be a strategist, but she was someone who'd fought hard against someone she cared for. And she'd been at war.]

Are you prepared to kill this man? Can you do that, if the Galaxy is at stake?

Edited 2016-03-13 04:46 (UTC)

[ The question was something he hasn't openly talked about, to anyone. He hesitates; he knows the answer, the answer is yes. It's an easy answer, or it should be. And he knows he can't stall any fraction longer. ]

Yes.

[ A simple word. Yet the sound of it ring in his ears. He thinks of Padme, Obi-Wan, everyone he ever loved living in a world where the Sith is in control, and finds his courage then. ]

I mean what I said. I am prepared to do everything.

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