![[-]](https://www.horuset.com/images/igame/collapse.png "[-]")
28-04-2023, 08:34 PM
Entry V: Lessons and Flirting
Rhysand appeared in the sharp contrasts of a holo display, outlined in the familiar blues and whites that indicated low quality. He leaned against a wall in this recording, with his hands crossed over his chest. However, next to him against the wall is a long vibroblade. A new addition to his arsenal. He grinned slightly at the camera, sharp eyes locked on the viewer as he began speaking.
“I’ve received several lessons and exercises these past few days. The first was a training exercise with Neophyte Roi, Apprentice Yallanda, and a Private Mantya. Apprentice Roi is casual, as always, a trait I both admire and dislike. It hides her intelligence, which is a worthwhile enough strategy, but she is incredibly obvious at the same time. It’s impressive.
“She gave me and Private Mantya some pointers in hand-to-hand combat, which will come in useful in future. Apprentice Yallanda showed up and said that she didn’t ‘plan to get close to anyone with a rifle’, which is what the lesson was based in. Most people don’t plan to get close to someone with a rifle. But like most things, it’s usually too late when you think that.
“On a more positive note, Apprentice Yallanda is capable of fogging the mind like Apprentice Syllel. I really need to learn defences against this; it’s frustrating. I spoke with her a day later, and it turns out she has an interest in droids. Hand with a wrench. She also claims to find stupid people boring, so the fact that our conversations have been… Fun?” Rhys looks almost uncertain. “Is probably a good sign. I think she flirted with me. I don’t know. It’s confusing me.
“Anyway, I asked the Patriarch for tutelage in mental defence. But the Matriarch responded, and said that she’d give me not only that but a second form and tutelage in Force Speed and Jump as well. She picked Ataru, which I -thought- was a stupid idea, but it’s actually useful. She did task me with acquiring a blade and armour, which I did. A blade I’ve acquired from Apprentice Vipion, the Assistant-Blademaster, and the armour I’m still working on. Either Lord Kalkoran or Saltaeon will do. I’ve already got work from Lord Iezkon, and I don’t want to strain that relationship. She seems useful.
“The Matriarch also asked about my ambitions. I stated them out loud to her for the first time: to become the Apprentice of Darth Horuset and to become the Sith Arbitrator as an enforcer of Her will. Apparently, I will be given a stealth field generator when I ascend to help in this.
“A few days later, I received my first lesson from the Matriarch. She is an authoritative teacher, but a wise one. Force Speed. It is the ability to speed up physically and mentally, though at the cost of stamina and the possibility of exhaustion. It will prove useful. Following this lesson, I was summoned by the Matriarch again, for a lesson in Form VI: Ataru. It is based on three movements coupled with the three axes of the body: the Jung Su-Ma, a spin, the Ton Su-Ma, a flip, and the En Su-Ma, a cartwheel. Even without the ability to jump great heights, grounded Ataru will prove potent. She said the following on Ataru:
Rhys looks away and then begins reciting something as if he has memorised it a thousand times over.
“It is the single most physically-demanding, spatial awareness-craving, and precision-dependent form you can practise. Whilst other forms may rival the demands of it separately, there is none other that exacts the combination thereof. In addition, it is applicable with a singular saber, staff, pike, or while utilising Jar’Kai. You are free to specialise as you see fit. Yet, initially, you will hone the body, reflexively alter direction, twist and turn through rotations without pre-planned thought weaving strikes and kicks as you do so. The blade is but one component, and unless you can manoeuvre yourself, utilising Augmentation, Speed, and bodily control, the blade will be useless.
"Unlike the other forms, static, linear, sweeping brute force and domination - Ataru is unique. It is a fighting style adhering to the path of least resistance, encapsulating one's foe in a circularity, threatening multiple objectives simultaneously through angular 360-degree probing of an adversary's guard. There is aggression, yes, constant pressure and control of the flow of battle - but this is utilised as a means to force over-extensions and windows of opportunity… Subverting the expectations of the opponent. "Predictability is the enemy. You must master your own body in ways you didn't know were possible: rotations in and through any angle, from any position, maintaining perfect aerial control and while coiling yourself around an enemy strike, thrust out and take their throat. Fist, foot, knee. The unexpected strike of any angle is permissible to create a window to exploit. Combat should be approached with the intent of killing, without flair, without hubris - death is the objective to be achieved with the least amount of energy expended as possible, in the shortest time achievable."
And with that, Rhysand grinned at the camera one final time, his stance one of smug satisfaction, but also of humble ambition. Ever higher, it seemed to proclaim. Never wavering, never relenting. He faded.
“I’ve received several lessons and exercises these past few days. The first was a training exercise with Neophyte Roi, Apprentice Yallanda, and a Private Mantya. Apprentice Roi is casual, as always, a trait I both admire and dislike. It hides her intelligence, which is a worthwhile enough strategy, but she is incredibly obvious at the same time. It’s impressive.
“She gave me and Private Mantya some pointers in hand-to-hand combat, which will come in useful in future. Apprentice Yallanda showed up and said that she didn’t ‘plan to get close to anyone with a rifle’, which is what the lesson was based in. Most people don’t plan to get close to someone with a rifle. But like most things, it’s usually too late when you think that.
“On a more positive note, Apprentice Yallanda is capable of fogging the mind like Apprentice Syllel. I really need to learn defences against this; it’s frustrating. I spoke with her a day later, and it turns out she has an interest in droids. Hand with a wrench. She also claims to find stupid people boring, so the fact that our conversations have been… Fun?” Rhys looks almost uncertain. “Is probably a good sign. I think she flirted with me. I don’t know. It’s confusing me.
“Anyway, I asked the Patriarch for tutelage in mental defence. But the Matriarch responded, and said that she’d give me not only that but a second form and tutelage in Force Speed and Jump as well. She picked Ataru, which I -thought- was a stupid idea, but it’s actually useful. She did task me with acquiring a blade and armour, which I did. A blade I’ve acquired from Apprentice Vipion, the Assistant-Blademaster, and the armour I’m still working on. Either Lord Kalkoran or Saltaeon will do. I’ve already got work from Lord Iezkon, and I don’t want to strain that relationship. She seems useful.
“The Matriarch also asked about my ambitions. I stated them out loud to her for the first time: to become the Apprentice of Darth Horuset and to become the Sith Arbitrator as an enforcer of Her will. Apparently, I will be given a stealth field generator when I ascend to help in this.
“A few days later, I received my first lesson from the Matriarch. She is an authoritative teacher, but a wise one. Force Speed. It is the ability to speed up physically and mentally, though at the cost of stamina and the possibility of exhaustion. It will prove useful. Following this lesson, I was summoned by the Matriarch again, for a lesson in Form VI: Ataru. It is based on three movements coupled with the three axes of the body: the Jung Su-Ma, a spin, the Ton Su-Ma, a flip, and the En Su-Ma, a cartwheel. Even without the ability to jump great heights, grounded Ataru will prove potent. She said the following on Ataru:
Rhys looks away and then begins reciting something as if he has memorised it a thousand times over.
“It is the single most physically-demanding, spatial awareness-craving, and precision-dependent form you can practise. Whilst other forms may rival the demands of it separately, there is none other that exacts the combination thereof. In addition, it is applicable with a singular saber, staff, pike, or while utilising Jar’Kai. You are free to specialise as you see fit. Yet, initially, you will hone the body, reflexively alter direction, twist and turn through rotations without pre-planned thought weaving strikes and kicks as you do so. The blade is but one component, and unless you can manoeuvre yourself, utilising Augmentation, Speed, and bodily control, the blade will be useless.
"Unlike the other forms, static, linear, sweeping brute force and domination - Ataru is unique. It is a fighting style adhering to the path of least resistance, encapsulating one's foe in a circularity, threatening multiple objectives simultaneously through angular 360-degree probing of an adversary's guard. There is aggression, yes, constant pressure and control of the flow of battle - but this is utilised as a means to force over-extensions and windows of opportunity… Subverting the expectations of the opponent. "Predictability is the enemy. You must master your own body in ways you didn't know were possible: rotations in and through any angle, from any position, maintaining perfect aerial control and while coiling yourself around an enemy strike, thrust out and take their throat. Fist, foot, knee. The unexpected strike of any angle is permissible to create a window to exploit. Combat should be approached with the intent of killing, without flair, without hubris - death is the objective to be achieved with the least amount of energy expended as possible, in the shortest time achievable."
And with that, Rhysand grinned at the camera one final time, his stance one of smug satisfaction, but also of humble ambition. Ever higher, it seemed to proclaim. Never wavering, never relenting. He faded.
