CMYK [Strange Charm, MA-LA7]

[Sharn]

"Resilience Form." He had mirrored her in assuming it, with aptitude and efficiency that preceded the demonstration. "Good to know." Before she switched to her mowing trick. He didn't try to replicate it, but shifted to more active-defensive stance. "And what this be called?"

[Ender]

"Showing off." She grinned, before stopping the rapid spinning of the blade. One half of the twin blades hissed off, as she resumed the stance. Watching his form, she nodded. "The idea is to out last your opponent, to keep them from engaging you with little effort to yourself, while they expend as much as possible. It isn't flashy, but it keeps you alive. That's the most important thing in a fight, Sharn." Her words were cold, analytical, judging his stance.

"Tell me, do you believe mastering this will prove something to others, or to the galaxy?"

[Sharn]

"Superior sentience like mine needs no other reference point than itself. I am the sole and final arbiter of my excellence. With the defensive style I have chosen I am already good, but not good enough. It was a choice based on available feedback and risk assessment. I may be forced to deflect blaster fire much more frequently than duel other wielder of this kind of weapon." He paused, shifting to another position of parrying readiness. "Your teaching and clarifications are appreciated. I am distilling the information you are providing so that it can serve me best."

[Ender]

"Information is only as good as application." He stepped closer, adopting a more aggressive stance, as the blade began to spin again, as she held it high above her head. "And application can be quite unexpected. Something a superior intellect like yourself might have a trouble quantifying." She grinned maliciously, as she watched him. She knew the form well, having used it in her youth, mastered it over the course of two wars.

"Your perceived brilliance could hinder you, if you rely on it so much, to calculate what could happen. I've seen arrogant men like you fall so easily into that trap."

[Sharn]

"And your tactics for how to evade the trap?" He was hardly convinced by her belittlement of his intellect, but he let anger fuel his focus and curiosity to know more.

[Ender]

"Stop thinking." Her voice was quiet. "Feel the emotion. Feel the Force. Bend it to your will but never stop feeling it and letting it guide you. The evidence you see with your eyes can deceive you. A cunning warrior will certainly do that." She tilted her head, the lightsaber deactivating.

"The moment will make itself known when to seize it. Only through unconcious thought will that be apparent."

[Sharn]

"Harness the unconscious? I believe I can do that." He nodded curtly, killing his beam too. "I have followed hunches before."

[Ender]

"It isn't just about following hunches. It is about exisiting in the moment, and feeling the galaxy around you, infinite and vast, focused on your position in it." She offered a smile, replacing her saber at her belt.

"Despite their destruction and foolishness, the Jedi did have some good ideas and teachings on the matter."

[Sharn]

"Your last advice seems dangerously close to religion to me. I don't condone those." Sharn said carefully, nevertheless thinking on what she had said, trying to put it in terms acceptable to him.

[Ender]

She smirked. "Might be considered as such, though it is the thought process that matters. Take it as you will, Sharn. The Force isn't all quantum mechanics and equations, though not the first time I've heard that belief, either." She laughed slightly, then looked to the workbench again. "You should consider building yourself some armor sometime. Especially if your interest in Runi is long term. A part of Mandalorian culture which she might be impressed with."

[Sharn]

He nodded. "I'll take in under consideration. Becoming a user of violent means instead of just providing them is relatively new to me. However, it won't be difficult." He looked the Inquisitor in the eyes. "My interest in your daughter is indeed long-term."

[Ender]

"Then learn all you can of her culture. Without condescension. It will serve you well." She nodded at that. "Otherwise, you'll just be a disappointment to me." A smirk again, playful at that. "One grows through time and experience, you'll learn that as you delve deeply into your own path through the Force."

[Sharn]

Sharn wondered why he would ever need to satisfy any criteria laid out by this woman but without too much analysis he considered it potentially worthwhile. The playful smirk of a True Sith was hard not to. He understood being manipulable in this regard, but he couldn't help it. "I have every intention to be grander than I am now."