/takes the huntress out back and buries it (jan mingle pt. II)

[scrubscrub]

Who: Anyone on the SS Huntress! Crew and visitors.
Broadcast: N/A
Action: SS Huntress
When: More of January! We got three new crew mates and it will be messy.

IT'S ANOTHER MINGLE FOR OUR EVER-EXPANDING SHIP.

Also, we need an update on how well Koala is doing at pinball.

God, help this ship.

Comments

[resnipstance]

Of course. Are you going to show me around?

[avaricious]

Why should I do that? You've likely been around this ship more than I have.

[He's more of a guest here than she is!]

[resnipstance]

True. All right-- let's go.

[avaricious]

[Ling folds his hands together, cloaking them in his sleeves. It is after all the Xingese way.]

So, where are we off to?

[resnipstance]

I'm guessing not the pinball machine.

[Because Greed always seems to be occupying it.]

[avaricious]

[For once Ling actually scowls.]

I am so tired of those noises it makes. Hours upon hours of so much beeping and whistling...

[resnipstance]

We could spar in the cargo hold, if you want? You fight, right?

[She hasn't ever actually seen him do so, but he holds himself like someone who does. Ahsoka's gotten used to appraising these things quickly.]

[avaricious]

It just so happens that I do. Hm?

[The Hm? is for Greed - he knows how picky the Homonculus can be especially when it comes to women.

Picking fights with girls now, huh? I'll take over if I decide I don't like where it's going.

Ling shrugs.]

Fair enough. Do you prefer a weapon?

[resnipstance]

I do, but it's not here right now.

I'm just as good at hand to hand though. If you think you can keep up.

[What's a little friendly ribbing between acquaintances?]

[avaricious]

I would be a disappointment to my clan if I could not. I have been trained daily in Xingese martial arts for as long as I can recall.

[And they're already in the cargo bay and despite what some people's players might say, Ling Yao is anime as fuck. He pulls off his light jacket and tosses it to the side with a whole dramatic pose going on. Because naturally he's going to fight shirtless because why wouldn't he.]

Feel free to request a breather at any time.

1/2

[resnipstance]

[Ahsoka just raises a confused eyebrow at the shirt throw, because what?? ... Okay. Whatever floats your boat, Ling.]

[resnipstance]

[But then she shakes her head and assumes her ready stance with a grin.]

I could say the same for you. Don't think I'll go easy.

[avaricious]

[Think she likes what she sees?

Ling ignores that. He does not bother with a defensive stance, but goes straight to work. A few testing blows that are easily blocked but not easily exploited all so that he can get a feel for his instincts and style.]

[resnipstance]

[Ahsoka does, indeed, block them easily, and counters in turn. Ling isn't the only one testing his opponent's strength and speed.

Once it becomes obvious that Ling knows what he's doing, she ramps it up. She's not ferociously strong, but she's fast-- exactly the sort of fighting style suited to her build, really. Not much gets past her, and she grins with excitement as they move. Obi-Wan would chide her for it, but this is so much better than meditation.]

[avaricious]

[It becomes clear to him through their exchanges that she's certainly a step above a standard combatant. It's not quite like the style at home, but he is a quick study. It is then fortunate that his own style is well suited to speedy engagements with reflexes that push the boundaries of what might seem human (because anime). If it seems all very routine for him, that's because it is.]

[resnipstance]

[It's likewise routine for Ahsoka, but somehow she still feels like she hasn't had a good spar in weeks. Probably because she hasn't, really-- all her sessions with Anakin have been with the the wooden swords she made them. Even though she runs through her drills every day, it still feels good to have a real opponent. And Ling seems to be able to keep up as well as she could've hoped.

For once, she bites down on the opportunity to show off or do anything flashy-- instead opting to draw it out for as long as possible. Get a real work out in.

By the time they're finished, she's panting.]

[avaricious]

[Having gone idle for so long while Greed was in control, Ling finds this chance to truly show off what he's capable of to be refreshing and invigorating. He's been a stranger in his own body too long. Every so often, Greed congratulates Ling on having some impressive moves.

Like Ahsoka, he's breathing heavy by the time they've finished. There's no conclusive victor, but it was never about winning anyway.]

You fight well. I was worried you might be all talk.

[resnipstance]

[Ahsoka wipes her forehead and grins.]

Surprised?

[Most people back home aren't. They expect it of Jedi. But ever since she's gotten here, she's encountered countless surprise from others over her fighting abilities. She is small, after all.]

You're not bad yourself.

[avaricious]

Not terribly. You might even give my bodyguard a run for her money.

[Whether Ling is implying that he's better or worse than Ran Fan in a fight he won't indicate either way. That's something that's never been quite settled in the past. He always suspected her of holding back.]

The both of us would have been more comfortable with a weapon.

[resnipstance]

Well, sure.

All the more reason for me to practice my hand-to-hand instead. That's how you improve, right? And between you and me... I don't know when I might hold a lightsaber again. I might never.

Practicing alternate forms of combat is good for me.

[avaricious]

These lightsabers do sound useful. Do you suppose it would be possible to construct one here?

[Because... hell, Ling Yao would love to have one. Why not?]

1/2

[resnipstance]

[Wow rude. It's a Jedi weapon.

Not that Ahsoka knows that's why he's asking, of course.]

I wish. If I had my lightsabers here... [She shakes her head. There's no point in going down that road. She doesn't, and she won't. They're gone, and she's not getting them back. Not from the Atroma, either.]

[resnipstance]

[Her face turns more serious, then.]

To make a lightsaber from scratch... I'm sure I could find all the mechanical parts, but... well. As far the energy source goes, you need a kyber crystal. And it's not like you can just buy one off a vendor. They're super rare, and the mine locations are all kept secret by the Order. We also put extra protections in place around them, so only Force-sensitive people can enter.

And even if you get through all that... kyber crystals aren't any old rock you can just waltz in and dig up thousands of. They're attuned to the Force. They only reveal themselves to you if you're deemed ready. And you don't usually get more than one per visit. It's... a sort of ritual, really. A rite of passage.

[avaricious]

[Well, that does sound a bit more complicated than some gold coins and a trip to the swordsmith. Still, Ling may not be all that scientifically minded, but he does have a few thoughts to this process.]

I don't suppose you would know the various components to create one of these kyber crystals, would you?

[Because... why not alchemy?]

[resnipstance]

[Do I look like I paid attention in geology class to you, Ling.]

Uh.................................

Rocks...?