So here they were, Tarodal, advancing on Cobra, the darkness illuminated by the contrasting glows of their respective green and red lightsaber blades.

Tarodal's blade is green. The color was a decision made as a boy. Green reflects life. Green reflects hope. Green is natural and pure.

The grip on Tarodal's hilt changes, a reverse grip - the blade still pointing down, but now the emitter is by his wrist opposite of his thumb. See in your mind a cola can held upside down.

"As my student you will learn more than reason, more than logic. More than what your base anger gives you."

He closed the distance further, coming within striking distance now, if Cobra didn't back away or otherwise put distance between them. The movement is smooth, as he goes from a relaxed walk to the electron quick movements of a blade master, the shaft of the emitter, punched at Cobra's face with enough force to break a nose and even render him unconscious were the blow to connect, with the green blade pointed straight down, with the tip angled forward so that that as they stood; T \ C.

His steps had taken him away from the interesting being with whom he had briefly conversed and into an area of worship. He did not keep track of the various planetary religions that people prayed to or offered there monies. No, his business was with one of the various priests in said religion. The business, of course, would be quick as likely as not. It seemed far too easy a job for the amount of cash he was being paid.

"You mistake my words for an invitation to banter." Said as he now began to circle slowly to Cobra's right, seeming to shake his head just enough so that one paying acute attention would notice; almost as if he were shaking his head like a jeweler appraising a less than clear diamond.

The next attack is two fold, as Tarodal's right hand is thrust forward towards Cobra, the hilt held in that hand - due to the curved nature of the hilt, the tip of the blade is angled just so that it will stab into the left lower side of Cobra's gut should it connect, as the thrust moves forward, Tarodal turns his hips hard to his own left, providing a new motion to the attack, even while stabbing yanking the hilt back slightly and to his left, much like the recoil of a punch, with the intent to stab through and then cut back to Cobra's right by the length of a lightsaber blade, to sever the man in half at the waist down to the top of his right thigh, the movement giving the come back motion of the attack a bit of a downwards diagonal slope.

Added (10 Feb 2010, 0:31 Am)
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OOC

I'm going to do a detailed description of what my counter was, why I did what I did, why it works the way I say it did and I'm going to bring up some basic points about the sci fi physics of a lightsaber.

My blade has a curved hilt. For one, its good practice in role play to not assume more specifically than is described in game. So you mentioned Dooku's hilt, or heck even take a look at Ventress in the Clone Wars cartoons. She holds her's upside down all the time. But thats neither here nor there. Let's assume the curved blade is only slighty so, less it'd be unwield. It does not look like a 'c'. So, if I state that Tarodal is holding it upside down, with the blade pointed straight down - then it is presumable that Tarodal, a master of Makashi per an approved request, would have compensated for the shape of the blade by moving his hand so that he can still have his hand the way it would need to be to through a punch, and have the blade pointed down. That is in fact, the whole point and purpose of the Serenno curve, - it allows you to create interesting and diverse blade angles because of the unique creation of the blade.

You are arguing with the whole point of the curved hilt. People unfamiliar with the hilt are supposed to be confused by it though. In a battle between two super human reflexes people with super powers, the difference of a few degrees in a lightning fast lightsaber battle was often enough to kill them, per Exar Kun. So, as I've positioned the blade in my initial attack, it is perpendicular to the ground, and my fist is moving towards your face, which is actually enabled by the shape of the blade. You stepped back, which is a valid enough defense since a punching attack is distance dependent, its a little iffy on the lightsaber component of my attack, because the I did state that the tip of the blade was \ towards you, but I didn't pursue it.

So, then you strike out to raise both blades up in the air, but you lack definition of how you did it, which I would argue given the positioning of my blade requires some explanation because otherwise just striking out with a blade, unless you had some kind of "my blade is left to right extended" component to it, then you attempt doesn't make sense, and perhaps you assume that, but I can't. Ya know? But regardless, changing the grip and pulling the blade back would be sufficient to parry it anyways.
Does that help?

He looked down at the man laying with his guts out on the ground of the alleyway in which they stood, and he wondered as to whom he had been referring to, when he said that others had been watching.

"Do call for medical assistance." He called out to Garik in the distance, as he took another cursory glance around, before looking back to Cobra and speaking just loud enough for the wounded man to hear.

"The local authority will come and give you aid. They will ask you who attacked you, and you will say that a Jedi did. And if you say my name to them, I will come for you, and I will kill you. But if you do as I instruct, I will come for you..."

"But it will be to teach you." And then he step back and begin to turn to walk away.

Several feet away, he looked back over his shoulder as he called Cobra's lightsaber hilt to his hand with the Force, and smoothly put it inside his jacket.

"Hide from them your abilities. I take this for that reason."

This time he listened closely to everything that was spoken, including, to his surprise, what Tarodal had said directly to him. So, he'd known that Garik was here. He lowered his rifle, confused, as he watched the Jedi—or whatever he was—disappear into the black of the night. Why didn't he kill Garik? He'd seen and heard the entire thing. Did he think he was a conspirator in this affair? Was he a conspirator? The answer to this question would become troublingly apparent to Garik a few moments later, after the flash of police lights illuminated the street, after the CSF came to a stop and its officers and droids piled out, and after Cobra, who appeared to be struggling for consciousness, was bundled into one of the speeders and hurried off to a medcenter; "You see what happened?" Garik was asked.

"I just got here," he answered or, rather, did not answer.

"Yeah," the officer—a Lieutenant—said. He wore a blue and gold uniform similar to the one in the back of Garik's closet. The Lieutenant tucked his datapad under his arm and flipped the visor of his helmet up, as he admonished Garik. He was one of the younger ones. They hadn't met. He looked familiar though, like someone's son. Maybe Donnelly's. "Why are you here?" he said, combatively, "You were told to stay clear." Definitely a Donnelly. Had the same attitude.

"I was told to 'have at it,'" Garik said, somewhat distantly. He had too much on his mind right now to deal with some petty turf war. He opened the door to his speeder, making clear his intent to leave as he took off his trench coat, wrapped his rifle in it, and tossed the bundle through the door and onto the passenger seat

The Lieutenant didn't like being ignored. What's more, he could see that the old man was thinking and he found it suspicious. "Well," he said, "the brass changed their mind." Garik said nothing. A terse silence ensued. "We won't have anything out of him for awhile," the Lieutenant went on after a moment, gesturing his head in the direction they'd taken Cobra, "We'll need a statement from you later, to confirm what he tells us. You're going to be around?"

"Sure," Garik answered him, "Torance and Central; I'm in the building directory, and you have my comlink." Satisfied that the conversation was over, he settled into the speeder, closed the door behind him, and fired up its repulsorlifts. He didn't go home right away, however. He had some thinking, and some drinking, to do. He would awake the next morning in a parking garage, having passed out in the driver's seat and having figured out nothing. Nothing, that is, except a resolution to find out exactly who "Tarodal Nav'lon," Tapani gofer, actually was.

Lieutenant Garik Taynor
Coruscant Security Force
Homicide, Larceny, Special Cases

Cobra would be collected and medevaced to a local trauma hospital, stabilized and left to ruminate for a few days of recovery after intensive surgery to correct the damage that Tarodal had done to his internal organs, and then a few days of living in a bacta tank. Seeing as how he was an unarmed victim, he wasn't held for criminal questioning but the police would interrogate him as to the identity of his assailant, asking run of the mill questions such as "Did you see him? Do you know why? Do you have any enemies?" After which, they would allow Cobra to go, but suggest that perhaps it was best for him to lay low for a while given that they hadn't caught the guy yet.

My Apprentice was written in a fluid, hand written script atop an envelope taped to a small box that had been left for Cobra while he was recovering in the hospital room that he had been assigned to. When opened the envelope read as such;

You will now go by the name of Herak Echlio in all of your dealings, both private and public. This is to symbolize that the weak, impotent being that you once were, is now dead. For dead you would be, had I not seen promise in you. I have disposed of the foul object you waved about as if it were a lightsaber, and as such your first instruction will be to destroy all that you have wrongly learned already in your life. You will go to to any Imperial world of your choosing, and seek out a recruiting office for the Imperial Stormtrooper Corps and obtain an enlistment. Your obedience is expected; when you have succeeded in this task I will contact you again. - T

When opened, the box contained a creditchip that had sufficient credits to obtain space travel to a reasonably close Imperial world, along with a subdued set of traveler's clothes that were general brown and tan in color, and a blaster pistol.

After leaving Cobra laying disembowled in the alley street....

He made his way back to Ruby's cantina and quickly approached the woman, she looked at him with question in her eyes and he simply smiled, and then spoke in a low tone..

"When the man I met here comes here asking about me, make sure he knows how to find me. My next stop is Kalevala." He winked at her and was gone again.

"Well, Master Malgaras, this decision was not made rashly. I only advise that you remember that you represent the Jedi Order, and to please, focus on the consequences of your actions. I understand that you rely much on your instincts, but some of the Council feel, myself among them, that this may be your downfall. Your quick-thinking and sharp instincts often lead to your brash decisions. We do not say to ignore the feelings of the present, but keep mindful of the future," Master Streen concluded.

"Masters of the Council, I thank you for your wise words, and will strive to keep them in mind," Mateus said. Thought there was a slight bit of arrogance in his abilities, he attempted to maintain humble.

"Now, if you will please excuse us, Master Malgaras, there is an urgent message from Coruscant that must be attended to," Master Streen said as he gestured towards the door.

Mateus bowed to the Council once more before exitting. As soon as the doors closed behind him, he stretched upwards, a wide grin upon his face. As he rest a hand upon his lightsaber, he spoke aloud to himself, "Well, it looks like it's finally time to do some good in the Universe. I knew it wouldn't be long before the old guys on the Council put some real responsibility on my shoulders."

As those words left his lips, the door behind him re-opened to reveal Master Streen. He had a sort of exasperated look upon his face and he shook his head once. "I'll have to pretend that I didn't hear that, especially with the report that just came through. Master Malgaras, you're first mission as a Jedi Master is upon you. Apparently, there are reports of a Jedi attacking a civilian on Coruscant. Obviously, we have serious doubts about these allegations, but the wounds are consistent with a lightsaber attack. We of the Council have decided that you are to investigate these claims."

"I see, Master. If the wounds were inflicted by a lightsaber, do you expect any users of the Dark Side?" Mateus inquired of the experienced Master.

Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, he only said, "The wounds very well may have been caused by a lightsaber, but what are the odds of a Dark Jedi attacking a civilian? That doesn't make sense. Investigate first before making any sort of rash accusations. Keep an open eye. We have chosen you for your unique style of thinking, as well as your background in an urban surrounding. Contact the detective in charge of the investigation at this comlink. Contact him at your whim. If you desire someone to accompany you, due to the dangerous nature of this mission, feel free to do so at your discretion." Master Streen handed him a slip of paper with the detective's information, only further saying, "Be careful, Mateus Malgaras, and may the Force be with you." With those words, he turned to re-join the Council, the doors closing silently behind him to leave Mateus alone in the hallway leading to the turbolift.

Upon returning to his room, he gathered his things rather quickly, contacting the detective as he walked towards the Yavin 4 hangar. "Is this Detective Trosean?" he said into the comlink. Upon receiving affirmation, he said rather quickly, "This is Jedi Master Mateus Malgaras. I understand you're in charge of the investigation of what appears to be a Jedi assault?" Receiving another confirmation, he only said, "I'll question the victim as soon as I arrive. I need for you to please keep him in the hospital. Furthermore, please have the doctor present, as well as any other witnesses. I prefer to be thorough in my investigation," he said with something of a smirk. The detective on the other side said that he would make sure that all of this would be handled by the time he arrived, something of an attitude coming into his voice. Apparently, this investigation was above his paygrade, so the Detective was doing his best to keep the Jedi representative happy.

Switching off the comlink, Mateus boarded the craft, his intuition already telling him to stay. 'How peculiar...maybe I should have brought someone along...'

--- Several hours later. ---

His initial impression was that he was altogether not welcome. This contrasted greatly with how he was usually treated with respect on other worlds. Apparently, the citizens of Coruscant, or at least the police force, felt he was something of an insult. Of course, due to the higher ups, as well as the reputation of the Jedi, caused for them to treat him with moderate respect. He was picked up at the hanger by a large, burly man in a police cruiser who took him to the hospital.

Waving to the man speeding off, he entered the hospital, stopping to ask where the room was. As he approached the room, he paused outside for a moment, trying to get a feel for the questioning, and the direction he should take. Frowning, he felt something out of place...

|[I'm going to stop there in case Cobra or Garik decide they want to do something in those hours. I suppose if Garik is a witness, he'll be present. That'll be at his discretion.]|

Of course, he could only blame himself for that. In his eight years as a padawan learner, he had caused more trouble and headaches than any other 5 of his sort put together. A none-too-flattering impression of a council member here... a raccous practical joke there. Seemed like none of the Jedi had a sense of humor to him. Well, most all of them. He had a fairly good friend in another Jedi Knight, Mateus Malgaras, and it was usually with him that Canann went if he ever served the Jedi order in his official capacity.

Today, like many before them, had been spent studying a text on Cortosis and it's applications in metallurgy. Not that he could read it himself, but he always found one of the younglings to accomodate his handicap. The young ones always laughed at his jokes and always enjoyed his sleight of hand. It was a fair exchange as he could see it, if he could keep all of their necks out of trouble with the masters. As if he had spoken of the devil himself, Master Streen appeared around a corner at the end of the hallway that him and the his youngling companion sat in. Immediately, he patted the head of the young jedi-in-training as a sign of dismissal and took to his feet. He was about to greet the Master when he simply walked right by... not a word. Maybe today was his lucky day.

That sounded like as good of an excuse as any to try and find his friend Mateus. Perhaps the luck would be with him in the cards, as well, and he'd be able to fatten his account of credits. He walked along the hallways a short distance, finding himself in little time at the door of his friend's room, only to be cut off before the first knock could be made. It was another Knight, named Oro, who had interrupted the gesture about to be made.

"You won't find him in there. Master Malgaras has been dispatched to Coruscant by the council," the dark-skinned Jedi said to Canann, to which the layabout replied with a nod of thanks before walking away from the door. So old Mateus is a Master now, is he? I will not let this slip by so easily, oh no. In his head, he could already hear the wily laughter that would surely ensue from Mateus having to endure such formality as was thrust onto the Masters. Master Malgaras, indeed.

He stalked off towards his own room, not far away, and prepared a small traveling bag. With Master Malgaras on the job, it shouldn't take more than a day or so for the mission to be wrapped up, so he would pack light. In a matter of minutes he was done, and striding off towards the hangar with his lightsaber pike in one hand, a small bundle of clothes in another.

And so he was off, bound for Coruscant to join his old friend, a head full of hijinks and a broad, toothy grin on his face.

Dimitri had expected guards, which there had been. They had been felled by lightning, choke and saber. What he hadn't expected were pike-armed Force adepts who'd barred his way on the upper levels. They were but burgeoning adepts, hardly worthy of skill, but whomever the priest had been, he had been training them in the arts of the Jedi. The priest himself, a nondescript older man, had been the greatest surprise. It had been he who had made the cut along Dimitri's side. Who expected a priest to be armed with a lightsaber? Even more, who expected a lightsaber-armed priest to be proficient in the Force?

Either way, that particular hit had been messier than he'd wanted and, as such, he was pressed for time again. With any luck, the saber-cut bodies would be chalked up to mad and raving Dark Jedi. It wasn't as if they'd been law-abiding citizens; mercenaries were all they were. They fought and died and scrapped amongst each other for coin. It was the way of the galaxy.

The night wore on, and Dimitri had two marks left.

"Can I help you?" he asked suspiciously, as though he already knew who Mateus was.

"Why yes, you can, actually," he said, attempting to use his charismatic voice to soothe the tension that rolled off of the man. "I am Jedi Master Mateus Malgaras. I'm here to speak to the victim of an alleged Jedi attack."

"Well, it's about time you got here. I'm detective Trosean. You can refer to me as Detective or Mr. Trosean," he said, stepping back to allow the man into the room.

"I see. Thank you very much for having me here," Mateus said quietly as he entered the room, his light eyes sweeping the room to land upon the victim. "I suppose the doctors have confirmed it was a lightsaber attack, then, Detective?"

"That's right. There was no doubt, according to the emergency doctor that tended to the man," the Detective said with a nod.

Crossing the small room, he approached the man, trying to obtain a feel from him.

[From here on, I'm going to be assuming your character is hiding his connection to the Force. Otherwise, it'd be pretty obvious to Mateus if your character was "evil" or not. Force stealth, and all of that jazz, is going to be the ability that, once again, I'm assuming your character is using. Please feel free to correct me.]

Keeping the frown from coming to his face, Mateus was immediately edgy as he realized that he could not sense any sort of "feeling" coming from the man. Generally speaking, all beings had some sort of connection to the Force. If Mateus, who was considered a learned Jedi, could not gather any sort of feeling from the man, then something was off, indeed.

However, Mateus continued forward as though nothing was amiss. He stayed a respectable distance from the injured man, not wanting to put the man on guard, especially if he was injured by a Jedi.

"Hello, my name is Mateus Malgaras. From your records, your name is Bryce Taipan. If you don't mind, I just want to ask you a few questions so that I might be able to apprehend the person who did this to you..." Mateus began, speaking slowly, his eyes attempting to make contact with the man's, still attempting to gather any sort of emotion, thought, or feeling. "If you could please begin with the basics. I know you've probably told this to the authorities already, but could you go over them again? Things such as appearance of the attacker, why someone would attack you, how you knew he was a Jedi. If you could also include some of the basics of your history. That might lead to why someone would want to injure you, sir. Your home world, occupation, and other everyday details such as the location of your residence on Coruscant may help."

Mateus was attempting to speak in what he believed was a friendly, calming voice. He still felt the tug of the Force at him, as though he was missing something. It didn't take a genius to match that with the man's "invisibility."

[I believe Dimitri is operating on a slightly different time period. I would guess at least several hours. In the next few posts or so, I'll be having the Detective inform me of the other crimes. Is that okay with you, Dimitri? Also, Canann, I would say you're also a few hours different from us, but to keep you from not having anything to do, maybe you could have left on the next shuttle out, and meet me at the hospital in your next post. Let me know what you guys think.]

][OOC note]yes he is hiding his presence within the force but it was never stated anywhere in my posts that he is a force user. the only one that would know that would be Tarodal and Garik because he was there when the fight took place.][