[D2 EE] Just Reward

[Ares Pax]

Ares kncoked on Jaric's door, as instructed. The master - his master, as he liked to think to himself on occasion - told the youngling to visit him to talk about the trial earlier today.

[Jaric Kaedan]

It did not take long before the door opened for him, and he was met by Jaric, dressed only in his Jedi tunic without the robes over. "Ah, Ares. Come in," he said curtly.

[Ares Pax]

"Master Jaric." Stated Ares simply as he stepped into the office, though he didn't take a seat yet, not until instructed. He knew Jaric could be particular."

[Jaric Kaedan]

"Take a seat. I have something for you." He turned around to step over to a cabinet. Jaric's office was very tidy and orderly. "You did very well today. As I expected."

[Ares Pax]

Ares sat down, a bit tense. "Thank you Master. I only did as you taught." He felt pride. A gift from his master! "I... am glad. I fear the other trials will be much harder for me."

[Jaric Kaedan]

"If the tests are not hard or difficult, then there is no purpose, no?" he almost had a bit of humor in his tone there. Almost. From the cabinet he retrieved a long item wrapped in cloth.

Closing the cabinet and turning around to face Ares, he had a solemn expression. "Your father would have wanted you to have this, when you were ready. I have been holding on to it for these years, until I could see that you were ready. I know now that you are strong enough, and skilled enough to have this."

He passed the wrapped item to Ares.

[Ares Pax]

"Quite right, Master. Yet..." he shrugged. "Combat was something that I have been focusing on for years. The same cannot be said of the other areas. I will do my best, but I must confess some trepidation."

His eyes widened, and his body stiffened, as he eyed the sword. He stood up immediately, stiff, yet yearning was radiating off of him. He solemnly unwrapping the item... he pulled out the sword, silent in his reverie.

[Jaric Kaedan]

Jaric was silent as the young lad unveiled the weapon, and the emotions that came with it.

"Your father used it when he was your age - before making his saber."

[Ares Pax]

Ares started to speak, but his voice wouldn't come. Finally, on the third try he could do more than gulp. "Do you... do you know, if this weapon was in the family before my father? Or was he the first? Master." He added the last part hastily.

[Jaric Kaedan]

"If memory serves me right, it was given to him by the man who became his master, who had it from when he was a student like you," he said thoughtfully. "So in a way, it has been part of the family."

[Ares Pax]

Ares smiled, like a child who got a bar of chocolate. He held the sword, hesitantly, but it seemed to fit him well. "thank you Master. Did you... know my parents well?"

[Jaric Kaedan]

"Not as well as I would have liked, sadly, but I had respect for their skill and their ability to balance their relationship with their duties as a Jedi. Not many manage to do so," he spoke in a soft tone. "Your father and I fought alongside eachother once during the war, and he was quite the capable warrior. He would've been very proud to see your talent today, I wager."

[Ares Pax]

Ares smiled sadly, as he did a couple of practice swings, holding the weapon away from his master, of course.

"He was a great warrior. And a great father." His voice cracked slowly, but he steeled himself, and put the blade back. "Master, there is something I would like to ask your opinion on."

[Jaric Kaedan]

Jaric's eyebrows lifted visibly, but he gestured for Ares to go on. "Yes, Ares?"

[Ares Pax]

Ares was nervous as he spoke. "Perhaps it is presumptuous of me, considering I have barely grasped the basics of Juyo, but..." He coughed, then looked up at the man. "Besides Juyo, you are also skilled at Shii-Cho. I was pondering whether a complimentary form next to Juyo would suit me. I feel... well, confident, about going up in duels." He smiled, but tried to keep the cockiness down. "There is much I need to learn, but I feel I can do it. In other situations though... I worry a little."

[Jaric Kaedan]

"Shii-cho was where I started, until I found Juyo to better suit me - though who knows if that is the path I would have chosen if I had been a young Jedi in a time of peace rather than a time of war," he admitted honestly. "There is always room for improvement, for everyone, including me. Did you have something specific in mind of where you wanted to improve yourself? Shii-cho is a good solid basic Form, but there are advantages to learning the others as well."

[Ares Pax]

"I haven't. I feel Juyo gives me a good solid foundation." He smiled. "The Ferocity form will help me against other force and saber wielders, but perhaps some of the other forms might shore up some of my weakness. I worry a bit about blaster fire, and I feel I am perhaps a bit too immobile. I was hoping your experience might help me out a bit. Is there anything you feel Juyo lacks that some of the other forms can help with?"

[Jaric Kaedan]

"Hmm..." Jaric folded his arms across his chest in thought. "Both Niman and Shien are much stronger on defenses against blaster fire, though Soresu is the strongest of all the Forms on defense. Both against other saber wielders, and against blaster fire."

"You've learned much from me, but perhaps it might be worth speaking more with master Orgus to get a different perspective."

[Ares Pax]

Ares nodded. "Please do not misunderstand Master. I appreciate your teaching, and I don't wish to stop my studies with you." He looked away bashfully. "I just...I don't want to leave many weaknesses out, if I can help it."

[Jaric Kaedan]

"It's no offense," he assured Ares calmly. "It's only natural to want to expand one's horizon, and we all encourage you to do so. If it is lightsaber defense you wish to improve, I would always recommend Master Orgus. I have much respect for his mastery of Soresu, and he is quite skilled in Niman as well."