[center][url=https://fontmeme.com/handwriting-fonts/][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/231021/609c84c1f7bfbfad550bb5fc5b5b0cc9.png[/img][/url][/center] [colour=e97451]”If it’s all the same, I think I’m going to have a shower and get a few things done before I head back out.”[/colour] Shaking Talnel’s hand, Elam took his leave. The Argent attack hadn’t been [i]that[/i] taxing, but if he was going to be in a place as crowded as the Founding Day feast was, he preferred to be at his best, and the ‘interruption’ they’d caused had stopped him from a couple of minor things he’d planned on doing before the feast. - Now at the Tower, he filtered through the crowds, taking in the atmosphere, and here and there, greeting folks that he knew; though given the masses, those were few and far between. [b][i]”ELAM EL-RUD![/i][/b]” The voice bellowing his name cut across the din, as everyone’s eyes cut to the source of the noise. Said source was an Iridonian in Green Jedi robes, and built on a scale that reminded Elam rather forcefully of the Mandalor himself. Wading through the crowd to Elam, the Jedi loomed over him. “Six [i]hours[/i]...you trapped us in that lift for six hours!” There were only a few beings in the galaxy that could intimidate Elam, and this fellow wasn’t one of them. [colour=e97451]”Really?”[/colour] He replied with a smirk. [colour=e97451]”Then you should really get your credits back for the slicer droid of yours; I figured you’d be out of there in like two at most.”[/colour] The Iridonian took a deep breath, but continued to glare at Elam. “Just tell me why…why are credits [i]so[/i] important to you that you’d help a thief like that escape? How much did she pay you?” Inside his helmet Elam blinked in surprise. [colour=e97451]”Help her?”[/colour] He chuckled, before breaking into outright laughter. [colour=e97451]”Mancri Tvi my friend…I sabotaged and trapped you to stop you from taking my [i]bounty![/i]”[/colour] Mancri stopped glowering and blinked in surprise. [colour=e97451]”Aceshaa Heros was a woman of enough skill and audacity to break into your Order’s archives on Corellia and steal a whole host of things, and you do [i]don’t[/i] think she’s made powerful and wealthy enemies elsewhere?”[/colour] “I…I hadn’t considered that.” [colour=e97451]”Of course you didn’t…but tell you what; let’s take [i]our[/i] grievances to the exhibition ring and settle this, best two out of three…Hell, beat me and I’ll give you the location of her hideout. I managed to trap and bag her there, but was on a tight schedule so I didn’t look about. Whatever she stole might still be there.”[/colour] Elam waved to a large clear space in the center of the hall, where a member of the local law enforcement kept watch. Mancri hesitated for a moment before nodding, and the both of them walked over to the official. [colour=FFDAB9]”Greeting Gentlemen,”[/colour] The officer said, looking them over. [colour=FFDAB9]”Sabers?”[/colour] There was a tinge of amusement in her voice. [colour=e97451]”Please,”[/colour] Elam replied. [colour=e97451]”A best of three match. Elam El-Rud and Mancri”[/colour] The officer nodded, keying information into the comp on her wrist; at her feet a large case hissed open. [colour=FFDAB9]”Alright, please deposit any lethal implements into the case, they’ll be returned to you at the end. The arena rules are simple; anything goes but if I or any other official calls a halt you do so immediately. Aside from the non-lethals, no weapons are permitted as is the use of lethal Force powers. Failure to comply will result in immediate consequences, clear?”[/colour] Both Elam and Mancri acknowledged the rules and stowed their weapons, before the officer handed them each a training sabre. Training sabres in hand they both entered the small arena, Elam taking the far side; as soon as he reached his position and turned to face his opponent a ray shield activated and a countdown timer began. [colour=FFDAB9]”3”[/colour] [colour=FFDAB9]”2”[/colour] [colour=FFDAB9]”1”[/colour] [colour=FFDAB9]”BEGIN!”[/colour] They rushed each other in a blink, meeting in the centre, their sabres crackling as the blades clashed. Mancri pressed the attack, trying to use his greater height and reach to force Elam on the defensive; unfortunately for him, Elam expected that. Meeting the strike with a high parry, he took a risk and cut inside the Jedi’s reach, rolling his upper body under the attack and with the tip of his own blade, caught Mancri across the ribs. The big Jedi yelped and they both broke and headed back to their starting positions; the first round lasted no more than five seconds. [colour=FFDAB9]”Point: Elam El-Rud!”[/colour] Mancri took a moment to massage where he’d been hit, before nodding to the official. Elam did the same and they saluted each other as the countdown began again. Elam pushed the attack this time, trying to overwhelm Mancri with a flurry of rapid thrusts and cuts. In a way Elam was handicapping himself for these fights, as he’d yet to activate any of his cybernetics, instead just relying on the enhancements provided by his connection to the Force…much like his opponent. Too many strove to win at all costs, no matter the contest, but without challenge stagnation was sure to follow. Mancri managed to feint one of his strikes and counter with one that forced Elam to leap clear; landing he made to rush again, only for at the last moment to feel a powerful Push slam into his leading leg. Off balance for an instant, he twisted to compensate and in doing so, left an opening that Mancri capitalised on. In a flash, the Jedi’s blade sparked off of his helmet and they broke apart once more. [colour=FFDAB9]”Point: Mancri Tvi!”[/colour] Deactivating his own blade for a moment, Elam removed his helmet and inspected it. There was a slight discolouration above the left temple, but it looked like something that could simply be wiped off. Smiling, he tossed the helmet to the side. [colour=e97451]”Nicely played Mancri, you’re more sneaky than I gave you credit for!”[/colour] Mancri smiled back and raised his sabre. “If you ever get tired of grubbing for credits and actually want to do something worthwhile with your time you should join us.” He replied. [colour=e97451]”But then I’d have to dress like…[i]that[/i]...”[/colour]. Reigniting and raising his sabre once more, they then both acknowledged the official once more and the final round started. Both made to meet in the centre once more, Mancri coming in with a powerful overhand strike, while Elam moved in for a hard block. Meeting in a high clash they vied for the dominated position; just as Mancri began to force things, using his greater size to make Elam either back down or back off, Elam did the unthinkable, he deactivated his weapon. Caught off guard, Mancri stumbled a moment and fell forward, allowing Elam to sidestep and claim the winning blow across Mancri’s back. [colour=FFDAB9]”Point and match: Elam El-Rud!”[/colour] Mancri wheeled about, furious. “That was an under-handed and illegal move.” His sabre still blazing, the official stepped forward, one hand raised while the other rested on the grip of her blaster. [colour=FFDAB9]”It was a single strike with a non-lethal weapon sir; the match is concluded. Please deactivate and return your lightsabre.”[/colour] Mancri still bristled, but he complied, glowering once more at Elam. [colour=e97451]”It’s a move that’s only illegal in [i]your[/i] world.”[/colour] Elam replied, returning his own borrowed weapon. [colour=e97451]”I was taught there is no such thing as an ‘under-handed’ technique. In the wider galaxy liming yourself in such a way is a good way to get yourself killed by someone who doesn’t think like you do”[/colour] As the ray shield came down and they reclaimed their gear, Elam keyed into his wrist comp; after a moment Mancri’s chimed. [colour=e97451]”Here, the coordinates…I just wanted to see how you’d do.”[/colour] Patting him one the shoulder, Elam left the stunned Jedi to his thoughts while he moved deeper into the feast hall, while all around those that’d gathered for the rather short show once again dispersed.