[center][b][color=f6989d]Zhar Lestin[/color]
[color=f7941d]Dantooine[/color][/b][/center]

Zhar clapped his hands together, looking forward to what might be accomplished with this saber exam. Once they were at the combat training room, he cleared out any apprentices crowding the area. The lights flashed on, beaming bright against the soft orange matting that was common for the training grounds. Though, with a flip of a switch the matting could be covered by hard durasteel to test an apprentice’s endurance. One could knock someone to the ground, but a true test of one’s mind was to be knocked down frequently and still get up for another round. “Do what you need to prepare. Meditate, equip the practice lightsaber shielding, or practice. Take the time you need. I sense the padawans shall be here soon.”

The Twi’lek took his place at the head of the room and sat down, cross-legged to begin his meditations. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, feeling the force around him. As the chief master of lightsaber training on Dantooine, this room was close to a home within a home. “I hope for Aria to learn that the lightsaber is sacred, every bit a part of her as anything else. She wants to deny herself this, despite her intense affinity for it. When she has her mind set within the duel, it’s a beautiful work of art though rough around the edges and not mastered. Your master tells me when you duel it is quite an impressive sight. Today I have the pleasure of seeing three different styles. There is nothing quite like the duel, Ken. The way the force can become one with you and guide your movements, like a soft flowing stream…” Zhar paused. “You’re going to be a great master, one day. So long as you keep upon your path. But perhaps we don’t ask enough, where is it you want to end up?”

[center][b][color=662d91]Aria Blair and Alek Garrus[/color]
[color=f26522]Dantooine[/color][/b][/center]

As his footsteps echoed down the hall, Alek casted a long shadow with his imposing height. Several students looked up at him in awe. Rarely did anyone see anyone stand so tall, and his build was that of a Jedi Guardian prone to heavy exercise habits. Strong, powerful. He walked with a confidence bordering on cocky as he flashed a smile to the other padawans. Two blue-gray striped tattoos adorned his bald head. His jaw was strong, every bit of Alek represented pure physical prowess. And already the padawans whispered about more than the incredibly tall Jedi, but also the stories about Alek Garrus and his adventures during training. The rumors went that he had single-handedly dispatched a group of mercenaries himself. He discovered their base of operations on Tatooine and promptly eliminated them. A small group of farmers who were disturbed by them gave him his thanks. It was there his fame in the Order began, as well as his high level dueling skills. His offensive style was one many predicted would become oft talked about.

Alek himself, he was sent by his master to come here. Coruscant did not have the necessary teachers and padawans to raise himself to an even higher level. Eventually he made his way to the combat room where Ken and Zhar were waiting. Already, he could feel himself becoming eager. What were the contents of this saber exam? Judging by what he sensed from Ken, if he were an opponent, then things were already looking up. Alek also heard the name of Aria Blair reach his ears on numerous occasions. A favorite of the masters and a padawan like him. Here was his chance, a chance to prove his strength to the council and step forward to becoming a jedi knight. Alek gave a quick bow to them both.

“Where is Aria?” Alek wondered.

“Late, it seems. This is, unexpected.” Zhar commented.

Aria burst up from the flowerbed. She had fallen asleep right there, and she had spilled her caffa all over the place! Not to mention that, the young girl noticed drool on her hand. “Gross!” Aria wiped her hand and shook her head, feeling that her hair was absolutely unkempt. The bags under her eyes from a long night without sleep were only partially helped by her unexpected slumber. “I’m a mess… What am I going to do with you, Aria?” She talked to herself before suddenly she leapt up from where she sat. “I’m late!” Without wasting any more time, Aria snatched her data pad and went sprinting down the hallways. She nearly knocked over several people on her way until she came to a skidding stop where everyone was already waiting for her.

“You’re never late, Aria. Is something wrong?”

“No, not at all master. I just…” Aria sighed. “This was my fault, master. I sincerely apologize.” She bowed her head. Though, her eyes scanned the room from Ken to Alek. Aria had heard of Ken and everything seemed to be true. The flow of his connection to the force emanated from him, like him and the force were old friends never to be broken up. To her left, was Alek; someone she did not recognize. He towered over her, and his massive form spoke of power. His energy reflected that, radiated a raw forceful rage. Ken’s energy seemed much more calm in nature than that of Alek’s.

Alek’s didn’t find Aria’s height or stature to be what he expected. Her presence was something else entirely. She captured his attention, and that of Zhar’s. He could feel her coming a few moments before she even came into the room, and now that he saw her… Words didn’t do justice to the whirling energy of force that rushed forth from her. A dam that had been broken, and the force swelled out in an endless tide; surging. It wasn’t one thing, or another: simply, overwhelming. 

“Very well.” Zhar spoke. “Aria, this is Alek Garrus and Ken Grant. Ken, and Alek, this is Aria Blair; my student.”