Chapter Text
AS THE WEATHER WARMED AND grew rather balmy, I took to spending more time outside, often in the company of So'lek and Nor. Such gentle days almost made me forget the looming threat of the RDA, their growing influence over the Clouded Forest. Amongst the pines, with the dank scent of mud on the wind and the sun warming my face, I almost felt as if life were normal, easy.
Today, we had all settled on a large rock hanging over the bank of a rippling stream. As So'lek and Nor chatted about one thing or another, I leaned back on my hands, content to simply soak up the peace of the day.
“You have yet to show me your knife tricks, So'lek,” Nor murmured. I opened one eye to peer at him, finding the younger man leaning on his knees, fingers tracing the water’s surface.
So'lek sighed. “We have been a little occupied, you realize.” His fingers fumbled with a blade of grass as he watched the forest’s edge.
I stifled a smirk at his retort, gaze shifting between them.
Nor scowled. “You are the one always going on and on about how we need to be prepared,” he grumbled, lifting his hand from the water, droplets cascading from his fingertips. “You constantly say that Tamtey is the only one who can hold her own weight—” my ears flicked at that, eyes widening, “—and yet each time I ask for your help, there is one excuse after another.”
So'lek’s mouth pulled down as his gaze slid toward me. I could only shrug. Though I wouldn’t admit as much out loud, Nor kind of had a point.
“Did you not say that I would make a fine tsamsiyu?” Nor pressed.
“With dedication—and the right attitude—I believe you would,” So'lek allowed.
“I would help you out,” I added, leaning forward and fiddling with my songcord, “but I lack the experience.”
“Which you more than make up for in skill,” amended So'lek. I very nearly blushed at the compliment. “Though, I did promise to teach you,” he said to Nor, nodding toward the forest. “Za'u. We will give you a lesson in sparring.”
Sorry, we?
Yet, as Nor pushed to his feet, I followed suit. We each slid from our rocky perch and wandered further into the forest, stopping only when we came upon a small clearing, syo'tsway languidly fluttering above in the clear blue sky. So'lek waved me forward, stepping into the middle of the space. I inched toward the opposite end, not entirely sure of my role in this demonstration. So'lek’s knees bent slightly as he held his fists out before him, readying himself. I assumed the same position across from him. With a jerk of his chin, he urged me to move.
We circled one another in the grove, Nor crouched between two towering pines. “First, always keep your eyes on your adversary—do not allow yourself to become distracted, or they will take that as an opening,” So'lek instructed. In order to give a better example, I threw Nor a smirk, deliberately disarming myself. So'lek lunged, easily wrapping his arm around me, locking mine against my sides. His other circled my neck, though his grip was light. “See?”
Maybe this hadn’t been such a good idea after all. I tried not to breathe too heavily, intensely aware of my position within So'lek’s grasp, my back pressed against his bare chest. Could he feel how rapidly my heart was beating?
Nor nodded, shifting slightly, hands clasped before him. “But how do you move so quickly?” he asked.
So'lek released me, his hand squeezing my shoulder. We returned to our pacing, gazes locked. “Part of it is instinct, sran, and experience. But you must also rely on your adrenaline—trust that your senses will guide you. Your body will wish to keep you alive, and therefore you will fight.”
As So'lek dropped his left shoulder I came in hot, swinging at his side. But he leapt away, dodging me with ease. “Keep it quick, light,” he said. “Tuck in your chin to protect your jaw and neck. These are sensitive areas that, if hit, will open you up to more debilitating blows.” I lifted my chin, and So'lek pressed his knuckles against the stretched flesh of my neck. “A hard hit here will make it difficult to recover. That is something you do not want.”
He drew his hand back, but I quickly threw a gentle punch which I had no intention of landing, deflected by So'lek’s forearm. He turned away, his frame now pointing toward our student. “This is one more thing you do not want to do. Even as your opponent is coming toward you, always face them. If you shy away, you lose track of your position in the fight. You give them too much power.”
No sooner had the words left his mouth than my fist collided with his stomach—softly, of course. Still, his eyes flicked toward me in surprise. I only grinned.
“And,” So'lek went on, “you have more to use than just your fists.” He mimed a hit to my stomach, and as I stepped back, he swiftly fell into a crouch, leg jutting out to catch my ankles. Before I could truly fall, though, he caught the backs of my knees.
“Oh, come on,” I whispered, looking down into the molten gold of his eyes. “You could’ve knocked me down. Give him a good show.”
So'lek’s brow creased as he stood. “I will not hurt you, Sarentu,” he whispered back.
“Then how will he learn?” I pressed.
The corner of his mouth simply lifted in a subtle smile. “Study your foe, and learn their habits,” he continued. “Do they favor one side? Do they tend to rely on their fists, leaving their lower half open? Use their shortcomings to your advantage. Tamtey usually combines her punches with kicks, but only with her left leg.” When the hell had he even noticed as much? “That tells me that, were she to use her right, she would throw off her balance. After I make note of that, I can use it, jeopardizing her balance myself.” So'lek’s hands wrapped around my arms, intending to hold me up as he connected the back of his foot with my knee to throw me off. But I used his unnecessary carefulness to my advantage.
I stomped on his other foot without warning, and in his surprise, he released his grip over me. Without hesitating, I swept low, knocking his feet out from under him. He landed on his backside, the air knocked out of his lungs. I clambered over him, pinning him down with my forearm over his throat, my thighs bracing his hips. I grinned, breaths coming in short huffs, but as So'lek’s cheeks darkened, my heart tumbled over itself.
“Sìltsan, Sarentu,” he just about croaked as I pushed myself off of him.
“Irayo,” I muttered, hoping my face wasn’t just as warm as his, all while wondering why in the world his cheeks had colored at all. The last thing I needed was to endure Nor’s constant teasing about my supposed crush—even if it was the truth.
“Who is the teacher now, ma'So'lek?” Nor jeered, an aggravating smirk pulling at his lips.
So'lek huffed a breathy chuckle.
“Your turn,” I murmured, making for the edge of the clearing and slumping against one of the pines nearest Nor. He got to his feet, dusting off his legs.
“If you insist, Sarentu,” he answered in a perfect mimicry of So'lek’s deep voice, only loud enough for my own ears. Now, I well and truly did flush, ears pinned back, arms crossed over my chest as Nor entered the clearing.