saddeserthermitThere was a rack full of practice swords standing rather prominently at the front of the Danger Shop today. "While weaponry may be practical in many instances, such as we saw last week," Obi-Wan said, "There is something to be said for ritualized, civilized violence to settle disputes. Young Jedi have been known to work through both differences and practice in lightsaber duels. Your own planet's history has its fair share of such practices as well, albeit with slightly different weapons."
"They aren't as good as lightsabers," Anakin said flatly, eyes sparkling a bit, "but that's not really your fault. Sword fighting--and fencing, which is slightly more common as a sport these days since not a lot of people wander around with swords any more--" his tone said more's the pity "--has rules that are similar to Jedi lightsaber combat. Wounding is considerably more difficult to do than killing outright, and is therefore considered the mark of the superior warrior."
"Each sword must be of equal size and length as that of your opponent," Obi-Wan said, and if there was a euphemism in there, he wasn't going to budge and admit it. "And it must be dulled. You must take off your coats to show that you have not brought extra fortification to the battle. You may not use your off-hand for anything during the battle, or you will be disqualified."
Anakin was totally smirking at the euphemisms. "I thought we dropped the cloaks for better range of arm motion?"
"That as well," Obi-Wan said primly. "There are many reasons to dispense of such garments before battle."
(Or he was a drama queen from a long Master-Padawan line of drama queens.)
(It was totally the second one.)
"All right. Everyone grab swords that we have made sure are all the same weight and length, step far apart from each other, and prepare to do a few basic maneuvers with us," Anakin said.
"Remember that you must stop if you wound your opponent," Obi-Wan said, "Unlikely as that is with these particular weapons. And when the other says stop, you must also do so-- though that means your opponent forfeits the battle."
He took a few paces back, then slid into a ready stance with a practice sword.
"That part we don't do in lightsaber combat," Anakin said, snorting. "Can you imagine a Sith Lord asking you to stop? Please." He faced off against Obi-Wan, then went through a basic attack and parry sequence at half-speed.
"Now," Obi-Wan said, as they finished, his own sword pointing towards the floor, "It is your turn."