maskormenace | [Video]

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Do you feel directionless when there is nothing to fight for or against?

I have lived through many wars. I have known nothing but battles since childhood. I feel restless to not be in the midst of a war, no matter how terrible they can be.

Such emotions are not so easily put to rest.

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[In comparison to Dooku, Grievous is someone he almost likes. Or, at least, he can understand him better than most of his other opponents. That's why he smiles at those words and spreads his arms, his lightsaber in one hand.]

If you manage to injure me, that will be lesson enough!

Then shall we begin?

[He pulls out his one green lightsaber, igniting it.]

Fine by me. [He ignites his blue lightsaber, shrugging off his outer cloak. Once the fabric hits the sand, he launches himself into battle.]

[Grievous meets Anakin's first strike, clashing sabers.]

Jumping headfirst into a fight is not always the wisest plan.

[He quickly takes in Grievous's stance and his strength.]

But it can give you an edge.

Only if you are far more powerful or have the element of surprise.

[He is very strong indeed. He doesn't have the Force but he is built for power; built to match a Jedi. Often it's only a Force push that will disengage him from a good fight. It's a weakness. But this is combat training and Grievous is counting on weapons to be the only tools on display. He attempts to use his size and weight to lean into the clash and force Anakin to relent or move back.]

At least one of those applies.

[His feet slide against the sand and he grits his teeth. Grievous definitely has the upper hand where physical strength is concerned. But Anakin is crafty and flexible. He ducks and uses his mechno-arm in particular to push back as hard as he is able. If he can get their sabers close to Grievous's face, that won't be very pleasant.]

[It's enough of a movement that the blazing sabers do get dangerously near to the mask - and his more vulnerable eyes. It's Grievous that then breaks the hold and steps back, his lightsaber twirling in one clawed hand.]

Can you fight with anything else?

[He wonders aloud.]

[He is more amused than anything, his eyes sparkling with mischief. Anakin is comes alive in battle and he spins his own lightsaber idly.]

Besides a lightsaber? Sure. Blasters are easy to handle. But I can use anything at hand.

Edited 2018-10-06 08:21 (UTC)

What about swords?

[Anakin may notice a large bag that has been lying off to the side on the sand. It's material sides are uneven as if oddly shaped things are threatening to poke out of it.]

Swords are enough like lightsabers that they should be fine.

[He glances at the bag and smiles slowly.]

You're prepared.

I am always prepared for such sparring.

[He stalks over to the bag and opens it, pulling out two heavy swords. They are a little shorter than their lightsabers but weightier and thicker. He holds one out to Anakin.]

Glad to hear it. [He tucks his lightsaber away at his waist and reaches for the sword. Testing the weight and balance of the weapon, he exhales.]

Feels good to me. Let's see what you can do with it.

[It twirls in his flexible metal hand for a moment, then he pauses, contemplating.]

This may be unfair on you.

How so? [He narrows his eyes, taking some offense. He is far too proud - except where his family is concerned. There, he has been more than humbled.]

Let us make this a different sort of challenge.

[Grievous declares and abruptly his body shifts, within a few seconds the Kaleesh is standing before the Jedi, no longer a cyborg.]

Now, shall we begin?

It's nice to see you. [And it is in a way. Cold metal will always make him uncomfortable - even his mechno-arm sometimes leaves him chilled. But considering his future, that is understandable.]

Yes. [Anakin launches himself forward, swinging the sword as he would his lightsaber.]

[There is less power and speed behind the alien's clash of swords but Grievous is still strong and agile - and he had used swords along with his favored rifles many times on the battlefields of his home world. So it was obvious that he was an expert at wielding such a weapon in the way he moved. It may not reach the dizzying display of the cyborg but it was impressive nonetheless. Confidence also prompted his skill, Grievous being more comfortable in his true form. He managed to seemingly effortlessly match Anakin's first strikes.]

[A challenge encourages Anakin to tighten his stances, leaving less room for his defenses to fail. He smiles sharply, moving fluidly and without any fear of being stabbed or, as is his record, losing limbs. Well a limb.

Grievous will know all about that, too.

Sand is kicked up around them and he laughs, a wild sound, dodging a blow just barely. But for a moment he is driven back to regroup, at least.]

More of a challenge than you expected?

[Grievous watches him, those same alien eyes through a mask - but this mask looks more organic and bone-like. Not metal. The hands that clutch the sword are clawed and a deep red. No fancy whirling wrist tricks here.]

You're good. [He admits, smiling as if it doesn't bother him in the least.] How does it feel to use your real form? All of that metal must be suffocating.

[His face loses color and they both know why.]

The cybernetics have power but it is an unpleasant state to be in, forced by others to be their puppet.

[The alien continues to regard Anakin thoughtfully.]

I led my people to many victories, overcoming the Huk. They were strong, always, but without my strategies and skill they had faltered. The wars had gone on too long.

How were you forced? The suit won't stop me from making my own decisions. [Except where Sidious is concerned. Damn. Maybe Grievous has a point.]

Every race has a breaking point. [His brow furrows.] How did you meet Dooku? [And, by extension, Sidious.]

[The sword is lowered as they talk and he explains further.]

Because of the Jedi's interference with the Huk, my world went into another turmoil. Lack of supplies, leading to starvation in the thousands. The Banking Clan approached me at this time, claiming to aid my people if I would join them as a sort of enforcer, collecting from those who owed them. It was a disagreeable idea but for Kalee, I agreed. I could not leave my people to suffer any longer.

So I took the role and Kalee was restored but the Huk could not leave us alone. They destroyed sacred grounds and I returned for justice. During this trip, my shuttle exploded and I was mortally wounded. I discovered here - by his own admittance - that Count Dooku caused this crash. At the time, he acted as my savior, keeping what was left of me alive in a tank and offering me another deal. He insinuated that the Republic and the Jedi were at fault for my situation and his offer was a pathetic, ignoble death or be rebuilt to become more powerful. I could not die this way, leaving my family and world helpless. I agreed to his terms.

Dooku also confessed here to tampering with my brain during the operations, making me subservient to him and cutting out parts that did not serve his cause. Unluckily for him, the Porter restored much of my mind and memories by giving me my true form back.

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