[ It's... familiar, weirdly enough. Their fight had been so long ago, and it had only been that once. That one time, and he'd learned a hell of a lot about Ardyn through his fighting style. Just as Ardyn likely learned quite a bit about Noctis from his own. His reaction is a little delayed--
(he's out of practice, of course; how long has it been since he had a sword in his hand that wasn't made of light and heat?)
--but he hasn't forgotten. Noctis blocks, then goes in to push Ardyn back, to give himself a little breathing room. ]
[They were to a point both out of practice. Even if his open stance and reckless style was exactly the same as ever, Ardyn was far more human in his motions and reaction time. He actually bothered to guard himself now, knowing he couldn't exactly regenerate from even something as comparatively minor as a strike from a blade.]
[He backed off when Noctis countered, sword held loosely in his hand and waiting for a follow-up.]
[ He jumps back a small distance, and Noctis rolls his shoulders. Ardyn's right--he's slowed down, and it's pretty frustrating. Still... that's what this is for, right? Getting back into form. ]
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(he's out of practice, of course; how long has it been since he had a sword in his hand that wasn't made of light and heat?)
--but he hasn't forgotten. Noctis blocks, then goes in to push Ardyn back, to give himself a little breathing room. ]
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[He backed off when Noctis countered, sword held loosely in his hand and waiting for a follow-up.]
You've slowed down.
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You really that surprised?
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[He twirled the sword easily, falling back into something vaguely resembling an actual stance.]
Shall we try again?