[ Their choice of battlefield is hardly ideal. To Noctis' recollection, he still had little to no experience in combat, even if his past appears to contradict the assumption. But he knows this is a poor choice, both because of his experience and where they are. Long rows of desks leave little room to move around, and he doesn't have time to asses anything, really. Especially not when Ardyn lunges for him.
Noctis grits his teeth, seething and scared as he quickly is forced to change his position. He kicks over his desk, causing a loud crack and clatter as it knocks over its neighbor. But it creates room, enough space for him to quickly lift his weapon so their blades catch against one-another. Metal upon metal causes an echo within the empty lecture hall, and Noctis skids back from the impact. Almost in a reflex, and he's thankful for it.
That hesitation is still very much there. Inner turmoil similar to Ardyn's where the part of him that's lived a life in Recolle is attached to him. It screams not to hurt him, to just run and leave this be. But another part of him screams that this man is not right, that he's dangerous and a far bigger threat than he may assume. It has Noctis terrified, because habit and upbringing from his skewed perspective has him thinking he's in no physical condition to duel someone via swords.
When Noctis pushes his blade forward to try and gain distance, he feels a strength he's never felt before. Their blades scream as he thrusts it defiantly, skidding back with another swing, this time being the instigator of the next hit. ]
We're related! Why do this?!
[ A hopeful claim. Noctis clearly doesn't understand who he was once upon a time, but this version of him feels betrayed and wounded. Why in the world would he seek to destroy what they have? What their true world offered? ]
no subject
Noctis grits his teeth, seething and scared as he quickly is forced to change his position. He kicks over his desk, causing a loud crack and clatter as it knocks over its neighbor. But it creates room, enough space for him to quickly lift his weapon so their blades catch against one-another. Metal upon metal causes an echo within the empty lecture hall, and Noctis skids back from the impact. Almost in a reflex, and he's thankful for it.
That hesitation is still very much there. Inner turmoil similar to Ardyn's where the part of him that's lived a life in Recolle is attached to him. It screams not to hurt him, to just run and leave this be. But another part of him screams that this man is not right, that he's dangerous and a far bigger threat than he may assume. It has Noctis terrified, because habit and upbringing from his skewed perspective has him thinking he's in no physical condition to duel someone via swords.
When Noctis pushes his blade forward to try and gain distance, he feels a strength he's never felt before. Their blades scream as he thrusts it defiantly, skidding back with another swing, this time being the instigator of the next hit. ]
We're related! Why do this?!
[ A hopeful claim. Noctis clearly doesn't understand who he was once upon a time, but this version of him feels betrayed and wounded. Why in the world would he seek to destroy what they have? What their true world offered? ]