Twelve, he's fast! he thought as Desmond quickly closed the gap between them.  Kayle swung his right foot behind him and shifted his weight backwards, careful to keep his blade arm close to Desmond as he roared past.  Desmond's eyes never left his as he quickly pivoted around to secure his flank.  Kayle winced as he realized his back was now to the silent Miqo'te, and shuffled quickly to his left to keep from being flanked my the motionless feline.  He adjusted to keep a slender profile, both arms rose again instinctively with his right arm  at his rear, with the blade near his cheek.
He made his intentions very clear by opening with that strong a maneuver he thought. Â Showed his strength, allowed opportunity, and struck true. Â It was almost a certainty that Desmond was testing the waters here, but he was also playing for keeps. Â Kayle tilted his head down to hide his gaze behind his auburn hair and took a lunge with his sword arm. Â Desmond easily swatted the attempt away, forcing Kayle to maintain this new posture with his shield arm at the rear.
He took another swipe, swinging up and right as Desmond readjusted himself and remained poised. Â Kayle brought his off-hand to meet the other already gripping the hilt, and both hands barely brought the slender blade up in time to halt the heavy gladius from severing his left shoulder from the rest of his body. Â The momentum of the attack allowed the blades to caress each other momentarily and then slide apart like lingering lovers. Â The singing metal pierced the air as Kayle spun once to his right to collect his footing and ready his blade for the inevitable attack.
He made his intentions very clear by opening with that strong a maneuver he thought. Â Showed his strength, allowed opportunity, and struck true. Â It was almost a certainty that Desmond was testing the waters here, but he was also playing for keeps. Â Kayle tilted his head down to hide his gaze behind his auburn hair and took a lunge with his sword arm. Â Desmond easily swatted the attempt away, forcing Kayle to maintain this new posture with his shield arm at the rear.
Like a blade of grass....
He took another swipe, swinging up and right as Desmond readjusted himself and remained poised. Â Kayle brought his off-hand to meet the other already gripping the hilt, and both hands barely brought the slender blade up in time to halt the heavy gladius from severing his left shoulder from the rest of his body. Â The momentum of the attack allowed the blades to caress each other momentarily and then slide apart like lingering lovers. Â The singing metal pierced the air as Kayle spun once to his right to collect his footing and ready his blade for the inevitable attack.
![[Image: Driftwood.png]](https://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/wiki/images/6/63/Driftwood.png)
