Tal's grin widened, turning a little smug under the praise, and he reached up to rub the back of his neck with his free hand as he nodded confirmation. It was still nice to have his strengths recognized, when he was painfully aware of how few of them there were compared to his brawnier siblings.
Deimos wasn't about to let him rest on his laurels, however, and while the easiest target for him to hit was down, it just meant the next lesson would be that much more difficult. The question had Tal frowning in thought--
Until he realized that Deimos was expecting an answer that was more 'show' than 'tell.' Tal bit back a yelp of surprise as two new foes flew at him. He stumbled back a step, then a well of stubborn pride steadied him and he launched himself at the one to the left, trying to get it between him and its partner. He was only partially successful; not fast enough on his feet to put his body where his mind wanted it to be, and while he managed a solid hacking blow into his chosen target the other one clipped his shoulder, drawing a scowl from the young man as he fell back to regroup. "Never had to fight alone before," he admitted gruffly, pride wounded at his lack of training in that area. "Always have Bor an' Bell to watch my back, and usually the rest of the team, too." A reliance he'd always taken for granted before today.
Deimos wasn't about to let him rest on his laurels, however, and while the easiest target for him to hit was down, it just meant the next lesson would be that much more difficult. The question had Tal frowning in thought--
Until he realized that Deimos was expecting an answer that was more 'show' than 'tell.' Tal bit back a yelp of surprise as two new foes flew at him. He stumbled back a step, then a well of stubborn pride steadied him and he launched himself at the one to the left, trying to get it between him and its partner. He was only partially successful; not fast enough on his feet to put his body where his mind wanted it to be, and while he managed a solid hacking blow into his chosen target the other one clipped his shoulder, drawing a scowl from the young man as he fell back to regroup. "Never had to fight alone before," he admitted gruffly, pride wounded at his lack of training in that area. "Always have Bor an' Bell to watch my back, and usually the rest of the team, too." A reliance he'd always taken for granted before today.
