Damn! He'd hoped his unorthodox angle and position would have surprised her enough for his strike to land, but Tal had underestimated how awkward his launching point was, and Soh had plenty of time to react before he reached her. His knife struck only wood and he scowled at his miss but he was already moving, trying to get enough distance to safely pop back up to his feet.
Much to his shock (and unexpected pleasure) Soh was faster than he anticipated and followed up instead of letting him break away to regain the upper hand of his height and reach. She came after him and he caught her rush out of the corner of his eye. He tried to anticipate her attack and twisted himself to one side to avoid the incoming knife--
Only for it to land on where his opposite side had been. Except thanks to his attempted dodge he had shifted right into where she was really aiming. The blade slid home between his ribs and arm and he clamped his arm tightly against his side to trap the blade, reaching over to wrap his hand around the handle - and her fingers, if she didn't let go - crying out dramatically. "Oh no! I'm hit!"
Much to his shock (and unexpected pleasure) Soh was faster than he anticipated and followed up instead of letting him break away to regain the upper hand of his height and reach. She came after him and he caught her rush out of the corner of his eye. He tried to anticipate her attack and twisted himself to one side to avoid the incoming knife--
Only for it to land on where his opposite side had been. Except thanks to his attempted dodge he had shifted right into where she was really aiming. The blade slid home between his ribs and arm and he clamped his arm tightly against his side to trap the blade, reaching over to wrap his hand around the handle - and her fingers, if she didn't let go - crying out dramatically. "Oh no! I'm hit!"
