[ he'd half-expected her to strike back without pause -- or, at least, he's not surprised when she does -- but she's quicker about it than he'd thought. he can see her arm coming, but all his momentum is currently pointed in her direction. putting on the brakes is harder, a slower process than he has time for.
which means, she connects. hits his shoulder, hard enough to bruise, and gets him stumbling, off-balance. he's already moving to catch himself, but there's a brief opening for quill in the meantime. ]
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which means, she connects. hits his shoulder, hard enough to bruise, and gets him stumbling, off-balance. he's already moving to catch himself, but there's a brief opening for quill in the meantime. ]