[color=00aeef][b][i]Nodah Listig[/i][/b][/color]

The blow sent Desdemona skidding, and he saw the flinch of pain. It was a small victory, one that Nodah blinked several times at. But soon enough, his attention was diverted. Bugs, he thought with a grimace as what looked like an entire colony materialised behind him, and began to circle him, coming closer and closer. [i]Her offensive approaches are weak[/i], Nodah thought. [i]But she is one of the A-rank - this has naught to do with lack of skill, does it?[/i] 

Nodah had no intention of letting the summoned insects invade his personal space. He would have to pick them up, he thought wearily, noticing with some alarm that Desdemona was lunging forward. But the insects would have to be taken care of first. Raising his arm, Nodah moved it to the right, turning blithely on the spot, as an invisible hand swept up the insects into a haphazard clump. He struck out his palm, to send the insects crashing into the opposite wall. Would they crumple to the floor, crushed and oozing, or rise again with angry humming vengeance? Nodah had little time to contemplate the question; Desdemona was a more pressing, and present matter.

Eyeing Desdemona's advance, Nodah considered delivering another pulse if she were to come too close. [i]Close[/i]. An ominous feeling sank his heart at the very thought of Desdemona getting near to him. The idea, he liked not. Nodah skittered backwards slightly. But there was only so far he could go in an enclosed room. His right hand - gripping the knife - slid back, should he need to thrust forward. [color=00aeef]"You make a man sheepish with so direct an approach, Desdemona,"[/color] he said, continuing to move restlessly, lightening his voice and the low chuckle that followed. But his eyes never left her.