"You--!" Ugh! He's doing this on purpose, isn't he, winding him up! Well Shen isn't going to keep playing this game. It's about time he tested his skills against one of these wretched creatures, anyway. Yes, yes, and wipe that grin off his face while he's at it. His vexation refines itself into something more assured and bloodthirsty, something much easier to control and his grip on his weapon tightens minutely.

The sudden flaring of his tail feathers to their full seven feet of height is the only warning the idiot gets. Whether or not he's distracted by the wall of white and dancing red spots, Shen lunges forward with his lance, at the last second turning the attack into a feint and darting to the side, swiping at his target's knees.