[she's not out for an all-out chase after Penelope, especially in unfamiliar territory that part of her remembers is supposed to have fae in it, even though she's been lucky enough not to encounter any so far. in the moment, she's so caught up with what she thought would be an incredibly successful strategy that she can't plan for any follow-ups—and that's kind of the core of the matter. it's obvious that Penelope knows enough to think ahead, to make contingency plans and read her opponents.]
[and it's never more clear than when the club bashes the underside of her sword when Anna's already off-balance and her grip isn't as strong as it could be for a number of reasons. it knocks the sword from her hands, sending it clattering to the ground in front of her, and immediately afterwards she feels herself get jabbed in the stomach by the thick end of a shillelagh. her body bends over and the metaphorical seeing red fades as the shock of the unexpected blow rolls through her body.]
[one fist clenches while the other goes to her abdomen and rests there. she's struggling for air from that hit, and if there was anything clouding her judgment, by the time she gets her wind back, she damn sure hopes she'll be fine.]
no subject
[and it's never more clear than when the club bashes the underside of her sword when Anna's already off-balance and her grip isn't as strong as it could be for a number of reasons. it knocks the sword from her hands, sending it clattering to the ground in front of her, and immediately afterwards she feels herself get jabbed in the stomach by the thick end of a shillelagh. her body bends over and the metaphorical seeing red fades as the shock of the unexpected blow rolls through her body.]
[one fist clenches while the other goes to her abdomen and rests there. she's struggling for air from that hit, and if there was anything clouding her judgment, by the time she gets her wind back, she damn sure hopes she'll be fine.]