Dirk is used to fighting opponents with a size advantage. Height, weight, the works. Normally, though, anything as big as Hythlodaeus was built and programmed by Dirk himself. Also, he's usually armed and dangerous--physically as well as emotionally. This? Not so much.

"We're on the roof--people will be leaving for work, you can't just suck me off up here to solve everything!"

His go-to strategy in situations like this--bracing off his opponent, leveraging to do a front flip and wrap his legs around their neck--is immediately foiled by Hythlodaeus' hand against the back of his skull. He grabs the 'shade' by the shoulder instead, trying to duck or at least squirm downwards out of his grasp.