Upon further review with a team of girls who told me to go awayscientists I have concluded that you guys are right and it is indeed a goofy "banging sword on shield" animation. I have a feeling this animation was intended for a different ability (possibly war drum) that was cut during development, since the whole concept behind cover is stepping between an attacker and their victim rather than provoking them with some loud clanging sounds. Solkzagyl uses a proper Cover during the job quest where assassins try to gank Jenlyns. This animation is wack.