"Nice," he says, "showy. I like it. If you're working hand-to-hand, no weapons, you wanna end things as soon as you can. A bad punch or kick can hurt you, and that's pretty much the opposite of the point. You look for a weak spot, and you push your advantage as soon and as hard as you can."

There's a shift in his movements as his hands come up this time, and his eyes have narrowed. He's lifted his left fist too high, to see if she picks up on it. "Let's see about your instincts," he says, "come at me."