As the challenger, Kevin permits the werewolf his first blow, and the other man doesn't hesitate to start them off. He begins just as Kevin would expect him to, and though it's strange to see one of his own moves in reverse, he parries easily. It's almost systematic, the way they trade these first blows, back and forth and back and forth, worldlessly testing one another. What Lacie will wind up seeing is more of a choreographed dance than anything else, something beautiful and elegant, lovely enough to belong on a stage.

But Kevin begins frowning quickly. The knight is matching him well, but because Kevin himself is holding back and testing, it's very clear just how much the wolf is holding back himself. The knight is stronger and faster, clearly. But how much of that can he be inspired to bring out in this battle?