Bruce lowers himself into a plank, and from there to the ground in one smooth motion, still using only one hand. It takes a phenomenal amount of strength and control to make it look so effortless, but he's not showing off, he's testing himself. Pushing.

Once he's there, he chalks his hands once more and turns to look at Kyle as he comes onto the mat.

He's injured. The hands are obvious, but Bruce sees other signs of it. His breathing is four or five litres per minute shallower than usual. Broken ribs. The way he's holding his shoulders suggest a recent dislocation on the left side. His weight isn't evenly distributed between his feet, a light injury to either the ankle or knee. But the hands are the worst, and Bruce studies those clumsy bandages without comment.

Going after an artist's hands is something he would do, in his more vicious moments. After all, he blinded this boy once upon a time.

"When your hands are out of commission in a fight, use your elbows. It shortens your reach, but increases the strength and force of your blows. You have to accept the risks involved in getting in closer to your opponent, but the trade-off is that you can usually put an end to a fight quicker. If you can concentrate." He slips into a Muay Thai form without conscious thought, his movements flowing and natural. "Approach."