"Most people can't fight without training," Mami says. There is a practiced gentleness in her tone; she has given this speech before, but often to younger Valkyries. "When I first started, I didn't know what I was doing. But I learned, and so can you. So first..."

She doesn't give him much warning. She puts her hands on his shoulders. "Relax. If you're tense, you won't have the freedom of movement that you need. You want your knees and elbows loose. And--"

She reaches out with her foot, nudging at his calves. "Have your feet further apart. You want to be solidly grounded. If you don't, one hit and you'll topple over."