'tis quite simple. You are a soldier... [A pause to wet his lips.] As was I, once. 'twould seem you possess some strength of will if I am to trust your words.

[He'll leave out the part about fighting being nearly as thrilling to him as sex could be.]

I have every desire to keep both my spear and my skills at their sharpest, you understand. Doing battle with mere phantoms in the Battle Dome... does not satisfy.

[Not that he tried - it simply doesn't interest him. It's the flesh, it's carving open wounds and being hurt himself that makes him feel alive.]