you know the first rule of combat?

"There's something to be said for it," Eames says with a shrug, lips pursed thoughtfully. He's always seen himself as falling somewhere in the middle: about as far from high-strung as it's possible to get, wanting to make a name for himself (in such circles where a name would be known) and try something new, but knowing limits and keeping to them all the same. It's a fact he thinks surprises most people, but he's not sitting here for psychoanalysis. "Don't know what fun there'd be in being ladylike, anyway. So go ahead and refute them if you like, but know that I don't say anything I don't mean."