(The current people in view are Kylie Walsh, who's spent her life working in the circus and with elephants, who gives them a quick look and turns back to her laptop; Jenny Trieste, quiet with strangers but currently animated, who's taken martial arts but never put it to use, and who's regarding them with friendly curiosity; and Roy Garcia Schultze, sword-swallower and recent addition to some of the highwire routines. He's one of the few people in the circus with military experience, but he was support staff and only saw combat a couple of times; he lifts a hand to Trowa (who nods in return greeting), tips a curious glance at X, and goes back to his conversation with Jenny.)

First up is the practice area. There's a low wire strung between poles, and a pile of mats stacked near a portable foam pit. Some distance away is a rectangle blocked off with bright tape, with a few targets and a dense backdrop to catch any stray knives. None of it's covered; rain's not scheduled for another three days.