"A bear demon died horribly, but that's not what I mean," Kubo began. "This man wanted to walk through my story. I didn't want to get out of his way. I knew he was from America's world. I knew he was going to be violent, and I baited him instead of de-escalating, like we train for. Archangel got hurt defending me."

The story poured out of him without any flair, going again all his storyteller instincts.

He puffed up his small chest, standing as much at the position of attention as he'd been taught.

"I am ready to accept punishment for my foolish actions."