"R-really?" He seems surprised at each of her words individually. "You did a good job earlier today, that throw was amazing." But then he brings a hand to stroke as his beard, the other finally pushing against the staff to bring his body into a normal standing position.

"Why do you want to learn?" Why the staff? Why now? They've got less than two weeks together, so things may not even stick! But he won't discourage her. Instead, he'll smile politely, showing just the hints of his sharp teeth. New students are fun.