Spike listens, and lets Maurice get it all out. He doesn't respond right away either. "You know they were intentionally goading you at one point, right? Trying to get a rise out of you? Don't play their game." But there was no scold in the elder vamp's voice other than his usual attitude.

"You are possibly the youngest vampire here. I'm not sure how old Odette is. I can't say if it's true for other vamps, but where I'm from? We only get stronger with age. So you don't get any advantage that way." Again, laying it out clearly. "So you learn. You fight smart. That's what good you are. Not all battles are won with outright overpowering, remember?"