Adarin laughs, a little nervously. "I'll - um. Figure it out?"

Kayam looks at him skeptically. "You will, huh? All by yourself."

Zeviana has been trying not to laugh, the entire time. "You're doomed. You're so doomed."

He sighs.

"I don't think he's doomed to anything more than a few awkward moments at the very beginning."

"Fun."

"Can I watch you flail about failing at romancing her?"

"No."

"Yeah, I did say alone, there was a reason."

"Awww. Fine, fine."

"Thank you for not sabotaging milady's love life for your personal amusement."

"You're welcome!"

"I feel so loved," says Adarin in a deadpan.

"Awww. Do you want me to coach you? I can coach you -"

"Nnnnno that's okay, we'll just figure it out."

"Shara will probably produce plenty of opinions about the details when she knows you are not labeled fragile, this end up, keep out of direct sunlight, no sudden movements or loud noises, do not expose to bagpipe music."

"Uuuum, lingering death from... fluid in the lungs, that's what."

"Sounds drawn out. I'll avoid bagpipes, then."

"Well, the point is that you don't actually need the fragility labeling."

"But what if I die?" says Adarin in mock-fear.

"He will never get to kiss her if he dies first!"

"All right, go ahead and be careful around bagpipes but don't be careful around Shara, she doesn't even know how to play."

"Oh, well, that's okay, then."

"She's in the library if you want to go right now."