Old Man Borin reappeared, leaning into the doorway.
"So the girl threw a turnip at you and called you stupid?" he asked.
"Yes!" Rynar said dreamily.
Borin nodded.
"She has taste. Marry her before she sees you fall again."
Rynar screamed,
"I AM NOT FALLING THAT MUCH!"
He instantly slipped on a wood chip.
Borin pointed.
"SEE?"
and walked away again.
Rynar sat on the floor dramatically, legs sprawled.
"Do you think… she could actually like me?"
Kael shrugged.
"You survived the turnip attack. That's promising."
Charlisa nodded.
"And she didn't chase you with a shovel."
Kael added,
"She's stronger than you."
Rynar gasped.
"She IS. That's why I love her!"
Kael exhaled slowly.
"You fell in love with her because she threw something at you."
"ACCURATELY," Rynar corrected.
Rynar jumped to his feet.
"I shall go see her today. I will bring her flowers!"
Kael looked impressed.
"That's actually a good idea."
Rynar thought for three seconds.
"…OR TURNIPS."
Charlisa grabbed his arm.
"No. Not turnips. That is how wars start."
Rynar sighed.
"Fine. Flowers. But I'll approach slowly, so she knows I come in peace."
Kael muttered,
"You can't approach fast anyway without falling."
"STOP ATTACKING MY WEAK ANKLES!" Rynar cried.
Then he marched outside—
slipped—
and slid all the way down the path screaming,
"I'M GOING TO FIND LOVE WHETHER THE GROUND LIKES IT OR NOT!!"
Borin's voice echoed from somewhere,
"SNOWBALL!"
Rynar yelled back,
"I HAVE A NAME, YOU CRUEL OLD RAISIN!"