“Maybe not that still,” Ropati said, eyes on the goal.

Last thing he wanted was to lose her and not even realize it.

There was a quizzical blink when she told him he was doing well. He hadn’t actually expected to, but this cheery little vineyard tub seemed to be holding up better than, uh, a bunch of them judging by the screams.

“Thankyou,” he managed to grit out in one exhale as he threw his back into it.

Hopefully that sounded friendlier than a rusty gear.