If this were a video game, there would be a pressure gauge hovering somewhere near Athessa, showing a number that increases the closer she gets to dunking the Vint. And, when he introduces their little inside joke, the number stops rising, even falls a few points when she smirks back.

"You're the one who brought up who has more interesting sausage."

The ferry gets to the dock at about that moment, and the number drops even further, back into safe territory — but not before she shoves him a little, playfully.

"You better watch it with that boring talk, though," she warns, but keeps her tone light. She wants him to heed her, not cower like a kicked puppy. "Or I really will have to kick your ass."