Go see what Ravi is doing to that statue.

You maneuver deftly through the courtyard, avoiding Ravi’s nervous glances until you’re within arm’s reach, your footsteps silent as you sidle up beside him. “What are you doing?” you say, casually.

He gives a startled yelp and drops what he’s holding. It falls to the cobblestone walkway with a heavy clatter. A chip of it cracks and flies off, nicking your shin. Ravi looks at you, grimacing toothily, then you both look down at what he dropped: a piece of the statue before you. A rather conspicuous piece. You stare at it in silence. Ravi shifts from foot to foot.

{if NoRevenge = true}”Another bit of showmanship?” you say, looking around the courtyard for any Snakeriver onlookers.

“Not this time, I’m ashamed to say.” He rubs the back of his neck. “This was a solo venture, purely intrinsic.”

He picks the piece off the floor and fusses with it once more, trying futilely to re-attach it to the statue with a bit of something sticky from the satchel around his waist. The piece holds for a moment, then falls once more. He catches it, at least, before it falls and splinters a second time.

He laughs sheepishly. “Is this to be the end of my courtship of you, Lord Dragoon?”

You shift closer to him, feigning interest in his failed handiwork. He radiates warmth, but the silk of his sleeve is soft and cool. “I don’t think so, Ravi. Besides, we always did say Great Uncle Raymond didn’t have balls. It’s only fitting.”

Ravi snorts, then grins handsomely. He meets your gaze, affection blossoming behind his emerald eyes. He puts his arm around your shoulders.

“Let’s vacate the scene of the crime at least,” he says. “If I’m to live in this castle one day soon, I don’t want the groundkeepers to know it was their newest ruler who added so thoughtlessly to their workload.”

“That’s wise,” you say, letting him lead you toward the ballroom. “Master Nevrin isn’t afraid to scold those above him.”

{elseif **** = true}”Is this **** for tossing you in that creek?” you ask, amused.

“Ah, not quite. This is entirely unrelated, I’m afraid, though equally embarrassing, if not more so.”

He picks the piece off the floor and fusses with it once more, trying futilely to re-attach it to the statue with a bit of something sticky from the satchel around his waist. The piece holds for a moment, then falls once more. He catches it, at least, before it falls and splinters a second time.

He laughs sheepishly. “I swear I meant it, when I said we should be better to each other. I did not intend for my second impression to be so…”

“Similar to the first?”

He sighs, but seeing your smile lightens up a little. “You’re having your fun with me, aren’t you?”

“I can’t let you think I’m entirely letting you get away with snapping the dick off my great uncle. Though, it is fitting. Father always did say he lacked balls.”

Ravi snorts, his nervous demeanor straightening into confident swagger and a warm, handsome smile. “Just trying to fit in with the family I suppose,” he says, and shifts his emerald eyes to you. “Should we vacate the scene?”

“Yes,” you say. “And quickly. Groundskeeper Nevrin will have your head for this otherwise.” {endif}