Uh-huh. Didn't catch anything because of the splashing, but you know, not the point.

[The amusement is just as strong.]

When he wants to be anyway.

[Okay, time for the serious. He steps close enough to really just look him in the eye.]

Exactly. Your father could have been a match for Azure normally. But you're not your father, not yet. And this wasn't normally. So you did what you could. There's no shame in that.

[He immediately lightens up without backing off.]

Besides, it's not like you'll settle for not good enough. You've got his stubborness for sure!