[Saelfen is not at the bakery. It's extremely reasonable, but it feels like the biggest betrayal of Taryon's life. Doty walks into the back, prepared to help sort the breads, with no wistful heart to slow him down.

The first hour passes without incident. Villagers come, villagers go. Rifts open outside the window. He hears the chattering and humming of the Skeksis. It's nothing worth nothing at this rate.

And yet, Saelfen has gifted him with two poems this morning. How is he supposed to move in any direction other than a deeper romance? They're practically soulmates at this point. Sadly, the world hasn't turned into a fairy land celebrating this, and the shop is as mundane as ever.]

I think we need to do something together today, Doty. Write a note: bring extra cakes for our date. [The automaton pauses his work and scribbles this down in a small notebook.] This has to lead to some big milestone. Maybe he's planning something for tonight?