How did he not expect Isidor to escalate the conflict? Her first strike in search of his weak points isn't expected and she lands a sharp poke to his midsection. He makes a sound like a kicked dog before he succumbs to laughter. They exchange more lighthearted blows, but when she's wheezing and begging for the sweet release of death of release he has to oblige. His mother raised him better than to keep going after a lady told him to stop. It certainly has nothing at all to do with being desperate for a little de-escalation himself.

He leans heavily against the back of the seat, still laughing quietly and holding his sides as he watches Isidor with suspicion and a spark of excitement. Any quick movements on her part prompt him to prepare to defend himself until he's confident she won't pull a sneak attack. He calms down when the coast is clear, and for a pleasant moment while the ride spins at a sane and level pace he keeps his eyes on her, the slightest smile at the corners of his lips.

And that's when he feels suddenly very watched. His head lolls to the side and there they are, Runa and Viatorus, those voyeurs. His eyebrows lower and he affixes them with a grim and serious expression as he slowly sits up straight, his arms now folded across his chest. Nothin' to see here, folks, just Harrowheart and Isidor hating each other as usual...