[ She responds to his comment without leaning into her title, and that does a better job of easing his nerves than his own stubborn resolve. This is how it's supposed to go — him with the bad lines, her humoring him with laughter. He can even handle the teeth so long as the smiles aren't completely at his expense. ]

A woman doesn't have to do anything, but looks make the first impression. [ ... unless you're covered in awful robes, but whatever. He probably would've liked her if he'd just spoken to her first, if that's worth anything. Her next question doesn't give him pause, though he doesn't rush to answer; Mat crosses his arms over the edge of the pool, careful not to crowd her. ]

I'd say a warrior queen is worth anyone's attention — in the interest of self-preservation, mind.

[ She's beautiful, of course. But she clearly knows it, and there's a slight tease in the way he dodges saying it outright. ]