[He can't help but laugh at that threat because it's just such a perfect response, as pretty much much the only other people who ever call him Norman also do so when annoyed with him.]

The treat's the important part.

[And he's not even really joking, rapidly becoming more attached to the horse than to the whole point of their little mission, though the latter is still important. He cautiously watches the machine fill, making sure it's all going smoothly and nothing strange is happening, but the tank fills and he switches off the hose.

He's about to ask if Hilda's ready to go when she asks if he wants to take the reins, and only briefly hesitates before deciding why not.]

Sure, but be ready to take over if she decides she doesn't trust me.

[But it seems like Maple does trust him, or at the very least is too chill to really care who's leading her, which is probably most likely. Either way, Jayden feels distinctly encouraged by the success, both when it comes to the mission and the horse.]

Think it'd jinx things if I said that went better that expected?