[ —oh... given the out and she didn't even take it?? that's fine, ness isn't feeling any particular type of way about that. certainly not touched in any weird way. ]

Oh, Abby, I saw your name in the assignments! I'm a recent arrival, yes. But I promise I'm not going to be an idiot about it, I've already done a lot of research and I'm working on getting my feet under me in Diplomacy, I won't be a bother!