Falls of the Hinterlands and if you don't love me now, you will never love me again

tegan hesitated, shooting her an apologetic look that paired awkwardly with a smirk. "well, okay, so i might've exaggerated with the we lost out part," he started, glancing away for a moment, "i talked to her, actually vouched for you-- and like, sophisticatedly or whatever instead of interjecting like i was before-- and she said if you could complete a task she'd reevaluate you." his ears pricked as he awaited an answer, cutting in as he remembered-- "like actually evaluate you, i don't think she really put much thought into it today. which was my fault."

he looked at her, shrugged, and added finally, "if you still want."