Sawtooth Spire They want me to go eat some worms

His rapid rejection might've actually stung a little—although she would've played it cool one way or another—except for the word that came right after the "no." Elfie didn't seem disgusted, more like utterly perplexed. Perhaps he didn't know what she meant, Quell mused.

A speckled shoulder rose and fell. "I just thought we could hang out and get to know each other," Q answered breezily, "like friends, only front-loaded with romantic expectations." She smirked and wagged her tail, hoping that came across as the joke it was intended to be. "I just think you're hot, so I wanted to ask you out," she added, trying to be as clear and straightforward as possible. "But if you're not feelin' it, that's okay!" She shrugged again, still smiling.