"Because I have rather a lot to do--"

"I know, I know," Hawk said quickly, holding his hands up in a placating gesture. "I just--I shouldn'ta said some of the dumb shit I said. An' I was hopin' we could just...talk, some."

Numair looked at him almost warily. He said, "Honestly, Hawk? It might be for the best if you left."

Hawk actually flinched at that. "...I'll go if you want me to," he said, but then added quietly, "Do you want me to?"

Something about that seemed to break Numair's resolve somewhat. He sighed, his slit pupils relaxing some, and mumbled, "Oh, of course not."

He turned then, saying, "Let me get a coat. Then we can--" he gestured at nothing in particular, "--talk."

"Okay," Hawk agreed, as Numair left. He put his hands back in his jacket pockets, almost nervously. "Okay."

Sraddi had come into the office at some point, and was now sitting on her usual perch next to the desk. She regarded Hawk mutely, and he looked back at her. A puzzled sort of frown came over him, and he put out his hand to her, as though offering it to a dog to sniff.

"Hey, Sraddi."