Huh? Yeah, but that's not why I -

[He promptly does an impressive double take, just shy of knocking his injured elbow out of its sling again.] I mean, I'm not slacking! I was just wondering if you needed anything...

...You do? [That's not what he was expecting her to build up to. It reminds him of one or two other girls he's met...] I mean, did you need anything, or do you just always look like that?

[- wait, crap, that last part wasn't supposed to be out loud!]

Y'know, like a space cadet, but more kind of... [He waves his good hand in a wide gesture that completely fails to clarify what he's talking about, and then shoots an uncertain look back towards her.]

[...Yeah, he really shouldn't have said that part out loud. Now he feels a little bad.

He sighs.] It doesn't matter. So... What's your name? What kind of place are you from?

[He tilts his head very slightly.] Huh... Are all the girls in England like this?

[He hastens to wave his non-bandaged hand.] I'm not saying that like it's a bad thing! I guess it's kind of cute... in a way. [Or he just can't think of anything more complimentary to say while he's backpedalling.]

Huh? Never? That's a surprise. [Not even a sarcastic one! Although a little quirk of his eyebrow belies his suspicion that if any guy did say it to her in the past, there's a decent chance she wasn't listening...]

Oh, I wouldn't say that! [This bursts out just a little too quickly to be inconspicuous.] I mean... I wouldn't! And believe me, I know some weird girls...

...Huh? What? [Where'd that come from? He's so surprised, he momentarily forgets to look embarrassed.] Wh-What's that supposed to mean?

... Ah. [He shrinks back a bit. Out of all the other situations where he's been chastised by someone for being insensitive, he likes this one the least.] Sorry. Not that I meant it in a bad way or anything... Er, that is, I wasn't saying you were weird...

Um. [He lapses into an incredibly awkward silence before dipping into an even more awkward bow.] Sorry?

[If he says it enough times, maybe she'll forgive him... Though, jeez, how else is anyone supposed to describe most of the girls he knows?]

Yes, I'm sorry! So just let it go! [By now he's practically flattening himself against his injured elbow, and it hurts, but he's going to give it a few moments longer before relenting and standing back up. That, or fall over.] ...Please?

[The relief washes off him in a wave.] Right! Good. Uh, moving past that...

[Dammit, he got his brain in such a knot he almost forgot what he was doing besides trying to see if she's as clueless as she looks. He has to take a moment to collect himself.]

If you don't need anything, I... guess I'll see you around! ...After I go get my butt kicked. But y'know, if you change your mind, you can just call...

[Smooth.]