[ this is perfect. he doesn't ask any questions, he dismisses her apology without alarm or correction, he doesn't express excessive concern – Gen, you couldn't have made a better recommendation! now that her pre-emptive defence is out of the way, Rudbeckia takes the offered seat with a soft laugh, sweet and musical as chimes. ]

Then it's good that we have each other!

[ she folds her hands primly in her lap, and after a moment of awkward silence where it seems like she means to speak but doesn't, she admits— ] I've... never actually done this in the time that I've been here, so I'm not entirely sure how to begin?