[The moment Meryl realizes that Knives is busy working on something, she very nearly turns on her heel and walks out of the room. Perhaps she might have, if she hadn't spoken up. Immediately ghosting him after trying to get his attention wasn't going to do anything for her case.

(The tea isn't missed — in fact it makes her heart lurch. To say nothing about the faint pink that begins to bloom across her cheeks)

Right. She has a case to argue — one for her own feelings and affections. The thought very nearly makes her turn around once again, and really — it's getting exhausting, fighting her own mind at every turn. Compared to the arduous journey she's taken with her other partners, this is already far more exhausting, and she'd picked a fight with one of them along the way!

Her palms itch, drawing her back into the moment, albeit unwillingly. Part of her wants to bonk them against her forehead, as if it might knock some sense into herself. She'd have to explain the display to Knives, though, and that's the last thing she wants, actually.

Instead she holds them up, ready to wave them off.]

Iiif you're busy, it can wait. Honestly. It's not that important. [Maybe it is to her, but that's fine. He doesn't need to know that.] I was just going to ask if I could sit with you. And talk, maybe.

See. Not important at all!