"T-that's it?" she asked, stunned.
"That's it," her Senneta agreed. "As if 'it' were something small. Hnh."
Sheilaktar had to tap her arms twice before Nadezdha realized she wanted her to let go of the jar of peaches. The Mulan girl released the jar as if burned by it, and Sheilaktar took it and set it gently to the ground by his feet. The Hathran was still wearing her bone-white mask, and Nadezdha realized her eyes most certainly gleamed green with it on. Green was necromancy's color. Odd; she'd never realized druidism and necromancy shared that in common, before. She watched her mentor, almost mesmerized.
Then Nythra had come back up to where she was sitting, and the robin-masked young woman was pressing a mug into her hands. "Here," Nythra insisted. "Drink. It will help."
"I-I-..." Nadezdha hesitated, looking at the beverage and taking it slowly. "T-thank you." She smelled apples.
"It is okay. You are a little in shock, I'd imagine," the young Hathran told him.
Nadezdha took a sip, and shuddered slightly at the taste of spice, and apples, and alcohol. Then she threw her head back, and swallowed a big gulp. A heat settled immediately into her bones and belly.
"Easy now!" Nythra laughed, steadying her shoulder.
The cider was just what she'd needed. She gave another big shudder, and then looked back to her mentor. They were sitting some distance from the gathering upon a rocky outcropping. Sheilaktar was weaving a cantrip to clean the stained coat. "Y-your mask is still on," she told the woman.
Sheilaktar dusted off her shoulder and then looked to her in surprise. After a moment, the necromancer cocked her head to the side. "Ah? Does it bother thee?"
Nadezdha was puzzled by that reply. "Are you upset?" she wondered.
"Are we upset, the child asks...!" Sheilaktar muttered heavily. Then she heaved a big sigh, and reached up to remove her mask.
Nadezdha blinked and then grabbed quickly at her Hathran's hand to still her. Without another word, she leaned down and kissed the witch's forehead. For a moment, Sheilaktar didn't move a muscle. Then her eyes flicked up to her fosterling, and the necromancer drew in a slow breath as if considering her. Another moment passed in silence. Then Sheilaktar stood, slowly removed her mask, and reached out to ruffle affectionately through Nadezdha's hair.
"How do you feel?" the Hathran asked her fosterling.
"Weird," Nadezdha admitted in a quiet voice. "And confused. And nauseous."
Nythra laughed. "I have so many questions; It is not every day I get to meet a Thayvian."
Nadezdha winced. Sheilaktar grunted. "Well she's no longer Thayvian. Nythra, can you give us a moment alone?" she asked.
"Of course, Sheilaktar," The younger woman bowed out with a reassuring wink at Nadezdha. Then she turned and headed back down to the gathering.