[ There is a brief flash of surprise across her face, although this is directed more at the fact that Crane actually gave some sort of true answer rather than try to force her into more asinine mind games. A rare treat indeed. She otherwise holds her countenance, blinking away the shock with a flick of long eyelashes, the shimmer of her freckles catching the light.

But the hair on her arms and neck stands on end. Her skin feels tight, her heart pounds. She wants to vomit; she takes another drink instead. ]

That's ridiculous. The reality I know is reality. [ Her voice is shockingly steady, considering the circumstances. ] Centuries of life can't just come from nowhere. The changes, the growth. I remember when we were both mortal. I know you remember it too. Jonathan.

[ There is no spite or anger when she uses his first name, something she done perhaps one other time out of all these years. It is, instead, an emphasis. They have all been here together, for centuries. They know each other, even those with friction between them. How could they all, alongside endless generations of mortals, have been living a lie? The same lie? ]

And why now? Why break the spell now? What makes now different? What else could there possibly be?

[ The snake in her lap perks up, seemingly picking up on her stress. Though it retains its gentle pink color, it hisses and wraps itself around her hips. ]