It felt like it had been forever since Ellie had seen Oriel, but she guessed in a way it had been. She had taken off after her graduation from Hogwarts and had only come back probably around six months ago. She still felt as though she was disconnecting from a lot in the wizarding world. (Which is why making the magical daycare was such a good thing for her.) Despite that she felt that the traveling she'd done was something she'd desperately needed, but it didn't stop a pang from shooting through her that reminded her she hadn't been a very good friend.
When he moved to pull back she let him, still smiling happily at Oriel. Her eyes followed his hands, her mind slowly working to put the signing with the words he'd spoken. She knew a little. He'd taught her some in school and she'd gotten books to teach her more. Despite being cut off from everything it was something she tried to keep up with. After all it gave her focus and something to do while she'd been gone. That didn't, however, mean that she'd gotten all that good at it despite really wanting to.
"I've been good. Busy." Which was most definitely the truth. "How are you?" Her hands fumbled through the signs back at him. This was a good time to practice and if she screwed up she knew that Oriel would be willing to correct her.
Her clothes! She had to tell him about the absolute disaster. It could wait though. She was more interested in hearing how he'd been and doing a little catch up before she blew into that horror story.