Nanshe might not have been looking at either of them at the moment, but she heard the trouble between Annabelle and her father. Every daughter wanted to please her father; Nanshe knew this very well. It must have been difficult for her - and probably still was - to know that her father didn't approve of the innate abilities she carried inside her.
When Morpheus made that sound of disapproval, Nanshe shifted slightly in her chair. Those soft fingers against his back curled so she could trace the same pattern, this time with the gentle rasp of her fingernails.
"It must make you feel like you're letting your father down, to learn about your abilities and how to use them," Nanshe said gently. "I'm sure he had the best of intentions when he suggested you stay away from everything that magic brings along with it. There are darker shades of magic, and to be trapped inside them is a terrible thing indeed."
Here Nanshe paused, and looked up at Annabelle. "But your situation has changed. You're no longer steeped in the dramatics that your father wanted you to steer clear from. And it's clear that you need to learn how to temper your magic -- others that you zap unintentionally might not be as easy-going as Morpheus, here. I'm sure your Simon will be of great help to you. When do you see him next?"