Illyana was taken aback, but let the girl hug her. "I... hello." She wrapped her arms around the girl to return the sentiment. There was a dull ache in the pit of her stomach, so unpleasant that she started to feel ill. "It's nice to see you again," she said, closing her eyes as she recited the words she'd been practicing alone in her room. "How is your day? Did you have... a nice trip?"
Her insides felt like they were twisting up and burning, and Illyana swallowed and whet her lips, trying to push the sensation away.