She had only realized about half a second after hugging her that there was a possibility Krolia wouldn't have remembered her at all, and the relief when she does is immediate. She clings to her a little harder, eyes shut tight as she tries to keep herself from doing something stupid and emotional like crying.

There are so many things she wants to say, so many things she ought to tell her, but it feels overwhelming to even try and find a place to start in the whole mess. After everything with Keith, all the fighting and anger without his mother there to clear the air in some way, it felt like too much.

When she does manage to speak, her voice is far smaller than usual. "When did you get back?"