Lillian pulled back from the embrace, wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand.
"I-I'm sorry." She sniffled. "I'm making a spectacle of myself."
"Nonsense." Shia said firmly. "You're allowed to feel joy, Lillian. We both are. We've earned that right."
Lillian nodded, still sniffling.
But then she noticed Shia studying her face with an expression of intense curiosity.
"What?" Lillian asked, suddenly self-conscious. "W-What's wrong? Does my weathered face look even uglier than usual after all that crying?"
Shia shook her head slowly. "No, no. In fact, it's the exact opposite."
Lillian blinked. "What do you mean?"
Shia's eyes widened.
"Your face, Lillian. It looks...younger. There's a vitality to you that wasn't there before. A vibrancy, a glow. When did you start looking like this?"
Lillian's hand flew to her cheek. "I don't...I haven't..."
