[Ah. Now Elizabeth can feel properly poorly for the goddess. After all, beyond drawing her here without a proper introduction or request first, what harm had Astoria done to her? Certainly no more than Mr. Darcy with his words or Wickham with his deceit.

Her expression softens then, her displeasure gone with proper explanation. Perhaps it was a ruse but for now she must trust it as much as truth.]

I beg pardon then if my words caused you distress. I never rest easily until I have the full brunt of any news thoroughly confronted and sorted out, at least as much as I might hope for. Until naught but a few days ago, I had never dreamed of such a place as this or such a person as yourself. Beyond the pages of a book, of course.