Maybe the fact that it's Ellie should make it worse, like seeing a vengeful ghost might. Abby barely falters, but she does realise she's still holding her at the shoulders far too late.

Releasing her, she says, "No." Which is not untrue, not really. Physically, she's fine. A healer saw to the cuts on her arms and all that remains of the blood-letting are two, nearly identical scars up behind her elbows, currently hidden by three quarter-length sleeves. It seems only natural that she'd feel a bit out of it afterwards, right. All happened so fast.

Her voice sticks in her mouth for a moment, and she works her tongue over her teeth. "Actually," it comes out abruptly. She almost startles herself, "Can I talk to you? In private."

She isn't supposed to tell anybody about it, but Ellie isn't anybody, and she'll get it. Abby knows she will.