[ Fenimore's long pause as she clearly thinks this over makes Xion hesitate. Should she have elaborated more? Maybe never said it? Did she make Fenimore angry again?

But when Fenimore speaks again, in that soft tone... Xion is both surprised and a little relieved. She laughs sheepishly. ]

I'm sorry... I've had to tell that story a lot since I arrived in Luceti, and I guess I've just gotten used to telling the short version, rather than the long version. Is ... is it... [ okay? but Xion doesn't know how to ask. she always worries people will hate her after they discover the truth about her nature. ]