Cherie jumped at the sight of the young apprentice, hitting the crown of her head on the planks of wood that supported the mattress above. She'd assumed that everyone was gone, that she was alone. Or maybe she was just a bit jumpy after having demons, spirit wolves, and other entities after her in the Fade. She took a deep breath, then smiled fleetingly at the woman as she rubbed what she was sure was going to be a huge bump in the morning.
When the pain in her head went away, she focused on what she thought was an expression of uncertainty on her bunkmate's face. She remembered that feeling, that worrying about what was to come. She remembered wishing that someone would have answered just one of the many questions she'd asked. But no. She'd had to face the Fade with no forewarning. That felt like a lifetime ago, even though it was less than twenty-four hours. Cherie stood up, stretching her arms over her head before swinging them by her side, getting used to the weight of her body again as she thought of something comforting to say.
"The rumors, as always, aren't true." She turned around and focused her wheat colored as on Azura. She desperately wanted to relay the last thing the demon had said. 'Keep your wits about you, Mage. True tests never end.' Unfortunately Cherie could not think of a way to put the words in which she wouldn't be penalized, so she chose to leave them unsaid. "Be careful."