No, she doesn't believe it was Mortanne's intention, and that's part of the problem. She'd already admitted to acting childish with Degas, Mortanne acknowledging that doesn't help the dissonance in her soul. It's painful how badly she wants to reach out, how her soul wants nothing more than to be understood, and right here, reaching back is a being far more like her than anyone she has met before. One who refuses to treat her as anything other than what she is.

Her pride wants her to refuse, so does her fear. But the child that never got to be one wants to take the offered hand and see where it goes.

Roheryn snorts, prompting her to realize that she doesn't have forever to decide. There is no harm in listening. Valdis slides off her horse and takes the offered hand.

If nothing else, perhaps the goddess can tell her what she is.