Since returning from the mission, Hermione hasn't been able to think about anything else. And now that she's face to face with someone who'd gone on the mission with her, she finds herself scrambling to think of literally anything. Otherwise, she might end up withdrawing from Ciri altogether, or even trying to withdraw from the rest of the Inquisition, and she's logical enough to know that she wouldn't survive a day in Thedas without the Inquisition by her side.

Having animals eat out of her hand is inherently sweet, but horses can be frightfully messy about it. So she can't entirely help making a face as the horse does just that, which distracts her for a few moments before she tries for something resembling a normal conversation.

"They tend to be more honest than most people," Hermione murmurs, absently patting the creature's mane. "Human or otherwise. I wonder if dishonesty and subterfuge are the prices we pay for sentience."