Eventually, Ophix and Yaela finished their meal, though most of the food remained untouched on certain other plates. The weight of their circumstances seemed to have stolen their appetites, or maybe it was just too much to eat, but then Ophix rose from her chair and began gathering the leftover plates and empty dishes.
"Oh, help me out here, child," she said to Yaela, who had been sitting in sullen silence, watching the witch's every move with wary eyes.
Yaela sighed and stood, reluctantly helping to collect the remaining plates that Ophix couldn't manage alone. For reasons unknown to Yaela, the witch seemed determined to avoid using magic entirely, choosing instead to handle the mundane task with her own hands.
