Viola shut the door of Xavier's apartment behind her and stepped into her own. The air was quieter here, less heavy with the metallic stench of blood. Lilia was curled up on the couch, hugging a pillow. Her eyes shot up the second Viola entered.
"Is… everything alright?" Lilia asked carefully. "Can I go back now?"
Viola shook her head. "No. Trust me, you don't want to see what's in there. Stay here tonight."
Lilia's grip on the pillow tightened. "…How's Lyra?"
"Don't worry about her," Viola said flatly, kicking off her boots. "That brat's a trained space mercenary. She's not the type to keel over just because some hired scum walked in. She'll be fine. She'll come here after she's done bathing and changing."
Lilia looked like she wanted to press more, but Viola was already heading down the short hall. She slipped into her room, shut the door, and dragged a chair up to her desk. The room lights dimmed as she activated her holo pad.
