Lyra followed Lilia into her office, and she heard Fox slowly walking behind her, with a gentle thump of her crutches.

The office was very cluttered. Maps fluttered on the walls, with written notes all over them. A table stood in the center, with a stolen tablet on top. As Lyra got closer, she saw it was cracked and broken. Probably useless. Lilia pulled up another chair for Fox, and she invited the two to sit down. Lyra sat down, and nervously glanced to Fox, who only nodded slightly.

Lilia sat down behind her desk, her sharp green eyes observing them. She finally settled on Lyra. "I intend for both of you to have complete sanctuary here. But, I was told by Fox that you are experienced in Music Healing?" Lyra dipped her head. "Yes." "It is settled. While you are here, you can have something to do. You can go to the infirmary and help out once you're healed yourself." "Yes ma'am."

Lilia turned to Fox, smiling fondly. "I haven't seen you in a while, good friend. Have you succeeded with Victor?" Fox shook her head, not meeting Lilia's eyes. Lilia frowned, noticing this, but didn't say anything. "I must assume: Barley has been keeping you out of trouble, yes? Where is my good man now?"

Lyra swallowed the lump in her throat. She looked at Fox, and was about to speak, but Fox slowly shook her head, her face filled with pain. She finally looked at Lilia. "Barley...he...he cannot join us." Lilia tilted her head. "Hm?"

Fox took a deep breath. "Barley has...passed away. It was an accident." Lilia's face turned to shock, and then it melted into sadness, and she stared at her desk. Lyra turned, wiping her watering eyes.

Lilia closed her eyes, muttering something under her breath. "I...I see. Shall we hold a proper funeral?" Fox bit her lip. "Yes. But nothing too large. Perhaps just a salute would do." Lilia nodded, her breath seeming to be labored. "Alright. Will do." She stood, crossing over to Fox. She pulled the small girl into a hug, and Fox held on tight. Lyra's heart ached, but she didn't move.

Lilia nodded. "Well, I...that'll be all." She seemed to straighten up again. "Fox, you can help with weaponry. Barley k-knew the risks. He was a good man. Both of you rest now. You're exhausted." Lyra turned to leave, nodding a goodbye to Lilia. As she and Fox closed the door, Lyra caught a glimpse of Lilia with her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking slightly. The door closed.

Lyra turned to Fox, who stared straight forward. Before Fox could protest, Lyra hugged her as well. Instead of pushing away, Fox hugged back, tightly. "I'll see you tomorrow then?" Lyra asked. Fox stepped back, dragging her crutches. "Yeah. I'll see you tomorrow." She smiled sadly, about to leave. Fox then turned back. "Thank you Lyra. For the comfort."

Lyra smiled back, nodding. Fox turned, not looking back as she went towards her room, with the thump thump thump of her crutches. Lyra soon turned to her own room.