Veil of the forsaken.

"Where's Reggie?"

Lady's pen glided smoothly over the crisp pages of her notebook, the soft scratching the only sound in her dimly lit office. The weight of the day settled on her shoulders, but she carried it as she always did—poised, controlled.

Then she felt it. That presence.

She looked up.

Veil stood in the doorway, leaning casually against the frame, arms crossed. The usual smirk played on her lips, but there was something unreadable in her gaze, something quiet beneath the surface.

"How long have you been standing there?" Lady asked, setting her pen down.

Veil tilted her head slightly. "Long enough to wonder if you were writing about me."

Lady exhaled sharply through her nose—half amusement, half exhaustion. "Do you ever knock?"

Veil stepped inside, slow, deliberate, her boots clicking softly against the floor. "Didn't wanna interrupt your deep thoughts, Cherry."

Lady ignored the nickname, leaning back in her chair. "You're here for a reason."

Veil studied her for a moment, then shrugged. "Maybe I just wanted to see you."

Something flickered in Lady's expression—there and gone in an instant. She exhaled, folding her hands together. "Then say what you came to say, Veil."

Veil hesitated. Just for a second. Then, she stepped closer, and the smirk faded just enough to make Lady pause.

"...You should rest more," Veil said, softer now. "You look exhausted."

Lady blinked. Of all the things Veil could've said, she hadn't expected that.

She schooled her expression, lifting her chin slightly. "I'll rest when I'm done."

Veil scoffed, shaking her head. "Stubborn."

"Says you."

A beat of silence stretched between them, heavy with something unsaid. Then Veil leaned down slightly, lowering her voice.

"You know I worry about you, right?"

Lady's fingers tensed slightly against the desk. She met Veil's gaze, unreadable as always. Then, carefully, she replied, "I know."

And that was all she needed to hear.

Before the tension could settle, the door slammed open so hard it nearly bounced off the wall.

Arlos stood there, one foot dramatically stretched forward like he'd just arrived from a battle scene, arms spread wide.

"LADY," he bellowed, his voice shaking the very foundation of the room. "VEIL."

Veil sighed, rubbing her temples. "Goddammit."

Lady simply blinked, entirely unfazed. "Arlos."

He stormed in, slamming his hands onto Lady's desk like he was about to deliver the most important news of the century. His expression was one of grave urgency.

"We have a crisis," he declared, voice low and deadly serious.

Veil straightened. "Shit. What happened?"

Lady leaned forward slightly. "Arlos, what's wrong?"

Arlos locked eyes with them both. A heavy silence. Then—

"...I lost my fucking sandwich."

Veil groaned so loudly it could have shattered glass. "ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?"