She stepped further into the kitchen, setting her mug down with a soft clink.
"And you? What brings you here?" she asked with practiced curiosity, like she didn't already know. "I was surprised to see you. It's been a long time, hasn't it?"
I didn't look at her directly. "You were too busy vibing."
She let out a soft laugh, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "It's part of my new routine. Music, tea and positive thinking. You know—healing."
Healing.
That word sat weirdly with me.
"Good for you," I said, reaching for the towel. "We all heal differently."
Selene leaned against the counter beside me, glancing at the drying blood stains on my sleeves. "Rough day?"
"It's work," I answered flatly.
She nodded like she understood, like we were equals here, and it made something in me itch. "Still… you're braver than I am. I don't think I could deal with all that blood. Or violence."
I met her eyes then. "You don't have to. Some of us don't have the luxury to avoid it."
