[Allison narrows her eyes at Lydia a little, but accepts Duchess back and lets her have her spot back on Allison's shoulder. Keeping her steady with one hand, she returns right to Lydia's side on the couch, their sides touching from shoulder to knee without Allison really meaning for it to happen.

She can't help it, just...the contact feels good.]

I am. [She lets Duchess slide back down to curl up in her lap, nestled right in the crook of her legs.] It's like...there were cracks, and the bite filled them up. Now everything...feels better. Fits.

...and I wasn't kidding about my mother. [Something harder and flat enters her tone, a new sort of anger that darkens her expression as she shakes her head.] Maybe this isn't for everyone, but...ending her life before she could find out? Without trying? How many generations of my family have done that? How many lives were lost, needlessly? Because of this thing that saved my life...that will save my life?

...God help me, Lydia: my mother was a bad person. Maybe even as bad as Gerard.