( 19 ) Last night I felt real arms around me.

[baronetess]

( Perhaps it was best if she ignored such feelings. Truly, she didn't much think herself capable of them, really. Always so single-mindedly devoted to her work to realize the constant pang of emptiness, anger, the unnerving feeling of being unwanted? Well, she had no need of them. She'd purge her heart of them, as she often did.

There'd been a lull in her work, admittedly. It was more difficult for mages to operate in the winter, and Alucard's power had been enough to keep vampires at bay. Which had left her alone to dwell on her feelings, she supposed. But even with how much effort she'd put into detaching herself from the situation, it was difficult to ignore the sharp ache in her chest whenever she cast her gaze on Isabelle as she entered the room.

Integra picks herself up from the couch she'd been lying, her Rapunzel-esque hair cascading around her as she speaks. )

My associate left behind a suitcase for you.

( Said, gesturing towards the coffee table. An uncharacteristic chill creeping into her voice. It should be clear, though. She's doing her best to compose herself until Isabelle leaves. )