"Auntie. Save your energy. You clearly need it to come up with new material." Alistaire replies evenly, lacking his usual jovial nature. He takes in the injuries to her. The reports had been accurate, but it still wasn't the same as seeing it in person. Right then, Alistaire made up his mind. Whatever message this Vargas was trying to send, even despite whatever his connections to Lady Selene might be, he was going to die. No other outcome was acceptable.

He sits down next to the bed, focusing on his words so as not to let his thoughts wander around the psychic. "Xavier hospitality is less warm than I would have expected. Nobody's even offered me a uniform yet, much less some decent scotch."