Karenina

Sitting in front of the mirror, Karenina did not pay much attention to her own reflection, focusing instead on Helga's nimble hands as she wrapped fresh bandages around her body after cleaning and washing her wounds. Lifting her gaze, she noticed Helga's worried expression, her eyebrows knit together in a deep frown on her forehead, her sad brown eyes, her pursed lips.

Then Karen raised her right hand to grasp her friend's clawed hand, instantly drawing Helga's attention as those troubled brown eyes stared intently at her. "I'm fine, Helga, really. It's not as bad as it looks, and it healed faster than it would have without Xavier's help."...