Shattered

There were rarely visitors on the Morgue, and even fewer who would venture to its very back corner to the hovel that Virgo had claimed, temporarily, as their lab. Between two steel, air-sealed doors and the decontamination station sandwiched between them, it was too much of a hassle for any pure company to pass through to speak to them directly, intercom, notes and instant messages doing the trick just fine. Which is why they were so surprised when the door alarm sounded, shunting open without so much as a second thought. A much needed second thought, considering they were elbow deep in a corrupt corpse. 

“I am in the middle of something.” They didn’t even bother to look up, only one person who orbited this area with the gumption to walk right into a complete biohazard, even if you were immune to the disease in question. 

“I can see that.” Phantom said, arms folded across her chest with a knowing smile quirking either end of her lips. “I called your phone and you didn’t answer.” 

Virgo looked over to the small little device sitting at their desk, locked and screen black, before pulling their hands out of the open chest cavity, gloves entirely spattered with dark ichor and black bile. “Might have something to do with being in the middle of an autopsy, I’m not sure.” They replied, brow raised at the lockette across from them. 

“Doesn’t matter, it can wait.” Phantom reached over the surgical table and pulled Virgo’s phone off the desk, popping it open with ease. Virgo wasn’t even sure how she knew their password. 

“I am in the middle of an important medical procedure, I can’t simply-“ The exclamation died in their throat when Phantom pulled up what she had sent, a report on the sudden invasion of blighted troops on verdant shores. 

“Looks like you better clear your storage.” Phantom tapped a clawed finger onto the small screen. “A lot more are gonna be on the way.” 

The phone was snatched from the Lockettes hands, not minding the blood that smeared over the screen as Virgo looked on in sheer disbelief. “No, they can’t be- not a war, not now!” Not while Fascienne was out there, not while Galicia still roamed the isles, not while Aurelian was still under that bastard’s thumb! They thought they had more time than this, time to prepare, time to gather evidence, but at this rate, the bastard queen will kill everyone and the Lord Hospice even have to lift a finger. 

Morgana’s face passed over the screen, galivanting about as she laid waste to the forest village. Virgo screamed, the glass of the phone scattering across the floor as they smashed it into the ground with all of their might. 

No one said anything. Virgo could only hear the blood rushing in their ears and the heaving of their chest in the silence, Phantom looking over at them with complete shock. There was a few seconds before shame took over her face, eyes darting to the ground. Phantom gave a tentative step forward, crunching metal and glass underfoot. 

“Virg?…” There was a pause as Phantom mulled over her words, sucking her lip under her teeth. “Is there… anything I can do?” 

Virgo’s posture snapped straight. They showed too much of their hand. Phantom would not forget this, and it will take forever for her to get off their back. They will have to remember to handle it later. “You can leave.” They said curtly, pulling the gloves off their hands. “I have to clean up here and prepare for the next shipment.”

Phantom couldn’t really argue there.