[By this point, a combination of being back in a place that's nominally hers and knowing Lily is comfortable with her again has put Winter at ease, enough that Lily's touch from behind doesn't startle her. She manages a soft, brief murmur but aside from that, she just takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, willing the sharp, almost uncharacteristic anger away. Thunder had really pushed a button on this one.]

It can. I certainly need it.

[There's silence for a bit longer, Winter taking comfort in the effort to keep her calm, until Lily's voice drifts up again.] Mm. I know they'll want to pick a bone with me, if not a fight. It would be unlike them not to. But what else can I do? After something like this... we have to send a message. You can't casually pin things on us. Not without a fight.