"For you, or for me?" she mumbled as she strode for the double doors at the end of the hall, which began to swing open. She stopped.

"Miss Miller," the voice boomed, reverberating out of an iron mouth and off the slate and masonry walls.

"You need not have brought an escort in tow."

"He's tenacious," Layla said with an easy shrug.

"Thank you for the hospitality, Doctor," Layla said with what almost could have been a kind of curtsy, and at least showed off the dress.

"It suits you," Doom replied.