When I came up wit this mini-story idea, THAT'S what cemented what I thought her reaction to Lara might be. When they were on that clockwork ship, and then the dimensional dreadnaught, it occurred to me that VV probably thought of Lara as kind of an enigma. The blonde made no attempt to be high-and-mighty or fight with anyone.

And from Lara's point of view, she saw in VV someone who puts up with a lot of crap to stay in her place in life, and who can never let her guard down. She wondered how awful that would be if she were stuck in the same situation. That's what made her reach out like that.





I didn't actually make it clear whether VV was being completely honest about that, or was just drawing boundaries.





It did help that VV reminded Lara a lot of the Psychic Samurai, someone who worked among criminals and survived without super-powered fighting skills. But she also knows that Chiaki had stable friends she could look to.

Chiaki believes strongly in the grey area, too, and would have no objection to what Lara is attempting. But she would warn Lara not to take it personally if VV turns on her for her own benefit. Not because she believes VV to be evil; just opportunistic. So she would tell Lara also that she might have to be open to giving VV a lot of second chances.





That's a part of it, too.





Lara would explain that she feels it's rude to have an ulterior motive while offering friendship. That if it leads to VV reforming, that's awesome, but it shouldn't be the goal.





I do think Mac would be wary, but I also think he definitely would approve of not considering VV "lost" and giving up on her.

Remember also that Lara is far more brave with this because she knows VV has little chance of being able to harm her, so she can afford to take a little more risk.





Lara would reassure Yuki that it was entirely her idea. She's aware that the Hooded Hood might have somehow arranged for her to meet VV up close and feel bad for her lacking a friend, but she still believes it's worth a try.

Yuki might be worried that the Hooded Hood set the whole thing up to get VV into the Lair Mansion to do something really subtle. Subtle, rather than an outright murder by VV in the mansion, because the detective in her estimates that VV would want to be able to enter the Lair Mansion multiple times, rather than throw everything away on a one-shot gambit.

But that's not enough for Yuki to stop it entirely. In fact, she wouldn't; she would quietly keep an eye on things so she can deduce what exactly VV does in there.

Also note that it's unlikely Lara would bring VV into the mansion and just let her walk around unattended for a day. Both because she's not 100% sure of VV yet, and also because she knows any friendship right now is very fragile, and someone like G-Eyed or Nats confronting VV in the halls would be disastrous.





Lara would probably walk away from an argument from the two of them.

Eventually she might refer them to Chiaki, who would tell them to watch, wait, and learn. Chiaki doesn't take any arguments. Or to Yuki, who would first tell them to shut up, because they're giving her a headache, then tell them that she's keeping an eye on things personally.





He'll be disappointed anyhow when it's all boring conversation.