What, you don't dress up as a scientist before doing research? That lacks commitment.

Aesthetically, I really like the bare legs. Logically, I am FURIOUS with myself.

I did try adding a little detail to imply that what's under the thicker part of the armor is a sort of scale mail, but the detail just looked a bit weird in my style, and I decided I didn't want to overdo things on detail anyway.

As for companion immortality in games, it will vary. In some games, companions will just become incapacitated until all nearby enemies are defeated, in some they'll just be done forever at zero HP, and in others, they might always bounce back unless YOU'RE the one who finishes them.

It would've been too wordy to include in the comic, but I imagine the game Grace is playing works like that last example, and Grace is ultimately worried she'll accidentally hit Carol while flailing her claws around.