Under the Sky

Wellbeing

Zeff

The office buzzed with the usual midday activity, phones ringing and keyboards clicking away. I glanced at the clock on my screen: 1:30 PM. The morning had flown by, a blur of meetings and deadlines. I stretched, feeling the strain of sitting for too long, and my eyes wandered over to Liliam. She was hunched over her desk, intently focused on her work, her fingers flying over the keyboard.

It struck me that I hadn't seen her leave her desk once, not even for a quick break. Concerned, I stood up and walked over to her.

"Liliam," I said softly, trying to get her attention. "Have you had lunch yet?"

She barely glanced up, her eyes fixed on the screen. "I'm too busy to stop, Zeff. I'll grab something later."

I frowned, knowing this wasn't the first time she'd skipped a meal for the sake of work. The dark circles under her eyes and the tension in her shoulders told me she was pushing herself too hard. I could feel Gaius stirring restlessly within me, disapproving of how she was neglecting her well-being.

"You need to take care of yourself," I insisted, trying to keep my voice calm.

"I'm fine, Zeff. Really," she said, waving me off, her focus never leaving her computer.

Something in me snapped. Gaius growled softly in my mind, urging me to do something. I reached out and gently grabbed her wrist, pulling her hand away from the keyboard. She looked up at me, surprised and slightly annoyed.

"You have to take care of yourself," I said more firmly, my voice almost a growl. "Come with me to the café. You need to eat."

She blinked at me, taken aback by my sudden assertiveness. "Zeff, I really can't—"

"Yes, you can," I interrupted, my grip on her wrist firm but gentle. "You can't work effectively if you're not taking care of your basic needs. Please, just take a break."

For a moment, she looked like she might argue, but then she sighed, the fight draining out of her. "Alright," she conceded, her voice soft. "But just a quick break."

I released her wrist and smiled, relieved that she was finally listening. "A quick break is better than none. Let's go."

We made our way to the café downstairs, the fresh air and change of scenery doing us both good. As we sat down with our meals, I watched her relax a little, the tension in her shoulders easing.

"Thank you, Zeff," she said quietly, taking a bite of her sandwich. "I guess I needed this more than I realized."

I nodded, feeling a sense of satisfaction. "It's important to take care of yourself, Liliam. You can't pour from an empty cup."

She smiled, a genuine smile that reached her eyes, and it made my heart skip a beat. "So," she said, after taking another bite, "tell me a little about yourself. What do you like to do outside of work?"

I leaned back in my chair, thinking. "Well, I enjoy hiking and being outdoors. There's something peaceful about nature that I find very grounding. I also like to read, especially anything related to history or mythology."

Liliam nodded, seeming genuinely interested. "That sounds wonderful. I've always wanted to hike, but I never seem to find the time. What kind of books do you enjoy the most?"

"Mostly fantasy and historical fiction," I replied. "I love stories that transport me to another time or place. It's like a mini-adventure every time I open a book."

She smiled. "I'm a big fan of fantasy too. There's something magical about getting lost in a world so different from our own. Do you have a favorite book or series?"