[center][color=2F4F4F][b][h1]ADRIK KAMENEV[/h1][/b][/color]
[sub][color=2F4F4F][b]Location:[/b][/color] Outside the Break Room
[color=2F4F4F][b]Time:[/b][/color] Morning
[color=2F4F4F][b]Mentions:[/b][/color] [@Liv]
[color=2F4F4F][b]Interactions:[/b][/color]Elena Kozlov; Open [/sub]
[/center]
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Adrik nodded when Elena told him that referring to her by her first name was fine, and chuckled lightly when she joked about their workloads. Right, that was one thing that he was still getting used to. Not to say he hadn't had long nights before with other jobs, but teaching was turning out to be a whole other monster entirely. But it did keep him busy, and the more preoccupied he was with work, the less time his mind had to wander and focus on other things. Things he just didn't want to think about anymore.

[color=708090]"Hm?"[/color] Adrik hummed when Elena, surprisingly enough, asked for his opinion on a book. All things considered, they didn't really know each other too well beyond being fellow teachers at the university, and he didn't socialize all that much to begin with. But he also had no problem giving a recommendation if someone wanted one, so he nodded once more at her. Though it seemed she had trouble remembering the full title.

[color=708090]"No worries, it's understandable considering our workloads,"[/color] he assured her, raising his coffee mug in solidarity before taking a sip. He once again grimaced, he had no idea why he kept trying to drink something he clearly wasn't enjoying.

[color=708090]"It's gone cold,"[/color] he explained as he shook his head, in case she thought he'd made the face at her. But it didn't seem like she'd noticed anyway, as she was staring intently at her phone. He knew she'd taken it out look up the book, but something seemed...wrong. He only barely caught the startled expression on her face before she suddenly turned around to look behind her.

[color=708090]"Huh? Is something wrong?"[/color] Adrik asked curiously, looking past her but seeing nothing out of the ordinary. He looked back at her, but she seemed thoroughly off-put by something, and in a whisper he could barely make out it seemed she'd decided against looking up the book at all now and looked ready to leave. For a moment or so, he wondered if maybe he'd said or come across a certain way that pushed her away, and was prepared to apologize.

[color=708090]"I'm sorry if I- Elena?"[/color] He cut himself off partway through when she suddenly leaned against a nearby wall for support. He approached her quickly, unsure if he should take the initiative to help support her, but figured as long as he was close enough she could lean on him or hold onto his shoulder if she decided to. [color=708090]"You really are exhausted...do you need help? I can get you some water, the break room's right here. Come on, you should sit for a moment, catch your breath."[/color]

As he offered her a hand, he caught her expression again, and something about what she'd said clicked.

[color=#92886D][I]"I'm sorry, I--I don't know what happened just now."[/i][/color]

She wasn't just confused, it was bewilderment towards something that was unnerving her. Something he knew all too well, as of recently.

[color=708090]"...You saw something."[/color]

It wasn't a question. It was a statement without a hint of doubt in it.