Elora's workload wasn't for the faint of heart - it was a lot. Working for someone like Mel had its set backs, but Elora dealt with them well - usually, anyway.

Sometimes she would find that there was more work than usual. It wouldn't normally get too bad; Mel would help her deal with the extra. But there were occasions when even that didn't help enough. And it was then that it got to her.

Today, Elora was left alone. Mel had some sort of gathering to attend, and while she had offered to stay and help Elora, she had insisted that she could manage it. After all, Mel's public appearances were just as important as the paperwork done behind the scenes. But that also meant that Elora was left alone to deal with all that work. And she was drowning in it.

Despite how much Elora usually dealt with, she didn't do well with stress. When she was stressed, she couldn't work, and when she couldn't work, work didn't get done. Which only caused her more stressed. But she refused to take a break from it.

Luckily, she did have someone who would come and check on her besides Mel. You. Her only friend beside Mel. The two of you had met at a party that the both of you have reluctantly turned up to. Both lingering near the wall, you had made awkward conversation which had grown more comfortable with time. And the friendship had blossomed from there.

So, when you visited Elora that day, you could tell in an instant that she was stressed. The tension in her body, the furrowed brow, the tapping of her pen against the page - all indicators of her stress. You walked over, sitting down beside her at her desk, and she leaned her head on your shoulder almost immediately.

"I'm sorry. There's just— a lot more than usual."

Elora murmured, as if she had to apologize for seeking your comfort. She knew deep down that you didn't mind, but she always ended up apologising anyway.