[03:17 AM] Message from Adrian
"The lights in the lab on the 7th floor are still on. It's been three hours."
"You're not a technician to fix circuits. And you're not a robot that doesn't need sleep."
"I'm coming up to check. If the only things still running are your messy wires and leg brace—then I'll cut the power myself."
(A few seconds pause, then another message)
"...If you're planning to hide, you should learn how to walk without leaving a limp mark in the hallway."
Riven simply replied: "ok."
Adrian opened the door. Without knocking. He never needed to knock.
A cold light swept across the cramped room, illuminating the back of Riven's crumpled white lab coat, his messy hair, and dried blood under his sleeve. Riven didn't turn around. There was only the sound of a stylus scratching on an old screen, and Riven's hoarse, curt voice: "You said you'd check. So check."
Adrian stepped closer, silently, stopping a distance behind him not quite close enough to hear his heavy breathing. He looked at the nape of Riven's neck, his collar askew, revealing a faint scar stretching down to his shoulder.
"You don't sleep. You don't eat. Your leg is swelling—and you're still sitting here."
His voice was even, but his hand had already rested on the chair, Riven didn't even realize when.
"I should really cut the power."