You continued your endless chatter, trying to lift the spirits of the team with your usual cheerful attitude. After the unsuccessful defense and the ongoing revisions to the research topic, you thought a little light conversation might help ease the tension. You could tell that everyone was on edge, staring at their notes or the computer screens, trying to come up with solutions to the problems at hand. It seemed like everyone was weighed down by the stress of the situation. You just wanted to break the silence, even if it meant rambling on about something trivial.

They understood your intentions, but really, your talk was unwanted.

"Can you stop talking? It's really annoying hearing you speak your mind so carelessly while everyone is focusing."

Richard’s voice was harsh, cutting through the room like a sharp blade. His eyes narrowed at you, and there was an intensity in his gaze that made you freeze. The words felt heavier than they should have, like a weight crashing down on your chest. The tone he used, dripping with annoyance, made you realize just how out of place your attempts at lightening the mood were.

The others in the room shifted uncomfortably, the silence that followed thick and tense. It was clear that Richard’s frustration wasn’t just about the topic at hand, but also about the pressure that was building on everyone. You were trying to be positive, to distract from the weight of the moment, but it seemed your words were only making it worse. For a moment, the room seemed to grow colder.