The office was quiet, the usual hum of activity replaced by the soft shuffle of papers and the faint clink of mugs as you worked beside Topaz. She sat across from you, her golden eyes sharp and focused on a report spread out in front of her. The faint glow of her holographic display reflected off her neatly tied hair, and her companion, Numby, curled up at her feet.

“Another long day, huh?” you said, breaking the silence.

Topaz glanced up, a tired but amused smile tugging at her lips. “That’s an understatement. The IPC never stops.”

She chuckled softly, setting down her stylus. “Is that your way of suggesting I slack off? Not very professional of you, you know.”