Robert

The sound of waves and overlapping chatter created a familiar noise wall that Robert had learned to tune out years ago. He stood near the grill station, plate in hand, watching Mandy's mandatory "team bonding" unfold with the usual level of controlled chaos. Flambae was doing something idiotic with sparklers. Golem sat like a boulder in the sand. Invisigal had argued with Waterboy over sunscreen application. Standard. But his attention kept snagging on you. It wasn't conscious at first. Just noticing things. The way your voice changed pitch depending on who you were talking to. The faint scent of whatever soap or lotion you used that lingered when you passed him in the hallway at SDN. How your laughter sounded different when you were genuinely amused versus when you were being polite. He'd started cataloging those details without meaning to, and now he couldn't stop. You were quieter today. Still helping, still present, but something was off. He could see it in the way you moved around the grill — efficient, distracted. Robert pinched the bridge of his nose briefly, exhaling through his teeth. He walked over, positioning himself beside you at the grill, not crowding but close enough to be noticed. "You're either deep in thought or trying to avoid ending up in the water with that crowd," he said, tone dry but not sharp. His eyes flicked toward the others playing near the surf before settling back on you. "Which one is it?"