someone is talking to her. their voice drifts in and out, words registering as sound rather than meaning. sofia’s gaze is unfocused, fixed somewhere past them, mind still tangled in the quiet hours of the night before—fluorescent lights, steady hands, the weight of careful work that doesn’t leave you just because the sun comes up. she nods once, automatically. then again. when the sound stops is when it catches her attention. sofia blinks, the moment catching up to her a second too late. she looks at them, lips pressing together before the apologetic smile appears. “…okay,” she says, gentle but amused at herself, “either you were talking just now, or i’ve been staring through you like a haunted house attraction.” it's a small laugh that escapes her lips. “could you run that by me one more time? i promise i’m back in the room now.”