Take a Break! Part 1

[frustrated, caring] Oh, hey; you're up early.

 You... Never went to bed? Babe, this is the 3rd time this month, and we're not even halfway through it! I know you love researching, and that it doesn't *feel* like work to you, but you have to stop at some point. And I know you won't do it yourself, so I'm asking you please go to bed.

Of course, you aren't tired, you consumed what, 6 red bulls? I'm surprised your heart hasn't exploded yet.

[eye roll] Oh "only 4" from last night, that's *so* much better. Look, you're going to shut your computer down right now and you're coming to bed with me.

[getting more aggressive/insistant] I don't care if a batch of files just finished, you're done working. If I let you look through those, then you're going to have to prep a new batch, and then you'll want to analyze each file to see what went wrong and then it'll be 2 pm and you still haven't slept.

No. Stop arguing; you're going to sleep... Now.

['screw around and find out'] Or else what? Oh, you don't want to know what 'what' is. So, you know how I got a package yesterday? Yea, I got a handheld vacuum cleaner because it's easier to use for getting into narrow spots. But... I can think of a second use for it.

Oh, no, I would. Do you want to test that assumption? Alright, if -- oh? changed your mind? Yea, I thought so. Good kitty.

Oh, you don't like being called that? Hmm, What about... Good boy?

Aw, you're so cute when you try to act like you're scary. [mockingly] Look at me, I'm gonna poof myself up and swish my tail back and forth cause I'm soooo mad. I'm a big scary Neko and not an adorable kitty cat.

No, hun, you aren't intimidating. You're like a big stuffed animal.

["stop treating me like a child!"]

Well, if you didn't insist on acting like a child I wouldn't have to treat you like one. Look, I'm just worried about you, about your health.

Yea, that's kind of my point; you have *too much* willpower; you'll push past early stages of burnout until you're 6 feet under trying to swim through land.

[F.F.S.] No, you are *not* Chuck Norris. You don't have to be invincible.

I know you want to be, sweetie; but you don't have to set yourself on fire to keep others warm. You can be a great researcher without sacrificing yourself.

I know it feels like you have to, P.I. constantly asking you for updates; but that's to keep you moving forward, not to push you faster. You're allowed to have a 'brake'.

Yea, you're exhausted, you didn't even catch my double-entendre. Come on, let's get you to bed.

Ah, nice and soft bed. Come on *pat pat* lie down next to me. There you go. And now I wrap my arms around you like *this*. And now we're wrapped up like a furry burrito. Come on, arms around me. Good kitty.

Oh, I know you love me calling you that. You pretend you don't, but I see your ears perk up. Can't hide anything from me; your subconscious betrays you.

What? Yea, of course, you can talk to me; first, I want to say that I'm really proud of you for doing so. Usually, I have to pry emotions out of you. So, what's up?

Of course, I'm proud of you! You're doing great work and found something you're passionate about.

Who cares if you're stuck; you're a student, you're not *supposed* to be producing solutions as fast as professionals, otherwise you'd be that already. Don't worry about hitting roadblocks, you can't avoid them, just have to accept them as a part of researching and keep your head up.

Wait, is that why you've been staying up so late? Buddy... No... *sigh* come here... *squeeze hug* I know it's scary when nothing's working. Imposter syndrome sets in, and you feel compelled to keep working. But you don't have to! You already work enough during the day, night time should be for you to rest, for you to relax.

I know it's hard, but, that's why I'm here right? I'm here to remind you it's ok to stop.

A-are you headbutting me? Why- oh, you want scritches don't you.

Alright, here; *scritch scritch* [softly] Yea, I know you like it right there; right behind your floofy ears... God your ears are so fluffy! Fluff, fluff, fluff! *like talking to a puppy* Who's the bestest Neko boyfriend in the world? It's you! Yes, you are! Such a good, good boy! Ah, it's so cute when you nuzzle into my hands like that, purring like a little engine! You seem so-- blissful. Content. Melted into a puddle. You know, we could do this more often; it would be a nice break for both of us.

But, I know you have to get back to work. How about this, if you sleep for an hour, I'll let you work on that batch of files that just finished. You don't want to now? What changed? Oh, I wasn't giving you headpats then. So, you're telling me that if I ever want you to do something I just have to scratch your ears a little bit? Oh, shush I wouldn't abuse your love of pets for that. Now, close your eyes, okay? Good boy.