Alicia left yesterday for an overseas conference, and she'll be gone for a week.  I'm sort of nervous, I mean I like spending time with Alicia, I think? She's sort of like a program-addon you can't get rid of, but that grows on you. Except it's a very succubusy addon. I think spending some time away from her can be good, she's been overloading my brain lately, with so much to think about. Goddess does she confuse me. One second she's full on succubus, and the next second she's a motherly figure, I don't even know what category to place her in anymore, she's like a mix of all the classes. Dangit Eleanor, stop, focus on work, not the succubus. You have one week to finalize all these projects before she's back and going to need them. Okay! Day 1, start!

Nope. This doesn't work. Aaah my brain can't compute. How do I solve this problem? I swing my chair to the right as I speak. "Ali..oh...right." Alicia isn't here. Uh, is there anyone else I can ask? No, probably not. Come on Eleanor! You've spent almost 25 years without her, why would you need her now? Let's just put this aside for now and throw my mind at another problem, yeah, like that. See, easy Eleanor.

I'm at the end of day 3, I don't even know why I'm counting. Why am I counting? It's like the succubus has imprinted on me, I'm starting to believe my theory about her having charm spells more and more. This is weird. Hm, I guess I'll just pack up and go home for the day? What do I want for dinner, hmm. Oh! Maybe I can go there to eat.

Making my way through the city I arrive at the familiar restaubar. Ha, ha, ha, who am I kidding. This is the only place in the city I've ever eaten at. I still don't really understand the appeal, it's still more efficient to order food at home, but illogical as it may be. Here I am.

Walking through the doors I arrive at the cozy little atmosphere of Sophia. I did look up the restaurant online, but those are just rumours? Right, right? Yeah. Just rumours. Why am I here again? Oh right, food! I scan the room and look for a place I can sit. Oh, single chairs at the counter, I guess that works?

"Hiya! Welcome to Sophia, do you need a menu or do you want to order right away?"

"Uh, can I have a menu please." I realize I didn't actually read the menu last time I was here, I was too swept up in Alicia's pace and the unfamiliar place that this is.

"Here you go. Say, aren't you Alicia's date from that time?"

Date? Oh right, friend dates are a thing, I forgot that Alicia mentioned that.

"Uhm, I guess?"

"Oh! How is she treating you? I know she can be a bit, forceful."

"She's nice, I guess? I don't really have a lot of experience with these kinds of things?" I mean it's true, Alicia is my first friend, but what does she mean Alicia can be forceful? I mean yeah, she drags me around faster than my body can keep up, but she isn't mean? Well she can be intimidating with that switch aura, succubus one second and cool ice queen type the next. Hm, why does she turn into an ice queen when talking to men? I mentally shrug at my own questions, not important. Food. I read the menu and find a nice little dish I'd like to try. The food was good the last time, so I'm hoping it's as good now.

"I'd like to order one of these if that's fine."

"Sure! Anything to drink?"

"Oh, uhm. Sparkling water maybe?"

"Sure thing!"

What was her name again? Kit? Kiara? Oh, name tag. Cathrine. Right, Cat. I'm so bad with names, especially when I'm having a sensory overload, thanks to a certain succubus.

A little while later the food arrives, and I start eating. Hm? That's weird? I swear the food was better the last time I was here with Alicia?

"Uhm, excuse me. Is the chef the same as last time I was here?"

"Hm? Oh, yeah, she is, why?"

"Oh, um it's nothing, it's probably just me."

Cat looks at me with an expression I can't understand, it's almost the same as when the succubus looks at me like she's noticing something. I don't like her doing this to me, it feels weird, not like it does when Alicia does it. I quickly finish my food, pay my bill and leave for home. I want to sleep.

Day 5. I've noticed something weird since yesterday. It's like I've forgotten something. My body is almost itching. I just can't understand what it is. Maybe I'm getting sick? Should I go to the doctor?

As I'm pondering my existensial dilemma, my bracelet lights up and I see I have a message from Alicia. I guess she's been busy, but I'm a bit disappointed she hasn't even contacted me once. Wait, disappointed? Why am I disappointed?

Hi little Eleanor, are you doing alright?

Seriously? I swear my theory about her having abilities just becomes more and more likely. The second I think that I might be getting sick, she asks me if I'm okay?

Um. I think I might be getting sick, I'm planning to go the doctor after work.

Oh no, what's wrong?

I don't really know. It's like my memory is weird, and it's affecting my body. It feels like there's something missing, something I'm forgetting, but I don't know why. I figure it might just be the start of some virus going around? Maybe a new type of cold?

I don't hear from Alicia for a while. I can see she's typing, but she's not sending? Is she sending something long? Is she going to scold me for overthinking or being careless and getting sick? Like I can't do anything without her?

Dear Eleanor, I don't think you're getting sick. Let it be for a couple of days until I'm back. If you're still feeling like that, I'll go with you to the doctor, okay?

I'm not getting sick? I know she's smart but how would she know? I guess it won't hurt to wait. I would feel a little bit lonely going there without Alicia.

Little did I know about the trouble that would follow once Alicia came back.