Gema Gathika Works Through a Commission Late at Night While Viewers Keep Company

AKA VIRTUAL — Gema Gathika of AKA Virtual spent a late-night stream working on a commission, asking viewers to keep them company instead of expecting much conversation.

Early on, Gema checked that the background music was audible, welcomed arriving viewers and a raid, and asked chat to tell them the benefits of staying up late, since they were in a bind. They said they would not be talking much, but wanted company while they worked, and viewers answered that they would stay until Gema went to bed.

“What matters is that I can still touch grass.” — Gema Gathika, on staying grateful

Between stretches of work the talk turned to gratitude. Gema said that what mattered was still being able to touch grass and being healthy enough to eat, and suggested that even a layoff could be a way of saving yourself, since no one can know. Chat echoed the grass line and reminded each other to drink water and eat.

The soundtrack drew questions. Chat said the background music sounded like a jazz playlist and asked whether it came from SpongeBob. Later Gema laughed that they had put the mouse on their stomach to make room for the keyboard, and viewers said the keyboard and mouse sounds worked like ASMR for falling asleep.

Near the end, Gema said they had been struggling to sleep: they usually went to bed by 3 a.m. at the latest, but lately it had stretched to 5 a.m. or later, and they woke around noon. Viewers offered advice on resetting a sleep schedule. Gema thanked everyone for staying and then moved on to a members stream.