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Sometimes, shifts operating the Well could run particularly long. Never long enough to pose a seious risk to the Ascendants' health -- the Elder Witches were being more careful about that. But long enough to leave them going home physically wiped out.
This was one of those shifts for Valerie. She'd been at the Well for 36 hours, and she was starting feel the sweat pouring down her forehead by the time she was allowed to leave.
By the time she got home, she was ready to collapse onto her bed. But she also knew that her mother and brother may need help preparing dinner. So she put on the brightest smile she could manage and walked in --
...Wait, the door's unlocked!
Nerves spiking, Valerie carefully crept into her house, preparing an attack spell, just in case.
And then, she heard a familiar voice singing to herself, coming from the kitchen.
Oh, thank God! It's Daniela!
...Daniela?
Valerie cancelled the spell and ran up to the kitchen to find her girlfriend putting something into the oven.
"Hey, Dani!"
Daniela jumped back a bit, as if startled by her girlfriend's presence. "Val! You're home!"
"Yeah, my shift is finally over! Um...I didn't think you'd be here..."
"Oh, yeah!" Daniela replied, as if she'd only now remembered that an explanation was warranted. "Figured making dinner would be the last thing you wanted to do after your shift. But don't worry, I didn't break in. William let me in."
"Aww, honey, that's really sweet," Valerie replied, "but you really didn't have to."
"It's okay, really," Daniela reassured her. "I'm having a lot of fun with it! Besides, an Ascendant needs her rest, doesn't she?"
Valerie kissed her on the cheek. "You're the best!"
Daniela blushed. "I learned from the best."
Valerie smiled and left the kitchen, taking a seat on the nearby couch.
Finally getting a chance to sit down felt great. But what felt even better was knowing she had a wonderful girlfriend to help her out when she needed it -- even when she was bad at asking for it.