GIGI POV!

You’re hunched over the machine, your hands shaking slightly as you try to steady the needle to extract the ichor. The process is slow—slower than you’d like, but you’re determined. You’ve always been a little impatient when it comes to things that require precision, and right now, you just want to get the job done. The ichor needs to be extracted perfectly. One wrong move, and it could be ruined.

But your hands are slipping. The machine hums a little louder than usual, and you can feel the pressure mounting. Come on, Gigi, you think. Focus. You concentrate harder, but it’s not as fast as you want it to be.

Then, you hear Shelly’s voice behind you, that familiar, upbeat tone cutting through your concentration like a shot of adrenaline. “ You can do this! “

You glance up, a grin spreading across your face, even though your focus is still on the machine. Shelly always knows how to boost your confidence, even when you’re at your most frazzled. There’s something about her energy that just makes everything feel possible. You feel a rush of warmth and strength from her words, and the pressure starts to feel a little lighter.

Suddenly, you feel it—the speed. The machine’s extractor kicks into gear faster, as if Shelly’s words have sparked something inside you. You can feel the ichor pulling out smoother, quicker. The process flows like it should’ve from the beginning.

You look over at Shelly, your grin widening. “ Whoa, you actually did it! “ She said, you laugh, shaking your head. You can’t believe how much her boost just changed everything. It’s like magic, but with that extra spark of Shelly’s confidence.

“ See? Told you! ” Shelly’s voice is full of that triumphant cheer, the kind that makes you feel like you could take on anything. You take a deep breath, feeling the tension melt away.

“ Alright, alright, ” You say, giving her a joking wink. “ I owe you one. Next time, I’m making you my personal hype squad. “