Maeve arrived at Cassandra's place, she ascended 35 floors in a lift to reach the penthouse. Standing at the entrance, she hesitated, contemplating the best way to confess her feelings to Cassandra.

"Hey Cassandra, wanna go on a date? No that sounds too forced," Maeve muttered to herself, grappling with the internal struggle of finding the right words.

Today was the day she aimed to make her feelings clear.

"Why is this so hard? I never struggled like this when it came to talking to Miss Davis. Maybe it really was just a silly crush, but with Cassandra, it's different. As comfortable as I am around her, she makes me so nervous. My hands start to sweat, my heart beats out of my chest and my knees get weak. Is this normal?" Maeve questioned her own emotions, caught in the midst of a whirlwind of uncertainty.

Cassandra's voice, seemingly from thin air, interrupted Maeve's introspection. "Will you remain standing there, or are you going to enter?" she inquired.

Startled, Maeve quickly turned around, unable to spot Cassandra. "What the? How are you doing that?" she asked in bewilderment.

"A transparency spell on the door coupled with a telepathic incantation, elementary stuff really. Now, will you enter or just continue to stand there?" Cassandra's voice resonated inside Maeve's head.

Maeve opened the door, and the wonder of Cassandra's penthouse unfolded before her, as if witnessing its magic for the very first time.

"This place is so amazing. I can never get tired of coming here," she remarked, captivated by the surroundings.

It appeared that Cassandra had subtly added a few new elements to her enchanting environment—arcane runes & inscriptions that decorated the far wall and a door that wasn't there before, enhancing the magical allure of the penthouse.

Cassandra was on her phone, floating above the settee in her characteristic fashion, she was layed down like a royal would, her elbow seemingly leaning on something that wasn't there, she acknowledged Maeve's presence.

"Good afternoon!" greeted Maeve.

"Greetings," replied Cassandra with a serene composure.

"So, I was thinking..." Maeve began, her nerves palpable, "...I know you're super busy and everything and like, we barely know each other, which is why I'm asking what I'm about to ask in the first place, not that I expect you to say yes but it would be great if you did, It's okay if you say no because I know ho-"

Cassandra, cutting through Maeve's hesitant words, reassured her, "Maeve darling, spit it out. I won't bite your head off."

Taking a slow deep breath, Maeve composed herself.

"Okay... would you like to go into the city with me today? I thought we could grab a bite, maybe see a movie?"

Cassandra sat up, descended gracefully to the floor, and glided toward Maeve, stopping in close proximity to her and leaning forward. Their noses nearly touching as Cassandra observed, "Hmm, you're nervous. Why?"

"Nervous? Me? Pssh, no way," Maeve responded, though her inner thoughts betrayed her true feelings.

"WTF, how does she know? Well, she is magic, so I shouldn't even be surprised when she does weird things like this," Maeve said internally.

Cassandra stepped back.

"Very well, give me a moment to change," She requested, her magical prowess evident in a twirl and a snap of her fingers.

In an instant, her revealing nightgown transformed into a stunning ensemble—a black backless halter top paired with a split thigh skirt that showcased her flawless legs, seeming almost too perfect. The dress accentuated her curves in ways that Maeve had never noticed before, from the captivating silhouette of her breasts to the impeccable snug fit around her plump butt.

"Woah," gasped Maeve.

"What is it? I saw this attire on one of those websites you constantly rave on about. Is it perhaps too much? It's too much isn't it." Cassandra inquired, seeking Maeve's feedback.

"No no, it's perfect. You look... you look beautiful, Cassandra," Maeve complimented.

Cassandra, taken aback by the sincerity and warmth of Maeve's words, felt a flutter in her heart. This unexpected compliment resonated differently from the polite niceties she was accustomed to in social settings back in her world.

"What in the nine realms was that?" Cassandra wondered, choosing to dismiss it as a minor occurrence, yet subconsciously acknowledging Maeve's role in the subtle changes that had unfolded in her behaviour since arriving in this realm.

"I can't help but notice you wear pretty much the same attire almost every other day. After today, if you're willing, why don't you let me purchase you some fine garments, or better yet, I can make you some myself. I'm quite the tailor, if I do say so myself," proposed Cassandra.

"Haha, yeah, being a student in this country will leave you broker than you ever thought you could be. Most of my money goes towards transport and food, so I don't really buy a lot of nice clothes," replied Maeve.

As Cassandra's words sunk in to Maeve's brain, the realization struck her. "Wait a second... did she just ask me out on a shopping date? And just offered to give me a gift? Somebody pinch me," she thought, her excitement evident.

"YES!" Maeve exclaimed, startling Cassandra.

Maeve cleared her throat. "Sorry, yes, I'd really like that."

"Then it's settled. We shall discuss the details at a later date, but for now, let's be on our way shall we?" suggested Cassandra.

"Let's do it!" replied Maeve eagerly.

As Maeve turned to walk out the door, and Cassandra prepared to fly off the balcony, they both halted simultaneously.

"My apologies, force of habit," said Cassandra.

"No I'm sorry. I should've remembered you can fly. I can meet you there if you'd like?" suggested Maeve.

"Nonsense, we shall go together. I'll walk with you," insisted Cassandra.

"Eeeee!! Could this day get any more perfect?" Maeve's internal thoughts were brimming with excitement.