Cassandra walked around the forest, looking for the perfect location to establish a connection to the magic in this new land she found herself in. Maeve, not wanting to get lost in the woods, followed closely behind.
"I thought I told you to go home girl," Cassandra remarked.
"In case you haven't realized, I have no idea where I even am, so you're stuck with me for now," Maeve replied defiantly.
"Very well, do not get in my way" said Cassandra.
"Mind if I ask what you're looking for?" Asked Maeve
"Your world significantly lacks magic, it's as though nobody even utilises it"
"Well that's just it, we don't use magic. In fact in this world magic is more myth than reality." Explained Maeve
This caused Cassandra to stop in her tracks, resting her index finger and thumb on the bridge of her nose out of frustration.
"This all makes sense now" she remarked. "This land has an abundance of arcane energy but due to the lack of its use it's strength has diminished greatly, and if what you speak is true and nobody in this realm uses magic, the situation is even more dire than I could have imagined."
Maeve took her phone out of her pocket and asked, "can I help? This might go a lot quicker with a little assist from technology"
Cassandra looked at the device in Maeve's hand and said, "That contraption, a phone if I recall correctly. Very well, somewhere in the vicinity, there should be a leyline intersection. Help me locate it, and I'll reward you accordingly."
Maeve looked at Cassandra and smiled, "Silly, I don't need a reward. Being able to help you is reward enough."
This completely caught Cassandra off guard; she'd never met anyone like Maeve. Doing something out of the kindness of your heart for a complete stranger. This concept was ludicrous to her.
"Humans always want something; nothing is ever free," she thought to herself. But looking at Maeve using the map on her phone to lead the way, she felt no deception, nor hostility.
"This girl, why is she helping me?" she wondered.
* * *
Maeve stopped and turned to look at Cassandra.
"Here we are," she said. "It says we should be standing right above a 6-way leyline intersection."
Cassandra looked at Maeve with newfound admiration.
"You've done well, girl. I'm impressed. Now, if you'd like to keep all your limbs attached, I'd recommend you stand back."
Maeve took two steps back.
"Further," said Cassandra.
Maeve took another two steps back. Not wanting to waste anymore time Cassandra lifted Maeve off the floor using with the little magical reserves she had left and set her down a few meters away.
"Omgomgomgomg," this looped in Maeve's head as she was moved by the magical force.
She quickly began to blush. "Why does it feel so good when she does that? Is there something wrong with me? There's definitely something wrong with me," she thought to herself.
With Maeve out of the way, Cassandra readied herself for the last spell her magic reserves could muster. Without saying anything, she began to levitate off the ground. A strong magical wind flowed through the forest, her hair standing upright as though held up by an unseen force. Her eyes began to glow, as she crossed her legs and ascended higher into the air. She elegantly began casting hand signs, her eyes still glowing, looking straight ahead.
The ground began to shake violently , and it seemed the entire forest awoke from a deep slumber. Maeve stood there, looking up at Cassandra in awe. If she didn't believe it before, this was evidence enough; this woman before her was not the woman she'd known. She was a completely different being altogether.
"Mystical forces and arcane energies, dwelling in this domain, heed my words. You have slumbered for countless millennia, now is the time to make yourself known. COME FORTH."
With those last two words, an intense blast of energy erupted from the ground and exploded outward like someone just dropped a magical nuke.
The blast sent Maeve flying backward, but she was quickly saved from going any further by a tree she hung on to.
"Wow, now this is something you don't see every day," thought Maeve. "I think my life is about to get interesting."
Cassandra began to descend from the air, and the green glow that once filled the area began to fade. Her feet touched the floor, and her eyes stopped glowing.
Maeve stood up and ran to her. "So, did it work?"
With style and elegance, Cassandra snapped her fingers, and the clothing she was wearing instantly burst into bright green flames. Maeve let out a little scream, but before she could finish panicking, she noticed it wasn't an ordinary flame. It danced around her clothing, transforming her once formal CEO look to a black-laced attire adorned with patterns and decorations not of this world. She looked like royalty. It was evident that the clothing she just manifested wasn't made from any fabric known to man.
Cassandra laughed with joy and spun around as her dress followed suit. "Ha ha ha, Mommy's back!"
She approached Maeve and looked her dead in the eyes.
"I'm not fond of you humans in the least, but for you, darling, I'll make an exception. Don't read into this too much."
"Read into wha-" Before Maeve could finish her sentence, Cassandra planted a kiss on her forehead, leaving Maeve with a tingling sensation.
"Thank you dearly, human child. I will not forget what you have done here today."
Maeve wasn't even able to answer; the only words going through her mind were "lips," "forehead," "kiss," "tingle."
She stood there blushing while Cassandra readied herself.
"Now, allow me to drop you off. Take it as a token of my gratitude." Cassandra reached out her hand, and Maeve grabbed on without hesitation.
"Her hands are so soft," thought Maeve.
Cassandra put her hand around Maeve's waist and pulled her in closer.
"Don't want you getting split in two now do we."
Maeve couldn't hide her embarrassment; she turned away in an effort to hide her reddening cheeks from the dominant force that held her closely. And with an effortless wave of her hand, they were gone.
The forest fell silent.
* * *
Maeve and Cassandra now stood at the same location they first met, outside of Jennifer's apartment.
"Forgive my impudence, I should have asked where you lived before bringing us; I can still take you if you'd like."
"No no no, this is fine. I don't live too far. Also I wanna walk home; I've got a lot on my mind."
"Very well, be safe child."
Cassandra turned to enter the apartment building, and just as she was about to open the door, Maeve shouted out, "Will I see you again?"
Cassandra turned to face her, "Who's to say?"
Maeve mustered up the courage and asked, "Can I see you again?"
There was a confused look on Cassandra's face, "Whatever for?" She asked.
"I just… just don't go anywhere, okay! I still have a lot I want to ask you about, so don't you dare leave yet."
She quickly turned away and ran off into the distance.
Cassandra stood there pondering. "What a peculiar girl. She speaks to me so informally, as though we are comrades. Does she not fear me?"
She turned and faced the door. "I don't think I've had a nice conversation with anyone for that long before; it was nice." She smiled to herself, reminiscing on the eventful day she had.
Further down the road, Maeve was shaking the hand of every passerby that she walked past, doing little victory dances along the sidewalk. Anyone looking at her would've thought she was a crazy person.
The joy she felt was palpable; today had been the best day ever in a very long time, and she just couldn't contain it.