Me thinks so

You arrive to the cafeteria just as the last of the other students are filing out. Looking to the far wall, you spot the older woman from this afternoon wiping down the serving tables. Noticing your approach, she pauses in her cleaning and regards you with a warm smile.

"Ah... So you're the one who has Anna-Bell so excited."

"really? She's excited?, you ask, returning her smile.

"Oh my yes! I haven't seen her so perky since she first began working in the cafeteria. A boy as handsome as you, it's no wonder."

This brings a blush to your cheeks.

"Thank you. Is she ready?"

"Not quite hon. She'll be with you shortly. go ahead and take a seat in the meantime."

"Sure, thank you."

Leaving the woman to her work, you take your usual seat by the window.

There are a few fluffy clouds hanging in the evening sky, illuminated by the final rays of the sun as it makes it's slow descent in the west. The sky in the east is a velvety blue, fading to lighter hues as it follows the sun on it's westward journey. Many students are outside, enjoying the evening after their meal.

Aeriel is cozied up on your lap, her face nesting comfortably in the side of your neck. You lean your head against hers in silent companionship.

"Hi.", anna-Bell says sweetly. Her soft, beautiful voice breaking you from your reverie.

You turn to her and are finally given a glimpse of the beauty without her apron and hairnet.

Her long, strawberry-blonde hair is wavy and flowing loosely down her shoulders. It frames her pretty face nicely. She is actually quite petite, her chest a modest B cup or so, and her hips have an attractive curve.

She is wearing a nice blouse with a thin black summer dress and black sandals. Her blouse has a black base, with numerous tiny geometric patterns of varying colors. There, affixed to her collar is her Cerberus pin.

You thought she was beautiful before, but now you think she is absolutely stunning.

"Hi.", you return her greeting. "Wow... You look amazing."

She smiles broadly and begins to blush.

"Thank you. And you look as handsome as ever. Shall we be on our way?"

You nod and stand, pushing in your chair. You hold your elbow out, and she links her arm into yours.

"So, where are we going?", you ask as the both of you exit the cafeteria.

"I was thinking I could make us dinner back in my dorm. I have my own room, so we shouldn't be disturbed."

"Ok. That sounds lovely."

Along the way, you both discuss your first day of classes. She listens attentively as you recount your experiences in Intro to Tantric Healing and Elemental Affinity. She asks about your affinity, and you tell her what little you know about it. She actually pauses during the walk and turns to face you with concern in her eyes when you tell her about what happened between you, Harmony and Kyrie in Arcane Sorcery.

"I'm sorry they treated you so poorly. Please believe me, not everyone from a noble family is like that. Try not to let those two get to you. They are just petty, and have probably been raised that way. I'm not making excuses for them, but a lot of the time, attitudes like that are learned."

"Thanks. Yeah, I won't pay it any mind. I have more important things to worry about than their nonsense."

You both resume your walk, and you listen as she tells you about her classes.

As she is studying Magical Culinary Arts, it's not surprising that she is taking Advanced Alchemy. From the sound of things, she is actually quite talented in the subject. She is also taking Advanced Enchantments and Advanced Evocation. She is a third year student, so it makes sense that she is in all advanced classes.

Finally, you arrive to the Cerberus dormitory. She opens the door, and you both enter.

The common area is a large open room with a few couches and chairs scattered around a fireplace. It's quite nice, but not as lavish as Chimera House. You notice that there doesn't seem to be anyone around and figure that they are likely outside enjoying the lovely weather.

Anna-Bell leads you upstairs and down a long corridor lined with doors on both sides. Anna-Bell's room is the last one on the right. She unlocks her door and leads you inside.

Her room is large and lavishly furnished, almost exactly like your own. In the center of the room is a queen-sized bed, dressed in beige linens. There is a cozy looking love seat and matching pair of chairs to the left of the room. to the right, there is a very nice desk, actually better than the one in your room. Along the back wall are two large bookcases completely filled with tomes.

"I tried to tell my grandfather that I didn't need so many things, or even my own room... but he insisted. When he gets like that, there is no arguing with him.", Anna-Bell says noticing you studying her room.

"I'm sure he just wants you to be comfortable while you study."

"I know, but I think he spoils me a little too much sometimes. Anyway, come on over here and take a seat.", she says, guiding you to the love seat. As you sit, something occurs to you.

"Hey, I don't see a kitchen or stove or anything in here. How are you going to cook?"

"Just watch.", she says with a grin.

Curious, you focus on her as she crosses the room. You can't help but to get a look at her ass while her back is to you. Of course, it's amazing... from what little you can see with her dress on anyway.

Going into her wardrobe, she starts pulling out different pots and pans, along with a fairly large cauldron.

You see her reach into her mini fridge/ freezer and start pulling out ingredients.

Now, with everything she needs laid out neatly on the large desk, she traces a series of runes in the air and mutters a litany of incantations. Suddenly, the cauldron and other cookware are floating in the middle of the room with flames beneath them. There is a stream of water flowing into the cauldron out of thin air. After a few moments, the water stops and Anna-Bell pours in a bag of rice and covers the cauldron.

She pours some oil into a skillet and adds in two large chicken breasts. With a flick of a finger, herbs and spices float like fairy dust into the skillet to season the meat.

In another skillet, she deposits a medley of vegetables, and likewise seasons them with similar implements.

The smell wafting over to you is wonderful and you can't help but to salivate.

The confidence and ease with which she prepares the meal is awe inspiring. Her face has a constant smile, and she doesn't look nervous or unsure at any time. Her movements are like a conductor of an orchestra.

She looks over to see the stunned look on your face and she smiles.

"first time seeing someone cook using magic?"

"Yeah. That's incredible."

"Just wait until you taste it."

With that, the chicken breasts float out of the pan, and a knife dices them into small chunks in a matter of seconds. The lid to the cauldron lifts to allow the meat and vegetables to be deposited, then lowers again.

Now, she adds some butter and flour to the skillet that cooked the chicken and an animated wooden spoon begins stirring the rue. After a few moments, this too is added to the cauldron.

"It's almost ready. I hope you're hungry."

"Very", you say with a wide grin.

She returns to her wardrobe and pulls out a loaf of bread that was sitting up on the shelf.

"I baked this this morning."

This she places on a cutting board on her desk and slices by hand. She sets the bread on a plate with a small butter dish and places it on the table before you.

"Help yourself. dinner is just about ready.", she says with her warm smile.

"Thank you... but I would rather wait for you."

Her smile widens. "That's sweet of you. Alright then."

She returns to the mini fridge and pulls out a pitcher of what appears to be iced tea. She pours two glasses and sets them on the table next to the bread.

Just then, the fire beneath the cauldron extinguishes and the lid lifts off for the last time.

"It's ready.", she announces cheerily.

She then takes out a couple of dishes and portions the delicious looking food onto them. She brings the dishes over to the table and sets them down, sitting next to you on the love seat.

"Bon Appetite!", she says brightly.

"This looks absolutely wonderful. And the smell..."

"Well, dig in already.", she urges with a giggle.

For the next few minutes, you both eat and talk. The bread is very good, and the rice dish is out of this world. You honestly haven't eaten anything this good in your life.

The talk covers various topics... from music, to sports, to goals and aspirations.

You find yourself telling her about Professor Dove asking you to be the captain of her dueling team, as well as your apprehension. This leads to you telling her about your upbringing, life in the orphanage and the loneliness you endured before your power awakening. You are sure to not mention Aeriel, as you don't know how such information would be recieved.

After unloading everything, she just looks at you with compassion.

"I can't imagine living like that. Having no one, everyone practically acting like you don't exist. I'm sorry you had to suffer so. But, at least you're not alone now. At the very least, you have me... for what that's worth."

You look at her with a blush.

"Thank you. And I'd say that's worth quite a lot actually."

"I think you should accept Professor Dove's offer. At the very least, it will help you to learn a lot quicker. And I am always happy to help where I can."

"I appreciate that. You have already helped me a lot just by being so kind and doing everything you have so far."

"It has been my pleasure.""

She scoots closer to you and looks you in the eyes.

"There's more I can help with too...", she says with a grin.

"Oh? Like what?", you say, rather flustered at her sudden proximity.

"Like this.", she says as she leans forward and presses her lips to yours.

You close your eyes and accept her kiss eagerly. Her hand comes up and caresses your cheek for a moment before she breaks the kiss, her cheeks pink and her smile wide.

"From the moment I saw you, I knew you were special. I don't know what it is, and I don't really care. I just know that I want to be someone you can come to... for anything. I'm not talking about a serious relationship... but if you ever want to just get together, I am here and willing."

You are stunned yet another time tonight. did she just offer herself to you?

"I... er... ummm...", is all you can manage.

She just giggles. "I think I'll take that as a yes. And with that...", she trails off before climbing onto your lap and resuming the kiss.