Circe's Manor

[AmbushCat]

Ellen: ...Thank you. *hands the maid a few coins* ...Sorry if this is all I have. *pushes open the door and walks on in*

[Circe]

Yeah, sure... *The maid yawns again and goes back to the lobby. In the library, though, Ellen finds Circe sitting at a desk with a book whose name she can't quite make out. Circe doesn't seem to have noticed her yet.*

[AmbushCat]

*Ellen quietly walks up to the desk and waits silently.*

[Circe]

*Waiting, waiting... A minute or two later, Circe looks up and over to Ellen.* Ah... Hello there. Didn't hear you come in.

[AmbushCat]

Ellen: ...I get that a lot. *adjusts her grip on the box* ...How are you doing today?

[Circe]

Fine, thanks... So, what brings you here?

[AmbushCat]

Ellen: ...It was a half day back home, and I wanted to spend my afternoon someplace worthwhile. ...With your permission, of course.

[Circe]

Huh. Well, if it's just you, it shouldn't be too bad...

[AmbushCat]

Ellen: *nods knowingly* ...I left Elk chasing a mechanical gopher back at school, so he won't be joining us. *arms tremble a little* ...Can I put this box someplace? One of Aldonza's peach cobblers is in here.

[Circe]

Ah... Could someone get this box from her? *A maid comes from behind one of the shelves and offers to take the box from Ellen.*

[AmbushCat]

Ellen: *hands over the box* ...Thank you. *gestures at the book* ...So, may I ask what you're reading?

[Circe]

Ah, this? It's just an old magizoology tome... *Circe sets the book aside.*

[AmbushCat]

Ellen: ...Magical animals, then? *leans on the desk for support* ...I suppose there's always something new to learn.

*Oddly, when she leans on the desk, a tattoo of some kind becomes visible halfway down her arm.*

[Circe]

There certainly is... *Circe briefly glances at Ellen's tattoo.*

[AmbushCat]

*The tattoo is shaped like a crescent moon, but that's the only detail that can be ascertained without a closer examiniation. Ellen nonchalantly shields it with her other arm before too long.*

Ellen: ...That's... related to some studying I've been doing. I'm not proud of it.