Circe's Manor THE NEXT

[AmbushCat]

Well, that and heart-to-hearts aren't my thing. Life in general, well... unless they're people I like, I've been at least trying to avoid confrontations these past few years.

[Ookalf]

I see. ...So, am I one of those "people you like"?

[AmbushCat]

*Zapana looks away for several long moments, not answering her. Finally, she utters something almost inaudibly. Almost.*

Maid #81: *covers her mouth with a handkerchief* --Cough-eckTsundereCough--

*halfway rises out of seat, snarling* Teyandee?!

*Cue a series of giggles from the staffer. Zapana decides that it's not worth getting worked up over and sits back down, trying and failing to suppress a smile.*

[Ookalf]

*Circe chuckles.* Well, it's nice to know you care.

[AmbushCat]

*blinks* Um... thanks. *looks away, the slightest tinge of red visible past her fur* Try not to let too many people know. I have a reputation to keep.

Maid #81: Um, you kind of ruined it the first time you grabbed the Mistress and that crazy girl in a bear hug. Was that intentional?

... ... ...

Maid #81: *sweatdrops* Uh... right. *nervous smile* Shutting up now. Sorry.

[Ookalf]

Relax, Zapana. I'm not about to tell anyone.

[AmbushCat]

Good. I'd rather not have to answer a lot of questions from my listeners by saying: "Jumping to conclusions is not an Olympic event."

[Ookalf]

Yeah, I can understand that...

[AmbushCat]

*nods, tapping her chin in thought* I'm pretty sure it's happened a few times around here, to say the least. Not that I'm inquiring about specific examples or anything.

[Ookalf]

Eh, I can believe it has...

[AmbushCat]

*Before Zapana can reply, a brief snippet of Spiderman's MVC3 theme can be heard from her pocket. Scowling, she quickly downs the rest of her drink and pulls out her cellphone.*

Excuse me a sec, Circe. *answers the phone* S.C.? How'd you get my number? ... *frowns* Seriously, dude, the "Web" jokes are getting old. What's up?... *face visibly pales* ...@#$%&(#$ #%&#. Alright, I'm on my way.

*Zapana turns off the phone and turns to Circe. Nearby, Maid #81's face has turned red with mortification after hearing the extensive burst of profanity.*

Could you have my seat held for a minute? Something's wrong with Callista, and I gotta go help her.

[Ookalf]

I suppose so... What happened to her?

[AmbushCat]

You know that whole "perfect control" thing Calli has over her mind? Someone---a whole bunch of someone---just overwhelmed it through brute force. Be back quick.

*Zapana hops to her feet, drops the chair into the hands of Maid #81, and disappears in a magenta-colored streak. The staffer is quick to set it back down, grumbling about trollish wolves.*

[Ookalf]

...Ah. Hope she's OK... *Circe snaps her fingers, and a crude Zapana plushie appears in the seat Zapana just evacuated.*

[AmbushCat]

*Maid #81 immediately grabs the plushie and hugs it to her, squealing. Her brain catches up to what she's doing a few seconds later, and she returns the plushie to its seat a few seconds later, blushing mildly.*