Circe's Shop of Magical Wonders

[AmbushCat]

Ellen: ...No.

*A small spherical gem (not much larger than a fingernail) falls from where the band was concealing it, bounces a few times on the counter, and rolls to a stop. Analysis of the gem shows that all the colors in the spectrum are seamlessly represented, and glimmers just a little with its own light.*

[Ookalf]

Hm? *Circe examines the gem.* Well, this is interesting... Where did you get it?

[AmbushCat]

Ellen: ...Mom gave it to me as a gift before the school year started. I asked her what it was, but she didn't tell me that or how much it was worth. ...She just told me to use it however I wished and left it at that, but since I'm usually not into heavy expenditures I've just held on to it instead.

[Ookalf]

I see... Are you sure you should be using a gift from your mother as payment, though?

[AmbushCat]

Ellen: ... *shrug* ...She gave me carte blanche to do with it as I pleased. I've had it jammed between that band and my hair almost constantly for half a year. *tilts her head a few degrees, almost succeeding in looking inquisitive* ...It's not as if I'm going to do anything else with it, is there?

[Ookalf]

Hm, fair enough. Consider the price paid. *Circe puts the gem away.* So, you want a bag for those?

[AmbushCat]

Ellen: ...Truthfully, I was hoping I could pass these off to you. These are all spells I don't want or need, and a few of these you could probably re-work into something more your speed.

Cynth: Why don't you want them? You are an apprentice magician, aren't you?

Ellen: ... ... You really think I need a "transform others into maids" spell? Or "squirrel attraction"? Or even "summon Blue dragon lord"? ...You're off your wheel, mouse.

[Ookalf]

If you ask me, you can never be sure what you'll need... But if you insist, I can go ahead and take those off your hands.

[AmbushCat]

Ellen: *struggles a bit to maneuver the scrolls onto the counter, finally succeeding after a few tries* ...Wonderful.

Cynth: ...Wait a sec. "Summon Blue Dragon Lord", was it?

Ellen: ...Yes.

Cynth: ...Does that have anything to do with---

Ellen: *interrupts* ...You're not speaking for me, Cynth. Stay quiet.

[Ookalf]

*Circe stashes the scrolls behind the counter for now.* So, am I allowed to ask about it, or is it off-limits for me, too?

[AmbushCat]

Ellen: *completely straight-faced* ...You're allowed, yes. I just didn't want your pet rodent taking away my joy of conversation.

[Ookalf]

*Circe smirks.* All right then, I'll ask. Does this dragon of yours have anything to do with that new lake that appeared?

[AmbushCat]

Ellen: ...Yes. *leans on the counter* ...I'd found a nice, quiet spot outside of Muffinville some weeks ago. Green grass, nice flowers, unused picnic tables, and---most importantly---...completely devoid of Elk. Great for reading.
...Then a few days ago, a narcissistic summoner and her followers decided to use the place to conduct a ritual.

[Ookalf]

Oh? And what kind of ritual was that? *Circe leans on the counter as she waits for more of the story.*

[AmbushCat]

Ellen: ...It was a summoning ritual. ...From what the followers were telling me, they were bringing a high-tier dragon lord to this plane of existence. Supposedly she'd been around for more than two millennia, had the firepower to level continents and vaporize oceans, could shake the solar system with her strength, had just as high an opinion of herself as the summoner did, and had been completely Blue for who knows how long. ...They'd gathered the necessary ingredients for the ritual, and they were all set to begin...

... ...Thinking back, telling them that they were complete morons for attempting it was probably a bad idea. I couldn't resist.