As usual, one of Ellie's first stops after settling in at the Manor was Sugarplum's tank. The poor thing was so happy to see her, she wondered with a pang of guilt just how often Ligur was making it down here to see his pet nowadays, and whether young Hugo had been wanting to visit but unable. (Uriel, of course, would have been otherwise occupied.) Tentacle monsters could go for long stretches without food if they had to, but this particular one suffered more for lack of company than anything else.

After making much of the little creature and plying her with extra marshmallows, Ellie said goodbye with a solemn promise to return soon, and perhaps bring a new toy or something else Sugarplum would enjoy.

No sooner had she slipped outside and locked the door behind her than her senses prickled, warning her of another powerful presence, and she turned to find a mystical beast of another sort regarding her with a peevish expression and an ominously lashing tail.

Taking in the Sphinx's impressive, predatorial physique with her eyebrows slightly raised, she remarked after a moment, "I should tell you right now I've never been particularly good at solving riddles. Don't suppose I could talk you into a game of backgammon instead?"