What my father would say to do in that case is to flip a coin, and then see what you think of the result. Want me to try it?

Sure!

She reaches into her pocket, pulls out a silver piece of eight her father showed her once, and readies it on her thumb. 

She turns it over; there isn't a embossed head, just the Gates of Trafalgar on one side and the spanish imperial seal on the other. 

"Gates, Clara; seal, Anthe." 

She flips it onto the desk, and it lands on the seal of the spanish crown. 

The coin says Anthe. What do you think?  

Anthe it is!

Awww! Alright, then! It's good to know you, Anthe. I think you're really wonderful.

She taps her pen against the page a little. 

What do you know about this world, anyway? Do you know Tenta-chan at all yet? Can I... I really want to talk to someone to help sort out my emotions about, um, Missouri. And you're really good at that. But it feels like I'm taking advantage of you? Because you should get to have a life that's not just listening to things I'm doing. I want to share more and better things with you. Maybe I could learn to sketch! And draw things in you so you can see them yourself. If I could, I'd draw Missouri in you. She's really beautiful. 

I am totally biased about her being the kind of girl who will just kiss me over my wanting to be kissed, though.

I don't really... know her yet? I have the impression she's kind of... free with her affections. I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing. It does kind of suggest that she might be... into things... 

Sorry, I shouldn't be writing all this, I just meant to ask if you were okay about this kind of thing.

It's okay, Maxine! I come along on these trips because one of my biggest interests — alongside helping people become their brightest and wholest selves — is getting to hear about the adventures of people I've helped. I like hearing about things like this. I'd love it if you sketched things in me, too! Or people!

I don't know anything about this world beside what you've told me, though, nor Tenta-chan.

I'm being such a mess, honestly. But it could be a good mess? I feel safe, weirdly enough. Everyone is so kind. 

I think I'm going to go talk to tenta-chan a little and see what she thinks about things. I... need to settle some questions with her too. 

Thank you for talking to me, Anthe. You're very kind and sweet. 

She pauses, clicks her pen, blushes.

You've helped me see who I really am, and given me so many gifts. And I want to repay that as best I can. Is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable? Is there anything more I could share with you? Anything you want to know? I know I just said I want to talk to tenta-chan but it's not right to say goodbye without giving you a chance to be heard. You're so good.

You don't really accumulate troubles or stresses, being a notebook. My biggest worry is hoping my corners don't poke people if they hug me. Just keep sharing things with me as they come up, and maybe draw things if you feel like it. I wouldn't mind helping you keep track of things if you had checklists, but that's just if it would help.

More hearts and sparkles, and several swirling and spiraling flourishes, adorn this and Maxine's message.

Okay, Anthe. I'll do my best. ♡

She draws a few more hearts on Anthe, and then sets her pen aside and closes her gently. 

Away Anthe can go into her pocket space again, so she's safe. 

Maxine smiles slightly, then scoops Tenta-chan up into her lap and squeezes her. 

<So, what do you think?>

Tenta-chan squeezes Maxine's hand with one of her many limbs.

<I think someone has a crush.>

Maxine blinks. 

<A crush? Don't be ridiculous, she's a notebook -> 

<And since when does that matter to you?> 

Tenta-chan's mental voice is warm and amused. <You're the one who asked for a tentacle monster for a pet. You have "the Princess and the Dragon". If you want to make it physical with her, you'll be able to figure it out.> 

Eeeeeeeeeeeep??? 

<But she's a notebook!!!>

<Just because she's not conventionally attractive doesn't mean you're not emotionally close to her. You spilled your heart out to her about Missouri and the rest of the girls with hardly a hesitation. You compliment her whenever she does anything nice or considerate to you. You're drawing hearts in her, and meaning them.> 

Oh gosh. 

<But she's so - so - so innocent! I don't even know if she has the, um, mental hardware to want that. She is a notebook!!!!>

<You could try asking?>

<No way!!!! I can't even ask you about sexual things and you're a tentacle monster!>

<Tentacle pet, please! I'm not a monster!>

<Oh, yes, um, sorry. I didn't mean to insult you.>

<It's okay. You're still learning.>

Tenta-chan reaches up and squeezes Maxine's shoulder. 

<For the record, I'm entirely willing to do anything sexual you want. It's part of why I exist. Do you really think the Spirit would make me incompatible with you deliberately when what you were asking for from the start was someone to love in every way?>

Maxine flushes even redder. 

<Yeah, I kind of guessed that. But... I... Kind of don't want it if it's that easy? It feels like I didn't earn it, somehow. It feels awkward. I want to be cared about enough to be... embraced.>

Tenta-chan creeps up Maxine's shoulders and hugs them. 

<You know I care about you like that already, right?>

<Yeah, but you can't help it. You were made that way.> Maxine looks down at her chest. At her unfamiliar breasts, the shape of her new body. 

<Okay,> Tenta-chan says. <I'll drop it, if you'd prefer your first time be something you have to "earn". But I just want you to know that you don't have to fight for it.>

Maxine pets Tenta-chan's tendrils softly. 

<I think I won't believe I'm good enough until I can go out there and get it for myself. I'm sorry.>