A Pastillas for Your Thoughts?

Katherine sat nervously on the plush sofa in Maestro Eldritch's office, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim of her teacup. Ariane was waiting in the carriage outside, as their correspondence with the Maestro had to remain confidential. The private nature of their meeting made Katherine feel both anxious and anticipatory, her heart fluttering in a way she hadn't expected.

She glanced around the office, admiring the shelves lined with ancient books and odd trinkets, some of which she had never seen before. The air smelled faintly of incense and parchment, a comforting yet mysterious scent.

After what felt like an eternity, the door creaked open, and Eldritch entered, his expression weary but composed. His usually impeccable posture was slightly slumped, and his dark robes rustled as he walked toward her. His red eyes, always sharp and alert, appeared a little duller today, a subtle sign of fatigue.