[ She accepts the kiss with the still acceptance all gods learn, especially poor nymphs such as her with so little power of their own. Circe intensely dislikes this forced parody of affection, but there are so many things she dislikes here, it seems to come out in a wash. What is one more violation of her will, in a long string of them?

It is not this man's fault. He is as much victim as she. And right now, she has no way to defend herself, besides... ]

I am unfamiliar with any location like this, but away from the exits seems wise, [ she answers, as levelly as she can. ] There is... a lurking monster, of some sort, around the grounds. It is a consumer of flesh, and I am in no state to challenge it. [ The practical necessity of this discussion soothes away her discomfort with acting as lovers do. That seems so impossibly long ago and far away from her, as something she is capable of now. ]