After thinking for a moment, Elliot went back to Maeve and told her his idea.
"Have Xixi eat a circle around me?!"
Maeve was stunned by the idea.
Looking pitiful, as though wondering whether she was about to be fed to a dog, she hesitated for a long time before finally asking, "What if Xixi loses control and eats me too?"
"That probably won't happen. From the way Xixi is now, she's still obedient."
Even Elliot felt that wasn't quite safe enough after saying it. He thought for a moment, then added, "If it doesn't work, you can transfer into another part of the [Primordial Blood]."
"But what if I can't reach any other [Primordial Blood] then-"
"Then transfer into Xixi."
Maeve was instantly horrified. "Wouldn't that turn me into a dog?"
Elliot said, "...You're already in the form of a Long-Haired Monster, aren't you? What's wrong with becoming a dog?"
"That's different! I can turn back into Maeve from my Long-Haired Monster form, but if I become a dog, I might never be able to turn back! I'd have to spend my whole life as a dog!"
Elliot really wanted to say that being a dog wasn't so bad. That Golden-Haired Dog Victoria kept was quite impressive.
But then he reconsidered. Wait, that wasn't right!
"Even if you possess the [Primordial Blood] now, you still won't be human-shaped, will you?"
Maeve: !!!!
She looked utterly shaken, as though she had never considered this question.
"I-I'm not going to be human anymore?!"
Actually, the full restoration of her condition after advancing in rank might help Maeve regain her human form. Or perhaps she could use her Transformation ability again once she gained control of her body.
Elliot felt that, with the Difference Engine's capabilities, even if Maeve lost her human