The Arts (Patreon)

Ringmaster is a connoisseur of the arts, music in particular. So when due to wacky, sitcom hijinks the castle's orchestra needed a solo cellist for their upcoming concert, Bastian stepped in to fill that role and inadvertently caught somebody's attention...

Funfact: Neither Ringmaster's (nor Dot's,) swirly eyes hypnotize people. They just don't work that way. However, Ringmaster is what's known as a Grand Witch, which essentially means she could level a mansion with the snap of her fingers. And conveniently also has access to a teensy bit of Illusion magic. Enough to, iunno, play with a little panda's perception and make him see the woman of his dreams.

This was the event that made Maxim realize that he might need a second babysitter. Who was also an alien.