[ she'd like the idea of having an impact on merrin that way, however small - especially when it seems like the other woman is trying to have fun with it as much as she's trying to learn. the combination is always a win/win as far as annabeth is concerned. ]

[ she should ask first, but she impulsively sits down on the opposite side of the table before she can broach it and then opts to simply not mention it at all. ]

Not entirely, but I've used books a lot to teach myself things. [ it simply got easier when the books were in ancient greek as opposed to english. ]

When it comes to drawing practice, you can trace already existent pictures as well as trying to copy them freehand. I used to do both all the time when I was a kid.