#anywhere

---Fade, to conversation---

Charity screams as she was sleeping, and now a cage has landed on her bed with a pair of eyes

Vince, of course, wakes as he was cuddled with her

Vince blinks sleepily, and it takes him a moment - he draws an arm around her protectively, but then puts things together.

"Now, now, is that any way to greet a guest?" He says soothingly to Charity. To the sluagh, "Wouldst though prefer little or big spoon, or middle?"

the pair of eyes in the dark cage whispers "tea spoon, if it please? In actual tea?" feminine voice

"Vince, you have to warn me about trying new things" Charrity fusses

"My sweet, as mistress of the linens, you must have a key to every chamber. Please, we must unlock this one post haste." He taps at the lock with a fussed look.

Does the occupant of said cage look well, injured, etc? The cage itself - still warded? If not, how sturdy?

Not warded, but locked. Charitty however has magics to use, and soon pops the woman out. She's filthy even by herr kith's standards, but Vince can see the potential for beauty under the muck, but then, all women are beauiful , it is written so in the book of Vince

He takes a step back, giving her space, and bows elegantly. "I imagine that I know from whence you came, and shan't ask you to explain. Merely, while we fetch tea, wouldst you wish to visit the en suite? The facilities are quite nice, and I am certain that in the name of charity, one lady wouldst not begrudge another use of toiletries?" Gesturing towards the bathing chamber. It might still have rose petals and scented candles, but perfectly tidy otherwise...

"I.. we were prisoners of the varich" the sluagh admits "A troll and a kith sister came up and he cast.. freeing us"

Vince looks delighted. "Why, I knew it all along. After all, tis I who sent them. Now, hush, go, relax and make thyself comfortable. I may only lie, but know it true - you are amongst friends here."

"It's as he says" Charity says "i'm Charity, a maid here at Earth Runes, this is Vince"

"A maid? A maid?!" Vince looks aghast at this simple dismissal. "You have here the lovely lady of Charity, Mistress of the Linens! The most lovely of boggans, holder of keys and of my heart, and she also squeaks adorably if you tickle behind her right knee..."

A blush and another BLUSH "Vince" the boggan fusses "now, let's get a bath drawn for her, she's filthy."

"I shall draw, I am the artist, after all. Perhaps the tea?"

"yes, please" the sluagh says to both

He takes the cage, lifting it - perhaps not with the ease of a troll, but he is a large and muscular fellow, and sets it outside the door to be disposed of, as he might leave an emptied breakfast tray. Then, the bath is drawn. A selection of delicate scents are offered for the soap, along with simple unscented, should the odors offend a delicate nose.

Soon, the sluagh is cleaning up.

And Charity pulls Vince aside "Vince, I have some clean clothes from her, probably too 'new' for her liking, but gossip says sluagh have appeared in cages all over the place"

He blinks, surprised! “More than one? All… over?” He frowns mightily. “My lady, one more eloquent than myself must need explain… but that they must be given every comfort. Treat them with Velvet paws.”

"Of course I.. oh, Velvet, and perhaps Ivanka the kinian as well..." She kisses his cheek "you're brilliant, Vince. "

"Spread the word, if you would, lest our guests be seen as unwelcome?" Knowing a boggan can spread the word like nobody's business!

"Right away, Vince" She says "Let me set the girl up with some tea"

"Right-o." He salutes.

"And... go look around, see they get help?"

"Ah, yes." A moment's hesitation only, he had very much wanted a glimpse at the lady once properly cleaned, but he knows his duty, and bows with a flourish. "Yes, oh Taskmistress."

Out to the halls he goes, eyes peeled for more arrivals!

He finds Oswald rubbing his knee, a cage nearby

Vince kneels - either to check the poor knee, or to peer in through the mesh?

"You poor thing." He murmurs, to one, or the other?

By gum, another slaugh

this one older, and male

"Hey, Vince is.. this prank your doing?" asks Oswald

He straightens up. "Nay, tis Shalimar's, the dastardly polecat. You see, he thinks that since he must wear stripes, others must also play the role of convict. Quickly now, unlock this contraption. Post haste."

Vince taps on the lock, voice urgent and sincere - at least, sincere in his lamentation of Shalimar's sins.

"My apologies for correcting you ,sir, but I was victim tto a Varich hold, not a..shallimar? "

that from the gent

"Oh, Shalimar is far more wicked and vicious. Never fear." His tone gentle, "I shall protect you from his wiles, and thy previous captor may not reach here."

"You're too kind, I must say" the sluagg whispers

and the lock is undone "Stubborn thing" Oswald had to use force "you okay sir?"

Vince offers him a hand, if needed to stand after the cramped confines.

"I am.. a mess, but I shan'tt complain . Rescue is not something to sneer at" he takes the help

Insight comes to Vince, and he says to Oswald, "Please escort this gentlefellow to thy own lady love. Tell her, if you would, that I personally order that she is to scald his wounds, harry, harass, and hang him out to dry. Once thusly treated, Shalimar's own chambers shall be opened for him. It is the least he can do to make up for his misdeeds."

Oswald blushes at talk of his lady love "Well I .. yes, Vince"

A gentle pat on the man's arm. "The thane will see you to your rest." Thus having HELPED, he sashays onward.

Seeking more new friends! "All over" the boggan did say!

And checking the halls other parts, finds another one

"Oh a thousand curses upon all Varich, and cage fanciers" A sputter from another slaugh

Vince has seen a few of these cages opened by now, does he think he can handle this one? Or better to call for a locksmith or brute?"

Vince has learned to turn the locks into replicas of himself, and Vinces are, by their nature, open.. so easy to unlock

It DOES take a moment longer as he has to pause to admire the replica, but then a little tickle under the chin and the lock purrs right off the cage.

"Promise now, good sir, that once released, you shall not bite?" Vince asks, even as he opens the cage door.

"Oh, how I do wish I had teeth to bite a varich hard, imagine, envying a redcap, most horrid that"