#earthrunes

"Then I'll mop you until you get soggy and then put you in the dryer... without a dryer sheet! And the next time a muggle goes past, I'll stick you to their butt with static cling and you'll never get any dreamy socks again!"

"Fine fine... I hearby oath only to take the socks that have already been lost by other means, the ones that have been worn a lot, and holes nearly worn through. Of the warm and fuzzy and bright ones, I shall not partake... and , so you know it is true, this time of year, Sockhaunka, I shall not hunt them at all. Just spare me to walk and creep near washing machines, and at the end of stairwells , and under bathroom ledges an bedroom corners... where old socks are lost often. Will you agree to this, Hambonesnatcher?"

He ponders this. "In the depth of nights when people walk by and there's no laundry going, you may also make a CLUNK! And have them good "Eep!"

"Because I am Dogmar the JUST, and I did hit you with a mop already. I'm sorry about that." He... does sound contrite.

"Oh, most generous..well, I suppose I deserve it for making everyone mean and hateful. I didn't realize at first it would , but then when it happened, well, I'm not normally a very fearsome chimera. I guess, everyone wants to be a villain or a hero, but being just a little thing feels like you don't matter at all." THe monster shrugs "It's okay. I guess I deserved the bop. Thank you for your generouos sparing me of more wet mop"

"Have you tried fabric softener? It might make you feel more cuddly." He offers.

"Oh, and where are the socks that went missing? We must return them to their feets!"

Enri peeks in "is everything o..."

And that's when the monster goes BUUUURRRRPPPPPPPPPPPP!

and all the socks stolen are out everywhere, on top of the pooka pup boys.

Just in time for Steward Delores to come in "Enri! I don't know who your friend is, but stealing socks from others isn't a funny prank! Now you go take these back to each person and apologize"

"But...."

"It was the Gruncher!"

"It's an adorable nickname. Truly" She says

"But...that doesn't change the fact..."

Enri says "We'll return them, Steward"

"Good. Thank you boys" She walks off

And Enri says to Connor "When I said we, I kind of told the truth. You go home. You have saved the day, Noble Dogmar..."

And so, Connor withdraws... like a hero in the old west, like a knight errant, like Benji...

or maybe he'll drag Enri for snaussages

(End Scene)