Vamni has gotten used to the continued refurbishment of her enclosure within the Endless Vault.
Maddy can swear up and down that it's not an enclosure, that she's just building a comfortable home for her- and you know what? Sure, it's at least a little true. The place is nice. What started as a pile of pillows has over months been given some walls, furnishings, magically supplied food and drink. It's comfy.
But dragons are dragons. It's a scaled-up dollhouse- open on one side so that you can look in at her. It's not bad or anything, that Maddy wants to put her in her hoard to be kept and admired forever- It's how she loves. She knows that.
Could stand to love a little more physically, but- ehh, this is nice.
She doesn't even have to sneak her way in anymore, that's how added to the hoard she is. Has a little amulet that takes her back to her spot from anywhere in the world. And then of course, a portstone in her makeshift home that takes her to any of a few major cities; because she's not supposed to walk around the rest of the hoard, because she allegedly disturbs the other exhibits whenever she does.
Guilty as charged, heh.
The most recent addition, discovered when she teleports in for a nice little jaunt around the treasure pile, is that of a personal maid.
"Greetings, Miss." It says, with a slight bow.
She's seen the maids around the hoard before; clockwork automatons more advanced than any she's ever seen elsewhere, carefully fitted with delicate plates of porcelain skin, all wrapped up in frilly little outfits.
They flit about the vault, keeping everything clean and orderly, pouting and stomping their little heels when they see her touching the collection; but they are, like her, on display. 'See here, the One-Hundred Dolls of Celestine Hallewell, the Clockwork Witch.' She imagines Maddy saying, in the same breath as 'Look now upon the only thief to have ever breached the Endless Vault and lived, who stole my very own heart.'
That last part she might not say out loud to other dragons. 's true though.
"Vamni's fine." She says to the maid, as she drops her pack and slumps into a large cushion.
"Miss assigned this one to this dwelling, and made it clear that the occupant was to also be considered this one's Miss." The maid says, picking her pack up after her. "Would Miss like any refreshments? Tea, perhaps?"
Vamni puts her hands behind her head. Well, she seems stuck with a maid now. May as well enjoy it.
"There's a collection of magic pitchers in the kitchen, one produces mead." She says airily. "Bring me some, and something to eat as well."
"Right away, Miss." The maid says, as she bows slightly once more and takes her leave, returning shortly afterward with a pint of mead and a plate of dainty-looking finger sandwiches filled with thinly sliced cucumber.
Not a pairing she would have thought of, but she supposes she did leave it up to her.
"So what's the deal here?" Vamni asks, gesturing with one of the sandwiches. "You just do my bidding?"
"This one is happy to serve Miss in any way it can, as long as that does not conflict with orders from this one's other Miss." Says the maid.
"Orders like?" Asks Vamni, over the rim of her mug.
"This one is not to allow Miss to roam the Endless Vault."
She scoffs.
"Oh?" She says, amused. "And you would, what, stop me?"
"Yes." The doll says, nodding.
"Ohh." Says Vamni. "That's interesting. Because I actually was thinking I might take a stroll right now."
"This one cannot allow that, Miss!" The maid cries petulantly, stomping her heel. "This one just said!"
"Oh no!" Vamni says smugly, edging towards the border of her enclosure. "I guess you're just gonna have to catch meeee~"
She gets one foot out of the house before the doll leaps after her, wrapping its arms around her torso to hold her back.
It is... feather light. Bafflingly so, considering how much metal it should contain. It barely restricts her movement at all. She breaks its grip easily- and after another step it's back on her, clinging for dear life.
"Alright-" Vamni grunts, adjusting the doll's grip on her. "With me then!"
"No!!!" The doll protests, as she's dragged along on Vamni's walk.
Maddy finds her, like she always does.
"Vamni." She rumbles. "You know I don't like you touching things."
"Listen, I tried to pry it off, it's persistent." Vamni says with a smirk, as if she hasn't decorated her arms with stolen gold bangles.
"This one is slowing her down, Miss!" The doll shouts from her back.
Madyssorth the Golden huffs exasperatedly. "You better not have damaged her, Vamni."
"This one is in perfect condition!"
"C'mon now, I'm not so unruly as to break your things. I just like to play with 'em."
The dragon visibly relaxes a bit, but still picks the two of them up once Vamni has returned the bangles to their rightful places. She returns them to her oversized dollhouse and takes a human form, joining them inside.
"You can play here." She grumbles, wrapping her arms around Vamni. "Make us some tea and sandwiches please." She asks the doll, who dutifully obeys.
"It's only fun to touch the treasures I'm not allowed to, Maddy." Vamni states matter-of-factly.
"Whyyyyyyy?" Whines the dragon, burying her face deeper into her.
"Truly, it is a mystery." Says Vamni, holding her close.
