Ellen had already prepared a bowl of mashed beef, egg and honey. "Here ye go, thar's just enough ta spread on 'is mug, I ain't wastin' more of mah food than Ah must,"

Randy nodded and sighed. Out of sheer curiosity (and perhaps a small part defiance), he dipped the end of a finger into the mixture and tasted it. "Terrible shame," he remarked before turning to carry the bowl back upstairs. As though any amount of wasted food could improve Winston's sickly-looking face...

Winston was waiting for him in the tub, "Now hurry! My poor face is getting all dry!"

Randy spread the mixture on Winston's face, only slightly glad to have it covered by something more appealing than the rest of him.

"Eeeeoooh" Winston sighed, "Scrub my teeooohs!" he said presenting Randy with one of his skinny feet.

This time, Randy outright frowned. He very nearly protested, when he remembered his mission and with a visible shudder picked up the sponge.

Winston gave his long, skinny toes a wiggle and splashed a bit of water on Randy's shirt, "Geoh on then!"

Randy bit down on the inside of his cheek to keep from growling as he obeyed. The sooner it was done, the sooner this Winston would hopefully go to sleep and leave him alone...

After about an hour Winston stood, had Randy dress him for bed and then he dismissed him.

Randy was all too happy to retreat down the stairs again, returning the veal paste bowl to the kitchen with an exasperated shake of his head. He could only hope that what he'd witnessed that day would be the worst of Winston's overall activity.

Ellen took the bowl from him, "Awful? Isn't 'ee?" she pursed her lips, "Y'know he's got 'is eye on Alissa? She ain't but thirteen an' ee's already asking about her inheritance."

"Is that what it's all about?" Randy was appalled. "Vile thing..."

"Yes, so far he's not had luck though, but I think 'is goal is to make her his wife in a few years, she doesn't know yet though, an' I don't want ta worry her wi somethin' that might not come to pass, so dinna go sayin' a word noo," said Ellen.

Randy shook his head again. "I wouldn't dare, poor girl. I fear if I must keep scrubbing his teeoohhs, that Winston may find himself accidentally drowned in the bath," he grumbled, though with an eerily accurate impersonation of Winston's voice.

Ellen cringed, "Gah! Dinna do tha! An personally Ah'd no' weep fer him,"

Randy chuckled. "Perhaps it's cruel, but I can scarcely imagine who would. At least he's down for the night, or so I hope."

"Yes, and in the morning you'll have to go in and dress him," said Ellen, "honestly, grown man can't even dress himself...."

"Would it even come as a surprise if he did have an accident? After all, he does seem awfully helpless when it comes to personal care," Randy mused playfully.

"I don't think anyone would be astonished," said Ellen, "But don't go takin' chances,"

"No, I'm hardly in a position to engage in serious risks at the moment... but it isn't an altogether terrible thought," said Randy. It had occurred to him that such a sentiment might be considered dreadful, but if there was one thing he'd learned thus far about humans it was that their opinions all varied--and were sometimes very strong indeed. Surely it wouldn't be too out of place to wish ill on someone as horrible as a Winston.

"No, Winston could die tomorrow an I'd dance on his casket," said Ellen, "Och, look a' tha time, with all the Winston goin' on I haven't had time to bring Alissa her dinner, she must be hungry, but I have ta fix Winston's rose water, would ye be a dear and bring tha' wee lass her food?"

"I'd be happy to do so," Randy replied with a more genuine smile than he'd had ever since Winston's arrival.

Ellen gave Randy a large tray, "I put enough food for ye on thar as weel," she said as she sent him on his way.

"I thought he'd never fall asleep," Randy complained as a means of announcing his presence to Alissa.

"Hello!" said Alissa scooting over on her bed to make room for him, "You brought dinner?"

"Yes, it seems even in his sleep, that man's list of demands doesn't end." Randy sat next to her. "Have you been tending to your studies?"

Alissa nodded, "Yes, I've been reading my history," she said reaching for a roll from the tray.

"Very good. I've been having fun looking after Winston," muttered Randy as he picked up some of the food for himself.

Alissa gave him a pat, "He's only here for a few days," she said.

Randy sighed and smiled weakly. "I am sure I'll survive." Whether the same can be said for Winston shall remain to be seen.

Alissa kissed his cheek, "If you need me to help I will! I've had to wait on him before,"

"Oh, no," Randy replied. "I intend to keep you away from him as much as I can. Though if I escape with my dignity intact, it will be a miracle."

"I just hope he doesn't treat you like he does Hans," said Alissa with a frown, she presented Randy with a ginger cookie, "I love these! You should try one!"

"He'd have a difficult time doing that," Randy assured her. He took the cookie and smelled it before popping it into his mouth. "I do like this," he noted with an oddly analytical expression.

"They're my favorite," she gave him another one, "And I hope your right, I feel so bad for poor Hans,"

"Yes, and had anyone tried to do that to me, I doubt it would have ended well," said Randy with a soft growl.

Alissa giggled, "I don't think anyone would, you're so big and strong!"

Randy smiled. "One of the biggest and strongest," he said, flexing an arm in demonstration.

Alissa feigned a swoon and burst into a fit of giggles.

Randy joined in her giggling with a quiet chuckle and a grin. "You are silly."