[@McHaggis]

Hecate accepted the mint and smiled graciously, instantly chewing the weed and sighing in relief. "Ah, thank you child," Hecate said, chewing the mint and looking at the collar. "Wouldn't your master be furious to find you out here on your own? You could run away if you ever found a key," Hecate said, stretching back and shedding years from her face until she was more of a matron, still dressed in vagrants clothes however.

"You are not a slave. You are more free than most men, child. Return here tonight when you escape," Hecate demanded, setting the key downon the slab and covering it with dried grass for Melissa to find later. "After that, I will tell you what to do next."

Hecate rose and the filthy clothes shifted into a much nicer set, her face once again liquidly changing between maid, matron, and crone with each shift of sunlight, and she smiled blessedly at Melissa. "Hurry home. Your master is beginning to get suspicious. I will see you at midnight, child." As Hecate walked away, she turned and pointed at her lips. "Thank you for the mint."