Melody gave her newest curiosity a day to stew. Enough time to alert the rest of her library, and a few choice allies of the situation.
When it was time, she called the head Archivist to her side.
As always, Alberta wore a simple white Chifron with a simple bun and her golden Owl pin. Her face was pinched more than usual today. Her knuckles white on the sketchbook and drawing kit.
"You disapprove?" Melody asked in their native variant of ancient greek, unlocking the door. She grabbed the supplies and led the way down.
"Not particularly. I just hoped this wouldn't happen in my time."
The Gorgon had no response. The curiosity glared blearily up at her. Alberta took her place in the armchair and started sketching. Melody spritzed the water in his mouth and then squeezed the tube of pureed food down his throat.
All to the scratch scratch of charcoal on paper.
Alberta froze, staring up at Melody in concern, then shooting a pitying look at the curiousity- Ronan. It was important to remember he had a name- Before recording his Archive number.
"Yes, tell the others to keep weapons on hand but to stay clear of my quarters." Melody held up the Acid clamps. Alberta nodded her understanding and left without a further word. Melody attached the clamps to Ronan's wrist and ankle cuffs, and the strap for the gag.
She set the timer for six hours.
Then left without a word.
(That was all in ancient greek. Once the clocks run out the acid will burn away the metal. Melody will be ready for him.)
The creature had only spoken in what sounded like utter gibberish to Ronan. It worked like a charm in unsettling his nerves. He couldn't decipher a single word, couldn't gain a scrap of information that could possibly give him the upper hand.
He despised not being in the loop. Painfully unaware of his own fate. At least he allowed his pets the awareness of their purpose...his intentions. This was cowardly.
And the pets...what had she done with the boys? If she had set the pair loose into the world, lost forever - he'd ensure a slow, painful death for the monster.
It felt like an eternity had passed, stuck in his taxing position. His entire body crying out in agony from the chains pulling taut at his limbs, forcing him down to his kness.
But when he heard the light sizzling sound hiss behind him, and the cuffs pressure slowly begin to wither away - he leapt into action.
Ronan growled through the ring gag, pulling with all his might against the chains until the acid clamps finally melted away at the metal and he fell forward on to his front, his face smashing into the ground. With his now free hands, he rips the ring gag away and throws it across the room before it's even done burning away the straps.
His muscles weigh him down like lead, exhausted and wobbly he tries to climb to the top of the steps and reach the door. He pounds his fists against the door, ramming his body weight into it to try and barge it down. But it doesn't give. It stands proud before him, taunting him that freedom is just on the other side.
He drains all his energy trying to tear it down before he finally decides to draw the creature back down to him. He slides his back against the door and sits out of breath on the top step.
"Get down here and fucking face me, NOW!"
He didn't expect for her to actually unlock and swing the door open, glaring down at him as he falls backwards against her.