Techno-Dann tried on his best glower. "I'm going to have ropeburn in the morning."

"Good. That means I'm doing my job properly," VixenMage said. Smiling sweetly, she tugged the knots tighter.

Techno-Dann winced as his arms jolted in their sockets. "Really, I don't think it has to be that tight."

"Look, whose idea was this, anyway?"

"Er... yours?"

"Oh, really?" VixenMage frowned. "Well... exactly! So stop complaining."

"No, listen, that didn't even make-"

VixenMage pulled on another rope - the one that fed through a system of pulleys, then down again to the barrel that Techno-Dann was tied tightly over. The barrel rose ponderously into the air until it was at VixenMage's eye level. She nodded in satisfaction and tied the rope off, then turned and gave the barrel a shove.

The cask swung in the air, slowly at first, but speeding up as VixenMage continued to push. It developed a gentle spin, and Techno-Dann's face obtained a greenish tinge.

"I don't even understand," he complained as he and the barrel swung back and forth in front of VixenMage's face. "Why is this supposed to be sexy?"

"I haven't a clue," VixenMage admitted. "Maybe you're supposed to take your clothes off first...?"