Carver lifted a part of the ridge that functioned as her eyebrows. She wasn't planning on explaining why Agatha wouldn't take her eyes off Barrel, anyway. But the image of him getting slightly paranoid every time he turned a corner and she was just [i]there[/i]... was entertaining. And that wouldn't happen if he didn't notice.

...The image of Agatha noticing him getting dodgy around her was also entertaining. Carver wasn't sure which she found more amusing, but it didn't really matter. Either way, it would be funny. And she was kind of disappointed that Shock thought she'd ruin the fun.

"Barrel's oblivious about a few specific things, but he's not stupid. Most of his absent-mindedness is an act, anyway. Lock, on the other hand... Sometimes I wonder how he learned to tie his own boots."

---

"Barrel! HI!" Agatha waved excitedly when he entered, then suddenly looked nervous for a split second before clearing her throat and taking on a deliberate air of calm. She carefully smoothed her skirt. "I mean, hello. Welcome to the Witch's Shop."

Agnes motioned for Agatha to open the short gate leading past the counter and into the stock room. "One of the monkey hands escaped while we were rearranging the store, and crawled behind one of the shelves. I'm afraid I knocked the whole thing over trying to catch it. We managed to get most of mess cleaned up, but that's a solid piece of african blackwood, and a bit beyond our strength. Be a dear, and help us get it back in place?"

Agatha nodded. "I could probably get you a discount on the spider legs. In exchange for the help, I mean."