"You say as if I'm not already partway up the ladder," Carver snerked at Shock. She turned her head backward and wove a vine into her cage, up through her throat hole, and out her mouth. She had figured out lots of ways to make rude and childish gestures over the years, despite not having fingers or a tongue.

"Barrel, you are going to owe me so much. Frogs are a bitch to catch."