"Work, work, work, huh?" Lock asked. "Sounds like we've [i]both[/i] been busy."

He had to admit, this was nice. As he sat with Lillith and enjoyed his time with her, he'd nearly forgotten about the band meeting. By the time they finished and headed back, though, he more than remembered.

Might as well face the music. Literally.

In the time Lock and Lillith were gone, Shock got a few recordings of their practice sessions. She played them back for the group to determine which round was the best, to make a master tape later to torment Lock. After almost two hours passed, and they saw neither tail nor wing of Lock and Lillith, she called it for the day.

Barrel went to the kitchen to get some snacks and tea. By the time Lock and Lillith returned, the instruments were put away and most of the group was calmly sitting on the roulette wheel, enjoying snake skin chips, critter cookies, and bloodroot tea. As Lock crawled in through the window, he even noticed Shock casually refilling Carmilla's cup for her as the lot of them laughed at a joke Carver told.

The surreality of the whole scene made him inwardly quail.

"How nice of you to finally join us," Shock said without looking up. "Practice went well, by the way."

"And no craters," Barrel said with a grin.

He stuffed another handful of chips in his mouth.