The thin bars of Carver's cage were great for keeping things inside. They were not so great for slipping fingers through to get something out, not that Lock [i]could[/i] with his limbs bound. Between Carver, Carmilla, and Shock, he could barely move. Barrel managed to stop laughing long enough to assist.

And by "assist," it meant picking up the bowl of snake skin chips and sitting down on his older brother while the girls finished binding him. Lock grimaced. Unbeknownst to all but Lillith, this was the second time today.

"You all suck!" Lock cried.

Shock stood up to properly admire her handiwork. An amused smile crossed her lips.

"Mmm, I think that's [i]Lillith's[/i] job," she said, with a knowing glance to the ceiling.

"Yeah!" Barrel agreed, then looked confused. "...Wait, I don't get it."

Shock just patted his head. Barrel actually did have a thick skull. Sometimes, she wondered just [i]how[/i] thick. Lock gave up his struggle. Shock turned back to him.

"But I think the only one doing any sucking is gonna be Lock."

She smirked as she got down on one knee to better be at his level.

"Sucking [i]up[/i] that is."

Lock glared up at her. Shock locked her gaze with his and glared right back. As her smile faded, Lock sensed his sister's unspoken words.

[i]You left me with[/i] her.

He tried to keep up his own glare as Shock towered over him. Behind her, Barrel sat still and quietly watched his siblings with tense anticipation, aside from the crunch of chips. Shock leaned in closer and lowered her voice until only Lock heard her.

"You owe me [i]big[/i]."

Lock tried to stand his ground, but he knew better than to push his sister any further.

"L-like I don't already know that?" he asked.

Shock's tone went colder than the grave.

"Glad we're on the same page," she said, "because I have half a mind to revoke my permission until you get your head out of the storm clouds."

Any attempt to keep face drained, because Lock knew if Lillith made any attempts to see him without Shock's permission to allow her here, his older sister would retaliate, and the [i]extent[/i] of that retaliation would depend on her mood. Lock gave her a defeated sigh.

"Fine, [i]your highness[/i]," he said. "Can you let me go now?"

Shock glanced to Carver, Barrel, and Carmilla, and pretended to ponder.

"Hmm...[i]should[/i] we?"

"I'm good," Barrel said with a grin. "This is [i]much[/i] better than the floor!"

"[I]Barrel![/i]"