Barrel nodded again and headed out to wait for Agatha. He heard the shop door lock and frowned. He wasn't up to anything!

...At the moment...

...It [i]would[/i] be a good opportunity to do some quick snooping or swiping...

...Okay, that was probably fair, especially given their recent mischief.

Barrel perked up and smiled when the shop door opened again. Agatha looked...well, different. He tried to place his finger on it as she descended the steps, though when she misstepped and stumbled forward, he completely forgot that thought as he moved to catch her, only to find she was already fixing her hat.

"So, um. Excited to go, then?"

He let out a nervous laugh.

"Sorry about being late."

Barrel cleared his throat.

"B-but it can only get better!" he said quickly. "...Right?"

[I]Please[/i] let it get better. Now he was [i]certain[/i] Lock was right about smoothing things over with her, and come to think of it, Lock [i]did[/i] say one reason he had to do it because Agatha wouldn't trust Shock, and that it was better if they weren't around. Which meant [i]Shock[/i] was probably counting on this too, if she wasn't going to be around to screw it up.

[I]Bones[/i].

Tonight [i]had[/i] to go well. His hands already ached from pricks and pinch marks from scorpion care, and he [i]really[/i] didn't want to see what else she'd tack onto his punishment out of spite if he messed this up too.

Barrel awkwardly held out his hand for her to take. Best to just get it overwith.