If he kept about his quips, she was in danger of inhaling a thorn. She raised a questioning brow at his condition, though refrained from retorting until after they’d gotten out of this mess. She was quite certain this story would reach Sophia at one point or another in the not-to-distant future. Of course, she wasn’t to tell Gus that until an opportune moment arose; or perhaps after. Once she felt the resistance against the paint can, Irene leaned back and tugged. Then tugged harder. “Merlin’s Beard, Gus!” How he’d managed to get his foot this stuck in a paint can, she would never know. She was too busy gritting her teeth to brace herself for when the paint can finally released.

There was a sound like a firecracker underwater; in a whirl of colors, most of them red, Irene saw the theater turn as she was thrown on her back. She only had a moment to register Gus’ ridiculous position on the floor before red paint splashed in front of her and she felt something wet on her face. The paint can had splattered absolutely everywhere. Irene was left blinking in confusion before her mouth dropped open and a laugh erupted from her before she knew what happened.

Smaller droplets flew towards her; Gus fooling around, of course, an angelic smile on his face. Another laugh and she wiped some of the red paint off her face before flicking it back towards him. “Don’t start something you can’t finish, Gus Gus…” She warned in a low voice, grinning back.

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