"Good thing you're friends with Pepper, then. She's got the lock on the local party business. It's just as well; I ate an absolutely astonishing amount of cake." Was it his fault that the Walrider made him need a lot of food? Maybe. Was it also his fault that cake was delicious? Also maybe.

"So did you come over because you missed my face? Or is something going on?" His expression immediately turned from teasing to serious, just in case.