1.)

 (Hoodied Karl questions the beer offered by a stout young fellow with advanced
male pattern baldness, spiked up remaining hairs, and extensive facial piercings.)

BUCKET OF CHEESE: It’s called ‘Witch’s Teat.’

KARL: Is it good?

BUCKET OF CHEESE: Eh. Sounds cool though.

2.)

(The Teat accepted, Karl makes a mild work burnout face and Bucket of Cheese returns the sentiment.)

KARL:Sometimes... I just don’t know, Bucket of Cheese.

BUCKET OF CHEESE:I feel ya, mate.

3.)

(A wild Stevia appears, genderqueering up the panel with androgynous
 stylez. They have a chest tattoo of a winged heart pierced by a sword.)

STEVIA: Hey hey, what are we talking about?

KARL: Damn it Stevia, your big mouth got me in trouble again!

4.)

(Stevia makes the, "Ain't I just adorably mischievous?" face and hand gestures.)

STEVIA: I’m sooo sorry! Hans just gets things out of me!

5.)

(Stevia crosses their arms and looks away, trying to play innocent. Karl glares.)

KARL: Hans? What? I was talking about a million years ago with Jack Ballard.

STEVIA: Huh? That doesn’t sound like something I’d do.

KARL: I didn’t even say-- *sigh*

6.)

(Stevia has bug eyes as they relate a bit of gory gossip.)

STEVIA: Oh my god, speaking of that kid, I heard he died big time. Big nasty car accident. What a way to go, all burned to a crisp, so sad.

7.)

(From left to right, Stevia looks matter-of-fact, Karl looks dubious, and Bucket of Cheese looks like he doesn't know what to think.)

KARL: Well you know he was a criminal, maybe he was just faking it.

STEVIA: No way, I know a guy... They found guts and teeth,nasty stuff. He’s totally dead.

8.)

(As Stevia speaks of evidence from off-panel, Karl's face gets a bit shocked and Bucket of Cheese looks grave.)

STEVIA: Sorry, that was a bit much. I just have to be me though. You know... I can’t censor myself.

BUCKET OF CHEESE: Damn, life’s so real...

9.)

(A "tiptip" at the window pane distracts Demetri from his painting.)

10.)

(Vitus floats outside the window, momentarily upside down, arms crossed. Demetri is unimpressed.)

DEMETRI: There are these things called ‘telephones...’

11.)

(Vitus has righted himself and looks angry. Demetri has a sarcastic expression.)

VITUS: Are you even trying to get Theodore?

DEMETRI: Oh yes, I’ll just arrange a playdate.

12.)

(Vitus now stands in a crouch on the ledge outside, Demetri turns away - not wanting to waste his time with this.)

VITUS: Did Jack introduce you to your new friend? Are you both ‘considerably more powerful?’

DEMETRI: What are you going on about? Why don’t *you* find something to do?

13.)

(As nightjar Vitus flies away, Demetri looks thoughtful.)

DEMETRI: Damn you Angela, immortal still.

14.)

  (In Jack's new apartment, the boys are in slouch mode as usual. Jack's thermal underwear are pushed up to the knees and he is wearing a black bandanna probably given to him by anarchists the other night. Darren is in the CatCat shirt yet again. Jack has legs crossed on the floor, Darren sits on a box. Both have instructions in hand and are surrounded by the tools and pieces of self-assembly furniture and Jack is receiving a phone call.)

DEMETRI (phone): Hello Darling, your pal Vitus is sniffing around. Just a ‘head’s up.’

JACK: ‘Sniffing around?’

15.)

(Jack has a vaguely concerned expression, still talking on the phone.)

DEMETRI (phone) :Just be careful. He’s in an emotional state, and it’s all new for him.

16.)

(As the action of the last panel continues, we see a solitary black balloon floating on the patio outside.)

JACK: Yeah, I’ll try.