David showed up at the office bearing two large cardboard cartons.

"What's that?" Eric asked. He checked the hallway for traffic before unlocking the steam tunnel entrance. David handed Ben one of the boxes.

"Ugh!" Ben commented. "Heavy."

Dave refused to answer until they were settled on cushions with Drake in his cave. "Social lubricant," he announced, opening the larger of the two cartons.

"Beer!" Drake grinned his dragonny grin. At least by now Eric had learned ...