Solomon lifted his arm, removing himself from Dexter's field of balance right before the blonde found himself tackled. With a dramatic squawk Dexter flailed, then stopped and grinned. "Ah, I can't even pretend. Come here, kid."

He slung his arm over the boy to hug him back, then put him in a headlock and mussed his hair, ignoring any objections the teen might have. "I'll come by tomorrow morning to bring her out of the kitchen, how's that? Maybe even give you lessons, so long as we don't dustify my suit. My suits are too nice to get dusty."

Dexter released the teen and then bowed with an elaborate flourish toward Erin and Saffron. "Miladies. Good Father Sah. Meanwhile, I need to get this old man to his bed. Toodlepips and all that."

"Vex," Solomon said, allowing his arm to be taken again so Dexter could guide him outside, "you're exceedingly lucky you're on my side for this prank war, or I might have to get you for that."

"Oh yeah? How would you do that, blind man?"

"Don't tempt me ..." Their voices faded into echoes in the main part of the church. Saffron, still standing awkwardly by her chair, looked at Father O'Reilly and waited for an instruction, not quite able to keep the apprehension off her face.