Although Chuck's first thought was to assess the situation at the bar, he was intercepted by one of the last people he wanted to see. His gaze remained stony and nonchalant as Carter approached, but his eyes narrowed as the the other boy dared to touch his shoulder as if they were friends. As far as Chuck was concerned, Carter was a traitor, and it was only his mooching that had gotten him out of jeopardy in the first place.
"Baizen," Chuck rasped, expertly sidestepping to get out from under Carter's grasp. "Taking a shower every once in a while works wonders." He looked critically up at Carter, as if trying to figure out his play before he made it. "I suppose Gossip Girl wasn't lying about your unexpected return to Manhattan. What happened? Decide that the hippie life wasn't for you after all?"