Raising an eyebrow at his best friend as he seemed to gently talk down his guitar, his look of confusion (and possible concern) turned to one of disappointment. Happy that Soren had reluctantly agreed to help for a change, he began unhooking all straps from the drums and accessories just before the quiet sound of a Vespa approached from behind them, but was ignored by Parker. Soon, however, he looked over his shoulder at the voice behind him, then turned his full body's attention around when he realized the voice was Matt's. Before he could accept the offer of assistance, Soren did so in his place, as expected. Parker gave Matt a crooked smile that compiled acceptance and gratitude anyway before turning back to the set to grab some pieces. By then, he noticed Soren escaping with little weight and glared at his back, prepared to yell but sighed at the futility. Nothing he wasn't used to.
Grabbing one of the two bass drums, he hoisted it over his shoulder in a way that seemed awkward but had become habit to him by then. "Thanks for the help. You can escape with little duty like our pestilent bass player if you want. It's not much work for me anymore, honestly." He wasn't entirely telling the truth, but he could do it pretty quickly by now, although he was secretly hoping he wouldn't pass up the offer. Until the Roxys from before kicked in, this would be a bit challenging.
By this time, Petra's voice had penetrated their exchange. "What else would he be doing?" His attention was instantly turned to the approaching guitarist with the same shine in his eye that was present in every similar situation between the two. What could he do about it? It didn't work between them the first time, and there was no point in causing a 'Yoko Ono' situation, although he doubted that outcome. He was sure they were just left over feelings, anyway; these things happen.
"Well,we were all late together, so from our standpoint you're just early," he retorted with his usual crooked smile. "I'll be sure to apologize to the studio when I get inside," he continued sarcastically as he grabbed the petals with his other hand and continued inside. If there was one person more than Soren he could count on to take him seriously only when necessary, it was her.
When inside, he set his large bass down with a grunt as softly as possible, then attaching one of the petals. Eying Soren out of the corner of his eye as he did so as he played nearly silent riffs on his beautiful Nete. "You do realize that Crocell is more help than you right now, right?" He spoke out to Soren while correctly positioning what pieces of the kit were already in the building, then smiling to Crocell as he went to his corner and bent down to pet him before heading back out to the van.