* 67 * 1/13/13

"What happened, Lily?" asked Grobnar.

Lily stopped in her tracks for a moment. She had never been asked that before. She had heard that specific question, but she had never been asked so bluntly by one of her companions about what had been going on with her, personally. She didn't want to get anyone involved who didn't want to be, so she never told anyone. The party members in turn kept to themselves and tried not to get into her business, but this also made her feel somewhat alone. The question struck something inside of her, and she decided to keep moving.

"I saw Bishop with Elanee," she admitted.

Grobnar didn't ask about the details of what they were doing, but he didn't have to.

"And it wouldn't normally bother me so much," she justified, "if he had been with me like that, too. But he's had me lying right in front of him on two separate occasions and he never does anything like what I saw him do with her."

Lily wiped her damp nose on the sleeve of her robe. "I once thought he was trying to respect what he thought I wanted, but he even drugged me to get his way once." Grobnar's eyes grew wide. "When he had his chance, he relinquished it. I've been in that same position beneath him before, and he just left."

"I don't even know what I did tonight to make him storm off. He could've just been moody, but he could've been upset because of Bevil. But why would he be? I don't even think he cares." Sniffle. "He was listening when we explained that we're childhood friends anyway. Of course I have a strong reaction to seeing Bevil – I hadn't seen him since West Harbor was destroyed," she justified.

"Casavir got the same wrong idea too. I was able to set his thoughts straight, but when I went to tell Bishop the same thing in case that was what was plaguing him, I...saw them."

"And then I ran. I just had to get away and think to myself, by myself. I didn't think it would start pouring just as I got too far away from the Keep to return. But underneath this robe I have my slacks on, and I put the communication mirror inside the pocket this morning when I got dressed like I've always done ever since you gave it to me."

Lily had at some point stopped walking, but she wasn't entirely sure when. Then, when she lifted her head, she felt no raindrops on her upturned face.

A cave! I found one!

She suddenly looked at the mirror with glee. "Grobnar, I'm in a cave!" she said asininely.

Grobnar smiled. "You are!" he agreed with just as much excitement.

Lily smiled for what felt like the first time in aeons. "I'm sorry I got so in-depth, Grobnar. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable or anything."

"Details don't make me uncomfortable, Lily, don't you worry about that. I'm happy you opened up like that. I won't tell anyone anything if you don't want me to."

Lily looked at him through the mirror. "Really? Not even that I ran myself into a tizzy and got completely lost?" It was easy to laugh about now that she was out of the rain.

"Not even that you're entirely soaked through and haven't even got the mind to get yourself covered in something yet!" he teased lightly.

"Oh," Lily responded lamely. "Um, about that... What can I use to – Ohhh." She shared Grobnar's grin when it hit her. She was wearing her tattered-but-still-somewhat-intact shirt and slacks, and they had been kept dry through the thickness of the robe. "I didn't even think of that. But you did. I'm surprised."

"I am too!" Grobnar replied cheerily, taking no offense whatsoever. Her improving mood had rubbed off on him and he was back to his zany self again.

As Lily went deeper into the cave, the climate became more stable and less affected by sudden changes in the temperature outside. She went off-screen to undress – though it was unnecessary given the poor lighting – removing and wringing out the sopping wet robe and doing the same to her shirt and slacks before putting them back on. She banged the robe hard against some rocks before lying down and wrapping it around her feet to keep them at least as warm as the rest of her body, which was an improvement.

"Please don't tell anyone about this, Grobnar. No one will be able to fetch me before it stops raining anyway, and I have a feeling it'll go on for awhile."

"I won't, Lily," he promised. Something about the way he said it made Lily feel like she could really trust him.

"Would you like to stay on the mirror?"

"Yes," she said with a final sniffle, her crying at last having ceased.

When all was quiet except for the rain outside, Lily spoke: "Thanks for listening to me, Grobnar."

"I'm glad the mirror came in handy!"

"It really did... I don't know what would've become of me by now if I hadn't called on you."

Grobnar had a big, happy smile on his face. "You just focus on getting some sleep now."

Lily nodded appreciatively, then closed her eyes.

And finally, after this very long, ridiculously over-eventful day, Lily became lost in the abyss of her own mind, with Grobnar and Ounce watching over her.