* 77 * 3/5/13

Bishop sat in the tavern, trying to keep his mind busy. It was only the afternoon, but he already had a tankard in his hand. For once, he had decided to join the drunkards in the bar rather than keep to his own room. They normally irritated the hell out of him, but right now, he felt a generous amount of noise and rambunctiousness would do him some good.

To his immense surprise, Duncan Farlong suddenly came in and inserted himself right on the opposite side of the bar, as if he belonged there the whole time.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Bishop spat in disbelief at the sylvan fighter. It was as if he saw a ghost.

Duncan chuckled. "And hello to you too, Bishop. I'm taking over for the night, doctor's orders." He waved at both the usual innkeeper, Sal, and Lily's doctor, both of whom were already hammered on Bishop's side of the bar table.

"Why are you here?" Bishop demanded again. His eyes narrowed.

"Easy, Bishop. I'm not here to ruin your day. There's just no profit to be had when the barkeeper himself is smashed. Lily's friend Bevil called me over and I figured it'd be a nice reason to see you guys again. It's been awhile."

Bishop grumbled. So Bevil had called him. The only bit of mercy Bishop would give to the kid is that he didn't know Bishop hated Duncan.

"And what's with you? Drinking a full tankard or two in the afternoon already? What's going on?"

"What do you mean 'what's going on'? Is it really so unheard of, barkeeper?" the ranger sneered. The other men at the bar began to look at Bishop at the sound of his hostility. He narrowed his eyes at them menacingly. Part of him hoped they were going to provoke him further. If he was lucky, perhaps some were even itching for a fight like he was.

"It is for you. You were at the Flagon for quite awhile and hardly ever drank this early." Duncan suddenly looked amused. "Plus, you're hanging out with other drunk people. Something's clearly wrong." He flashed a teasing grin.

Bishop growled. He hated Duncan. He hated how he chuckled and grinned at all the wrong times, and he hated how well he knew the ranger's tendencies.

"Nothing sensational's going on, barkeep. Keep your nose out of it."

"You're as stubborn as ever," Duncan sighed, giving up for the moment.

"Hey, ranger," an acute, almost painful voice called. It sounded hostile, suspicious.

Bishop turned around, and lo and behold, the thieving Neeshka stood before his eyes.

"What do you want, tiefling?" the ranger asked with venom. Why wouldn't people leave him alone?

But Neeshka returned it just as well. "To know what's been going on," she answered commandingly, taking the seat to the left of Bishop without asking his permission. This surprised the ranger. He had believed the tiefling to have a more timid nature. Duncan didn't say anything; Neeshka apparently hadn't noticed him yet.

"And what the hell makes you think I'm the one to ask?"

"Because you're the only one Lily pretty much ignored. I'm not stupid, y'know. I know your history. When she avoids you, it's usually for a good reason. What did you do this time?"

Duncan raised his eyebrows.

Bishop noticed and tried to shut the thief up. "The bitch can do whatever she wants. It's got nothing to do with me," he lied.

Neeshka guffawed at his audacity. "Are you bipolar?! You hug her and then call her a bitch?" She sounded offended.

You stupid, loose cannon, shut up! Bishop thought, wanting to growl through his teeth.

Some of the other men were now clearly eavesdropping. The onset of drama was exciting. Duncan's lips just parted in surprise. He looked at Bishop as if trying to get him to confirm Neeshka's words.

Bishop felt the pressure of everyone's eyes on him now. He especially didn't want Duncan knowing about any of this, what with what the bastard already knew about him. He tried to redirect the conversation. "She's stupid as hell for running off like that, getting sick and turning into some kind of zombie. I don't know why she does the things she does and you shouldn't ask me," is all he could manage. There was malice in his voice, but also a tinge of...something else.

Duncan was floored by this obvious redirection. So it is true. He's not denying it.

The barkeeper decided to break his silence, partly to relieve Bishop of the tiefling's accusations for a few moments. "Hey, Neeshka. It's been awhile." He smiled.

Neeshka gasped, finally noticing him. "Duncan! When did you get here?"

"Just now, actually. Bevil sent word and asked if I could take over for tonight."

"Why?" Neeshka asked. She was apparently blissfully unaware of the usual innkeeper lying in a heap on the floor now.

Duncan just chuckled. "Where's Lily?" he asked. Bishop bristled.

"She's talking to Casavir. I couldn't overhear anything, though, so I left." She folded her arms, pouting again.

Bishop growled at this. You'd better not grow a halo above your head, elf. He thought he had a good idea of what they were talking about. He wondered how Lily was answering the paladin's questions, if she had told him about what she saw Elanee and him doing, if Casavir was trying to persuade her to stay away from him for good.

But oh no, it would hurt the paladin's pretty little feelings if she told him that's what upset her.

But, come to think of it, actually, Lily didn't seem that upset at all with him. He had expected her to give him the cold shoulder, or to insult him, not to acknowledge him and tell him she was all right. She didn't seem that mad at all.

And that bothered him.