Eli chuckled at the robot spirit's evasion of the question. No matter, he wouldn't go about trying to add another spirit to his collection, and he wouldn't go announcing the spirit's presence to everyone within shouting distance. He merely grinned when the Serpentine walked up to him. [i]Ah, the arrogance of the rich and the youthful. I remember what that was like.[/i] He thought, ignoring Atra's snickering and what she meant by it. Before he could say anything, and likely make the situation worse, the first of two odd and unexpected things happened. First, the robot spoke in a challenging manner to the Serpentine, causing the boy to hesitate. Eli he could have taken, especially since he was injured. A giant steel robot, however, was another matter entirely. But it was too late to retreat now. Eli used this brief moment to lean over and retrieve his shot glass. "The day you admit your a spoiled little bastard," He said pleasantly to the Serpentine as he poured some of the Black Velvet whiskey into his shot glass, "is the day I give you an apology. Seeing as that will never happen, you'll be waiting quite a long time for your apology." He paused for a moment, considering something. "Oh that's right, you couldn't understand me the last time I insulted you could you? Here let me say the insulting part a little slower. Yoooouuuu'rrrreee aaaaaa sssspoooillllleeed liiiiiittllllle baaaaaassssstaaaarrrrrd."

Every part of that drawn out phrase was said in a mocking, condescending tone. Before the Serpentine could do something, likely violent from the angry look on his face, the second odd and unexpected thing happened. Helen Govannon, the widely respected Guild doctor, interjected with a none-to-subtle warning. Eli knew of her, of course. She was the one who had, on many occasions patched him up after a mission. However, he had never really [i]looked[/i] at her face, as he did now. There was something about her face, something disturbingly familiar. He struggled to draw up memories from a happier time, before he became a murderer. A red headed shadow... When he finally put the pieces together, Eli felt his blood turn to ice. 

The recognition, surprise, and yes, fear, were in his eyes for only a second. But they were there, and his spirits certainly noticed. Atra laughed aloud, Zaz and Kal both displayed picture's of surprise(Zaz, cheekily showing one of Eli's face), Lumin snorted, Saruk gave a low hoot of surprise, Eredan gave the impression of rolling his eyes. Only Shreckt and Ragnarok spoke aloud. [color=9e0b0f][i]Isn't that your sister?[/i][/color] She asked, never moving from her position and intent to talk to Rzya. [i]Yes.[/i] Eli replied. [i]Yes it was.[/i] [color=39b54a][i]Well, isn't that just amusing?[/i][/color] Ragnarok commented, his slow voice bringing up images of the earth slowly changing. Land slides, erosion, the list goes on and Eli ignored the images, and Ragnarok's comment, with a practiced familiarity. 

When Helen spoke, Eli reached into his trench coat with his good arm, grasping the handle of his pistol. "I assure you, madam doctor, if this turns into a fight, it'll be quick, and there will be only one patient." From behind him he heard a pointed cough followed by an even more pointed "Eli." The bartender had seen where his hand was, thanks to his positioning and simply pointed to a sign when the bandless Guild member turned to him. The sign read '[i]No Firearms Allowed To Be Discharged.[/i] "Oh come on. Just once?" Eli asked, almost pleading. "No." "It'll be quick though. Just through the kneecap and walla, it's over." "No." The bartender remained firm. "Fine." Eli turned to the Serpentine, switching his grasp from the handle of his pistol to the hilt of his sword, while grabbing his now filled shot glass. It always paid to be cautious after all. He noted with approval the Kusagi girl's rebuke of the Rider, and merely grinned at the warning to avoid his company. That could be dealt with later, right now he had a snake to deal with.

"Well, you've done your little pissant display of bravery and cockiness. You've discovered I'm not going to be bullied into licking your boots, now could you please slink back to your little, my apologies, big bastards of friends? Be careful on the way back to the table. I don't want you to get dirt on your shiny toy, or, Aer forbid, get a splinter. Or maybe a stubbed toe? The list of horrors that could happen to you and reduce you to a weeping child between here and now is almost too long to comprehend. Do try to be careful." The bartender gave a sigh as Eli's mocking tone pushed the Serpentine over the edge. [color=98FB98]"I think it's time someone taught you how to hold your tongue and respect your betters.[/color] He growled, thrusting forward with his sword. 

As Eli promised, it was over quickly. He was already moving as the thrust began, stepping to the side and drawing his sword out in one smooth motion, his shot glass still in his hand. With a speed that spoke of his years of training and experience, Eli shoved his short sword through the Serpentine's leg, just above the knee cap. As he began to scream, Eli slammed the shot glass into his face, wincing at the pain this movement brought to his shoulder, and let go of his sword to grasp the Serpentine by the back of the head and slam his already mangled face into the edge of the counter top, his nose pleasantly breaking against it. Fortunately for the Serpentine, he was unconscious upon impact. "A waste of-" That was as far as Eli got, as a blinding light consumed his vision. He stayed in one place, a hand over his eyes. "Fuck!" He spat, leaning against the counter top as he waited for his vision to return.

[color=9e0b0f][i]You deserved that.[/i][/color] Shreckt noted, continuing as Eli cursed some more. [color=9e0b0f][i]In case your curious, it was a spirit of either your sister's or her husband. Not sure which as I only noticed it walking from beneath the table before you were blinded. No one else seems to have been.[/i][/color] When Eli's vision returned, he withdrew his sword form the unconscious Serpentine's leg. "He'll live. Maybe this will teach him a valuable lesson in assumptions." Eli said this to no one in particular, wiping his blade clean on his sleeve before sheathing it.