Dirion felt a hand around his neck and the next second he was yanked further towards Wink. Behind him he heard a thud and a crash, he turned to see a large bottle of Busker's brew shattered all over the floor. That certainly would have hurt. "What's happening." Wink asked peeking over the top of the bar. Dirion not quite so daring anymore kept his head hidden and replied with a feigned humor in his voice. [color=teal]"I think I'm about to swear off drinking."[/color] He had no clue what had started all of this. Well... He had a feeling it may have been his fault. Even though Dirion was no friend of Busker he felt sick at the thought of killing him. Especially at the idea of taking him from Wink now that he saw her fear. And who even knew who was hurt in the fighting behind him. "What was that stuff the dwarf gave him?" She sounded upset, well, more than she already had. Dirion looked down to Wink. He was just now aware that she was still holding onto him. Normally he probably would've made some inappropriate joke at the situation. But the fact the she was probably scared past wit's end and her father had almost died, plus in the light of.. slightly less recent events, he kept his tongue under leash. He replied back, [color=teal]"I- I don't. Some sort of... potion? He said it would heal him.[/color] Dirion closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. He needed to calm his nerves, a drink usually did that but he really didn't feel like a pint right now. So he slowly exhaled and pretended he was somewhere calm for just a second. Maybe back with Brigen, telling her jokes and making her laugh. Right as the last bit of air left his lungs Dirion heard Wink say, "Dad?" He opened his eyes to see Busker still lying on the floor, but something seemed off. Wink started panicking and shaking Busker about, speaking in repressed sobs, "Daad? Dad? Dad, breathe!" Panic ran up Dirion's spine when he realized what was wrong. He quickly leaned forward and started to put a hand over Busker's heart when the barkeep's eyes shot open. Where once sat a pair of deceitful eyes now was nothing but a grim fog. Dirion brought his hand back to his side and held back a breath. Busker slowly sat up in a strange way, Dirion didn't know how to describe it. It just seemed.. slowly and empty. Dirion saw Wink move up from behind him and reach out her arm. She spoke carefully, "Dad, come on, we have to get out of here." Which was quite the good idea. No one behind this bar was fit for fighting. Busker stood up all of a sudden, Dirion not sure what to think, sat still and watched him just.. stand there. The Dwarf man came running back around the bar with some girl in his arms with the help of... Oh hell. The man he he attacked. Dirion turned his head away from the noble and looked down towards the ground hoping he didn't notice him. Another reason to go sober. The young woman was deposited to Dirion's left. The short man then walked up to Busker and spoke more than Dirion could keep up with. [color=bc8dbf][b]"no... No nonono no no. No! Hey! Hey~ buddy, look at me. Can you hear me? Can you hear-can you see your daughter, Wink over there? What's wrong? Eh? Well, whatever it is, we'll fix it ok? We'll get you patched up and running the tavern again in no time. Just sit down here and rest up ok? Leave things to your old pal Gharly...c..."[/b][/color] [color=bc8dbf][b]"Busker. Where are you going?"[/b][/color] Dirion his hand on Wink's shoulder and whispered to her, [color=teal]"Stay down"[/color] He stood up from the glass covered floor and began to inspect the man. He was paler than Dirion had ever seen him, and there was that same dead, grey fog in his eyes. Normally Busker had some sort of expression on his face, whether it was a scowl at some argument or a grin at the idea of profit, but now the muscles in his face just sat slack, emotionless. Dirion turned to the Dwarf and spoke coldly, [color=teal]"What was in that bottle?"[/color] [@Mokley] [@Tricheus] [@karamonnom] [@strafe]