Dr. Quackshot sat reclined in his booth, a stein of Sparkling Swamp Water (a mixture of soda, malt liquor, and whiskey) sitting before him with a curly straw standing resolute within. How else is he supposed to drink his alcohol without removing his bird mask and hood? Granted, it was an oddly named drink and tasted funny, but Quackshot liked the clashing flavors. They kept him awake and on his toes. 

He kept to himself and watched the other patrons like a hawk. Almost all of the other patrons had been patients of his at one time or another. He noticed Lyra at the bar fidgeting, though about what he wasn't sure. [i]She should try a tonic for the nerves,[/i] he thought. He was quite fond of Lyra and the work she was doing in the Gutter and she made a great ally with ThysenKrüpp running around... but that was not a huge, pressing concern at that very moment. He shook his head once, tossing the thoughts that dared to follow away. 

The Bubblers started to raise their voices, which caught Quackshot's attention. His eyes followed slowly as Niklas approached the rowdy table, and then watched as the Dustin Brothers also approached. As much as he wanted to help Niklas throw out rowdy patrons, Quackshot knew he shouldn't get involved unless someone got injured. Despite the unease he knew Niklas felt towards him, Quackshot did admire the man. [i]Ssideways glances and general hesitance are always signs of unease,[/i] Quackshot thought, [i]but he's a nice man, respectable, and probably much stronger than me and I would not like to be on his bad side if I can help it.[/i] He listened in on the discussion and watched the Bubblers leave in a huff. As a doctor, [i]as Dr. Newton Cuttle,[/i] he was not supposed to turn away patients, but as Dr. Quackshot, there were some patients he was always nervous about treating or getting involved with. Mr. Pinky and the Bubble Gum Gang worried him because of their human trafficking. He didn't know the conditions of their victims and could only imagine how poor in health they all were. He shook his head once, again, to toss the thoughts away. 

He took a long drag on his curly straw, feeling the crawling, sweetly spicy beverage roll around his tongue. He winced as he swallowed, but no one else saw it behind his mask.

He waited for Niklas to go back behind the bar before taking his stein in hand and approaching the bar next to Lyra. He nodded politely to those present and asked aloud, "Is everything alright, Niklas?" He took a seat next to Lyra and took a sip from his straw again.