Now caught up in the inevitable spiral that this discourse caused, Gillion took a seat in the same chair Chip had originally, trying to seem attentive as he let himself wonder...


What was the real difference between mandarins and oranges? Not to mention bringing a tangerine into the discussion...





"YOU MOTHERFUCKER, TIDESTRIDER!" 


Earl's yelling broke Gillion from his deep thinking, jumping at the sudden noise. Looking at the halfling, Gillion noted the uncomfortable-looking paste that covered his bare feet, signalling to him that he had failed in being attentive while thinking about the confusing topic that fruits are for him. Which really he wasn't too surprised at. Give anyone five minutes and this topic while Earl pays them little to no attention other than to curse and mutter at them. 
Gillion had no issues justifying his distracted state. Though he still apologised. 
"A-Ah..! Earl! It's just- well, I got to thinking... oranges and manda-"
"I don't fuckin' care! You and Chip are both bastards! Never payin' attention to what I need you to! You youngun's just treatin' me like a slave!"
Gillion stood from his chair, his hands raised as feigned surrender, "Okay, okay! I apologise. You have my full attention! I just thought if my distractions were fruit-related, you wouldn't mind as much..!" Gillion attempted to smile, hoping the expression would lessen Earl's anger, but when he was met with the scrunched-up features of the older man's expression, he knew it was safer to just let Earl do what he needed to do, "U-Uh, I mean-... Sorry..?"
Still unimpressed, Earl simply huffed and pointed to a single tankard on the bar. "Just try it! Stop wastin' my time, I got shit to do."
Unwilling to incite any more of Earl's rage and yelling, Gillion simply did as instructed, grabbing the tankard and inspecting the drink Earl had made. Thinking back on it, he couldn't exactly remember the name of this recipe Earl had created or what the ingredients actually were.
So of course, he drank it without much else thought. 


The taste was pretty pleasant, more than other drinks Earl had made for him and his companions before. There was an initial bitterness before it welcomed sweetness Gillion wasn't sure he had tasted before. Again, quite pleasant. Sure, Gillion wouldn't willingly drink it, this was no water, after all.
"So? What, you like keepin' an old man in suspense? You want my fuckin' heart to give out? How is it, fishy man?" Earl's impatience brought Gillion back into the room and away from the, admittedly for him quite overwhelming, taste of the halfling's beverage. 
"Yes, I- It's actually pretty good.." Gillion didn't mean to sound too surprised as he admitted Earl's concoction was tasty, but if he had sounded too surprised, it didn't seem to bother Earl.
"Ha! Knew it. M'a godsdamned genius. You three should be payin' me to be in the same room as me." Gillion rolled his eyes a little at Earl's ego, but smiled nonetheless. It was a passion, clearly. He wouldn't take that away from his friend. 
"Yes, yes, you... you certainly have mastered your craft..! You have a gi.." Gillion frowned a little as he felt a strange scratchiness make itself known to his throat. Gillion coughed, hoping to alleviate the sensation, though it didn't seem to work. 
"Ay, you good, fish? Even if y'try takin' back your compliments, m'not lettin' em go."


As much as he wanted to listen to Earl's words, Gillion found himself distracted. The triton noticed an alien sensation. He felt a strange tightness in his throat. This alone sent his mind to a more panicked state, immediately forgetting he had been in the middle of praising Earl's craft.