Scorto blushed more, he couldn’t help it…..he got up and walked over to Casavir. He gave Casavir a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Before moving over to Bishop, he gave him a kiss on the cheek and a hug. Before moving to sit down.
Scorto smiled “Thank you both. I’m so happy…”
He starts on his mashed potatoes. He grinned at Bishop and Casavir.
Scorto paused before asking.
” Do you like your tea? I made it useing the last of the ingredients I had from the underdark….so it’s very special…I hope you both like it….and thank you love for apologizing…it was very sweet….also thank you both for haveing lunch with me…“
Scorto stopped suddenly, blinking at Bishop.
“Casavir said you got a black eye and some bruises….do you need more cream? I have more….and Casavir? Your not hurt right? Please don’t fight anymore… please”
He looks worridly between them both.
“I’ll live. Thanks.” Bishop paused from digging in to his meal to regard Scorto flatly. “And I’m not responsible for what this paladin does to me. I won’t apologize for defending myself - you both better remember that.” Those bruises still stung - not with pain, but with damaged pride.
Casavir responded curtly, glowering down at the slouched ranger, “And I will not apologize for defending Scorto’s honor, Bishop.”
“Oh yeah?” Bishop grinned, sharp as a blade, eyes glinting like daggers. “If his honor is what’s at stake, I say let him defend it himself. You’re barging in where you don’t belong all over again.”
It looked for several moments like the paladin would shoot him a scathing reply, but he held his tongue instead, mixing his mashed potatoes and practically mashing them further with the intensity of his brooding look.
“Besides!” continued the rugged man brightly. “You and I are the best of friends now. And look at dear Scorto, he’s happy to be with me. Aren’t we all one big happy family.” That phrase delivered Bishop’s underlying message with complete clarity to the paladin: Try and stop this - but you’ll be the bad guy.
Casavir’s grip on his utensils tightened. His appetite withered, but still he showed Scorto proper appreciation for his cooking as he carefully worded his reply. “I will not compromise my values for the sake of keeping the peace - I fear I can only offer my best efforts to avoid conflicts, Scorto, but to forego them entirely would mean straying from my divine vows.”
Bishop shook his head. “Oh, so now suddenly your vows matter to you when they align with your own goals and interests. And here I thought you loved your brother. I thought you wanted to see him happy.”
“Do not doubt that I do, Scorto. Please.” There was a slight clatter of silverware on the table as he set his instruments down. Despite his measured demeanor, his tone was fierce, provoked by the ranger’s challenging words. “I simply cannot promise something that will clash with the path that my faith dictates.”