Gamlen sat at the bar, swishing the ale in his glass. He preferred drinking in the Blooming Rose any other place in Kirkwall. The workers respected him, knowing stories of his obscene drunken parties that had padded the retirement funds of those who came before them. Even now in his impoverished state, he found himself still receiving favours from time to time. His reputation proceeded him, after all.

However, he was currently disregarding an advance by a new worker, trying to listen in on the conversation mere paces from him. Knowledge was power in Lowtown and while he suspected that Isabela and Merrill would have very little actually useful information, he might be able to have a few more barbs to throw at his self-righteous nephew. And really anything that might make his nephew blush was golden to him.

The pair had just sat down, ordering a few drinks before Isabela had leaned forward, conspiratorially, grinning.

"So you have to tell me what happened last night," she giggled, "I saw Garrett today, he was walking so tall, I thought he might hit the ceiling."

Merrill blushed, "Must we talk about that here? In the brothel?"

Isabela waved around, "What better place? Besides, I like it here. The seats are comfortable and it's the best place in Hightown that would let us in. Besides, it has that fruity drink you like."

Upon receiving said sweet concoction, Merrill took a happy sip and nodded.

"Okay," Merrill said, leaning forward, "So I went over there last night after our big fight, I told you about that, right? So we were just yelling at each other and, well, he just kissed me and I just...well, I went along with it. I'm crazy about him and it was all just so...romantic."

"So you slept with him? Merrill, I'm so proud of you, you finally popped your cherry!"

Merrill blushed further, drinking deeply into her glass.

"So how was it? Angry sex is always fun."

Merrill shrugged and said, "It was okay."

Isabela raised her eyebrow, "Okay? That's it? Come on, kitten, it's me. You can give me the sordid details, I'm not Aveline. Did it hurt, that's natural the first time."

"No, I mean...it was okay," Merrill admitted, "It didn't really last that long and it didn't hurt or anything. I just...it didn't really leave an impression, you know? He seemed to really enjoy it. Maybe I just don't like sex?"

"But you wanted to enjoy sex," Isabela commented, "I mean, granted, there are some people who aren't interested in sex or enjoy it...but you just seem disappointed."

"I guess I am," Merrill admitted, "I mean, I see how it could be fun, but it was over so quickly. I didn't even bleed or feel sore, maybe he's just...small."

"He was probably nervous," Isabela reassured, "It's not like he has a lot of experience either. Give it some time."

"Maybe," Merrill said softly, "I really like him and I really want to like it. Maybe it'll get better. Thanks, Isabela. I feel a little better."

Isabela gave her hand a squeeze, "I'm sorry it wasn't what you were hoping for. I'm sure one day you'll look back and laugh at it."

Merrill giggled, "That would be nice."

At the bar, Gamlen took a drink, trying not to laugh. Which was incredibly difficult. He couldn't help but imagine Merrill's stunned face after Garrett rolled over, probably impressed with himself. The cocky son of a bitch when he had nothing special between his legs and clearly had no idea what to do with it.

He almost felt pity for the poor girl, glancing over. It was a shame. He liked most of Garrett's companions. They had so little family left, he didn't mind accepting them into the fold. He had always a soft spot for Merrill. He had kept an eye on her when she first moved into the Alienage, making sure the locals generally left her alone. She had even visited him once or twice on her own, even after the Hawkes went back to the Amell Estate. The poor thing barely had a bronze piece to her name and she had worried about him having enough to eat. He had fed her himself and sent her back with smoked ham and cheeses himself. Poor kid. His nephew wasn't even feeding her right, never mind getting her off.

She wasn't unattractive though, certainly, he thought. She had matured beautifully over the past few years, really growing into her face. She had been just a teenager when he had first met her, but he could see her blossoming into a rather lovely woman. He looked back at his glass, wondering how much he had drunk, but upon confirming to himself that he was indeed not wasted, he grinned to himself. He paid off his tab and headed home, a spring in his step as he planned out the evening ahead of him.