"I have the worst luck with men!"

Mercer Frey looked up from his mead to see Eira, the newest member of the guild and the person who had just uttered this declaration, slam her head down on the table. Mercer frowned, his drink momentarily forgotten.

"What?"

The Breton looked up at him with big, sad eyes, and he was reminded of the fawn he had caught a glimpse of during his last job.

"Every time I think I find the man I'm going to spend my life with, boom! He turns out to be a cheating ass," she cried, taking off her Amulet of Mara and placing it into a confused Mercer's hand. "I'm done."

Vekel, who was nearby sweeping, patted her on the back, all awhile shooing a mouse away with his broom.

"Sounds like you need something strong," he said sympathetically, glancing at Tonilia out of the corner of his eye. "I know how you feel. Don't worry; I've got just the thing."

Vekel walked away, and Mercer made a face before setting the amulet on the table.

"Eira," he said firmly, his normal frown deepening when he saw the beginning of tears in her (slightly scary) pale blue eyes. "You say this every damn week, and then you go out and find someone new."

She had Black-Briar Mead in her hands now, and she took a long sip before speaking again.

"Mercer," she whispered, wiping at her eyes. Her voice was quiet, so he leaned closer to hear. "I'm just afraid that, once they hear I'm a thief, they'll-"

Mercer made an irritated sound in the back of his throat.

"Don't you dare leave the guild for some idiot," he growled, leaning back in his chair. "I'd come to your wedding myself and steal you back, dress and all."

Eira tilted her head at this, dark hair falling away from an intrigued face, and Mercer immediately regretted his words.

"So you'd miss me, Mercer?" she asked, her voice taking on a new tone. Sweeter, like honey. "You wouldn't be in love with me, by any chance?"

Mercer, who had just taken a drink of mead, spewed it out onto the ground.

"By the Nine, of course not!" he cried, trying to hide the blush that had formed on his face. He scowled at Eira, and ignoring a sputtering Vex, who now had slightly wet shoes, pointed at Eira. "You-"

She smiled sweetly before standing up and winking at him.

"I'm free most days," she said with a grin. "Let me know if you want to go on another date."

Mercer frowned deeply, the fog from the alcohol making it a little hard for his thoughts to form. Wait, did she just say another-

"Eira!"

But she had already vanished, and it was now Mercer's turn to slam his head down on the table. He was interrupted from his self-torment by Brynjolf's entrance, and he looked up to see the redhead grinning at the bartender.

"I'd like some mead," Brynolf said, sitting down on a stool. "I had a fight, and damn it, I won. Bastard got what was coming to him, that's for certain."

While Vekal (a well known lover of gossip), eagerly prodded for details, Mercer frowned to himself.

I wonder if I wasn't the only one Eira told about her lover's infidelity...?