Garrett Hawke was having a pretty good day. Just the night before, he'd hooked up with a cute Dalish elf, and she'd agreed to live with him. Life was good. However, now that he and Merrill were a couple, some... changes... would have to be made to their usual party. Fenris was always vicious with the elf girl, and Hawke wasn't going to keep company with someone who kept badmouthing his woman. However, Anders was lovesick, Isabela was a backstabbing wench, and Hawke was sure that Carver was going to start flirting with Merrill any day now.
That's how it came to be that Garrett Hawke, Varric Tethras, Merrill, and Aveline Vallen were strolling out the doors of the Hanged Man. As Aveline was the Captain of the Guard, Hawke was somewhat nervous. His crew had never shied away from shady dealings, even if they always kept themselves morally straight.
As Hawke was contemplating his troubles, Aveline spoke up.
"You're incredibly talented, Merrill. I can see you are meant for great things."
Merrill beamed at the normally stoic captain. "Thank you!"
Hawke was grinning broadly, congratulating himself on his good judgement. Aveline's company would do wonders for Merrill's self-esteem-
"But...", continued Aveline, "You're stupid." Merrill and Hawke's smiles slid off of their faces as one. Varric barely passed of a chuckle as a short, hacking cough.
"I'm sorry, what?"
Aveline seemed very self-assured in her speech. "Don't you think it would be better to work on where you are now, instead of recreating old glory?"
Merrill was peeved now. "No. No, that's kind of the opposite of what I've been saying. I'm the stupid one? Whatever."
Aveline didn't react, and Merrill strode out the doorway in front of them without further comment. Varric shook his head with a smile on his face as Hawke sighed heavily, placing his head in the palm of his hand.
Sarcastically, he thought to himself, 'This is going to be another beautiful relationship. I can just tell.'