Carver looked back across the Alienage. He closed his eyes, savoring every breath, before opening the door. He was greeted to a thick Welsh accent.

"Oh, Carver! Sorry, I'm terribly unprepared. Wasn't expecting visitors. Did you need something, of does Hawke want us to go adventuring?"

"No… No, my brother doesn't need anything," Carver responded, the slightest bi of disdain in his voice. "I just wanted to talk."

"Oh, well, take a seat. Want some… Ah, what do I have… Water?"

"That would be great, thank you."

Carver sat by the small table, as Merrill poured two glasses of water.

"So, what did you want to talk about," asked Merrill, taking a seat herself.

"I dunno. How are you?"

"Oh, me? I'm fine. Didn't have to give away as much food to the rats as I usually do."

Carver burst out laughing, clutching his side. As his laughter died down, he saw Merrill giving him a blank look.

"Wh-why are you staring at me like that? It was a funny joke."

Poor girl, not even knowing when she was being adora-

"I was telling a joke?"

Oh.

"What, no! Unless you were," began Carver, who was scratching the back of his neck. "Were you?"

"No… Well, I don't think so."

"And now we're both lost and confused."

They both avoided each others gaze, searching for something to say.

"It's getting a bit chilly, isn't it?"

"Here," said Carver, removing his leathery over coat, and giving it to Merrill.

"Thank you Carver," said the Elf. "I suppose I should think about getting some soles for my shoes."

Carver let out a chuckle, before reaching for his glass.

"Are you certain Hawke isn't going adventuring? He said he'd be by," Merrill said, straining to look past Carver's head, to the door.

Carver was stunned. Here he was, trying to be nice, and she wasn't even going to care about him?

"Uh, Merrill, I think I'll be going now."

"Oh, bye. Say hi to Hawke for me! And here's your coat. Merrill removed the jacket, handing it to Carver, who put it on. He walked towards the door, when the eldest Hawke walked in, bumping into him.

"Oh, sorry Carver," said Hawke, in his Fereldan accent.

"No problem."

Carver spat out the words through clenched teeth.

"Merrill, hello!"

Hawke spread his arms, Merrill doing the same, and wrapped them around each other. After releasing one another, Hawke spoke:

"It's good to see you."

"And you Hawke. Are you going out?"

"Yes, actually. I was just going to clean up the streets when I figured you might want to join in."

"Oh, that sounds fun. Where's Isabela and Varric?"

"Not bringing them. It's a two man job, and I wanted to bring you."

"Why?"

"Because I like you Merrill. How many times must I say it?

"That's sweet Hawke. Or is it because I'm closest to your house? I mean, I just don't have many friends so maybe I'm not used to people saying that they like me so I'm guessing that it might be an excuse even though it probably isn't… I'm babbling, aren't I?"

"It's cute," said Hawke, smirking.

"So, I suppose we should get to killing these people."

"I suppose."

All this had happened while Carver stood in a corner, wide-eyed. Had his brother honestly taken the girl he liked and-

"Merrill, you look cold. Here, take my overcoat."

He had.