Chapter Text
The Hanged Man was just as boisterous as ever. Nora sidled from table to table, waving off unwanted advances with a slap on the wrist and a sassy comment at the ready. A stringed instrument played tunelessly in the background, accompanied by tavern chatter and the smell of piss. Still, there was one thing a little out of place tonight.
"SO THEEEENNNN Tamlen wuz all "NO SHIT, MAHARIEL," an’ I wuz mo’tified obviously becuz I wuz cove’ed in halla poo an’ so Keepah Ma’ethari finally sed "All’s well that ends smell." AN’ IT WAS THE FUNNIEST I SWEAR I-" Merrill was a very animated drunk, alcohol sloshing out of the cup as her hands flailed about in her fervent attempts to explain just how hilarious her story was. Isabela smirked, unsure if she should be amused or embarrassed for the poor girl.
"Kitten," She cooed, sobered enough. "Maybe you should lay off the drinks for a while. At least before you strip down to your underclothes and start singin’ about 99 bottles of beer on the wall."
"OH, 99 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL-" A hand was clamped down on her open mouth, stopping the spout of off-key song before it continued. Isabela laughed though. "You’ve had a cup too many, I wager."
Merrill shook off the hand, giggling. “I’m sowwy. ‘eally. I just-” Then, she hiccuped, her shoulders popping involuntarily. “Ah I just… I wanted you to know cuz I- You have so many sto’ies and I- Tamlen and Mahariel… They…” Then, her eyes watered and her smile was wide and contorted with something like pain. “They-“
"I know, kitten, it’s alright," Isabela only said and took the elf into her arms, comforting her the only way she really knew how.
"I miss them so much."
"I know."