"My brother has no concept of Stranger Danger. It's me that's keeping an eye on you."

"I probably need the close eye. I've never been to a pub before." In Thedas, anyway.

"You still haven't. This is a hole." 

Carver heads inside.

"Sorry about him. He's not a people person." 

"No need to apologise. We're adults."

"I only do it because he won't," Merrill grumps, but then brightens. "Come with me! We're up in Varric's room, he's got a great big table for all of us."

She slips inside.

The Hanged Man is full, bright, and rowdy. There's a few familiar faces, the bartender, the waitress, the man wandering between tables, spewing conspiracy theories.

"It's pretty much exactly what I imagined."

"But it's so much more- alive!" Tabs is bouncing as they follow after Merrill and Carver. 

A stunningly beautiful woman waits at the bottom of the stairs, leaning against the wall. 

"Hello handsome," she purrs at Carver.

"Bela," he replies, tonelessly, going past her. 

She snorts at him, then catches sight of Merrill. "Kitten!" 

"Hello, Bela!" Merrill bounces up to her and is immediately pulled into a huge hug.

Anya squeezes Tabs' hand in excitement. This is So! Exciting!!!

"Oh my gods!" She whispers to Anya, struggling not to actually bounce.

Isabela kisses all over Merrill's face, only letting her go once she spots Anya and Tabs, behind her, and her faces goes back to that predatory leer. "Merrill, you didn't tell me you brought friends."

Merrill perks up. "Yes! This is Anya and Tabs! They're staying with me for now."

"Well, then." 

Isabela saunters up to them, looking them both up and down, smirking. "I'm Isabela."

Anya kinda wants to hold out a hand to shake, but also she has no idea if people do that here.

"Hey," she points to herself. "Anya," then points to Tabs. "Tabitha Lothorian. It's a pleasure to meet another friend of Merrill."

"A very warm welcome to you both, but-" Isabela steps closer. "Be warned. Men in this place are animals. Keep your wits about you." She steps back and winks.

"Coming?" She points up the stairs.

Anya looks around the room, a little put off and weary.

"You've got magic, I've got a sword, and we've got each other." Tabs squeezes her hand, tight. 

Anya makes an agreeing noise.

"Probably just leave the fighting to you, right now." She heads up the stairs with Tabs. "Onward."

"Probably smart." She goes up on her toes to kiss Anya's cheek. 

She heads up behind Isabela and Merrill.

"Found her!" Isabela says to the people inside the ornate room, weirdly out of place for the rest of the Hanged Man. "She brought friends, too!"