"Oh, it was broomstick polish..." he murmured a little to himself and then shrugged at Zach as the apology could have been for either/or.
He accepted Zach's help to pick himself up, taking the offered hand but not trying to put too much weight on it or use Zach's help too much as he got to his feet; ever since the trapeze artist he'd been wary of the kindness of strangers.
"I know. It was for the bottle."
And he hated this question but had managed not to sigh when answering it anymore. He did duck his head to tuck his hair behind his ear so that he wouldn't have to see the expression on the other face as he said it though. "My name's Merlin." he said, and he knew, the letters of the blond's name came to him but it was politer to ask. "What was yours? I really am sorry about the bottle." Best not to anger strange men and Merlin knew, in that way that he did, that this was a man who wasn't often this kind.