It's very easy to Rival Merrill. Then again, just because something is easy doesn't make it right. Friendmanced Merrill for life.

Anders,Merrill and Fenris are easy to read and get to what you want. The rest can be a bit trickier. I have a hard time Rivaling Aveline, for instance.

And Sebastian should be left dead in a ditch somewhere. You get +100 Friendship from me!