(02:47:38 AM) Crys:
*Molly sweeps the leaves from around the pool. The day is still warm, but autumn is already beginning to show through, evenings already getting shorter. But at the height of midday, molly's full dress sits hot and heavy against her. She ponders how it must be to wear breeches like men, so much less fabric, and less chance of exposing oneself. She blushes to herself at thoughts of what she might see, should a man become exposed around her. Whilst distracted, she loses her footing and falls in to the pool. Underwater, she panics, unable to swim. Her heavy gown threaten to suck her down. She struggles to surface, and in her fear yells the first name that comes to her head. Her voice carries her terror*

MORGAN!!
(02:51:21 AM) Madison:
*Morgan stood in the coachyard, watching the carriage that brought the days post rattle out of the yard. As he turns to go back inside, he hears his name, pitch altered by fear... momentarily he is overcome by memories and can almost smell the burning timbers until the sound of splashing brings him back to the present. Dropping the mail, he runs for the pool*
(02:54:05 AM) Crys:
*sinking back under the water, she is afraid that he wont come, not because he cant get there in time, but that he will hesitate, living in the past. She pulls frantically at the laces holding her dress on, forcing the tight knot open with her fingers. She manages to break the surface again, but barely, enough to breathe in deeply, knowing that either she must free herself of the dress, or be rescued*
(02:55:24 AM) Madison:
*Morgan sprints through the archway in the wall surrounding the pool, allowing himself a mere moment to survey the scene. Seeing the figure beneath the water, he hurls himself into the water, quickly standing and dragging Molly's head above the water*
(02:57:51 AM) Crys:
*She splutters, coughing up water. her eyes belie the utter panic even as she is saved. The dress comes off, sinking to the bottom, and though she is just in her shift, she has more pressing things on her mind, like not fainting. Yet the darkness comes, like a warm and heavy blanket on a winters day, so soothing, and she passes out*
(02:59:36 AM) Madison:
*Morgan lifts her further out of the water and walks slowly against the pressure of the water to the side of the pool and as gently as possible, pushes her onto the concrete, laying her curled on her side. After a moments careful concentration to ensure she wasn't choking, he sinks to the bottom of the pool and retrieves the dress*
(03:01:46 AM) Crys:
*out of the water, her mind returns in degrees. She is a small child, playing hide a seek with a friend whose name escapes her, lying under a hay cart in the courtyard. She is just past puberty, lying in the courtyard again, late at night and gazing at the stars, dreaming of her prince charming...*
(03:03:38 AM) Madison:
*Morgan surfaces, throwing the sodden dress onto the concrete. Slowly he climbs out of the pool and goes to Molly, propping her head and shoulders up. Gently he shakes her* Molly?
(03:05:51 AM) Crys:
*She opens her eyes slowly, her mind puzzled* How... but it is only a daydream... *she blinks hard* Oh god... *She begins to cough, more from soreness than having taken in water*
(03:06:59 AM) Madison:
Easy, girl. Are you alright?
(03:09:09 AM) Crys:
*She nods at him* I don't even know where to begin. I was sweeping and then I was.. well, my mind started wandering, and I slipped. It was awful, I knew deep in my heart that I was probably going to die, all that water, and I never learnt to swim. I... *she bursts in to tears*
(03:10:18 AM) Madison:
*Morgan pulls her close, trying to comfort her* There, now, the dangers gone. Calm down blossom.
(03:13:21 AM) Crys:
*She leans in to him, head on his shoulder* I shouldnt have called you, I cant begin to imagine how you would have felt if you'd been too late. I knew if I could get that hateful dress off, I might be able to stay above water and find a way out...
*it suddenly dawns on her that she is just in her shift, now almost see-through and soaked to the bone, and drenching him more by proximity. She knows that if she moves, she will draw attention to her state, and cause embarassment for them both*
(03:15:21 AM) Madison:
Well, for once, I got there in time. Lets get you inside so you can get dried off
(03:16:48 AM) Crys:
*She takes his hand and looks in to his eyes. Very softly and sincerely, she says* If I could make the trade, and have you not arrived in time now, but had done then, I would.
(03:19:10 AM) Madison:
*tears come unbidden to Morgans eyes, he blinks them away* Cant change the past Molly, no point wishing you could.
(03:19:24 AM) Madison:
besides, I rather suspect a certain Lord would have me quartered if I let you drown
(03:20:11 AM) Crys:
*She looks very wary at the mention of jaeger* yes, probably
(03:21:20 AM) Madison:
*Morgan stands and lifts Molly, his strength from working his own land showing through. Reaching down he grabs the dress and puts it across Molly's lap* Hold onto that, will you
(03:25:40 AM) Crys:
*She cant help but giggle as he pulls her up with such ease, even at the size she is. Determind to not think too had on her near death experience, at leas until she's dry, she resolves to keep the mood light* Frankly, I'd like to see the infernal thing burnt, but probably best that its used to restore a fraction of my modesty
*Without thinking, she opens her arms wide and looks down, displaying her dishevelled state. The shift clings to her skin, showing every curve and the soft, feminine shape of her body, always hidden under huge flowing dresses.*
(03:26:38 AM) Madison:
Modesty's far overrated... it can get you drowned
(03:27:37 AM) Crys:
*She grins* Well then, perhaps I should go like this all the time, though hardly the sort of girl a lord would want for his bride...
(03:29:07 AM) Madison:
*Morgan keeps his eyes, for the most part, heroically on the path ahead* I couldn't possibly comment... Perhaps thats an avalonian way of thinking.
(03:32:42 AM) Crys:
*She doesnt look in his direction, knowing that as a man, even one so throughly unlucky and heartbroken as he is, he might be inclined to take a quick peek at a lass barely concealed, and does not wish to cause embarassment if she were to catch him doing so.*

And yet many would say that the Avalonians are the only sane and sensible people on the face of Theah...
(03:33:46 AM) Madison:
*Morgan smiles slightly, looking at the side of her face as she looks away* I rather suspect that the _many_ would be avalonians
(03:35:27 AM) Crys:
Well, of course, no nationality would so kindly compliment another unless some trade or political negotiation made it worth while for them to do so *she smiles, looking at the houses on the other side of the valley*
(03:38:12 AM) Madison:
*Morgan walks down the steps back into the coachyard and approaches the house. Siezing what his probably his last chance, he steals a look at Molly's body beneath her shift. Looking away smoothly so as to avoid being seen jerking his head round, he, spins round and pushes the doors open with his back* If I recall correctly, even in political discussions, noone is particularly glowing in their...
(03:38:15 AM) Madison:
evaluation of another nation
(03:39:39 AM) Crys:
*She follows him* I should imagine it would take a skilled diplomat to pull off such fakery effectively... A little training as a serving maid should do that well *she winks at him*
(03:41:56 AM) Madison:
'convincing a farmer that you're nothing more than a strong arm in need of a place to stay should count I think' Well, I've noticed there's more than a little dishonesty in the staff of this house... personally, I blame the person in charge of them all...
(03:45:04 AM) Crys:
*she cant help but rise to it, and throws in some sarcasm* Yes, for he is a mean and cruel tyrannt who rules with an iron fist, forcing those underneath him to commit heinous acts of treason against their friends and loved ones... *she goes through the great hall, which is mercifully empty, eyes playful and sparkling, more alive than normal*
(03:46:01 AM) Madison:
*Morgan follows, fighting his eyes dragging themselves to her figure* Absolutely, the man deserves flogging
(03:47:32 AM) Crys:
*She cant stop looking at him, and notices his struggle, but diplomat that she might some day be, comments not at all. At his last remark, she has to look away, her face going scarlet*
(03:49:08 AM) Madison:
or perhaps a session on the rack, for truly he must be a man of evil
(03:49:24 AM) Madison:
or... perhaps... he's not as observant as he thinks
(03:51:14 AM) Crys:
*she tilts her head at this, running the conversation through her head, trying to puzzle out his meaning. Unsure, she decides to risk a guess. Playfully, she says* Oh, from what I have seen, he is VERY observant *she smiles at him*
(03:52:12 AM) Madison:
*Morgan blushes hard and looks to the floor*
(03:54:55 AM) Crys:
*She starts up the stairs to the servants quaters* I have wood in the grate, but would you start the fire in my quaters for me? It always takes forever for me to get it started, and I fear the cold of this shift might finish the job the dress started
*she runs her hands down her hips subconciously*
(03:55:56 AM) Madison:
*Morgan follows her up the stairs, studeously keeping his eyes on the steps* I'll see what I can do
(03:59:54 AM) Crys:
*Molly pushes the door open on the landing, and then the door to her room. It is small, but bears a few touches of odds and ends that only a woman would save, a small bouquet of flowers over the fireplace, and a painted picture on the wall of lower tawstock. The red dress hangs in the corner, obviously pride of place. The room is tidy, the narrow bed covered with a quilted eiderdown. There are logs in the grate, and a tinderbox on the mantle. Molly goes to the window, lights a few candles here and there on the way, and starts to pull the shutters*
(04:00:33 AM) Madison:
*Morgan heads to the fireplace, and picks up the tinder box and sets about starting the fire*
(04:03:36 AM) Crys:
I'm sorry, I hope you dont mind working by candlelight, it just seems strange to undress in a room with uncovered windows. Also, I've never really spent time in this room during the hours of daylight, for the chores seem never ending. She picks up a paddle brush from the dresser, pulling out pins and unwinding her hair, slowly brushing it out, until it's soft and wavy over her right shoulder*
(04:06:31 AM) Madison:
*Morgan swears softly at the fireplace* damn thing wont light... *glaring slightly he puts more kindling under the logs* I'll work by whatever light you're comfortable with... I've lit these things in the dark, and, to be completely honest, I was better at it that way... still, I shall not be bested by a fireplace in this house
(04:07:54 AM) Crys:
*she smiles at his determination and tenacity* Perhaps it requires a womans touch? *She comes to the grate, and kneels beside him*
(04:09:33 AM) Madison:
*Morgan looks up at Molly* You know, blossom, I rather suspect rumour would be rife and many would be outraged were they to see us here in this state.
(04:11:04 AM) Crys:
*She hasitly stands up, and bites her lip, looking ashamed* I'm sorry, I didn't mean to put you at risk of slander.
(04:12:13 AM) Madison:
you may not have noticed, blossom, but I'm not particularly worried about my reputation... if I were, I would be in Carleon, dressed in black with shiny bits, waiting for my ship... as it stands, I'm crouched in wet cloth, trying to light a fire... my concern was more for your reputation
(04:14:30 AM) Crys:
*She kneels back down, to reinforce the point she's about to make* I think you'll find alot more bad things will be said about me marrying jaeger, with him being a noble, than if they were to believe the housekeeper and master at arms were embroiled in some illicit affair that drove them wet and alone to her chambers in the middle of the day.
(04:15:22 AM) Madison:
Ahhh, but that is before they are aware that you're not just a housekeeper...
(04:16:57 AM) Crys:
I am hardly much more. my father has only just become a gentleman, and was a mere farmer whilst I lived at home. I am nothing more than a common milkmaid when it comes down to it. If anything, I'm a housekeeper as higher standing than the cast-out shameful daughter of a prosperous upstart
(04:19:46 AM) Crys:
And regardless, if they knew the full truth of everything, they would simply assume that as a lord, you had taken me as your mistress, and no-one would be slightly interested. It only becomes interesting when the lady in question marries her lord, and then she is a pariah, obviously using her sensuality to lure a man in to throwing away his fortunes...
(04:22:08 AM) Madison:
mistress, hmm? *Morgan speaks quietly, as if distracted* I could certainly do much worse than to have you as a mistress
(04:24:57 AM) Crys:
*Molly takes it in, but maintains her composure, unsure of what an appropriate reaction would be* Funny isnt it? you can get away with whatever you please, with a woman of little standing, regardless of whether you are lord or master at arms.
*She reaches out to take the tinderbox from him, fire not completely forgotten, and accidentally brushes his hand with hers*
(04:26:29 AM) Madison:
Possibly, I suppose... Its definitely the marriage thats frowned on by those too stuck in their antiquated ways
(04:27:53 AM) Crys:
*she doesnt move away* Sometimes people go by what they think about a situation, not what they see in it. People often only see what they assume to be true, missing whats important.
(04:28:57 AM) Madison:
I think some are more concerned with how it would look to others, than whats actually going on
(04:31:12 AM) Crys:
I agree *she strikes the tinderbox, coaxing a spark out of it. It catches the kindling, and a tiny flame begins. She meets his eyes* see? a womans touch... a lot of things require that... This fire isnt normally one of them, but things do change...
(04:32:25 AM) Madison:
I blame the pool, frankly... *Morgan puts on an air of mild indignation* cant light a damn thing when I'm soaked to the skin
(04:34:39 AM) Crys:
Perhaps then you might also need to dry off... I bought some new drying sheets in the village last week, lovely and soft. You're welcome to borrow one. Though I must say, the damp look suits you *she smiles at him playfully*
(04:36:49 AM) Madison:
I know, makes me look rugged... *Morgan stands slowly, turning to Molly* now, are you sure you feel ok now?
(04:39:11 AM) Crys:
*She rises to match, so very torn* I feel ok physically, but also very tense and afraid. I never realised that each day might be my last. You hear people say it, but it's not til you've been there that you truly know.
(04:40:09 AM) Madison:
oh I know. This life is always balanced on that precarious edge. If you're not yet comfortable enough to be alone, I shall stay here
(04:40:40 AM) Crys:
*she lowers her eyes* it would not make you uncomfortable to stay?
(04:41:05 AM) Madison:
dont concern yourself with that. It is of no consequence
(04:43:02 AM) Crys:
*She looks at him, and says, so softly thats its barely audible* Thank you Morgan, not just for staying, but for saving my life. I always said I thought you were like a knight in shining armour, and now you've proven it. I owe you my life, and I will repay you, if you can ever think of anything you'd want from me.
(04:43:49 AM) Madison:
perhaps a towel? Much as I know being damp suits me, my hair is sopping
(04:46:49 AM) Crys:
*She cant help but smile* A towel, in return for my life? *She laughs softly, and fetches him a towel from the drawer in dressing table. She pauses* I always think this thing should have had a mirror... *She returns to him, handing him the towel and points to the only chair in the room, near the door* You might as well sit, I would not wish you extra discomfort.
(04:47:54 AM) Madison:
*Morgan takes the towel and begins to dry his hair gently as he goes to the chair. Sitting down, he takes a good look at the dresser* You could always have a mirror added
(04:49:28 AM) Crys:
I'd have to save my wages for 6 turns of the moon for a mirror for that... *She goes to the wardrobe, and retrieves another white shift. She shuts the door gently*
(04:50:14 AM) Madison:
Perhaps some lordly type could buy one for you? As a token of his affections?
(04:51:18 AM) Crys:
*Her face loses the humour, and she turns towards the fire* Yes, perhaps in the new house there might be one...
(04:51:50 AM) Madison:
*Morgan considers his next statement* I wasn't... necessarily... referring to Jaeger
(04:52:26 AM) Crys:
*She smiles* Oh no, not the Sir Charles idea again?
(04:52:59 AM) Madison:
*Morgans face becomes sombre* Forgive me, I speak out of turn
(04:55:11 AM) Crys:
*Molly looks like she's been slapped* I'm sorry, what did I say? I don't feel you've spoken out of turn, though you have me very puzzled. It would be incredibly hard for you to say something that would be offensive or inappropriate to me. I bet you couldn't if you tried, both out of my extreme tolerance for you, and your gentlemanly reserve. *She grins at him, almost daring him to try*
(04:56:28 AM) Madison:
gentlemanly reserve? *Morgan starts to laugh at the expression* More a fear of looking stupid I'm afraid... despite what the guests may say, I'm still just a man
(04:58:11 AM) Crys:
*She looks at him, no guarding or wary look in her eyes at all* You would never look stupid to me... nor be just a man... *She looks away, now her turn to feel afraid of looking stupid*
(04:58:42 AM) Madison:
*Morgan turns his attention to the dress* I see you're still enamoured with the dress
(05:00:52 AM) Crys:
*She also looks at it, its silver sparkles reflecting the candle light. Her voice is a mix of joy and sorrow* It is the most beautiful dress I have ever seen. And also the greatest gift I have ever been given, barring your actions today, of course.
(05:03:10 AM) Madison:
It certainly is beautiful... I understand the milliner in the village made it
(05:04:21 AM) Crys:
I do not know, for he hasn't mentioned it since I opened it. I ought to ask, for the milliner would do doubt appreciate it if I were to go to the village and compliment on the craftsmanship.
(05:05:48 AM) Madison:
You'd be surprised what I hear of. It would appear, for example, that David is somewhat smitten with a girl in the village
(05:06:50 AM) Crys:
Thats good. I hope he marries her, he is a nice lad and deserves a marriage based on love. *there is a chill in her voice*
(05:07:51 AM) Madison:
I rather suspect love has little or nothing to do with it at this point
(05:08:57 AM) Crys:
And what else might tempt a man in to a woman's arms? *she smiles at him, an obvious facade of mock innocence*
(05:09:36 AM) Madison:
*Morgan resumes his inspection from a distance of the dresser* curves
(05:10:44 AM) Crys:
Ahhhh well in that case I should have every man I meet begging for my affections, for I certainly am not lacking in that department *she giggles*
(05:11:28 AM) Madison:
I couldn't possibly comment... I think it would be most impertinent of me
(05:11:56 AM) Crys:
See, theres that gentlemanly reserve I referred to
(05:12:15 AM) Madison:
cowardice, I think you mean
(05:12:39 AM) Crys:
And you have reason to be cowardly with me because?
(05:13:09 AM) Madison:
well, truly I should not want to upset you or make you uncomfortable
(05:15:20 AM) Crys:
*She laughs softly* You are my greatest confidante, my truest friend, my saviour, and I stand here in front of you in a shift damn near invisible about to remove it, making you the only man in the world to have seen me naked since the day of my birth, and you think something you might say will cause upset or discomfort on my part?!
(05:16:06 AM) Madison:
I rather think so
(05:16:48 AM) Crys:
*She moves nearer to him* Try me, let me be the judge...
(05:17:39 AM) Madison:
I was rather thinking I might buy the mirror...
(05:18:10 AM) Crys:
I wouldnt mind paying you back, bit by bit, of course
(05:18:29 AM) Madison:
none of it
(05:18:38 AM) Madison:
it would be a gift to you
(05:18:46 AM) Madison:
a token of my affection, if you will
(05:20:28 AM) Crys:
*She pauses, on the verge of speaking. She is shaking, not visible from a distance, but close up. She stands very still.* That would be lovely, I would cherish it
(05:21:58 AM) Madison:
then tomorrow... or later today, depending how long it takes you to get yourself changed and dried, we'll go into the village and see whats there... failing that, Carleon
(05:22:44 AM) Crys:
*Her eyes go wide* Carleon?! The City?!
(05:23:16 AM) Madison:
Its been a couple of years since I was there, but I doubt its wandered off on its own
(05:24:48 AM) Crys:
*She grins* That would be incred... oh...no, we couldn't really. probably better just to go to the village *she smiles, but a little of the excitement is lost as the reality of her life hits home*
(05:24:49 AM) Madison:
to be honest, I'm quite surprised that the milliners in the village had the material to make your dress
(05:25:37 AM) Madison:
*Morgan shrugs* as you wish, but I doubt anyone in the village has an appropriate mirror... and since I've got business in Carleon anyway....
(05:25:50 AM) Crys:
*She does a double take* huh? how did you know thats who made the dress?
(05:26:42 AM) Crys:
And it is far from what I wish, in fact the opposite, but I can not see my future husband agreeing to it. *she sighs*
(05:28:56 AM) Crys: 
(05:30:16 AM) Madison: 
*Morgan shrugs again* Jaeger babbles... rather a lot
(05:31:10 AM) Madison: 
as for him not allowing it... I have two points. One, he knows you'd be safe with me, physically at least... two, I'm almost sure he's got a healthy attitude towards how difficult I can make life if I wish
(05:31:59 AM) Crys: 
and would you? Would taking me to Carleon be worth making his life difficult for?
(05:32:35 AM) Madison: 
blossom, I'd make anyones life difficult to take you so far as the village if you wanted to go
(05:33:10 AM) Crys: 
*She blushes*
(05:33:41 AM) Madison: 
and, given my rather unique view of the nobility, both from within and underneath, I'm quite adept at it
(05:34:46 AM) Crys: 
I remember... you werent quite so fond of me when I first arrived here, if I remember rightly *she smiles at him to show she isnt being spiteful*
(05:35:04 AM) Madison: 
I wasn't fond of anyone
(05:35:39 AM) Madison: 
There are more ways to be good at my job than bullying everyone... unfortunately, its taken time for me to work that out
(05:36:54 AM) Crys: 
No-one excels the first time they do it... *She shivers*
(05:37:51 AM) Madison: 
will you get changed, you'll catch your death and if memory serves, your constitution isn't as strong as it could be... *Morgan turns away to give her privacy*
(05:45:32 AM) Crys:
*She smiles to herself, turning her back to him* This way, if he looks, he won't be embarassed that I've seen him... and I'm sure that if he were to look I would feel his gaze upon me sure as I would feel the faintest trail of fingertips on my back...*She shivers again. Slowly she raises the hem of her shift up, part of hr hoping he's watching, part of her hoping he isnt. Her rounded calves appear, her skin perfectly pale, and then the soft smooth skin behind hr knees. Raising her shift higher, the back of her thighs become visible, followed the the gentle curve at the bottom of her buttocks, curving up generously to her wide hips. Her bottom is incredibly round and soft looking, designed to be touched and felt rather than admired from a distance. Naked from the waist down, she doesnt feel insecure, but her pulse races and her body tingles.*
(05:47:59 AM) Madison:
*Morgan steals a quick glance, instantly feeling guilty at his actions*
(05:51:04 AM) Crys:
*Molly feels his glance, and her skin tingles even more. She raises the shift higher, exposing her back and her waist, much narrower than her hips. Crossing her arms she takes one side in each hand and raises the shift fully off, showing the top of her back and her shoulders, the skin lovely and soft and smooth. With a giggle she says* Now would be a really bad time to turn around...
(05:54:54 AM) Madison:
who, you or I?
(05:55:40 AM) Crys:
*She grins* Well given that I was facing you when you turned away, it must be you, mustn't it?
(05:56:13 AM) Madison:
A good point, though I gather from your statement that you're no longer facing me
(05:57:00 AM) Crys:
Indeed. I am going to put the other one on now, ok?
(06:01:00 AM) Madison:
you're asking my permission? why?
(06:01:35 AM) Crys:
*She blushes* I do not know...
(06:02:01 AM) Madison:
Get yourself dressed girl, my neck is starting to ache like this
(06:03:02 AM) Crys:
You should have just turned the chair around... *She slowly lowers the new shift down, pulling her long hair out from the collar*
(06:03:56 AM) Madison:
I was somewhat distracted at the time and wished to save either of us discomfort as quickly as possible
(06:04:05 AM) Madison:
it would appear I failed at that however
(06:05:38 AM) Crys:
*She finishes lowering it, and it skims her curves better, hiding the detail better than the wet one. She turns back to him* You have only caused discomfort on your own behalf... I am ready now.
(06:06:13 AM) Madison:
*Morgan turns back* well, at least its dry. How are you feeling now?
(06:07:52 AM) Crys:
Better. You can leave if you want to, perhaps if you'd still like to go to the village we might go when you have also gotten in to dry clothes and out of wet ones *she glances away*
(06:09:23 AM) Madison:
*Morgan stares at her for a moment* yes. I think once I've changed and perhaps had something to eat, we'll go and look around the village
(06:10:51 AM) Crys:
*She smiles* I would really like that. And I'll also go to the milliner to thank him for making the red dress, and for advising jaeger wisely as to something I'd like.
(06:11:42 AM) Madison:
*Morgan nods as he stands. He hesitates a moment then takes Molly's hands* Be careful Molly, I should very much hate to lose you. *After staring into her eyes for a moment, he turns and leaves the room*
(06:13:55 AM) Crys:
*She stands there for nearly a minute, staring at the door. All manner of thoughts run through her head, some good, some bad. But now that she knows she's had a lucky escape with her life, she cant help but smile, even at the bad things....*