* Molly sits at the table, toiling over the dress she has been making in the time she has not been planning for the ship. The dress has slowly taken shape, and she now fixes a large piece of black lacework to one of the panels of red fabric. (mtf) < 04Molly > 13It drapes across her blue skirt as she works on it in her lap, by the light of two candles, all that she could find. It is enough to work by, but it makes it harder than would be ideal. * @Morgan enters the room quietly, compass in hand * Molly looks up from her stitching, and her eyes light up, worries temporarily forgotten. st puts the fabric aside, and stands < 04Molly > 13Good morning * @Morgan inclines his head < 08@Morgan > my lady < 04Molly > 13Would you like some tea? < 08@Morgan > please * Molly pours him some tea in to a cup, and pulls out the chair beside hers. She takes the cup to him * @Morgan goes and sits down * Molly sits back in her chair, and picks up her sewing. she pases the needle in and out of the fabric, well practised, she does not look at it often. < 04Molly > 13Are you well? < 08@Morgan > well enough... yourself? * Molly looks down to the sewing < 04Molly > 13Apprehensive perhaps... but well in myself... the sea air seems far better for my cough * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > the air is not so dry < 04Molly > 13It has been a nice voyage, though I think I shall prefer to be on the Rose.. < 08@Morgan > from what I've heard of her, she's a proud ship... I'm quite surprised we didn't see her at the dockside in Carleon * Molly nods < 04Molly > 13I believe there were other things that held my attention at the time... * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > Holzheim is rather dashing, I'll agree * Molly blushes < 04Molly > 13I was not referring to Holzheim, but yes, he is... * @Morgan chuckles < 08@Morgan > I wonder what Captain Tsaylur would make of him * Molly pauses, thinking < 04Molly > 13I am certain she would see his good looks and easy charm, but I doubt it would be enough to convince her that taking a man to her bed again would be worthwhile... * Molly goes scarlet, having betrayed a confidence, and accidentally stabs hr index finger with the needle, wincing * @Morgan nods, speaking distractedly < 08@Morgan > he wasn't captain when I came to Avalon, mind... * Molly sucks the injured finger to stop the pain, and tastes the sharpness of her own blood. < 04Molly > 13No? < 08@Morgan > no, he was first mate at the time * Molly looks suprised < 04Molly > 13I had assumed that he owned his ship < 08@Morgan > he does... now * Molly smiles < 04Molly > 13Were you and he ever more than acquaintances? < 08@Morgan > I'd met him before I took the voyage, but only a couple of times * Molly smiles wryly < 04Molly > 13He reminds me in some ways of Maelwys... as if he is the sort of man on the outside that Maelwys sees himself as... < 08@Morgan > good looking and charming? * Molly nods < 08@Morgan > I suppose he is, in his own way... he's certainly charming < 04Molly > 13Do not mistake me, I find Maelwys incredibly charming, he is the sort of man I always imagined myself marrying, but he does not have quite the same handsomness as Holzheim < 08@Morgan > no < 04Molly > 13I wonder though that perhaps Holzheim has the soul of a wanderer, and perhaps a fondness for the affections of too many women to make a good husband? < 08@Morgan > sounds as close to the truth as any I've heard of Holzheim... he has a good heart though < 04Molly > 13I should imagine he would be easy to be a Companion to... * Molly resumes her swing after inspection the injury. < 08@Morgan > providing jealousy does not have a big part in your character, yes < 04Molly > 13Oh, I did not mean for me! * Molly laughs softly < 08@Morgan > I meant in general < 08@Morgan > as I understand it, you've set your hat, as you say, in the direction of another * Molly suddenly stops sewing, and looks up < 04Molly > 13I have not set my hat at another, for to do such would imply that I intend to push for a particular goal... * @Morgan smiles softly * Molly drops her eyes * @Morgan sips the tea slowly * Molly speaks quietly < 04Molly > 13I would not wish to be Holzheim's Companion in preference to being Companion to another, if that makes sense * @Morgan chuckles quietly * Molly doesn't look up from the sewing, though is more careful with her stitches < 08@Morgan > he's handsome but not _that_ handsome? * Molly smiles softly < 04Molly > 13He is not the most handsome of all the men I have met... < 08@Morgan > well no... obviously Jaegers rugged good looks far ou... *he starts to laugh* * Molly bites her lip < 04Molly > 13That is mean... I am certain that to someone, he is th most handsome man in the world, for surely everyone deserves to have someone who counts them more beautiful than anyone else in the world, surely? * @Morgan nods soberly * Molly looks up < 04Molly > 13I feel guilty that he thinks that of me and yet I do not return the sentiment... < 08@Morgan > I wonder if his feeling for you is less than you both believe... love and infatuation are similar < 04Molly > 13Then how would one tell the difference? < 08@Morgan > time, I think * Molly looks intrigued < 04Molly > 13I would imagine he would profess to have felt so for me since the beginning of June... that is six turns of the moon... < 08@Morgan > it would take much mroe than that for him to realise of his own volition < 04Molly > 13Then you think it is impossible to fall in love so quickly? * Molly smiles, and she relaxes slightly in the chair < 08@Morgan > I didn't say that < 04Molly > 13Oh... Just that it is possible he does not love me as he believes? < 08@Morgan > indeed * Molly smiles < 04Molly > 13I hope so, for the task I begin tomorrow will be long and arduous otherwise... to fall out of infatuation is surely simpler than to fall out of love... * Molly picks up her own cup, and drinks her tea < 08@Morgan > oh much < 04Molly > 13Does infatuation always come as a precursor to love? < 08@Morgan > no, not always * Molly puts her cup back down < 08@Morgan > sometimes it comes in its own right < 04Molly > 13Have you ever been infatuated with someone, in its own right? * Molly resumes her sewing, folding the scalloped edges of the lace carefully * @Morgan tilts his head back, considering < 08@Morgan > yes * Molly looks thoughtful < 04Molly > 13When you were much younger? < 08@Morgan > not particularly, no * Molly looks puzzled < 04Molly > 13Eiblinn? * @Morgan smiles briefly < 08@Morgan > no * Molly nods < 04Molly > 13I shall respect your wishes, if you prefer not to speak of it... < 08@Morgan > It was not infatuation to the degree that Jaeger appears to have it * Molly laughs softly < 04Molly > 13I am not sure anyone can ever truly feel the depth of affection for another to the degree he portrays it... < 08@Morgan > I suspect noone can ever truly feel the depth of emotion that Jaeger portrays * Molly looks thoughtful < 04Molly > 13Was it Anna? < 08@Morgan > what makes you say that? < 04Molly > 13In truth, I am unsure... perhaps the ease with which you complimented her, referred to hr as being pleasing to the eye and the soul... < 08@Morgan > that she is... Anna was very kind to me when I first arrived there... but no < 04Molly > 13She reminds me in many ways of Eliza... * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > 13Were I not in need of a dock close to home for the Rose, I might well have taken a house in Avebury in the coming months instead... < 08@Morgan > its a beautiful place, no mistake < 04Molly > 13But, I shall remain in Lower Tawstock, though I might perhaps visit them, if you have no objections? < 08@Morgan > no, of course not < 08@Morgan > I would not wish them to discover who I am... but because I would not wish to hurt them by my deceit * Molly looks at him, eyes intense < 04Molly > 13I would never give up your ruse, my desires for their friendship is far less than my desire for yours * Molly looks away, cheeks flushed, remembering the last convrsation they had about friends and desires < 08@Morgan > It is not my ruse I worry for Molly < 04Molly > 13But for them to discover i to be a lie, they would be hurt, and I should be greatly pained to hurt them, and in turn you, by my actions < 08@Morgan > my only concern is that they are not hurt * Molly nods < 04Molly > 13They do not deserve to be hurt... < 08@Morgan > quite * Molly finishes her line of stitching, and ties it off. She puts the dress aside, and takes a deep breath. Her bodice is far looser than normal, having woken without anyone to tighten it, and her bosom rises greatly as she breathes, not so tightly constrained. She picks up her tea < 04Molly > 13Would you tell me more of the girl you were infatuated with, or would you prefer not to? < 08@Morgan > what would you wish to know? * Molly smiles < 04Molly > 13What was she like? Was she Eisen? * Molly sips her tea, and slips off her shoes under her skit, tucking her left foot up under her. she leans forward, paying atention < 08@Morgan > no... not eisen... she's strong willed, beautiful, clever... < 04Molly > 13You still know her? * @Morgan nods slowly < 04Molly > 13Did she ever know how you felt? < 08@Morgan > no, no I dont think so < 08@Morgan > I tried hard to hide it from her * Molly smiles softly < 04Molly > 13That is sad, for perhaps she also felt the same for you... < 08@Morgan > no... I can guarantee that she did not < 04Molly > 13It causes a great deal of trouble to hope that one's feelings are returned, which is why I oft think it is better to begin such a thing with the knowledge always in your mind that your affections will be unrequited < 08@Morgan > perhaps, though truly I would not have been able to... much as I liked her, I could not be with her... I could not allow myself < 04Molly > 13That is understandable, given your circumstances... * Molly sips her tea < 04Molly > 13You could have taken her as your Companion though, had your secret been revealed? < 08@Morgan > no, I dont think that would have been.. desirable to her * Molly shakes her head < 04Molly > 13The stupidity of some people quite overwhelms me! * @Morgan stays straight faced < 08@Morgan > I'm glad, however... < 04Molly > 13Why so? < 08@Morgan > I would not be where I am had things happened differently... < 08@Morgan > I _could_ not feel more than infatuation for her... * Molly looks completely puzzled, and drinks her tea < 04Molly > 13I find sometimes when I speak with you, I find myself more confused than when I began * @Morgan smiles < 08@Morgan > you aren't the only one * Molly laughs < 04Molly > 13I have asked you questions, and yet somehow seem to understand far less with each one! * Molly smiles < 08@Morgan > an unfortunate habit I have < 04Molly > 13So, you believe you are happier for not having her as your Companion? < 08@Morgan > I... < 08@Morgan > I believe having her as a Companion would have ruined the friendship she and I have * Molly watches his reaction closely, trying to make sense of the riddle * Molly looks away, looking at the floor < 04Molly > 13Yes, you are probably right... < 08@Morgan > I've no doubt in my mind < 04Molly > 13Such a thing could easily destroy a much cared for friendship. < 08@Morgan > indeed * Molly picks up her sewing once more, and makes sevral attempts to get the first stitch correct, brow furrowed < 08@Morgan > but that has not come to pass, nor will it < 04Molly > 13If you are correct that she has no wish to be your Companion, yes... < 08@Morgan > I am * Molly nods. She looks at her cup and rises, filling it from the tea pot < 04Molly > 13It is good that you care for your friendship with her so much < 08@Morgan > is it? < 04Molly > 13A close friendship is far too important to idly throw away on the desires of one person involved in it < 08@Morgan > oh, the friendship is not particularly close... * Molly looks at his cup, and moves to top it up, avoiding meeting his eyes < 04Molly > 13It isn't? < 08@Morgan > no < 04Molly > 13Oh... < 08@Morgan > it is a strong friendship, but not overly close * Molly pours the tea, the china of the spout tapping slightly against the rim of his cup as her hand shakes. < 04Molly > 13I understand... < 08@Morgan > do you? Your hands say otherwise * Molly turns away, placing the teapot down < 04Molly > 13I just did not realise you felt so < 08@Morgan > and now you confuse me * Molly keeps her back to him, though it is noticeable in her body language that she forces her shouldrs straighter, head up < 04Molly > 13I believed that our friendship was close, but then I have had few to compare it to * @Morgan speaks quietly < 08@Morgan > oh Molly... t'was not you that I spoke of... our friendship is as close as I have ever had * Molly turns around to face him, though doesnt meet his eyes < 04Molly > 13I am pleased to hear you say so, for I was afraid that I held our friendship for closer than I ought * @Morgan shakes his head < 08@Morgan > you fret needlessly * Molly smiles, sitting back down. she picks up her tea < 04Molly > 13Only because I care for what we have so greatly < 08@Morgan > as do I, blossom... as do I < 04Molly > 13And as you were speaking of another, I am vry glad you did not take her as your Companion * Molly smiles < 04Molly > 13It has given me something to fret over that has distracted me from the task that awaits me in the morning... < 08@Morgan > have you considered... oh this sounds terrible... setting Lady Rebecca on him * Molly goes scarlet, and it is obvious that she has < 04Molly > 13Ummm....yes. And I believe that were I to ask, she would aid me... < 08@Morgan > you know, I cant tell if I like her or not < 04Molly > 13Oh I like her, though she is very... posh. * Molly blushes < 08@Morgan > she went to great lengths to include me, to make me feel at ease... < 04Molly > 13Yes, I had noticed... * Molly looks away, hoping that he didn't hear the slight hint of jealousy < 08@Morgan > yet I could not tell if she did so as a kindness or to condescend < 04Molly > 13I doubt it was to condescend... Perhaps from pity though, for even I find myself struggling to not comfort you when I see you behave so subservient around the others < 08@Morgan > I wonder if there is much point... the Lieutenant knows about me, and I suspect Kai does also... * Molly nods < 04Molly > 13and Lady Cathrine knows, and your parents will hear it from you before any other has chance to tell them * Molly smiles, remembering a previous conversation, and quotes him < 04Molly > 13Perhaps, little one, it is time to be who you truly are once more... * @Morgan sighs < 08@Morgan > perhaps < 04Molly > 13It is only if you wish it... there are always choices, are there not? < 08@Morgan > always * Molly moves her chair forward a little, and takes his hand in hers < 04Molly > 13Then you should do as you wish, regardless of the ideas, wants and desirs of those around you... * Molly smiles at him tenderly < 08@Morgan > perhaps it is time I started carrying myself as I should, not as... well, actually, thats not right... even while people thought I was a house servant, I still chose to be rude and abrupt < 04Molly > 13Perhaps, but no one will make you do something you do not wish to. < 08@Morgan > oh I dont know... I've found that no matter who you are, people will try to make you do something that you may not wish to * Molly loosens her grip on his hand slightly < 04Molly > 13They will always try, but you do not always have to put others first... < 08@Morgan > no... and rarely do I * Molly smiles, her eyes soft < 04Molly > 13I can not think of the last thing I would guess you did purely to please yourself < 08@Morgan > that is an even rarer occurance, I'll admit * Molly nods, her free hand going to her lower lip, and she realises the reaction as the contact is made. She laughs softly, knowing there is no hiding so blatant a gesture < 04Molly > 13I...ummm... * Molly picks up her tea, feeling awkward < 04Molly > 13I confess, putting my own wants first does not come naturally to me, which is why things will be very difficult for me until this matter is resolved < 08@Morgan > indeed * Molly takes a deep breath, her cleavage rising and falling once more. she lets go of his hand. < 04Molly > 13I am afraid I might be a little less amiable from tomorrow onwards < 08@Morgan > no matter... I shall have the memory of how you are when we're alone * Molly smiles < 04Molly > 13Memories are a wonderful thing to have... particularly of moments that mean a great deal to us. * @Morgan nods * Molly holds the cup with both hands, fighting against her natural habit < 04Molly > 13It is fortunate for me that I am so good at recalling things < 08@Morgan > indeed < 08@Morgan > but then if a memory is so important, one strives to hold on to it < 04Molly > 13I find I recall detail so well that each time I recall the moments I treasure, it is almost as good as reliving them... almost. * Molly sips her tea slowly * @Morgan smiles, nodding slowly < 04Molly > 13You seem a little out of sorts this morning, does something trouble you? < 08@Morgan > I do not relish being away from you for so long... or being so close to you but staying at a distance * Molly smiles playfully < 04Molly > 13You have stayed a distance from me since just before we got back to the estate... < 08@Morgan > as needs must blossom < 04Molly > 13Not because you wished to? < 08@Morgan > no * Molly smiles, and her eyes sparkle with mischief < 04Molly > 13such distance is not always necessary... < 08@Morgan > no? I would not risk the ire of Jaeger falling upon you... < 04Molly > 13Of him falling upon me? * @Morgan frowns < 08@Morgan > no... his ire falling upon you * Molly smiles < 04Molly > 13But he is not here... < 08@Morgan > that he is not < 04Molly > 13These next few weeks will be unpleasant for me, for I shall have to make some concessions to not earning his displeasure, though I do not wish to be in his arms... * Molly sighs softly < 08@Morgan > do you still intend to... dissuade him? < 04Molly > 13Of course... * Molly moves from her seat, and kneels at Morgan's feet, her eyes on his < 08@Morgan > you still intend to make him jealous, perhaps? < 04Molly > 13Definately, for I think disuading him alone will not be enough < 08@Morgan > and set Rebecca at him also... perhaps the combination of things will push him away quicker * Molly rests her cheek against his knee, keeping eye contact. < 04Molly > 13I shall speak to her in the morning... But I thought you wished for me to wait until you had left before fliting with Colonel Kai? < 08@Morgan > oh I do... but if needs must.... < 04Molly > 13I can think of little alternative that would not cause chaos * Molly looks away < 08@Morgan > no, nor I < 04Molly > 13Then I shall implment all three strategies in one... though unfortunately we shall still have to be *she pauses, as if thinking for the right word* without the closeness we have for the same amount of timefor many months < 08@Morgan > I know < 04Molly > 13Though the sooner he moves on, the less time I will need to spend in his arms, and the fewer kisses I might have to share with him < 08@Morgan > than all we can do is hope he moves on quickly < 04Molly > 13definately, for I truly dread the prospect of having to kiss him wh... *she trails off, looking embarassed* < 08@Morgan > it will _not_ come to that * Molly laughs softly < 04Molly > 13How can you know such? < 08@Morgan > I will not let it * Molly smiles at him softly < 04Molly > 13I am not sure how you would be able to intervene without arousing suspicion < 08@Morgan > I will find a way * Molly takes his hand < 04Molly > 13It means that much to you to avoid my discomfort? < 08@Morgan > as I've said before, if I must give up everything, I would * Molly smiles up at him < 04Molly > 13You are far too good * Molly draws his hand to her, and kisses it tentatively * @Morgan smiles gently * Molly 's eyes narrow, and it's obvious she is listening to something < 04Molly > 13I believe the crew might be awake... * Molly stands, her face belying the irration she feels, unusual with her normally calm temprament < 08@Morgan > oh most likely < 04Molly > 13That is... not as I would wish for... * Molly gathers up her sewing into a tidy bundle < 04Molly > 13I believe we had even less time alone than we perceived, dear heart < 08@Morgan > indeed < 04Molly > 13I could not say when we might have another moment to talk alone, though I hope it is soon, for I know the moment I leave this room, I will desrately yearn to be with you again... * Molly blushes < 08@Morgan > and I with you * Molly bites her lip < 04Molly > 13One day, perhaps we might have a whole aftrnoon together! *she grins broadly to make light of the situation* < 08@Morgan > indeed... some day you and I shall walk the streets of Carleon again, arm in arm * Molly 's eyes sparkle < 04Molly > 13I shall hold you to that, dearest one... and until then, I shall be contented by my memories * Molly goes to the door * Molly leaves quietly, hoping not to draw the attention of the crew