* Molly shields her eyes from the sun, having returned to the ship. She looks down at him with a smile Molly: Coffee... Morgan: please Molly: No, I meant... If you wanted... Ummm... I doubt there is any here on the ship... * Molly blushes * @Morgan smiles Morgan: I'm not entirely sure where will stock it Molly: I believe in the Embassy district there are supposed to be coffee shops... Morgan: sounds about right * Molly looks at him, but doesnt meet his eyes Molly: I have never been to a coffee shop, though if you do not wish to, I shall go another time when I visit the city Morgan: no, I'll go * Molly smiles Molly: Of course, it means not waiting upon Colonel Kai... Though I am no longer obliged to wait on others, and therefore I am free to do what I wish * Molly takes out a piece of parchment and a pencil Morgan: no longer obliged to wait on them? Molly: No... in the house, I have to wait around for people to ask things of me.. I do not have to do that now Morgan: no, you do not * Molly starts writing, and she writes well, as if she'd always known how Molly: It will not hurt the Colonel to wait for my return... Perhaps he will begin to see the value of a woman maintaining her mystery... Morgan: perhaps he will begin to see the value in not expecting everything when he wants it * Molly signs the note and folds it, pushing it lightly in to a gap in the wood so it does not blow away Molly: I doubt that, he seems to think everything should be done his way * Molly walks back down towards Morgan Morgan: he's an arrogant ass. He gives the men of Eisen a bad name Molly: He is... persistant. Morgan: He is one of the few men that try my patience without even attempting it * Molly sighs slightly Molly: I must confess, even I find his ways trying... Sometimes it is as if he believes me to be a child, or a half-wit Morgan: I think his... honour only shows itself when it suits him * Molly goes to his side, and smiles Molly: I am not used to being underestimated so much any more... Morgan: he does not underestimate your abilities... he overestimates his own Molly: He thinks that I might not have the skills needed to run the Rose... * Molly looks away, her own doubts evident Morgan: does he? or does he wish to belittle you enough for you to hand it over to someone experienced.... such as him * Molly looks deep in thought for a moment Molly: Aye, perhaps... Or he wanted to see just what sort of woman I truly am Morgan: you think? Molly: In all honesty, I am unsure. Had the Lieutenant not been present, I could have forseen the conversation becoming difficult Morgan: it seems that he's tried charm and when that failed, he's tried bullying and belittling * Molly starts to walk in the right direction * @Morgan follows on Molly: I think that perhaps he did not get the result he was hoping for... I will _not_ be broken like a mustang in the field * Molly smiles, and her eyes sparkle Morgan: I suspect it'd be much harder to break you than either he or I * Molly thinks for a moment Molly: Perhaps... Though I would not wish to break either of you. I wonder that perhaps he thinks of me as a Lady, head full of nonsense... Morgan: perhaps * Molly smiles softly Molly: I do dearly hope that I do not end up so... I do not wish this life to change who I am Morgan: no, nor do I * Molly looks at the floor Molly: The more people I meet with higher social standings, the more I find there is such... falseness to it Morgan: indeed there is Molly: It is far harder work than I thought it would be... I find myself charming others simply because it is now expected of me. Every conversation I hold, I find myself constantly adjusting to these expectations Morgan: including conversations with me? * Molly stops, looking at him intently, as if trying to decide what to say Molly: I... There are times when I have not spoken my mind to its fullest extent, but only because there are things that might cause discomfort. But apart from that, I am with you completely myself * @Morgan nods Morgan: I would hate to think the charm you show me is forced * Molly blushes Molly: I make no attempts at charming you, nor have I ever done so... I have not set my hat at you * Molly smiles * @Morgan speaks quietly Morgan: I'm not sure if I'm glad of that or not * Molly 's eyes go wide Molly: Morgan, I.... I would not have tried to win you, for I saw what happened between you and Evie. Greatly as I like you, I am not a fool. Morgan: I know * Molly looks away, cheeks red * Molly squares her shoulders, trying to reign in the shyness that threatens to show through. Molly: If I have charmed you, it has been through my naturally sparkling personality alone... * Molly grins at him playfully Morgan: of that I have no doubt Molly: Imagine how much trouble you might have found yourself in had I _tried_... * Molly laughs * @Morgan nods slowly Morgan: perhaps * Molly starts walking once more Molly: Have you been to the coffee shops here before? Morgan: a few times, many years ago Molly: I wonder that perhaps I am a little under-dressed... Morgan: You look fine * Molly looks at him Molly: You do not look to bad yourself, dear heart... * @Morgan looks at the floor Molly: In truth, I can not recall a time when I have not thought so Morgan: I think perhaps you associate the image that men in my job project Molly: I doubt it, for in my mind you are not master-at-arms, but my dearest friend Morgan: likewise, blossom * Molly smiles, and bites her lip Molly: I thought that the waistcoat you wore at the monestary was lovely Morgan: thank you Molly: I am surprised that you had not seen me looking, for in truth I could not take my eyes from y.. it. * Molly blushes, looking away Morgan: I was somewhat... preoccupied Molly: I missed a great deal of the events of the weekend, so I am unsure as to what held your attention so Morgan: well, Lady Torrington and I had a few... discussions. And then there was my recognising the Lieutenant Molly: I find myself liking the Lieutenant a great deal Morgan: I'm beginning to Morgan: possibly because he seems to take delight in contradicting Kai * Molly laughs Molly: I like him because he is nice to me, talks to me as if I have something interesting to say... understands that a woman needs mystique to hold the attentions of a man Morgan: I speak no lie when I say that is not true for you Molly: Do I no longer hold mystique for you, dear heart? * Molly grins Morgan: oh you do... but it is not needed * Molly nods Molly: There are still *she pauses slightly* things about me you do not know... Though it pleases me to know I have your attentions regardless * Molly bites her lip Morgan: I will not ask you to share these things with me unless you choose to Molly: The things I feel would not be inappropriate to share, I shall... Morgan: you needn't... I do not like you for what I do not know, I care for you for what I know of you, not about you * Molly blushes Molly: You are far too good to me... Morgan: no, I'm really not Molly: You are kind, charming, generous, and listen to me, even when I talk in riddles... how could you be better to me? * Molly notices that they have left the wharf behind, and are entering the embassy district Morgan: charming? Are you sure you dont mean some other Eisen man? Molly: You are charming... would I desire your company so much if you were not? Morgan: perhaps you prefer the attentions of someone who gives them with no ulterior motive Molly: In truth, I have not noticed whether I have the attentions of the others at all Molly: Mine own attentions are too firmly held elsewhere * Molly giggles Morgan: oh? the lieutenant is rather handsome I suppose * Molly gently nudges him with her elbow playfully Molly: Sometimes I wonder, being so unobservant, that you manage to be master-at-arms at all! Morgan: I think you'll find for the most part, I fail at that job Molly: Tell me, how many of the staff in that house have died since your arrival? Morgan: one Morgan: well... no, thats not true Morgan: sort of * Molly looks really puzzled Molly: Who? Morgan: I have * Molly shudders, and visibly pales Molly: Yes... I dearly hope that does not happen again Morgan: as do I Molly: I... I... *she shakes her head slightly* But so many lives would have been lost without you as master-at-arms Morgan: I think you're wrong Molly: When you waited every hour for the next thing out of that damned portal, do you not see that you prevented that job fallling to the rest of us? Morgan: I suppose Molly: You do not see yourself as the hero I see you as... Morgan: I doubt that anyone _could_ see me as the hero you do Molly: Then you are incredibly lucky to have met me! * Molly laughs Morgan: I've said the same many times Molly: You will always be my knight in shining armour, my lord... Morgan: I wonder, are you intending to stock coffee for the Rose, or were you just seeking to experience a coffee shop * Molly looks slightly guilty Molly: I... ummm... actually just wanted a little more time alone with you, with coffee as well. * @Morgan flushes Morgan: I see Molly: I would like to sit a little while in a coffee shop... we must be in the right area now * Molly looks at all the posh shops around them, and spots a coffee shop two shops down * @Morgan raises his face and inhales Morgan: certainly smells like the right area * Molly points to the one she's seen Molly: How about there? Morgan: wherever you wish * Molly smiles, her mind obviously lost in the thoughts that come to her. She goes to the door Molly: It looks lovely... and expensive * Molly laughs softly * @Morgan chuckles Morgan: you do seem to have expensive taste * Molly touches her lower lip, blushing, and opens the door Molly: You might well be right Morgan: might? Molly: I... ummm.... there are many expensive things that I have not tried that I might dislike Morgan: such as? * Molly goes into the shop, which is small, grandly furnished, and smells beautifully of rich coffee * @Morgan follows Molly: All manner of foods from around Theah, high grade silks... Morgan: high grade silks... I doubt you'd dislike them * Molly smiles Molly: There is very little that compares to slipping on a silk dress, feeling the coolness of the light fabric against the skin... and silk of a higher quality probably feels divine * Molly looks around for somewhere to sit, having not paid attention to what she's said * @Morgan points at a table Morgan: how about there? * Molly goes to it, and sits down Molly: This is a good table... sorry, where was I? * @Morgan follows, trying to catch the eye of a serving girl Morgan: you were telling me how slipping on a silk dress has very little that compares to it * Molly blushes slightly Molly: I shall have to see whether I can acquire some high grade silk to compare it to... What about you, dear heart, would you say you had expensive tastes? Morgan: sometimes, I'll admit * Molly looks intrigued Morgan: its been a long time, but wearing the shirt and waistcoat and proper trousers... it felt... right * Molly looks at the table Molly: It looked right... no, better than right Molly: 4 A young servin girl comes over, waiting to be instructed * @Morgan looks at the girl Morgan: coffee for us both, little sister Molly: 7 With cream and sugar, my Lord? Morgan: please Molly: 4 She nods, and walks off * Molly laughs softly Molly: I still find it strange to have people wait on me Morgan: it takes some getting used to Molly: It must have been strange for you, going from being waited on, to waiting on others... * Molly looks at him, voice and eyes soft, her hands on the table, fingers interlocked Morgan: not especially... remember I lived in my own house with Dietlinde. I'm quite used to serving myself, and because of some warped sense of honour, I tended to put others before myself anyway Molly: It is strange, the ways life can lead a person from what they were born to... * @Morgan laughs Morgan: it seems you and I have both gone to our opposites * Molly looks a little unsure of herself Molly: And yet, I wonder whether it is as good as I had pictured... Morgan: probably not Molly: I think perhaps almost everything I imagine will be better in my own mind than in fact... * @Morgan looks intrigued * Molly turns her hands over, stroking her palm lightly with her thumb Morgan: almost everything? * Molly goes scarlet red, her voice quiet Molly: So far, only two things have proven better in reality than in my mind Morgan: I see Molly: 4 The girl returns with two large cups of hot coffee, and places them on the table gently Morgan: thank you, little sister *he hands her a coin* Molly: 4 She takes it, thanking him, eyes downcast. She turns and goes to another table * Molly watches her go Molly: And the other things in my imagination are as yet untested... Morgan: such as? * Molly looks back to the table Morgan: you need not answer if it discomfits you Molly: Those would be the things that would be quite improper for me to say... * Molly picks up her coffee, and blows on it, rippling the surface slightly Molly: One day, perhaps, I might be able to tell you... Morgan: perhaps Molly: Did you know, Horatio once suggested I considered becoming a teacher? Morgan: it doesn't surprise me * Molly sips her coffee, eyes closed, enjoying it to its fullest. She makes an almost inaudible noise of pleasure Molly: This coffee is incredible! Morgan: much nicer when you've not had to make it yourself, isn't it Molly: Definately... Molly: I gave a little thought to the idea of following Horatio's advice when I thought about what I might do when I was free to choose Morgan: I think you'd be marvellous at it * Molly blushes Molly: I thought then about the work I could do to help Eisen, and in truth, I did not think myself capable of doing both Morgan: the real question is which would you be happier doing? * Molly shakes her head Molly: Though the children of the village do really need a teacher, as they were promised by Horatio taking the school house, surely the people of Eisen need my time more? * @Morgan looks vague Morgan: the people of Eisen are not broken... though your efforts would not go unnoticed, they will manage to build our home again regardless * Molly looks at him Molly: Do you think I'd be more use teaching? Morgan: perhaps... Eisen will mend itself... children will not teach themselves * Molly giggles Molly: That is true enough. If I were to speak to Lady Catherine, would you lend your support to me taking the schoolhouse? Morgan: of course Morgan: in truth I would sleep easier knowing you were close by * Molly smiles, her eyes playful Molly: It is certainly within walking distance Morgan: indeed it is * Molly drops her eyes shyly Molly: Though it has two bed chambers, and therefore this distance would not matter Morgan: I think it would be greeted with great suspicion were I to stay there * Molly nods Molly: Oh yes, I should imagine that people would suppose all manner of inappropriate things to be occurring! * Molly bites her lip, and then sips her coffee Morgan: undoubtedly * Molly laughs Molly: And they would probably be completely wrong! * @Morgan flushes Molly: But it would be nice to live so close by... I have never lived alone, and I am a little unsure of how I shall find my own company Morgan: enchanting, as the rest of us do * Molly blushes Molly: I told you you were a charmer, dear heart Morgan: I think not * Molly smiles Molly: It is a nice house... I spent a great deal of time there after Horatio left Morgan: I know * Molly looks down at the coffee Molly: No matter what I did, I thought of him a great deal Morgan: I don't doubt it Molly: But, with time, my feelings for him have passed, as I think most feelings do Morgan: indeed Molly: I should imagine that were I to live in the schoolhouse, Evie would spend all her free time there * @Morgan frowns Morgan: I suspect you're right Molly: I shall not keep her from her duties, nor would she prevent me from mine Morgan: she's quite adept at keeping herself from her duties Molly: I should hope that she would not wish to spend every evening at my hearth though.. Morgan: no? Molly: I have a particular fondness for another whom I would wish to visit me, ideally without her presence... Morgan: oh? * Molly smiles softly, sipping her coffee Molly: Aye... though I would not mind her visiting often, sometimes it would be better were she not there... * @Morgan chuckles * Molly looks around, noticing the relative emptiness of the shop. She reaches out tentaively, slowly, placing her hand over his on his cup * @Morgan smiles Morgan: you needn't be so fearful Molly: I am not afraid that someone will see, just that one time I shall do so and you pull away * Molly 's eyes look pained Morgan: I've already told you that that will not happen * Molly strokes the back of his hand, her blue eyes on his Molly: I shall endeavour to remember that, dearest one * Molly smiles Molly: Of course, being on the estate, the schoolhouse must be part of your patrol... Morgan: it certainly is Morgan: perhaps a small rest stop for coffee half way around the grounds would be a good idea Morgan: or perhaps I shall be forthright and say I desired your company * Molly grins, her cheeks flushing Molly: I'd be careful of how you emphasise it if you do... Morgan: I shall emphasise it how I please, unless you do not approve * Molly looks at her coffee, voice very quiet Molly: I have thrice offered you any comfort or aid you might seek... do you know what has changed since then? Morgan: what? Molly: Nothing... * @Morgan 's eyes sparkle Morgan: _any_ comfort? * Molly keeps her eyes downcast, nodding Molly: indeed * @Morgan flushes red * Molly sips her coffee, and squares her shoulders Molly: I'm sorry, unfortunately although my mind recognises the difference between what is appropriate and inappropriate to say, I seem to have very little control where my affections are concerned Morgan: worry not, blossom Molly: I should imagine Evie will arrive on my doorstep any time she can not find you! * Molly giggles Morgan: perhaps... though I do not see why... Molly: Because she knows we are friends, and also it will give her an excuse to visit me... I have a feeling she might ask if she could live with me * Molly gently runs her fingertips over his hand Morgan: and would you consider such a thing? Molly: No, it would be... inconvenient Morgan: I see Molly: I have spent 18 months cleaning up after other people, and I should not wish to clean up after others in my own house... though of course I would have, had Jaeger and I married Morgan: or if you were someone's mistress? Molly: Yes, were the Lord in question living with me... * @Morgan nods Molly: I believe that most mistresses are kept in houses away from the court, ready to be visited on the odd occasion it suits him to do so... * Molly drinks her coffee * @Morgan nods * Molly sets her cup down Molly: I would not mind another... * Molly stands, leaving her fingers on his hand as long as possible * Molly looks at him, her eyes intent on his. she bites her lower lip before looking away