The sunsets a beautiful crimson and burnished gold over the courtyard. It is wednesday evening, and Molly's prediction of returning tuesday evening or early wednesday has come and gone. The weather is cool but dry, sounds carrying well. A coach can be heard coming up the path, a rhythmic thud of hoofs and turning of wheels. Pulling in to the yard, the coachman alights, and takes down a large trunk, a big sack and a rolled sheepskin rug. He places them in the yard, and from inside, Molly tells Evie to go inside and give her a moment. After this is done, and the coach pulls away, Molly sits on the trunk lid. Her simple dress bears the marks of her trip, mud, dust, water marks. She places her face in her hands, and sits quietly. *Morgan wanders into the coachyard from the side of the house, picking at a piece of purple leather* *Molly doesn't move at all. The gentle evening breeze plays through her hair, and it shimmers a fierry red in the low light of the sunset* *rounding the corner, morgan sees her and walks over quietly, coughing to announce his presence* *Molly suddenly jolts awake. She smiles at him, though there is something in her eyes that shows it is slightly forced. she looks very tired, and her eyes are slightly red from having cried previously. she speaks softly, obviously trying to make light of her feelings* I have returned, mostly in one piece... mostly? do not be too disheartened... these events are but a doorway opening onto a new chapter of life *Molly stands, biting her lip. She turns away a little, bending down to pick up the trunk. There is an air of defeat about her, in her stance and posture, in herr tone* If you can, I wonder that you might help me take these things upstairs? of course *he stoops qnd picks up all that he can, waiting for her to lead the way* i take it things did not go well *she leads him through the courtyard and in to the door by the gallery. As an answer, she merely shakes her head, quite clearly looking round in concern of being overheard* If you have a moment, I would be grateful of your counsel a little... *she starts to head up the servants stairs, the hevy truk which would normally be no burden to her takes a little more effort in her fatigued state* * he nods briefly* of course *Molly opens the door to her room, and places the trunk on the middle of the floor. She kneels beside it, resting back on her heels. Her hands are on her knees, palms up, and she looks at them now and then. Her voice is quiet, lacking onfidence* Please, come in and pull the door to... *he enters the room and all but shuts the door* *she looks over at the chair* feel free to sit if you wish, I would not wish you to suffer my long recouning in discomfort *she remains knelt where she was on the floor* * he takes a seat on the floor, not far from her* here will be fine *she smiles at him, and though her unhappiness is plain to se on the surface, somewhere underneath the joy at his prensence can still be seen. She sighs softly* To begin with, my trip was very succesful. I spoke to those I needed to speak to. Though the pain of seeing the wreckage was deep, her poor masts still bearing her flag, broken and burnt timbers in the water... It was bearable. Greatly as I loved her and had pride in her, I was able to watch somewhat impassively as the salavgers brought up what they could. At least you've had some closure on the matter... *she shakes her head, and looks down at her hands as she speaks* Yesterday evening, I was invited to dine with my parents. *she pauses a moment, as if still amazed by the importance of such* After the topic turned to the Rose, my father asked me if i had not noticed anything upon the voyages that could have been the explanation for the explosion. Once I had told him that I did not remain upon her, that I was here on the estate instead, he said 'Well, young Moll, perhaps if you had tended your business instead of chasing the nobility, you may have saved your ship, the lives of your crew and your hopes for the future.' *tears come to her eyes, and she holds them back by biting her lip* *morgans eyes go flat and hard* i think it's time he and i had a discussion... i do not believe the explosion to be accidental, and as such had you remained onboard, you would have died along with most of the crew... that would have been unbearable for me. *he pauses* as for your future... what i ask and offer is not much of a future, and would easily understand should you wish to chase your dreams elsewhere. *she takes a deep breath, still looking at her hands. She rubs her hands slowly together. The pain in her voice is clear* Accidental or not, perhaps I could have done something, anything... Those crew, they had families, and it is because of the Rose, and because of me that their families have lost them. believe me blossom, they knew what they signed on for... its the very nature of it... you could have done nought but die alongside them, and that would have served noone... < 04Molly > That your opinion opposes his so greatly eases my guilt a little. Perhaps I would have been no wiser than they as to what would occur.. < 08@Morgan > I think only those that caused it would have seen it coming * Molly sighs softly < 04Molly > As to my future... < 04Molly > His suggestion was that I quickly try and woo Curtis once more, in the hopes of not having 'ruined my whole future by my careless and frivolous ways'. < 08@Morgan > curtis who could only court the restless dead... * Molly 's eyes once more drop o her hands < 04Molly > When I told him of the unfortunate man's assasination, he responded with 'Again, Molly, had you tended your potential marriage instead of throwing it away on your high dreams of rising above your station, no assasin, even the most hard-hearted, would execute a man upon his wedding day, and were you not so much a dreamer, you could have saved yourself the burden of his demise also.' * @Morgan coughs slightly < 08@Morgan > Your father has the airs and opinions of someone of much higher station.... it is definitely overdue for someone to show him exactly where he stands * Molly nods distractedly < 04Molly > though I loved him not, and would not have made him a good wife, he might still be alive now, had it not been for me. I am only grateful that he never discovered my lack of affections, and the methods about which I ended the union, for it would have upset him a good deal. That I thought I was doing the right thing, for him as well as for myself, does not change the way it has ended. * @Morgan shakes his head < 08@Morgan > with or without you, he was going to die... he flaunted that ability of his too often * Molly 's brow crinkles, and she looks at him, eyes full of hope < 04Molly > I need not bear this guilt I feel so keenly? < 08@Morgan > none of the guilt is yours * Molly smiles softly < 04Molly > Thank you, dear heart, your absolution means a great deal to me < 08@Morgan > there was nothing to absolve < 04Molly > My father has.... he has always known how to break my confidence and strength < 08@Morgan > before long he will know how easily his own is broken * Molly folds her hands together, no longer looking at them < 04Molly > I would think that might be quite easy. Upon learning of Jaeger's demise, he set about instucting me upon which of his friend's sons ar currenly in want of a wife, and making his plans to approach them on my behalf < 08@Morgan > I will understand wholly if you choose such a path * Molly shakes her head resolutely < 04Molly > No, I do not wish that at all... They asked what I would do now, and I told them I was as yet unsure, but that it was not my intention to burden them with my return home. * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > I should imagine your father was greatly relieved to hear such < 04Molly > I do not think he cares over much... he believes I will alway follow his wishes... Even once he knows about... ummm... about what you have asked, he will assume that once you tire of my company, or when you must return to Eisen, he will then make me the daughter-in-law of one of his friends * Molly shrugs < 08@Morgan > he'll be wrong * Molly smiles < 04Molly > He does not know me as well as he thinks... I shall not marry one of these men he has chosen... I'd take up Siegfrieds offer o living in Caperlucia long before that < 08@Morgan > I would not trust your fathers idea of virtue when it comes to men * Molly lowers her voice a little < 04Molly > In truth, I do not trust him at all... Much as I wish to be happily reunited with them, I do not like the way he thinks I will follow his commands... I would do anything to avoid doing such, death even, if necessary. * Molly slowly undoes the latch on the trunk i do not know that going that far would be necessary... *Molly nods, slowly removing odds and ends from the trunk* I doubt it, for Siegfried has offered that if I wish, I can live in his lands, and be given a high position within his court... and Lady Siobahn has invited me to live aboard her ship and travel the world with her. All I can say for certain is that where I originally would hav so easily signed over my future to someone I did not care for, I have been taught to value my own needs far higher than that now. you talk as if it is a certainty and i must confess that it unsettles me As if what is a certainty, dear heart? *her hands pause as she looks at him, puzzled* your leaving... *he looks solemnly at her* *she looks at him intently* I do not wish to leave, but if Lady Catherine declines, or when you must return to Sudlachenburg, I can not stay and be forced by my father to give my life to someone I do not care for. you... you would not return to Eisen with me? *molly looks up, shyly, hesitantly* In truth, I did not believe it was your wish... why would it not be? my. feelings for you go beyond passing fancy blossom *Mollys cheeks redden, and she drops her gaze from his* I am sorry, I... I had not given thought to the possibility that your request might extend more than a matter of months... should that alter your decision, i shall respect that and not speak of it again. *she shakes her head. she speaks quietly, voice intense, but doesnt quite meet his eyes* No, I do not go back on the word I gave you. That you see such as a more long term arrangement than I had does not make me wish for it less. If anything, it encourages me to wish for it more. *he nods slowly* are you sure? I would not have you do something that you wished not to... *she moves slightly closer, resting her hand atop his* You need not fear that it is not my wish to be... *she blushes and looks away* ... for what you have requested to come to pass. Many moons ago, I spoke that I would give you my company for as long as you wished, providing that one day I would be free to be a mistress... You would still wish to be freed to do so at some point in the future? *molly blushes, biting her lip* I... ummm.... *she starts to chew the inside of her lip* I... *she pushes back her hair from her face, feeling frustrated by her own shyness. She takes a deep breath, and squares her shoulders a little. Her voice is low, quiet* Providing it is your wish to truly take me as... your mistress *she cant help but grin at the words* then no, I do not see I would wish for the freedom to be a mistress to any other... In truth, were I not to become your mistress, I think I should prefer never to be a mistress at all! *she suddenly looks away, cheeks flushed in shame* I am sorry, I have most definately spoken out of turn.. No, you haven't blossom, not at all. Your fervent statement reassures me that you would be such through desire to be rather than a need to be. *she looks at him her eyes soft* Please, do not think for a moment that my coming to you in such a way is motivated by the situation I find myself in. *she looks unsure, as if wanting to say more but not having the nerve* *he watches her patiently* *she looks at him, and the fear of speaking is quite clear. She averts her eyes to the floor* I... I do not want you to believe that I have only accepted because I have no choice... That is not why. Had the Rose not been taken from me, my answer would have been the same. I would have handed the running over to another, or sold her... I would have found a way, had you asked me, to be here, and to be that which you would have me be... *she looks back to him nervously a moment, as if trying to determine his reaction* *he watches her for a moment longer* *her brow furrows slightly* I no more gave you this answer because of losing the Rose than you asked me because of it. It pains me greatly that you might think I am motivated so. * he straightens slightly* you misunderstand... i am telling you that i would not wish you to feel obliged or that you needed to enter this arrangement... i wish it to be your desire, not your necessity... regardless of our... status, i will not see you destitute. *Molly smiles* I understand. It is most certainly my desire, dear heart. I do not chose it to prevent the possibility that you might be upset *he nods* good. *he pauses, looking uncomfortable* i can see there being issues when it becomes known... *she drops her gaze to the floor* It can only be known if Lady Catherine agrees... If she does not, I do not know what the future might bring. i do not think she'll refuse... she understands me and my actions more now than she did. *she smiles softly* I truly hope you are right. However, if she does not agree... *she looks at the floor* ... I shall wait until the situation arises where you are able... *she blushes* *he smiles* you will not need to wait, i am sure. *molly laughs softly* Though I would wait, I doubt such would be easy! difficult though it would be, i would not cheapen you by suggesting more clandestine meetings... *he looks about to say more, but doesn't* *Molly blushes hard, choosing her words carefully* I... I would simply fear the repercussions of such, for I would not wish the be the reason your lost your position here. my position here is almost always in doubt blossom... do not let it worry you... besides... i will do this properly or not at all *Molly looks at him a moment* As I have spoke, what happens or does not will be at a pace to suit you. I do not seek to rush this... I am contented and thrilled that it is even something you hope for. *she looks back to the trunk she's emptying, slightly embarassed by her words* *he coughs slightly* did you bring anything back with you? *a brief flash of discomfort passes over his as she interprets his cough as a sign of his own discomfort. She takes out the folded blue gingham curtains* I brought everything I had. It is a shame that you did not have chance to visit there, it was lovely. A shame that I never visited it, but I had absolutely no opportunity to. *she smiles softly* It was sad to leave there, in truth. Better that you had seen it when it was filled with my happiness instead. Its a shame that you had to leave there *she nods* There was no other option. For a little while, I had what it was I dreamed of as a child, my own home, a little garden.. *she looks at the fabric in her hands* blue gingham curtains and chair cushions... *she smiles softly*