< 04Molly > As always, the bell is rung by the servants to signal dinner. It is the same night, a friday. The weather has turned humid and stormy, great peels of thunder rolling through the Eisen skies* * @Morgan wanders towards the dining room fiddling with the buttons on his waistcoat < 04Molly > *all the women wait outside the door, as is customary, in the nice upholstered chairs. They talk quietly amongst themselves, waiting for Adalbrecht, David and Morgan * @Morgan stops by the door < 04Molly > **they all look up at him smiling. Verity wears a pale grey gown, Martha in pale blue, and alarice in pale green. Standing out, Molly wears the red dress he bought her. They all greet him politely* < 08@Morgan > I trust you are all well? < 04Molly > VE: Quite well, dear boy, though we are waiting your father to seat us ((it'd be customary for the host to go in first)) * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > Ve: Are you well? < 04Molly > **there is the noise of deep laughter from further down the corridor** < 08@Morgan > well enough * @Morgan looks down the corridor < 04Molly > **David and Adalbrecht appear, laughing very hard, almost leaning on each other. It is clear that whatever divide came between them, be it nationality or class, is now resolved. Martha and Verity look mildly smug, whereas Molly watches with complete suprise* < 04Molly > ((done)) * @Morgan 's face becomes neutral, as it always does when he's surprised or unsure < 04Molly > Ad: *In a much more jovial mood, he bows to them all, opening the double doors in to the dining room. Verity and Alarice follow him in, then Martha on David's arm follows* * @Morgan watches them for a moment before offering his arm to Molly * Molly stands, slipping her arm in to his with a little squeeze. She looks up at him affectionately whlst the others get themselves seated* < 04Molly > good evenin, liebes herz < 08@Morgan > good evening blossom < 04Molly > *a butler closes the door behind them, and the servants start to bring out the covered dishes for dinner, another pouring drinks* * @Morgan pulls out a chair * Molly takes her seat, thanking him. The others are chattering amongst themselves < 04Molly > Are you truly well? < 08@Morgan > aye blossom < 04Molly > I am glad to hear it, though- < 08@Morgan > though? * Molly 's words get cut off by the chinking of a glass, Adalbrecht rising to stand < 04Molly > AD: I wish to make a toast, to my son, who has recently proven that his birthright is well-placed, and that he will make a strong but compassionate ruler of these lands. To Morgan! < 04Molly > *the others all toast loudly, Molly is the only one of them who keeps her gaze on Morgan, and not Adalbrecht* < 04Molly > ((done)) * @Morgan flushes bright red * Molly slips her hand under the table, resting comfortingly on his thigh. She speaks quietly < 04Molly > Are you now supposed to make a toast of your own? < 08@Morgan > I'm not entirely sure < 04Molly > It would be usual in Avalon... < 08@Morgan > we are not in avalon < 04Molly > *They all watch him now, expectedly* * @Morgan sighs resignedly and stands up < 08@Morgan > your words are kind, and I thank you. For a long time I have neot been suitable for such a role, being most irresponsible... for restoring me to the man I can and should be, we must all thank one person... to Molly * Molly goes absolutely scarlet red, biting her lip, the others toasting enthusiastically < 08@Morgan > me glances at her before sitting down * Molly stands up, nervously. She raises her glass < 04Molly > You are far too kind, it was always a pleasure, and never a chore! *the others laugh* I would like to raise a toast to Eisen and Avalon, and all the beautiful things that come from a union of the two... to Eisen and Avalon! < 04Molly > **they all join in the toast, laughing at the slightly bawdiness of her toast** * @Morgan stands and makes the toast * Molly smiles, waiting to sit back down til everyone else does. Once seated, she drains her glass* < 04Molly > David: *he looks to Morgan* I hear you found some bandits < 08@Morgan > indeed we did < 04Molly > **the others begin to serve themselves and eat* < 04Molly > AD: Do not be modest, I am sure they would all like to hear of your success! < 08@Morgan > all I did was inform my commander of a change in the field < 04Molly > **they all laugh* < 04Molly > David: Was it a tough fight? < 08@Morgan > no, my commander takes to new ideas quite quickly * @Morgan glances at his father to see if he's caught the humour < 04Molly > Adalbrecht: *he laughs* It's good to have a new lieutenant in the field, brings lots of new ideas. Nothing is perfect that never changes! Of course, I shall never admit I said that! < 04Molly > *they all laugh again* < 04Molly > Martha: *she looks at Morgan* What happened? < 08@Morgan > well... we went as two groups, one obvious, one not... as we scouted the area, one of my men was taken Session Time: Sun Nov 08 00:00:00 2009 < 04Molly > *everyone apart from Adalbrecht look shocked* < 04Molly > David: And then? < 08@Morgan > they demanded to speak with me... not me specifically, of course, just whoever was in charge of the man that was taken < 04Molly > *they all watch him intently, listenng. Even Adalbrecht, who knows ths, is paying attention* < 08@Morgan > I went and spoke with them... they decided that being bandits wasn't such a good idea anymore < 04Molly > *there is a murmur of amazement* < 04Molly > David: Then what? < 08@Morgan > then I went and spoke to my father to bring him up to speed... then it was decided they could be integrated into Sudlachenburg < 04Molly > David: That is a very generous thing! < 08@Morgan > I think once they've settled in, it'll be like they've always been here < 04Molly > Verity: It will help those who lost loved ones in the war also * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > *Adalbrecht looks to Martha and David* The war took many of our young men, the fields are hard to manage for those left behind < 04Molly > *they nod. there is a lull in conversation as dinner is eaten. Just as the dessert s brought, Adalbrecht speaks* < 04Molly > Morgan, the tenant's meeting is tomorrow. It is time that you become reacquainted with the villagers < 08@Morgan > I attended one last week father < 04Molly > AD: *he nods* I also intend to announce your forth coming marriage * @Morgan looks at the table for a moment < 08@Morgan > you said I could have three solid days < 04Molly > AD: *he looks at Morgan, then at Verity* Pehaps we should discuss this after dinner? * @Morgan speaks very quietly < 08@Morgan > as you wish < 04Molly > Verity *she nods slightly, and the desserts are laid before them. With a little small talk between the others, the ladies are soon ready to retire to the drawing room, and all stand.* < 04Molly > **the ladies leave, and David excuses himself discreetly. Adalbrecht breaks out the port, watching Morgan, waiting for him to speak* * @Morgan stays quiet < 04Molly > AD: well? < 08@Morgan > sir? < 04Molly > You had something to say? < 08@Morgan > you told me I could have three days upon our return < 04Molly > Yes, and if you insist, that is what shall be done. However, it is but 3 weeks until your wedding, and although I can announce it without you, it would be better were you there. < 08@Morgan > most of the people wouldn't remember me... chances are you could stand a scarecrow beside you and they'd think that was me < 04Molly > Some will... alot of the villagers were close to Dietlinde, and her family still live here < 08@Morgan > they deserve to be told first < 04Molly > *he drinks his port* Then I think I shall wait until next saturday, and therefore you will see them before the meetng * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > Then it appears you shall have your free days < 08@Morgan > Indeed. Though I'm surprised I had to argue to haveit < 04Molly > It has snuck up on me, the wedding being so soon < 08@Morgan > I will accompany you to the meeting, then go and talk with Dietlinde's family afterwards < 04Molly > They usually attend the meetings, although Otto has been ill recently * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > I dont know how they'll take the news < 04Molly > However, as you said, it would be better to give them ample warnng before it is made public < 04Molly > I will make the announcement at next weeks meeting. This gives you a week to speak with them * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > *he finishes his drink* I shall be along to the drawng room * @Morgan stands, bows his head slightly and heads for the drawing room < 04Molly > **compared to the dinning room, the drawing room seems warm, welcoming. The women are all laughing together, and a pack of cards has been split and shared.* * @Morgan finds a seat off to one side < 04Molly > **the evening passes quickly, and before long, everyone retires.