< 08@Morgan > there are some, Varick, who simply cant do it, however * Molly quickly swings forward enough to land safely, smoothing down her hair and skirts, embarrassed. She looks up at Morgan < 04Molly > I.... ummm.... we were just... the weather is bad, so... * @Morgan smiles < 08@Morgan > I've come across something I'd like you to take a look at * Molly smiles at him a moment before running hthe tip of her tongue over her lower lip, an eyebrow cocked cheekily < 04Molly > Oh really? < 08@Morgan > indeed. < 04Molly > V: *he starts practisinng handstands* * Molly walks over to Morgan < 04Molly > what is it? < 08@Morgan > just outside * Molly giggles < 04Molly > You best take me then * @Morgan smiles and backs out of the door * Molly follows him, watching him closely * @Morgan shifts sideways, tapping the trunk with his foot * Molly looks down. There is a moment of disbelief before her eyes go wide. She looks up at Morgan, and flings her arms around his neck < 04Molly > Oh Morgan! This is wonderful! You found it!! < 08@Morgan > not quite... * Molly pulls away slightly < 04Molly > no? < 08@Morgan > The new villagers... < 04Molly > They had it? < 08@Morgan > indeed < 04Molly > How strange! * @Morgan shrugs slightly < 08@Morgan > I'm told it has not been opened * Molly laughs < 04Molly > An avalon riddle, and not an easy one at that * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > one of Fyodors? < 04Molly > I am afraid so * Molly kneels down in front, of him, looking at the box < 04Molly > It was a present < 08@Morgan > they always were * Molly looks up at him < 04Molly > is it terribly rude to ask you to look away so I might check it is all there? * @Morgan turns his back < 04Molly > *there is a metallic swish as she rotates each dial, then a clack as the lock undoes, the squeak of hinges, rustle o fabric, and then a sigh of relief before it is closed once more < 04Molly > It is all there, thank goodness < 08@Morgan > good * Molly stands up, going to him < 04Molly > Shall i asks someone to take it to my room? < 08@Morgan > if you wish... < 04Molly > unless you wish to look after Varick so that I might show it to your mother? < 08@Morgan > if you prefer to, certainly < 04Molly > I ought to, they were discussing purchasing fabric tomorrow * @Morgan nods * Molly watches him, eyes soft < 04Molly > does that trouble you? < 08@Morgan > no no, it is fine * Molly nods < 04Molly > I shall be back. Perhaps I can meet you in the music room, I could teach Varick a little? < 08@Morgan > if you wish * Molly nods, and pulls the door to a little. she goes to Morgan, standing close and looking up at him. She speaks quietly < 04Molly > a reward, perhaps? * @Morgan lowers his head < 08@Morgan > I dont deserve one as it was I that lost it < 04Molly > Had I not been so shocked by my ability to take a life, I might not have lost it * @Morgan shakes his head < 08@Morgan > it is my place to protect you < 04Molly > I expect no protection, I ask only your friendship < 08@Morgan > only my friendship? * Molly nods < 04Molly > If you were to take back everything else, I would always ask that you granted me your friendship < 08@Morgan > then perhaps we should inform my parents and the priest now... < 04Molly > I... that is not what I mean. < 04Molly > I do not wish you to feel you 'owe' me anything. < 08@Morgan > I dont < 04Molly > good. it was not your fault that the chest was lost, but its is your credit that it is returned < 08@Morgan > I just asked, thats all * Molly smiles, and then shrugs a little < 04Molly > if that is what you wish < 08@Morgan > I dont understand < 04Molly > You do not feel you worked hard enough to be rewarded, I undertand * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > I shall tell Varick I need to see Lady Koertig... * @Morgan nods again * Molly goes back in to the room briefly, before returning and picking up the trunk < 04Molly > V: *he watches her from the doorway sadly* < 08@Morgan > dont be so forlorn my little friend < 04Molly > V: *he watches her disapear down the corridor* Can you do handstands? * @Morgan shakes his head < 08@Morgan > no, I have a terrible habit of headbutting the ground < 04Molly > V: *he laughs. After about an hour, they are in the music room, waiing for her. Becoming restless, Varick opens the doors and goes on to the balcony* I miss my house < 08@Morgan > you do not like it here? < 04Molly > I do, but my Daddy was there * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > This is a nice house... < 08@Morgan > but it takes three days to walk from bed to breakfast < 04Molly > I don't mind when people go wih me < 08@Morgan > I was talking with my father about you earlier < 04Molly > *he looks at Morgan* were you saying good things, or bad things? < 08@Morgan > he was telling me that you remind him of me when I was young... < 08@Morgan > I'm not sure if thats good or bad * @Morgan winks at him < 04Molly > *he laughs and tries to wink back, succeediing by blinking* < 04Molly > were you a happy boy, or a sad boy? < 08@Morgan > I was very happy < 04Molly > it's better to be happy < 08@Morgan > yes it is < 04Molly > *he looks over the balcony on to the garden* Look, there is Lord Koertig and Lady Forrester * @Morgan looks * Molly and Adalbrecht walk along, her arm in his, and they appear deep in discussion. Every now and then she nods. After a while, he makes a statement((He seems ill at ease over it)), and she seems to ask something((oh? Do you know why?)). He responds ((because of discovering Dietlinde was pregnant)), and his response causes her to stop walking. He aasks something ((You did not know?)) to which she shakes her head to. He puts his hand on her shoulder ((are you alright?)), she nods, and they walk on together, though in silence * @Morgan frowns < 04Molly > V: he looks at Morgan* are they arguing? < 08@Morgan > no, I dont thnk so < 04Molly > V: Good < 04Molly > I don't like it when people argue < 08@Morgan > no, me either < 04Molly > V: he goes back inside, and sits at the piano. after a few minutes of his tuneless tinkering, Molly arrives,opening the door. She looks at Varick* Are you ready to learn, young man? < 04Molly > *he nods, and moves over to give her space* < 04Molly > I need to warm up first, just watch how I press the keys down and move my fingers... * Molly begins to play, slowly at first, a hauntingly sad tune, gentle, but gradually it builds, andding deep, low chords, expressive, painstaking. Her brow furrows in concentration, until it hits the final crescendo. She sighs deeply, letting her fngers come to rest soundlessly on the keys. She looks up briefly, neutrally at Morgan * @Morgan looks at her solemnly < 04Molly > V: *he copies a few notes he saw, and her attention goes back to him, instructing, praising. After half an hour, he can play a little, and she stands up* < 04Molly > now, you play it, and I'll sing along... < 04Molly > *he begins to play, and after a few bars, she joins in* Lavender's blue, dilly dilly, rosemary's green, when you are king, dilly dilly, I shall be queen. *she looks to Morgan with a smile, and continues signing to the end* < 04Molly > *he begins to play, and after a few bars, she joins in* Lavender's blue, dilly dilly, rosemary's green, when you are king, dilly dilly, I shall be queen. *she looks to Morgan with a smile, and continues signing to the end* * @Morgan watches the boy play * Molly smiles < 04Molly > that was wonderful Varick, don't you agree Morgan? < 04Molly > V: *he looks pleased with himself* < 08@Morgan > I certainly do < 04Molly > *there is a knock on the door* * Molly and Varick both look at Morgan * @Morgan rolls his eyes and goes to the door, opening it < 04Molly > *a servant girl waits patiently* My Lord, Lord Koertig has asked to see you * @Morgan nods * @Morgan turns and bows his head < 08@Morgan > if you'll both excuse me * Molly watches him intently, studying him a moment with a strange expression < 04Molly > yes, of course * @Morgan goes to his fathers study < 04Molly > *The door is open, and a glass of blockner's comfort is sat on the table, a matching one in Adalbrechts had, along with another cigarette * @Morgan enters slowly < 08@Morgan > you wished to see me? < 04Molly > come in, Morgan * @Morgan approaches the desk < 04Molly > *he runs his hand through his hair* I owe you an apology * @Morgan looks confused < 04Molly > *he downs the drink* I assumed you had told Lady Forrester what you spoke to me of earlier * @Morgan 's face darkens < 08@Morgan > I see < 04Molly > *he sighs* I am truly sorry. Knowing how close you have been in the past, I thought that had continued < 08@Morgan > I had not found appropriate time to tell her... I was not ready to tell her < 04Molly > *he nods* I understand < 08@Morgan > no doubt she believes I do not trust her enough to tell her < 04Molly > I am afraid I do not know * @Morgan looks out of the window < 04Molly > *he watches Morgan* < 04Molly > what will you do? * @Morgan slowly brings his eyes round to his father < 08@Morgan > I will deal with it as best I can < 04Molly > *he nods* I shall go and see Alarice. Use my study for the discussion if you wish * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > *he quietly leaves* * @Morgan goes round the desk < 04Molly > *after fiveminutes, there is a knock at the door* < 08@Morgan > come in * Molly enters. she shuts the door carefully, and goes to stand in front of the desk < 04Molly > You sent for me? < 08@Morgan > please sit blossom * Molly sits, hands in her lap. She looks over, chin up, waiing for him to continue < 08@Morgan > you're angry * Molly shakes her had, eyes full of pain < 04Molly > No liebes herz < 08@Morgan > you should be * Molly watches him, her expression puzzled < 04Molly > why should I be? < 08@Morgan > because I had not told you... < 04Molly > As always, I am your confidante, whatever you choose to tell me, or not to tell me, is your choice. I hold nothing against you * @Morgan leans on the desk, placing his head in his hands * Molly moves her chair forward, and reaches out to him, laying her hand on his crown, very similarly as with Varick < 08@Morgan > Father was pressing me to come up with ideas for Varick. I had to tell him why I wasn't making the suggestions I normally would * Molly strokes his hair < 04Molly > I know, liebes herz, he explained to me... < 08@Morgan > thats why he knew before you < 04Molly > It is alright, my love, honestly * Molly 's expression changes from gentle to a deep blush < 08@Morgan > I have an idea for Varick that I wished to mention to you first * Molly takes a breath, and the rosiness subsides a little < 04Molly > yes? < 08@Morgan > I take it my father mentioned that he was going to ask you to care for Varick until we leave? < 04Molly > Yes, he did * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > what was your opinion of that? < 04Molly > I am honored to be asked to carry out such an important task. I can only hope I can show him the love he needs < 08@Morgan > I dont know that it will be long enough for Alarice * Molly nods, still stroking his hair, almost as if drawing comfort from it < 04Molly > I am inclined to agree < 08@Morgan > I wonder if perhaps young Varick would like to go on an adventure * Molly smiles < 04Molly > You have one in mind? < 08@Morgan > I have a portion of an idea, yes * Molly watches him, her smile becoming playfully, almost lazy. < 04Molly > Would you like to share? < 08@Morgan > well... I'm sure he'd enjoy sailing < 04Molly > That is true, yes * Molly stands up, moving her hand down his temple to cover his hand, leaning over the desk. She smiles softly < 04Molly > It may not be a practical arrangement for the honeymoon however < 08@Morgan > no, I know... but it would not be a simple sailing holiday for him < 04Molly > I'm not sure what you have planned < 08@Morgan > he'll learn to sail... he'll learn responsibility and skills at the same time < 04Molly > The rose is due to dock at the beginning of july, and I expected that we would take four weeks to travel and... explore before arriving in Starke. Though perhaps it would be better to go straight to Starke *she bites her lip* < 08@Morgan > no, we can make arrangements for him to meet us < 04Molly > But who will look after him inbetween? < 08@Morgan > I wonder if your mother and father... * Molly looks thoughtful < 04Molly > Yes, that might work, my mother is wonderful with children, I have never known anyone with such good maternal instincts < 08@Morgan > though did they not intend to return to Avalon? < 04Molly > They were hoping to come with us when we return to collect the things from the cottage * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > that would work out about right * Molly squeezes his fingers slightly < 04Molly > and it is... amenable to you? * @Morgan nods * Molly smiles < 04Molly > Then, liebes herz, that is how it shall be < 04Molly > as always, I aim only to please you < 08@Morgan > thank you blossom < 04Molly > what for, dear one? < 08@Morgan > being there < 04Molly > Morgan, no matter what the past or the future holds, as long as there is breath in me, I am always here whenever and however you need me * @Morgan nods * Molly smiles wryly, and glances away to avoi him catching the expression < 04Molly > I thought you knew this already * @Morgan shrugs < 08@Morgan > sometimes we all need to be told things we already know * Molly nods < 04Molly > That is very true... sometimes a little reassurance goes a long way * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > *there is a little knock at the door, and Molly springs away from the intimacy immediately.* Varick: could I come in, please? *molly smiles at morgan* lets not tell him just yet... *she opens the door*