< 04Molly > *it is a few hours of annoyance and grumpy stalking before he is a little calmer and ready to look for Molly. He wanders the house, looking. Eventually, in the south wing, he hears her. The staircase he is at the top of is sheltered from the sight of the deep bay window. It gets good light in the early afternoon, and so his mother had added two couches and a low, dark table. < 04Molly > Here as well as her morning room, holds memories for him of his happy childhood. Learning Avalon whilst she sewed,he would line up the small carved soldiers, infantry and cavalry for each side, against each other on a battlefield of mahogany. In white and black, they represented to him the Vaticine and Objectionist forces, as for all small Eisen boys at the time. < 04Molly > Instead now the embrasure holds feminine voices, Eisen words, one accented with sudlachenburg dialect, the other a slightly more northern brogue. Fasicnating already, the lightness in Alarice's tone. It is a reminiscence, tinged with sadness, aut yet much easier spoken than she has been of late. < 04Molly > -which was when my father, Morgan's uncle, made it quite clear if he caught Karsten and I in such a position once more, he's ship me off to uncle Addie until the three weeks had passed. *she laughs softly, and Molly laughs with her* When he did catch us again, he relented, instead hiring a miserable, strict chaperone, and appointed our master at arms to stand watch over my door at night. < 04Molly > M: *intrigued, she asks* And did that stop you... ummm... you know. *he can almost here her blushing in her tone* < 04Molly > A: *she laughs hard* Good god no. I stole a rope from the stables, and lowered it each night. He would come to me and love me til dawn. < 04Molly > M: Before the wedding?! So you were not...? < 04Molly > A: *she laughs* No. You know how it is these last few weeks, so many stolen moments, it is inevitable. < 04Molly > M: *she sounds unsure* Is it? < 04Molly > A: *shock floods in to her voice* You havent?! < 04Molly > M: No... we... I... it's not... < 04Molly > A: Not even the Montainge courtesan tricks?! < 04Molly > M: *she speaks quietly* Even if the situation arose, I would be too shamed to act on that knowledge. But it won't. < 04Molly > A: Oh! It could be because it's the second time round for him. Though that has not detered my own desires. < 04Molly > M: *her voice becomes neutral* I prefer to think it is more from honour to a promise he has made, and a desire to behave as he should... how has it not affected your own desires? < 04Molly > A: *she sighs* Everyone deals with grief differently. Some hide away, some run. For me, I have taken solace in the arms of other men, many of them. It brings me distraction, peace briefly, to be held, caressed, brought pleasure, bedded. I don't love them, of course, I never could. But I tell them I do, a little lie in return for what I need. I'll never speak it in truth again, my soulmate is gone. < 04Molly > M: *there is a little pause before she speaks* I understand. < 04Molly > A: You were engaged before, were you not? < 04Molly > M: *she speaks quietly* Yes, twice. < 04Molly > A: And there was no foolery then? No sordid trysts? No wild passion? < 04Molly > M: No... the first, we were friends, our parents arranging an appropriate match, and it went no further than holding hands. The second... there was one chaste kiss, though it might of gone further, had I not thought it dishonourable to kiss him deeper when I knew in my mind it would be someone else's lips on mine... But that was all, no passion, no desire, no begging them to go slow, not to touch me *she  sounds a little saddened* < 04Molly > A: Perhaps some women just do no inspire such feelings in men. It is not your fault, of course, there is nothing you can do to force it. Sensuality comes from within I think. But you will find a happy match without it, don't worry. You're very pretty in your own way. *footsteps can be heard approaching them, which masks Molly's silence* < 04Molly > Servant: Baroness Eldreich, the Graf wishes to see you. < 04Molly > A: *her skirts swish as she stands* Thank you Molly, it has been nice to reminisce on the good times. You are a very good listener. < 04Molly > M: *There is a cool edge to her voice, so subtle Alarice misses it, but knowing Molly as he does, Morgan would hear it, feel it* You're welcome my Lady, it is one of my better attributes. < 04Molly > *two sets of footsteps drift down the hall, leaving an eerie silence.* < 04Molly > +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ * @Morgan knocks on the door * Molly speaks quietly < 04Molly > kommen sie * @Morgan wanders into the room, looking around < 04Molly > *its just a large bay window, barely more than the table and the couches. Molly is sat, embroidery in her lap, watching through the window placidly. She looks at him briefly with a smile, befo < 04Molly > *its just a large bay window, barely more than the table and the couches. Molly is sat, embroidery in her lap, watching through the window placidly. She looks at him briefly with a smile, before turning back* * @Morgan scratches his nose < 04Molly > good afternoon < 08@Morgan > she's wrong, of course * Molly looks up, barely breathing, now uncertain how much he's heard, not just Alarice's cruel words, but her own. The memory of mentioning the courtesan tricks causes her to blush, looking away * Molly doesnt say anything < 08@Morgan > It is not that you dont inspire such feelings... * Molly looks down at the embroidery < 04Molly > my history implies otherwise, as she made clear * @Morgan snorts < 08@Morgan > Jaeger was more than once very close to a beating because of your effects on him * Molly looks up now, meeting his eyes < 04Molly > I do not recall such < 08@Morgan > one most often would not notice desire aimed in their own direction < 04Molly > Sometimes there is none to see < 08@Morgan > from you to him, perhaps, but he was most besotted in his desire for you * Molly looks a little sad < 04Molly > I was never privvy to that... I am unsure as to how you are < 08@Morgan > I have eyes * @Morgan looks ashamed < 08@Morgan > its very easy to see when someone has what you want * Molly bites her lip < 04Molly > but that was so long ago < 08@Morgan > I know < 04Molly > How could you tell? < 08@Morgan > it was obvious * Molly looks back out of the window < 04Molly > and John? < 08@Morgan > John was an idiot * Molly smiles slightly < 04Molly > regardless, I can see that some women have it... captain tsaylur for example... and some do not < 08@Morgan > indeed, some do some dont * Molly nods, looking at the embroidery once more < 04Molly > I do not find her assement unrealistic, just painful < 08@Morgan > her assessment of you is wrong * Molly looks up at him < 04Molly > what makes you say so? < 08@Morgan > because I know the feelings that course through me * Molly 's eyes drop to his chest almost shyly < 04Molly > it is so noticeable? < 08@Morgan > perhaps not to others... I spent a long time lying about even who I am * Molly sucks her lower lip slightly, voice quieter < 04Molly > I meant within yourself * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > It is not noticeable to others... even the target of such feelings is mostly unaware... * @Morgan shrugs < 08@Morgan > as I said... I spent a long time hiding my very person * Molly speaks even quieter < 04Molly > you have no need to hide it, or anything else, from me < 08@Morgan > it would not be _right_ to succumb to them * Molly looks back out of the window < 04Molly > sometimes what is 'right' is not always right * @Morgan sighs < 08@Morgan > perhaps not * Molly looks back, not anticipating his sigh < 04Molly > it pains you? < 08@Morgan > many things do * Molly nods < 04Molly > I would rather I suffer this than you < 08@Morgan > it would seem at the moment we both suffer * Molly looks at her hands < 04Molly > it does not seem so < 08@Morgan > oh? < 04Molly > I can only feel my own feelings, detecting little of your own < 08@Morgan > it is not the case. We both suffer, despite you not being able to see it * Molly nods < 04Molly > It is your promise to my father that holds you back, liebling? < 08@Morgan > partly * Molly looks puzzled, but does not take her eyes from his face this time < 04Molly > and your respect of my innocence? * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > It matters to you so much? < 08@Morgan > how do you mean? < 04Molly > That I am so pure, so unsullied by the affections of other men? < 08@Morgan > it does * Molly looks thoughtful < 04Molly > I should imagine it is the wish of all husbands... < 08@Morgan > most likely < 04Molly > It is a great burden * Molly smiles slightly < 08@Morgan > no doubt < 04Molly > It is like buying a gift in advance to celebrate someone's birth. Each day it sits, waiting to be given *her voice becomes softer* waiting for the look upon their face as they unwrap it * @Morgan nods < 04Molly > My father would be very happy to know of your restraint < 08@Morgan > oh I dont know, he's quite happy plotting world domination with my father * Molly holds out her hand to him * @Morgan moves to her and takes it < 04Molly > controlling the world, or seeing his only daughter pure til at least the afternoon of her wedding day? < 08@Morgan > controlling the world * Molly gently pulls his hand with a smile, encouraging him to sit with her * @Morgan sits down < 04Molly > I meant which would be more important to him < 08@Morgan > ah... tough call, it seems lunacy is catching among them * Molly laughs < 04Molly > When he first discovered I had become a woman, he threatened to have me a chastity belt made, the key buried in one of the fields til I was wed. He has not _caught_ lunancy at all! < 08@Morgan > perhaps it is he that has passed it to my father then * Molly nods, shuffling a little closer and laying down the embroidery < 04Molly > you have made plans then? * @Morgan rolls his eyes < 08@Morgan > aye < 04Molly > You are displeased, liebling < 08@Morgan > I'm annoyed < 04Molly > why? * Molly lays her other hand on his, gently stroking it < 08@Morgan > at being dismissed so casually... at having my objections ignored completely. Given that your father actually lived in a normal world I'd have expected better of him < 04Molly > There seems to be a commraderie between them. They are quite similar, though I am dismayed at your dismissal * @Morgan shrugs < 08@Morgan > I picked up the pieces after such a dismissal before, and I shall not do it again < 04Molly > I'm not sure I understand < 08@Morgan > that... magician at the Torrington estate that caused so much trouble < 04Molly > Ahhhhh, that was unfortunate... * Molly takes his hand and kisses it < 04Molly > What pieces do you expect? < 08@Morgan > houses falling down, wells that dont reach the water... an irate Eisener blaming me... * Molly looks up at him < 04Molly > Why would such things happen? < 08@Morgan > the houses they're building... they want them done quicker than is possible without large shortcuts being taken * Molly nods < 04Molly > That does not bode well * @Morgan shrugs < 08@Morgan > when the new villagers have nowhere to live, it is not I that shall have been at fault < 04Molly > Can they not be disuaded? < 08@Morgan > I tried. Thats when I was dismissed * Molly sighs softly < 04Molly > Oh liebling, I can see why you are displeased * @Morgan takes a deep breath < 08@Morgan > I cannot allow it to stand. < 04Molly > What will you do? < 08@Morgan > I'll go back and make them listen < 04Molly > Oh * Molly nods < 04Molly > It might be wise * Molly sounds a little disapointed < 08@Morgan > once they've had time to think I've calmed down, at any rate * Molly smiles at that < 04Molly > I was rather hoping ou would not be rushing away from me once more < 08@Morgan > no, I shall wait for the rain before pulling the trigger this time * Molly looks confused < 04Molly > I do not understand < 08@Morgan > I'm sure I told you... while at war, waiting in a field, rain thundering down... I tried to explain to my commander why the rifles were useless * Molly smiles < 04Molly > I remember... I think we were in the cafe in Freiburg, and you were about to leave for so long... I was a little distracted * @Morgan nods * Molly smiles < 04Molly > If I recall correctly, I was trying to think how I could ask you to kiss me without cauising offense * @Morgan laughs < 08@Morgan > really? * Molly blushes < 04Molly > That happened rather more freuently than it decently ought to have < 08@Morgan > I thought you didnt like the decency that is evident < 04Molly > But this was long ago, before I knew that you had such feelings for me in return < 08@Morgan > ah < 04Molly > now it is perfectly acceptable for me to think it < 08@Morgan > indeed < 04Molly > I dread to think how many hours sleep I have lost since-... well, for a number of months,  to such musings * @Morgan chuckles < 04Molly > You were lucky not to be burdened by such * Molly smiles * @Morgan snorts < 08@Morgan > the only reason I did not lose sleep to such thoughts is because I so rarely slept < 04Molly > but you could have had no hesitancy, all you needed to do was kiss me, I would never have been displeased! * Molly giggles * @Morgan smiles < 04Molly > and no, I don't like the decency that is evident, but I bear it < 08@Morgan > not long now < 04Molly > 15 nights * Molly squeezes his hand * @Morgan raises an eyebrow < 08@Morgan > what tricks, incidentally? * Molly goes suddenly scarlet < 04Molly > you-...you heard that?! * @Morgan shrugs * Molly hesitates a moment, looking at him intently, deep in his eyes, unsure, trying to decipher the expression there * @Morgan looks intrigued * Molly 's lets her guard down at the lust she sees in his eyes, a cheeky, playful smile, allowing all of the desire she has for him to show in her own * Molly laughs softly, low, voice slightly husky,not taking her eyes off his, hers still burning fiery blue with supressed passion < 08@Morgan > well? < 04Molly > The tricks involve many things that are designed to ensure a man's satisfaction without full intercourse occuring... < 08@Morgan > i see * @Morgan blushes * Molly leans in slightly, speaking slowly, with a playful smile < 04Molly > long, exploritary kisses... teasing, gentle hands... * @Morgan nods