12[2:55am] * @Morgan begins to wander the hallways, listening always 13[2:56am] < 04Molly > **He eventually passes the darkened corridor to the library, firelight slanting across it from the slightly open library door. There is a slight sniffling sound. 12[2:57am] * @Morgan heads inside the library 08[2:57am] [ 2:57am ] Molly (~ident@host109-156-227-41.range109-156.btcentralplus.com) is now known as Alarice 13[2:59am] * Alarice is sat on the couch opposite the fire. On the table is a tray of glasses, a bottle of wine, one of port and one of blokners. She looks up at him as he enters, hastilty wiping away tears. Her hair is loose, blonde tresses falling around her face 12[3:01am] * @Morgan wanders towards her 13[3:01am] * Alarice smiles slightly 13[3:02am] < 04Alarice > Come have a drink with me, Morgan... I've raided your father's port, like we always used to [3:02am] 12 [ 3:02am ] 11ERROR 12 > 421: Unknown command: 11 ME'S 13[3:02am] * Alarice 's words are slower than usual, her face more relaxed 12[3:06am] * @Morgan sits down 13[3:07am] * Alarice pours herself a port 13[3:07am] < 04Alarice > What do you wnat? [3:07am] < 08@Morgan > blokners 13[3:07am] * Alarice pours him a glass, handing it to him carefully 13[3:07am] < 04Alarice > How did you know where to find me? 12[3:08am] * @Morgan takes it, sipping it 13[3:08am] * Alarice drinks the majority of her glass 12[3:08am] * @Morgan smiles faintly [3:08am] < 08@Morgan > I could tell you, but it'd shatter your image of me 13[3:08am] * Alarice looks at him intently 13[3:08am] < 04Alarice > It wouldn't, I promise [3:09am] < 08@Morgan > I scoured the building, one hallway at a time 13[3:09am] * Alarice smiles 13[3:09am] < 04Alarice > You found me... 12[3:10am] * @Morgan nods, sipping his drink [3:10am] < 08@Morgan > they've got all the servants looking for you 13[3:10am] * Alarice finishes hers 13[3:10am] < 04Alarice > That's very kind [3:11am] < 08@Morgan > kind? 13[3:11am] < 04Alarice > To come looking for me [3:11am] < 08@Morgan > they're worried about you... we all are 13[3:11am] * Alarice looks at him as she pours another glass 13[3:11am] < 04Alarice > Are you? [3:12am] < 08@Morgan > You dont need me to answer that... you know I wouldn't have come looking if I weren't 13[3:12am] * Alarice nods 13[3:13am] < 04Alarice > It was wrong of me to doubt you 12[3:13am] * @Morgan shrugs [3:13am] < 08@Morgan > everyone does at some point or another 13[3:13am] < 04Alarice > Unfairly I think. You're a wonderful man [3:14am] < 08@Morgan > No, I'm not... not at all. 13[3:14am] * Alarice watches him as she speaks, her eyes soft, unguarded 13[3:14am] < 04Alarice > You're kind, you love Varick, I can trust you 12[3:15am] * @Morgan nods 13[3:16am] < 04Alarice > **the room is lit by the fire, casting orange glows up the wall that dance as it crackles. Like earlier in the evening, it still feels peaceful, welcoming. 13[3:16am] < 04Alarice > I was so glad when I heard you had returned [3:17am] < 08@Morgan > I have to say it didnt seem that way 13[3:17am] * Alarice looks to the fire 13[3:18am] < 04Alarice > Other things got in the way. I meant when your mother wrote back in december that you were here. I was disapointed that you left before I could get here 13[3:18am] * Alarice looks back to him, sipping the port. Her words are becoming slightly slurred in places [3:19am] < 08@Morgan > slow down, Alarice... I dont want to have to sober you up 13[3:20am] * Alarice giggles 13[3:20am] < 04Alarice > Alright. 12[3:21am] * @Morgan looks around for a bellpull 13[3:21am] < 04Alarice > *he doesnt see one* 13[3:21am] * Alarice looks at him, putting her hand on his arm 13[3:21am] < 04Alarice > What are you looking for, Morgan? [3:22am] < 08@Morgan > a bellpull... I need to get word that I've found you to my father... I've already made him nervous once this evening, I think I owe him a break from it 13[3:22am] * Alarice frowns 13[3:23am] < 04Alarice > But you'll stay here a while? 12[3:23am] * @Morgan looks at her [3:23am] < 08@Morgan > if I tell you I'll return, will you trust me to? 13[3:23am] * Alarice looks at him,nodding 13[3:23am] < 04Alarice > I trust you 12[3:24am] * @Morgan nods, finishing his blokners [3:24am] < 08@Morgan > then I'll be back in a moment 13[3:24am] * Alarice nods 12[3:24am] * @Morgan stands, pointing at the bottles# [3:24am] < 08@Morgan > no more til I return 13[3:24am] * Alarice pouts 13[3:24am] < 04Alarice > Yes, sir. 12[3:25am] * @Morgan nods slightly and strides from the room 12[3:26am] * @Morgan wanders back into the library 13[3:26am] * Alarice sits watching for his return with a smile. She picks her glass back up off the table 12[3:28am] * @Morgan sits down again 13[3:29am] * Alarice pours him another glass 13[3:29am] < 04Alarice > It's been a long time since we did this 12[3:29am] * @Morgan nods, taking the glass 13[3:30am] < 04Alarice > Too long really... then I was married, you were married... somewhere along the way, we grew up 12[3:31am] * @Morgan shrugs slightly [3:31am] < 08@Morgan > I dont think we had much say in the matter 13[3:32am] * Alarice shakes her head 13[3:32am] < 04Alarice > Do we ever? Things could have been very different if we had 12[3:33am] * @Morgan sips his drink [3:33am] < 08@Morgan > maybe 13[3:33am] * Alarice smiles at him 13[3:34am] < 04Alarice > This is pleasant, sitting here with you [3:35am] < 08@Morgan > there are certainly worse places to be 13[3:35am] * Alarice nods 13[3:36am] < 04Alarice > The library in Innesbruck is nice to take a drink in the evening... it was one of our favourite places 12[3:37am] * @Morgan nods slowly 13[3:37am] * Alarice runs a finger round the rim of her glass idly 13[3:38am] < 04Alarice > Still, the past is the past... [3:39am] < 08@Morgan > There's a place in Avalon, the library is a cold place... no feeling to it at all. Like its just a place to store books 13[3:40am] < 04Alarice > That's sad... every room should be warm, welcoming. This room is like that because this house is so full of love 13[3:40am] * Alarice smiles sadly 13[3:41am] < 04Alarice > I want that for Innesbruck and Koln. *She looks at him* Hell, I want that for me. 12[3:42am] * @Morgan brings his hand to his mouth, chewing on the side of his thumb briefly 13[3:43am] * Alarice watches him closely, sipping from her glass 13[3:44am] < 04Alarice > Do you think that's too much to ask? To be loved, and understood? [3:44am] < 08@Morgan > No... no I dont 13[3:44am] * Alarice nods 13[3:45am] < 04Alarice > I can picture my life being perfect again.. to be loved by a good man, for him to have Varick as his son, to fulfill the hole in his life also 12[3:46am] * @Morgan sips his drink, saying nothing 13[3:46am] < 04Alarice > Morgan...? [3:47am] < 08@Morgan > aye? 13[3:48am] * Alarice leans in, and presses her lips to his 12[3:48am] * @Morgan leans back quickly, breaking the contact 13[3:48am] * Alarice frowns 13[3:49am] < 04Alarice > I thought you understood 12[3:49am] * @Morgan watches her for a moment [3:50am] < 08@Morgan > Not as well as you thought, it seems 13[3:50am] < 04Alarice > I've tried to tell you, so many times 13[3:50am] * Alarice watches him just as intently 12[3:51am] * @Morgan sighs [3:52am] < 08@Morgan > It cant happen, Alarice 13[3:53am] < 04Alarice > It is the ideal solution... we've both lost our spouses. I have a child with no father, you are a father with no child. You love Varick, it'd unite our homes, our family would be happy. It'd be perfect! 13[3:53am] * Alarice looks wounded 12[3:54am] * @Morgan sighs heavily [3:56am] < 08@Morgan > No, Alarice, it wouldn't... I love you dearly, more than I can say, and I'd tear this world apart for you if needs be, but I'm not the man for you, nor you the woman for me 13[3:58am] < 04Alarice > You won't even give me the chance to show you how wrong you are! 13[3:58am] * Alarice folds her arms across her chest [4:01am] < 08@Morgan > no... no I wont... I love Molly and I'm going to marry her 13[4:01am] < 04Alarice > You shouldn't... She isn't good enough for you [4:02am] < 08@Morgan > you have no idea how good she is 13[4:02am] < 04Alarice > She's a commoner. 13[4:02am] * Alarice frowns deeply 12[4:03am] * @Morgan tilts his head to one side [4:03am] < 08@Morgan > so was Dietlinde... 13[4:03am] < 04Alarice > Yes, I am well aware of that also. 12[4:04am] * @Morgan watches her, head still to one side [4:07am] < 08@Morgan > I dont want to fight with you Alarice 13[4:08am] < 04Alarice > You are being unreasonable. Your father wanted this as much as I before you came back and ruined it! 12[4:08am] * @Morgan puts his glass down on the table, still mostly full [4:08am] < 08@Morgan > Thats as maybe, but thats not how it is now 13[4:09am] < 04Alarice > What about her and Holzheim? Clearly she has interests beside you. You could set her free to marry someone closer to her own class. [4:11am] < 08@Morgan > I've offered to free her of this burden... 13[4:12am] < 04Alarice > Then why doesn't she just go back to Avalon where she belongs! 13[4:12am] * Alarice is clearly getting more and more worked up, alcohol not helping [4:12am] < 08@Morgan > because... 12[4:12am] * @Morgan sighs [4:12am] < 08@Morgan > because she loves me 13[4:13am] < 04Alarice > Because she loves you? Well guess what, Morgan, she isn't the only damned one! 13[4:13am] * Alarice 's eyes fill with tears of frustration [4:14am] < 08@Morgan > Its not going to happen, Alarice 13[4:15am] * Alarice stands up, roughly picking up his glass from the table, and slings it hard into the fireplace 13[4:15am] < 04Alarice > Go, Morgan, just get out 12[4:16am] * @Morgan watches her 13[4:16am] * Alarice turns her back on him, shoulders tight, arms hugged around herself 12[4:17am] * @Morgan shifts in the seat, certain joints in his back making popping noises [4:19am] < 08@Morgan > You told me you love Holzheim 13[4:19am] < 04Alarice > I did not. I said I loved the man I wanted to spend my future with. You filled in the gaps. [4:20am] < 08@Morgan > sit down 13[4:20am] < 04Alarice > No. 12[4:20am] * @Morgan stands up slowly [4:20am] < 08@Morgan > I'll ask again... sit down 13[4:20am] * Alarice whirls around 13[4:21am] < 04Alarice > You don;t own me! You _won't_ own me! I won;t do what you tell me! [4:21am] < 08@Morgan > I'm not telling... I'm asking. 13[4:22am] * Alarice shakes her head, yet sits down anyway 12[4:22am] * @Morgan looks at the fireplace [4:22am] < 08@Morgan > I liked that glass 13[4:23am] < 04Alarice > Well we can't always have what we like, can we? 12[4:23am] * @Morgan reaches behind him and draws his knife, placing it on the table in front of her 13[4:24am] * Alarice looks at it, then him 13[4:24am] < 04Alarice > What? [4:24am] < 08@Morgan > you want to hurt me... go ahead. 13[4:24am] * Alarice flexes and contracts her fingers slightly 13[4:24am] < 04Alarice > I want to love you, theres a difference [4:25am] < 08@Morgan > love me all you like, but it wont change anything 13[4:26am] < 04Alarice > Then leave me. I've had other women take away my future before, why should this be any different [4:26am] < 08@Morgan > I'm nto going to abandon you in this state 13[4:26am] * Alarice snorts 13[4:27am] < 04Alarice > But you'll abandon me to marry some common milk maid? [4:27am] < 08@Morgan > she's not a milk maid 13[4:27am] < 04Alarice > She was [4:27am] < 08@Morgan > and, just for the record... if it weren't for her, I wouldn't be here, or be the man I am 13[4:29am] < 04Alarice > Oh please, don't be such a fool. She has you wrapped around her little finger with that 'innocent' facade... but don't you wonder where she learnt all the whores tricks she knows? 12[4:29am] * @Morgan wanders to the door and looks about the hallway 13[4:30am] < 04Alarice > **Its empty 12[4:30am] * @Morgan wanders back in, nodding slightly [4:30am] < 08@Morgan > I know exactly where she learned them 13[4:31am] < 04Alarice > Then maybe you should be more concerned about where she's used them [4:31am] < 08@Morgan > unlike some, she doesn't dally with every man she encounters 13[4:32am] * Alarice looks furious 13[4:32am] < 04Alarice > Get. Out. [4:32am] < 08@Morgan > Truth hurts, does it? 13[4:32am] < 04Alarice > Do you, of all people, want to play this game? 13[4:33am] * Alarice stares at him challengingly [4:33am] < 08@Morgan > No... I dont... but I'm not willing, no.. I'm not _able_ to let you run her down like this 13[4:34am] < 04Alarice > And if she found someone else and was going to marry them, would you be able to not fight for her like I'm fighting for you? [4:34am] < 08@Morgan > You're not fighting for me, Alarice, you're being cruel 13[4:35am] < 04Alarice > _I'm_ being cruel?! You're the one who won't do what is best for all of us by marrying me on saturday instead! [4:36am] < 08@Morgan > Yes, you're being cruel... you're being cruel about her, you're being cruel to yourself. If it weren't for her, I would not be here... at all. 13[4:37am] < 04Alarice > You would, Yensid was trying to find you for-.... *she pales* [4:37am] < 08@Morgan > You finish that statement... 13[4:37am] * Alarice shakes her head vigourously 13[4:37am] < 04Alarice > No 12[4:38am] * @Morgan smiles at her [4:38am] < 08@Morgan > finish it... or I'll be gone before daybreak 13[4:38am] < 04Alarice > Gone where? [4:38am] < 08@Morgan > away 13[4:39am] < 04Alarice > You wouldnt. You wouldnt leave _her_, or Varick. 12[4:39am] * @Morgan watches her, waiting 13[4:40am] < 04Alarice > Fine. 13[4:40am] < 04Alarice > Yensid was not working for Edward, he was working for me. Happy? 13[4:40am] * Alarice glares at him [4:40am] < 08@Morgan > If I'd known that I might have let him find me... 13[4:41am] < 04Alarice > My aim would have been the same then as now [4:42am] < 08@Morgan > thats just it, Alarice... find me or not, without Molly I wouldn't have come back... I wouldn't have been fit to. [4:42am] < 08@Morgan > assuming I lived long enoughg 13[4:42am] * Alarice folds her arms once more 13[4:43am] < 04Alarice > You dont know that. Varick and I could have filled that hole for you. [4:44am] < 08@Morgan > no... 13[4:44am] < 04Alarice > So he and I aren't good enough, but your precious commoner is? [4:45am] < 08@Morgan > its nothing to do with being good enough 13[4:45am] < 04Alarice > You know I wont let her have him, dont you? [4:46am] < 08@Morgan > thats just spiteful 13[4:46am] < 04Alarice > She can't have you both GAP 13[10:35pm] < 04Alarice > *he clenches his fists, making frustrated sounds* 13[10:35pm] < 04Alarice > You're not losing... dammit, Alarice, why is nothing _ever_ easy with you? 13[10:36pm] * Alarice looks to him 13[10:36pm] < 04Alarice > Because _life_ isn't easy. You know that as well as I 12[10:37pm] * @Morgan nods [10:37pm] < 08@Morgan > I do 13[10:39pm] < 04Alarice > And of course it it losing. That is exactly what happens when we don't achieve what we set out to [10:41pm] < 08@Morgan > dont be ridiculous 13[10:41pm] < 04Alarice > I had a plan. I have lost that. [10:42pm] < 08@Morgan > a plan you obviously haven't thought through 13[10:43pm] < 04Alarice > I had thought it through, I just forgot how stubborn you are [10:44pm] < 08@Morgan > no... you haven't thought it through 13[10:45pm] < 04Alarice > Why not? It makes... _made_ perfect sense. 12[10:45pm] * @Morgan nods briefly [10:45pm] < 08@Morgan > and when I was disowned? 13[10:46pm] * Alarice frowns 13[10:46pm] < 04Alarice > You were never disowned [10:46pm] < 08@Morgan > but I would be 13[10:46pm] < 04Alarice > Why? [10:47pm] < 08@Morgan > for being so dishonourable... that on its own would be enough, set aside the shame that would fall on _both_ districts 13[10:47pm] < 04Alarice > But you'd do it, if it weren't for the dishonour? 13[10:48pm] * Alarice watches him closely 12[10:48pm] * @Morgan watches her intently [10:48pm] < 08@Morgan > what does it matter? its not _going_ to happen 13[10:50pm] * Alarice sighs 13[10:50pm] < 04Alarice > Why can you not see sense? [10:51pm] < 08@Morgan > I see the sense in it... but its not _right_ 13[10:52pm] < 04Alarice > It could be, if you gave it... _us_ a chance. 12[10:53pm] * @Morgan shakes his had [10:53pm] < 08@Morgan > no, Alarice... 13[10:56pm] * Alarice goes quiet, then looks at him 13[10:56pm] < 04Alarice > I won't beg. [10:56pm] < 08@Morgan > Good. 13[10:58pm] < 04Alarice > You are making a big mistake. [10:58pm] < 08@Morgan > why? 13[10:58pm] < 04Alarice > You'll look back one day and realise that you should have chosen me [10:59pm] < 08@Morgan > you'll look back and be glad I didn't 13[11:00pm] * Alarice shakes her head 13[11:00pm] < 04Alarice > Never 12[11:00pm] * @Morgan watches her [11:00pm] < 08@Morgan > you will... 13[11:01pm] < 04Alarice > You say that only to ease your own conscience. I will always regret that I did not speak sooner, or send word when you were here at Prophet's Mass [11:02pm] < 08@Morgan > I say nothing to ease my own conscience... I couldn't, even if I wanted to 13[11:04pm] * Alarice nods 13[11:04pm] < 04Alarice > you should go [11:06pm] < 08@Morgan > no, not until I'm sure you'll be okay 13[11:06pm] * Alarice snorts 13[11:06pm] < 04Alarice > Don't be such a fool 12[11:09pm] * @Morgan watches her [11:09pm] < 08@Morgan > lay off the drink 13[11:10pm] < 04Alarice > Just go, Morgan 12[11:11pm] * @Morgan picks up his daffer and the bottles 13[11:11pm] * Alarice ignores him, watching the fire 12[11:12pm] * @Morgan heads out of the room 13[11:13pm] * Alarice doesn't follow him, and there is no noise from the room 12[11:14pm] * @Morgan stands for a moment before walking towards his office 13[11:14pm] < 04Alarice > **he sees no-one along the way 12[11:14pm] * @Morgan fetches up a coat and tucks both bottles into the pockets before wandering towards the front of the house 13[11:16pm] < 04Alarice > *he passes a servant along the way who is pushing a large trolley with glasses and plates on it 12[11:16pm] * @Morgan backs up to the servant [11:16pm] < 08@Morgan > they're not planing on smashing these are they? 13[11:16pm] < 04Alarice > *he shakes his head* no my lord [11:17pm] < 08@Morgan > is everyone still in the hall? 13[11:17pm] < 04Alarice > No my lord, almost no-one now 12[11:17pm] * @Morgan nods [11:17pm] < 08@Morgan > thank you 12[11:17pm] * @Morgan starts walking 13[11:17pm] < 04Alarice > *the servant goes toward the kitchen* 12[11:21pm] * @Morgan heads for the main entrance 13[11:22pm] < 04Alarice > *he sees no-one ele 12[11:22pm] * @Morgan glances around briefly before heading out of the door and walking