200q fischler

13[3:33am] <04Molly> *It is approaching 4 o'clock when he passes the next clock
12[3:33am] * @Morgan heads off in search of the Eisenfurst
13[3:34am] <04Molly> *He is playing croquet on the lawn with several of the guests
12[3:35am] * @Morgan wanders towards them slowly
08[3:42am] [3:42am] Molly (~ident@host86-144-209-123.range86-144.btcentralplus.com) is now known as Fischler
13[3:42am] * Fischler scores a point, Theres a round of applause
[3:44am] <08@Morgan> well done your grace
13[3:46am] * Fischler looks to Morgan as he lets his son take a turn
13[3:47am] <04Fischler> Thank you. Do you play, veisgraf?
[3:47am] <08@Morgan> I've never had occasion to learn
13[3:48am] <04Fischler> It's quite easy. You've been preparing for the big day?
12[3:48am] * @Morgan nods
[3:49am] <08@Morgan> checking the uniform fits, making last minute checks on small details, the usual
13[3:49am] * Fischler nods
13[3:50am] <04Fischler> the enjoyable bit is once it is all over
[3:50am] <08@Morgan> if I'm honest, I'm more troubled by the feeling I'm being constantly watched
13[3:51am] * Fischler hands the mallet to Freiarr Pfenig, and steps away, leading Morgan aside
13[3:51am] <04Fischler> Watched by whom?
[3:53am] <08@Morgan> with the greatest of respect, your grace... by everyone, yourself included... I'm expected to be on my best behaviour for the benefit of everyone else. It feels much like it did before I was suggested for promotion to lieutenant... everyone wanting to scrutinise everything I do
13[3:54am] * Fischler nods, looking less concerned
13[3:55am] <04Fischler> Try becoming an Eisenfurst overnight, I felt like you do now for the first decade.
[3:55am] <08@Morgan> that feeling of either disapproval or wondering how they can use you to their advantage....
13[3:56am] * Fischler nods
13[3:56am] <04Fischler> Exactly so. And a general feeling of never quite being alone.
12[3:57am] * @Morgan nods
[3:58am] <08@Morgan> it would've been simpler for me if I'd stayed in Avalon
13[3:58am] <04Fischler> I think you've made a good sacrifice
12[3:58am] * @Morgan nods
[3:59am] <08@Morgan> I couldn't have stayed there... not once I'd been mended some
13[3:59am] * Fischler nods
13[3:59am] <04Fischler> You've done well for yourself
12[3:59am] * @Morgan nods
[3:59am] <08@Morgan> very
13[4:00am] <04Fischler> You've certainly had a very positive effect in your parents, they seem much happier
[4:00am] <08@Morgan> my mother certainly... I'm not sure with my father, I think he's still unsure of me
13[4:02am] <04Fischler> I have not noticed that
[4:03am] <08@Morgan> perhaps its my being whimsical that does it
13[4:03am] * Fischler smiles
13[4:04am] <04Fischler> Perhaps so.
[4:05am] <08@Morgan> I was wondering if you'd discovered what your aide was doing in the smithy?
13[4:06am] * Fischler frowns
13[4:06am] <04Fischler> No, I've been unable to discover which of them it was
[4:06am] <08@Morgan> the one without the cape
13[4:07am] <04Fischler> I had thought of that, but no-one was missing one
12[4:08am] * @Morgan frowns
13[4:10am] <04Fischler> I am ensuring that those closest to me keep an eye upon the others. I anticipate changing my guards when I return to Fischler
[4:11am] <08@Morgan> the smith told me it was "nothing bad" but all that might mean is he's been misled
13[4:11am] * Fischler nods
13[4:12am] <04Fischler> I will pay him a call myself before I leave
12[4:12am] * @Morgan nods
[4:13am] <08@Morgan> thank you
13[4:14am] <04Fischler> I do not think there will be any problems to affect the wedding
[4:14am] <08@Morgan> I hope not
13[4:15am] <04Fischler> Are you nervous?
[4:15am] <08@Morgan> it comes and goes
13[4:15am] * Fischler nods
13[4:15am] <04Fischler> I remember that well
13[4:17am] <04Fischler> I even got the name wrong
[4:17am] <08@Morgan> I'll bet that went down well
13[4:18am] <04Fischler> not her name, mine
12[4:18am] * @Morgan laughs suddenly
13[4:18am] * Fischler laughs also
13[4:19am] <04Fischler> I wouldnt recommend it
[4:19am] <08@Morgan> I'll keep that in mind
13[4:19am] * Fischler smiles
[4:19am] <08@Morgan> I should probably warn you, my father thinks there's two revolutionaries on the estate at the moment
13[4:20am] * Fischler becomes solemn
13[4:20am] <04Fischler> Who?
[4:20am] <08@Morgan> well, after I told him what happened in the village... me for one
[4:20am] <08@Morgan> and young Varick is plotting a revolution to have chocolate cake for breakfast
13[4:20am] * Fischler smiles
13[4:21am] <04Fischler> Your revolution is logical... Varick's not so much.
[4:22am] <08@Morgan> I dont want revolution... revolutionaries want to remove the governing body and replace it with their own
13[4:23am] <04Fischler> What _do_ you want?
[4:23am] <08@Morgan> I want it to work. I want Eisen to stop dreaming of what it was while standing stagnant and move forward and become what it should be
13[4:24am] * Fischler nods
13[4:24am] <04Fischler> I would like to see that too
12[4:25am] * @Morgan nods
[4:25am] <08@Morgan> I got that feeling about you
13[4:25am] <04Fischler> I am... unconventional?
[4:26am] <08@Morgan> I'd have gone with honest... I think you understand better than most born of socialites
13[4:26am] * Fischler nods
13[4:27am] <04Fischler> Honest is a good choice
[4:27am] <08@Morgan> I think most would misunderstand what I mean with that
13[4:28am] <04Fischler> honest as in humble
[4:28am] <08@Morgan> sort of... you're honest with yourself, with who you are... I think, anyway
13[4:29am] <04Fischler> I like to think so. I have no delusions of grandeur
[4:29am] <08@Morgan> and yet here you are, Eisenfurst
13[4:30am] <04Fischler> I was lucky. These are the cards the fate dealt me

[12:38am] <08@Morgan> perhaps... its what you do with those cards that'll count in the long run I think
13[12:39am] * Fischler nods. Maubourg comes over, handing the mallet to Fischler.
13[12:39am] <04Fischler> Mau: You won, your Grace
13[12:40am] * Fischler looks at the man and nods
13[12:40am] <04Fischler> I usually do. *he looks to Morgan* Would you care to try your luck with me?
12[12:41am] * @Morgan looks at Fischler
[12:41am] <08@Morgan> you understand that I'm not going to just let you win? As my friend is so fond of saying, I respect you and all that but, you know, winnings winning
13[12:43am] <04Fischler> Mau: *he looks shocked* Are you implying that the rest of us do?
13[12:43am] * Fischler smiles at Morgan
12[12:43am] * @Morgan looks at Maubourg
[12:44am] <08@Morgan> Allow me to explain something... I dont imply things.
13[12:44am] <04Fischler> Mau: *he inclines his head* As you say
13[12:46am] * Fischler watches Morgan closely, silent
[12:48am] <08@Morgan> Its a failing in the eyes of many... I either say what I mean or I dont say anything. It leads to less misunderstandings, I find
13[12:51am] <04Fischler> Mau: *he smiles, though it doesnt quite seem genuine* If you'll excuse us your grace, we were all going in to take tea.
13[12:51am] * Fischler dismisses him with the wave of a hand
13[12:51am] <04Fischler> Off you go, Maubourg. I may join you, in due time.
12[12:52am] * @Morgan inclines his head to the graf briefly
13[12:52am] <04Fischler> Mau: *he bows, and stalks off to the rest of the guests, and they make their way into the house*
13[12:52am] * Fischler looks at Morgan
13[12:52am] <04Fischler> Any more highly strung and only hounds would hear.
12[12:53am] * @Morgan laughs quietly
[12:53am] <08@Morgan> he's worried
13[12:53am] <04Fischler> What about?
[12:54am] <08@Morgan> that he'll lose his perceived status as favourite among grafs... he thinks I'm out to pull his contracts out from under him
13[12:55am] * Fischler looks at him. There is no judgment or disapproval in his face, just an honest curiosity
13[12:55am] <04Fischler> And are you?
[12:57am] <08@Morgan> everyone is, I think. Contracts from the Eisenfurst carry a great deal of weight in social circles, and a great deal of status
13[12:57am] * Fischler nods
13[12:57am] <04Fischler> That they do
[12:58am] <08@Morgan> I think, though, he's more concerned with stamping out any possible disrespect from a Veisgraf who abandoned his home
13[1:00am] <04Fischler> You are young, hopeful, just starting out. He is old, jaded, and his empire will come to an end with no son from that daughter of his. It must tweak his ego to be out-witted by you.
[1:01am] <08@Morgan> he's not been outwitted by me... he's clutching his title like some sort of talisman, hoping it'll hold the future at bay... and he no doubt thinks I'm trying to curry your favour, possibly by implying he's been letting you win
13[1:02am] <04Fischler> That wouldn't curry my favour at all. I have no respect for cheaters.
12[1:03am] * @Morgan shrugs
[1:03am] <08@Morgan> I've been specifically told not to curry favour with you... so if you win, its simply down to my not having played
13[1:04am] * Fischler nods
13[1:05am] <04Fischler> I'll explain the rules to you
12[1:05am] * @Morgan glances at the mallet
[1:05am] <08@Morgan> who am I supposed to hit with that?
13[1:05am] <04Fischler> You hit the ball... usually
13[1:07am] * Fischler explains the rules, and they play quietly. Right at the end, Morgan has the opportunity to either win, or let Fischler win*
12[1:09am] * @Morgan plays to win
13[1:12am] * Fischler watches as Morgan neatly takes the game. He extends his hand
13[1:12am] <04Fischler> Well done, veisgraf
12[1:13am] * @Morgan takes his hand, shaking it
[1:13am] <08@Morgan> thank you your grace
13[1:15am] <04Fischler> You play well
[1:15am] <08@Morgan> beginners luck, I think
13[1:16am] * Fischler smiles
13[1:16am] <04Fischler> Not at all
[1:19am] <08@Morgan> Its not the worst way to spend an hour or so, is it
13[1:20am] * Fischler shakes his head
13[1:20am] <04Fischler> I'm sure we've both done worse
[1:21am] <08@Morgan> ever shoed a horse?
13[1:21am] * Fischler nods
13[1:21am] <04Fischler> On occasion
[1:22am] <08@Morgan> thats not the most entertaining way to waste an afternoon
13[1:23am] * Fischler nods in agreement
13[1:23am] <04Fischler> Ever cleaned out a chicken hutch during breeding season?
12[1:24am] * @Morgan shakes his head
[1:24am] <08@Morgan> mucked out a stable in high summer, though
13[1:25am] * Fischler wrinkles his nose
13[1:25am] <04Fischler> I've done that
[1:26am] <08@Morgan> not the best day, really... mind you, most people wouldn't believe some of the things I've done
13[1:30am] <04Fischler> Those who do not know my origins wouldnt believe me either
[1:34am] <08@Morgan> maybe some honest hard work would increase their inclination to work for Eisen...
13[1:36am] * Fischler nods
13[1:36am] <04Fischler> You might well be right there. Do you have much honest hard work to do before the wedding?
12[1:37am] * @Morgan shakes his head
[1:37am] <08@Morgan> no, I've more or less been banned from helping in the village, and everything here is more or less taken care of
13[1:38am] * Fischler smiles
13[1:38am] <04Fischler> These last few hours drag, don't they?
12[1:38am] * @Morgan nods
[1:39am] <08@Morgan> I've considered just finding myself a quiet corner and reading... but I suspect I wont get any peace
13[1:40am] * Fischler pulls out a pocketwatch.
13[1:40am] <04Fischler> Not so close to dinner time, no
[1:41am] <08@Morgan> and disappearing for a couple of hours is just asking for trouble
13[1:42am] * Fischler nods
13[1:42am] <04Fischler> Personally, I'd be claiming wanting an early night to save my strength for tomorrow.
[1:43am] <08@Morgan> I've got Varick and HeinzHarold in with me, and I've promised Varick a late night feast
13[1:44am] <04Fischler> But surely time with close friends will be better for the soul than polite talk with strangers?
[1:45am] <08@Morgan> polite? Who said anything about polite?
12[1:45am] * @Morgan smiles
13[1:45am] * Fischler laughs
13[1:46am] <04Fischler> We'll all be gone soon enough
12[1:46am] * @Morgan shrugs slightly
[1:46am] <08@Morgan> I've enjoyed having you here, I dont know I'd have gotten the chance to know you as I do under other circumstances
13[1:47am] * Fischler smiles
13[1:48am] <04Fischler> Just write and my assistants will make a date with you for coming to visit Fischler before you head off on the seas
12[1:49am] * @Morgan nods
[1:49am] <08@Morgan> hopefulyl it wont all be business
13[1:51am] <04Fischler> No, I promised young Baron Eldreich he could see the tree
12[1:52am] * @Morgan smiles slightly
[1:52am] <08@Morgan> I'm going to miss that boy
13[1:53am] * Fischler watches him
13[1:53am] <04Fischler> When he and Alarice return to Koln?
12[1:54am] * @Morgan nods slightly
13[1:55am] * Fischler nods
13[1:55am] <04Fischler> He is a very endearing sort of child
[1:56am] <08@Morgan> that he is
13[1:57am] <04Fischler> He has a great responsibility before him
[1:57am] <08@Morgan> I know...
12[1:57am] * @Morgan looks pensive, concerned
13[1:58am] <04Fischler> He will be hindered by the lack of training he should receive
12[1:59am] * @Morgan nods, almost wincing
[2:01am] <08@Morgan> amongst other things
13[2:01am] * Fischler looks around them a moment
13[2:02am] <04Fischler> I have a few concerns that when the time comes, I'll need to appoint an overseer from my own staff to guide him as he rules
[2:02am] <08@Morgan> oh?
13[2:03am] <04Fischler> I can not have two baronies in my konigsreich being poorly run, Morgan. Civil uprisings start like that.
[2:04am] <08@Morgan> two baronies?
13[2:05am] <04Fischler> Innesbruck and Koln ((one belonged to alarices father Hans, the other to Karsten))
12[2:05am] * @Morgan nods
[2:05am] <08@Morgan> I forget that they're seperate
13[2:05am] * Fischler nods
13[2:05am] <04Fischler> It was a very fortunate union
[2:06am] <08@Morgan> I think he has it in him to be a brilliant Freiarr, with training
13[2:07am] <04Fischler> Precisely. I do not doubt his pedigree, but even the most brilliant and agile of hawks must be broken to the mitt and the hood.
[2:14am] <08@Morgan> you do not think Alarice will instruct him in... towing the line?
13[2:17am] <04Fischler> I am not certain that she is... the ideal candidate
[2:17am] <08@Morgan> that sounds like a comment under censorship, your grace
13[2:18am] <04Fischler> A man of honour, regardless of standing, does not disparage a man's family to his face
[2:19am] <08@Morgan> with respect, your grace, I'm less concerned with disparaging comments than I am with Varicks future
13[2:20am] * Fischler nods
13[2:20am] <04Fischler> As trustee of his estate, I feel that her attention has not been fully on the duties and people of those baronies
12[2:21am] * @Morgan nods slightly
[2:23am] <08@Morgan> I've had similar thoughts
13[2:25am] <04Fischler> I intend to see how things progress until after Prophet's Mass. If there is no improvment, your father and I will need to discuss the options.
12[2:25am] * @Morgan frowns
13[2:27am] * Fischler looks at him
13[2:27am] <04Fischler> I think you can understand, even if you do not approve
12[2:28am] * @Morgan laughs quietly, harshly
[2:28am] <08@Morgan> no, your grace, I dont disapprove... I think much the same, for different reasons
13[2:29am] * Fischler looks solemnly at him
13[2:29am] <04Fischler> Do you have reason to believe I need to intervene sooner?
[2:30am] <08@Morgan> for Varicks sake, I think so
13[2:32am] * Fischler nods, the clock on the chapel tower striking six
13[2:32am] <04Fischler> If you can spare the time on sunday afternoon, we will talk about this further.
12[2:33am] * @Morgan nods
[2:33am] <08@Morgan> I'll make time, your grace... its important
13[2:33am] * Fischler nods
13[2:34am] <04Fischler> I need to prepare for dinner.
12[2:34am] * @Morgan bows his head
13[2:35am] * Fischler does the same before striding into the house
13[2:48am] <04Fischler> **when he gets to his own room, varick, HH and inga are all already there, playing a board game to keep Varick occupied. Engrossed in the game, Varick doesn't disturb Morgan's preparations