**** BEGIN LOGGING AT Thu Jun 2 21:43:58 2022 Jun 02 21:43:58 * MollyK (~igloo@CrystabllesiPad.lan) has joined Jun 02 21:44:17 * MollyK is now known as Edward Jun 02 21:45:20 *Morgan takes a slow walk through the grounds and the house, and he is finally extinguishing the drawing room fire when the door behind him opens Jun 02 21:46:14 * Morgan glances over his shoulder Jun 02 21:47:24 * Edward has his shirt untucked and undone at the neck, his boots are also only half laced. He looks extremely on edge and burdened Jun 02 21:47:30 I need your help. Jun 02 21:47:47 * Morgan turns to look at him Jun 02 21:47:52 what do you need? Jun 02 21:48:16 You to keep me away from Mina. Jun 02 21:48:34 why? Jun 02 21:48:55 * Edward runs his hand through his hair Jun 02 21:51:24 Because she's turned up at my room in negligee I had sent to her and is telling me she needs to understand _why_ I had to have the freedom to swive other women, and that as that was so urgent a need, now she is here there should be just as pressing a need for her when she's offering Jun 02 21:51:50 * Edward looks really out of his comfort zone Jun 02 21:52:18 By the looks of you, there is... Jun 02 21:53:47 Well yes, but I can't. It would be wrong. And I trust your sense of right and wrong more than my own right now. Jun 02 21:54:09 * Morgan grinds his teeth briefly before nodding Jun 02 21:54:16 [blossom, are you still awake?] Jun 02 21:54:27 What option would you prefer at this point? Jun 02 21:54:47 [Mmhmm. I have missed you these last few nights...] Jun 02 21:55:03 [Looks like its going to be another, I'm afraid] Jun 02 21:55:41 Don't ask me that. My willpower is shot, you have no idea how difficult it was to walk away. Jun 02 21:56:06 [you are leaving again?!] Jun 02 21:56:59 [No... Mina has shown up at Edwards door. He wants me to keep them apart] Jun 02 21:57:18 Explain to me why it matters at this point... why it would be wrong... Jun 02 21:57:27 [I will get dressed then] Jun 02 21:57:37 [I'm sorry, my love] Jun 02 21:59:57 The wedding is in ten days, and I will do things right by her. There's the traditions of her homeland, and the bridal plate of ours that need to be taken into account. I will not dishonour her or her father by taking her virginity outside of marriage. She deserves that respect and sanctity. Jun 02 22:00:40 * Edward takes out his flask, drinking deeply from it. He looks desperate for help and advice from his older brother Jun 02 22:01:17 [is she very angry then? Shall I find her?] Jun 02 22:02:47 [No, she's demanding that since he had an urgent need to swive others, there must be just as urgent a need now she is here and offering... turned up in her negligee] Jun 02 22:03:05 I can see me sleeping outside one of your doors. Perhaps she would share a room with Molly. Jun 02 22:03:46 [oh dear. No matter how this goes feelings will be hurt in the morning] Jun 02 22:04:21 * Edward shrugs, offering Morgan the flask Jun 02 22:04:50 * Morgan glances at it before shaking his head Jun 02 22:05:06 * Edward drinks some more Jun 02 22:05:40 [He says he will not dishonour her by taking her virginity out of wedlock, that there are traditions to be observed] Jun 02 22:05:47 where is she now? Jun 02 22:07:09 My room. What the fuck am I supposed to do, Morgan?! *he rubs his forehead where the frown lines are* Jun 02 22:07:44 You realise no matter what happens tonight there are going to be hurt feelings in the morning... Jun 02 22:08:41 [*she sighs* then he can restrain himself with her, but not with Alice, or the others. That is hurtful] Jun 02 22:08:50 * Edward nods Jun 02 22:09:06 [Aye. This is too much for me to deal with I think] Jun 02 22:09:19 She'll hate me if I don't, and she'll hate me if I do Jun 02 22:09:27 * Morgan sighs Jun 02 22:09:34 [I could knock her out] Jun 02 22:09:41 yes, possibly. Jun 02 22:09:55 [Dangerous. If she realises?] Jun 02 22:10:18 [maybe not then] Jun 02 22:13:10 No one warns you about this. I've had many women make a pass at me, but this is different. How do I deny the woman I love when she is so insistent and her reasoning makes sense? Jun 02 22:13:30 Have you told her why? Jun 02 22:25:03 I told her it would be wrong and she deserves the best I can give her *Morgan's own reasoning to Molly before the wedding was quite similar* Jun 02 22:25:29 Did you tell her why you believe it would be wrong? Jun 02 22:26:18 [I am dressed enough, shall I look for her? Assuming that he is not going to just make love to her] Jun 02 22:27:06 That it is right for her to be a virgin on our wedding day, yes Jun 02 22:27:28 * Morgan closes his eyes momentarily Jun 02 22:27:39 [I think that would be a good idea. She's in Edwards room] Jun 02 22:27:57 [Alright, my love] Jun 02 22:28:47 /me takes another swig, offering it again Jun 02 22:28:53 Have I fucked up? Jun 02 22:29:30 Refusing her? Jun 02 22:29:38 * Edward nods Jun 02 22:31:28 Are you refusing her for your own sake, or for hers? Jun 02 22:32:40 Both? I don't know. I cannot even think straight right now. What if this makes it worse? Jun 02 22:33:49 * Morgan turns away, crouching down to stoke the fire Jun 02 22:34:49 You need to face into it and figure out exactly why you're refusing her. If you can't even answer truthfully to yourself, you've no hope trying to explain it to her Jun 02 22:35:17 * Edward drops heavily into a chair Jun 02 22:37:00 I've fucked up everything else between us all these years. I just want to do one damned thing right by her, and now I don't know which way will hurt her most. Jun 02 22:38:10 And if you weren't at odds, would you be thinking this way, or would you be more resolute in doing things, as you put it, the right way? Jun 02 22:39:31 Probably. It seems like a gamble right now. What if she is right that this is how she can understand it, and in proving it to her we get back on track? Jun 02 22:40:44 [Do you think we need to get them in a room together and hash it out? ] Jun 02 22:41:37 Tough to know Jun 02 22:42:09 [she is very unhappy, poor thing. I wonder if you talking to her may help though, though she might be embarrassed that we know] Jun 02 22:42:45 * Edward nods, watching the fire and brooding Jun 02 22:42:48 [I think we are beyond getting embarrassed now... this needs to be sorted] Jun 02 22:43:38 I just want it to be as it was before I learned about my daughter Jun 02 22:44:02 * Morgan sighs, poking at the fire Jun 02 22:44:22 [then I will take her to her room, get her dressed] Jun 02 22:45:04 that isn't going to happen. It may be all good, but its never going to be the same. Do you know she is worried that she will only see Florrie as a link for you to Alice, rather than just seeing her as a sweet little girl? Jun 02 22:45:50 * Edward nods "I can understand that worry" Jun 02 22:46:50 * Morgan nods Jun 02 22:47:43 You agree that I have to stand firm and turn her down? Jun 02 22:48:29 If you weren't at odds, you'd have no question on it, would you? Jun 02 22:50:53 No, but it would still be almost impossible to say no. Six damned years I have waited, and then there she is, looking like a watering hole in a desert. I'd rather have my nails pulled out than this. Jun 02 22:51:27 What would the consequences be if you did just have sex with her? Jun 02 22:51:36 * Edward lights a cigar Jun 02 22:52:11 I would have dishonoured her and broken a vow to myself Jun 02 22:52:57 * Morgan glances at him Jun 02 22:53:21 That being? Jun 02 22:54:28 That I would not bed her before marrying her Jun 02 22:55:09 * Morgan shrugs Jun 02 22:55:21 I don't think that vow is worth worrying about in this instance Jun 02 22:55:42 Then you think I should? Jun 02 22:55:54 Is that what I said? Jun 02 22:56:31 No, but answer me straight. What would you do? Jun 02 22:56:59 What I would do doesn't matter. What you would do under normal circumstances does Jun 02 22:57:38 It matters to me. I trust your judgement. Would you have turned Molly down in this situation? Jun 02 22:58:03 * Morgan snorts quietly Jun 02 22:58:25 In a similar situation, I did. I stood resolute, despite how much I wanted not to. Jun 02 22:58:55 * Edward nods Jun 02 22:59:03 That is what I must do. Jun 02 22:59:28 * Morgan shrugs Jun 02 22:59:29 I'm going to talk to her Jun 02 22:59:40 She will not appreciate that Jun 02 22:59:47 * Morgan sighs Jun 02 22:59:49 tough Jun 02 23:00:06 * Edward nods Jun 02 23:01:05 I won't forbid you Jun 02 23:01:25 * Morgan shrugs Jun 02 23:01:32 That'd be tough too Jun 02 23:02:01 * Edward nods, drawing on the cigar Jun 02 23:02:39 Potts would tell me to give her what she is asking Jun 02 23:03:36 I'm not particularly surprised by that Jun 02 23:03:42 * Edward nods Jun 02 23:04:13 Zench would tell me to sew my breeches shut and then take her to bed. Jun 02 23:06:56 * Morgan frowns Jun 02 23:06:57 why? Jun 02 23:08:48 Because I could show her some things that would demonstrate my desire for her but I'd be unable to make love to her without ruining my trousers Jun 02 23:09:16 There is a reason you have not? Jun 02 23:10:50 * Edward looks at Morgan Jun 02 23:11:53 Those things aren't just holding her close and telling her so... Jun 02 23:14:02 I'm not some innocent, Edward, my question stands Jun 02 23:15:51 I don't trust my self-restraint with her. Jun 02 23:16:42 [is she decent?] Jun 02 23:17:00 So why don't you sew your breeches... Jun 02 23:18:38 Do I look like I have a valet on hand? Jun 02 23:19:01 _I'll_ sew them if needs be Jun 02 23:20:12 You're either playing devil's advocate or encouraging something I never thought you would encourage Jun 02 23:21:27 * Morgan shrugs Jun 02 23:22:18 if it'd demonstrate your need for her and aide her in healing but not break your vow... Jun 02 23:23:27 * Edward rubs his forehead Jun 02 23:24:03 You have a point Jun 02 23:26:18 * Morgan nods Jun 02 23:28:47 * Edward drinks some more Jun 02 23:29:05 Do you think that's what I should do? Jun 02 23:29:56 It depends on her. Go fetch some breeches and I'll speak to her Jun 02 23:31:07 * Edward nods, standing up and heading for the door. He looks over his shoulder, and says "Morgan?" Jun 02 23:31:33 yes? Jun 02 23:32:33 Thanks Jun 02 23:32:45 * Morgan nods slightly, moving towards the door Jun 02 23:32:55 come on. Lets see where she's gotten to Jun 02 23:33:26 * Edward follows him Jun 02 23:33:42 * Morgan heads up to Edwards room, knocking on the door Jun 02 23:33:55 *there is no answer* Jun 02 23:34:17 * Morgan pushes the door open Jun 02 23:35:39 *the room is empty* Jun 02 23:35:57 Fetch your breeches, go back to the library Jun 02 23:36:10 * Edward nods Jun 02 23:36:36 * Morgan nods, closing the door and going to Mina's room, knocking Jun 02 23:37:17 *he can faintly hear Molly singing, then movement of quiet footsteps coming to the door* Jun 02 23:37:28 * Edward is now known as Molly Jun 02 23:37:38 * Molly opens it carefully Jun 02 23:39:16 * Morgan watches her Jun 02 23:39:19 whats happening? Jun 02 23:39:29 * Molly speaks quietly Jun 02 23:39:37 Mina has fallen asleep Jun 02 23:39:45 * Morgan sighs Jun 02 23:39:51 you think she will stay asleep? Jun 02 23:39:58 * Molly nods Jun 02 23:40:22 Just when I'd come up with a halfway acceptable solution Jun 02 23:40:49 I think she drank too much brandy earlier, and that along with the strain of the day has culminated in this situation. What was your solution? Jun 02 23:41:13 You recall our... activities before the wedding? Jun 02 23:41:46 * Molly smiles Jun 02 23:42:12 That depends on what precisely you mean Jun 02 23:42:19 * Morgan frowns Jun 02 23:42:27 how so? Jun 02 23:45:12 There were a few different things, my love. *she gently shuts the door behind her* Jun 02 23:45:45 I was more thinking when you were experiencing things... Jun 02 23:46:08 * Molly smiles Jun 02 23:46:11 Mmhmm Jun 02 23:46:48 That would allow her to experience the strength of his desire without breaking his vow to not bed her until they were married. Jun 02 23:48:09 * Molly nods, smiling Jun 02 23:48:20 That is rather a good idea, my love Jun 02 23:48:26 * Morgan nods Jun 02 23:48:31 but now she is asleep Jun 02 23:48:37 * Molly nods Jun 02 23:48:55 It rather saves Edward from what would no doubt be like torture Jun 02 23:49:03 * Morgan shrugs Jun 02 23:49:05 tough Jun 02 23:49:11 Tough? Jun 02 23:50:27 If it'd help sort this out, he'd just have to deal with it Jun 02 23:51:11 * Molly nods Jun 02 23:51:25 I'm going to sew his breeches up Jun 02 23:51:50 * Molly laughs suddenly, then covers her mouth with her hand Jun 02 23:52:21 I'm sorry, you're going to _sew_ his _breeches_ up?! Jun 02 23:52:51 Then bedding her would be impossible without wrecking them... Jun 02 23:54:10 As would calls of nature? Jun 02 23:54:50 I'm sure he'd have too much on his mind to care about that Jun 02 23:55:19 Will it be an issue even though she is asleep? Jun 02 23:57:32 the problem is if she wakes and comes to him, he won't have the strength to deny her Jun 02 23:58:15 * Molly nods, biting her lip Jun 02 23:58:50 At the risk of being crass, couldn't he just... *she blushes a little* reduce his interest? Jun 02 23:59:22 that'd work for the immediate future, but once he has slept... Jun 02 23:59:47 Well I am sure he will not forget how by the morning!