**** BEGIN LOGGING AT Thu Jan 25 18:02:52 2024 Jan 25 18:02:52 * Morgan (~mads@192.168.1.117) has joined Jan 25 19:03:11 * Molly (~u931732@192.168.1.127) has joined Jan 25 19:03:30 When father isn't there, we are, sort of, working on his behalf, representing him, yes? Jan 25 19:03:30 E: Of course, as our sons will us, in time *he smiles at Mina, but she stays quite courtly* Jan 25 19:03:30 exactly... so... HeinzHarold and I, we were in the tavern and I was explaining that very point to the innkeeper, and that serving us would be, in fact, serving the Graf... wasn't going too badly until Grunhelm just -appears- behind us, grabs the scruffs of our necks and says *he does a surprisingly good job of imitating Grunhelm* not today little rabbits, hoiks us up and carries us home Jan 25 19:03:30 *Edward laughs, and it even raises a smile from Mina* I did not realise we could drink in our Sire’s stead... Jan 25 19:03:33 Not with Grunhelm watching... and he's -always- watching Jan 25 19:03:35 E: When was that? Jan 25 19:03:39 * Morgan looks at HeinzHarold Jan 25 19:03:41 How old were we then? Jan 25 19:03:43 HH: Twelve. You were just back from the ‘Cademy for Easter Jan 25 19:03:45 * Morgan nods Jan 25 19:05:17 E: He’s a fine sheriff Jan 25 19:05:49 Cant imagine he spent much time looking for trouble from anyone else, given how often he was watching us Jan 25 19:06:27 HH: Unfairly, because we were such good boys Jan 25 19:07:05 Agreed Jan 25 19:07:56 E: I do not imagine anyone at the table believes that Jan 25 19:08:42 We must've been good boys because we only got reprimanded two or three times... Jan 25 19:09:03 *HH nods* Jan 25 19:09:29 * Molly watches him “was that only as many times as you were caught, my love?” Jan 25 19:10:53 Are you suggesting that the inimitable sheriff wasn't up the task of catching us every time? Jan 25 19:11:14 * Molly smiles Jan 25 19:11:18 Absolutely Jan 25 19:12:01 HH: Got a high opinion of us has this one Jan 25 19:12:19 * Morgan nods Jan 25 19:12:33 Does it really count if we weren't caught? Jan 25 19:13:07 * Molly watches him a moment with a smile “I rather think so” Jan 25 19:13:28 Well... there -might- have been one or two times... Jan 25 19:13:35 *Edward snorts quietly at this* Jan 25 19:14:14 *Hh nods* Yeah, mebbie like half dozen... no more than that Jan 25 19:14:26 yeah... probably Jan 25 19:14:35 * Molly smiles Jan 25 19:14:41 A month? Jan 25 19:14:49 *HH chuckles* Jan 25 19:15:59 Sadly... thats not far off Jan 25 19:16:51 Mina: I am sure you are much better behaved now that you have been made a Duke Jan 25 19:17:22 *This sets Edward, HH, Claudia, and Inga laughing* Jan 25 19:17:52 * Morgan stares at each of them in turn Jan 25 19:18:00 You have something to say? Jan 25 19:19:10 E: You did punch an Eisenfurst’s heir... Jan 25 19:19:52 He questioned my honour and challenged me... Jan 25 19:20:07 $Not my fault he likes to be slapped about$ Jan 25 19:20:14 *Molly smiles* And he wasn’t technically a Duke then. Jan 25 19:21:00 C: $no, but after seventeen years of friendship you could have at least tried!$ Jan 25 19:21:10 HH: $shut up$ Jan 25 19:22:19 I: What about stealing the pirate treasure from that tiny island? Jan 25 19:23:14 Doesn't count because they were pirates and, assuming they're even still alive, they're probably quite miffed Jan 25 19:23:47 HH: And then you pushed the head pirate into the dock Jan 25 19:24:24 *Mina looks like she’s not sure whether it’s tall tales* Jan 25 19:24:26 He wasn't a pirate, and he spat on my ships deck... Jan 25 19:24:56 * Molly nods, smiling at Morgan “I would say that by pushing him in the water you were actually saving his life” Jan 25 19:25:17 *Alice shakes her head* Who does that?! Jan 25 19:25:19 -and- I told his crew about the man overboard Jan 25 19:26:01 I think you were very polite to do that Jan 25 19:26:18 HH: $pretty sure she fancies you, man$ Jan 25 19:26:36 Well, he did have a dislocated shoulder and a couple of ribs out of place... Jan 25 19:26:47 $Might be right$ Jan 25 19:27:01 Mina: Are your travels always so dramatic? Jan 25 19:27:43 *HH laughs, as do the others* Oh man, this is the tamer bits! Jan 25 19:28:01 [he has a point!] Jan 25 19:28:08 [he does] Jan 25 19:30:07 * Molly nods “We almost got embroiled in a peasant’s revolt in Ussura... And we were only there one night!” Jan 25 19:30:59 Mina: How did you avoid it? Jan 25 19:31:34 [Shall I tell her we had some pressing business to attend to in an alleyway?] Jan 25 19:31:50 We didn't stay long Jan 25 19:31:56 [she'd never believe that] Jan 25 19:32:37 *Inga clearly did, because he sees the little smiles that pass between the two of them* Jan 25 19:33:25 Mina: Did you like Ussura? Jan 25 19:36:17 Tough to say... they're going through tough times at the moment Jan 25 19:39:07 Mina: I went once, as a child. We sailed along the coast to Vostock *this is the name of the place near where they went where he said he couldn’t tell Molly about * Jan 25 19:39:44 * Morgan nods Jan 25 19:39:50 I've... heard of it Jan 25 19:40:54 It wasn’t cold where we were Jan 25 19:42:27 *Mina shakes her head* Nor for us. It was the summer before I lost my Mother Jan 25 19:43:20 Think you'll go back? Jan 25 19:45:32 Mina: I would prefer to go to Vodacce or Castile Jan 25 19:46:03 * Morgan smiles a little Jan 25 19:46:11 I wouldn't Jan 25 19:48:29 HH: Not even Jura? You seemed to enjoy it there *he winces like he’s been kicked under the table* Jan 25 19:49:15 I spent a weekend in a Vaticine monastery in Castille... Jan 25 19:50:49 * Molly smiles fondly at him “That was a very odd weekend...* Jan 25 19:51:01 * Morgan nods Jan 25 19:52:45 Inga: Is that where you realised you loved him? Jan 25 19:53:00 * Molly blushes a little “Yes, it was” Jan 25 19:54:21 God knows why... I was particularly unpleasant that weekend Jan 25 19:55:02 * Molly smiles Jan 25 19:55:37 Because kissing you goodbye hurt more than it ought to have Jan 25 19:56:06 * Morgan nods Jan 25 19:57:01 E: Kissing in a monastery must have raised eyebrows Jan 25 19:57:57 They'd already given up on me... one of them praised me for not coming armed Jan 25 19:59:01 HH: Always said you were a lost cause Jan 25 20:00:45 Comes to something when even monks do Jan 25 20:01:59 E: why were you not armed? Jan 25 20:02:23 * Morgan smiles slightly Jan 25 20:02:25 I was. Heavily. Jan 25 20:03:17 *Uinise looks puzzled* But they praised you for not being armed Jan 25 20:03:47 It was hidden under my coat, I wasn't busy flaunting it like a lot of the others Jan 25 20:04:57 * Molly smiles thoughtfully Jan 25 20:05:12 E: Did you wear breeches? Jan 25 20:05:39 Don't be absurd Jan 25 20:06:21 *Everyone laughs* Jan 25 20:06:33 * Molly smiles Jan 25 20:07:09 You had a very nice new doublet though... Brown suede, with gold trim Jan 25 20:07:29 HH $oh yeh, definitely fancies you$ Jan 25 20:08:26 * Morgan nods Jan 25 20:08:35 Aye, I recall Jan 25 20:08:56 * Molly continues to watch him Jan 25 20:09:08 I wore my red dress for the first time... Jan 25 20:09:15 * Morgan nods Jan 25 20:09:18 aye Jan 25 20:09:59 I: Is that the one Morgan bought you? Jan 25 20:10:40 * Molly nods, touching her thigh to his beneath the table “It was” Jan 25 20:12:40 * Morgan nods, sipping his drink Jan 25 20:15:31 *this gives them chance to take about dresses. Molly, Inga and Mina talk about the dresses in Freiburg with Edward chiming in. Claudia looks to find it dull, Uinise seems fascinated and taking it in. Alice however looks left out, born noble but excluded from that world, and now with little use for such fancy clothes most of the time Jan 25 20:16:08 * Morgan smiles at her sadly Jan 25 20:16:31 *Alice gives him a little smile in return* Jan 25 20:17:15 Another month and I'll have another ship afloat Jan 25 20:17:34 A: what sort will she be? Jan 25 20:18:32 * Morgan waggles his eyebrows Jan 25 20:18:50 Double hulled... she'll still be quick, but she's going to be tough Jan 25 20:21:03 A: Do you have any layouts for her? I can’t envision how she’ll be constructed Jan 25 20:24:53 I've got some in my office... she's got an inner hull braced just inboard of the main hull... not quite as tough as the Rose, but realistically, thats cheating Jan 25 20:25:19 *Alice laughs* I’d like to see them? Jan 25 20:25:32 Of course Jan 25 20:25:54 A: Do you have time after dinner? Jan 25 20:26:32 *This catches Molly’s attention* [what is to happen after dinner?] Jan 25 20:26:52 [I'm going to show Alice the plans for the Reconciliation...] Jan 25 20:27:25 [oh, alright, my love] Jan 25 20:27:35 * Morgan nods Jan 25 20:27:44 Aye, I'll show you then Jan 25 20:31:14 *Alice nods gratefully. She talks about the ships and Morgan’s Rock with him and Heinzharold, the conversation running parallel with that about the baptisms and the previous shopping trip. Claudia doesn’t say much, as usual, but Uinise flits in and out of each conversation when something catches her ear. Dinner eventually winds down and Mondel says “Will the ladies be taking drinks in the drawing room, your Excellency?” Jan 25 20:34:26 [I suppose its expected] Jan 25 20:35:03 [yes, I’ll take them off, but are you taking Alice now?] Jan 25 20:35:26 [Yes, I am] Jan 25 20:35:35 Yes, I suppose they will Mondel Jan 25 20:37:29 * Molly rises, and everyone does likewise. Mina and Inga are the first to follow Molly, and Claudia grudgingly goes too. Edward makes the point of kissing Mina’s knuckles before she goes* Jan 25 20:39:04 * Morgan looks at them Jan 25 20:39:14 Alright, Edward, I'll catch you up Jan 25 20:40:06 *Edward nods, but he’s moved to Alice now that Mina is gone. He looks to her* How are you, Alice? Jan 25 20:40:40 *Alice shrugs* I’m fine, I’m going with Morgan to look at some ship plans Jan 25 20:41:18 Edward nods, looking a little concerned: Very well Jan 25 20:43:11 *Alice looks to Morgan, smiling* My Lord, are you ready? Jan 25 20:43:32 * Morgan nods, offering his arm Jan 25 20:44:29 *Alice takes it* Jan 25 20:44:40 *Edward inclines his head to Morgan* Jan 25 20:44:47 * Morgan does likewise Jan 25 20:44:51 I'll come find you in the games room Jan 25 20:45:14 *Edward nods, leaving the dining room with HH* Jan 25 20:47:52 * Morgan looks at Alice before leading her to his office Jan 25 20:48:17 *it’s locked as it should be* Jan 25 20:48:21 * Molly is now known as Alice Jan 25 20:50:50 * Alice walks through the house with him Jan 25 20:50:57 * Morgan unlocks it, letting her in Jan 25 20:51:25 Have a seat love... there's some whiskey or wine or, maybe, brandy in *he points* that cupboard if you feel like pouring some Jan 25 20:52:11 * Alice goes to it, pouring them both some whiskey before sitting Jan 25 20:53:44 * Morgan digs out the plans before sitting down Jan 25 20:53:46 There we go... Jan 25 20:53:49 That was pretty awful. Jan 25 20:54:04 * Morgan looks at her Jan 25 20:54:16 Considering how it could have gone... Jan 25 20:54:22 * Alice nods Jan 25 20:54:45 No one painted a scarlet letter on me, but everyone was aware of it nonetheless. Jan 25 20:58:41 * Morgan nods Jan 25 20:58:56 I... dislike the situation Jan 25 20:59:22 * Alice nods, taking a drink Jan 25 21:00:28 It’s not great, but it’s not unexpected Jan 25 21:00:49 * Morgan nods, sighing Jan 25 21:02:00 Its difficult... she is essentially my sister and expects a certain level of courtly behaviour which, given the guests I have coming, is probably for the best at the moment Jan 25 21:02:19 * Alice nods Jan 25 21:02:36 She’s part of your family, I know Jan 25 21:02:44 * Morgan nods Jan 25 21:02:47 And so are you Jan 25 21:04:15 * Alice shakes her head Jan 25 21:04:29 I’m the woman who had your brother’s baby, nothing more Jan 25 21:04:51 We've had this discussion, Alice... you are family to me. Jan 25 21:05:25 To you, maybe, but to your family and guests, I’m his former mistress. Jan 25 21:06:26 Possibly... but what -they- feel is rather beside the point... Jan 25 21:06:50 * Alice shrugs Jan 25 21:07:25 it won’t be pleasant but I’ll ride it out, for Florrie Jan 25 21:07:40 * Morgan watches her sadly Jan 25 21:07:50 I'm sorry you've been made to feel that way Jan 25 21:09:20 * Alice shakes her head Jan 25 21:09:35 It’s of my own making Jan 25 21:10:01 No, its not... it is the circumstance we find ourselves in. I wanted you to feel welcome here, always. Jan 25 21:12:11 It’s not your house or your welcome, Florrie and I have been very happy til now Jan 25 21:12:36 Want me to kick them out, tell them to go stay with Graf Maubourg? Jan 25 21:12:44 * Alice smiles Jan 25 21:13:01 No, it’ll only make it awkward. More awkward. Jan 25 21:14:17 * Morgan sighs, taking a mouthful of his whiskey Jan 25 21:14:46 * Alice looks at the plan Jan 25 21:14:58 Don’t worry about it, I’ve endured worse Jan 25 21:15:32 Would you take up your title again if you could? Jan 25 21:16:04 No, you know what a hindrance it can be Jan 25 21:16:55 * Morgan nods Jan 25 21:16:56 Aye Jan 25 21:17:27 do you think I should then? Jan 25 21:17:59 An idle thought, love, thats all... it'd even up your social status is all Jan 25 21:19:02 * Alice shrugs Jan 25 21:19:15 It’s fine as it is. These look good Jan 25 21:19:46 * Morgan shrugs a little Jan 25 21:20:03 Title makes no damn difference to me Jan 25 21:20:11 * Alice nods Jan 25 21:20:42 Why is it double hulled? Jan 25 21:21:26 stronger Jan 25 21:21:52 what are you going to use her for? Jan 25 21:22:04 I'll probably use her as a boat Jan 25 21:22:10 * Morgan winces Jan 25 21:22:15 -ship- Jan 25 21:22:23 * Alice laughs Jan 25 21:22:40 That can be our secret Jan 25 21:22:57 * Morgan nods Jan 25 21:23:07 I don''t think I'd ever live that down with HeinzHarold and Claudia Jan 25 21:23:36 * Alice nods Jan 25 21:23:46 probably not Jan 25 21:25:42 * Morgan nods, pointing to the plans Jan 25 21:26:16 Forty four gun, she sits lower in the water but she can take a beating while -pummeling- an opponent, but she still has cargo space Jan 25 21:26:25 * Alice looks Jan 25 21:26:37 what for? Capperlucia? Jan 25 21:27:23 Stormdancer was going to do that but, with the speed of the Rose, its just not needed for that, which frees her up for other work. Witts and James will find them all work Jan 25 21:28:48 I’d still run them for Capperlucia. Use them for your less valuable cargo, but despite the Rose’s speed you have more trade volume that way Jan 25 21:29:13 A lot of the items from there are food which'd spoil regardless Jan 25 21:29:26 * Alice shrugs Jan 25 21:29:32 Your ships Jan 25 21:30:15 Problem is, I'm a sailor... -was- a sailor... the business side of it was never something I put thought into Jan 25 21:31:21 It’s two distinct skills Jan 25 21:31:30 * Morgan nods Jan 25 21:31:53 I've got so much on my hands that I can't juggle it all... some of it, I have to let others deal with Jan 25 21:33:51 * Alice nods Jan 25 21:34:11 It’s easy to get ploughed under by it Jan 25 21:35:25 * Morgan nods, looking at the plans Jan 25 21:35:35 I frequently wonder if I'm up to it Jan 25 21:36:17 Whoever doesn’t ask themselves that is either stupidly arrogant or arrogantly stupid Jan 25 21:37:00 * Morgan nods Jan 25 21:37:06 I know -so- many of those types Jan 25 21:37:12 * Alice nods Jan 25 21:37:18 Most of them titled? Jan 25 21:37:27 * Morgan nods Jan 25 21:37:37 With the exception of my old commanding officer, all of them Jan 25 21:37:53 * Alice nods Jan 25 21:38:27 The title and the wealth gives them a liberty to be useless in a way that would ruin commoners Jan 25 21:38:45 * Morgan nods Jan 25 21:39:42 I am... less tolerant of those types Jan 25 21:40:09 * Alice nods Jan 25 21:40:32 I’m glad to be done with them. Or I was done with them, at least Jan 25 21:41:00 These ones aren't so bad... Jan 25 21:42:14 * Alice nods Jan 25 21:42:34 I’m sure they’re decent if you’d be willing to invite them Jan 25 21:43:26 Unfortunately, there'll be several I'm not sure of... but, taking over the Grafdom I need to start working to have them onside... and there's Edwards friends who... *he sighs* Jan 25 21:44:25 Who don’t know about me or Florrie. I know, he’s confided in me already Jan 25 21:44:41 * Morgan nods a little Jan 25 21:44:48 You have withdrawn further from him Jan 25 21:46:43 Yes, because although I want us to be friends so we can do our best by Florrie, I don’t want to antagonise his wife or have people speculate if I’m to be his mistress now Jan 25 21:47:09 * Morgan nods Jan 25 21:47:12 Thats what I figured Jan 25 21:47:28 * Alice nods Jan 25 21:47:38 Thats best for everyone Jan 25 21:48:10 Probably... it won't always be this difficult Jan 25 21:48:38 I hope not Jan 25 21:50:22 * Morgan smiles a little Jan 25 21:50:24 Had a dream Jan 25 21:51:16 of me? Jan 25 21:51:30 * Morgan blushes Jan 25 21:51:32 Of the future Jan 25 21:52:16 * Alice smiles Jan 25 21:52:31 it’ll come true? Jan 25 21:52:56 Maybe... hopefully. Jan 25 21:53:28 * Alice nods Jan 25 21:54:03 I hope so Jan 25 21:54:13 * Morgan nods Jan 25 21:54:15 Me too Jan 25 21:54:53 * Alice looks at the plan again “Will you go to launch her?” Jan 25 21:55:20 I'm not sure... there's an -awful- lot of things to do Jan 25 21:55:56 * Alice nods Jan 25 21:56:15 It’s weeks of travel too, isn’t it? Jan 25 21:56:35 * Morgan nods Jan 25 21:56:37 Over land Jan 25 21:56:49 * Alice nods Jan 25 21:57:13 You could manage it in a week at best, if you sail some too. Jan 25 21:57:33 * Morgan nods Jan 25 21:57:42 A possibility I suppose Jan 25 21:58:01 It’s very landlocked here Jan 25 21:58:25 * Morgan nods Jan 25 21:59:05 Bit of a cruel joke by Theus, isn't it... instilling such a love of sailing to someone so landlocked Jan 25 21:59:14 * Alice nods Jan 25 21:59:37 it’s unlucky Jan 25 21:59:54 * Morgan nods, sighing Jan 25 22:00:41 * Alice smiles Jan 25 22:01:05 Maybe neither of us have much favour with Him Jan 25 22:02:25 Why did you settle on the island? You love sailing and with a bit of help could've started turning some tidy profits... Jan 25 22:02:34 * Alice finishes her whiskey Jan 25 22:02:55 For Florrie. A ship is no place for a child to grow up, it’s not normal Jan 25 22:03:53 Maybe, in the future, she could stay with Molly's family, let you get some salt water on your face for a week... Jan 25 22:05:11 * Alice nods Jan 25 22:05:34 That I’d like. Maybe even in time she could stay with you, or Edward? Jan 25 22:06:13 * Morgan smiles Jan 25 22:06:17 Undoubtedly Jan 25 22:06:54 * Alice nods Jan 25 22:07:14 Do you have your own plans for an escape to sea? Jan 25 22:07:31 * Morgan shakes his head Jan 25 22:08:02 No... though... Molly suggested I take you home. Jan 25 22:08:20 * Alice nods Jan 25 22:08:39 That would give you a week or more Jan 25 22:08:55 A long time to be away though Jan 25 22:28:44 * Alice has quit (Read error: EOF from client) Jan 25 23:12:17 * Morgan has quit (Quit: This computer has gone to sleep)