**** BEGIN LOGGING AT Thu Dec 11 07:38:19 2025 Dec 11 07:38:19 * Morgan (~madisonst@192.168.1.129) has joined Dec 11 07:39:12 * Morgan has quit (Quit: This computer has gone to sleep) Dec 11 10:43:03 * Morgan (~madisonst@192.168.1.129) has joined Dec 11 11:18:00 * Morgan has quit (Quit: This computer has gone to sleep) Dec 11 11:40:19 * Morgan (~madisonst@192.168.1.129) has joined Dec 11 13:43:29 * Morgan has quit (Quit: This computer has gone to sleep) Dec 11 18:20:29 * Morgan (~madisonst@192.168.1.129) has joined Dec 11 19:21:37 * Molly (~u931732@192.168.1.101) has joined Dec 11 19:22:00 Perhaps earlier... we'll see how it goes Dec 11 19:22:00 It’s going to be difficult Dec 11 19:22:00 I appreciate that Dec 11 19:22:00 * Molly nods “Aside from it making things easier, do you get any other enjoyment from it?” Dec 11 19:22:00 * Morgan shrugs Dec 11 19:22:02 I don't know really Dec 11 19:22:04 * Molly nods “Alright” She stands up “I need to find Emil really” Dec 11 19:22:06 * Morgan nods Dec 11 19:22:08 Aye, alright love Dec 11 19:22:10 * Molly heads to the adjoining door. She looks back over her shoulder with a naughty smile, but doesn’t say anything Dec 11 19:22:14 * Morgan smiles, watching her Dec 11 19:22:16 * Molly looks him over head to toe before saying “You’ll wait.l Dec 11 19:22:18 * Morgan nods Dec 11 19:22:20 * Molly smiles “You will let me know when I can be freer again?” Dec 11 19:22:22 * Morgan nods Dec 11 19:22:24 Aye love Dec 11 19:22:28 * Molly nods, letting herself out Dec 11 19:23:12 * Morgan looks around for a few minutes before going down to make himself some coffee Dec 11 19:24:33 *The kitchen is fairly busy, and he sees Frau Arendt as well as his Valet Dresden down here working Dec 11 19:25:06 * Morgan stays out of the way as he makes his drink, surreptitiously watching the staff Dec 11 19:26:13 *They look pleased to see him. Arendt comes over* Good afternoon, my Lord Dec 11 19:27:24 * Molly is now known as Arendt Dec 11 19:27:38 Frau Arendt, its good to see you Dec 11 19:29:20 * Arendt smiles “Thank you, my Lord” Dec 11 19:29:36 How are things? Dec 11 19:30:30 Everything is going well, Karlsruhe is doing well with keeping the workmen on track Dec 11 19:34:06 * Morgan nods Dec 11 19:34:24 We've drafted in an architect for Elsie and James cottage... Dec 11 19:35:23 * Arendt nods “Very good, my Lord. Will a guest room need to be prepared for him? Dec 11 19:36:28 Possibly... he's stopped in Kempton to see his aunts and leave his betrothed with them Dec 11 19:37:52 * Arendt nods, smiling “when is he getting married?” Dec 11 19:38:19 To be arranged I think... this commission has gone a long way to enabling him to ask her formally... Dec 11 19:40:03 * Arendt smiles “Commander Arendt was the same, it wasn’t until he was promoted that he proposed” Dec 11 19:40:28 * Morgan nods Dec 11 19:40:37 I can understand that Dec 11 19:42:03 * Arendt smiles “I will get your letters for you, if you’re ready now, my Lord? Dec 11 19:43:12 * Morgan nods Dec 11 19:43:15 please Dec 11 19:43:52 * Arendt goes to find them Dec 11 19:44:22 Dresden: There’s a p-p-package too Dec 11 19:44:37 * Morgan nods Dec 11 19:44:43 I'll have them in my office please Dec 11 19:45:02 *Dresden nods* Y-y-Yes, Lord Dec 11 19:45:44 * Morgan thanks them, heading for his office Dec 11 19:46:11 *he doesn’t pass anyone on the way* Dec 11 19:46:57 * Morgan goes in, sitting in the chair at his desk, sipping his coffee Dec 11 19:49:13 *It’s quite comfortable in here, even with the new acquisition of the ribbon in the cupboard. They’d been happy that day of the second knot and he can still picture her bared belly, the warms of her skin and the way Jana had kicked as he wrapped it around them and pinched the right distance Dec 11 19:49:51 * Morgan takes a couple of deep breaths, closing his eyes for a moment Dec 11 19:51:52 *There’s a knock on the door* Dec 11 19:54:06 come Dec 11 19:54:36 * Arendt is now known as Karlsruhe Dec 11 19:55:09 * Karlsruhe enters with a paper-wrapped package and some letters Dec 11 19:55:27 Ah, Karlsruhe Dec 11 19:57:31 * Karlsruhe smiles “Your Excellency” Dec 11 19:59:03 How are you? Dec 11 20:01:05 * Karlsruhe considers it “I am alright” Dec 11 20:01:25 You had to think about that... Dec 11 20:02:43 * Karlsruhe smiles “A wise man doesn’t speak until he has an answer” Dec 11 20:04:07 * Morgan nods slowly Dec 11 20:04:15 And a foolish man puts tomato in a fruit salad Dec 11 20:04:25 * Morgan frowns Dec 11 20:04:32 Sorry... its been a tough day Dec 11 20:05:19 * Karlsruhe nods, looking to the seat in front of the desk “May I?” Dec 11 20:05:24 Of course Dec 11 20:06:12 * Karlsruhe sits Dec 11 20:07:04 what troubles you? Dec 11 20:07:48 * Morgan sighs Dec 11 20:08:34 Leaving my brother behind... having to see Florrie so upset... that was particularly hard, given her appearance. Dec 11 20:08:44 * Morgan sips his coffee, looking to the window Dec 11 20:09:19 When I was married, and we expected Jana, we had a piece of ribbon... it has knots in it to mark the six month and full term points... Inga got it from my former mother in law and handed it to me earlier Dec 11 20:13:12 * Karlsruhe nods Dec 11 20:13:58 Difficult, but also a treasure beyond compare Dec 11 20:14:09 indeed Dec 11 20:15:50 * Karlsruhe nods Dec 11 20:17:02 It can be difficult to reconcile the pain of the memory with the gratitude of the memory Dec 11 20:17:52 * Morgan nods Dec 11 20:17:56 exactly Dec 11 20:19:34 * Karlsruhe nods “We face these trials and get stronger” Dec 11 20:20:05 I'm yet to be convinced of that I'm afraid Dec 11 20:21:38 * Karlsruhe nods, smiling “Some days it is easier than others” Dec 11 20:22:12 * Morgan nods Dec 11 20:22:16 I am inclined to agree Dec 11 20:23:30 * Karlsruhe nods Dec 11 20:23:45 Your family are well, I hope? Dec 11 20:25:07 * Morgan nods Dec 11 20:25:31 Fine... I felt the baby move while we were in Sudlachenburg... Varick is unhappy about leaving his friends behind... Dec 11 20:26:05 * Karlsruhe nods “I am pleased for you and your wife” Dec 11 20:28:01 * Morgan inclines his head Dec 11 20:28:02 Thank you Dec 11 20:29:13 * Karlsruhe puts the package and some letters on the desk “Should I ask the potential tutors to attend for interview after the weekend.” Dec 11 20:31:22 Might be an idea... give us a time to settle back in first Dec 11 20:31:36 * Karlsruhe nods Dec 11 20:31:56 That would be sensible Dec 11 20:32:30 * Morgan nods, sipping his coffee Dec 11 20:32:38 Sorry, where are my manners... would you care for a drink? Dec 11 20:33:54 * Karlsruhe nods “Thank you, coffee” Dec 11 20:36:00 * Morgan thinks for a moment before ringing the bell in the right pattern Dec 11 20:39:54 *the coffee arrives within a few minutes, whilst Karlsruhe has been explaining about their garden being finished Dec 11 20:41:08 * Morgan thanks the servant before looking back to Karlsruhe Dec 11 20:41:10 Thats good going Dec 11 20:41:20 * Karlsruhe nods Dec 11 20:41:35 Referring back to the original plans, I think you’ll be satisfied Dec 11 20:43:00 There's much difference? Dec 11 20:43:41 No, I meant it has been completed as you requested *he pours the coffee* Dec 11 20:44:22 * Morgan nods Dec 11 20:44:30 Excellent. HeinzHarold and Inga were delighted with their cottage Dec 11 20:44:52 * Karlsruhe smiles “I am pleased for them” Dec 11 20:45:17 * Morgan nods, sipping his coffee Dec 11 20:45:23 How do things stand with that village now? Dec 11 20:46:15 Neukloster, my Lord? Dec 11 20:47:50 * Morgan nods Dec 11 20:48:26 * Karlsruhe smiles “Mannheim was there yesterday, everyone is well. The daughter had a little boy” Dec 11 20:49:25 * Morgan smiles Dec 11 20:49:28 Thats good Dec 11 20:52:56 * Karlsruhe nods “They are doing well” Dec 11 20:53:08 I'm glad to hear that Dec 11 20:59:22 * Karlsruhe nods “They send their best wishes to you” Dec 11 20:59:35 * Morgan inclines his head Dec 11 21:02:21 I have not seen them poaching here again Dec 11 21:02:30 * Morgan nods Dec 11 21:03:00 I'm less bothered by it now an agreement is in place... I think, though, its time to start working on Maubourg to officially recognise them as Gottkirchen Dec 11 21:04:24 * Karlsruhe nods Dec 11 21:04:28 I agree Dec 11 21:05:45 * Morgan nods, sipping his coffee Dec 11 21:06:23 Do you want me to send someone to invite him, or will you visit? Dec 11 21:07:34 I'll go to him... I don't want him thinking I'm dragging him here to dictate what I want done Dec 11 21:08:12 * Karlsruhe nods “I would say that is for the best” Dec 11 21:09:00 He may not wish to include them... he has said he doesn't want to be progressive Dec 11 21:10:50 * Karlsruhe nods “Some are stuck in their ways” Dec 11 21:12:33 * Morgan nods Dec 11 21:12:36 quite Dec 11 21:13:17 It is best for Neukloster to join Gottkirchen, before Baden gets it into his head to do likewise Dec 11 21:13:55 * Morgan nods Dec 11 21:14:02 Indeed. If needs be I will force the issue Dec 11 21:14:56 * Karlsruhe nods “An actual annexation should not be necessary” Dec 11 21:15:46 I want to avoid that Dec 11 21:16:31 I think I'll write to Graf Baden... inform him of the town, and its lack of resources, and that we're going to acknowledge it as Gottkirchen so he does not have to have its burden on his grafdom... Dec 11 21:17:32 * Karlsruhe nods “From what is relayed to me, Graf Baden has little interest in being a Graf.” Dec 11 21:18:30 * Morgan nods Dec 11 21:18:34 Thats the impression I get Dec 11 21:21:52 * Karlsruhe nods “I would utilise the connection between Nance in Neukloster and her daughter ((Baden’s mistress)) to get information from the Grafdom. I hear that the Grafin is very smart, which has benefits and drawbacks” Dec 11 21:22:10 * Morgan nods Dec 11 21:22:17 I'm inclined to agree on all counts there Dec 11 21:22:41 Must be careful though, I don't want them getting the idea I've implanted a spy into their ranks Dec 11 21:24:10 * Karlsruhe nods “His proclivities put him at constant risk of that” Dec 11 21:24:59 Absolutely, but I'd rather not be at odds with them... particularly since it wasn't me that set her up there Dec 11 21:26:40 * Karlsruhe nods “It is important to keep an ear to her safety” Dec 11 21:27:11 * Morgan nods Dec 11 21:27:19 I'd like to get them to a place where it isn't necessary any longer Dec 11 21:28:16 There will always be another young woman to take her place Dec 11 21:29:06 sadly Dec 11 21:30:44 * Karlsruhe nods “I have seen the Grafin’s drawings, I am impressed” Dec 11 21:31:32 So was I... I've said I'll invite her to see Bir at some point Dec 11 21:32:06 * Karlsruhe nods Dec 11 21:32:30 I believe one of the letters may be from her, the crest on the seal is consistent Dec 11 21:33:01 * Morgan nods Dec 11 21:33:07 I'll look them over once we're done Dec 11 21:34:17 * Karlsruhe nods, drinking another mouthful Dec 11 21:34:42 What news from around the Grafdom? Dec 11 21:36:29 * Karlsruhe smiles “Things are fairly settled whilst they absorb the news of a change on the horizon” Dec 11 21:38:09 * Morgan nods slowly Dec 11 21:38:26 I'll be putting some information about soon about what changes I plan to make immediately Dec 11 21:38:53 * Karlsruhe nods “I think it would be a good time” Dec 11 21:39:20 * Morgan nods Dec 11 21:39:25 Lets just hope its well received Dec 11 21:40:45 * Karlsruhe nods Dec 11 21:41:08 Building good relations with the Freiarrs would be on my list, my Lord Dec 11 21:41:46 * Morgan nods Dec 11 21:41:53 Time to start writing letters then... Dec 11 21:43:21 * Karlsruhe nods Dec 11 21:43:32 Any aid I can give you I will Dec 11 21:44:00 I would appreciate your guidance alongside that of my father and brothers Dec 11 21:45:29 * Karlsruhe nods “Yes, my Lord” Dec 11 21:47:59 I suspect its going to be a difficult time of adjustment for a lot of people... it'd be understandable for them to view me with suspicion Dec 11 21:48:57 * Karlsruhe nods Dec 11 21:49:18 Rumours and stories of the post-Truce horrors still abound Dec 11 21:50:06 * Morgan nods Dec 11 21:50:19 All I can do is give reassurance, both by words and actions Dec 11 21:50:32 * Karlsruhe nods “Indeed” Dec 11 21:55:30 * Morgan has quit (Quit: This computer has gone to sleep) Dec 11 22:06:30 * Morgan (~madisonst@192.168.1.129) has joined Dec 11 22:08:00 * Morgan has quit (Quit: This computer has gone to sleep) Dec 11 22:10:54 * Karlsruhe has quit (Read error: EOF from client)