[21:46] (Molly) [23:34] (Molly) Were you not worried about how I would respond? [23:34] * @Morgan nods 23:34] (@Morgan) very [23:35] (Molly) Even though it was my fault?[23:35] (@Morgan) your fault? 23:35] * Molly takes his hand very gently[23:36] (Molly) My implication that I was imagining how it would feel to kiss you 23:37] * @Morgan shrugs[23:37] (@Morgan) maybe I misunderstood you...[23:39] * Molly blushes hard[23:40] (Molly) That was indeed what I was, and had been for some time, imagining though[23:41] * Molly squeezes his hand, and he feels that sense of belonging once more
[21:49] (Molly) ((done))
[21:53] (@Morgan) all the more remarkable, then, that I had the nerve to...
[21:54] * Molly tilts her head
[21:54] (Molly) The nerve to? 
[21:55] (Molly) **the path leads them to the river, a tributary of the Sudlache, spanned by a clapper bridge
[21:55] ** New query from Morgan (Available on submenu 'Windows')
[21:56] (@Morgan) kiss you...
[21:56] * Molly smiles softly
[21:56] (Molly) I meant I was surprised it took nerves
[21:57] (@Morgan) it was... a drastic step, would change things
[21:58] * Molly looks thoughtful as she climbs up the stones to walk on the bridge
[21:58] (Molly) I hadnt thought of that
[22:00] * Molly watches him, shielding her eyes from the sun
[22:01] (Molly) There was also the risk I would be horrified and Jaeger would have demanded satisfaction...
[22:01] (@Morgan) I tend to avoid duels if at all possible
[22:02] * Molly giggles
[22:02] (Molly) Not according to HeinzHarold
[22:02] (@Morgan) HeinzHarold talks too much
[22:03] * Molly laughs, watching the fish in the stream
[22:03] (Molly) Even if I'd been offended, I'd never have told him
[22:04] (@Morgan) why?
[22:04] (Molly) Would you like to sit here a while, liebes herz?
[22:05] * Molly shrugs a little
[22:06] (Molly) It wasn't his business
[22:06] (@Morgan) if you wish to blossom
[22:07] * Molly sits on the edge, legs overhanging the water. A few feet beneath her boots, a shoal of tiny fish swim in the clear water
[22:08] (Molly) I suppose I never saw him as a champion or protector
[22:08] (@Morgan) no?
[22:08] * Molly looks a little guilty
[22:09] (Molly) My feelings were for him more as a friend or as family than the admiration and desire one ought to have for a husband
[22:12] * @Morgan nods
[22:12] (@Morgan) it sounds as if he was a good match, if not the right one
[22:13] * Molly nods
[22:13] (Molly) He was the wrong man at the right time
[22:14] * Molly grins at him
[22:15] (Molly) And the right man was rather busy being the wrong man to another at the time
[22:15] * @Morgan looks confused
[22:15] (Molly) Evie, liebling
[22:16] (@Morgan) ah...
[22:16] * Molly smiles, watching the fish
[22:18] * @Morgan sighs
[22:18] (Molly) Were you as surprised when you first kissed her as with me? I will understand if you prefer not to answer
[22:19] * @Morgan shakes his head
[22:19] (@Morgan) No... it sounds callous but I hadn't as much to lose as with you at the comparable times
[22:20] * Molly blinks slowly, trying to make sense of it
[22:20] (Molly) I am not sure I understand
[22:20] * @Morgan sighs again
[22:20] (@Morgan) when I kissed you, you were already more to me, more important... I risked more
[22:21] * Molly flushes, smiling
[22:21] (Molly) That is rather nice to hear
[22:23] (@Morgan) I should feel guilty about it, I suppose
[22:23] (Molly) Should you?
[22:23] (@Morgan) I feel I treated her unfairly
[22:24] * Molly watches him
[22:25] (Molly) Not intentionally though, for I think perhaps the situation became more complex than you expected?
[22:25] * @Morgan nods
[22:25] (@Morgan) she wanted more, always more
[22:25] * Molly nods slightly
[22:26] (Molly) It is an unfortunate trait of most women I think
[22:28] (@Morgan) its understandable
[22:30] (Molly) Certainly of the women I knew as a child, they were always set on becoming engaged and then wed. It would have taken a very special girl to have provided only what you could handle without pushing for more
[22:33] * @Morgan nods
[22:33] (@Morgan) it certainly did
[22:34] * Molly smiles warmly a moment
[22:34] (Molly) _I_ should have felt guilty for kissing another man behind my betrothed's back
[22:34] (@Morgan) probably...
[22:35] (Molly) But I didnt. I knew that it was quite improper of me, but it didn't prevent me from being glad it had happened
[22:37] * @Morgan nids
[22:39] (Molly) In all honesty, I felt more guilty that I'd let my jealousy push me towards him
[22:41] (@Morgan) jealousy?
[22:41] * Molly nods 
[22:41] (Molly) Of Evie, and what you and she had
[22:44] (@Morgan) I see
[22:45] * Molly frowns a little
[22:46] (Molly) It isn't one of my more endearing traits, I'm afraid
[22:47] (@Morgan) its a little surprising
[22:49] (Molly) Is it? I believe I told you just before you kissed me... *she smirks slightly* maybe you were distracted by what you were thinking of doing
[22:49] (@Morgan) possibly...
[22:55] * Molly watches him a long moment
[22:55] * Molly shrugs
[22:55] (Molly) Regardless, things have mostly turned out for the best
[22:56] * @Morgan nods
[22:57] * Molly watches the fish a few minutes
[22:59] (Molly) You wanted me to tell you about the ice...
[22:59] * @Morgan sits down
[22:59] (@Morgan) aye, I do
[23:00] * Molly sighs
[23:00] (Molly) You aren't going to like it
[23:00] (@Morgan) Understood
[23:01] * Molly pulls one leg up, resting her cheek on it
[23:03] (Molly) I'm not really sure where to start. It's a little theory that came to mind the last few days
[23:07] (Molly) As I've said, it isn't always easy being the second wife. I've had times where I've wondered how I fit in to your life in the grand scheme of things. 
[23:07] * @Morgan nods
[23:07] * Molly frowns as she talks, struggling to express it
[23:10] (Molly) I had moments of feeling that I didnt truly belong, particularly when other people commented on it
[23:13] * Molly sighs
[23:15] (Molly) I don't know how to explain it.
[23:15] * @Morgan watches her
[23:19] (Molly) Sometimes I felt as if I were an unimportant footnote in the history of your life. It was never anything you did, but my own insecurities and the words of those around us that made me feel so
[23:21] * @Morgan nods
[23:22] (Molly) And then two comments were made that made me rethink my negativity. Firstly, that you are no longer the man she fell in love with, and secondly, Natashas statement that the ice got him
[23:23] (@Morgan) I'm afraid I still dont undertstand
[23:23] * Molly nods
[23:26] (Molly) I know. I realised that things aren't how I saw them. It is almost as if when you died on the island, the dice pot of your life was reshaken, a new chapter, a new start.
[23:27] (@Morgan) I see
[23:27] * Molly smiles ever-so-slightly
[23:28] (Molly) I told you you wouldn't like it
[23:28] (@Morgan) it makes sense, I suppose
[23:28] * Molly nods
[23:31] (Molly) I am not in anyone's shadow, I am myself, with my own part to play in the book, no better and no worse, because the situations are entirely different. 
[23:32] * Molly watches him a moment
[23:32] * @Morgan nods
[23:33] (Molly) And I have a great deal I wish to do in my chapters, however many of them there are
[23:33] * @Morgan nods
[23:35] (Molly) Fixing Innesbruck, making Eisen work together, children, a fleet, and a few montaigne tricks many would call scandalous...
[23:35] * @Morgan chuckles
[23:35] * Molly grins
[23:35] (Molly) Not necessarily in that order
[23:36] * @Morgan nods
[23:36] (@Morgan) could take quite a while to get around to the montaigne tricks, if that were the case
[23:37] (Molly) And that would be a great tragedy to your mind? *she giggles*
[23:37] * @Morgan nods
[23:37] * Molly becomes a little more solemn
[23:38] (Molly) So you see why sometimes you hear about the ice in my thoughts?
[23:39] * @Morgan nods
[23:39] (@Morgan) reminding yourself I'm not who I was
[23:39] * Molly looks a little unsure
[23:40] (Molly) More of where I belong, and how we fit together
[23:40] * @Morgan nods
[23:42] (Molly) Much as part of me would liked us to have experienced every new for the first time together, I would not change what we have
[23:42] (Molly) New thing**
[23:43] * @Morgan nods
[23:43] (@Morgan) Good
[23:43] (Molly) Would you? *she watches him with relaxed curiosity*
[23:43] (@Morgan) No, I think not
[23:44] * Molly nods
[23:47] (Molly) Our relationship was crafted in the forge of adversity, therefore is stronger than many untested couplings. We have battled through dangers untold and heartaches unnumbered to be who and what we are now
[21:24] * @Morgan nods
[21:24] (@Morgan) that makes sense, I suppose
[21:25] * Molly returns to swinging her legs over the edge
[21:26] (Molly) I just wish to be the best wife and veisgrafin that I can
[21:27] * @Morgan nods
[21:27] (@Morgan) doing well so far
[21:28] * Molly blushes
[21:28] (Molly) You think so?
[21:28] * @Morgan nods
[21:30] (Molly) I am a little nervous about my first official task as veisgrafin though
[21:31] (@Morgan) oh?
[21:31] * Molly watches him
[21:32] (Molly) Tomorrow, meeting all the villagers here
[21:32] (@Morgan) I'm sure you'll be fine... and I'll be menacing if you get uncomfortable
[21:33] * Molly smiles
[21:34] (Molly) I should imagine it is many years since such duties made you uneasy
[21:35] (@Morgan) a few weeks, actually
[21:36] * Molly looks surprised
[21:36] (Molly) But you were born and raised for such things
[21:38] (@Morgan) It still makes me nervous
[21:39] * Molly takes his hand smiling
[21:40] (Molly) _I_ could try and look menacing if _you_ become uncomfortable...
[21:40] * @Morgan smiles
[21:40] (@Morgan) generally speaking I try to look menacing whenever I'm uneasy
[21:41] * Molly smiles playfully
[21:41] (Molly) I can't say you do so with me
[21:42] (@Morgan) I try harder
[21:42] * Molly giggles
[21:43] (Molly) Because you're afraid you'll scare me?
[21:43] (@Morgan) a little perhaps
[21:44] * Molly looks thoughtful
[21:44] (Molly) Do I make you uneasy often?
[21:45] (@Morgan) No, not really
[21:46] * Molly nods 
[21:47] (Molly) Did I used to, before you had decided you wanted me?
[21:47] * @Morgan looks thoughtful
[21:48] (@Morgan) No...
[21:49] (Molly) Even when I offered you any comfort or aid that you wished? *she smiles, teasing rather than malicious*
[21:50] (@Morgan) that was a little surprising, I'll admit
[21:51] (Molly) Oh?
[21:56] (@Morgan) I wasn't expecting it
[21:56] * Molly smiles
[21:57] (Molly) Not the sort of offer a gentleman's daughter should be making to a man?
[21:57] (@Morgan) just not the sort of odffer I expected someone making to me
[21:58] (Molly) You'd never received such an offer before?
[21:58] * @Morgan shakes his head
[21:59] * Molly looks thoughtful
[22:00] (Molly) I suppose Eisen at the time wouldn't have been particularly profitable for courtesans anyway
[22:00] (@Morgan) No, I wouldn't have thought so
[22:01] * Molly sighs 
[22:01] (Molly) I wonder what Lady Siobahn is doing...
[22:02] * @Morgan shrugs
[22:14] (Molly) It is her twentieth birthday also this month...
[22:14] (@Morgan) aye?
[22:15] * Molly looks off in to the distance. She quotes with a hint of Siobahns distinctive accent
[22:16] (Molly) " i fancy that we're sisters, separated and brought together to realise our dreams"
[22:16] * Molly sighs heavily
[22:19] (Molly) Our dreams were too different I think
[22:19] (@Morgan) probably
[22:25] (Molly) I miss her. She was always so glamourous, so worldly
[22:27] * @Morgan nods
[22:32] (Molly) She tried to persuade me to leave Tawstock and sail the world with her, you know?
[22:33] (@Morgan) oh? Why didnt you go?
[22:33] * Molly laughs
[22:33] (Molly) You.
[22:35] (@Morgan) well... that worked out eventually
[22:35] * Molly nods
[22:37] (Molly) It was when she knew I was planning to become a mistress but not to whom. She said I should go away with her and we'd meet hundreds of men would would fall to their knees to make me their wife
[22:43] (@Morgan) I see
[22:44] * Molly smiles
[22:45] (Molly) That is often what you say when uneasy, instead of being menacing
[22:46] (@Morgan) thats true, I suppose...
[22:46] (Molly) Might I ask what makes you uneasy now?
[22:47] (@Morgan) more curious in this case... surely the prospect of said hundreds of men begging you to marry them would've been ebtter than being my mistress
[22:47] * Molly shakes her head
[22:48] (Molly) Not at all. I'd have stayed even to just be your companion.
[22:49] * Molly watches his reaction closely
[22:49] (@Morgan) I cant say I understand why
[22:50] (Molly) Because I was utterly and irrevocably in love with you. 
[22:53] (@Morgan) cant be helped I suppose
[22:54] * Molly giggles
[22:55] (Molly) When I said I couldn't, because I was in love with the man in question, she told me that I should disregard her offer and follow my heart
[22:56] (@Morgan) She's a strange girl
[22:58] (Molly) Very. If you'd decided you no longer wanted me, or that you could no longer be comfortable with the notion of taking a mistress, it could have been a grand adventure to join her
[22:58] (@Morgan) it seems you've ended up with several adventures all at once
[22:59] * Molly nods
[22:59] (Molly) I seem to attract adventure
[23:01] (Molly) Would you have missed me if I'd gone off on the Coral for months at a time? *she smiles playfully*
[23:01] * @Morgan nods
[23:01] (@Morgan) there's a possibility I'd have followed you
[23:01] (@Morgan) at a respectable distance, of course
[23:02] * Molly wrinkles her nose
[23:03] (Molly) A respectible distance doesn't sound very romantic... You wouldn't have kidnapped me and used your knowledge of nautical knots to keep me as your captive?
[23:04] * Molly watches him with curiosity
[23:04] (@Morgan) No... but I'd have considered it
[23:05] * Molly grins
[23:05] (Molly) You'd have needed to give it many hours of thought to ensure it was a feasible plan
[23:06] (@Morgan) I'd imagine so
[23:06] * Molly nods thoughtfully, more to herself than anything
[23:07] (Molly) You wouldn't have followed me on the Rose?
[23:08] (@Morgan) The rose wasn't mine
[23:09] (Molly) Nor was the Coral
[23:09] * Molly looks confused
[23:10] (@Morgan) Oh, I see what you mean
[23:10] (@Morgan) Yes, I might've
[23:10] * Molly nods
[23:11] (Molly) You were planning to ask me to be your mistress before she'd sunk...
[23:12] * @Morgan nods
[23:13] (Molly) "It's hard to have a mistress who is hell-bent on being so far away from you"
[23:14] * Molly smiles, reciting what he said at the time
[23:17] (@Morgan) You did seem intent on making it difficult
[23:18] * Molly laughs
[23:18] (Molly) I thought you were trying to gently tell me you were going to offer to Lady Siobahn!
[23:22] * @Morgan laughs
[23:22] (@Morgan) thats rather ridiculous
[23:23] (Molly) Why? 
[23:28] (@Morgan) because... its hard to descibe, it just is
[23:30] * Molly shakes her head
[23:33] (Molly) You had mentioned an infatuation with her, sent missives back and forth, missed her, wished her to accompany you to my wedding... Also she is absolutely beautiful with the sort of figure that many men would fall upon their own swords over!
[23:35] (@Morgan) I did, and do miss her... but she is my friend and nothing more
[23:36] (Molly) I know that now, of course. But at the time I could not see why I could have held any attention in comparison.
[23:41] (@Morgan) funny how wrong you can be...
[23:42] * Molly nudges him playfully
[23:43] (Molly) You would have been welcome to live and work on the Rose, you know?
[23:44] (@Morgan) as quartermaster?
[23:46] (Molly) Or any other job you wanted... *she grins* though I might have insisted on no swimming to check the hull
[23:46] (@Morgan) well... I wanted to make sure she was sea worthy
[23:47] (Molly) Oh I know. It was a little... Distracting though.
[23:47] (@Morgan) oh?
[23:48] * Molly blushes
[23:48] (Molly) I struggled for the rest of the day to think in an orderly fashion
[23:49] * @Morgan chuckles
[23:51] (Molly) Awful, isn't it, that women are as susceptible to such things as men, when we are supposed to be chaste and virginal
[23:54] (@Morgan) I cant imagine it makes life particularly easy
[23:58] * Molly grins
[23:59] (Molly) Seeing you in wet clothing? No, not easy at all
[23:59] * @Morgan laughs
[00:02] (Molly) It might have been fun though, if you'd agreed to live on the Rose as my Quartermaster and Paramore. All the freedom, all the oceans.
[00:03] (@Morgan) It might have been...less complicated
[00:10] * Molly nods emphatically
[00:10] (Molly) Much less. For everyone.
[00:11] * @Morgan nods
[00:13] * Molly smiles slightly
[00:13] (Molly) Not entirely true
[00:13] (@Morgan) no?
[00:13] (Molly) It would have been harder for your father
[00:14] * @Morgan nods
[00:14] (@Morgan) thats true
[00:15] (Molly) And Varick
[00:16] * @Morgan smiles briefly
[00:16] (@Morgan) aye...
[00:16] (Molly) But much easier for us
[00:16] * @Morgan nods
[00:16] * Molly looks down at her hands
[00:17] (Molly) We still could, you know?
[00:17] (@Morgan) would you want to?
[00:17] * Molly gives it thought
[00:20] (Molly) No, I don't think so. A few weeks ago, I might have been persuaded, but I'm finally feeling like this is what and where I am supposed to be
[00:20] * @Morgan nods
[00:20] (@Morgan) good
[00:24] (Molly) Scared as I am of being bad at it, part of me feels as if things have finally fallen in to place and I am where I should be... *she watches him, then looks back to the river* and you? Would you want to divorce and just have me as your mistress, living on the high seas, never stopping anywhere long enough to stagnate or become bored?
[00:24] (@Morgan) No... A bit of high seas would be nice though
[00:25] * Molly nods
[00:25] (Molly) We have three years
[00:29] (@Morgan) thats true, we do
[00:30] (Molly) Plus if we divorced I'd have to return the rings *she looks at the dracheneisen band and the Sudlache ring with a hint of a frown, something he's seen her do frequently in recent days*
[00:30] (@Morgan) is there a problem blssom?
[00:31] * Molly sighs, watching him, trying to read in his expression how much to confide
[00:32] * @Morgan looks at her, curious
[00:34] (Molly) The ring... It ensures two healthy sons. We know it works even in adverse conditions because of Lisette...?
[00:34] * @Morgan nods
[00:35] * Molly looks at it, flashes of red, green, blue in its depths
[00:36] (Molly) Why did your mother keep it so long?
[00:37] (@Morgan) how do you mean?
[00:37] * Molly chews her lower lip
[00:38] (Molly) Why didnt she give it to you before?
[00:41] * @Morgan shrugs
[00:42] (@Morgan) I dont know... given my fathers position on my marriage, though...
[00:43] * Molly nods, still looking at the stone
[00:44] (Molly) It makes me feel a little guilty at times if I'm honest
[00:45] (@Morgan) I cant say that surprises me
[00:45] * Molly looks up at him
[00:45] (Molly) Would you prefer I do not wear it?
[00:46] (@Morgan) Dont be daft
[00:47] * Molly nods slightly
[00:48] (Molly) I would never dream of asking your mother why she didn't give it to you. I should imagine her guilt at retaining it far outweighs mine at being the one to wear it now
[00:49] * @Morgan nods
[00:49] (@Morgan) I would imagine so
[00:49] * Molly sighs
[00:51] (Molly) I think the Eisenfurst has wondered the same. There was something in his eyes when the ring was talked about that made me think he had jumped to the same conclusion
[00:52] * @Morgan nods
[00:53] * Molly watches him closely
[00:54] (Molly) Were you upset at the time that you had not been given it as soon as they knew of the wedding?
[00:54] * @Morgan sighs
[00:55] (@Morgan) I tried not to think about it
[00:56] * Molly looks ashamed
[00:56] (Molly) I'm sorry, I should not have mentioned it
[00:58] (@Morgan) its fine blossom... I dont imagine my family find it particularly easy to deal with
[00:59] (Molly) **he picks up in her thoughts, which have been otherwise unreadable, the image of a beautiful engraved dracheneisen sword (ask for help if needed!)
[00:59] * Molly nods
[01:00] (Molly) It is quite possible it only protects against natural causes, I doubt many veisgrafins and grafins were ever in such a danger
[01:01] (@Morgan) Its a possibility
[01:05] * Molly nods again
[01:13] (Molly) It must have been very hard to have them disapprove of themarriage
[01:15] * @Morgan nods
[01:15] (@Morgan) it didn't make things easy
[01:15] * Molly nods sympathetically
[01:16] (Molly) Were you concerned they would do the same this time
[01:17] (@Morgan) not so much... though my father was quite intent on finding out if there'd be children...
[01:17] * Molly rolls her eyes
[01:18] (Molly) I've noticed that it is a continual source of fascination for all our parents. 
[01:19] * @Morgan nods
[01:20] * Molly watches him very intently
[01:20] (@Morgan) you'd think they'd have found some other hobby by now
[01:20] (Molly) Liebes herz, would you prefer not to discuss the past?
[01:21] (@Morgan) for the time being perhaps
[01:25] * Molly nods solemnly
[01:25] (Molly) Than I shall endeavour not to do so
[01:26] (@Morgan) if there is something particular you feel you need to know, though...
[01:26] * Molly looks thoughtful
[01:29] (Molly) I do not think there is anything specifically. But one day, when I am more sure of myself, and you are ready, I would welcome the ease with which we could once discuss it before it became.... *she searches for the right word, trailing off as she finds none suitable*
[01:33] (@Morgan) too close?
[01:33] * Molly watches him
[01:33] (Molly) An interesting choice of words. Yes, that does rather well
[01:34] * Molly smiles
[01:34] (Molly) Complicated was the best I could do
[01:34] (@Morgan) apt...
[01:35] * Molly watches him
[01:36] (Molly) You should know though, I am happy. I feel far more sure of myself after our discussion the other night.
[01:37] * @Morgan nods
[01:37] (@Morgan) good
[01:37] * Molly smiles
[01:38] (Molly) You may not have realised it, but what you said was important to me, to my wellbeing, and I am very grateful
[01:38] * @Morgan nods
[01:39] * Molly looks at the position of the sun
[01:40] (Molly) We ought to head back. Are there any more gates you wish me to jump? *she grins*
[01:40] * @Morgan chuckles
[01:40] (@Morgan) no, thank you
[01:41] (Molly) I haven't had chance to do that in years
[01:42] * Molly stands, brushing off her dress
[01:43] (Molly) Perhaps it was a little too leg-revealing for your liking?
[01:43] * @Morgan snorts
[01:43] (@Morgan) not likely
[01:45] * Molly smiles innocently as she climbs off the bridge to the path
[01:45] (Molly) Perhaps maybe you prefer my legs to be felt rather than seen...
[01:47] * @Morgan shrugs
[01:47] (@Morgan) bit of both perhaps
[01:48] * Molly smiles
[01:48] (Molly) There aren't any montaigne tricks I've heard of involving legs
[01:49] (@Morgan) no?
[01:49] * Molly shakes her head
[01:50] (Molly) Or arms, for that matter
[01:51] (Molly) **they slowly wander towards Koln