[19:48] * Adalbrecht watches his youngest son leave before topping up Morgan's glass then his own, grey eyes on his heir's blue ones
[19:55] ** ChanServ sets mode(s) +o  Morgan
[19:56] * @Morgan sips the blokners
[19:57] * Adalbrecht frowns
[19:58] (Adalbrecht) I still want to banish him
[19:58] (@Morgan) Well... you cant
[19:59] * Adalbrecht sips his drink
[19:59] (Adalbrecht) I'm well aware of that.
[20:00] * Adalbrecht broods on the conversation
[20:01] (Adalbrecht) Do you believe him?
[20:03] (@Morgan) he certainly seems empassioned about it
[20:04] * Adalbrecht nods slightly
[20:05] (Adalbrecht) That's not necessarily the same as being truthful though
[20:06] (@Morgan) true, yes
[20:06] * Adalbrecht frowns deeper
[20:07] (Adalbrecht) _Five_ foiled annexations... We'd have gotten wind of that, surely?
[20:08] (@Morgan) you'd have thought so
[20:09] * Adalbrecht nods
[20:10] (Adalbrecht) I knew there were some issues with trade agreements, though that happens commonly regardless...
[20:12] (@Morgan) the problem is its plausible
[20:15] * Adalbrecht nods
[20:15] (Adalbrecht) It'd be very easy to follow up and prove
[ 20:16] * Adalbrecht watches him
[20:16] (@Morgan) You think?
[20:17] * Adalbrecht nods
[20:18] (Adalbrecht) I do. Gossip is easily come by at Court, and I have a few favours I could call in
[20:20] * @Morgan nods slowly
[20:21] (Adalbrecht) What good would lying do him?
[20:22] (@Morgan) it might make you more endeared to stopping me killing him... though, since he didn't know _you_ know, that's an awfully well fleshed out story to come up with off the cuff
[20:24] (Adalbrecht) He knew you were here though
[20:24] * @Morgan nods
[20:24] (@Morgan) he did
[20:25] * Adalbrecht looks at Morgan
[20:25] (@Morgan) or rather, he knew I was in Eisen...
[20:26] (Adalbrecht) It could have been to placate you
[20:27] (@Morgan) Given he thought I have no regard for duty or honour, I don't know he'd think that way... but still, its something that needs to be checked
[20:27] * Adalbrecht nods
[20:28] (Adalbrecht) I will do so, though if connections or opportunity presents, make your own enquiries on Sudlachenburg's behalf
[20:29] * @Morgan nods
[20:29] (@Morgan) of course... I'm getting something of a reputation for being direct, you know
[20:31] * Adalbrecht raises an eyebrow
[20:31] (Adalbrecht) Were you direct in your marital negotiations with maubourg?
[20:32] * @Morgan nods
[20:34] * Adalbrecht nods
[20:35] (Adalbrecht) I can see why it would give you some vengeance
[20:36] * @Morgan nods
[20:36] (@Morgan) couldn't really argue with it, since it was the same argument he used, really
[20:37] * Adalbrecht nods
[20:37] (Adalbrecht) Reluctant as I am to entrust a Grafdom to him...
[20:38] * Adalbrecht finishes his blokners
[20:38] * @Morgan sighs
[20:38] (@Morgan) if he misbehaves, I'll deal with him... if he's telling the truth, he wont misbehave...
[20:39] (Adalbrecht) If he's telling the truth, he might be competant
[20:40] (Adalbrecht) You expected him not to comply?
[20:40] (@Morgan) it'd be hard not to comply when your own reasons are used against you...
[20:41] * Adalbrecht nods slightly
[20:42] (Adalbrecht) And if I'd arranged you that marriage and demanded you ignored your heart, what would you have done?
[20:43] (@Morgan) I didn't demand he ignores his heart...
[20:44] (Adalbrecht) And Mina...?
[20:44] (@Morgan) Her father will not allow anything between them because of what he did... whether he did as I told him or not, that door is closed to him
[20:45] * Adalbrecht nods
[20:45] (Adalbrecht) I understand. I'll need to speak to Maubourg and make the arrangements
[20:46] * @Morgan nods
[20:46] (@Morgan) If he gets uppity, remind him of his condition
[20:46] (Adalbrecht) Do you want to be present for the wedding?
[20:47] * @Morgan shrugs
[20:49] (Adalbrecht) As it appears partly motivated to punish, I assumed you'd wish to
[20:50] (@Morgan) Thats harsh...
[20:50] (@Morgan) what land do the Hapsburgs hold?
[20:50] * Adalbrecht watches him
[20:50] (Adalbrecht) Is it untrue?
[20:52] * @Morgan holds his fathers gaze
[20:52] * Adalbrecht doesn't back down from it
[20:52] (@Morgan) If he hadn't come out with this story, you'd be thinking it was wholly deserved, as did I. But no, I don't need to be there to witness it.
[20:53] * Adalbrecht shakes his head
[20:54] (Adalbrecht) Regardless of his story, he chose death and destruction. Reasons aside, he murdered the people our birthright sets us to rule and protect. It is deserved.
[20:58] (Adalbrecht) The Hapsburg's have Graben, a freiarrdom at the base of the drachenburg mountains
[21:00] * @Morgan nods
[21:01] (Adalbrecht) Why?
[21:01] * @Morgan shrugs
[21:01] (@Morgan) curiosity
[21:02] (Adalbrecht) Is Maubourg deeply unhappy about the match? *he looks quite savagely pleased at the idea*
[21:02] (@Morgan) extremely... Though he's aware that, regardless, that land comes to us
[21:03] * Adalbrecht grins
[21:03] (Adalbrecht) Much cleaner than annexing him
[21:04] * @Morgan nods
[21:04] (@Morgan) What interests me right now... is why he's back...
[21:04] * Adalbrecht nods
[21:05] (Adalbrecht) The timing is unusual, though he didn't seem to know about Molly
[21:05] * @Morgan nods
[21:05] (@Morgan) indeed
[21:05] * Adalbrecht picks up his dagger
[21:06] (Adalbrecht) About Innesbruck...
[21:06] * @Morgan raises an eyebrow
[21:07] (Adalbrecht) Would it have worked, giving it over for you and Dietlinde whilst making Edward the veisgraf?
[21:07] * Adalbrecht watches him
[21:08] (@Morgan) would what have worked?
[21:10] (Adalbrecht) Would you have accepted it? Would you have been happy there?
[21:10] * @Morgan nods
[21:10] (@Morgan) I think so
[21:10] * Adalbrecht nods, collecting up Edward's weapons
[21:11] (Adalbrecht) That's something I'll just have to live with I think
[21:11] (@Morgan) It is what it is.
[21:13] * Adalbrecht nods, withdrawing somewhat
[21:13] (Adalbrecht) We ought to get back to the drawing room before he turns up there
[21:14] (@Morgan) I'll linger outside I think... I want to know why he's back
[21:15] * Adalbrecht nods, handing over the weapons
[21:15] (Adalbrecht) I'll see you in there then.
[21:16] * @Morgan nods
[21:16] * Adalbrecht leaves Morgan alone in the state room (anything he'd do?)
[21:16] (@Morgan) (nope)
[21:18] (Adalbrecht) **Standing in the hall like a walking war, he waits. A minute passes, filled only with the warm laughter of his loved ones, and the familiar sounds of his wife playing the piano.
[21:19] ** You're now known as Edward
[21:20] * Edward walks confidently through his childhood home, a paper wrapped package under his arm. He looks smarter, having lost the leather in favour of a dark green brocade frockcoat. He inclines his head*
[21:21] (Edward) Morgan.
[21:21] (@Morgan) Before you go in... I want to know what brought you back now...
[21:22] * Edward smiles slightly
[21:22] (Edward) It's completely irrelevant now
[21:23] (@Morgan) I still want to know.
[21:23] * Edward nods
[21:24] (Edward) I came to speak to father about intervening on my behalf with Freiarr Hapsburg
[21:24] (@Morgan) Do you think it would have worked? Honestly?
[21:25] (Edward) Since when has that stopped a Koertig with a goal in mind?
[21:26] (@Morgan) How much of what you said is true, Edward? Fathers heard of none of it....
[21:26] * Edward looks at him
[21:27] (Edward) I do not lie to my Graf.
[21:28] (@Morgan) You know I'm going to check, dont you?
[21:29] (Edward) The situation was exactly as I have said, so be my guest. I will provide a list of dates and names of those involved.
[21:30] * Edward watches him. There's no anger or amusement there, just a seriousness.
[21:30] (@Morgan) I'm sure you can understand my... difficulty in just accepting what you say...
[21:31] (Edward) I can understand your reluctance in accepting the way things were
[21:33] * @Morgan nods slowly
[21:34] (@Morgan) Alright...
[21:34] (Edward) I'll have the list for you by dawn.
[21:34] (@Morgan) mother will be pleased to see you...
[21:35] * Edward smiles, the first time he really has so far
[21:36] (Edward) I'll be pleased to see her too
[21:36] * @Morgan nods, moving to the door
[21:37] (Edward) **Morgan hears the music change, and though he can't make out the words, the unfamiliar song is sung in a very familiar voice
[21:37] * Edward follows him
[21:39] * @Morgan pushes the door open slowly
[21:42] (Edward) **The door opens near silently, though the assembled gathering of Verity, Martha, Inga, HeinzHarold and Claudia are too busy watching Molly sing and play to notice. The song is quite slow, lyrics and vocals filled with expression. She has her eyes closed as she plays, off in her own little world. The tiara and sparkles of the dress distribute flashes of candlelight here and there.
[21:44] (Edward) Molly sings: So close no matter how far
[21:44] (Edward) Couldn't be much more from the heart
[21:44] (Edward) Forever trusting who we are
[21:44] (Edward) And nothing else matters
[21:46] * Edward watches her, mouth slightly open, impressed, as she continues to sing and play flawlessly, the words so apt to her current feelings
[21:47] (Edward) **Claudia is the first to notice Morgan, and she frowns a moment before gesturing "Orders?"
[21:48] (@Morgan) "No obvious danger"
[21:49] (Edward) *she inclines her head, though looks a little put out*
[ 21:50] * Edward continues to watch Molly intently, though in fairness so do the others. She smiles as she completes the last chorus
[21:53] (Edward) **Molly finishes the song, smiling
[21:54] (Edward) *Everyone claps as she rises, accepting a glass from HH with a wide smile
[21:55] * Edward claps also, and it attracts her attention
[21:56] ** Morgan has said your nick on Morgan
[22:00] * Edward smiles admiringly, casting his eye over her. She tenses a little, unnoticeable to anyone but him, and there's a pause in her breathing. HH says something quietly to her, unexpectedly, and she laughs, turning to him
[22:02] (Edward) **verity squeals, rushing over to Edward* You came home! I've missed you so much! *he embraces her, though Morgan sees a brief glance once more at the red head who giggles with HH and Inga*
[22:03] (Edward) *Claudia comes to stand by Morgan, watching them all in her usual slightly-unnerving way*
[22:03] ** You're now known as Claudia
[22:04] * Claudia watches where Morgan's attention is
[22:06] * @Morgan glances between Edward and Molly
[22:09] (Claudia) Ve: *she unwraps his gift, and he explains that the odd thread wrapped circle resembling a spider's web is a dreamcatcher from Vendel. He still occasionally glances at her, watching her. She meets Morgan's glance, and there's the briefest flicker of solemnity and uncertainty written there*
[22:09] * Claudia speaks quietly
[22:09] (Claudia) You could cut the tension here with a knife.
[22:11] * @Morgan nods slightly, watching on
[22:12] (Claudia) Ve: Shall I make some introductions? *she speaks to Edward, who again watches Molly* Yes, mother, I'd like that
[22:14] (Claudia) *Molly watches Morgan whilst talking to Inga, barely even acknowledging the staring
[22:16] (Claudia) Are you going to tell me what the hell is going on in here?
[22:16] * @Morgan looks at Claudia
[22:17] (@Morgan) Call it a nervous truce for now.
[22:18] (Claudia) *verity links arms with Edward, taking him to the group at the piano. Morgan hears a soft voice in his head* "Are you ok, liebling?"
[22:18] * @Morgan nods ever so slightly
[22:19] (Claudia) "And us? Are _we_ ok?"
[22:19] * Claudia watches him
[22:19] * @Morgan nods slightly again
[22:19] (Claudia) Alright.
[22:21] (Claudia) **Molly smiles in the way she does when she's being his poised Veisgrafin, looking completely composed*
[22:24] (Claudia) Ve: Molly, may I present my youngest son Edward. Edward, this is Molly, your new sister and Veisgrafin" *Edward bows to her, before taking and kissing her hand. Though she smiles warmly, he feels a deep sense of protective instinct in his stomach, and is unable to tell if it's hers or his own emotion.